Grade 6 ELA - Mr. Churchill
In our writing class, students have been learning how to write with evidence to support a claim using two texts. We are focusing on the main character of our novel, Percy Jackson, and how he is an archetypal hero based on Joseph Campbell´s ¨The Hero’s Journey.” By pulling evidence of Percy as a hero from the novel and aligning it with examples from ¨The Hero’s Journey,”students are writing to support the claim that Percy is on the Hero’s Journey. They are also learning to support their thinking by explaining how the the quotes from the two texts are aligned.
A Note From The School Nurse
Now that the weather is getting colder and we are all inside more, we also share more germs. We have seen an increase in the number of students with colds. Although we have not seen any cases of the flu, it is inevitable that it will eventually come to our area. There are things we can do to keep children and ourselves healthy. These recommendations will also help prevent the spread of colds.
Make sure your children wash their hands frequently- although influenza is an airborne disease, it can also be spread by touching something that has the flu virus on it.
Cough etiquette is also very important- a cough directly into the air spreads germs. As may as 3,000 droplets can fly out of the mouth with a single cough and they can go as far 6 meters (half the length of a telephone pole) Coughing into the inner elbow helps the droplets from spreading through the air and keeps them off the hands.
Children with a fever (school policy considers a fever as 100 degrees or over) must stay home until they are fever free without having had the fever reduced by Tylenol or Advil for 24 hours.
The best prevention for flu is getting a flu shot. The flu shot protects against the most likely strains of flu to come to the US. Last year it was not completely effective as the strains we had were not the ones expected. Most years it is much more effective. Please consider getting your whole family immunized. The CDC reports that 7 million work days are lost yearly due to the flu, not to mention, lost school days and missed special events! Enclosed in this newsletter is a list of flu clinics offered by the Nashoba Associated Boards of Health. Ayer and SHirley residents are welcome to attend any of these clinics.
Student Council - Start With Hello
October 1st - 5th students at the Ayer Shirley Middle School participated in Start With Hello Week.
Start with Hello teaches students, grades 2-12, the skills they need to reach out to and include those who may be dealing with chronic social isolation and create a culture of inclusion and connectedness within their classroom, school or youth organization.
Social isolation is the overwhelming feeling of being left out, lonely, or treated like you are invisible. It is a growing epidemic in the United States and within our schools. Excessive feelings of isolation can be associated with violent and suicidal behavior. In fact, one study reports that chronic loneliness increases the risk of an early death by 14%. Furthermore, young people who are isolated can become victims of bullying, violence and/or depression. As a result, many further pull away from society, struggle with learning and social development and/or choose to hurt themselves or others.
We encourage you to talk to your child about the Start With Hello program and ask them to share what they have learned. Not only will that help you learn how to support your child to identify isolation, reach out and connect, and Start With Hello, it also demonstrates to your child that you take this subject seriously and can support them in their actions to create a more connected and inclusive home, classroom, school and community.
Finally, we encourage you to support your child in sharing their Start With Hello story by submitting their creative expressions to the Start With Hello Student Voices Contest at https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/studentcontest.
For more information on Start With Hello and to sign up to receive the Start With Hello Parent Brochure, please visit: http://www.sandyhookpromise.org/bringstartwithhello.
Thank you,
Student Council
Please contact Student Council Advisor Kathryn Lyon at klyon@asrsd.org if you have any questions.
DANCE FOR KINDNESS 2018 - REGISTRATION IS NOW LIVE !!!
JOIN US FOR THIS WONDERFUL EVENT PROMOTING KINDNESS FOR ALL
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11TH - 1:00 PM - MAIN STREET, AYER
The global “Dance for Kindness” was celebrated last year in over 100 cities, spanning 50+ countries. It is the premiere event to kick off “World Kindness Week”. The Page Hilltop School community has participated in this event for the last 3 years as students, staff, parents, family members and friends for surrounding communities came together to celebrate KINDNESS.
This event involves a choreographed freezemob / flashmob dance that is performed by tens of thousands of people on the same day around the globe. Keep in mind that this is NOT a dance recital but rather a display of kindness. It is open to people of all ages and dancing abilities.
The Page Hilltop School PTO is sponsoring this year’s event and welcomes all of you to join us in this celebration of KINDNESS.
How do you join in? It’s really quite simple. Go to the site listed below to register. The cost is only $10.00. However, if you do not have the $10.00, you can still join in. Life vest Inside, the non-profit group that coordinates this global event, will not turn anyone away for lack of funding. You may also purchase an “official” dance t-shirt on the same site although it is not required. , For the day of the dance, you want to dress up in lots of “orange” and “blue” (theme colors).
https://www.danceforkindness.com/register
Once registered, you will have access to the dance tutorial so that you can practice at home, on your own time. If you would like to practice with a group, you may join in on any of the following dance rehearsal times. Ms. Alyssa Taft, a Page Hilltop paraprofessional and accomplished dancer, will be teaching all participants at this time.
Rehearsals: Oct. 22, Oct, 29, Nov. 5 (all 3:30 - 5:00pm) & Nov. 3rd (10:00am - 12:00)
On DFK day (Nov. 11th) we will be closing down a section of Main Street, thanks to help from our kind friends at the APD & AFD. The downtown area will be brightly decorated in lots of orange. We will have live DJ coverage. There will be refreshments for all dancers courtesy of Main Street Bank as well as face-painting and other activities.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our parent coordinator, Tracy Weeks, at: tracyweeks14@gmail.com
To get a better idea of what this event is all about, you may view the following 2 videos. One will show you the 2017 Ayer DFK and the other will show you the Worldwide DFK Montage.
We hope you will come and join us to promote a kinder world!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULVU0UIlpzA&t=34s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gt1559EOA9I&t=100s
ONE DANCE …….. ONE DAY ……… ONE HEART
Ayer - Shirley PTO Spirit Sale
Ayer - Shirley PTO Spirit Sale
October 8 - 26, 2018
Please order on our website at: www.aspto.org
Any questions email us at: ayershirleypto@gmail.com
ASRSD Umbrella, $30
Stromberg Vented Golf Umbrella
(Arc 54”)
ASRSD Winter Hat, $20
Maroon, white, and gray pom pom kint cap
ASRSD Fleece Blanket, $25
Embroidered fleece and polyester travel blanket with water resistant backing
(50" x 60")
ASRSD Beach Towel, $28
Embroidered white beach towel
(35" x 62")
7th Grade Mountain Classroom Grant
Intramural Flag Football Details & Dates
Time: 2:30-4:00
Where: Fields behind Middle School
Dates:
Tuesday 9/25
Thursday 9/27
Tuesday 10/2
Thursday 10/4
Tuesday 10/9
Thursday 10/11
Tuesday 10/16
Thursday 10/18
Tuesday 10/23
Thursday 10/25
Tuesday 10/30 (LAST DAY FF)
Parents/ Guardians are responsible for picking up students after the activity has ended. (If your child is going home with another student they must have a note giving them permission.) User fee is $20. Checks can be made out to Ayer Shirley Regional School District. Open to all boys and girls in grades 6 to 8.
There is no late bus, therefore all students must be picked up by 4:00 near the gym doors.
Students should be dressed in clothing appropriate for physical activity.
If you have any questions, please contact Ms, Rollins, Intramural Director at trollins@asrsd.org
Or 978-772-8600 ext. 1202
All students need a signed permission slip to participate.
Click on the link for the permission slip: https://drive.google.com/open?id=10jSRCoBdY-ep7ZiuhX29aHJJx0tiPgZn
2018 Middle School Soccer Schedule
10/4 Boys 3:30PM Away vs. Maynard - Fowler MS
Girls 3:30PM Away vs. Maynard Fowler MS
10/9 Boys 3:30PM Bromfield - Wilde Field
Girls 5:00PM Bromfield - Wilde Field
10/11 Girls 3:30PM Tahanto Reg. - Wilde Field \
Boys 5:00PM Tahanto Reg. - Wilde Field
10/16 Girls 3:30PM Clinton MS - Wilde Field
Boys 5:00PM Clinton MS - Wilde Field
10/18 Boys 3:30PM Away vs. Littleton - Littleton MS
Girls 4:45PM Away vs. Littleton - Littleton MS
10/25 Boys 3:30PM Away vs. W. Boylston - W. Boylston HS
Girls 3:30PM Away vs. W. Boylston - W. Boylston HS
10/30 Boys 3:30PM Maynard - Wilde Field
Girls 5:00PM Maynard - Wilde Field
ASMS Band
https://www.facebook.com/ASRMS-Band-1586594771598510/
Middle School Concert
December 13 @ 7:00 pm
Collecting Winter Coats: Now - January 6th
Ayer Shirley Middle School Student Council is participating in Anton’s Cleaners Coats for Kids challenge.
Gently used and good quality coats are accepted for children and adults. All sizes are needed.
Once collected, all coats are professionally cleaned by Anton’s and distributed
locally to families in need by a network of social service agencies.
Drop off your coats to the middle school library and help us help others.
For more information contact Kathryn Lyon at
klyon@asrsd.org or 978-772-8600 ext 1212.
Athletic Fees & School Lunch Payments
MySchoolBucks is a convenient online payment service that provides a quick and easy way to pay for school-related purchases. You can now pay for items such as school lunch, athletic fees and more using your credit/debit card or electronic check.
If you are already using MySchoolBucks to pay for school meals, your account is already set-up and ready to go! Otherwise, register for your FREE account today at www.myschoolbucks.com
If you have questions, please contact MySchoolBucks directly at
(855) 832-5226 or email parentsupport@myschoolbucks.com.
ASPTO Monthly Events
October
8 MCM bread/cookie dough fundraiser
9 October PTO meeting 7:15pm
19 Yankee Candle Fundraiser: Catalog Sales end 11/2. Online orders end 12/31.
14-27 Fall Family Photo Shoots
22 MCM bread/cookie dough orders due
SCRIP Card orders for holiday shopping
November
13 November PTO meeting 7:15pm
15 MCM bread and cookie dough orders
**MUST BE PICKED UP TODAY**
15 ASRMS teacher conferences luncheon
16 ASPTO night at Roll On America 5:30-8pm
December
6 LAW Cookies and Cocoa with Santa
11 December PTO meeting 7:15pm
13 Yankee Candle order pick up date
Loaves & Fishes
Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry provides food and support to any residents of Ayer, Devens, Groton, Harvard, Littleton and Shirley who need help.
We are open:
Every Wednesday and Friday, 9:45AM to 12:30PM
(Doors open 9:30am)
First and Third Saturday, 9AM to 11AM
(Doors open at 8:45am)
Second Tuesday of the month, 6PM to 8PM
(Doors open at 5:45pm)
234 Barnum Road Call us or come see us.
Devens, MA 01434 We can help.
(978) 772-4627 x312
ASRHS School Store
The school store at ASRHS is now open
and stocked with merchandise!
The hours for students are during lunch
and after school. In addition, the school store
goes mobile and sells merchandise at every
home football game and is open at evening events
such as parent conferences, open house, etc.
Please contact the main office at
ext. 1301 with any questions that you may have.
Weekend Backpack Program
What is the Weekend Backpack Program?
Providing for the needs of our children within the constraints of our budgets is a challenging and stressful task that many families face daily. Ayer Shirley Middle School staff and volunteers are excited to continue the ASMS Weekend Backpack Program which provides students who are at risk of hunger with supplemental light meals and snacks. With support from funds provided to our district from local churches and businesses, the ASMS Weekend Backpack Program is available to any ASMS student who needs this support. Students participating in this program will receive a bag containing enough food for 2 to 3 small meals and snacks to supplement what you are providing over the weekend.
How Do I Sign Up?
Sign up by completing the information on the back of this form and returning it to the school as soon as possible. Enrolled students will begin receiving their bags Friday, September 7th, 2018. Students will continue to receive their weekly bag until the end of school or until you notify us that you no longer wish to have your child participate. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Kathryn Lyon (ext. 1212).
How Can I Make A Donation to this Program?
There are several ways that you can help. We are in need of food items such as granola bars, shelf-stable milk, juice boxes, applesauce or fruit cups, goldfish, or other individually packaged nutritious snacks. You can also help with a monetary donation. We will use the funds to purchase supplies through our vendors. Checks can be made payable to ASRSD with ASMS Weekend Backpack Program in the memo line. Every dollar helps, so no donation is too small. All monetary donations are tax deductible. We will provide you with a receipt for tax purposes, if requested. If you can help, please fill out the donation information on the back of this form and return it to the ASMS. Food donations can be dropped off in the school library at any time.
Please click on the link to be directed to the forms:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_YkbVYngvY3RklzWWxMbThWb2M/view?usp=sharing
Recycle Your Reusables
The 10th annual Recycle Your Reusables
Saturday, October 20, 9am-2pm
Bemis Associates
One Bemis Way, Shirley, MA
Recycle Your Reusables is
A local way to keep hundreds of tons of material from waste streams. Vendors repurpose materials of value in ways that support underserved communities, and boost our local economy.
A very busy and chaotic place! You may encounter waiting lines. Please be patient! And don’t come early. No one will be allowed to drop off anything prior to 9am.
A volunteer-run event that operates on a shoestring. Almost everything is free to drop off except some electronics, appliances, mattresses, propane tanks, lawn mowers, snow blowers, VHS and cassette tapes. See the Complete List.
Recycle Your Reusables is not
A place to drop off junk. Items you bring will be recycled or reused. Even though you think that overstuffed 70s plaid couch that smells like cigarette smoke is still perfectly useable, vendors might disagree with you and it is their prerogative to refuse any items.
If being recycled the items may be broken down into their component parts (think electronics and mattresses) or ground and repurposed (think Styrofoam).
If being reused, items will be received by vendors such as More Than Words, Habitat for Humanity, Ginny’s Helping Hand and many more.
Before you load your car with a bunch of stuff you’re not sure we’ll take contact us (Ayerrecycles@gmail.com or 978 496 5839.)
Can’t make it to RYR?
Visit a CHARM (Centers for Hard to Recycle Materials). Some local transfer stations are open to non-residents. See the attached list for info.
Hannaford Helps Schools
Raising money for your school is as easy as 1 2 3 and A B C
1. Shop. Choose from more than 1200 participating products to help earn money for your school!
2. Check Out. Get 3 school dollars for every 4 participating products you purchase.
3. Submit. Deposit your school dollars in the collection tower in the Lunenburg Hannaford store, located at the front of the registers with our school name on it. And / Or you can send them into the Middle School.
***NOTE*** You can still shop at any Hannaford and receive school dollars, but you will need
to bring your receipt into school. The ASRMS is registered at the Lunenburg loaction.
Please click on this link for more information and a full list of participating products: http://www.hannaford.com/assets/hf/assets/pdf/cms/abouthannaford/HHS_Shopping_Companion.pdf
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Terri Rollins at ext. 1202
Cafeteria Looking For Substitutes
The cafeteria is looking for substitute kitchen workers for all schools. Please apply on www.SchoolSpring.com.
Tech Corner
Video Technology is a powerful tool! Check out these apps and ideas you can engage your student with to be creative! Use your phone, computer or other device, it's no longer complicated and the apps are easy to use!
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2014/02/06/20-video-project-ideas-to-engage-students/
