8th Grade News

📸 October 21- NJROTC Pinning Ceremony (Details Below)

📸 October 23- Picture RETAKE Day

🦌 November 9- KAS Board of Education Meeting 6PM

🦃 November 25-27- No School/Thanksgiving Break

🦌 December 14- KAS Board of Education Meeting 6PM

🎄 Dec 19- Jan 3- No School/Christmas Break

🍎 January 4- School Resumes

📸 Picture Retake day is scheduled for October 23rd, 2026. Students who did not have their photos taken on the original picture day are invited to have their photos taken at this time. Any student who wishes to have their photos re-taken are also invited to come but these students must bring their original photos and packet with them to retakes. If you have not ordered pictures yet, please order by October 23rd at timeless-image.com using the middle school code 5626 and your student's first and last name. Any prints ordered after the initial picture day on 9/21 will be delivered to the office approximately 2 weeks after October 23rd.

➡️ Original photo orders have been sent home with students. If your student has not received theirs, please have them see the office.

🧡 On November 4th, students will take a social emotional survey called the SSIS SEL Brief + Mental Health Scales. This measure of students' social and emotional functioning is aligned with state Social Emotional Learning standards and provides results used to guide instruction for all students and support for students experiencing emotional behavior concerns. Please see the attached document for more information and for an opt-out option if you prefer for your child to not take the survey. If you would like your child to participate, no action is needed. A copy of this form was also sent home with your child last week.

👋🏾 Greetings All,

🪶 Next week we will be working with two poems related to milestone moments: "Bird" by Liz Berry and "Ode to Teachers" by Pat Mora. Students will be completing assignments and engaging in a discussion protocol to examine, compare, and contrast the poems.

📆 A reminder that students may make corrections or revisions to any Language Arts assignment within one week of receiving my feedback. I am available during Advisory to provide additional support for students as well.

📖 Additionally, I encourage all students to read outside of the school day for twenty minutes each evening if their schedule allows.

📌 Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. -Mr. Gaddy

🧮 Pre-Algebra classes are reviewing the basics of Algebra in Chapter 2, including simplifying algebraic expressions and solving simple equations. We will move on to multi-step equations this week too. Students should expect Concept Checks regularly, so completing homework and keeping up with practice is important.

📝 Algebra students are working in Chapter 2: Linear Relationships. Please keep in mind that independent practice in this class is essential for keeping up with the pace of the course.

💯 As usual, both classes will have a Math Circuit Quiz every Friday.

⬅️ Last week, after we finished our debate, we got started on our new unit on the Articles of Confederation starting our guided notes! Additionally, I have begun to move many of our recent materials and materials for next week onto our google classroom, if your student misses class with us we should have something there for them!

➡️ This week will include finishing our guided notes and getting started on our mini poster project to go along with our quiz over the articles on Friday 10/23/26. A study guide for our quiz will be provided in the google classroom and in person by Monday of next week.

✅ Vocab Checks:

I have a small change in our regularly scheduled vocab checks, due to the 8th grade field trip our Vocab check #5 is being moved to Monday (10/19/26) and although we will continue to add vocabulary in the classroom there will not be an additional vocab check to make room for our Articles of Confederation Quiz! Please remind your student to study this weekend as they have this extra time to do so!

📧 Just a reminder if you have any questions or concerns, I can be reached at

CByrnes@Kingsleyschools.org, and other than that, I look forward to this next week of learning with your students and hope everyone is having a wonderful week!

🎨 From the Art Studio

Our Studio Art and Art Lab students are learning how artists use shading to create the appearance of depth and realism. As we continue studying the Element of Value, students are planning skeleton inspired drawings by developing original compositions (called proposals). Ask your student what their drawing will be all about.

✏️ These Proposals allow students to work out their ideas and decide how to arrange the subject matter (the Composition), before creating their finished drawings.

👻 We are also bringing some fall spirit into the Art Studio with optional Fall Decor projects and Halloween-themed creations in between steps for early finishers.

🐦‍⬛ The 6th-8th grade shop classes have been busy! They wrapped up their Eastern Bluebird Nesting Box project a few weeks ago. Students learned about reading a plan, measuring and marking techniques, and hand tool use. Kingsley will have some happy and cozy bluebirds this spring! Our second project is a hardwood cutting board, which many students will be wrapping up this week and next. We are having a great time making sawdust!

💻 Digital Literacy

Join us for the 3rd Annual Stag Battalion Pinning Ceremony. We welcome all staff, veterans, first responders, and members of our school community who would like to attend and support our cadets.

Ceremony Seating:

• Veterans, Active Duty, and first responders: If you would like to participate in the ceremony by pinning our cadets, please take a seat on the field.

• All other guests: Please take a seat in the stands to observe the ceremony.

Thank you for your continued support of the Stag Battalion and our cadets!

🧡 Looking for a previously published newsletter? Look in our archive!