Cluster 1 Newsletter

January 20, 2023

Hello Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers!

Hi All!

Please remember to send your child with a reusable water bottle every day to curtail the frequent trips to the water fountain. Reminder: Quarter 2 is coming to a close on Thursday, January 26th. As always, reach out with any questions or concerns!

Yours,
Cluster 1 Team

English Language Arts Update

Hello from ELA Land! We're well underway on our research projects, and nearing the finish line of this unit. Students have worked tirelessly to research a topic of their choosing. They are now working to synthesize a variety of sources into the creation of an e-book alongside fellow students that researched the same topic. Ask your student to share their work with you so far! After we complete this unit, we'll begin our next whole class novel: Refugee. It has proven to be a fan favorite over the years, so we're optimistic that the students will enjoy it!

Math Update

In math this week we finished up Unit 3 on Unit Rates and Percentages. We had our unit test where students can demonstrate their understanding of the concepts that were recently taught. At the end of this week/start of next week, we are kicking off Unit 4 which will focus on Dividing Fractions. The students will start off the new unit with interpreting and creating diagrams that represent dividing whole numbers by fractions. To stay in tune with our work in Unit 4, please check out the Unit 4 Family Resource.

Science Update

Our classes have officially kicked off our Organelle Project - the Cell Museum! Students will be working in teams to research a specific organelle and working to create a 3D model of that organelle! Ask your sixth grader which organelle they are working on! This is a long-term project that we will be working on for a few weeks; some important dates to know: January 1/27 is the due date for the info sheet and the whole project is due on 2/13. Students can expect 3 days per 6 day cycle to work on this project in class and more information including class specific schedules can be found on Google Classroom!

Social Studies Update

This week in social studies class students focused on Mesopotamian geography. Specifically, students made connections between the environmental challenges Mesopotamians faced and the advancements they developed in order to survive. They have also explained the factors that impacted where Mesopotamians settled. Next week we will delve into Sumerian achievements!

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Dear 6th grade families,

I hope that this letter finds you well. I am writing to share the exciting news that I am expecting my second child at the beginning of February! I will be out on maternity leave starting February 6th for the remainder of the year.

Interviews are in progress and I fully trust the team to choose not only the best candidate but also one that will make your learners feel comfortable and happy as the year continues. The cluster teachers and Chris McDermott, the Cluster 2 Social Studies teacher, will discuss routines and important information about the students and curriculum to ensure a smooth transition. Principal Jenn will be in touch once a replacement is hired.

I want to say what a great pleasure it has and continues to be to watch your wonderful children grow academically, emotionally, and socially. I consider it a great privilege to have taught such truly lovely students and I invite all of them to keep in touch and reach out should they need anything. I also want to say a huge thank you for your partnership and support this year in working with your child. I wish you all a happy end of the school year and I look forward to seeing your students again during their time at the middle school!

All my best,

Megan Lipson