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In This Issue: Communicating Learning through Exhibitions and Presentations of Learning, Student-Created Gift Cards, Healthy Relationships
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MMS Vision Statement
Mountain Middle School will work with each student to achieve the highest academic and social potential in an educational framework of problem-solving, cross-subject application, and teamwork.
MMS Mission Statement
Within a supportive and safe culture, Mountain Middle School integrates technology and project-based learning into a rigorous liberal arts curriculum that prepares students to succeed in the 21st century as self-motivated, innovative thinkers who seek to resolve challenges collaboratively.
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Message from Jackie
Dear MMS Parents/Guardians:
It is hard to believe that the first semester of school is coming to a close. One of the hallmarks of project-based learning is to involve students in showcasing their work to authentic audiences. Students at Mountain Middle School have the opportunity to reflect on and celebrate their learning through individual Presentations of Learning and Exhibitions. These processes highlight our students' genuine engagement in project-based learning and their eloquence in describing their work. Students who are able to evaluate their own progress critically increase their commitment to school work and learning, as well as build self-confidence, collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and presentation skills.
Thank you to all our community members who have volunteered their time to be part of a Presentation of Learning panel. Your participation is greatly appreciated.
Mountain Middle School will be closed for the holiday break from December 24, 2012, through January 4, 2013. We will reopen on Monday, January 7, 2013. My warmest wishes for a wonderful holiday and a happy new year!
Kind regards,
Jackie
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Student-Created Gift Cards
Mountain Middle School had the opportunity to create some artwork for the Wolfwood Refuge Art Auction which took place earlier this fall. While only three student pieces were able to be part of the auction, another nine graphite and paper drawings were selected to be part of an exclusive holiday card series which is available in limited quantities for purchase. Gift card sets are in boxes of six for $20, and checks should be made out to Wolfwood Refuge. A portion of these proceeds will also return to Mountain Middle School. There are a limited number of sets available so act quickly. Featured artists include Maddie Sturm, Autumn Ford, Dylan Williamson, Violet Witchel, Brynn Nelson, Lane McClure, Brandon Biddle, T.J. Rifkin, Lance Aguilar, Aubrey Hirst, Lyric Hildner & Emily Vierling.
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Building Self-Awareness for Life
 MMS has a unique opportunity to work with Darlene Clayton of Alternative Horizons to offer an after-school girls' group for 8th grade girls called "Young Women's Lives: Building Self-Awareness for Life."
This group will be offered from 2-3 pm on Friday afternoons beginning January 11 and running through March 1.
The curriculum can be found here. The group will be open to the first ten girls who register.
Please contact Heather if you would like to register.
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Healthy Relationships
 February is Healthy Relationships Month, so in recognition of this, Mr. Madden, School Counselor; Heather Study, Student Services Director; and representatives from Alternative Horizons and SASO (Sexual Assault Services Organization) will be offering four parent nights (one per week, days will vary) for parent discussions around teen dating, along with healthy relationship boundaries for our youth.
A parent survey to gather information on desired topics, along with additional details, will be forthcoming in the next couple months. |
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7th Grade Humanities
Our Humanities class has finished their Identity projects and has organized them, with Mr. Parker's guidance, into a digital format.
These projects include Memoir Poetry, Memoir Essays, Personal Timelines, and Book Teasers, as well as art that was created with Miss Brenda's guidance.
We are now studying Ancient India and have completed Yoga Stories. These stories share an ethic, and, when read aloud, provide an audience with a fun yoga routine to do. I am using the stories in my yoga X-block.
 We have been reading the Demon Slayer by Samuel Mills. This book takes place in Ancient India and is a wonderful coming-of-age tale. Demon Slayer will be our inspiration for writing our own historical fiction.
The students are each researching a pivotal event in Indian history and will be reporting on the forces and pressures behind the event this Thursday.
Our Humanities class is always reading books of choice and has written reviews. At least one student will be submitting a review to the MMS newsletter this week.
Thanks,
Nick
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Guards! Guards!
by Terry Pratchett
ISBN: 0061020648
Review by Hannah Matheson
 "Unadulterated fun...witty, frequently hilarious," says the San Francisco Chronicle. Personally, I feel I must tell you, though, that the San Francisco Chronicle toned down just how amazing this book is. It's the story of Captain Vimes of the Ankh Morpork City Watch, a man whose job is more or less just to be there. No one brings his or her problems to The Watch, so really they're just a traditional ornament. You might not like the ornament, but it's customary and goes on the tree anyway.
A new volunteer comes to The Watch. He has memorized the old rules, and, with his new ways, puts the spotlight on The Watch. Of course, to spice things up a bit, a clueless secret organization summons a rare specimen of draco nobilis (for those who don't get italics, "noble dragon"). It's accidently crowned as king (it is a noble dragon, after all) and sets fire to everything it sees.
Now The Watch are suddenly responsible. With help from a slightly mad dragon breeder, they must overcome this huge firebreather and return it from whence it came. "You know what?" said Vimes aloud. "This is going to be the world's first democratically killed dragon. One man, one stab." This is a tale done well, as only Terry Pratchett can.
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From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
by E. L. Konigsburg
ISBN: 0689829671
Review by Brooke Buccowich
 From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler is a captivating, stimulating story, and is a great book for anyone. It all starts with a girl named Claudia hating her home because her parents of four children made her do all of the work. She decided to run away, but not alone, and not out on the streets. She went with her brother, Jamie, to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
It was very interesting to see how they lived there for a week, but while they were there, they discovered a statue, and not just any statue. It was a statue called "Angel." It was so amazing to them that it became a suspenseful mystery, as they tried to figure out if the statue was done by Michelangelo or not.
I loved this book so much. It was really interesting to see how they lived in the museum and hid from the guards at night before the museum closed down till the next day. The kids were on a mission. The only person that knew about the statue was Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler who had sold it to the museum. This story was very ravishing. I couldn't put the book down! It was funny and very original. I would suggest this to everyone of all ages.
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Parenting Resources
The parent education resources can all be found on the Community Resources page. Check out these resources for advice on how to help your children thrive.
We have great news. Nationally-renowned child expert, Dr. Michele Borba, is coming to Durango to provide a workshop on parenting, character education, and bullying prevention. If you are interested in helping with this event, please contact Mark.
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Upcoming Dates
December 17-19
7th Grade Presentations of Learning
December 13.14,17,18
8th Grade Presentations of Learning
December 24-January 4
Holiday Break
January 15-18
NWEA Benchmark Testing for Reading, Math, Language Arts & Science
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Missed Picture Day?
 Want a retake?
Thru the Lens will offer the same package prices at their store. |
Team Challenge X-Block
In this exercise, the team has to pass each person through the spider web without ringing the spider's dinner bell. This X-Block challenges members to work together collaboratively. We also process how the skills learned can transfer into our daily lives.
X-Block is always looking for more volunteers. Click here to sign up.
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News for the community?
Let Jessica know. |
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