We are seeing increasing numbers in illnesses ranging from cold/flu/covid/strep throat to viral gastroenteritis or the "stomach flu." Open the document linked here for further guidance on when to stay home and when to return to school after illness. You will also find additional information on viral gastroenteritis.
A Tournament of Ancient Innovations!
In Mrs. Degnan's 6th Grade History class, students recently participated in an exciting classroom project, Mesopotamia Madness, inspired by the March Madness basketball tournament!
Students researched significant inventions from Ancient Mesopotamia, and each invention competed against others in a bracket-style tournament. Throughout the competition, students worked in groups to research and prepare persuasive arguments on the historical significance and modern-day impact of these inventions. The debates were engaging, with the class voting on which innovations had the most lasting influence on civilization.
The tournament concluded with a final debate between the top two inventions, and students wrote reflections on the winning invention’s importance, connecting it to modern society. This project not only deepened students' understanding of Mesopotamian achievements, but also helped them develop research, public speaking, and critical thinking skills. It was a fun and memorable way to learn about the lasting impact of ancient inventions!
Winter Farming
In the depths of winter, we are farming! Taking what students learned about river civilizations in history, and building on their understanding of environmental chemistry, students have designed experiments to test what will lead to the best plant growth. This also allowed students to explore how LED grow lights work, building an understanding of wavelengths and electromagnetic radiation.
The Middle School Math Team competed in the third meet of the season at Rockport Middle School. Many Hornets turned in impressive performances but none more so than the perfect scores of 18 points from 8th grader Freddy Jakes and 7th grader Aviva Hocherman. Congratulations, Aviva and Freddy!!
Other top performers included 8th grader Sophie Li and 7th graders Melina Binieris and Shane Conway, who both scored 16 points. Eighth grader Mario Zanetti along with 7th graders Dante Bruno and Marcel Mavarez-Perez all scored 14 points. At the 12-point level were 8th graders Maya Khan and Devin Peavey, in addition to 7th grader Chloe Deery. Rounding out the double-digit scorers with 10 points each included 8th graders Grace Burgess, Lucy Considine, Harper Hemme and Arion Stremple, along with 7th graders Caleb Beausoleil, Karis Bennett, Tessa Novak, Rhys Goodchild and Kailani Sullivan.
Awesome performances by our Hornets mathletes! We will have a quick turnaround for our next Meet, which will be Thursday, February 6 at Hamilton Wenham. Practice packets will be available in your math class sometime next week.
Students in 8th grade English participated in a class debate after reading the classic play Twelve Angry Men.
After being assigned a side of the argument, students teamed up to debate whether the defendant on trial was guilty or not guilty. Teams were required to present detailed evidence and reasoning, as well as counterarguments and rebuttals.
Students enjoyed this real-world simulation that allowed them to sharpen their speaking and argumentative skills.
Manchester-Essex Regional Middle School
Email: mainoj@mersd.org
Website: www.mersd.org
Location: 36 Lincoln Street, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA, USA
Phone: 978-526-2022
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ManchesterEssexRegional/