J. M. S. News. . . by Donald F. Gately
October 2014
Team 8C: “Team Day”
On Monday, September 15, the students
of team 8C participated in our annual
“Team Day”. The students were given the
opportunity to engage in a number of team
building activities that reflected the
Middle School’s monthly theme for
September: Building Community. Students
enjoyed playing games, eating lunch, and
having some ice cream together.
JERICHO MIDDLE SCHOOL WELCOMES NEW STAFF MEMBERS. . .
Danielle Weissmeier – 8th Grade Collaborative Aide
Danielle Weissmeier, a.k.a. Ms. “W”, has moved over this
year from Jericho High School and is excited to be part
of the Jericho Middle School team. She graduated with a
BA from SUNY Cortland with a dual major in geography
and social studies. Danielle continued her studies at LIU
CW Post earning a Master’s Degree in Special Education.
Ms. “W” began her teaching career at IS 141 in Astoria,
Queens. Since then, she has been keeping busy raising
her two girls, working at Hicksville Nursery School and
volunteering as cheer mom in the POB school district
over the past 6 years. She lives on Long Island with her
hubby, Bill, and their two beautiful daughters, Elizabeth Grace (12) and Emma Faith (10) and their two
precious Goldendoodles, Chrissy and Muggsy. In Danielle’s spare time, she enjoys baking, shopping with
her girls, watching sports, reading and listening to music.
Alexandra Gentile - Life Skills Program- Aide
Hi! I am Alexandra Gentile and I am so excited to be a part of the Jericho Middle
School Faculty! I am a former student of Dr. Gately and am eager to begin my
career coming full circle now on the other side! I graduated from Long Island
University- Post with a degree in Elementary Education. Currently, I am working
on my Masters in Special Education and a BCBA certification. My former teaching
experience is as a leave replacement at POBMS in the Plainview-Old Bethpage
School District, and now I am ready for new opportunities. I also work at the
Plainview Public library and am constantly busy, but I ran cross country in college
so I am used to “running around.” Here’s to a great year!
Amanda Rekas – Student Aide
Amanda Rekas is excited to join the faculty at Jericho Middle
School. Amanda graduated from Hofstra University with a degree
in Public Relations, and a Masters’ degree in Childhood and Special
Education. Some of you may recognize Amanda since she worked at
Seaman Elementary School last year. Previously, she worked at The
Aaron School located in Manhattan.
In her spare time, Amanda enjoys traveling, reading,
playing with her dogs, and spending time with her family.
Alexis Farrell, Student Aide
Alexis Farrell is excited to join the Jericho Middle School community.
Alexis graduated from Iona College in 2013 with a degree is
Adolescent Education with a concentration in Social Studies. Alexis is
currently enrolled in her second year of Graduate school at St.
Joseph’s College in Patchogue. She is new to the Jericho school
district and is excited as to what this year holds for her. Previously,
she worked at the Developmental Disabilities Institute in Huntington,
working with preschoolers with disabilities. Alexis enjoys dancing,
traveling, spending time at the beach, and relaxing on the boat.
Lindsay Ehrman – 6th Grade Collaborative Aide
Hello, my name is Lindsay Ehrman and I am a new teacher aide
at Jericho. Previously, I worked as a substitute teacher in a
couple different schools on Long Island, and I am very happy to
be joining a faculty of friendly and passionate educators. I
earned my Bachelor's Degree in History Education and I am
currently working towards my Master's Degree in Special
Education. I am excited to build on my experiences this year
as a teacher aide on a sixth grade team!
Stephanie Compitello, Aide
HI! I am Stephanie Compitello and I am a new addition to the Jericho Community. I have heard such
positive things about this community and I am excited to be a part of it all. I was previously part of the
ConnetquotSchool District as a permanent substitute
teacher, where I was also a student. I graduated from
Dowling College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
with a Minor in Special Education while playing on the
Division II women’s softball team all four years. I have
just recently graduated from Dowling College with a
Masters’ Degree in Special Education as well as Elementary
Education. For the past three years I have coached
Middle School Softball in the Bayport-Blue Point UFSD.
I love working with children and there is no better place to
be than in a school! I am so excited to learn and grow as
an educator this year in Jericho!
Team 6A: Learning to Use Observation Skills
Students in Team 6A learn how to use observation skills
during science class while getting to know each other.
We look forward to another successful school year at
Jericho Middle School!!!
Team 6B: Processing Skills in Science
Team 6B is off to a great start! Students in Ms. Riccuiti's and Ms.
Varga's classes have been learning about the process skills in
science. Recently, students used hand lenses to observe details
found on a penny. Before using the hand lenses, students thought
they knew the penny well; however, their observation skills and
scientific tools enabled them to find some hidden secrets!
Team 6C: Participates in a Scavenger Hunt
Meeting new friends is an exciting part of Jericho Middle School.
Team 6C participated in a scavenger hunt to encourage students to
learn each other’s names and initiate conversations on what
students have in common with each other. The team activity ended
with Italian ices. Team 6C is eager to meet up again on our
upcoming fishing trip.
Team 6D: Science/Art Project
Ms. Schisgall, Ms. Aubrey and Ms. Lambe,
their students, along with Mr. Porinchak,
produced an illustration of a micro-organism
that they observed using a microscope.
Then, they painted the micro-organism using
water colors. All-in-all, a wonderful way
to learn! ! !
Team 7A: An Interdisciplinary Activity on the Anniversary of September 11th
Students on Team 7A participated in an
interdisciplinary activity on the anniversary of
September 11 in their ELA and social studies classes.
Students explored essential questions like: How do we
remember? How can we get reliable information?
What can I do to prevent the spread of stereotypes in the
aftermath of tragedy?
Many important discussions were had between students and
teachers, and between the students. We look forward to more
opportunities to do other interdisciplinary work this school year!
Team 7B: Throwing it Back
Team 7B students were “Throwing it Back” on Thursdays
as each week they have looked at pictures of students or
staff from when they were younger. Students are
building a sense of community as we emphasize the idea
that everyone has a past and a personal history. Our
first Throwback Thursday photo of Mr. Sharma was a
perfect example of September’s SEL theme of
community. We looked at a picture of Mr. Sharma’s
fourth birthday, one of his first after returning to the
States from India, and he spoke about how the kindness
of others made him feel like he belonged in his
community. Students can’t wait to see whose photo is
next!
Team 8A: Studying the Civil Rights Movement After the Civil War Ended
Team 8A students participated in building
community and togetherness activities.
While studying the Civil Rights Movement that
started after the Civil War ended,
students were able to appreciate their
teammates in school and those of the
teammates in a 1971 integrated public
school in Alexandria, VA.
Team 8B: Building Community through Equality
As a way of connecting our monthly theme to our curriculum,
the students on Team 8B participated in a unit entitled
“Building Community though Equality” on Wednesday,
September 24, 2014. Students made connections between
their social studies unit and current issues related to
discrimination and tolerance. Through a series of selfreflective and collaborative activities, students came away
with a greater sense of community and understanding.
The World Language Department
Chinese…The sixth grade Chinese class is learning the basics of Mandarin- pinyin and tones. For many
students this is the first time they are being introduced to a tonal language. If you see a 6th grader
walking around dancing, singing, and bobbing his or her head don't judge! They are just practicing
Chinese.
French…Sixth grade French students are preparing for their first puppet show. Seventh graders are
learning about leisure activities and are starting their autobiography books. Eighth grade French classes
are exploring and comparing the French education system and are starting to look forward to the end of
the year Quebec trip! French club has been learning to play "pétanque" and is preparing a competition
with the Spanish and Italian clubs.
Italian…Sixth grade Italian students are showing off their Italian conversational skills with puppet
shows. Seventh graders are able to talk about and answer questions about themselves. Their Pizza
projects are ready to fly in the Italian classroom! Eighth graders are showing off their Italian
vocabulary by watching silent videos and inventing conversations about what is happening in them.
Spanish…In eighth grade we started reading our first novela in Spanish (with no pictures!). It’s amazing
seeing students interact with the Spanish language through literature. Seventh grade students are
learning how to describe themselves in Spanish. Students are actively engaged in singing Sr. Wooley's
"Soy Guapo” song. Ask your child to sing it to you. Sixth grade students are busy preparing for their
first puppet show- the perfect example of project-based learning. Be sure to ask your child about the
“Blow-Pop Challenge” where if they successfully introduce their teacher to a friend in the hallway they
win a paleta.
News from Our Library
Our Eighth Grade Readers' Lunch Bunch met on September 24th and had lots of fun talking about our
favorite books! Please click on to the following link to view our pictures:
http://web.jerichoschools.org/ms/library/lunchbunch2013-14.htm
Pat Minikel, Jericho Middle School Librarian, I'm currently reading The Extra by Kathryn Lasky What
are you reading?
Jericho Middle School 3rd Annual Buy Prevention Kick Off
“Walk a Mile In My Shoes” Walk to End Bullying
Thursday, October 23, 2014 (raindate October 24th)
Jericho Middle School has had a longstanding commitment to Bully Prevention, as demonstrated
through our B.R.A.V.E. program and S.E.L. initiatives and, most recently, through our full implementation of
the Olweus Bully Prevention Program. We are entering our third year of implementing this internationally
recognized program, based on the research of renowned Norwegian researcher Dan Olweus, which is designed
to improve school climate and reduce / prevent incidences of bullying between students.
Each year we reaffirm our commitment to prevent bullying through our Bully Prevention Kick-Off. At
our first Kick-Off, Jericho students, staff, parents and community members set a world record
(recordsetters.com) for the most people to pledge to stand up to bullying, with our motto “We Don’t Stand
By…We Stand Up!” Last year, we collectively walked 4,637 miles to demonstrate that we are willing to put our
best foot forward and “Walk the Talk” to prevent bullying in our school.
This year, we will continue our “walking journey” during our third annual Bully Prevention Kick-Off.
The “Walk a Mile in My Shoes Walk to End Bullying” focuses on the essential nature of “empathy” in reducing
incidences of bullying, as well as the motivating factor for bystanders to have the courage to stand up for others.
All aspects of the Kick-Off, which will include school-wide assemblies, community service projects and our
walk around the track, will focus on the power of change through identifying and understanding the feelings of
others, and responding to those feelings with an enhanced sense of compassion.
We would like to encourage our Jericho Middle School families to participate in the different Kick-Off
events and activities, including a special evening parent program featuring the well-regarded bully prevention
speaker, John Halligan (October 22, 2014, 7:30 p.m. – MS/HS Auditorium)
You will receive additional information about our 3rd annual Bully Prevention Kick-Off in the coming
days. If you have any questions about this special event, feel free to contact JMS Social Worker, Joanne
Verdino, at 203-3600; ext. 3266 or [email protected]
OUR MONTHLY THEME FOR OCTOBER: COURAGE
Courage is standing up and doing the right thing, speaking out on behalf of others, and making a
commitment to excellence in the face of adversity or the absence of support. Winston Churchill viewed
courage as a starting place. He said “Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality
which guarantees all the others” Martin Luther King said “The ultimate measure of man is not where he
stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in time of challenge and
controversy.”
Middle school students want to be unique, as long as they’re just like everybody else. Things that come
naturally to us as adults can be challenging to adolescents. To stand up for another student who’s being
bullied, to refuse to engage in some dangerous behavior, to even sit with a different group of kids at
lunch . . . these are all significant acts of courage for students, yet, every day here at the middle
school, we see students doing them, acting courageously.
Here’s a suggestion I want to make to our students to demonstrate Courage. It may seem like a simple
thing to do, but it seems difficult for adolescents. Next time you see somebody sitting by him/herself
at lunch or in class, ask him/her to join you and your friends. Include other people; make a new friend.
You will be rewarded for your Courage.
Our role as caring adults in the lives of these young people is to encourage this kind of courage,
recognize it when we see it, and find ways to reinforce it. So, I’d ask you to support our monthly theme
for October by promoting all the small acts of courage your children show.
Weekly Quotes for October
October 6: “Each time a man stands up for what he believes in or acts to improve the lot of
others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope.”
Robert F. Kennedy, American politician from Massachusetts, 1925-1968
October 13: “You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really
stop to look fear in the face. You must do that which you think you cannot do.”
Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady of the United States, 1933-1945
October 20: “In the middle of difficulties lies opportunity.”
Albert Einstein, German born physicist, 1879-1955
October 27: “You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say.”
German Priest and Scholar, 1483-1546
DATES TO REMEMBER
October 2
October 3
October 13
October 14
October 15
October
October
October
October
21-22
23
27
28
Middle School Back to School Night and Learning Center, Grades 6, 7, 8
7:00 p.m.
Progress Reports Posted Online
Schools Closed
Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Grade Guidance Evening Hours, 7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.
Recognizing that other commitments often make it impossible for parents to find
time to meet with counselors during the regular school day, we will continue a
program of evening meetings this year. If you would like to meet with your
youngster’s counselor but are unable to do so during the school day, please call the
counselor in order to schedule an evening appointment.
Middle School Welcome & School Information Night/
PTSA Mtg./MS Library/7:30 p.m.
Middle School Book Fair – M.S. Library - 7:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Board of Education Meeting – Middle School Library – 7:30 p.m.
Spelling Bee
SEPTA Meeting, M.S. Library – 7:00 p.m.