Spring is here, and with it comes time for the PSSA (the state mandated test). We are ready, and we feel that our students are ready too! You may have heard that there are some new rules in place due to cheating in some parts of the city and state.
****Bache-Martin is NOT one of the schools accused of cheating, but we must abide by the new rules anyway.
****The biggest change your child will notice is that they may no longer be given the test by their homeroom or main subject area teacher. The 8th grade will be tested by the seventh grade teachers. We feel confident that the students will do well no matter who is in the room with them.
****The 8th grade is the most heavily tested grade. They take Reading & Math, and after Spring Break they will move on to Writing and Science. It seems to them and us that they test forever!!
On the bright side, once they are done this year, they do not take PSSAs again until 11th grade.
****Please make sure your children get a good night's sleep, a good breakfast, and come to school on time. We also serve breakfast in the lunchroom in the mornings.
CLOSING EXERCISES: We are still working out a date, place, and time for our closing exercises. We will keep you posted with new information.
Social Studies Project: Remember the Social Studies project is due at the end of March. The marking period ends around the same time, so NO late projects will be accepted. A failing grade on the project will most likely result in in an 'F' for the quarter.
NO Summer School: The School District has announced that there will be NO summer school this summer!!! Therefore, if your child does not meet the requirements to be promoted (to be promoted to 9th grade, a student must pass ALL four major subjects), that child will be repeating grade 8 next year. Most of our 8th graders are on track, but a few seem to think no work is required to move on to high school--please speak to them about this. Thank you!
Monday, March 12, 2012
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Newsletter #9
February 13, 2012 Newsletter #9
Remember Parents: Report Card Conferences this Week: Wed. 2/15, Thurs. 2/16, and Fri. 2/17 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Students will be dismissed at 12:09 on conference days.
***Appointment letters were sent home last week.
7th & 8th Grade Dance: The dance was a great success! Many thanks to Ms. Stephens, Mrs. Gaillard, Ms. MacNeill, The Home and School Association ,Mr. Rupertus, Mr. Golson, and all parents who helped and chaperoned!
Social Studies Project: All 8th Grade students have an important Social Studies project due on March 30, 2012.
Students brought home the requirements on a bright green paper last week. If you would like me to email you a copy, contact me at krluebbert@philasd.org
School Reform Commission announces that due to budget crisis there will be no summer school!
*****Parents, we are well into the third marking period. If your child has failed one or more subjects so far this year, he/she is in grave danger of returning to bache for 8th grade again next fall!
#####THERE WILL BE NO SUMMER SCHOOL—please discuss this with your child and make sure they improve their work.
“EXTRA CREDIT”— the third marking period is underway, and it might be useful to explain what ‘extra credit’ means: It is for the VERY RARE times when a student has tried his/her best every day, but still needs a little EXTRA work to pass a class, OR it is awarded when a student has done something BEYOND what is expected. IT IS NOT for a student who has neglected to do homework, or work in class, or projects, and is therefore failing the class. Extra credit WILL NOT be given to students who are missing regular assignments. Please discuss with your child the importance of giving his/her effort every day in school. Thank you.
READING AND WRITING—All students should be reading a book or magazine of their choice for twenty minutes each night. Students also have several ongoing writing project that they should be working on at least several times a week.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Newsletter #8
January 25, 2012
School Reform Commission announces that due to budget crisis there will be no summer school!
*****Parents, we have just entered the third marking period. If your child has failed one or more subjects so far this year, he/she is in grave danger of returning to bache for 8th grade again next fall!
#####THERE WILL BE NO SUMMER SCHOOL—please discuss this with your child and make sure they improve their work.
School Supplies: Parents, many students are now coming to school without pens, pencils, paper, notebooks…..Please make sure your child has all needed supplies to be successful in school.
Parents and Guardians: We care for our students here at Bache, and know Middle Schoolers need guidance to make good decisions. Please talk with your child about appropriate actions and behavior. Please, please, make sure they do not bring anything unsafe to school---poor decisions can have dire consequences for them and others!
DATE for Closing Exercises: Our Closing Exercises Date is awaiting approval by the AD-8 offices
****Please ask your child about the new Interactive Notebook they are using in Math class. It will be a great organizational and study tool for them.
READING AND WRITING—All students should be reading a book or magazine of their choice for twenty minutes each night. Students also have several ongoing writing project that they should be working on at least several times a week.
Kristin Luebbert: krluebbert@philasd.org
Trina Allen: tdallen@philasd.org
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Newsletter #7
December 19, 2011
Parents and Guardians: We care for our students here at Bache, and know Middle Schoolers need guidance to make good decisions. Please talk with your child about appropriate actions and behavior. Please, please, make sure they do not bring anything unsafe to school---poor decisions can have dire consequences for them and others!
Have a wonderful and restful Winter Break. Stay safe and we will see you on Tuesday, January 3, 2012!
DATE for Closing Exercises: Mark your calendars! Eighth Grade Closing Exercises (Graduation) will be held on Wednesday, June 13th 2012. Time and place will be decided soon.
****Please ask your child about the new Interactive Notebook they are using in Math class. It will be a great organizational and study tool for them.
FIELD TRIPS: ++++We have an upcoming trip in January to see Freedom Train—a musical about Harriet Tubman presented by TheaterWorksUSA at the Irvine Auditorium at Penn. (see new link at upper right) Trip slips are coming soon, but we will only be taking 25-30 eighth graders, so spaces will be given out on a first come, first served basis. Please remind your child that in order to go on a field trip, students must exhibit proper and responsible behavior in school.
READING AND WRITING—All students should be reading a book or magazine of their choice for twenty minutes each night. Students also have several ongoing writing project that they should be working on at least several times a week.
LAST CALL!!!! EIGHTH GRADE PARTICIPATION LETTERS: (SIGNATURES PAST DUE) Your child has brought home a letter that explains the conduct and behavior that is expected of them in order to be included in all eighth grade culminating activities and Closing Exercises. These behaviors are simply the expectations we have of all our students at Bache-Martin. Please review the letter with your child and return the separate signature sheet ASAP.
Kristin Luebbert: krluebbert@philasd.org
Trina Allen: tdallen@philasd.org
Monday, December 5, 2011
Newsletter #6
December 5, 2011
NEWSLETTER # 6
Eighth Grade Ice Skating Party This Saturday, December 10: Parent Ms. Stephens has arranged a great event—Ice Skating at the U of P Class of 1923 Ice Rink from 5:00-8:00 PM. Only $2.00! Eighth Graders—come out and have some fun! The rink is located at 3130 Walnut Street.
Report Card Conferences Last Week: Conferences went well, if you did not pick up your child’s report card, please call the office to arrange a time to come in for a conference.
****Please ask your child about the new Interactive Notebook they are using in Math class. It will be a great organizational and study tool for them.
FIELD TRIPS: ++++We have an upcoming trip in January to see Freedom Train—a musical about Harriet Tubman presented by TheaterWorksUSA at the Irvine Auditorium at Penn. (see new link at upper right) Trip slips are coming soon, but we will only be taking 25-30 eighth graders, so spaces will be given out on a first come, first served basis. Please remind your child that in order to go on a field trip, students must exhibit proper and responsible behavior in school.
READING—All students should be reading a book or magazine of their choice for twenty minutes each night.
EIGHTH GRADE PARTICIPATION LETTERS: (SIGNATURES PAST DUE)
Your child has brought home a letter that explains the conduct and behavior that is expected of them in order to be included in all eighth grade culminating activities and Closing Exercises. These behaviors are simply the expectations we have of all our students at Bache-Martin. Please review the letter with your child and return the separate signature sheet ASAP.
Kristin Luebbert: krluebbert@philasd.org
Trina Allen: tdallen@philasd.org
Monday, November 28, 2011
Newsletter #5
November 28, 2011
NEWSLETTER # 5
Report Card Conferences This Week: Wednesday, 11-30-11 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM Thursday, 12-1-11 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM and again from 5:00-7:00 PM. Please adhere to your scheduled time. Your child should have brought home a conferencing scheduling letter last week. Conference times have been assigned. If your child did not give you a conference letter, please write a note to Mrs. Luebbert or Ms. Allen to request a time. Students will be dismissed at 12:09 on Wednesday and Thursday—conferences will start at 1:10. NO students will be given their report card without a conference. It is important that we discuss your child’s educational progress with you.
****Please ask your child about the new Interactive Notebook they are using in Math class. It will be a great organizational and study tool for them.
FIELD TRIPS: We had a wonderful time at the Franklin Institute seeing and participating in ‘The CSI Experience’—ask your child how he/she helped solve the case!
++++We have an upcoming trip in January to see Freedom Train—a musical about Harriet Tubman presented by TheaterWorksUSA at the Irvine Auditorium at Penn: (see newly added link-upper right)
Trip slips are coming soon, but we will only be taking 25-30 eighth graders, so spaces will be given out on a first come, first served basis. Please remind your child that in order to go on a field trip, students must exhibit proper and responsible behavior in school.
READING—All students should be reading a book or magazine of their choice for twenty minutes each night.
EIGHTH GRADE PARTICIPATION LETTERS: (SIGNATURES PAST DUE)
Your child has brought home a letter that explains the conduct and behavior that is expected of them in order to be included in all eighth grade culminating activities and Closing Exercises. These behaviors are simply the expectations we have of all our students at Bache-Martin. Please review the letter with your child and return the separate signature sheet ASAP.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
November 7, 2011 Newsletter #4
Remember Parents: Students have no school on Tuesday, November 8th (election day) or Friday, November 11 (Veterans’ Day).
Franklin Institute Trip: The trip is November 17, and will cost $20.00. The Students who were invited to go on the trip were given trip slips last tuesday. Please remember that trips are a privilege, and safe and appropriate behavior is required to attend a trip.
***This is a walking trip, students will need a bagged lunch for the trip.
URGENT: EIGHTH GRADE PARTICIPATION LETTERS: (SIGNATURES DUE NOW) Your child has brought home a letter that explains the conduct and behavior that is expected of them in order to be included in all eighth grade culminating activities and Closing Exercises. These behaviors are simply the expectations we have of all our students at Bache-Martin. Please review the letter with your child and return the separate signature sheet ASAP. Remember, students MAY NOT participate in trips and other events until we have the signed letter. Thank you.
Report Card Conferences: Conferences are November 30 and December 1, 2011. Letters will be sent home this week to ask you to choose from a list of times.
“EXTRA CREDIT”—as the marking period comes to a close, it might be useful to explain what ‘extra credit’ means: It is for the VERY RARE times when a student has tried his/her best every day, but still needs a little EXTRA work to pass a class, OR it is awarded when a student has done something BEYOND what is expected. IT IS NOT for a student who has neglected to do homework, or work in class, or projects, and is therefore failing the class. Extra credit WILL NOT be given to students who are missing regular assignments. Please discuss with your child the importance of giving his/her effort every day in school. Thank you.
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