Hello Middle School Families!
Spirit week is this week! On Monday, students can come to school wearing their class colors. Our 7th/8th grade color is purple, and the 5th/6th grade color is dark blue.

We’ve had a wonderful first week and a half of the Justice Requires Restraint novel unit. I’m happy with the student-led conversations during literature circle meetings. In all grades, we’ve gotten almost halfway through each book so far.

This coming week, 7th and 8th graders will learn about the use of rhetorical devices in arguments to prepare them for their upcoming argumentative essay on Farewell to Manzanar. In addition, students will continue to make their way through the book this week and next week. 5th and 6th grade have started practicing argumentative paragraphs for their upcoming argumentative essay on Number the Stars. They, too will continue to make their way through Number the Stars this week and next.

Ancient civilizations is right in the middle of the Ancient India unit, learning about the culture of Ancient India this coming week.  In US History, students are engaging in a peace conference simulation before moving into the Era of Good Feelings.

May Crowning: Girls’ families will be contacted by Joan Rico in the next few days regarding the ribbon and flower colors for their crowns. We will be practicing the event several days this coming week and the week of the event. Please keep in mind the

Retreats: the 7th and 8th grade retreats will be on the same day, May 4th. Mrs. Martinez is in charge of the 7th grade retreat, and Mr. Molina and I are putting the finishing touches on the 8th grade retreat. Permission slips will be sent home for 8th graders this week.

Portfolios: 8th graders are making good progress with their portfolios and will be sending out invitations this week. Students should be working on their essay and trifold at home.

Reminders:
Week of 4/23-4/27: Spirit week
Wednesday, 4/25: Progress reports
Thursday, 4/26: 5th grade retreat
Thursday, 5/3: May Crowning (evening)
Friday, 5/3: Early dismissal, 7th and 8th grade retreats
Week of 5/7: 6th grade camp
Friday, 5/18: Teacher experience (evening)
Friday, 5/25: 8th grade portfolio presentations
Monday, 5/28: Memorial Day no school
Wednesday, 5/30: Field Day
Friday, 6/1: Early dismissal, sports awards, all middle school dance
Tuesday, 6/5: 8th grade graduation dinner (evening)
Wednesday, 6/6: 8th grade graduation, early dismissal
Thursday, 6/7: Early dismissal
Friday, 6/8: Last day of school! Mass and 10am dismissal