The Michael J. Petrides School
Middle School Newsletter Grade 7
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 begin reading Lyddie by Katherine Paterson and begin learning
about working conditions and child labor laws. They will also begin learning the breakdown and specifics
of persuasive writing.
Math – This month the students will review all the skills learned this year in preparation for the upcoming
NY State Math exam.
Science – The students will continue to learn about cells and the organelles that make up cells. They will
learn about the parts of a microscope and how to properly use a compound microscope to look at
specimens.
Social Studies – During the month of April the students will examine the successes and failures of The
Articles of Confederation and how it led to the government we have today.
Test/Projects Dates
April 19th – Math Spring Break Packet due
April 28th – Social Studies Fair
REMINDERS!
Earn extra credit in ELA if you bring in your
own copy of Lyddie by Katherine Paterson.
Required Reading
ELA – Lyddie by Katherine Paterson (extra
credit for students who bring their own copy)
Math – Buckle Down: Units 1, 2, 3, & 5
Science – Textbook chapter 13: Cells-The unit
of life
Social Studies – Textbook Chapter 4 & 5
Students should come to Math class prepared
with several pencils and a calculator every
day!
The New York State Math exam will be
administered on Tuesday, May 2nd through
Thursday May 4th. Please remember to come
to school with sharpened #2 pencils on the
days of the exam. A Scientific calculator is
required for days 2 and 3 of the exam.
The Petrides School
2017
Grade 7
Sun
Mon
Tues
Wed
Thurs
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
Philadelphia
Trip
9
10
No School
Spring Break
16
17
No School
Spring Break
23
24
11
18
25
No School
Spring Break
19
No School
Spring Break
7
8
13
14
15
Pajama Day!
12
No School
Spring Break
6
A Morning
at the Movies
No School
Spring Break
No School
Spring Break
20
21
22
27
28
29
Math Spring
Break Packet
26
Social Studies Fair
Grade 5 & 68:30-9:30am
Grade 7 & 810:00-11:00am
30
Important Upcoming Dates:
May 2nd, 3rd, 4th – NY State Math Exam