Cortland Junior High Newsletter

News: Mrs. Pomeroy and Mrs. Constantino have been meeting individually with all of their 8th grade students to select 9th grade courses. These meetings should be completed before February break. If parents have any questions about this process, please reach out.

ppomeroy@cortlandschools.org (Team 4)

sconstantino@cortlandschools.org (Team 3)

Welcome Team 1 students to Home and Career Skills! Our first unit will focus on teamwork, goal setting, decision making and time management. Students will learn about wants, needs and values and will be completing a goal project. Paige Potter will visit from the Child Advocacy Center to present the first two lessons in Erin’s Law this month as well.

In 7th grade math, we just finished up our study of integers. We will begin the new semester learning how to solve algebraic equations. Students will have independent practice several times weekly, please make sure they are working on it at home.

In 7A students will begin a Probability Unit then start working on 8th grade topics.

We are halfway through The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton and students are loving it! We’ve written poems based off of the works of Robert Frost, designed posters about the different characters, and have been analyzing children’s books to discuss different perspectives! We’ll be discussing soon whether Ponyboy is considered a hero or not.

Students are part way through their new novel Two Degrees, by Alan Gratz. They’re exploring what climate change is and the impact it’s having on our world today. So far, we’ve read about a massive wildfire, a polar bear attack, and a category 5 hurricane! What natural disaster will be next? Students will have to read to find out!

The Orchestras would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to everyone who came to our December Concert or watched the live stream or recording. The support meant a lot to us.

The String Orchestra has been working hard on their piece for the upcoming Prism Concert on February 16th at 6:30 PM. Come out and support the Music Department at this audience favorite!

Many students are also preparing for the NYSSMA Solo Festival on March 25th.

JH Concert Band Students will be taking a trip to New York City on March 29 to see the Lion King.

The Prism Concert will take place on Thursday, February 16 at 6:30 in the auditorium. The JH groups featured on this concert will be “Junior High Players”, “Tuba Mash-Up,” and “Percussion Ensemble”. Also, several students have volunteered to participate in the NYSSMA solo festival here in Cortland on March 25. Congratulations to all of these students who go above and beyond what is required of them and help make this program as amazing as it is!

In 7th grade art marking period 3 will begin with our clay unit. Students have been practicing their skills of pinch, slab and coil building and will use these skills to complete a final clay project of their choice.

Printmaking will be our next unit. Art club will begin the week of Feb. 12th-18th, please keep your eye out for a permission slip coming home.