Cortland Junior High School 
May 31, 2019
Junior High June Newsletter
Upcoming Events
6/3 NYS 8th grade Science Assesment
6/12 Junior High ArtNite, 6 p.m.
6/12 Junior High Band, Orchestra, and Chorus Concert, 7 p.m.
6/15 Junior High Student Senate Spring Fling Dance, 7:00 p.m.
6/25 Last Day of School for Students
Students Prepare for ArtNite
Students in 7th grade Art classes have been working very hard on an assignment about a social issue of their choice. They selected an issue they care deeply about because art is very personal and the work we create is much better when we care about the ideas behind it. Topics ranging from LGBTQ rights to global warming, sexual assault to animal abuse, the dangers of smoking to bullying were addressed. Students had freedom to choose the size and shape of their artwork, the media and the techniques they used. A lot of time and effort went into these pieces and they are really powerful and moving!

In accordance with the TAB curriculum (Teaching for Artistic Behaviors), students will choose the theme for their next artwork from a list provided and they will also choose the media, size, shape, and techniques to use. The studio is buzzing with creative energy and activity!

Our second semester art show is scheduled for June 12 at 6:00pm, in conjunction with the junior high concert. We hope to see you all there! Please reach out to Judy at jcogan@cortlandschools.org if you can help out with refreshments for the show and/or hanging artwork prior to the night of the show. I’m looking for families to provide a plate of cookies, brownies or some other dessert, juices, and paper goods (plates, napkins, cups) for the opening.
Spring Fling
Student Senate will be hosting a semi-formal dance ("Spring Fling") on Saturday, June 15th, from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. in the downstairs gym. The dance is open to all seventh and eighth grade students. The cost to attend is $3. Food and drinks will be provided at the dance. Special outfits do not need to be purchased for this event. If you have any questions regarding the dance, please contact  asundheim@cortlandschools.org
Health News
Students will finish the year with our last unit First Aid and CPR. The high school students taking the college level FA/CPR course will be teaching mini lessons to all 8th grade health classes.
English News
Applied English class is reading their last text of the year: Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko. The story revolves around a young boy named Moose and his sister, as they settle in to life on Alcatrez Island.

In English, 8th graders are reading The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. We are focusing on 8th grade Speaking and Listening standards for this unit. Students are participating in presentations, Socratic Seminars, and creating their own higher-level questions about the text.
Nurse's Corner
Lost and found is located in the nurse’s office. Please have your child check if they are missing anything. Items not claimed by the end of the school year will be
donated. 

For those students who take medication at school, all medications need to be picked up by June 25th or they will be disposed of. 

All incoming 7th graders and seniors will need to have a meningitis vaccine before the start of the school year.

All students in grades 7, 9, and 11 are required to have a physical. School physicals will be provided to any student for which a copy of the primary medical providers exam is not submitted. 

Vision and hearing screenings are also required for students in grade 7 and 11. These will begin the second week of school. A letter will be sent home if there are any findings that may warrant medical follow-up.

For those students who are planning on participating in a fall sport, a current physical (within 12 months) must be on file in the nurse’s office. You may register with FamilyID one month prior to the start of the sport. Physicals are offered every Monday afternoon and Wednesday morning. Call or see the school nurse to sign up. Please check the Athletic Website for the summer physical schedule.
Topics Covered in 7th and 8th Grade Math
In Math 7, we are finishing up the year learning about angles and triangles and will do a few fun things before the final is given in June. Accelerated math had a good time in May attending the Apple Store at Destiny USA learning about swift playground for coding on iPads.
In Math 8, we are finishing up our study on the Pythagorean Theorem. The students seemed to really enjoy this unit. We will be completing a project that will help every student figure out the best size television for optimal viewing from their favorite seat in the family room.

Soon, we will be talking about rational versus irrational numbers. https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra/rational-and-irrational-numbers/alg-1-irrational-numbers/v/recognizing-irrational-numbers is a great video to watch if you would like to learn about the different types of numbers.
Social Studies Classes
Explore WWII
Students have been learning about World War II, with a focus on Pearl Harbor, the atomic bombs and the Holocaust. Next, students will be learning about the Civil Rights movement through a PBL activity in which they will create a storyboard about one aspect of the Civil Rights movement to teach their classmates. Students will then learn how to write an enduring issue essay in order to prepare for the new style of regents examinations in social studies. 
Music Update
Junior High Band Students have been busy participating in the elementary school concerts, performing a finale song with the elementary students.

Congratulations to the following students who have taken on the challenge of parade band. You are doing a super job! Mya Romans, Vincenzo Perfetti, Annie Barnes, Darius Lambright. Our Junior High Concert is coming up on June 12. You won’t want to miss it! Some of our Junior High Students are teaching their parents and staff members how to play their instrument. Those parents and staff will be performing on the Junior High Concert. Please see Mrs. Phetteplace’s page for a full list of events and times.
PE Update
Boys’ & Girls’ PE classes are continuing a Base Sports unit and will wrap up the year gearing up for summer with Backyard Games and Activities.

School lunch is a nutritious &
delicious option!
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