Dear EMS Families,It’s hard to believe that we are already approaching the end of the first quarter on October 30. There have been many wonderful moments at EMS, and we are so grateful to have the opportunity to work with your children.

As we approach the end of the quarter, I would like to make all families aware of two important topics:

Learning model. If a family wishes to change learning models, we encourage it to be done at quarter break. So, if you would like to switch from “fully remote” to “2 days of hybrid,” now would be the time to communicate your preference. Please contact Pat Hulbert at 864-8486, extension 41011 if you have any questions or if you wish to change learning models.

Grades. Please enter PowerSchool Parent Portal to check on your child’s academic progress. I prefer to be as proactive as possible with respect to all things, including grades. If you have any questions regarding grades, please reach out to your child’s teacher.

On Wednesday we had another great meeting with Engage EMS. I appreciate the conversation and the questions. Engage EMS meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 6-7:30 p.m., and meetings take place at the school. All families are enthusiastically encouraged to attend.

If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know.

With Gratitude,

James

Dear EMS Families, We have had another amazing week with students. The building is calm and focused. Each day, I make sure that I am visible throughout the building. Let me share some things that I saw and heard in just one afternoon:Some classes were working collaboratively with their remote peers on a project… thus, extending all students’ abilities to succeed in a remote environment.

Some students were working with litmus tests.

Some students were working on combining like terms, utilizing the.distributive property, and factoring.

Some students were working on their first writing assignment in humanities.

Some students were creating a project that reinforced the principles and elements of art.

Some students were working on patterns while drumming.

Some students were learning the appropriate grip as they were swinging golf clubs on our upper field.

Each class was relaxed… the students were engaged… the relationships continue to be built, the students are increasing in academic technology familiarity, and curriculum is being ramped up.

Humanities Update

This year, instead of having separate Language Arts and Social Studies classes like we’ve had in the past, students will be taking a class called Humanities. Humanities will combine the best parts of LA and SS into one class. Students will still be doing all of the things they would be doing in an LA class: learning new vocabulary and improving their reading and writing skills. The difference is, the vocabulary we learn and what we read and write about will all be related to Social Studies through a social justice lens.

Our new superintendent Tom Flanagan shared, “The equity plan is framed around three priorities: equity, engagement and deep learning. This priority around equity is to…make sure that all students are valued and challenged and build on their strengths.” Our Humanities Department has aligned its curriculum with these priorities. As social justice will be the unifying theme throughout the year, seventh and eighth grade students will build on the existing sixth grade Humanities social justice curriculum and go into greater depth.

Students will explore social justice through the lens of historically marginalized groups. Students will learn about the experiences of these groups, analyze the historical roots of oppressive systems and attitudes, consider their role in shaping a more just society, and take specific action around an issue they feel strongly about. Through the Humanities curriculum, all students will strengthen their writing and communication skills as they learn about our past and envision our future.

If you have any questions about this district-wide initiative, please feel free to reach out to me.

This has been a wonderful start to the school year. We are so grateful for your children…

Thank you,
James Kiefer