EJD Middle School
National Junior Honor Society Hard at Work
E.J.D.’s branch of National Junior Honor Society has been working
hard this year tackling multiple projects in order to improve our
school and community. We held the annual fundraiser for UNICEF
raising almost $150.00. We also helped host the holiday canned food
drive with JCB’s National Honor Society, collecting canned goods.
Together with the high school, we collected enough food for nearly
200 baskets for the Phoenix community. Also, during the holiday
season the NJHS raised over $300.00 for “Toys for Tots”. For our
latest project, we visited the Michaud nursing home to sing carols and
give out Christmas cards to all who wanted one. Now, we are pursuing the idea of raising money for the Syracuse ASPCA and plan to
work just as hard in future ventures.
Written by: Olivia Ripley, Secretary of NJHS
GUIDANCE OFFICE NEWS
9th Grade Scheduling Appointments
All parents of 8th grade students are reminded to make an appointment with Mrs. Barber or Mr. Quirk to select courses for their child’s
9th grade schedule if they haven’t already done so. This is a very exciting and important transition and parents are strongly encouraged to
participate in it with their children. Please call Mrs. Coleman at 6951522 to schedule an appointment. Scheduling appointments started on
February 2nd and need to be completed by March 26th.
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THE 5th GRADE
YELLOW NINJAS and
PINK PANDA’S
ELA - Mrs. Matlock and Mrs. McCaffrey: Our ELA classes ar e midway thr ough our second module
that centers around the concept of human rights. In our first unit, we practiced close reading skills by learning
about the articles in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Students continue to practice explaining what
a text says, both verbally and in writing, by providing evidence and using quotes from the text. We are currently reading the novel, Esperanza Rising, and students are learning to make inferences, determine themes
and the meaning of figurative language, and compare and contrast characters, settings, and events. There is a
considerable amount of reading that needs to be done at home each night as required homework. Please help
your child by providing the time and a quiet place for them to complete their reading successfully. Please feel
free to call or email your child’s teacher any time you have any concerns or questions. [email protected] and [email protected].
Math – Mrs. Hetko and Mr. Westerlund: Dur ing the 2nd quarter in math, we completed Modules 2 and 3
and we began Module 4. Currently in Module 4, students are working on multiplying and dividing fractions
and fraction decimals. If your child is struggling with their nightly homework, you can find the lesson at
www.engageny.org . First go to Common Core at the top left of the page, and then click on Common Core
Curriculum in the drop down menu, and then 5th grade math. You will find each module and lesson listed
there. Students should also be bringing home the Problem Set from class each day to use as a guide to completing the homework.
Social Studies - Mr. Cassella: In the second quar ter , we have gone deep into the under standing of the
first people of our hemisphere, the Native Americans. There was a large focus on the three major empires: the
Maya, the Aztec, and the Inca. We are currently focusing on European exploration and how this impacted our
world. Although we have only a few homework assignments, students are urged to make-up missed time and
assignments after school as needed. We also have most materials available on Schoology.com. Please ask your
child to see it! [email protected]
Science – Mrs. Bonnier: We have begun the study of the human body systems. This unit began with the
skeletal system. I hope they were excited to come home and practice the names of their bones. We have
worked on the respiratory and circulatory systems, and we’ll be moving on to the digestive and excretory systems next. I don’t give a lot of written homework, but the majority of your child’s responsibility in science is
to review the vocabulary in their science notebook nightly. If you have any questions, please feel free to email
me at [email protected]
NEW VISITOR’S SIGN IN SYSTEM AT EJD
EJD has just installed the new Raptor security system that will log in and track all visitors.
When visiting us at EJD, you will be required to bring in your driver’s license so you can be
added and logged into the visitors system.
The Raptor system is one more device that our school will be using to ensure that all our students and staff are safe each and every day.
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MRS. SILKY’S CLASS
Mrs. Silky’s class has been initiating Random Acts of Kindness for EJD. The kids have arbitrarily selected homerooms to drop off special gifts. For October, they surprised Mr.
Westerlund’s homeroom with Halloween treats, and Mrs. Touron’s students with Halloween cards and candy. In December, they gave handmade Christmas ornaments and candy
canes to Mr. Forde’s class. Additionally, with the help from Mrs. Silky, Mrs. Doss and
Mrs. Fisher, the students have helped other committees in the building: they made flyers
and posters for Santa Hat Day, made donation boxes for the food drive and made donation
boxes for the upcoming pet-food drive to benefit OCAWL. They also helped Mrs. Ford by
making posters and signs for her Hat Day to benefit the French Club. The kids have learned
the power of giving, and have enjoyed spreading kindness throughout EJD!
“Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and most underrated agent of
human change.”
—Bob Kerrey
Mrs. Park’s Classes
5th Grade READ 180- We started Workshop 3 (Bud, Not Buddy) after Christmas vacation. In this workshop, students are learning about story elements (setting, characters, plot, theme, and point of view) and
will continue to work in independent, software, and small group instruction. Students recently took an SRI
assessment and should all be very proud of the progress they are making so far! Please continue to check
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your son/daughter’s agenda for any homework.
The Green Team
Math:
Students will soon be finished with Module 3 covering positive and negative numbers and the coordinate
plane. Module 4 will begin our study of mathematical expressions and equations.
Science:
During the third quarter in Science, we will be studying Weather & Climate. The topics to follow are: Atmosphere & Weather; Precipitation & Clouds; Predicting Weather; and Climate. Students should be studying their
vocabulary flashcards nightly.
Social Studies:
We are ending our study of river valley civilizations with a short unit about ancient China. After that, we’ll begin
a unit on ancient Greece. Please note that I ask all students to get an adult’s signature on tests and quizzes.
English:
Students are wrapping up the second module of the year with a fun, innovative research project. The theme of
this second module is “Rules to Live By,” and for the last unit, students will work in expert groups to use multiple informational sources to research a topic related to a specific issue facing their peer group. They will then
formulate and use their own “rule” to lead a better life. Students will be blogging about their experiences and
will create a 30 second public service announcement. Students will finish up the project by writing an individual
evidence-based essay to inform readers about their own “rule to live by.” For the third module, we will read a
nonfiction text, W orld W ithout Fish, as well as the novel, Flush. Students will analyze how point of view and
perspective are conveyed in the texts as they learn about ocean conservation and the impact of human activities
on life in the oceans.
Mrs. Burdick’s Read 180 classes are in the middle of Workshop 3 – Identity Crisis. We are preparing to write a
literary analysis of the short story, “Louisa, Please Come Home.” Students continue to practice their reading
skills and strategies through the computer software and during their independent reading.
The Purple Team
In math, we will be finishing up Module 3 before February break and will start Module 4: Algebra. We will complete
Module 4 prior to Spring Break. Please continue to work with your student on applying the Common Core to real world
situations. Basic math facts are a necessity, so please continue to practice these at home with your student. We are at the
half-way point of the school year and students supplies are diminishing. Please restock on pencils and erasers. Give your
student a reminder about the expectations we have at school and help us help your child be accountable. Thank you for
your support.
ELA – Module 3 will begin shortly after the start of the 3rd quarter. The focus of this module is Point of View and Perspective. In this module, students study how an author develops point of view and how an author’s perspective is evident
in his or her writing. We will read a nonfiction text, World Without Fish, as well as the novel, Flush. Students will analyze how point of view and perspective is conveyed in the texts as they learn about ocean conservation and the impact of
human activities on life in the oceans.
Science - During the third quarter in Science, we will be studying Weather & Climate. The topics to follow are: Atmosphere & Weather; Precipitation & Clouds; Predicting Weather; and Climate. Students should be studying their vocabulary
flashcards nightly.
Social Studies: We ar e ending our study of r iver valley civilizations with a shor t unit about ancient China. After
that, we’ll begin a unit on ancient Greece. Please note that I ask all students to get an adult’s signature on tests and quizzes.
Mrs. Burdick’s Read 180 classes ar e in the middle of Wor kshop 3 – Identity Crisis. We are preparing to write a liter-4
ary analysis of the short story, “Louisa, Please Come Home.” Students continue to practice their reading skills and strategies through the computer software and during their independent reading.
The Central New York region has conducted an annual Scholastic Art Awards program for more than 70 years to
recognize the artistic accomplishments of students within a wide region of local districts. The Scholastic Art
Awards program is a very competitive show representing artwork from grades 7-12. Each year the show brings in
almost 5,000 pieces of art from 80 to 100 individual schools, making this program one of the largest in the country.
More than 70 professional artists, educators and photographers recently selected award winners during the judging process to create an exhibit of over 1,300 pieces. We are pleased to announce that 12 EJD students were
among the winning selections for the 2015 Scholastic Art Show including four Silver Key Honors and two Gold Key
awards!
Honorable Mention Awards were received by the following 8th graders: Xander Harrison, Crystal Stobart,
Abi Clark, Kirsten Greenleaf, Wendy Li, Edward Zellar, and Brianna Gates with two awards in this category.
Silver Key Awards went to the following 8th graders: Kristine Rowe, Mairin Sgroi, Olivia Thrall, and Kearra
Backus.
The highest honor of a Gold Key was awarded to 8th graders Maggie-Lee Basile, and Abi Clark.
The artwork will be on display through Friday, February 27th at the Whitney Applied Technology Center at Onondaga Community College. This exhibit is free and open to the public! Congratulations to the award winning artists
from EJD!
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The Orange Tigers
ENGLISH – In seventh grade, students are continuing their work with the novel Lyddie
by Katherine Paterson. The students will continue to develop evidence based claims to further their understanding of the working conditions Lyddie faced and how they affected her.
In eighth grade, students are continuing their work with the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. The students will
continue to develop evidence based claims to further their understanding of what it means to take a stand and why it is important to take a stand.
All students will be taking the ELA exam April 14, 15, and 16, 2015.
MATH – In seventh grade, students are currently working on Module 3 - expressions and equations. Students must be
fluent with basic math facts and integer rules to be successful in middle and high school math. There are many interactive
games on the Internet to practice these skills.
In eighth grade, students are currently working on Module 4 - linear equations. The content in this module is very important
since it is repeated in ninth grade at a higher level. It is important students complete homework on the night it is assigned.
If your child is struggling with the homework, please encourage him/her to stay after school for extra help.
SCIENCE - In seventh grade, students just finished their unit on evolution. They are starting their unit on invertebrates
and vertebrates and will soon be dissecting an earthworm and a frog. The midterm is scheduled for January 27. There is a
review packet students will have to use to study. The midterm will include all material covered since the beginning of the
year.
In eighth grade, students are finishing up Newton’s Laws of Motion and simple machines. The midterm will be near the end
of January. The midterm will include all material covered since the beginning of the year. We will soon begin our unit on
waves.
SOCIAL STUDIES – In seventh grade, students are finishing up their unit on the American Revolution. Please ask your
child about his/her Schoology account and about their project on the American Revolution. Our next unit of study is government. Please check your child’s agenda for upcoming homework assignments, quizzes or tests.
In eighth grade, students are finishing up their unit on World War I. Please ask your child about his/her Schoology account
and about the book Dark Crossing that we are reading in class. Our next unit of study is the Roaring Twenties. Please
check your child’s agenda for upcoming homework assignments, quizzes or tests.
BLACK WIDOWS
Martin, Mastine, Walberger, Webb
Because this is cold and flu season, please call the guidance office and make arrangements for your child’s work to
be sent home if he or she is out sick. This will help ensure your child does not get too far behind
or feel overwhelmed upon returning to school.
MATH: In Math 8 class, students will continue working on Module 4 which involves writing expressions, writing and solving linear equations, as well as graphing linear equations on a coordinate plane. We will then move into our final two Modules prior to the state exam, which include
Functions followed by Geometry. For those of you thinking ahead, the New York State Math Exam
will be given on Wednesday, April 22nd through Friday, April 24th. We will be reviewing in class
for the state test. Students will be able to use a scientific calculator on Part II and III of this exam. Students are encouraged to review a little each night to help prepare for this exam. Reminder: Please encourage
your child to do his/her math homework on the day it is assigned. This way they can come in for extra help after
school the following day if the work is not understood. It is also important to remind your child to bring the math notes
home to assist with the homework questions. Thanks for your cooperation.
In social studies, the students are preparing for their mid-term exam. Although we have had some “hiccups” with our
technology I am still confident that the use of the tablets in the classroom is helping the majority of students. As far as
our curriculum, we are finishing up our studies of the 1920’s and the Great Depression and cruising right along into
World War II. Please keep vigilant with checking “Schoology” to see the progress of your student.
In ELA, we will continue reading the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Students are expected to be prepared for each lesson
by completing the daily assigned reading for homework. We will be focusing on skills this quarter that will prepare stu6
dents for the common core ELA state exam on April 14-16.
Foreign Language Corner
Montreal 2015
Packets have gone home with your student for our trip to Montreal. The final payment is due by February 23 rd. Each
student needs to turn in a notarized permission slip, a dollar policy, and a certified copy of his or her birth certificate.
There will be a parent meeting at the end of April.
French Club
7th and 8th Grade French students will be having a fondue party in class the week before Winter Break. There is also a Mardi Gras
mask making contest, the masks are due the week before Winter Break.
French 8- Madame Ford: It is that time of the year wher e we begin to focus on passing the HS cr edit bear ing exam. We will
be spending a lot of time preparing for the Speaking, which will begin in March. Your student must pass the exam given in June in
order to advance to French 2 and to earn a high school credit. If he or she does not pass this exam, they will be enrolled in French 1
at the high school. As you are working with the guidance department and creating your child’s high school schedule, please remember that colleges require language credits upon entrance. If your child does not continue on with language in the high school, he or
she will be required to take it in college. I strongly encourage him or her to continue with language study until the end of 10th grade.
French 7- Madame Ford: We ar e cur r ently wor king in the schools unit, lear ning class objects, name of classes and opinions
of these classes. Students will be giving a presentation in French about their daily schedule here at school. Please be sure your child
is studying his or her vocabulary nightly. Just spending 10-15 mins. each night can make a dramatic difference!
Spanish 7— Students will be taking or have just completed the mid -year assessment in Spanish this week (so it is not included in
the quarterly average). The evaluation tests students on their knowledge of all of the topics studied so
far this school year. Be sure and ask your child how well he or she did – but not until next week!
Spanish 8— ¡Hola! My name is Señor McLeod. I have been a Spanish teacher for 7 years but this is
my first time working for the Phoenix school district. I am filling in as the 8th Grade Spanish teacher
for the rest of the year. I am currently reviewing basic topics with students to help prepare them for the
upcoming unit on family.
THE BLUE BELUGAS
ABBOTT, CHAWGO, FORDE, GODKIN
English: We are finishing our first module using the book Lyddie. The end of the module test will require students to write an argumentative essay focusing on working conditions in 1843. There will be reading assignment associated with the novel. We will be
beginning our next module soon after February break. Please continue to check agendas for assignments.
Social studies - We are finishing up our unit on The American Revolution. Please ask your child about their Schoology account,
and about their project on the American Revolution. Our next unit of study is Government. Please check your child’s agenda for
upcoming homework assignments, quizzes or tests.
Science 7: We are wrapping up the unit on Evolution and will then review for the comprehensive midterm exam. Classes will then
be starting the next unit on Reproduction and Development. Please remind your student to look over their journal questions after
each class as these questions will be used for their 5 minute quiz the next class.
Biology 8:
Students are beginning the unit on Evolution and will be doing their third state lab about “Beaks of the Finches”. The
class is doing very well. Please encourage them to continue to look over their notes after each class.
Math: In 7th Grade Math we will be starting Module 3. To begin this module, students will generate equivalent expressions using
the fact that addition and multiplication can be done in any order with any grouping and will extend this understanding to subtraction
(adding the inverse) and division (multiplying by the multiplicative inverse, also known as the reciprocal). We will move to using an
area model (rectangle array) as a tool for students to rewrite products as sums and sums as products and to provide a visual representation leading students to recognize the repeated use of the distributive property in factoring and expanding linear expressions. We
will then move to developing and solving various linear equations to solve problems ranging from use of money, geometric figures
and inequalities. Parents are encouraged to continue their use of Schoology. On this site there will be a weekly calendar along with
copies of the problem sets and exit tickets students will be required to complete. Also there are video clips of the lesson being taught
and examples of the problem set questions. This is a great tool for students and parents to review the topics being taught in class. 7
Physical Education News
Congratulations to the EJD Physical Education December Student of the Month award winners.
5th Grade- Ella Tangorra and Sean Stevens
6th Grade- Garrett Morissiey and Tabitha Clark
7th Grade- Conner Cole and Nicole Tulowiecki
8th Grade- Jacob Ward and Katie Kimball
Students should be doing at least 60 minutes of vigorous or moderate-intensity physical activity at
school, with more than half of the activity occurring during regular educational hours.
fOR MORE INFORMATION AND UPDATES—VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT:
www.phoenixcsd.org
UPCOMING EVENTS
February
5—
20 Week report cards distributed
16—20 - Winter recess
March
6—
10—
11—
12—
17—
18—
19—
20—
25—
27—31
25 Week marking period ends
Half day of school with afternoon and evening parent/teacher conferences
Half day of school
25 Week progress report distributed
7th & 8th Grade Band/Chorus Concert—JCB—7:00 p.m.
5th & 6th Grade Band/Chorus Concert—JCB—7:00 p.m.
Snow date for concerts on 2/17 and 2/18
School closed, staff development day
Jazz Band Concert @ EJD—7:00 p.m. (Snow date 2/26)
Spring Recess
1-6 10—
16—
14—16
22—24
29 30 -
Spring Recess
30 Week marking period ends
30 Week report cards distributed
ELA Testing
Math Testing
Half day of school with afternoon and evening parent/teacher conferences
Half day of school
April
Notes:
Team News
Pages 2-7
Art News
Page 5
Foreign
Language
Page 7
Upcoming Events
Page 8
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