December 4, 2015 - Aubry Bend Middle School Weekly Newsletter
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2/5/16, 10:20 AM
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WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
12/4/2015
All School Announcements
December 4, 2015
Student Council News: ABMS Student Council will be partnering with TCE to help bring joy to patients at Children’s
Mercy during their medical stay. We are asking each student at Aubry Bend to donate a single pack Hot Wheels car (or
(http://abmsnews.weebly.com/blog/decemberseveral SINGLE PACKS) between Dec. 4-Dec. 16th to be taken to Children’s Mercy and used for the little patients of
4-2015)
Children’s Mercy. Please join us in this collaborative community e"ort during this di#cult time for many children that
have been hospitalized. Please bring the cars to Mrs. Haberly or the main o#ce at any time between now and Dec. 16.
HENRY'S HAUL
(http://www.bluevalleyk12.org/education/page/download.php?
fileinfo=SGVucnlzX0hhdWxfMjAxNV9mbHllci5wZGY6Ojovd3d3Ni9zY2hvb2xzL2tzL2JsdWV2YWxsZXkvaW1h
Bring Your Own Device Update: Students at
SPRING PLAY AUDITIONS: “Night at the Wax
ABMS are allowed to use their personal devices (i.e.
Museum” auditions will be held Monday & Wednesday in
phones, iPads, laptops) during classes when it's
the ABMS Commons. Please print an audition packet o"
educationally appropriate; however, we know that
the website or see Mrs. Tomas for one. There are a lot of
sometimes kids will tell parents that they HAVE to
talented kids at ABMS, we hope they all audition for
have their phone at school because the teacher
“Night at the Wax Museum”. Callbacks will be Thursday
requires its use. Not true. If a teacher requires any
and an ALL cast meeting will be December 14th from 3-4
technology in class, it may be an option to use a
pm.
personal device, but we will ALWAYS provide the
students with the appropriate technology needed to
perform the task.
Don't feel like you can't ground them from their
phone...having it at school is a privilege, not a
right.
We do not condone social media apps at school. Our focus is educational and we continuously
discuss appropriate use during class.
Community Service Update: ABMS is having their annual Adopt-a-Family for the Holidays project! We have
http://abmsnews.weebly.com/blog/december-4-2015
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December 4, 2015 - Aubry Bend Middle School Weekly Newsletter
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“adopted” a local family who is having some financial di#culties in helping provide some holiday gifts and cheer. If you
would like to sign up for any items on this family’s wish list, please click the link below. When you have selected the
item(s) you want to donate, type in your family’s last name under the “donor” column and then have fun shopping! You
may send in your donation with your student and it can be dropped o" with our receptionist in the main o#ce or brough
to Mrs. McClain, 8th grade Reading teacher in room 109. Donations must be in by Monday, December 7th. (We
suggest you include a gift receipt with your purchase in the event the item does not fit.) Our Community Service Club
will meet on 12/9 from 3-4 pm in room 109 to wrap the gifts! Come join us! Thank you for your generosity!
https://docs.google.com/a/bluevalleyk12.org/spreadsheets/d/1Jp1RKI"Wess3SO2KSbRSjRhTSgF0xCgliqdacbVF78/edit?
usp=sharing
(https://docs.google.com/a/bluevalleyk12.org/spreadsheets/d/1Jp1RKI"Wess3SO2KSbRSjRhTSgF0xCgliqdacbVF78/edit?
usp=sharing)
MathCounts will meet in room 313 after school on
DEBATE CLUB: Wednesday, Dec. 9th, from 3-3:45. Hope to see you there!
ABMS Debate Club picture will be on the staircase
at 7:30 am Tuesday. Please wear your debate club
All school Spelling Bee will be on Monday, Dec. 14th,
t-shirt!
first and second hours.
Congrats to the 45 ABMS students who debated at
the ABMS Debate Club Tournament at BVSW last
Opportunity Hour will be in the Library on Tuesday and
night. It was so great to see the interactions
Thursday from 3:00-4:00 p.m. Please have rides pre-
between the BVSW Debate Team and the ABMS
arranged to avoid late pick-up.
students. I would like to thank Mrs. Tate and Mrs.
Allam, as well as the ABMS PTO, on their
continued support of this club. -Mrs. Tomas
PTO Information
Holiday Jars
Thank you all for signing up to adopt a jar for our wonderful Aubry Bend Sta". If you have not done so already, please
pick up from the o#ce the jar you signed up for. All the jars are accounted for but not all have been picked up yet. The
date to turn in your decorated and filled jar is next Friday, December 11. http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f054badac28a13-sta" (http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f054badac28a13-sta")
Thank you, again! We look forward to seeing all of your amazing creativity!
Reminder
December PTO meeting is scheduled for Tuesday December 8th at 9am in the workroom! Hope to see you all there!!
Counselors' Corner
Middle school is a time of many changes. Often students may feel confused or di"erent from their peers because of these
changes. It’s important to remind them that they are normal and that everybody experiences changes. Here are some
changes that middle schoolers can expect to go though:
Physical Changes:
Feel clumsy or uncoordinated as your body grows
Might feel restless or find it hard to sit still
Become more self-conscious, especially about their physical appearance and changes
Start to develop secondary sex characteristics – boys getting a deeper voice and girls getting their first
period
Mental Changes:
http://abmsnews.weebly.com/blog/december-4-2015
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Your thoughts will get complex
You’ll question things more than you used to
You will start to develop a stronger set of values and morals
You may want to experiment with new activities, classes, and interests
You’ll crave more independence and freedom to do your own thing You will start to show strong feelings and intense emotions at di"erent times and your moods might seem
unpredictable
Social Changes:
Your searching for your identity – trying to figure out who you are and where you fit in the world
You might argue more with your family over their rules for you
Your friendships may change-you’ll make new friends and lose touch with some old ones
You may become interested in dating
You might feel uncertain about your relationships with your parents
Thanks, Jennifer Schulte (A-K) & Mary Shellenberger (L-Z)
Receive Text Alerts for School Closings
In Kansas, it’s likely that over the next several months we’ll see a forecast that calls for freezing temperatures and
precipitation overnight. Winter weather like this means the chance for schools to be closed is a possibility. What is
the fastest way to find out if Blue Valley is having school or not? BV Alerts.
BV Alerts has been around for several years to send text messages to sta" and families when emergency situations
occur in a school. Blue Valley also sends a text message, to those who sign up, when school is canceled due to
inclement weather.
If you have already signed up to receive emergency BV Alerts text messages there is no need to sign up again. If
you are a new subscriber or if you need to update information or preferences, visit www.bluevalleyk12.org/bvalerts
(www.bluevalleyk12.org/bvalerts).
BV Alerts is just one of many ways to find out if inclement weather is impacting the school day.
If the decision is made to cancel classes, the district will also notify the following media outlets by 6 a.m.: WDAFTV (Ch. 4), KCTV (Ch. 5), KMBC-TV (Ch. 9), KSHB-TV (Ch. 41), as well as KCUR, KFKF, KBEQ, KMBZ
and WDAF radio stations.
Blue Valley families will receive an email from the district in case of a weather-related school closing. In addition,
the district’s weather line, (913) 239-4600; website, www.bluevalleyk12.org (http://www.bluevalleyk12.org);
Facebook; and Twitter will have up-to-date information if the school day is impacted due to severe weather.
If bad weather continues and classes are canceled the following day, announcements will be made in the same
manner as the day before. Otherwise, classes will be in session.
District Information - BV Schools receive positive report card from patrons
Results from the 2015 Customer Assessment Survey are in and the news is good for Blue Valley Schools. Blue Valley
patrons continue to report a high level of satisfaction with the district, according to the results from the biennial survey.
District patrons, including parents and non-parents, were randomly selected to participate in a telephone interview
conducted by Patron Insight, Inc.
Ninety-one percent of patrons surveyed said they would give the district as a whole a grade of “A” or “B,” with reputation,
strong curriculum/academics, community support and teachers noted as top strengths in the district. Other survey
http://abmsnews.weebly.com/blog/december-4-2015
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highlights include:
91 percent gave teachers in the district an "A" or "B."
97 percent think the quality of the school district positively impacts economic development and property values in
the district.
Additional significant areas that were graded high with a grade of an "A" or "B," include:
The quality of the school district's buildings - 95 percent
The quality of the education provided by the district - 92 percent
The safety and security of the students in the district's school buildings - 83 percent
The value received by patrons for the tax dollars invested in the district – 86 percent
Blue Valley Schools is fortunate to have a community that values a quality education, understands the positive impact the
district has on the local economy and supports the district’s mission of unprecedented academic success and unparalleled
personal growth for every student.
For a complete copy of the 2015 Customer Assessment Survey, visit the district’s website at
www.bluevalleyk12.org/pressroom (http://www.bluevalleyk12.org/pressroom) and select Customer Assessment Survey
from the Useful Links.
6th Grade Reminders
6th grade is preparing for our Greek Festival on Dec. 18. An email was sent to all parents/guardians registered in Paren
Vue with details. Included in the email was a link to Signup Genius to volunteer to bring items for the festival. If you
would be willing to donate, please use this link: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0844aaae2da5fc1-greek
(http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0844aaae2da5fc1-greek)
Huckabey: Can you believe we are almost halfway through sixth grade? As second quarter comes to an end, please make
sure to check grades. All missing/redo work is due on Friday, December 11th. Also, math lab times will change starting
next week.
6th Grade Band students may receive extra credit for attending 7th/8th Band Concert on Weds at BVSW, 7:00pm.
Wed: Beginning Band: Playing Test - #34
Thurs: Percussion Class: Playing Test - #34
Thurs: Woodwinds: Test - #78
Fri: Brass: Test - #78
ELA: All students are having our 2nd quarter Assessment of Learning on Tuesday, December 8th. Students should review
all AFL’s and Quarter 2 Class Notes in preparation.
Lockard’s science class: Quiz on heat transfer and layers of the earth Thursday, 12/10. Notes are in the science spiral and
cover Sections 3.2, 3.3, 10.2 and 10.3 in the textbook.
Spanish
Frases quiz on December 7/8 (Oliver)
Writing assessment on December 14/15 (all teachers)
Cultural celebration on December 16/17 (all teachers)
7th Grade Reminders
Band
7th Grade Rehearsal after school: Monday 3-4pm (please pick students up by 4:15!)
http://abmsnews.weebly.com/blog/december-4-2015
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December 4, 2015 - Aubry Bend Middle School Weekly Newsletter
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7th/8th Band Concert: Weds Students Report to BVSW Band Room at 6:00pm, concert begins at 7:00pm.
Social Studies:
Vocabulary Quiz-Wednesday, December 9th
Chapter 3 Unit Test-Friday, December 11th
ELA:
Vocab Quiz: Brockus and Knight 12/7, Miller on 12/8.
DOL Quiz: Brockus and Miller 12/11
Math:
Standard Integrated Algebra – S & S Investigation 2 Quiz on Friday 12/11
Math Lab – In rooms 212 & 213 on Wednesday 12/9
Spanish
Frases Quiz on December 8 (Oliver)
Family presentations on December 14 (all teachers)
Speaking assessment on December 15 (all teachers)
Cultural celebration on December 17 (all teachers)
Special Thanks to
Dr. Davis for his
lesson on heart
dissection to our 7th
grade students! The
kids loved it...even if
it was a little stinky. 8th Grade Reminders
Band
8th Grade Rehearsal after school: Tuesday 3-4pm (please pick students up by 4:15!)
7th/8th Band Concert: Weds Students Report to BVSW Band Room at 6:00pm, concert begins at 7:00pm.
8th Grade Reading/ELA: Persuasive projects are due on 12/7. Students will be writing their persuasive essays this week. All essays are timed, in class assignments, so the essays should not have to leave school. These are due on 12/10.
Science-Farris: Monday Tuesday Chapter 14.2 and Periodic Table Notes/Wednesday – Friday: How to form compounds
Math 8 – Laws of Exponents Unit Algebra 1 – continue It’s in a System
Stewart math lab: Wednesday @ 7am
Salzmann math lab: Wednesday @ 3pm
Social Studies- Begin WW1 Unit
Spanish
Frases quiz on December 8 (Klimek)
http://abmsnews.weebly.com/blog/december-4-2015
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December 4, 2015 - Aubry Bend Middle School Weekly Newsletter
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6.1 Classzone.com work due on December 10 (all teachers)
Speaking assessment on December 11 (all teachers)
Frases Quiz on December 15 (Oliver)
Final exam on December 16 (all teachers)
Cultural celebration on December 17 (all teachers)
From the Desk of Mrs. Tate...
Ahhh...middle school. We're just about halfway through the year, and whether this is your first, second, or third year of
middle school parenting, you're bound to be seeing some "things" happening. Some of you are seeing puberty in many
forms. Some of you are seeing emotions in many forms. Some of you are seeing eye-rolling in many forms. It's the time
when parents start to say, "Where is my sweet, caring child? What happened to him/her? Why is he/she so snarly and
moody?" Some of you may be seeing the same sweet child you've always had. You know what? It's ALL normal!
It's safe to say that the kiddo you knew before will emerge again. Our Counselors' Corner this week has some great
information on the social/emotional/physical changes of middle school students. In 6th grade this week, the counseling
lesson focused on "What's Normal?" The answer is: Everything is Normal!!! We are all di"erent in our own way, and the
sooner we can help our kids see that being unique is a good thing, the better. I will say, though, that in my experience,
middle school kids don't respond to the following:
Lectures
Any phrase that starts with, "When I was your age..."
Comparisons to siblings, friends, etc.
Yelling (even when we're not raising our voices, they think we're yelling at them)
The silent treatment
Unending punishments
Instead of some of these things, consider what they DO want...
Someone to listen to what they say...and sometimes NOT respond
To express themselves without judgement
Calm, considerate conversation
Fair consequences that don't last forever
Positive feedback when they do things well...even if it's something they always do
Someone to understand that they may not know why they feel or act a certain way and forgive them for their
words/behavior
Patience
I'm guilty of everything on these lists. I've made mistakes. But, the older I get and the more I work with this age of
students, the more I realize that even though they are undeniably challenging, they are also sweet, compassionate people. They want to act like children and be treated like adults. They want to scream and yell at us and get mad when we yell
back at them. They want to storm out and slam doors and get no consequences for their behavior. They want to use their
phones the way they want to without any restrictions from you. They want to be trusted, but haven't shown that they're
responsible. It took me a long time to remember that I have to look in the mirror before I can expect any of these things
from kids. Am I modeling exactly what I want and need from them? Am I flawless? Am I a giver? Am I a forgiver? Am I
who I want them to be?
If I'm not any of these things, then that's where I need to start. The kids at ABMS who've worked closely with me know
http://abmsnews.weebly.com/blog/december-4-2015
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my mantra: You can change you. That's it. You can't change anyone else, but you can change you. Sometimes, that
creates a positive change in the way others treat and respond to you.
When I'm the role model I need to be, I gain the respect of those around me, and really...that's the most I can do. It can
also make the middle school years much less frustrating and much more enjoyable.
Have a great weekend! Happy December!
Sincerely, Diana Tate, Principal
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