Spartan Weekly

Shepard Middle School, May 31, 2024

Dear Parents,

This week's issue highlights four student celebrations! First, our amazing 8th grade boys and girls volleyball teams beat the Shepard faculty in the student-faculty game, securing a decisive 37 to 26 win. This was the very first time students emerged victorious in the three years faculty-students have played. The pep band entertained the audience, adding to the energy and atmosphere. Students enjoyed the event, especially since this was our final whole school assembly.

In other news, our ExSEL spirit day champions enjoyed a surprise treat (pictured above). They were able to enjoy the weather and Kona Ice. It was fun! Also, this morning marked our last Principal 200 Breakfast celebrating over forty students who all demonstrate Spartan PRIDE. Students look forward to this positive school culture program to continue. And finally, in our last celebration this week, we honored fifty students coined our "highest risers". These are all of the students achieving the most growth in Map from fall to spring which is no easy feat. We enjoyed pizza in the courtyard together to celebrate them.

Below are some classroom highlights of our last units of study so please enjoy. This is our next to last newsletter of the school year. Our last news will be sent June 7th. In that issue, we will share graduation and other highlights, as well as any summer updates.

Looking forward to seeing many of you Wednesday evening at DHS for graduation with students arriving by 4:30 pm and the ceremony starting at 5:30 pm.

Sincerely,

Dr. Theresa Dunkin, Principal

Mrs. Marie Zlotnikov, Associate Principal

Mrs. Ginger Logemann, District Coordinator of Student Services

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Anatomy Lessons

Students learned about anatomy and the importance of studying internal structures, in this case the frog. They always practice safety protocols in the lab.

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Background Research

In order to perform a frog dissection, students conducted research on frogs and their anatomy.

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Dissection Day

Students work in small groups to perform the dissection. They follow instructions provided to identify organs.

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🎵We Didn't Start the Fire 🎵

🎵🎶🎼🎹🎺🎤🎸Each year the 8th grade ends the curriculum with a lesson where students research and write new words to Billy Joel's song "We Didn't Start the Fire." They bring the lyrics up to the present year, choreograph a little dance, and then film the resulting refreshed song. Students have a blast collaborating on this annual end-of-year project.

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New Orchestra Award

This year our Orchestra teacher, Mrs. Biasiello, honored additional orchestra students with a new award called the Lisa Markarian Award. Mrs. Markarian was a counselor at Shepard for 29 years. She visited this week and met this year's first recipients. From left to right they are Andrea L., Mrs. Markarian, Mrs. Biasiello, Izzy B., and Mia M.

Important Information

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Graduation Information

Families of 8th Graders:

Eighth grade graduation is next Wednesday, June 5, 2024. The ceremony starts promptly at 5:30 pm in the Deerfield High School Auditorium. Students need to be at DHS by 4:30 pm. There is an PTSO family after party at DHS immediately following the ceremony. Sign ups for this party closed on May 24.

Students will be dismissed from school Wednesday morning around 10 am after their last practice.

Student will receive their gowns and tickets on Tuesday, June 4, during school. We will take a group photo on Tuesday during school once they have their gowns.