Our calendar is fairly light these next few weeks, but there is SO MUCH LEARNING happening! Module 2 has begun and students are afforded a fresh start to their learning and mastery. Reminder that report cards will be mailed home December 2. If you do not receive yours by December 9, please reach out to Shirley to make sure we have your accurate mailing information. I don't know about all of you, but Thanksgiving Recess certainly snuck up on me! It feels like we just started school! Check out the below information for a glimpse of fall at TSMS.
Calendar
NOVEMBER 24 AND 25 • NO SCHOOL THANKSGIVING RECESS
On Thursday and Friday, November 24 and 25, all NYC DOE public schools will be closed for Thanksgiving recess. Take the time and spend it with family. Looking for a conversation starter? Have everyone who is around your dinner table or home reflect on what they are thankful for and why.
NOVEMBER 30 • 7TH GRADE TO THE THEATRE
Attention parents of current 7th grade Theatre Arts students: Permission slips for our November 30 trip to see Broadway sensation Kinky Boots have gone home. If you have not sent yours in, please do so ASAP to secure your child's ticket for this Tony Award winning show! Please contact Bryce at bcahn@tsmsonline.org with any questions.
DECEMBER 12 • PTA AND SLT MEETINGS
On Monday, December 12, our SLT and PTA will hold their monthly meetings. SLT begins at 5pm and PTA follows directly after at 6pm.
DECEMBER 14 • PARENT-STAFF COFFE HOUR
Our next Parent-Staff Coffee Hour will take place on Wednesday, December 14th from 8:00-9:00am. We hope to see you then. Mark your calendars!
DECEMBER 15 • 6TH GRADE TO ANCIENT EGYPT AT THE MET
On Thursday, December 15, our 6th graders will travel back in time to Ancient Egypt at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. They will spend the morning looking at artifacts that relate to their study of Ancient Egypt. They will return to school for lunch and a regular afternoon.
Highlights and such...
FROM THE GUIDANCE OFFICE
With Thanksgiving right around the corner we spend a lot of time reflecting about what we are thankful for, which is a nice way to kick off the holiday season!
At TSMS, students are asked to reflect often using an exit ticket. This tool allows teachers to check in on what was retained during their lesson. Educators value the practice of reflection, as it brings more meaning and insight to learning. Reflection on our life experiences does the same thing. Taking 5 minutes at the end of each day to reflect on our actions, thoughts, and behaviors could help us to have a greater understanding of self. What a wonderful habit for our students to start to build.
During the process of reflecting, one should highlight what they are thankful and grateful for. Studies have shown that listing or simply bringing to mind things that we are grateful for helps to increase happiness! So start a new morning routine while brushing your teeth or waiting for the subway, and start to highlight the things you are grateful for! I hope it brings a smile to your face this holiday season!
FIFTH STREET FARM UPDATE
While the Fifth Street Farm, located on the TSMS roof, will be mostly dormant over the winter, the months of December, January and February are exciting times as we plan for spring planting. Any TSMS parent or staff wishing to get more involved and support TSMS students' work with the Fifth Street Farm should contact Frances Anderson - fanderson@5thstreetfarm.org.
6TH AND 7TH GRADE READING NOTEBOOK SHARE
Our 7th graders in Stacey and Mr. T's class went down to Ginger and Sarah's class in 6th grade to help our 6th graders learn how to use their reading notebooks to deepen their thinking about the books they are reading. Check out some of the pictures below!
6TH GRADE SCIENCE NEEDS SOME SUPPLIES!
Sixth graders have been doing a fantastic job keeping track of all their ideas in their interactive science notebooks! But we need a few supplies to keep up with our good work. We are also looking to start planting mini-gardens in science class and need some potting supplies. We have an Amazon wish list entitled "6th Grade Science Classroom Wishlist," which can also be found using Ms. Flanagan's email address (pflanagan@tsmsonline.org). Thanks in advance for any contributions you're able to make!
Gratefully,
Pamela Flanagan and Justine Jones
NEW VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS
Parents there are new 2016 Vaccination Requirements for your child. Students at the age of 11 must receive the Tdap booster Vaccination entering into 6th grade. All students entering 7th grade are required to receive the MenACWY Vaccination. Please see link below.
If your child's immunization is not complete by December 9th, your child can not return to school without proper Doctor's documentation stating that your child has received the required vaccinations.
Please send your child's completed immunization record to Frances Quezada, via email fquezada@tsmsonline.org, via fax 212-979-1341, or in person in Room 335.
UPDATE FROM THE 11/14 PTA MEETING
PTA meeting: Homework, The Balance Between Help and Independence discussion
We had a lively and productive PTA meeting on Monday, Nov 14. Thank you to the 6 staff members and 16 parents in attendance. This was the first of what we hope will be a series of meetings focusing on key topics that concern parents. Last Monday’s meeting focused on "Homework". Please look for a recap of the discussion which will be sent via school e-mail. If you have ideas for future meeting topics please let me know. Joann Hill, Co-President: hillglass@gmail.com
Thank you from the TSMS PTA
PARENT-STAFF COFFEE HOUR ON THE ROOF!
On a crisp and sunny November morning, parents and school teaching staff gathered on the glorious roof top garden known as the 5th Street Farm for our inaugural PARENT-STAFF COFFEE HOUR. Parents and staff members chatted over coffee and pastries. They then joined for an engaging group conversation about getting the balance right between supporting our kids and allowing them independence with their homework. Thanks to Principal Sonhando Estwick, 8th grade humanities teacher Lance Leener, 7th grade humanities teacherStacey Fell, 7th grade humanities para-professional Jesus Goris and 8th grade science teacher Devan Aptekar for their insights and devotion to the families of TSMS. Finally, parents toured the Farm and had a chance to harvest some herbs to bring home.
7TH GRADERS AND THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARDS
Some 7th graders wrote a persuasive essay to be able to attend the 2016 National Book awards held at the 92Y last Tuesday. Students received a copy of the book they chose and met in book clubs to discuss them at lunch. Kids got to meet the authors, ask questions and have their books signed. Our kids were so excited about the event, they were even interviewed by publishers and magazines attending! Congratulations to the authors of March: Book 3, this year's winner!
COLLECT YOUR BOX TOPS
Keep collecting your box tops and get them to Frances Quezada in Room 335.
Any little bit helps! Each box top is worth 10¢ for our school!
6TH GRADERS IN SPACE!
Sixth graders visited the NYC Center for Space Science Education last Thursday and Friday. We practiced our flying skills on flight simulators, we simulated a mission to Mars, and we learned about the importance of teamwork! All four teams had successful missions and the sixth grade teachers are proud of our young astronauts.
FROM THE SPEECH ROOM
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, we have been focusing on expanding our vocabularies to include less frequent vocabulary words related to the Thanksgiving holiday. Words like appreciation, gratitude, thankful, and tradition are our main focus. All of our students have enjoyed engaging in conversation to reflect on what they are grateful or thankful for and who they appreciate. Shout out to all parents, guardians, and TSMS teachers because many students are VERY thankful for all that you do!
We urge you to engage in these types of conversations this Thanksgiving Break, you're sure to be pleasantly surprised with what your children have to share. Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving!
CELEBRATION OF LEARNING COMMITTEE (EVERYBODY IS A GENIUS PIC!)
We are a collective group of speech-language pathologists, general education, and special education teachers who strive to celebrate the different learning styles of our students, staff and families. Our goal is to celebrate these differences and help students understand their strengths and strategies to help them reach their goals on more challenging tasks. We urge you and your children to take this survey to help determine your learning style. Teachers, we encourage you to take it as well! Click on the link below to figure it out!
Stay tuned for more information and activities that we will organize throughout the school year. Warmest Wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving!
Celebration of Learning Committee
Sarah F., Sara G., Julie, James, Rachel, Yolanda and Christine
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY
As a school community, we value academic rigor, but we also understand an adolescent's need to get outside to play, be young, get exercise and fresh air. As the winter weather seems to be upon us for the unforeseeable future, please make sure to send your children to school with coats, gloves, hats, and whatever other warm weather gear they may have. We go outside in the cold winter weather provided that conditions are not unsafe. Please make sure your children are coming to school dressed for fun in the outdoors.
SCHOOL WIDE MATH PROBLEM • THE PEG PROBLEM This week, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade math classes all worked on the Fall Whole School Problem! We worked on solving the Peg Problem. Want to take a stab at it? Click here for a video of the problem (and a peek at the solution)!
Enjoy, TSMS Math Department
That's all for this edition of our newsletter. We hope that everyone has a wonderful, restful, gratitude-filled Thanksgiving. Stay tuned for the next edition set to publish December 6.
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