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“Nothing Less than Your Best”

Emilio Garza Jr., Principal

Dana Sutherland, Asst. Principal

John Bruschi, Admin. Officer

Greetings from the Principal, Emilio Garza, Jr.

I am reviewing the information regarding report cards and the Honor Roll. Report cards are issued for each quarter (nine-week grading pe-riod), and they are distributed to the students after the end of the quar-ter. Parents can access GradeSpeed to check on their children’s grades during the quarter. Our teachers will notify parents if their child is failing one or more courses in sufficient time to correct the problem prior to issuing a report card. When report cards are issued, teachers will request a conference with parents whose children failed one or more courses during the quarter. The purpose of the meeting will be to determine what needs to be done to assist the child. a. Students will receive a progress report at the mid-point (four-and-one-half weeks) of the nine-week grading period. This is intended to assist parents to see how their child is doing at that point. b. Parents are welcome to request a conference with their child’s teacher(s) to discuss any concerns and/or to get an understanding of the child’s difficulties and/or progress. c. Students who are enrolled in school less than 22 days in a quar-ter will not receive a report card for that grading period. Also, students who are enrolled in a course less than 22 days will not receive a report card grade for that course for that grading period. Two levels of honor roll are used at our school. The “A” Honor Roll is achieved by having an overall final grade of A in each class during the quarter. This also is referred to as the “Principal’s List”. The second level, “A/B” Honor Roll, is achieved by earning the overall final grade of A in at least one class and nothing less than an overall final grade of B in any other class during the quarter. The Principal’s List and A-B Honor Roll certificates will be issued to students following each nine-week grading period.

Interim Re-

ports

go home with

Dec 7

BMS Winter

Concert

at LHS, 4 pm

Dec 8

Winter Break

No School for

Students or

Staff

Dec 21–

Jan 1

Important Dates

In

December

Brewster Bulldog Newsletter

November 2015 Edition

DoDEA Mission Statement:

Educate, Engage and Empower

Each Student to Succeed in a

Dynamic World.

Brewster Middle Vision

Statement:

Communities Combining their

Strengths to Promote Success

for All Students

Page 2 Brewster Bulldog Newsletter

Cheetah News

Mrs. King's classes. . . . . . .

The sixth grade worked collaboratively on a STEAM project on the Water Cycle. Stu-

dents worked in teams of 2-3 members. Each person was responsible for different parts

of the research on a specific ecological impact of rainfall in the area they chose to focus

on. The groups had to design a blueprint of the water cycle their group would be building

and include the supplies they were using to create their model. This was a fun, hands on

experience for the students.

Panther Team

This has been a full month for the Panther team in math. Understanding decimals, and

their relationship to percent’s and fractions, are the keys needed when using math in the

real world. Our students, through collaboration in their classroom activities and explora-

tion through critical thinking activities, are gaining true mastery of this concept as it is

used in their daily lives.

All 6th grade Science students joined together the week of Thanksgiving in the multi-

purpose room to create 2D and 3D models of the Water Cycle using common household

goods. This STEAM project allows students to visually show their understanding and in-

terpretation of the water cycle using the materials provided.

Social Studies classes are building a model Ziggurat and researching the STEAM elements

of the Ziggurat construction process. This project will be completed in early December.

Students in Language Arts created Veteran acrostic poems and used them to adorn the

hallways. Students learned about the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day.

They also wrote letters and presented slide shows about Veterans. Sixth grade students

attended the Encore play in Wilmington. Students experienced plays written by Twain

and Edgar Allen Poe and prepared responses posted on googledocs demonstrating their

aquired knowledge of plays and literary voices of the past.


Tiger Team News

The Tiger Team had an exciting month in November. In Math, we had a busy month investigating operations with decimals. We first reviewed how to compare, order, and round decimals and then we learned how to add, subtract, divide, and multiply them. In Science, we took a closer look at applying the scientific method as we investi-gated thermal energy and heat transfer. We have started to apply these concepts to the Water Cycle as we work with the other 6th grade science classes to build a 2-D/3-D model of the cycle and research possible environmental impacts of pre-cipitation. In Social Studies, we are investigating the first civilizations of Mesopotamia. Stu-dents are working collaboratively on different aspects of the culture of the region. Their research should be completed by December 1st. In Language Arts, we are completing a novel unit on the memoir "Of Beetles and Angels." The unit incorporates character development, vocabulary, grammar, and the study of plot as we read the memoir in class. Students participated in a study trip November 18th to see the “Encore” play in Wilmington, after reading two of the short stories presented in play form. Students thoroughly enjoyed comparing and contrasting the different presentations of the literature.

Brewster Bulldogs Girls’ Soccer

The girls’ soccer team has played a

fast, hard season so far. With two

games left, we remain determined to

win!


Happy Thanksgiving!

Reading for Detail

Story Elements: Analyzing Setting, Character, and Plot

5W Questions

Academic Vocabulary

Fluency - Reading with Expression

Decoding: Suffixes

Extending Knowledge - Making Connections to Real Life

Visual Imagery- What do I "see" when I read?

Differentiated Instruction: Word Study and Elements of Reading

Self-Reflection: Analyzing Progress

Testing Strategy

Extending Meaning

Using Text Evidence to Support Answers

Here are a few of the concepts we will be working on this month in Read

180:

(In Gifted Education)

Independent Choice Projects

“Calamity Middle School Lab Disas-

ter” (Language Arts/Science Perfor-

mance Task)

LEGO® Mindstorms® EV3 or NXT

(building and programming)

Scratch,.mit.edu & Code.org (Block

coding for kids)

A World In Motion® (STEM Kits—ex:


Sixth grade collaborative STEAM Water Cycle Activity

Students in Ms. Canavera, Mr. Hale and Mrs. King’s classes are working on this project in

small groups.

Johnny Norman, Ian Mattison, and Katey Ullrich-Rojas

Maddie Veneziani, and Leila Kidder

Kevin Morrow and Jayden Recore add finishing touches to their STEAM Water Cycle project.


Applied Technology

Students in the seventh grade Applied Tech classes just finished their

Bridge Building Unit. In this unit the students learned about designs and

methods of construction used to build Bridges. They also learned about the

important of Mathematics and Science . They also used technical writing in

the planning and design phase. In the final phase of the project, students

were paired in group and were challenge to build a bridge using Balsawood

and glue that could withstand the weight of twenty pounds.

Eighth Grade Applied Tech Students were challenge to study several types

of energy. Potential, Kinetic and Gravitational energy. Then, after doing de-

tail research and understanding the process. They were challenge to build a

Roller Coaster to meet the demands of those energy's.

Dr. Hugh Miller - Applied Tech Instructor

National School Psychology Awareness Week: Helping Students and Families Connect the Dots to Thrive in School and Beyond All children have the potential for greatness and success, and our students at Brewster Middle School are even more highly qualified individuals than most. I predict our students will become the next great generation of successful leaders as they mature and join in the fast-paced de-veloping world of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. It stands to reason because they are not unlike their mothers and fathers who have demonstrated a willingness to go all out by serving our country through self-discipline, hard work and military service. The federal school system has a specific mission to give all that we have to educate and help mili-tary dependent children to become academic competitors and healthy, well-rounded individu-als. As parents and educators, we can help them realize their vast potential -- achieving their goals, thriving in the face of adversity, solving problems, and continually growing as individuals – by helping them to “connect the dots” along the many pathways to success. School psy-chologists bring a lot to the table as they support students, families and staff. I am one of those school psychologists, and I could not be prouder than to find myself in a position where I can offer real support as a way of honoring our military families by supporting their children. Continued on next page . . . . . .. .


We can help students build upon their strengths, skills, interests, and abilities to connect the dots and thrive. This includes helping them identify and plan ways to accomplish short- and long- term goals, cre-ating a safe and supportive environment, building positive relationships, and encouraging them to take on challenges and persevere when things get tough. Working together, we can help them connect the dots to promote their competence, achievement, and resiliency. School psychologists are members of the school staff who support students’ ability to learn and teach-ers’ ability to teach. We apply expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior to help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. We provide direct support and in-terventions to students, such as individualized learning and behavioral assessments to identify stu-dents’ strengths and needs, academic and behavioral interventions, counseling, and social skills train-ing. We also consult with teachers, families, other educators, and clinical therapeutic service providers to improve support strategies and school-wide practices and policies. We are in a unique position to ensure a positive school climate wherein children connect the dots and thrive. There are many ways families can help children connect the dots and thrive. You can:

Encourage your child to set goals and to map out a plan for achieving. Help your child internalize a sense that he can achieve by reinforcing the skills already developed

and encouraging him to try new challenges. Help your child identify his strengths and interests and learn new skills. Emphasize that learning and growing requires trying new things and that success comes from small

steps to a long-term goal. Help her work through setbacks or lack of self-confidence by helping to identify negative thoughts

that may suggest concerns about her ability to be successful. As a parent, you can help children see what the small steps are and how persisting and overcoming obstacles is a part of succeed-ing. Help her realize that setbacks are not permanent or all-encompassing.

Praise attempts as well as success and make sure that you focus on the effort put into the success. Demonstrate, through your own behaviors, how to identify and achieve long-term goals by thinking

aloud, creating a pathway of short-term goals, and using problem solving and decision making skills along the way.

Model perseverance and problem solving when faced with challenges or difficulties. Help your child develop positive relationships with peers and adults and model respectful, caring be-

haviors with others. Encourage your child to participate in community activities that may help her develop positive behav-

iors, such as being thankful and having gratitude. In particular, volunteer activities may encour-age the development of positive behaviors.

Participate in community events or encourage your child to participate in extra-curricular activities in the community to increase her connectedness with community members, including other children and adults alike. This will increase your child’s well-being, achievement, and also create a sense of community, safety, and security amongst adults and children.

Seek out support systems available in the community to help your child learn new skills and thrive, such as tutoring or mentoring programs.

Partner with me, Steve Voyles, and together we can help your child to Connect the Dots and THRIVE! I am your school psychologist and look forward to working with you at Brewster Middle School to en-

courage all children, whether at home or at school, to focus on their interests, strengths, and skills,

identify pathways to “connect the dots” to reach goals, challenge themselves with new things, and per-

severe through difficult problems to reach their potential in school and in life.


7th Grade Fox and Wolf Teams

The first quarter is complete and we are half way through the second quarter. Our 7th grade students continue to

work hard in all classes. Expectations continue to rise and students are learning to meet them.

Science classes have completed several hands on activities as they studied ecosystems. For example they investi-

gated how ecologists take samples by doing labs on capture/recapture and grid sampling methods. Soil science

labs investigated how soil layers and moisture content affects ecosystems. To apply their mastery of ecosystem

concepts students will also complete an ecosystem project that creates two imaginary creatures and puts them

into a real ecosystem. When we return from the Thanksgiving break, classes will begin their study of the struc-

ture and function of cells. Three labs will complement their basic understanding of cell structure and function.

Labs will investigate diffusion and osmosis, DNA extraction, and use the microscope to view cheek and onion

cells.

Both math seven and math eight students will be assigned their quarter 2 project upon their return from Thanks-

giving break. Wolf students will be assigned their project on Monday, November 30 and Fox students will be as-

signed their projects on Tuesday, December 1. All projects will be due on Friday, December 11, 2015. The focus

for Math 7 students for this quarter includes solving two-step equations, fractions, decimals, percents, and apply-

ing fractions, ratios, and proportions. The focus for Math 8 students includes the Pythagorean Theorem, setting

up and solving proportions, similarity, percents, and geometry.

Geography classes have learned about the several types of maps, from general maps to special purpose maps.

Students reviewed locating places using absolute and relative locations. As a culminating activity, students creat-

ed a pirate treasure map which incorporated all the topics covered in the first quarter. This was used to complete

Pirate Day activities. Students also participated in a Land Navigation activity hosted by School of Infantry-East

Marines. Students have also studied the different aspects of Culture. This will help as we move into our study of

Latin America

Language Arts classes continue to work on Word Within The Word (WWTW). Students worked on a point of view

project using an action photo as a prompt. They brought in a photo from home to complete this project. Stu-

dents are starting an independent book project. They will create a “Fake Book” page for the biography they are

currently reading.

We know students will continue to rise to the challenge as we move through the year.


From the Music Department

8th Grade:

Guitar: We have learned notes on 4 strings and have been learning songs using

these notes and strings. Ask your child to play Amazing Grace, Danny Boy, Oh

Susanna, or other song for you!

Advanced Band: We have been working on music for the Winter Concert. Pieces

include Do You Want to Build a Snowman, A Christmas Canon, A Crazy Mixed-

Up Christmas Concert, and A Rockin’ Christmas. Our concert is coming up on

December 8 at Lejeune High School.

7th Grade:

Intermediate Band: We have been working on music for the Winter Concert.

Pieces include Do You Want to Build a Snowman, A Christmas Canon, A Crazy

Mixed-Up Christmas Concert, and A Rockin’ Christmas. Our concert is coming

up on December 8 at Lejeune High School.

Piano: We continue to work in C Major Position. Ask your child to play When

the Saints Go Marching In. Some of us have moved to G position as well.

6th Grade:

Beginning Band: We have learned 6 notes and are playing songs with those 6

notes. We are preparing for our first concert, our Winter concert to be help De-

cember 8 at Lejeune High School. We will be performing First Christmas March,

The Simple Gifts of Christmas, and Beethoven’s Ninth.

General Music: We have been working on hand bells and reading music. We

arepreparing 2 songs to play at the band Winter Concert on December 8.


Eighth Grade News. . . . . . . . . . . . In Language Arts the 8th grade students presented their book assessments during the week of Nov. 16 and will continue through Tuesday. This gave students a chance to showcase their creativity, presentation skills, and knowledge of literary concepts. We were pleased to see support from parents as they watched their babies present. Good job to all those who braved through their presentations. 1-2-3! Great! We also enjoyed a segment of storytelling through the tone and mood created by Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart" and W.W. Jacobs' "The Monkey's Paw." In U.S. History students completed a foldable project that demonstrated their knowledge of the federalist and anti-federalist in our early government. Next up they will begin studying our nation's Bill of Rights. Science class moved steadily along with their study of tectonic plates and their effect on continents and potential creation of earthquakes. Algebra students have mastered solving for "Y" in equations while Math 8 completed their study of square roots.

CLDS SCHOOL BOARD

Meeting Dates 2015—2016

Meetings are held in the Board Room at the District Superintendent’s Office, 855 Stone

Street, Camp Lejeune.

December 16 1000

January 20 1000

February 17 1630

March 16 1000


SPANISH NEWS

In Exploratory Spanish, the 6th grade classes are just wrapping up their unit about "la Escuela" (the school). 7th grade classes are now writing sentences in Spanish that describe family members (and other people); and 8th grade Explor-atory class just finished their "Casa" (house) unit, which also included writing sentences that tell the location of items in the home. The 8th grade Spanish 1 class (for high school credit) is practicing with the con-cepts presented in Lección 3, (family, verb conjugations, descriptions), but this time we are using the website www.vhlcentral.com for some of our practice activi-ties. The students are now able to practice even more at home on their own, but there may also be times when their homework includes assignments that are on that website. In general, the 8th grade Spanish 1 students should be spending about 10- 15 minutes a night studying their current unit notes and completing any practice homework. (A look ahead: Our first semester exam (cumulative) will be in January, and it will count for 20% of the Spanish 1 semester grade.)

News from C-108 and C-109….

We have moved on through the fall with many exciting activities!

We have continued work with numbers and operations, math vocabulary in

our interactive notebooks, beginning a third class novel (The Chocolate Touch), fol-

lowing written and verbal directions, working in our class garden, planning the

BMS Glow dance, learning about rays, lines, line segments, right angles, obtuse an-

gles and acute angles in math, working at the Brewster Café Cart and learning how

to write persuasive pieces of writing. We have continued work through explorato-

ries, including health, Spanish, PE and General Music, with our awesome explorato-

ry teachers.

We are very excited to begin the satellite Read 180 program in our class and

have our very own reading lab experience!

If you stop outside of our hallway and have a smart phone on you, you can

also listen to us read any time you want! Just scan the QR code on the wall and

you will be taken directly to a link of each student reading individually.

The class also had a great time dissecting owl pellets together. Our findings were extremely interesting and we learned so much!

http://www.vhlcentral.com

Documents

etter - Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) · federal school system has a specific mission to give all that ... We can help students build upon their ... Help your child