Dear Families in the Middle,

The weather has been wildly misleading; it doesn't feel like winter and it most assuredly doesn't seem possible we're already into second trimester of our 2015-16 learning year! However, our students' work demonstrates progress. Check out the links and information below for marvelous examples of some of our students' learning:

STEM Sisters - 8th grade students advised by Mr. DeLeon
Cool Tool created collaboratively students advised by Ms. Goebel
Science Olympiad - advised by Mr. Anderson and Mr. Vanden Heuvel:
Our Hudson Middle School Science Olympiad Team competed in their first ever competition Saturday, December 5th in Boyceville, WI with 39 Middle school teams from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana.

The team competed valiantly in 16 different events, achieving FIVE top 10 finishes:
-“Crave the Wave” (Charlie Iverson and Evgenia Roth) achieved a 10^thplace finish.
-“Invasive Species” (Isabel Brown and Julia Ginsback) achieved an 8^thplace finish.
-“Reach for the Stars” (Julia Ginsback and Emma Akenson) achieved an 8^th Place finish.
-“Anatomy and Physiology”(Avery Richardson and MacKenzie Korent) achieved a 7^th place finish.
-“Write it do it” (Abby Olson and Lauren Chukel) brought home the 4^th place medal.

This week's Green Tip:

Turn off the water while showering and brushing teeth.

Esme and Ella, Sustainability Club, advised by Mrs. Conklin

Beginning in January, we hope to provide our middle families with a quick link to House Communication - a collaborative endeavor between student leaders and teachers! (See the second tab at the top of this blog.) We're looking forward to your feedback when we launch this effort!

We're celebrating the Habits of Mind illustrated by characters in Star Wars and we're looking forward to students finding their own clips and illustrations of these important Habits of Mind! 

A break filled with family, peace, and joy may you have...(in Yoda speak),
Mrs. Ann Mitchell

Dear Families in the Middle,

What a lovely time of year! Did you see the beautiful sunrise Tuesday morning? Temperatures in the 40's?! It's the little (and big) things that add joy to our lives...warm and dry feet, the smell of coffee, a visit with a friend, and oncoming traffic on Carmichael stopping to let you make a left turn into the middle school at 7:16 AM.

Our first trimester Progress Reports are available for your review through Family Access. Please DO call us with questions - whether it's about accessing your child's Progress Report OR what the information means. For questions about accessing and navigating Family Access or to request a printed copy, please contact Cheryl in our office: engnesca@hudson.k12.wi.us; 715-377-3820, ext. 4022. For questions about your child's learning and grades, please contact your child's Advisor and/or individual teachers.

It's Computer Science Education Week! What better way to celebrate than to announce the addition of Introduction to Computer Science, a new 8th grade elective at Hudson Middle School, beginning with the 2016-17 school year? From a national perspective, the imperative to increase the U.S. talent pool in computer science and software engineering is clear. The projected number of job openings in 2018 for STEM fields will reach 2.8 million, with half of them being for computer specialists. Like many other STEM fields, the current demand and supply are mismatched, as computer science career openings outpace students’ skills and interest. Also, like many other fields, interest starts long before a student decides on a major or even applies to college. Introduction to Computer Science is a PLTW (Project Lead The Way) course designed to be the first computer science course for students interested in learning to write code. Students create apps for mobile devices, explore the impact of computing in society, and learn how computing applies in various career fields.

Our Student News Club just finished their first show! We're aiming for at least one news show monthly, thanks to the able advising of Ms. Liz Stolte! Here's a youtube link to our first news show!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gGERRrghTA

Hudson Middle School is gearing up for Green & Healthy Schools recognition! Thanks to Mrs. Conklin and our Sustainability Group, an application has been initiated. Recognition is provided for schools taking action to reduce environmental impact and costs, improve health and wellness, increase environmental and sustainability literacy, and empower students. To complete the process, we will be assessing our practices in NINE focus areas: community involvement, energy, environmental and sustainability education, environmental health, health and wellness, recycling and waste management, school site, transportation, and water. We welcome parent and community support in this initiative! Please contact Ann: mitcheae@hudson.k12.wi.us or Gwen: conkligj@hudson.k12.wi.us to offer assistance!

Warmly,
Ann

Dear Families in the Middle,

We hope you've enjoyed time with family, good food, and several moments of gratitude over the past week! One of the many opportunities for which I am grateful includes working with our middle level parent group. Last Monday evening's meeting included a terrific report of fundraising efforts (over $14,000) and positive planning ahead for practical alternatives to raise funds, make healthy choices, and support families in need. So thankful for the optimism, engagement, and compassion of our parents! Our Hudson Middle School Parent Group (HMSPG) Mission:

"The Hudson Middle School Parent Group (HMSPG) provides support and resources to the school and parents for the benefit and educational growth of our children. Through volunteer coordination, organized events, and effective fundraising, we seek to enhance learning, strengthen communication between home and school, and encourage and celebrate and every student’s experience."

Our HMSPG generates funds to enrich the learning experience for students in several ways: supporting Raider Pride events, field trips, and HMS Angel Fund. If you would like to contribute to the HMSPG please consider a monetary donation through Just Give.org by clicking here Donate Now.  Thank you so much!

Associate Principal, Mr. Hagerman suggested we initiate a Middle Level Ambassadors group of student leaders. What a terrific idea! Student Ambassadors would be responsible for welcoming guests and visitors to our learning community, helping substitutes find classrooms and resources, and assuring anyone new to our school is welcomed and supported. We're seeking positive, kind, and helpful students to serve in this role. Students interested in applying to serve as an HMS Ambassador can print and complete this application by Friday, December 11.

Each week, I'd like to feature a student whose communication and collaboration inspires me. Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to observe a group of 8th grade students in Mrs. Conklin's Science class. They had completed an assessment and were preparing to teach each other concepts. When I asked a student about the value in this approach, I was impressed by his response.

"I have learned a lot more than I thought I would. While I am doing the questions, I don't really think about it, I just answer them. But, when I was told to teach other students, I ended up having to slow down and think a lot more about the problems. Because of this, I feel that I learned more from teaching. I think that it is also very helpful for the students that are being taught. I think that it's sometimes easier for students to learn from somebody the same age as them."

                                                                                                       -Eliot Hester; 8th Grade Nobles

Another impressive moment from Eliot was after the bell rang and students began heading to their next class. Eliot paused, turned to Mrs. Conklin and said, "Thank you, Mrs. Conklin." Thank YOU, Eliot, for your leadership and positive attitude!

Inspired,
Mrs. Ann Mitchell