Wildcat News H

MS

November 2016

Letter from the principal

Dear Families of Hixson Middle School,

First, let me say THANK YOU for your support of our Literacy Night and Reading Fair. The students did a fantastic job on their reading projects. The night was enjoyed by over 300 families who attended. Family involvement is a cornerstone to a successful school and we appreciate your partnership to celebrate literacy at Hixson Middle School. Thank you to our staff, community partners, Read 20, and our PTSA for all the donations and assistance for making the night a success! Congratulations to all the winners and a job well done by all students!

Each year, we conduct a parent survey. Parent involvement and input are essential as we continually strive to improve. Please take a few minutes to complete an anonymous online survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HIXSONM-P . The results of this survey, along with a similar survey completed by our students and our staff, are used as we reflect and plan on an ongoing basis. Please complete the survey by November 30, 2016.

Upcoming events:

November 3: Career Crunch for 8th graders

November 10: Parent Teacher Conferences (More information will be coming

home soon. Contact your student’s homeroom teacher if you would like to request a conference.)

November 15: Picture Make up Day

November 23-25: Thanksgiving Holiday (No School)

It’s great to be a Hixson Middle School Wildcat!!!!

Blessings, Dr. Rogers

HMS

Fall

Clean Up Day

Join us at Hixson Middle School

To paint the outside poles and doors

And spruce up the outside

Donate just a few hours of your time on this day

and help make a difference!

For information or to volunteer,

please call Angel Gilkey, PTsA House & Grounds

423-421-5020 ~ spiritmickeymous@yahoo.com

Visual Arts Studio

Mr. Weger

Greetings from the Visual Art Studio! We are off to a great second quarter. Students will be working in groups to perform various art tasks (in alignment with the Tennessee Department of Education State Standards) that evoke thought and serve as a catalyst for deep conversations. This time is vital for students to share knowledge and exchange ideas of the highly fascinating world around us. With the support of painting, drawing and creating, students of all learning abilities will find some form of success to demonstrate their understanding of Art Elements and Principles to make real life connections. If you have a creative talent, or would just like to visit the classroom, I would love to invite the community to support our future by volunteering in the Visual Art Class. Please contact Mr. Weger from our Hixson Middle School web page or at weger_m@hcde.org.

On October 5th, Ms. Fogo's Library RTI class visited Morning Pointe Senior Living facility. Students selected nonfiction books and poetry to read to the residents. Both students and seniors thoroughly enjoyed our visit and look forward to returning this quarter. Snakes in the library! On October 19th, our friends at the zoo provided engaging, hands-on interactive lessons about biomes and adaptations to our 6th grade students.

Library

Academics 6

th Science

Mathews / Powell It has been a really good month in science. The Biome projects turned out really good. Some are on display outside the office and inside the library. Check them out if you are in the building.

On the 19th, the Zoo to You program came to the school. 6th grade students had the opportunity to learn about three very interesting animals and their adaptations for surviving in their environ-ments. They learned the differences between turtles and tortoises, and how their differences help them survive on land or in the water. They learned that snakes can only eat something that is as bib as its midsection. They also learned why a fennec fox has such large ears; they help it to hear very small creatures that may have buried themselves underground and it also helps them cool themselves down in the hot desert.

Academics

If 100% of the class has their homework in on Friday, the class will earn a letter in the word S-U-P-E-R. When the class earns all five letters, a special treat will be awarded to the class. Please encourage your children to get their work in each Friday!

Little: edmodo (492pcc) Cheetah Math Ellis: classroom.google.com (login information is in the front of AGENDA)

6th Math Little / Ellis

During the second quarter, students will apply what they learned about number lines and integers to graphing on a 4-quadrant coordinate plane. We will then study ratios, unit rates, and percents and how they are used in real-world situations. Homework is assigned on Mondays and Wednesdays. Both assignments are due on Friday.

Our new homework incentive for this quarter is the Superhero Plan.

Ratios

6th

Grade Reading & Writing Bailey / Metcalf READING: The Reading Fair was a success!!! Thank you to all that participated! This quarter, reading classes will be focused on character traits and feelings, as well as learning the difference between tone and mood. Much of this has been introduced in writing class, but reading will take a harder look at these topics through skill based learning. In addition, we will be supporting our ideas through text based evidence, using the skills we’re learning in writing class and applying them to our reading work.

DeVore / Leighton WRITING: The first part of the quarter will be dedicated to finishing our writing about reading project. We will be working on an in class project on Character and Setting Theories. A handout went home Monday, October 17thand it can be found on Edmodo, as well as a sample character letter. This project will be due on November 4th. Much of quarter two will be focused on creating claims and using text based evidence to support arguments. Everything we are working on is in preparation for essay writing, as soon we will begin writing persuasively. We will focus on essay structure, developing an argument, supporting ideas, and explaining our thinking,

Academics 6

th Grade Social Studies

Williams / Byars As we study Ancient Egypt, Ancient India

and Ancient China during the second

quarter, investigation will be made into

evidence archaeologists and historians used

to determine the economic environment of

Kush and Egypt. Some exciting activities to

look forward to include working with, digital

collections of Egyptian Pyramids, such as

touring 3-D images of the Pyramids and

Sphinx at Giza and interactive historical

maps. Pyramid Texts on the wall of the burial chambers and creating advertisements relating to

mummification will also be explored. Excerpts such as those from The Upanishads and Buddha’s

lessons will be incorporated.

7th

Grade Language Arts Thacker / Birch

Happy November to our Hixson Middle School 7th grade students and families. The first nine weeks has

quickly come and gone, and we are now well into the work of the 2nd

nine weeks. We started this nine

weeks by celebrating reading with the start of fantasy book clubs. Students have been reading

fantasy- based books in class and reading in a book club. There have been many great discussions

involving the characters, conflicts, and overall themes of the books. Another awesome part of this is

that the books are at the just-right reading levels of the students. So, everyone in the club can enjoy the

book together and have meaningful discussions and writings.

Also, we recently celebrated reading on our annual Literacy Night by having our first-ever Reading Fair. As evidenced by the pictures, students really got into the spirit of their favorite books and characters. We would like to give a big thanks to all of the students and their parents/guardians for making this night a great success.

Academics

8th grade: Career Crunch Field Trip on 11-3 The Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce sponsors the career crunch each year. Students will visit a variety of booths that showcase different jobs and educational options. 8th grade is the beginning of each students "4 year plan" so they can be on track for future career options and Career Crunch is the beginning of that path.

8th Grade Science Lewis / Spann In November, 8th grade Science classes will be completing several hands on labs and see some great demonstrations during our study of chemical and physical changes.

7th

Grade Science McDaniels / Cunningham Happy November, As winter takes hold, 7

th grade science students will be learning about Newton’s Laws of

Motion, Simple Machines, and computing Work and Force applied. We look forward to this study because of how Newton’s Law relates to our actions, and how simple machines make work easier for us.

8th

Grade Reading Language Arts Bishop / Brewer November 14

th and 15

th students will be assessed on their historical fiction book club books. All

reading must be completed before November 14th. Students will write Letters About Literature and

enter the statewide contest sponsored by Humanities Tennessee. Our Critical Nonfiction Reading Unit will begin November 16

th.

Academics

Student Council

8th Grade Math Childers Quarter one may be over, but what we have learned in quarter one continues to be tested, revisited, and discussed because it connects to the math that we are learning in quarter two, three, and four. As the saying goes: "If you do not use it, then you lose it." Your teacher does not want that for your student! The mathematical foundation created in 8th grade is extremely important for the deeper understandings in Algebra 1.

Keep and go over the fall break homework because it is a good study guide for what we have learned in quarter one. If your student was not as successful as you feel they should have been in quarter one, then please discuss with them daily their math learning. Ask your student to tell you what they specifically learned in class, what homework they have (see their agenda as it is written down in this on Monday's), and how can you support them for preparing for the tests on Friday. Perfect practice is perfect math!

There is homework every day and there is no time in class to do homework. Therefore, you should be seeing the workbook pages being worked on at home. Homework prepares students for the test on Friday. Your teacher gives verbal and written feedback on the homework daily so that your student understands what concept they are missing or are completely understanding. When your student does not do the homework, then your teacher cannot give any feedback to let the student know if their learning is progressing correctly outside of class.

Quarter two project will begin October 27th and it is a double test grade! It is the Math Curse and students due dates start November 7th to November 29. Do not procrastinate as this takes some inquisitive thinking and planning.

8th Grade Math Goad

8th grade math has launched the Math Curse Illustrated Book Project. Students are to construct a book of 4 math curses. Project is based on the book, Then Math Curse by: Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith.

Student Council: Our next meeting is November 8th! Everyone is welcome to attend the meetings on the second Tuesday of the month at 6:45 AM unless instructed otherwise! We eat some fabulously sugar tainted donuts! Congratulations to the new 8th grade president Grayson Swaney who is our Student Voice leader! We look forward to hearing and implementing the ideas you have discovered from fellow students and community leaders! Remember to talk with your fellow students because you are their voice for change in the school and the community! The Edmodo code for student council is p5ky42. This is a great way to keep the conversation going when we are not meeting. Ideas to generate when you come up with them so that you do not forget.

Art and Autism through the Chattanooga Autism Center A program designed to help kids on the spectrum explore shapes, colors, textures, and all other forms art has to offer. A great place for children of all abilities on the spectrum to show their creative side! Wish List: Paint digital cameras tripods computer editing software canvases Local artists who wish to volunteer their time to help in special one on one classes. Donations can be dropped off at the Chattanooga Autism Center located at 1400 McCallie Ave. Suite 100 Chattanooga, TN. or dropped off to Mrs. Teeters in the Library room 4120.

Events Coming up Autism Awareness Walk

WHAT: Raising awareness in Chattanooga, North Georgia, and East Tennessee. We have new goals this year! We want to see if we can raise $60,000!

WHEN: Saturday November 12th, 2016

WHERE: Coolidge Park

To learn more and to register: www.chattautismwalk.com

Holiday Lights - Dreamnight

See the Chattanooga Zoo transformed into a magical wonderland! Visit the animals, get your

pictures taken with the one and only Santa Claus, and enjoy fun holiday games, crafts, and pizza!

WHAT: Dreamnight is a free, open house event and offers a VIP Zoo visit that acknowledges and accommodates the unique circumstances that generally limit relaxing outings for these families during normal operating hours. WHO: Individuals of all ages with special needs and/or terminal illnesses and their families or caretakers. WHEN: Wednesday, December 8th WHERE: The Chattanooga Zoo in Warner Park TIME: 5:30-8pm COST: FREE! RSVP: TO THE CHATTANOOGA ZOO at info@chattzoo.org or 423.697.1319

Thank you, Mrs. Teeters

brushes easels candle wax aluminum foil other art supplies

Hixson Middle School Receives $2,000 Grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation

to Support Youth Literacy Hixson, TN – September 20, 2016 —The Dollar General Literacy Foundation recently awarded Hixson Middle School a $2,000 grant to support youth literacy. This local grant is part of $4.5 million in youth literacy grants awarded to approximately 1,000 organizations across the 43 states that Dollar General serves. Given at the beginning of the academic school year, these grants are aimed at supporting teachers, schools and organizations with resources to strength-en and enhance literacy instruction. Hixson Middle School is excited to partner with Dollar General to support our Rising Readers initiative, which purchases leveled texts to match the right books with students.

Literacy News

Literacy Night & Reading Fair

Wow! We had 300 students and/or families in attendance for our Literacy Night & Reading Fair.

The students did an amazing job with their book presentations. We appreciate all the support

from friends and families who viewed students’ presentations. Thank you for celebrating reading

with us!

We would like to recognize the following local businesses/organizations for their generous

donation to our event:

Sourdough Cuppa Joe, Jimmy John’s, Publix, Carmike Northgate, Hardee’s, Ruby Tuesday’s,

Marco’s Pizza, Einstein Bros. Bagel, Coca Cola, Penn Station, Hixson Middle PTA, and Hixson

Middle Faculty & Staff.

Literacy News THE READING FAIR WINNERS!

Grade 8

1st

place – Carter Simms Beyonders

2nd

place – Gillian Edelen & Megan Cline

The Name of this Book is Secret

3rd

place – Sadie Rodgers & Riley Rominger Cinder

Grade 7

1st

place - Molly Brewer Esperanza Rising

2nd

place – Timothy Barron & Riley McCormick Hunger Games

3rd

place – Josh Sutherland & Xander Goddard Magisterium

Grade 6

1st

place – Marcus Keef Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

2nd

place – Tessa McLemore The Boxcar Children

3rd

place – Min Han Story Thieves

Best 3D or Interactive Component:

Hailey Wallace & Sara Burhans

When You Reach Me

Literacy News THE READING FAIR WINNERS!

Best Give Away: YaAime Atkins

The Adventures of Arnie and the Doughnut Best in Character: Dante Keoke

Reading Fair Bookmark Winners!

Best Use of Words & Images Category

1st place – Alex Kurtz

2nd

place – Adeline Rucker

3rd

place – Josh Sutherland & Xander Goddard

Harry Potter Category

1st place & Overall winner – Addison Hamilton

2nd

place – Kylie Truong

3rd

place – Gopi Patel

First and second place winners in each category will have

their bookmark printed and given out through the school

library.

Well believe it or not the thermostat has found its way back to the 50

mark and the space heaters have emerged from the closet. However,

the local news has made us all very aware how dangerous and

potentially deadly heat sources can be especially during the night.

The following information is found on the Center for Disease Control

website that I wanted to share with you.

Everyone should have smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in their homes.

Carbon monoxide, or CO, is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death.

Three out of five home fire deaths result from fires in properties without working smoke alarms.

Take a few minutes to ensure your alarms will sound in an emergency.

•Install a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector near bedrooms, and make sure smoke alarms

are near all sleeping rooms. Install smoke alarms on every floor of your home.

•Choose smoke alarms that communicate with each other, so that if one alarm sounds they all will.

•Check or change the batteries in your carbon monoxide detectors at least twice a year.

•Test smoke alarms monthly.

•For smoke alarms that use regular alkaline batteries, replace the batteries at least once a year.

•For smoke alarms that use lithium (long-life) batteries, replace the entire smoke alarm according to

the manufacturer's instructions.

Make and practice an escape plan in the event of a fire or emergency.

http://www.cdc.gov/family/minutes/tips/checkbatteries/index.htm

Thank you,

Tammy Zinkann BSN, RN

Teachers/Staff Birthdays

11/2 Ms. Byars - 6th S.S.

11/3 Ms. Leighton - 6th Writing

11/5 Ms. Goad - 8th Math

11/7 Ms. Haynes - Guidance

11/7 Ms. Billow - Spanish

11/15 Mr. Lewis - 8th Science

11/15 Ms. Turner - Interpreter

Other November 11th - Veterans Day Program at 1:30pm

The schoolwide Spelling Bee will be on Tuesday, January 10th

at 8:30 a.m.

See HMS Calendar on the School Website:

www.hms.hcde.org

11/17 Dr. Rogers - Principal

11/19 Mr. Cuttle - 8th S.S.

11/25 Ms. Bishop - 8th Lang. Arts

11/19 Ms. Metcalf - 6th Reading

11/22 Coach Mac - DOS

11/25 Ms. Vaughn - DCC EDU. ASST.

11/28 Ms. Buccellato - EDU. ASST.