Electives_Newcomer_SSP October Newsletter

Art

In Visual Art we are in full studio mode. So far it has been a fun and productive semester as students are working well together as a creative beehive.

8th Grade: In 8th grade Visual Art, we are beginning a unit using clay after spending time using cardboard and found materials to sculpt. We will work with clay for the next few weeks creating pottery and sculpture. After the clay work, the students will be able to choose from all materials to create their artwork on a full menu.

7th Grade: In 7th grade Visual Art, we are beginning our work with 3D art. We are focusing on replicas, dioramas, and models using cardboard, cardstock and found materials. Scale and proportion are the main focus, along with practicing precision in production. We will have our clay unit after cardboard.

6th Grade In 6th grade Visual art, we are working in 2D with a focus on Motion and Movement in art. The students are working to develop their visual storytelling skills by demonstrating action and movement in their work. The focus is on techniques and best practices that bring art to life. A secondary focus on progressive verbs as a starting point for composition.

Please spend time asking your student about their creative ideas, and check Schoology for artwork and grades. Please send any and all art questions my way.

ELD

Mr. Fairbairn’s ELD -

We just finished with our Unit 1 tests in Reading, Speaking, Listening and Writing. We will be starting Unit 2 this week in which we will be expressing ideas related to where we live, our community and our likes and dislikes using question words, past tense verbs and prepositions among other language forms.

As always, please ensure your student is completing 4 i-Ready lessons each week and completing their weekly homework in Language Arts class as well.

Ms. Richards’ ELD

Everyone is expected to be doing at least 90 minutes of i-ready by Friday morning, with an expected grade of 80% or higher. Please make sure you are reviewing your grades with your child and sign up for October 8th in person or October 9th virtual conferences - sign up sheets were sent to you on September 23, 2025. Email me if you can’t find that sign up sheet and I’ll make sure we connect either in person or virtually: jill_richards@dpsk12.net

8th Grade completed their writing end of topic assessment and all grades are updated. They began topic 2: Our Identity and the Importance of Representation in the Media.

7th grade will finish their assessment by Monday, September 29th and then both grades will be in topic 2: Our Identity and the Importance of Representation in the Media.

6th Grade: We are focusing on the speaking and writing of prepositions by using building maps. Ask your child to try out these words at home:Next to - outside - to the left of - to the right of - down the hallway - on the left - on the rights - by the - near - between - across from

6th Grade- Our 6th graders are hitting the final stretch of their debates!! They have embraced rhetoric and even worked on their first philosophy research project. Ask your student who they researched and how this person’s work influenced the world. Students had the option of picking famous classical figures or living modern philosophers.

7th Grade- Our 7th grade is currently working on their second collaborative research project about Race and Racism in America through the lens of the 1990’s OJ Simpson Trial! Looking at the intersection of crime/celebrity/money/race and power in the United States at the turn of the century. Don’t be surprised if your student asks you where you were when the verdict came out!

8th Grade- 8th Graders are finishing up their second reading unit in either Sci Fy Dystopian or Graphic Novels. In addition each student is writing a 2 to 3 thousand word short story on a character’s arc or hero’s journey. NO AI!! Just student generated creativity leading to a blind read competition where the students will crown a hero’s journey champion!

Students are adapting well to being active and are effectively learning and improving upon Basketball and Volleyball skills. We have participated in small-sided scrimmages, and various warm-ups that have contained isolated skills practice.

Looking ahead, our focus will shift towards applying strategies offensively and defensively, as well as continuing the acts of sportsmanship. Additionally, the next couple of significant games we will engage in will be Disc It, Ultimate Frisbee and Flag Football.

Reminder:

Our class is very dynamic and we transition from indoor to outdoor settings often. Students should be prepared for p.e. class with suitable clothing and footwear.

Adaptive PE

Through a variety of engaging physical activities and games,such as Team Handball, Frisbee, and Giant Volleyball, students are learning about each other’s likes and dislikes, as well as identifying their strengths and areas for improvement. Students have set goals for themselves and are keeping one another accountable for reaching those goals.

Our small, close-knit class is fostering a strong sense of teamwork and camaraderie day by day. I am incredibly proud of the students' progress, as they demonstrate compassion, thoughtfulness, and support for one another. Together, we are creating an inclusive physical environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to thrive.

Skills that will be further emphasized are:

Shooting a ball into a hoop;
Passing a soccer ball and scoring
Using foam paddles to strike objects.

7th Grade Health

Welcome to the Health Education Program. This is the first year that the State of Colorado has required health education to be part of the middle school curriculum. I am very excited to be teaching this curriculum. I have been a teacher for 23 years, with experience teaching physical education, health education, and special education.

This program for middle school students provides the opportunity to develop and demonstrate health-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Physical, mental, and social dimensions of wellness are integrated throughout the curriculum. The course of study will enable students to thrive, preserve, and maintain a positive attitude through pre-adolescent and adolescent development.

Grades: Students will be graded on Participation, Classwork (exit tickets), and Unit tests/Projects

Topics to be covered:

Currently: . Analyzing Influences: Nutrition, Body Image, & Eating Disorders

Decision Making/Refusal Skills: Drug Prevention
Self-Management: Stress Management
. Advocacy: Sleep
Interpersonal Communication: Healthy Relationships
. Accessing Information: Sexual Health

The approved curriculum by the district is Advocates for Youth: Rights, Respect, and Responsibility. 3rs.org

*All of these lessons are specifically made to fit Colorado standards.

Questions: Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions/concerns.

Stephanie_graves@dpsk12.net

Spanish

6th Grade:

This month, students will complete their first free writing activity using the vocabulary they have learned. They will also continue working on the Somos program, covering Units 2.5 and 3.0. Additionally, students will explore the Day of the Dead and learn about alebrijes, a colorful traditional cultural celebration that takes place in Mexico every October.

7th Grade:

Students will continue their studies with the Somos program, focusing on Units 1.15 and 1.17. They will deepen their understanding of the Day of the Dead, exploring its significance and learning how this important celebration is observed in other Latin American countries.

8th Grade:

This month, students will continue practicing the use of the past tense and past participle through the Somos program Units 2.6 and 2.1. They will also begin reading their first book, Bananas, which will engage them in activities to better understand past tense usage. Beyond grammar, students will analyze the social and environmental impact of banana plantations, including how pesticide use affects the communities where bananas are grown.

Literacy Intervention with Whitehurst:

6th Grade: Students started reading intervention on 9/15/25. We are working on developing and reinforcing foundational skills in reading and writing.

7th and 8th Grade: Students are continuing to develop their skills in vocabulary, comprehension, spelling, reading and writing. We are working on connecting these skills to content in the classroom.

All Classes: Please remind your students to complete 4 iReady Lessons each week and to stay on top of their Language Arts classwork!

Band and Orchestra

6th grade: We have practiced perfect posture, holding our instruments correctly, and produced the first 5-6 notes of our instruments. Band students are working on proper embouchures, breath support and paradiddles for percussion. Orchestra students are working on bow holds and strong tone on the string. This month we will be getting our method books to begin reading notes on the staff.

7th-8th grade: We have our first two concert pieces handed out. We have re-established our basics of posture, tone production, and note reading. Now we will begin work on our improvisation projects. In 7th grade, students will create short improvised pieces to accompany a short story, and in 8th grade, students will create intro and transition music for their Revolutionary War Podcasts in social studies.

Newcomer Conversations and Social Studies

All students are expected to complete their iReady minutes, which is a total of AT LEAST 130 minutes a week, but more is better. Students should be doing roughly 30 minutes a day outside of class Monday-Friday. Please see the table below for reference. The more minutes your student gets, the more Merrill Money they will receive to spend at the Merrill Store. See the picture below for Merrill Money Details

Level 1: We just finished up Unit 1 of their Vista work and took their first Schoology assessment! They all did great! We are now starting Unit 2 and becoming more familiar with school based words. Remember to ask your students what they are learning in English!

Level 2: In level 2 we began working in Unit 5 of Vista and will be practicing various language targets, such as present vs. past tense, prepositions, and continued review of capitalization of proper nouns. As always, we will continue to check ourselves in writing and verbalizing in complete sentences. Remember to ask your students what they are learning in English!

Social Studies: We are excited that we will be starting our new Project Based Learning Unit in responsibility and citizenship! Students will start to explore not only who they are personally, but who they are in the Merrill community and the larger world we live in.

Newcomer Merrill Store and i-ready minute

Student Supports Providers (SSP)

We hope this newsletter finds you well and thriving! As we move through this busy school year, we want to take a moment to express our gratitude for your ongoing support and partnership. Together, we are making a positive impact on our students' lives!

BESS Screening: The BESS screening is currently taking place. We kindly ask all parents to fill out the parent survey using the link below: Parent Survey Link

Your input is invaluable in supporting our students’ mental health and well-being.

We are thrilled to share that our 6th graders recently completed the "Signs of Suicide" program! The students participated wonderfully, demonstrating maturity and understanding during the discussions. It's a great step in fostering awareness and building resilience among our young learners.

As we continue to support our middle school students, it's essential to keep mental health in focus. Here are some helpful tips for parents:

Encourage Open Communication: Create a safe space for your child to express their feelings and thoughts.
Monitor Social Media Use: Discuss online behavior and its impact on mental health.
Stay Involved: Regularly check in about their day-to-day experiences and feelings.
Promote Healthy Routines: Encourage regular exercise, balanced meals, and sufficient sleep.

Your involvement can make a significant difference in their mental well-being.

We are grateful for your continued partnership and support. Thank you for being an integral part of our school community. Together, we can foster a nurturing environment for our children.

High School Shadow days are already open, and with the SchoolChoice window being earlier than ever this year (the first window opens on December 2nd at 10am!!!). Please see school counselors Jeff Bayard or Hilary O’Kelly with any questions. Here are some links to a few school shadow options:

Electives/SSP/Newcomer October Newsletter