Blog

Middle School: Wrapping Up

Posted on by Michelle Lamb

**All families are welcome to the 8th Grade Commencement held at The Meeting House, 31 Main St., Newtown @ 5 pm.**

It is hard to believe that in less than a week, we will be out for the summer and have new graduates headed to high school. It has been a year full of friendships, ideas, projects, and progress. The teachers are proud of all the middle school students for their hard work and growth. While it is a good time for a break, it is sad to know that we won’t be meeting again for a couple of months. Here’s our final weekly recap:

Spirit Week: Thank you to the middle school for getting into the spirit this week! Most of the students participated, and it was fun to see how everyone dressed up!

Math

In the Pre-Transition math class, students used this week to complete their Dream Summer Vacation plans. This class was asked to research a destination of their choice, plan a 4-day holiday within the given budget, and create a 3D mini model of a monument they plan to visit on their trip. This class will present their travel documents on Monday, June 12th, and showcase their scale factor models to each other.
In the Transition math class, students worked tirelessly on completing their Geometry City Project (geomcity). This class was responsible for illustrating four linear equations on a coordinate plane (representing the roads in their town), building four unique 3D geometry structures to represent buildings, and finally designating an area on their map to parks/parking lots given specific dimensions of the spaces. This class will present their cities to each other on Monday, June 12th, and each student will explain their theme and construction process.
In the Algebra math class, students worked in pairs to build and design Algebra-themed escape rooms. This class needed to create five different puzzles that involved the learnings from this year’s curriculum. Students will be given 15 minutes to break free from each other’s unique escape rooms on Monday, June 12th.
Make Joke: What did the square say to the circle?…… Haven’t I seen you around?
Humanities
6th-grade Humanities class focused on finishing N.H. Senzai’s Shooting Kabul this week. The book will be completed for Monday’s final Humanities class over the weekend. This week we learned about 9/11 and the different reactions this caused in the people in the U.S. As it related to the book’s protagonist, we also discussed how racial profiling affected people post-9/11.
The 7th-grade Humanities class completed reading the memoir, Four Perfect Pebbles by Marion Blumenthal Lazan about her experience during the Holocaust. We continued to look at Hitler’s goals during this period and the progression of the Nazi regime over Europe.
8th-grade Humanities classes completed their graduation speeches and rehearsed them in class. They also planned the final 8th Grade News segment.
Science

6th-year Earth Science students have spent the week working on constructing their model rockets as part of our Solar System unit. Students worked individually, constructing each rocket to their specifications. Several students had the opportunity to launch their rockets this week, while the remaining students will do so in the coming days.

7th-year Physical Science students are in the unit, Friction. The objectives of this unit are to define friction, explain how it relates to kinetic energy and the transfer of energy between objects that are in contact with each other, and describe how friction can affect the motion of an object. Students have conducted several experiments that test how density affects friction, along with Issac Newton’s involvement with this principle.
8th-year Life Science students are in the unit Digestive System. The objectives of this unit are to describe the process and function of digestion and the organs involved, work with their classmates to create a model of the digestive system, and explain how food moves through the alimentary canal. Students are currently working on creating their model representation of the digestive unit, identifying each organ involved in this process and its function.
In closing, thank you, FWM Middle School families, for your steadfast support this school year. For those graduating, we hope you will keep in touch and visit us in the years to come. For returning middle school families, we look forward to welcoming you back in September.
We wish you peace, rejuvenation, and great memories in the coming months,
Michelle, Zak, & Megan

Spirit Week in Upper El

Posted on by Karen Sankey

From Field Day in the gym and crazy spirit week themes to our last birthday breakfast, we have had a full week in Upper Elementary. Students brought their enthusiasm to school with them this week, and amazingly, they were somehow able to focus on some end-of-the-year assignments too.

With the smoky weather, we had Field Day inside this year. In the morning, Upper Elementary students ran field day for the primary children, facilitating games like a parachute, obstacle course, and bean bag toss. We ended the morning with a visit to the ice cream truck. In the afternoon, we had our turn at Field Day. Our games included tug-of-war, volleyball, crab soccer, and sack races, to name a few.

We celebrated June and summer birthdays on Friday with delicious fruit (thank you, Bordash family), pancakes, and music, including dancing to the always fun Cotton Eye Joe.

We will send our final blog post of the year next week with a little surprise video. Next week we will also be sending some information about summer work.

Mrs. Wilson: End Of The Year Fun!

Posted on by Cynthia Wilson

The last full week of school came to a close this week, and to make it memorable, we conducted a sink-or-float experiment. We filled a large bowl with water and gathered various objects from the classroom. I explained the concept to the children, using some of my own objects as an example. Each child then chose an object and predicted whether it would sink or float before dropping it into the bowl. They excitedly shared their findings with their peers.

In addition, the children were overjoyed when an ice cream truck arrived, and they eagerly enjoyed their frozen treats despite not being able to visit the truck due to air quality concerns. Lastly, we had a blast participating in our indoor field day. The children, along with Mrs. Hood’s friends, had a great time with the obstacle course we created, including activities such as crawling through tunnels, hopping in hoops, balancing on the beam, and jumping off high mats. We also had a group activity with the parachute, and after all the fun, they enjoyed another frozen treat. A big thank you to Eric Benoit (an alum of FWM), who helped set up and guide the children during our activities.

Mrs. Semmah: Field Day Fun!

Posted on by Kaoutar Semmah

Field Day was on Wednesday. It was an awesome day filled with fun stations and lots of laughs. We finished it off with a visit from an ice cream truck!

Continuing with a long-standing FWM tradition, our older friends begin working on their number rolls early in September and had the opportunity to unroll them on Wednesday.  This year, one number roll was so long, it stretched all the way across the gym and onto the playground!

The end of each school year is always an emotional time filled with wonder and pride at all that we accomplished and how much each child has grown. To our Kindergarten students, those moving on, and their families, we wish you all the success you have worked so hard for. You will always hold a special place in our hearts, and we sincerely hope you will keep in touch throughout the years. To our returning students and families, we can’t wait to hear all about your summer and to experience the 2023-24 school year together. We wish all of you a summer filled with peace, love, happiness, and the chance to make beautiful memories. Enjoy the time with your loved ones, and may you all have a chance to relax and enjoy a calmer time of year. Thank you for sharing your children with us, and thank you for all the behind-the-scenes help that made our year so much smoother!

We leave you with a poem that resonates deeply with us every single year.

Whose Child Is This?      

“Whose child is this?” I asked one day
Seeing a little one out at play.
“Mine,” said the parent with a tender smile.
“Mine to keep a little while
To bathe his hands and comb his hair
To tell him what he is to wear
To prepare him that he may always be good
And each day do the things he should.”

“Whose child is this?” I asked again
As the door opened and someone came in.
“Mine,” said the teacher with the same tender smile.
“Mine, to keep just for a little while
To teach him how to be gentle and kind
To train and direct his dear little mind
To help him live by every rule
And get the best he can from school.”

“Whose child is this?” I ask once more
Just as the little one entered the door.
“Ours,” said the parent and the teacher as they smiled
And each took the hand of the little child.
“Ours to love and train together
Ours this blessed task forever.”

—–Author Unknown

With much love,

Kaoutar & Sue

Mrs. Doyle: Field Day Fun!

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

Field Day was on Wednesday. It was an awesome day filled with fun stations and lots of laughs. We finished it off with a visit from an ice cream truck!

Continuing with a long-standing FWM tradition, our older friends begin working on their number rolls early in September and had the opportunity to unroll them on Wednesday.  This year, one number roll was so long, it stretched all the way across the gym and onto the playground!

The end of each school year is always an emotional time filled with wonder and pride at all that we accomplished and how much each child has grown. To our Kindergarten students, those moving on, and their families, we wish you all the success you have worked so hard for. You will always hold a special place in our hearts, and we sincerely hope you will keep in touch throughout the years. To our returning students and families, we can’t wait to hear all about your summer and to experience the 2023-24 school year together. We wish all of you a summer filled with peace, love, happiness, and the chance to make beautiful memories. Enjoy the time with your loved ones, and may you all have a chance to relax and enjoy a calmer time of year. Thank you for sharing your children with us, and thank you for all the behind-the-scenes help that made our year so much smoother!

We leave you with a poem that resonates deeply with us every single year.

Whose Child Is This?      

“Whose child is this?” I asked one day
Seeing a little one out at play.
“Mine,” said the parent with a tender smile.
“Mine to keep a little while
To bathe his hands and comb his hair
To tell him what he is to wear
To prepare him that he may always be good
And each day do the things he should.”

“Whose child is this?” I asked again
As the door opened and someone came in.
“Mine,” said the teacher with the same tender smile.
“Mine, to keep just for a little while
To teach him how to be gentle and kind
To train and direct his dear little mind
To help him live by every rule
And get the best he can from school.”

“Whose child is this?” I ask once more
Just as the little one entered the door.
“Ours,” said the parent and the teacher as they smiled
And each took the hand of the little child.
“Ours to love and train together
Ours this blessed task forever.”

—–Author Unknown

With much love,

Michelle & Maria

Mrs. Lopes: Field Day Fun!

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

Field Day on Wednesday was an awesome day filled with fun stations and lots of laughs. We finished it off with a visit from an ice cream truck!

Continuing with a long-standing FWM tradition, our Kindergarten friends begin working on their number rolls early in September and had the opportunity to unroll them on Wednesday.  This year, one number roll was so long, it stretched all the way across the gym and onto the playground!

The end of each school year is always an emotional time filled with wonder and pride at all that we accomplished and how much each child has grown. To our Kindergarten students, those moving on, and their families, we wish you all the success you have worked so hard for. You will always hold a special place in our hearts, and we sincerely hope you will keep in touch throughout the years. To our returning students and families, we can’t wait to hear all about your summer and to experience the 2023-24 school year together. We wish all of you a summer filled with peace, love, happiness, and the chance to make beautiful memories. Enjoy the time with your loved ones, and may you all have a chance to relax and enjoy a calmer time of year. Thank you for sharing your children with us, and thank you for all the behind-the-scenes help that made our year so much smoother!

We leave you with a poem that resonates deeply with us every single year.

Whose Child Is This?      

“Whose child is this?” I asked one day
Seeing a little one out at play.
“Mine,” said the parent with a tender smile.
“Mine to keep a little while
To bathe his hands and comb his hair
To tell him what he is to wear
To prepare him that he may always be good
And each day do the things he should.”

“Whose child is this?” I asked again
As the door opened and someone came in.
“Mine,” said the teacher with the same tender smile.
“Mine, to keep just for a little while
To teach him how to be gentle and kind
To train and direct his dear little mind
To help him live by every rule
And get the best he can from school.”

“Whose child is this?” I ask once more
Just as the little one entered the door.
“Ours,” said the parent and the teacher as they smiled
And each took the hand of the little child.
“Ours to love and train together
Ours this blessed task forever.”

—–Author Unknown

With much love,

Amanda & Hema

Middle School: Washington DC

Posted on by Michelle Lamb

 

PLEASE SEE THE SHARED ALBUM FOR THE PHOTOS OR GO TO:  FWM 2023 Washington DC

Wow! What a trip! Memories were made, bucket list items were checked off, and blisters were popping. Here’s a brief rundown of our fun.

Tuesday: After a long train ride, everyone was excited to explore! We checked into the hotel and headed out for the National Archives Museum. Afterward, we enjoyed a yummy dinner from District Taco before heading out on our walking tour of monuments and memorials. Everyone was looking forward to this because students acted as our tour guides. In the weeks leading up to the trip, students partnered, researched, and wrote a brief blurb about the monuments: history, architecture, and significance. At each stop, we had the groups read their writing to the group. We saw the White House, Washington Monument, WWII Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, and the Jefferson Memorial.

Wednesday: A busy day began with breakfast at the hotel buffet and Capitol Hill. It was really busy due to the impending vote on the debt ceiling. First, Congressman Van Orden approached our group and introduced himself. Then he led us to an off-limits location in the front of the Capitol building for a photo op! We then had a tour of the Capitol before heading to the Supreme Court for a lecture about how it functions. We were able to sit right in the courtroom for the lecture. After lunch, we headed to the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum. That evening we went to Carmine’s Restaurant for an Italian dinner and then off to the Escape Rooms. Half completed a mission as 007 agents, and the other half had to destroy DNA samples of dinosaurs in a Jurassic Park theme. We may not have escaped, but we had fun trying!

Thursday: We had another incredible day at the museums. The first stop was the Hirshhorn Museum of Modern Art. The students really enjoyed this, and we were able to cover most of the museum. Next, we were off to the Spy Museum. This was a favorite for many. We were given undercover identities and had a mission to complete as we went through the exhibits. What a great, interactive museum! Finally, we headed to the Smithsonian Museum of Africa American History and Culture. We all wished we had more time here, as there was so much to see, from historical exhibits to music, education, sports, entertainment, etc. It would have taken a full day to see it all! Next, we went back to the hotel, and the students went to the rooftop pool. Then, they enjoyed pizzas until the pool closed for the evening. Next, a small group went with Mrs. Lamb on a 4-mile sunset run around the National Mall and monuments, and the rest of the students went to the National Mall in front of the Capitol for games. They played tag and frisbee until after dark, and the runners joined them.

Friday: Departure day! After a leisurely breakfast, we packed and cleaned, then had time for a quick walk to the National Mall. Some students stopped for souvenirs, then we played games briefly before our departure to Union Station.

Thank you for trusting us with your children. They were well-mannered, respectful of all of the sites’ rules, and made us proud. It was truly a trip to remember.

Mrs. Hood: Amigos!

Posted on by Andrea Hood

Is it true? How’s it possible!? Are we really a couple of days away from ending our school year? It seems like yesterday when we welcomed the toddlers into our classroom! Your children have been working like busy bees from day one and have challenged themselves in every way. We couldn’t be more proud to see how much each of them has accomplished in different areas, one being great social-emotional development. It’s incredible to see the type of friendships born between them and how socialization has started to be very important to them. This is a great sign of growth!

At the beginning of the school year, it is usual to see a lot of toddlers parallel playing… children are aware of other little human beings around them, but they are not interested in really connecting with them. They might look into each other’s eyes, but as their thinking is still so concrete, they just seem more interested in the “little ball” with the nice color that moves, so it’s logical they decide to explore it. This is what we usually call: poking each other’s eyes. It’s common to see a toddler curiously trying to explore another child’s face with their index finger and the other toddler thinking he is just receiving something to taste. Yeap! We call that one finger biting! Ouch!

Thankfully the connection has developed, and as they have matured, it’s now common to see the children waiting for their friends at the door, inviting each other to play together, having logical conversations, joking and making each other laugh, hugging and verbally expressing their affection for each other. Amigos are the best!

As we enjoyed the last few days together as a little family, we spent quality time outdoors this week singing, walking, running, building, digging, chasing each other, laying in the sun, talking, and exploring nature. We also explored peas for food tasting!

We can’t wait for all the fun planned for the next few days. Thursday, 6/8, is our Toddler’s Water Day, and we will have our Crossing the Bridge ceremony on Wednesday, 6/14. Please refer to the email sent with all the instructions.

We wish you a beautiful weekend,

Mrs. Hood and Ms. Marissa