Shelburne Middle School300 Grubert Ave, Staunton, VA 24401

540.332.3930 540.332.3933 Fax

Do Kind! Be Kind! Act Kind!Over the past month in Success class, students have circled uptalking about kindness. They have watched video clips which depictkindness. Students have brainstormed ways to show random actsof kindness to others (RAK). Each Success class has participated ina RAK, filling the hallways with posters and sticky notes of positivethoughts.

But what happens when a student isn't kind? What happens when astudent says or does something towards another student which ishurtful? We talk with students about harm and "making things right"with the other student. In situations where students are in conflict,we ask students to respond to 5 questions:

Middle school is practice for real life. We want our students to growinto citizens who are kind and respectful of others. Students arelearning skills for problem-solving, repairing, and sustainingfriendships which will support their development in the "real world".

Jennifer Morris, PrincipalAlan Kirkdorffer, Assistant Principal

Dates to RememberOctober 18Report Cards go homePAT meeting - 6 pm

October 24-28Red Ribbon Week

October 26School Picture Make-ups

October 28Reward Activity

October 30Halloween Band Concert

November 1Progress Reports go home

November 42-hr Early Dismissal

November 78th graders take PSAT 8/9

November 8No School for StudentsProfessional Development Day

• What happened?• What were you thinking about at the time?• What have you thought about since it happened?• Who has been affected by what happened?• In what way have they been affected?• What do you think you need to do to make things right?

Homework

Having a regular routine for completing homework is animportant step towards success in middle school and beyond.Setting aside one hour each afternoon or evening will create apositive habit which will support your son or daughter well intothe future.

If you're not sure whether your child has homework, the firststep is looking in your child's planner. Teachers ask studentsto record homework, and then they sign-off in planners to makesure the homework is written down.

Teachers at Shelburne foster student learning by assigninghomework which is meaningful. Below is overview of HWexpectations from your child's classes.

Language artsRead for 30 minutes every night. Students can read a book oftheir choice. They can read a magazine. They can read a comicbook. But they need to read. Nothing has a greater effect onlong-term success in school and in life than getting in the habitof reading every night.

MathYour child might have assigned homework 2-3 times a week, oryour child might receive HW on Monday which he/she isresponsible for turning in on Friday, depending on your child'sgrade.

Science, History, and Electives Homework varies in these classes depending on the grade-levelof your child. Students might receive a HW packet on Mondayand be required to turn it in on Friday. Or they might be requiredto review what they learned on that day. Getting in the habit ofspending 10 min looking over notes from a class supportssustained learning which lasts.

Dates to RememberNovember 15PAT meeting - 6 pm

November 22Reward Activity

November 23-25No School - Thanksgiving Break

November 29Progress Reports go homePAT Discount Card Fundraiser begins

December 22-hr Early Dismissal

December 2-4Peter Pan Jr

December 5 Hour of Code

December 11Winter Art Show & Band Concert

December 19Exams - HS Credit classes

December 20Reward Activity2-hr Early DismissalEnd of 9 Weeks

December 21-Jan 2Winter Break - No School

January 32nd Semester begins

Setting the Stage for Success

Red Ribbon Week October 24-28

At Shelburne we will celebrate Red Ribbon Week to promote drug-free awareness and making healthy choices. Throughout this week,students will participate in a variety of positive activities includingSuccess Block activities and dress up days. We discuss the realityof drugs and alcohol and the negative effects it can have on yourlife.

As a parent/guardian, you are one of the most influential people inyour child’s life. You can do several things to help send thismessage of staying drug-free and making healthy choices for thefuture. Here are a few tips and suggestions:

Set a positive example and be involvedGet involved in their activities, know their friends, knowwhere they are going and what they are doingCreate clear, consistent expectations and enforce themTalk early and often about drugsDiscuss the consequences of drug useShow you care about what choices your children makeabout drugs

Mon-Follow your Dreams. Don't Do Drugs! Wear your PajamasTues-Hats Off to Being Drug Free! Wear your favorite hat.Wed-Don't Get Tied Down with Drugs! Wear tie-dye clothingThurs-I Elect to be Drug Free! Dress as a politician or wear red, white, and blue.Fri-Wild about being Drug-Free! Wear crazy hair

from www.2ed.gov/parents/academic/involve/drugfree/drugfree

lllllllllllllllllllll

In an effort to help families stayconnected with what's happening atShelburne, we want to introduce you totwo ways we will communicate withyou this school year.

What'sHappening?

8th graders currently attending Shelburne will be taking a testcalled PSAT 8/9 on November 7. This is the first step on theCollege Board’s College Readiness Pathway — an integratedseries of assessments that includes the PSAT and the SAT.

This pencil and paper assessment measures skills studentsneed to be on track for college success, and it provides insightinto students’ academic progress. The PSAT 8/9 establishes abaseline measurement of college and career readiness at theonset of high school. Additionally, it gives teachers tools theycan use to make informed decisions in the classroom. However, these scores will not impact a student’s eligibility forfuture programs in SCS, such as Governor’s School.

Students will encounter some difficult questions. If thishappens, it’s important for them to not get discouraged. If aquestion is difficult, students should give their best effort andmove on. If a question is left blank, it will be counted incorrectso students should answer every question to the best of theirability.

The PSAT 8/9 is a timed test, which is different from otherassessments our 8th graders are used to. Since they will takeother timed tests in high school, like the PSAT and the SAT,taking the PSAT 8/9 gives students the opportunity to practicetaking a timed test. Any accommodations listed in a student’sIEP or 504 Plan will be followed.

All 8th graders will participate in this assessment, and the feeis covered by Staunton City Schools. If you want to knowmore, go to https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-8-9.

Please encourage your child to do his/her best.

How to stay informed

Shelburne's WebsiteOur website is updated regularly andcontains information about clubs andafter-school activities, as well ascontact information for your child'steachers.

Highlander HighlightsFamilies can access a weekly listing ofupcoming events updated each Friday. Alink to the Highlights is located onShelburne's website under SiteShortcuts.

We also send out Highlights by email, soif you're interested in receiving a weeklyupdate in your inbox, just add your emailaddress in Parent Portal or call us (332-3930) so that our front office staffmembers can add your email address.