District Announcement MOMO Warning

Hello All,
Well once again the Internet and social media has provided us with another distraction to occupy our day.
The “Momo Challenge” is the latest disturbing trend popping up on You Tube and social media.  If you are not aware, the basic idea is that kids are being contacted through social media or while watching videos on You Tube and told to commit some type of violent or harmful act to themselves or others. If they don’t, then MOMO will come and curse them or even come and kill them.
This is targeting children in all grade levels including elementary school.  Here is link to a story on channel 4. https://www.clickondetroit.com/consumer/help-me-hank/momo-challenge-disturbing-image-tells-children-to-do-terrible-things-on-youtube-videos
Howard Elementary contacted me yesterday and we created a letter for them to post on their blog. I tweaked the letter a bit so that it is more generic and will share it with all of you right after I hit the send button on this e-mail.  Please feel free to use the letter on your school blog if you feel it is necessary.  Remember, we don’t want to cause more attention to something but at the same time, if you hear your parents, staff, and students talking about this we want to be proactive.  The letter is written in a way that does not promote or specifically name the MOMO Challenge but addresses the issue.
Please note that the Technology Department is available and has provided Parent Training to schools as requested regarding all types of social media and Internet safety awareness.  Troy Patterson and his team is available and willing to work with parents and, if needed, will arrange to visit your school during a parent meeting.
If you have any questions or concerns about the letter please contact me directly.
Thanks,
David

“Remember, you can’t make everyone happy…you’re not pizza!”
A random sign
David Mustonen
Director, Communications and Marketing
Dearborn Public Schools
(313) 827-3006
Students First
Inspire, Educate, Celebrate

Week of Feb. 25

Announcement:

Three students from Bryant have been named local winners in the 50th annual America and Me Essay contest, sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance. Congratulations to  Aidan Oakley 3rd place, Fatimah Hamka 2nd place, and Elayanna Bazzi 1st place. Elayana Bazzi’s first place essay will now advance to the state level competition in April.

 

This Week’s Agenda

Monday: PSAT

Diagnostic Quiz 1 -4 should now be completed and your individualized practice is now ready for you to work on to better prepare you for the PSAT on April 9th.

 

Tuesday- Thursday Act 1 Scene 3-5

Work on Character Charts and Scene Summaries

 

Friday: Diary of Anne Frank Test

 

Homework: Read and PSAT Practice

 

Extra Credit: Read Theory and Essay Contests

There are several opportunities for you to earn extra credit by participating in the following essay contests. A copy of any work submitted to a contest must also be provided to us in order to receive extra credit.

 

 “Do the Write Thing” Due by Thursday, February 28

https://www.dtwtdetroit.com/

“Do the Write Thing” invites your 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students to participate in the 2019 “Do the Write Thing Challenge”. All across America, students are rising to the challenge of doing something to end youth violence. The “Challenge” gives middle school students an opportunity to examine the impact of violence on their lives and to communicate in written form what they think should be done to reduce youth violence. Personal responsibility is emphasized.

Student entries, at a minimum, should address the following three questions: How has violence affected my life? What are the causes of youth violence? What can I do about youth violence?

Entries must be 500 to 1,000 words in length,non-fiction and be your own individual work. Any work quoted must be cited directly. See the rubric attached and complete the attached consent statement with your entry.

Do The Write Thing Rubric

Do The Write Thing Parent Form

 

 

 

” The Power of Change” Due by Thursday, March 7

The Kappy Family Anne Frank Art & Writing Competition seeks to empower and inspire today’s students to lead our world to a better future. Inspired by their parent’s stories of survival during the Holocaust, the Kappy family generously sponsors this competition to not only memorialize the victims, but to educate students about the dangers of hatred, prejudice, and discrimination. After creating a piece of writing inspired by Anne Frank, we hope that students will apply the lessons of the Holocaust throughout their lives by seizing opportunities to step up, take action, and make our world a better place.

 

 

 

 

Entry Form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSco7VQGPS8AimGIc3y6OtX-QJ9LMvlX7RrGWWfyZDnBG6m2Kg/viewform

 

Rules and Guidelines:

https://www.holocaustcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/Rules-and-Guidelines-2019-Kappy-Family-Anne-Frank-Art-and-Writing-Comp.pdf

 

Dearborn Teacher of the Year due by Thursday, March 7th

It’s time for students to nominate their favorite Dearborn Public Schools teacher for the 2019 Alberta Muirhead Teacher of the Year Students’ Choice Award, sponsored by the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce, and presented by LaFontaine Automotive Group.  Nominations forms can be found at the District website at https://dearbornschools.org.  An online nomination form is available at https://bit.ly/DbnTeacher2019.

Students may nominate any new or veteran teachers whom they feel has made outstanding contributions to the teaching profession.   Middle school students (grades 6-8) are asked to explain how their teacher connects classroom learning with everyday life.  Students in high school must describe how their teacher is preparing them to be college and career ready.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Week of Feb. 19th

This week

Tuesday: PSAT  4 Diagnostic Quizzes  (2) Reading and(2) Language. Use link below to access . Sign In with google.

These 4 diagnostic quizzes in reading and language will determine what areas you need to practice or review prior to the PSAT on April 9th. You will need to complete the 4 diagnostic quizzes by Monday, Feb. 25th. From there you will set-up a practice schedule based on your needs.

 

Wednesday: Diary of Anne Frank: Journal Prompt. Read Act 1 Scene 1. Analyze dialogue for character development.

Thursday: Diary of Anne Frank:  Read Act 1 Scene 2. Analyze for  character development and theme.

Friday: Diary of Anne Frank: Read Act 1 Scene 2 and 3 . Analyze dialogue for character development and theme. Exit Ticket Due

 

Homework: Read and finish the 4 diagnostic quizzes on PSAT   

PSAT LINK:     https://www.khanacademy.org/sat

Week of Feb. 11th

This week we will wrap up our research by writing a newspaper article to present what we learned about the Holocaust to others. Be sure to check your grades.

Field Trip Permission Slips are overdue. Please get in this week.

 

Monday: Part II Writing a Newspaper Article ( posted on Google Classroom)

Tuesday: No School : Complete your newspaper article on Google Classroom and submit your best work.

Wednesday: Newspaper Article Due / Presentations

Thursday: Book Pass

Friday-Monday: Mid-Winter Break ( hopefully winter is more than 1/2 way done)

 

Homework: Read and work on Newspaper Article

 

Extra Credit Opportunity: Read Theory

 

Week of January 28th

This week you will be taking the NWEA Reading Test.

Homework:

Holocaust Notes and Word Wall on Google Classroom Due Friday

Read your SSR Book – Book Talks start in February be prepared.

 

News: We will be going on a field trip in March to see the play ” The Diary of Anne Frank” Permission slips are due Friday, Feb. 8th. They were sent home but  one is attached in case you need one

Anne Frank Permission Slip

January 14-18

Monday– Reflection Letter and Work on Presentation

HMWK- SSR, work on reflection letter

 

Tuesday– Common Lit Short Story Presentations

HMWK- SSR, work on reflection letter

Wednesday– Common Lit Short Story Presentations

Reflection Letters are DUE!

HMWK- SSR

 

Thursday– NewsELA

HMWK- SSR

 

Friday– NewsELA Article Due  Reminder 1/2 day

HMWK- SSR

 

Reminders:

No School Monday

1/2 day Tuesday the 22nd and Wednesday the 23rd.

 

EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY (up to 10 POINTS TOTAL): Complete 10 quizzes on Read Theory by Tuesday, Jan 22nd. Great way to kickoff Cardmarking 3

Week of January 7th-January 11th

Monday, January 7th
SSR and Read Theory (in-class)

 

Tuesday, January 8th-Friday, January 11th

In-class working time on their Common Lit Suspense Groups. The assignment link is posted on Google Classroom.

 

Homework: Students should have their SSR book completed by this Friday. Students should be reading everyday. Students need to complete 10 quizzes on Read Theory (the quiz scores need to be AT OR ABOVE their pre-test score).

NEXT WEEK:

Presentations: Wednesday-Thursday

Reflection Letter: Due Wednesday

The end of the card marking is next Friday, January 18th. Late work will not be accepted after Friday, January 11th.

Over break Extra Credit Opportunities

Parents and students be sure to check your grades on MI- Star. It is up-to-date and accurate.  Everything turned in has been recorded!

 

  • There is a Read- Theory  assignment due by Dec. 23rd of 10 passing quizzes.
  • Starting Dec. 24th students can earn extra credit on Read Theory for quizzes passed. This ends on Jan. 6th.
  • Students need to be reading over break and have their second book completed by January 11th in the form of an exit ticket. For those that have read more than 2 books there is extra credit

Ms. Lessel and Mrs. Blaylock will be unavailable during the holiday break to answer any emails but look forward to seeing you in the new year!

 

 

 

This Weekend

Be sure to:

  • Complete  and pass 10 quizzes on readtheory.org Remember if you pass more, you receive extra credit.
  • finish your assignment on newsela.com… The Quiz and write a response on looseleaf to the following question:                        What should be the policy on immigrants crossing the Mexican/U. border? Ue formal language when stating the claim*  and give evidence and reasoning to support the claim.

*This means do not use the word ” I” or contractions