The Grove Middle School - Oct 24'

The Grove

OCTOBER 18, 2024

THE LATEST NEWS, EVENTS, AND UPDATES FROM NEWTON'S GROVE SCHOOL

IN THIS ISSUE Overflowing with Gratitude Our First Book Club Middle School Clubs

Overflowing with Gratitude

A Peek Inside Middle School Classrooms

The Middle School has settled well into the month of October, and we continue to have much to be grateful for, including the continued support and partnership of our school community.

This was certainly evidenced by the outpouring of support for our annual Michelle Temple Walkathon which raised a significant amount of money for Melanoma Cancer Research. It was heartwarming to hear students share their reason for walking, and to see so many parents out to walk alongside their children.

Gratitude and the desire to care for and protect others, has a powerful way of bringing people together, and it’s something we hold close to our hearts at Newton’s Grove School.

Michele Temple Walkathon Share Your Extraordinary Parent Referral Program fri, nov 8th & mon, nov 11th Grove One-Day Camps Key Dates

Thank you for your ongoing dedication as we work together to create a positive and enriching environment for our students.

We are so fortunate to share in these meaningful experiences, and we look forward to more exciting events and activities that will continue to help us celebrate this season of gratitude together.

Join Us! Our First Book Club Join the Head of School, Newton’s Grove staff, and other members of the Newton’s Grove Community in thoughtful dialogue and shared understandings.

learn more

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Middle School Clubs Begin October 21st The student club leaders have been working hard to prepare for Monday, October 21st which will begin our 8week session of clubs. They have been meeting with myself, the middle school prefects, and their teacher advisors to plan the topics they would like to cover each week and the materials they will need. The students’ take charge attitude and enthusiasm to share their passions with their peers, alongside the dedication of our teachers has been wonderful to witness and I am excited to see all that they will accomplish in the next eight weeks!

Students can sign up for clubs all this week by accessing the Middle School News Groups and completing the polls (one for each club). Students may sign up for more than one club, however, participation is part of what makes a club successful, so we ask that students please sign up only for those clubs they can commit to.

A Peek Inside the Middle School Classrooms Hands-On Science & Math Our teachers are partnering with the Senior Science Department to provide an exciting opportunity for our middle school students to use the fully equipped science labs. Most recently, the grade 8 class completed a microscope lab on cells. Having access to a stateof-the-art lab allows our students to explore scientific concepts in a more hands-on and engaging way, enhancing their learning experience.

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A Peek Inside the Middle School Classrooms (cont’d)

Design challenges are a fantastic way to enhance problem-solving skills in math, encouraging students to apply their knowledge in creative and practical ways. Recently, our grade 8 students took part in an exciting challenge where they had to design and build a tool capable of lifting and carrying a golf ball at least 10 cm. Along with the engineering aspect, students had to calculate the cost of materials and work within a set budget, combining math, critical thinking, and teamwork to complete the task.

Exploring the Culture Through Art The Grade 7 class explored Indigenous culture through an engaging art project focused on the 7 Grandfather Teachings, a set of guiding principles rooted in Indigenous wisdom that emphasize values like honesty, respect, and humility. These teachings are vital for students as they offer timeless lessons on how to live in harmony with others and the natural world. Through their study, students created various artworks, including paintings and graphic designs, to illustrate each of the 7 teachings, deepening their understanding of Indigenous traditions and values while expressing their own interpretations through art.

Exploring the World Through Science & Math As part of their current science unit, the grade 6, students have been exploring the classification system that scientists use to categorize living organisms. To apply their knowledge, students are participating in a "Classroom Classification Challenge." Working in groups, they are creating diagrams of a tree classification system to sort classroom items into specific categories. This hands-on activity not only reinforces their understanding of classification concepts but also helps them realize that tree classification systems can be utilized in many different contexts.

To continue their learning from Truth and Reconciliation Day, students in grade 6 studied math through the Kaktovic Inupiaq peoples.

Indigenous communities predominantly used oral storytelling to pass down knowledge. After experiencing residential school systems, written language was adapted to show their understanding of numbers and mathematic thinking. With critical thought, students explored the similarities and differences between our numeral system and the Kaktovic Inupiaq numeral system.

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Michele Temple Walkathon Our annual Michelle Temple Walkathon was an outstanding success, bringing together our entire school community in a powerful display of unity and support for melanoma cancer research. It was heartwarming to see students, staff, and families walking together with purpose and enthusiasm, creating a wonderful sense of community. A special thank you to the W.I.N.G.S. council for their exceptional organization of this meaningful event. We are deeply grateful to everyone for their generous donations and unwavering support, helping us make a real difference in the fight against melanoma.

Share Your Extraordinary Did You Know that Newton’s Grove has a referral program?

We invite you to share your very own Newton’s Grove extraordinary with your friends and family who may be interested in learning more about us.

If you know a family who may want the same extraordinary academic experience for their child, please click the link below and take just a few seconds provide us with your referral.

SHAREYOUREXTRAORDINARY.COM

Grove One-Day Camps: Limited Spaces Available No school? No problem! Sign up for our multi-activity Grove One-Day Camps that will keep your child active and engaged with a blend of basketball, soccer, dodgeball, STEM, arts & crafts, and other activities.

PLUS! Pre-register for four of our Camps this academic year and your child can attend the fifth Camp for free!

november day camps: friday 8th & monday 11th

learn more & register

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Event Icon Legend

key dates tuesday, oct 15th Winter uniform begins

saturday, nov 2nd: 10am-1pm

PARENT & CHILD

Open House event

PARENTS & GUARDIANS

thursday, oct 17th: 915am Caribou Math contest #1

tuesday, nov 5th

STAFF

Formal #1 Uniform (Blazer day) STAFF & STUDENTS

friday, oct 18th Fashion Friday

thursday, nov 7th Remembrance Day Assembly

ALL

Formal #1 Uniform (Blazer day)

saturday, oct 26th Our Kids Private Schools Fair Roy Thompson Hall, Toronto

thursday, oct 31st Halloween (Costume dress up day)

thursday, nov 7th Evening: Parent-Teacher interviews

friday, nov 8th All Day: Parent-Teacher interviews No classes for students

friday, nov 1st Progress Report #1

MONDAY, NOV 11TH Remembrance Day holiday School closed

Marny Burke As we look ahead to the rest of the month, let’s continue to embrace the spirit of gratitude in all that we do. Whether through small acts of kindness or the support we offer each other, it is the connections we build that make our community strong. Thank you for being an integral part of this journey, and for your commitment to our students’ success.

Wishing you all a wonderful and fulfilling October!