2019.10.25 – Saxe Weekly – The Saxe weekly

October 25, 2019

Dear Saxe Family,

This week in the Saxe Weekly, we take a look at Math, World Language, Spirit, Library, Health & Physical Education, Walk/Ride to School Day, Supporting “Causes”, Celebrate Saxe, and more.

Enjoy and have a great weekend!

Dave Gusitsch

Principal, Saxe Middle School

Upcoming Noteworthy Dates:

10/31: Happy Halloween! Orange & Black spirit day

Want to check out the “Saxe Weekly” from last week? You’re one click away, here.

*Quotes that resonated with us this week:

“The past is a place of reference, not a place of residence.”

“We cannot become what we want to be by remaining what we are.”

“Don’t look back. The future is forward.”

“Be with those who bring out the best in you, not the stress in you.”

“What feels like the end is often the beginning.”

Saxe Spirit

After a hugely successful Red & Black Day, Saxe’s Spirit Club will be hosting another spirit day. On Thursday, 10/31, we will be having “Orange & Black Day,” and all staff and students are welcome and invited to show their enthusiasm and school pride!

World Language: Latin

6th Graders practicing their Latin with each other – Salve! Quid est nomen tibi? (Hello! What is your name?)

Videos:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B6cg3Hzbly34VG1BcFZ3VkNMbHZXUmdWTlRDN3ZvLXZVSDAw

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B6cg3Hzbly34T1NhTkt2NFQ4R2xyOFJFRGl3a0JMZjl0bWdN

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1WtshmpEr3PcsbTuCY-g4EKDD9RPpUAFH

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1icXQSTsBNTCGhczoi1GmkLHQyED3PYPJ

7th grade Latin students performing the myth of ‘Midas and the Golden Touch’ as part of their theater unit.

8th grade Latin students assembling to prepare a translation of a skit as part of a jigsaw activity.

Library
Strengthening the Library & Classroom Connection with Biblionasium

Six Graders creating their own virtual bookshelves in Biblionasium, known as the ‘Good Reads’ for kids. The introduction to this resource happened during LA, to support classroom libraries, but all the books are also found in the Saxe Library and visits to the library are being planned.

Math

This week in Ms. DeVoto’s in Pre-Algebra and Compacted 7/8 Math classes, they learned kinesthetically through “Dance Dance Transversal”! Students had to place their feet in the correct spots on the transversal to mimic the terms on the screens. The words got faster as the game went on (like Dance Dance Revolution). A great way to learn while having fun!

Students in Ms. Sanborn’s Grade 6 Math classes also had a kinesthetic learning experience this week as they “learned through movement” on their way to better understanding of quadrants and axes. Great student engagement and the responses to the experience were positive!

Health Education

Students across grades are continuing to build their skills of self-management, decision making, and their ability to analyze the influences around them as it relates to their health. During a mental/emotional health unit students practice strategies to regulate their emotions in order to manage their stress. Students were shown a variety of techniques to shift their mood into the “green” quadrant. Through choice and practice, students had the opportunity to experience stretching exercises, deep breathing, progressive relaxation, coloring, and listening to calm music.

Another meaningful lesson students experienced this past week was from our guest speaker, Officer Deak. During the Drug Awareness and Prevention unit we are fortunate to have such a valuable resource at our disposal. Officer Deak and the health teachers work together helping to reinforce the importance of the risks involved with experimenting with drugs at a young age. Students are able to see first hand how alcohol and other drugs impact the function of the brain with the use of Fatal Vision goggles.

Physical Education

Students in Physical Education are experiencing many different physical activities/games working towards specific outcomes. While participating and learning physical skills related to football, students are working together as a team to creatively design plays to find an open space. We see some pretty creative plays that some NFL teams could probably use! Students are also working on their communication and feedback strategies as well as how to be a successful teammate while participating and learning the game of volleyball and spikeball. Students are working on giving feedback to their partner and opposing team to improve performance; using skill cues, following rules, and scoring correctly during gameplay. During the Project Adventure unit students work through the ABC’s of Problem Solving while working cooperatively with their peers to achieve a particular goal.

Walk/Ride to School day!

The third time was the charm! Wednesday morning began with hundreds of South elementary and Saxe 5th and 6th-graders walking, riding, running, and dancing their way to school. A couple dozen Saxe faculty and staff joined in the fun as well. It was a beautiful morning with lots of smiles and physical activity to start the day. Thanks to everyone who participated, we look forward to seeing you at the next Walk/Ride to School day in the spring!

Voices of Saxe

Saxe students do an excellent job of reading the morning announcements to our entire school community. The pressure is high, but they always do great!

Celebrate Saxe Award Winners

Jackson, Nate, and Abe enjoyed a lunch with Mr. Gusitsch after winning the “Lunch with the Principal” raffle for 8th-grade students. Thanks again to our wonderful PTC for yet another opportunity to make connections, spend time with students, and hear from a student perspective what they feel is great at Saxe and just as importantly, what could be better.

Saxe Supports “Causes”

Here is Ms. Berry and Ms. Helmich’s team representing Breast Cancer Awareness today! All 42 kids (and 2 teachers) had something pink on. The spirit of our community is strong!

Saxe Staff Supporting Each Other

Mr. Bedard helped Ms. Benware celebrate her birthday this week, in style, by taking a shift for her to spend some time with colleagues. Thanks, Mr. Bedard!