Puma News Publication of the Aspen Valley Middle School February 2019

Happenings in the Classroom:

Hexter 4 has been a busy time and students have been actively engaged in their learning:

Art

7th grade is currently in their prehistoric art unit. After studying the art production methods of early Paleolithic people,

students will create a piece of a cave wall. After fabricating their own paints by mixing pigment and fat, students are applying

this paint to create animal images. Our next challenge is to replicate the primitive airbrush technique used over 20,000 years

ago.

8th grade students are very busy in this semester’s TAB (Teaching Artistic Behaviors) Art Room. They have picked a

concentration in one of four fine art mediums: painting, printmaking, collage or sculpture. They will then create an

authentic original work in their chosen medium that includes a chosen purpose for its creation: narrative,

expressive, functional, celebratory, persuasive, or exploratory.

ELA

7th grade is learning about figurative language and will engage in a poetry unit to connect to their figurative language study. They will also be working on grammar and the parts of speech.

8th grade is reading Night by Elie Wiesel, an autobiography from a holocaust survivor. Our writing assignments will be short and deeply focused on specific writing skills. We will continue our grammar work, but it will become more advanced as I begin to introduce sentence structure.

Both grades will be continuing their work on cursive writing, but in small chunks. Some students will have the opportunity to “test out” of the smaller assignments and can progress in extension activities for our reading work.

Math

7th grade scholars will be studying Inequalities and Ratios and Proportions.

8th grade scholars will be studying Functions and Angles and Similarity.

Science

7th grade science classes will be learning about cells including cell types, structure and function.

8th grade science classes will continuing learning about space as well as focus on chemical and physical properties of matter and energy.

Social Studies

7th grade begins this unit by connecting supply and demand to consumer choices. Then it continues into why and how citizens pay taxes and the types of taxes they pay as well as what personal finance responsibilities citizens have. Finally, students will have an opportunity to apply their knowledge of income and taxes with a simulated tax paying experience. The unit culminates with students writing a dialogue between a tax preparation professional and a new taxpayer.

8th grade will learn basic concepts of credit and debt. They will formulate strategies for making good financial decisions by investigating different types of credit, loans, and the costs associated with using credit. Students will discover the importance of maintaining debt. Unit culminates with students demonstrating practical application of personal financial literacy using basic concepts of credit, debt and management skills to make educated financial decisions.

New Exploratories—AVMS is excited to offer 3 new exploratories for our students this hexter.

Learning Extensions—Taught by Mr. Flores, students will be developing math applications and concepts through project based learning. Students are relying on their skills to build motorized objects like helicopters and other structures.

Technology 1—This class is using Typing Club, a proven web based program to build and strengthen their keyboarding skills. This will be beneficial in many classes that are using other online programs. In addition, as part of our typing curriculum, Mrs. Zink is coming into class to teach lessons on digital citizenship. Digital Citizenship skills are essential for anyone who uses the internet and has a social presence online. Our students use the internet for fun, for research and for a way to connect with others. During our digital citizenship classes students will look at media balance and their well-being, they will learn about privacy and security, their digital footprint and identity as well as the way they communicate and impact relationships online.

Aboriginal (Multicultural) Art — Students have explored some of the traditions and art styles of the Aboriginal people of Australia. The class is currently creating art in a mix of three styles seen in Aboriginal art: dot, geometric and x-ray styles. The students have also been practicing their circular breathing technique so they can apply that to didgeridoo they will create and decorate.

Counseling Program in the 4th Hexter

Minute Meetings

We started this hexter out with student Minute Meetings. I conduct Minute Meetings with students three times a year, once in the fall, once in January and once at the end of the year. Minute Meetings give me the opportunity to check in with every student and talk about how they are doing. During our “minute” together I am able to ask them if they would like to meet with me separately for a longer period of time on any issue and remind them how to access me should they have a need in the future. As your child’s school counselor it is my job to support them in their academic, career and social/emotional needs in the school setting. Minute Meetings allow me to touch base with students and ensure they feel they are getting the support they need.

Small Groups

Small Groups have been gathering throughout the year this year. Small Groups are counseling groups that include 5-10 students who gather on a regular basis on Fridays to discuss a common topic. In the past we’ve had New Student Groups, Friendship Groups, Changing Families Groups and others. Not only do I run small groups, we also have Ms. Cassie, a community therapist from Peak View come in to run small groups with some of our students. This allows us to offer more small groups. The small group forum is a great way for students to grow individually while also feeling a tighter connection to school. If you feel your child would benefit from a small group, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I am always happy to build groups around student needs.

The Great Kindness Challenge

Our first annual Great Kindness Challenge was a success! Students have had fun dressing up for our spirit days and enjoyed the opportunity to track the acts of kindness they accomplished. If you haven’t already – take a look at the PUMA KINDNESS sign that middle school and high school students created on our chain link fence together. We will tally up the kindness results and will announce which two forethought classes earned the pizza party reward. We look forward to celebrating The Great Kindness Challenge on an annual basis. If you have any ideas or thoughts on how to make it even more enjoyable next year, please don’t hesitate to give me feedback at: katharine.zink@asd20.org or 719-234-6252.

Breaking News

We are excited to announce that not one but TWO Forethought classes achieved the highest percentage of participation in the Great Kindness Challenge. Students in Mr. Flores/Ms. Inloes’ and Mr. Jensen’s Forethought classes had the most number of students completing the most number of acts of kindness from a prescribed list of suggestions (or students could come up with their own acts of kindness to complete). Lastly, each student composed a paragraph detailing their very favorite activity during the Challenge. Students in these Forethought classes will be rewarded with a pizza lunch. Isn’t it great that it pays to be kind!

Thank you, Mrs. Zink

HELPING US MARKET ASPEN VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL

We are seeking your help to fill our 7th grade class for school year 2019-20. Our intent has been to provide

the best possible learning environment for your student and to be responsive to all parent needs and com-

munications. If we have fulfilled your child’s needs and partnered with you this year, we ask that you tell

parents of current 6th grade students about your experience and invite them to attend our final choice night

on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 beginning at 6:00 P.M. at the high school. We would be especially thankful if

you attended with your guest. When you invite someone to attend our choice night, please provide them a

copy of the parent application form, available in the lobby or on our school home page. We also have a few

vacancies for 8th grade next year as well. So current 7th grader would also benefit from your invitation.

Talking points:

—Free public education

—Predictable and reduced homework – less than an hour per night

—First-name relationship between parents and staff

—Small class sizes of only 15 students

—Individualized support in all classes and two adults in math

—Students feel safe to ask for help

—Strong social/emotional support

—Calm environment supports overall wellbeing

—Same grade level content as any Colorado school

—Record of strong student growth in academics

Testimonials:

Attend the February 19th choice night and speak to other parents and students. The talking points above will be your

topics.

Video testimonials – We will be creating testimonial video of parents and students to be posted on our web site. These

will be scheduled either at the school or at 21C Library at a time of your convenience.