Fair Haven Union Middle School

Dear Families,

Thank goodness the days are getting longer and we get to see a little more sunlight each day. Here are some updates from the classrooms about current work:

Design 7 & 8 - Lights, Camera, Action! Students in Mr. VanDerKern’s Design class are exploring the process of producing short videos. Their final project will be a video entry for the World of 8 Billion contest.

PE 7 & 8 - MS Physical Education class is completing a Basketball Skills Unit. We have focused on basic skills such as dribbling, passing, and shooting lay-ups and jump shots with proper technique. Students are learning offensive and defensive game concepts as classes participate in small lead-up games of 3v3 and 5v5!

Grade 7 ELA - Students are currently focusing on the role of setting in their independent fictional novels and the realistic historical fiction novel Refugee by Alan Gratz, which they are studying in class. Through an exploration of time, place, and historical context, they are gaining valuable new perspectives on the diverse people and cultures that shape our world.

Grade 7 Science - In 7th grade science we are delving into the micro world of DNA and mutations. Some key words and phrases include: Amino Acid, Protein, mRNA, Ribosome, Nucleus, Codon.

Grade 7 Math - We are currently working on rates, ratios and proportional relationships. The students just finished up designing their own “escape rooms” in which they created their own stories and incorporated all mathematical concepts we’ve covered this year in order to escape whatever situation they came up with for their story.

Grade 7 Social Studies - We recently wrapped up our Introduction to the American Democracy unit with an end of the semester exam. This was a new type of assessment for many students due to the sheer scope of information that this exam covered. Students were given direct instruction and time to practice the following skills: how to prepare for exams, how to take exams, and how to learn from them and appropriately request and complete retakes. Overall, the students have done very well.

Grade 8 ELA - In 8th-grade English, we are currently reading the dark fantasy novel, Something Wicked This Way Comes, Ray Bradbury’s literary masterpiece. The story is about two 13-year-old best friends, Jim Nightshade and Will Halloway, and their nightmarish experience with a mysterious traveling carnival that comes to their small, Midwestern town one day before Halloween. Students are being introduced to literary analysis, fictional elements, and figurative language.

Grade 8 Science - In 8th-grade science, we’re wrapping up our learning on atomic structure by creating vibrant and concise reference pages, setting the stage for an exciting dive into the world of matter and chemical reactions! Student Work Atoms Review

Grade 8 Math - In 8th Grade Math the students are exploring The Pythagorean Theorem and how it may be used in everyday situations and career fields. Students in Advanced Math are currently working on introductory lessons involving functions and connecting inputs and outputs.

Grade 8 Social Studies - Students are currently learning about the Middle Kingdom of Ancient Egypt, including the purpose and use of mastabas, step pyramids, smooth-sided pyramids, and mummification. Additionally, they are exploring Ancient Egyptian art, papyrus paper, and medicine.

Star Assessments ~ January/February

We are approaching the completion of our Star 360 Math and ELA Winter Benchmark Assessments, which are administered three times a year—fall, winter, and spring. These brief, computer-adaptive tests provide valuable, real-time insights into students' reading and math skills, equipping teachers with the data needed to support student success.

By analyzing this information, teachers can fine-tune instruction, track progress, and ensure students receive learning materials that align with their individual needs. Additionally, Star Assessments play a key role in data-driven decision-making within instructional frameworks such as our Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS).

At the middle school level, students take both reading and math assessments during each testing window in their math or ELA class. Your child’s teacher will use this data to answer essential questions about their learning journey, helping to foster academic growth for every student in the classroom.

Helpful Resources for Families:

● Star Family Resources: https://www.renaissance.com/family-resources-star-assessments/

● Star Reading Resources: https://star-help.renaissance.com/hc/en-us/articles/12127354542619-Star-Reading-Resources

● Star Math Resources Items: https://star-help.renaissance.com/hc/en-us/articles/11313080004763-Star-Math-Resources

Student-Led Conferences ~ March

At this point, students have the template and have begun their preparation for Student-Led Conferences. Students will be working on their presentation slides in each of their content classes with specific instruction and support of that subject teacher. Furthermore, students will work on the overall flow and general presentation skills in their TA. Students will practice leading their conference with peers and/or other adults and will flip roles to understand the role a family member will play on the night of the actual conference.

Spring Assessments ~ March/April

Spring also brings VTCAP testing for middle school students.

• 7th & 8th Grade: ELA and Math assessments
• 8th Grade Only: VT Science Assessment

We’ll share more details about dates and how to help your child prepare. While testing is only one measure of student learning, it provides valuable insights for students, educators, and the school. Encourage your child to give their best effort, persist, and stay focused during these assessments.

Lifetime Activities (LTA) ~ March, April, May

This spring, we’re excited to bring back Lifetime Activities, a fun way for students to explore new interests and strengthen community connections. We run two sessions. Each session is comprised of three Friday afternoons and occurs within the normal school hours.

• Session 1: March 28, April 4, and April 11
• Session 2 (tentative): May 16, May 30, and June 6

Here’s what to expect:

• Teachers will offer a variety of activities.
• Students will choose their top three preferences, and we’ll do our best to assign them to one of their choices for the session.
• A session includes three Friday afternoons.
• Some activities will be off-campus and may require permission slips.

Through these sessions, we aim to inspire curiosity, strengthen connections, and create a stronger sense of community.

Sincerely,
Jennefer Paquette

FHUMHS Co-Principal

The Educational Support Team (EST) consists of various school staff, parents/guardians, and specialists who use student data—covering academic progress and social-emotional needs—to identify students needing additional support. Referrals can come through a student concern process (Slate Valley EST process) or regular screenings. An EST selects evidence-based interventions, assigns responsibilities, and monitors progress using a detailed plan to support student progress. Every 10-12 weeks, the team reviews data to assess intervention effectiveness and make any necessary adjustments. Please click on this link to see a visual of the Slate Valley EST process.

Students will be completing the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) on March 18th. Opt-out letters will come home with Q3 report cards. The Vermont Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) is part of a national school-based surveillance system conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The YRBS was developed by the CDC in 1990 to monitor health risk behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of death, disease, injury and social problems among youth. These behaviors, often established during childhood and early adolescence, include:

• Behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violence
• Physical activity
• Nutrition
• Weight status
• Tobacco use
• Alcohol and other drug use
• Sexual behaviors

Vermont collects student health survey responses every two years. Since 1993, the Health Department and the Agency of Education have sponsored the Vermont Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). In addition, the YRBS is supported by many partners across the state who work to achieve positive outcomes for all youth in Vermont. The survey is part of a larger effort to help communities increase the resiliency of young people by reducing high-risk behaviors and promoting healthy behaviors.

Additional resources:

https://www.upforlearning.org/resource-center/yrbs-and-getting-to-y-resources/

http://www.healthvermont.gov/yrbs

Join us on Facebook or at our next meeting! Thank you all for supporting our Slater Middle School Students! If you have any questions about the Middle School PTO, or their events, please reach out to the individuals listed below.

NEXT MEETING IS February 13th, 6-7 pm in the library.

Officers:

President: Kim Lemois, berlyJay06@comcast.net

Vice President: Ashley Bruce, Abruce86@icloud.com

Treasurer: Nicole Rice, nicole.rice1515@gmail.com

Secretary: Amanda Crowningshield, galvin1110@yahoo.com

Participate virtually through this link: FHMS Monthly Meeting Link

The 2024-2025 Sports Registration (on Formreleaf.com) is open for the Fall 2024, the Winter 2024-2025 and the Spring 2025 athletics for grades 7-12.

Please be aware that all athletes MUST have an UP TO DATE Physical form on file. Slate Valley School District recommends a yearly check up, but the VPA rules are every two years.