Town Hall Meeting
Julian held its first Town Hall meeting yesterday during advisory. Town Hall is an opportunity for a diverse group of student voices to lead decision making at Julian. Town Hall representatives were appointed by teachers and serve as liaisons between students and school leaders. Julian Town Hall will meet monthly and cover a variety of topics. Students will also be able to use this as an open forum to discuss topics and issues of their choosing. The first Town Hall was kicked off by seeking student opinion about the structure of our community building activities on our first days of school. Students offered valuable feedback!
6th Grade Student Organization Tool - Google Calendar
To help our 6th grade students be organized this school year, we are providing them with training on how to use Google Calendar on their Chromebooks for their daily planner. Students will be setting up this tool during class by creating a calendar for each course they have during the school day. Teachers will be providing them with time in every class to enter assignments based on their due date. You can support your child by adding yourself as a subscriber on their calendars if you would like to be directly involved in helping them with this organizational tool. Please watch this brief video for directions and more information to how to be a part of this process.
Feel free to contact your child’s grade level team leader if you have questions.
Team 6.1 – John Pletsch ([email protected])
Team 6.2 – Nancy Guarino ([email protected])
Team 6.3 – Christina Welchko ([email protected])
Julian Middle School Mosaic Dedication
For those of you that were unable to attend the Julian Mosaic dedication back on August 31, you can access the speech that was given by Percy Julian’s daughter, Faith, that evening. Her words were both moving and inspirational. Thanks to the Oak Park Education Foundation for posting Faith’s speech online.
Second Step - Social Emotional Learning Curriculum
We want your child to be successful in school, and that means going beyond the basics. Excelling in academic classes is important, but students also need to know how to learn, make good decisions, handle strong emotions, and get along with others. Last week, we began the Second Step Middle School Program, which focuses on skills and concepts that are designed to help students both in and out of school. Topics include:
Mindsets and Goals: Students learn about ways to grow their brains and get smarter, along with research-based strategies for achieving goals and handling difficult situations.
Values and Friendships: Students learn to identify their personal values and use those values to make good decisions and build strong, positive relationships.
Thoughts, Emotions, and Decisions: Students learn the positive role emotions play in their lives, how to handle unhelpful thoughts and strong emotions, and specific strategies for calming down.
Serious Peer Conflicts: Students learn how to identify and avoid serious conflicts, resolve conflicts that can't be avoided, think about other people's perspectives, and help stop bullying and harassment at school.
If you have any questions about the Second Step Middle School Program, please do not hesitate to contact me for more information. Thank you for supporting your child in learning the skills and concepts that lead to success in school and in life.
Author Visit - September 19
Julian Middle School is proud to share that author Dylan Thuras will visit during 9th period on Wednesday, September 19th. This is an event for the entire 6th grade. Thuras is the author of The Atlas Obscura Explorer's Guide for the World's Most Adventurous Kid as well as the original Atlas Obscura. The Atlas Obscura website is an awe-inspiring place to explore. Any student can order a copy of the Adventurous Kid version of Atlas Obscura. Hardcover copies are $19.95. There is an advance reading copy in the library for students' previewing pleasure. Order forms are available here, in the office, and on bulletin boards outside the auditorium and library. Orders can be placed in the library.
We look forward to having a literature-based learning experience grounded in international mindedness at Julian early this fall! Please direct any questions toward Ms. Winchell at [email protected].
PowerSchool and Canvas Parent Access
Please click here to get step by step directions on how to access PowerSchool and Canvas.
PowerSchool
Students should access grades for assignments, projects and tests through PowerSchool (Not Canvas). Canvas is used as a tool to post assignments and related resources to complete the assignments. Occasionally, assignments can be automatically graded via canvas, but the grade reflected in Canvas is not the “official” grade. Grades are accurately recorded in PowerSchool only.
Canvas
Canvas is a Learning Management System (LMS). This program enables teachers, students and families to communicate in a centralized location. Canvas allows teachers to share resources and assignments, offers multiple ways to complete and submit work, and provides a safe place for students to collaborate.
Student Handbook
Please click here for access to the Julian Middle School Student Handbook for the 2018-2019 School year.
Upcoming Events
Monday, September 17 - PTO Meeting / 7:00pm in the Julian Media Center
Monday, September 17 – NWEA MAP Testing - Make Up Day
Wednesday, September 19 - Author Visit for 6th Grade
Sincerely,
Dr. Todd Fitzgerald
Click on the article titles below to read more.