The Michael J. Petrides School
Middle School Newsletter Grade 8
April 2017
Dear Middle School Parents,
As the saying goes no winter lasts forever; no spring skips it’s turn. Luckily, April is filled with events as we patiently await the spring weather.
I am very proud of all the students who took advantage of our Tuesday evening, morning and Saturday test prep academy. Your children were
eager and happy to be here! Saturday Regents test prep Academy will begin in May. More detailed information will be forthcoming.
Our ELA test administration went smoothly. I am so proud of the work the students have done this year! I wish all of the students the best of luck
on their upcoming Math assessment. I want them to feel confident in their abilities and at ease on exam days. Following are the dates of the NYS
Mathematics exam:
May 2nd, 3rd and 4th, 2017
I encourage all students to get a good night sleep prior to test days, enjoy a healthy breakfast and come to school with sharpened number two
pencils. Also, don’t forget to wear your glasses, if needed and RELAX. As our T-shirts say, KEEP CALM AND PANTHER ON!! Your
child’s schedule will change slightly during testing days. On exam days (stated above) they will report to their official class teacher for period 1.
They will be dismissed from that room at the conclusion of their testing. They will then proceed to regularly scheduled classes.
Preparations for end of year ceremonies and celebrations are well underway. The eighth grade end of year letter outlining dates and costs is
attached to this newsletter. Along with the 8th grade end of year letter is a behavior contract. This contract will be reviewed with your child at
school. You should go over this contract at home and both you and your child must sign it. I have also attached a copy of the fifth grade Spirit
Cruise permission slip, and the sixth grade Medieval Times permission slip. These are also posted on our school's website for your easy reference.
Following are our Parents as Partners events for the month of April:
Grade 5 Science Exposition – Friday, April 21, 2017
Parents of students in Class 520 will visit at 9:00 am – 9:45 am
Parents of students in Class 521 will visit at 9:55 am – 10:25 am
Parents of students in Class 522 will visit at 10:40 am – 11:10 am
Grade 8 Evolution Lab – “The Beaks of Finches”
Class 822 – Monday, April 24, 2017 from 8:50 – 10:20 am
Class 820 – Thursday, April 27, 2017 from 8:00 – 9:30 am
Class 821 – Friday, April 21, 2017 from 8:50 – 10:20 am
Grades 5, 6, 7 and 8 Social Studies Fair will be on Friday April 28, 2017
The parent visitation schedule will be forthcoming
I want to thank all of the families supporting our school uniform policy and look forward to seeing 100% participation during the remainder of the
school year. Please remember ALL students are required to wear uniforms every day to school. The uniform policy consists of a light blue top and
navy blue bottom. Middle school students can wear Petrides Phys Ed uniforms on Phys Ed days. Uniforms can be ordered online at
[email protected]. The telephone number is 347 – 768 – 2049. Uniforms will be delivered to school and distributed by Mr. Michael
Duffy. You may also purchase a school uniform at any local store that carries school uniform wear. It has come to my attention many students are
wearing hooded sweatshirts over their uniforms. Only school logo sweatshirts or light blue sweatshirts are allowed.
Is your child falling behind on homework assignments and projects? Would you like a licensed teacher to tutor your child for one hour per day for
free? If so, I want to remind all families that our FREE after school program is offering homework help and tutoring daily. There are still seats
available. If you would like to take advantage of this program, please call my office at 718.815.0186 extension 22171. I will send home the
application with your child.
School is closed for Spring Break from April 10 through April 18, 2017. School resumes on April 19, 2017.
I would like to wish you a wonderful Spring break and if you have any questions, feel free to contact me at 718.815.0186 extension 22171 or
[email protected].
Sincerely,
BettyAnn Souffrin
Assistant Principal
What topics will the students learn this month?
ELA – During this month the students will learn how to write an argumentative writing piece. They will
have to defend one claim and write a counter claim on the topic “Are High School Sports good for Kids?”
Math – We have finished the Common Core Algebra 1 regents material and we will begin to review all
material covered since September.
Science – This month the students will explore the Theory of Evolution. They will “travel” on the HMS
Beagle with Charles Darwin to observe the Galapagos Islands. They will identify evolutionary
relationships between organisms and will fight for survival during our Beaks of Finches lab!
Social Studies – The students will understand the origins and events of the Cold War. They will read
primary source documents about the New Frontier and Great Society. The students will understand how
and why the United States will fail to stop the spread of Communism in Vietnam.
Test/Projects Dates
April 3rd – Science exam: Ch. 14 and 15 (Class 820)
April 4th – Science exam: Ch. 14 & 15 (Class 821 &
822)
April 21st – ELA: Wordly Wise Topic 9 exam
April 25th - US History Notebook and Video Log
Check
April 26th - US History Notebook and Video Log
Check
April 27th – Argumentative Writing piece due
April 28th – Social Studies fair
Required Reading
ELA – We will be reading different nonfiction
articles for their argumentative piece
Math – Textbook: Topics 8 and 9
Science – Textbook: Chapters 16-19
REMINDERS!
We will start Wordly Wise again with Unit 9.
Please review and study worksheets/notes on a
daily basis.
Remember to bring in a Graphing calculator to
Math class every day. Graphing calculators
are required for the Algebra I (Common
Core) Regents exam.
Please join us for a Science Parents as
Partners Lab Beaks of Finches:
Monday April 24th – Class 822-- 9:00-10:20am
Thursday April 27th – Class 820-- 8:00-9:30am
Friday April 28th - Class 821-- 9:00-10:20am
The Petrides School
2017
Grade 8
Sun
Mon
Tues
Wed
Thurs
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
Science Exam: Science Exam:
A Morning
Ch. 14 & 15
Ch. 14 & 15
at the Movies
Class 820
Class 821 & 822 Pajama Day!
9
10
No School
Spring Break
16
17
No School
Spring Break
23
24
11
12
No School
Spring Break
18
No School
Spring Break
13
No School
Spring Break
8
14
15
No School
Spring Break
19
20
21
22
ELA: Wordly
Wise Topic 9
exam
26
27
28
No School
Spring Break
25
7
ELA
Parents as Partners:
Beaks of Finches Lab
Class 821
9:00-10:20am
Parents as Partners:
Argumentative
US History
US History
Beaks of Finches
Writing piece
Notebook and
Notebook and
Lab
Video Log Check Video Log Check Parents as Partners:
Class 822
Social Studies Fair
Beaks of Finches
Grade 5 & 69:00-10:20am
Lab
8:30-9:30am
Class 820
Grade 7 & 810:00-11:00am
8:00-9:30am
30
Important Upcoming Dates:
June 6th – 8th Grade Prom
June 21st – Final Assembly
29