Hello, Lab Middle School Families!

Weekly Summary

This week, we kicked off our new judicial branch-focused project with discussion about the Supreme Court, freedom of speech, and the Supreme Court case Tinker v. Des Moines. Ask your student about the Tinker Test. We also checked out the organization of the Virginia and U.S. court system, learned what appellate versus original jurisdiction courts do, and created interactive learning activities to teach each other about the judicial branch. What did your student create? Next week we will continue learning about the judiciary and kick off the research and debate portion of this project – we are so excited to see how our students interpret the evidence presented to them!

This week middle school math students finished our units for math 6,7,8. If a student is not complete, you will get an email from Tal. Next week we will start new material.

Action Items

We are excited to announce CLS will begin a new collaboration with UVA on their 21st Century Learning Project recently launched by School of Education Dean Bob Pianta and UPenn Senior Scholar Howard Blumenthal. Mr. Blumenthal is an Emmy and Peabody award winner, most known for being co-creator and producer of Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego. He will be working directly with CLS students and teachers beginning next week. The students will be participating in workshops and interviews to help guide the direction of the project and plan for future opportunities over the course of the semester.  You can learn more about 21st Century Learning Project and Mr. Blumenthal here:  https://education.virginia.edu/faculty-research/centers-labs-projects/21st-century-learning-project  

Students, if you are looking for missing work due to an absence, please remember to check project and class folders on Schoology. Work that can be done independently at home during a project is marked AT HOME on our weekly checklist in the Schoology folder. If you have any questions, please contact your advisory teacher.

Community Cares is sponsoring a Valentine’s Day event to benefit the American Heart Association. We will be selling cards, flowers, candies and singing telegrams at lunch the week of 2/7-2/11.  Students may purchase items to have delivered to their friends on February 14th during class.  We will also be having a meeting for individuals or groups that may want to help us out by singing, reading poetry, performing a short skit, dancing, or delivering a special message on January 26th and 27th during lunch, in the Dance Studio. Parents may purchase a delivery by contacting Lucy at lallen2@k12albemarle.org or 434-296-3090. We hope everyone joins in on the fun.

Upcoming Dates

2/18 No students (Teacher workday)

Enjoy the weekend,

Julie and the Middle School Team 

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An archive of all Middle School Weekly newsletters can be found on the Leadership Blog: https://admins.k12albemarle.org/labschools/category/middle-school-weekly/

Good afternoon, Lab Middle School Families!

Weekly Summary

This week, our campaign strategists began a study of elections and media literacy during project time, using the Virginia gubernatorial race as our lens. Students learned about voting laws in Virginia, what makes an election free and fair, similarities and differences between political parties, the basics of campaign finance in the U.S, and advertising techniques (Civics and Economics SOL 5.a, b, c and d). Then, they used what they learned to create their own political parties, platforms, yard signs, and campaign ads! What is the name of your student’s new political party? What are some of the planks in their platform?

This year, students have been meeting weekly in Lit Circles to discuss books they are reading on Fridays! Here is an update from Elena, our Language Arts specialist.

Action Items

Next Wednesday, 10/13, is a half day for students. We will dismiss at 12:30. The middle school schedule for the day is here.

Family Conferences will continue this Thursday, 10/14. This year, our conferences will be student-led! Your student has been reflecting upon highlights and growth areas so far this school year, and will share their thoughts as they join in the conference! You can sign up for a time with your student’s advisor (homeroom teacher) at the link here: 10/14 

Fall Growth Assessment results were mailed home this week.  There will be one for reading and one for math, unless the student takes a HS Math — then they were not assessed.  These growth assessments do not have scores attached to them — they are being used by our teachers to assess where students are right now and plan meaningful, rigorous learning activities for every student.

The October PTSO Meeting will be held Monday 10/11/21 at noon on Zoom (passcode pto). If you aren’t able to come, but have comments, questions, suggestions, or want to host something, please contact Maryfrances at maryfrancesporter@gmail.com

Upcoming Dates

10/13: Half Day for Students

10/14: Family Conferences

Have a great weekend,

Julie and the Middle School Team

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An archive of all Middle School Weekly newsletters can be found on the Leadership Blog: https://admins.k12albemarle.org/labschools/category/middle-school-weekly/

Good afternoon, Lab Middle School Families!

Weekly Summary

This week, our organized scientists continued to explore matter and the periodic table. Students honed their laboratory skills by observing the reactions of known and unknown substances, explored how temperature and kinetic energy of molecules are related, and created their own “Periodic Table Of …” project, where they took something they are passionate about and found ways to organize its elements into a periodic table. What topic did your student choose? How did they determine the atomic number, symbols, or groupings of their elements?

Today, our students brought the periodic table cells they created outdoors to locate their Periodic Families and assemble our own Periodic Table of Community Lab! What elements were a part of your student’s team? What family trait did your student’s group create for our activity?

All middle school math students started new units this week. Math 6/7 kicked off a study of integers and Math 8 has started evaluating expressions and order of operations.

Action Items

Family Conferences will be held on Tuesday 10/5, and on Thursday, 10/14. This year, our conferences will be student-led! Your student has been reflecting upon highlights and growth areas so far this school year, and will share their thoughts as they join in the conference! You can sign up for a time with your student’s advisor (homeroom teacher) at the links here: 10/5   10/14 

From the PTSO

Come explore the Community Lab School nature trail on Sunday Oct 3 11am -2pm. The PTO has created an outside group to explore the space outside of the lab. Join us as we check out the already existing trail (complete with a fire pit!) and experience some forest bathing. Any and all help with pruning, raking and brainstorming appreciated. Some of the ideas suggested so far have been to create new outdoor classrooms, build a labyrinth for wellness, and maybe include a trail for any interested mountain bikers.

RSVP to Suzi Veerhoff veerhoffsuzi@gmail.com or just show up.

*Rain date and/or 2nd trail work date will be announced in Dec (after all the leaves have fallen).

Lunch Menu for next week 

Upcoming Dates

10/5 and 10/14: Family Conferences

Have a great weekend,

Julie and the Middle School Team

—An archive of all Middle School Weekly newsletters can be found on the Leadership Blog: https://admins.k12albemarle.org/labschools/category/middle-school-weekly/

Good afternoon, Lab Middle School Families!

Weekly Summary

This week, our scientists explored matter and the Periodic Table in our new project. Students conducted labs centered around the Law of Conservation of Matter and Chemical Bonding (Science Standards of Learning PS2a/b and PS3c/d), and created visual representations of an element in the Periodic Table (Science standard PS4). What element did your student investigate? What sort of visuals did your student create to represent the traits of their element?

In middle school math, we finalized our understanding of the Real Number System. Students are completing their performance tasks to show their knowledge — if your student is in Math 6/7, ask them about the Wifi breakout room. If your student is in Math 8, ask them about the Tic-Tac Toe board!

We’ve also been having tons of fun in our electives this nine weeks! Click here to learn more about what each elective has been up to.

Action Items

Transportation Update:

Route Consolidation

Bus routes will be changing due to the expanded walk zones. Ridership is also decreasing as more families choose to drive their students to school. All bus routes will be consolidated and rerouted over the next few weeks. All families should check PowerSchool during the week of October 5-8 for new bus numbers or new bus times. New routes will begin October 11. 

New policies and policy reminders related to COVID-19: Bus Passes

For safety reasons, we can no longer approve bus passes, effective immediately. Families may use our alternate bus stop procedures for permanent changes related to child care needs.

The Community Cares currently has two fundraising efforts going.  Virginia Paws for Pits https://www.virginiapawsforpits.org/ and the local Ronald McDonald House https://rmhcharlottesville.org/. Please check out their websites, for donations needed.  Drop boxes are in the lobby, or hand off  to any adult in the drop-off/pick-up loop. 

From the PTSO

Come explore the Community Lab school nature trail on Sunday Oct 3 11am -2pm. The PTO has created an outside group to explore the space outside of the lab. Join us as we check out the already existing trail (complete with a fire pit!) and experience some forest bathing. Any and all help with pruning, raking and brainstorming appreciated. Some of the ideas suggested so far have been to create new outdoor classrooms, build a labyrinth for wellness, and maybe include a trail for any interested mountain bikers.

RSVP to Suzi Veerhoff or just show up 🙂

*Rain date and/or 2nd trail work will be announced in Dec (after all the leaves have fallen)

Lunch Menu for next week 

Upcoming Dates

9/27 No school for students — Teacher Professional Development Day

10/1 Picture Day

Have a great weekend,

Julie and the Middle School Team

—An archive of all Middle School Weekly newsletters can be found on the Leadership Blog: https://admins.k12albemarle.org/labschools/category/middle-school-weekly/

Weekly Summary

This week, our students used their understanding of identity to create vibrant, thoughtful silhouettes all about them! They received a tutorial on artistic techniques (Art SOL 7.12) and learned how to write an artist statement that gives viewers an understanding of their work (English SOL 7.7 and 8.8). They implemented the COIN feedback process (Context, Observation, Impact, and Next Steps) in sharing their silhouettes and writing with others. What is a piece of valuable feedback your student got from another student — or one they gave? 

We plan to hang pieces in our hallway for our community to see — you can check out a sneak peek of our work on Twitter here!

In middle school math, students continued exploring the Real Number System. From Powers of 10 to Scientific Notation to the subsets of all real numbers, students are heading toward comparing and ordering all types of real numbers. We’re closing in on our Integer Unit — any practice of math facts at home would be greatly helpful to student success!

Action Items

Dragon Squash is Back!

We are excited to announce the return of squash, to even include a new weekly “Open Court” opportunity throughout the school year—parents invited and encouraged to play!  Chad will be hosting a brief virtual information session next Wednesday, 9/22, 5:30PM, via Zoom.  Please fill out this form by Tuesday, 9/21, 5:00PM to receive the Zoom link.   General information about our squash program can be found here.

From the PTSO

***Please volunteer to help bring a monthly breakfast to our wonderful Community Lab teachers, staff, and bus drivers! Instructions and sign-up here. Looking for families to contribute the rest of the year! Please contact Maryfrances at maryfrancesporter@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.***

Lunch Menu for next week 

Upcoming Dates

9/27 No school for students — Teacher Professional Development Day

10/1 Picture Day

Have a great weekend,

Julie and the Middle School Team

—

An archive of all Middle School Weekly newsletters can be found on the Leadership Blog: https://admins.k12albemarle.org/labschools/category/middle-school-weekly/

Good afternoon Lab Middle School Families!

Weekly Summary

This week, our artistic students began exploring the concept of identity — we dove into who we are at this point in time through different types of poetry and identity webs, looked at how we are made of matter (which is part of our identity!), and learned about the principles and elements of art in preparation for our Silhouette project next week. What did your student learn about chemical change from our matter experiments? What elements of art did your student focus on in their mini-masterpiece this week?  

This week in math we dove deeper into the Real Number System. We also explored squares, square roots and absolute value. One focus this week was to establish a foundational vocabulary in math for the school year. Ask your student about the difference between absolute value and opposite numbers, or the difference between a square and a perfect square!

Action Items

From the PTSO: Parents, Teachers, Students: Our first PTSO meeting is MONDAY at NOON on GoogleMeet (the agenda is here)!  Please sign up to be on our PTSO mailing list so you can find out about meetings, events, and announcements!

Also – click here for a copy of the SY2122 School Directory. To add your information, just click here.

Are you looking for an extra-curricular activity? Consider joining the Monticello Youth Bowling League. The league is open to children ages 5-17, all equipment is provided, and no experience is necessary. Meet Saturdays at 11:00am at Bowlero Charlottesville (formerly Keglers) from September through March, earn prizes, and qualify for state tournaments. The cost is $10 per week (there is an additional $4 sanction fee the first week), which includes 3 games, shoes, and equipment rentals. League members also have 2 free practice games per week to use. Bowling instruction is provided by John Baran, teacher at Community Lab School. Questions can be directed to him at john.baran@gmail or (434) 806-0529.

Lunch Menu

Upcoming Dates

9/27 No school for students — Teacher Professional Development Day

10/1 Picture Day

Have a great weekend,

Julie and the Middle School Team

—

An archive of all Middle School Weekly newsletters can be found on the Leadership Blog: https://admins.k12albemarle.org/labschools/category/middle-school-weekly/