Issue #1, 2009-10 School Year

Brookside Middle School

IB 8D Team

Weekly Newsletter

Welcome

We teachers wish to welcome the incoming 8th graders to our team, and anticipate that this will be a positive and productive school year for everyone.

Our first week of classes went well. Students and teachers alike are still working on fine tuning all the new procedures in light of the different schedule this year, but we're getting there!



Changes to Our School Schedule

   All students will attend seven 45-minute classes four days each week.  On Wednesdays, students will have an 8th class for 30 minutes in the morning: Community of Caring, where they have an opportunity to learn about and discuss the five character traits of caring, respect, responsibility, trust and family.

   In addition to 4 core subject areas and two Encore classes, students will also attend an Academic Enhancement class during the last period in the day.  Teams, as well as individual teachers, decide on the focus of this class, which could range from enrichment in any of the core areas of Science, LA, Math and Humanities to IB projects and interdisciplinary projects.  Each quarter, the students will rotate to a different teacher so that all students on the team benefit from each subject area's focus.

  Sometimes students need extra help succeeding in difficult subjects or in staying organized and up to date with all their work.  Ms. Hebda and Ms. Downing proctor a "Critical Thinking" class every day during 2nd period.  Struggling students are initially placed in this class based on grades during the preceding year or quarter.  They can 'graduate' back out to a regular Encore class once they have demonstrated their ability to keep up with work and grades, usually at mid-quarter or quarter-end.

   Your student's schedule should be written in his/her Agenda for your easy access.  Please help reinforce the importance of writing assignments and other crucial information in the Agenda by talking about it with your student.  The Agenda is a required material at school every day in every class.

Recent Classroom Activities

 

Language Arts

We are beginning a novel, Nothing But the Truth by Avi, and will be reading particularly for character development and understanding. Students will be using a new note-taking strategy and will be writing daily reflections. Remember to read 30 minutes or more a day and enter the information into the Agenda book. Look at the weekly reading log, which we complete in class on Mondays, to see how your student is doing after the first week.

Science
Students have been and continue to set up their science notebooks, designing wonderful covers last and this week.  They are learning how to use their organizational skills to "think like a scientist."

Humanities
Students are continuing a review of their knowledge of United States geography this week.  They are learning how to connect an area's history with its geography while getting an overview of US history.  Please be sure your student has a composition notebook and subject area folder for this class.  There will be two quizzes this week: one Thursday on the states and one Friday on Chapter 1.  Students may earn extra credit by bringing in a family historical artifact to share with others in class.  Ask about it!

Math
The Order of Operations seems to be the dish du jour for all Math classes so if manners are not quite what they seem at the table, then "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally". Students are also reviewing integer rules and absolute value while evaluating expressions and equations.

The Algebra I class is being introduced to matrices and problem solving with Real Numbers, as well. Quizzes will be given in all classes this week so continue to encourage students to complete their homework.


Academic Enhancement
Students had an overview of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program for 8th grade last week, and they are reading a novel in each of their classes.  Ask them about what they're reading!


FALL SPORTS ANNOUNCEMENTS

Tryouts for boy's & girl's tennis, golf and girl's volleyball will take place the week of September 8 - 11. 

Interested students must complete a green permission form in order to tryout.  Deadline for all signed forms by parent and doctor allowing: Friday, September 4. Students may get the forms this week from Coach Gruters or Stephanie Hall in the front office.

INTRAMURALS:  will begin @ September 30th.  More information will follow.

Please check the Sports page on the Brookside website for more information.

Thanks for your support; GO CUDAS!


ATTENTION JROTC Cadets!
Our S-1 is proud to announce that we have 132 cadets as of 29 August.

Our Commander and Staff wish to thank everyone for the great support at our first game.

JROTC Teams will start on Tuesday, 8 September, from 2:30 to 4. Our physical training group will run after teams from 4 to 5.

Don’t forget, on Wednesday cadets and parents are invited to the JROTC Orientation in the cafeteria from 6 to 7 pm.

Also, be sure you put bowling on your calendar our JROTC bowling on Friday, 11 September, and our Lido Beach Picnic on Saturday, 12 September.


Sign up for the PTSO!
The PTSO is once again asking for parent support to raise funds for Brookside, funds that go for classroom projects, Renaissance, FCAT snacks, the 8th grade dance (!), and staff appreciation among other very worthy causes.

Membership for the entire year is only $10!  The first team to have the most families join the PTSO this year will win a PIZZA PARTY!  The deadline is October 2.  Please help both your student's team and school by joining.

Students will be bringing home flyers this week.  You may give your dues and forms to the front office or mail them to the school c/o any of the following: Elizabeth Loveridge, JoAnn Stonecypher, or Lisa Hollingsworth.

IMPORTANT DATES

September 7 - Labor Day, no school