ps/is middle school newsletter

1. Spring is Here …. FROM THE MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHERS- May 2017 Issue 9
PS/IS 226 Panther Pride Press
“Together We Make Our
School a Success”
Ms. Trovato 6th
Grade Social Studies
Grade 6 has just completed their
journey through the ancient
civilizations. We concluded our units
with a DBQ about Rome and Greece.
We will now continue on with studying
the medieval period of ancient history .
Ms. Sapienza- 7th
Grade Social Studies
Our 7th graders just concluded their
unit on New Government, focusing on
the contrasting political views of
Alexander Hamilton and Thomas
Jefferson. Using this new knowledge,
the students will gather evidence and
information to conduct a socratic
seminar. The next unit of study will
focus on US expansion and growth.
Ms. Sapienza- 8th
Grade Social Studies
The 8th grade will be beginning the
final unit for Social Studies - The United
States Assumes Worldwide
Responsibilities. Students will be
focusing on the rise of worldwide
dictators and key players in World
War II. Group work analyzing political
cartoons by Dr. Seuss will allow
students to understand the shift in
America’s transition from isolationism
to neutrality, and the final push
towards declaring war. The Italian film
"Life is Beautiful" will be incorporated
for students to view the Holocaust from
the point of view of an Italian forced
into a concentration camp during Nazi
Germany’s invasion into
Fascist Italy.
Ms. Montanes- Monthly Highlights
Ms. Issa 6th
Grade ELA
During this month, we are focusing heavily on essential literacy skills
in order to enhance our critical thinking in preparation for both the
ELA state exam as well as the new unit of writing, "Coming to
America." In this unit, students will explore immigrant experiences
and how these experiences with others can teach them about
themselves. Students will be extending this into an informative
writing as they compare and contrast the authors' purposes and
perspectives through their use of strategies.
Ms. Jompulsky 7th
Grade ELA
Finally it's time to kick back and dive into a great book! In the month
of May, we'll be immersing ourselves into Walter Dean Myer's
"Monster" as we uncover what it means to be labeled, judged, and
persecuted by society. We'll be exploring big issues like societal
norms and what it means to be honest and forthcoming about who
you are and what you've done. We'll be using concepts we've
previously learned in order to explore this untraditional novel,
hoping to uncover the mystery behind Steve Harmon's story. This is
sure to be an intriguing and nail-biting ride.
Ms. Stansici 8th
Grade ELA
The end is near! We have a lot to look forward to in the next couple of
months, however we still have work to do! You are well on your way
to completing the Unit 4 essay and I am truly looking forward to
reading them and displaying them on the bulletin board. Finally we
will be reading the book, “The Freedom Writers Diary” by Erin
Gruwell. We will look at how a teacher and 150 teenage students
from Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, California
changed themselves and the world around them. While reading this
book, we will create our own freedom writers diary. The students
will keep journals which will allow students to refine their creative
writing skills and gain a better understanding of their fellow
classmates’ lives. Remember: “Winners Never Quit, and Quitters
Never Win!” Let’s finish the year on a high note!
The end of the school year is fast approaching. I would like to take this
opportunity to genuinely thank the parents, staff, students, and
community members who helped make this a very successful school
year. Next year P.S./ I.S. 226 will be in “innovative mode.” The staff
here will remain committed to student growth inside, while the
building makes progress changes moving forward!

2. Panther Pride Press- May 2017- Issue 9
Ms. D’Acierno- 6th
Grade Mathematics
Hooray! We completed the 6th Grade Mathematics State Test! Now that we have
accomplished most of the 6th grade curriculum, we will finish up post-test 6th
grade math standards. Also, we will dive into some 7th grade skills that are
extremely important for next school year. Some topics will include all operations
with integers as well as solving two-step equations. You got this Superstars!!!
Mr. Greene- 7th
Grade Mathematics
You guys did it! The Math state exam is complete, and I am so proud of all your
hard work and effort. If I've said it once I've said it a thousand times: "success is
built on the essence of hard work." The more you move forward the more you
continue to develop healthy and positive work habits and the more successful
you will become.
Mr. Hadzovic- 8th
Grade Mathematics
The math state test is over! Give yourselves a pat on the back - you deserve it!
For our 8A class the Regents are only a month away, June 13th. Blink and you'll
miss it! In lighter news: IXL is going great. So far the eighth grade has answered
over 200,000 questions. Fantastic job everyone!
Ms. Salcedo-6th
Grade Science
The 6th graders are exploring the diversity of life through the study of cells.
Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, animal and plant cells. The students will also
investigate how cells are the primary source of biodiversity, and will learn how
to classify organisms according to similarities and differences at the cellular
level. They will also study the energy flows through the ecosystem in one
direction, in which the balance is the result of interactions between living and
nonliving things.
Ms. Salcedo- 7th
Grade Science
Our 7th graders are busy exploring the structure and function of organisms by
understanding the different bodysystems of plants and animals including
vertebrates and invertebrates. They will also focus on investigating the
Ms. Toyber- 8th
Grade Science
Our state exams are right around
the corner! However, have no fear
because your child is well
prepared! Our Living Environment
seniors have been working hard
reviewing a year's worth of content
in preparation for the Regents,
which is held on June 14th. They
have been working hard reviewing,
answering, and analyzing Regents
questions. Our general science
seniors are also working very hard
in reviewing for the 8th Grade State
Science Exam, held on June 5th. We
have been working on the human
body, ecology unit, as well as
preparing for the different topics
that are tested on the state exam.
We always remember to Keep Calm
and Science on!
Mr. Kent- Digital Literacy
Elective students have just
started using Ignition, the
online course provided by the
NY Islanders that teaches
digital privacy, security, and
responsibility. Students will
navigate a virtual simulation
in which they buy a computer,
use social networking, and
resolve cyberbullying.
Ms. Reyes- Spanish Club
This month my bilingual
learners are practicing very
hard for the portion of the
Spanish Proficiency test on
May16th -18th, which includes
four conversatons related to
different situations in Spanish.
Equally as important, they will
continue practicing for the
reading, writing, and listening
portions of the test which will
be on June 19th.

3. 3
A Note from Our Guidance Counselor-Ms.
Tsekouras"
High School Round 2 decision letters were distributed to
students on May 10th. Appeals Applications are now available and
due back to me on Friday, May 19, 2017.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact
me at: (718) 234-4940 extension 4611.
Mr. Geraci- Middle School Art
Art students are finishing up their
beautiful spring flower drawings
influenced by the artwork of Georgia
O'Keeffe. Some students are working on
designing a t-shirt for this year's Panther
Pride Fest. If any student is interested in
the t-shirt design contest, there is still
some time left. Talk to Mr. Geraci or Mrs.
Halpern for all the info.
"Ms. Shammas & Class 804
The Math State exam is now a
thing of the past and I'm
proud of how my students
persevered through all three
days of testing. The school
year isn't over yet however,
and Seniors will continue to
internalize the year's math
standards as well as preview
9th grade skills through
ixl.com. In ELA students have
chosen to teleport themselves
to the Code X unit "Space
Invaders" which touts the
famed science fiction works of
Ray Bradbury and H.G. Wells.
It's hard to believe there are
just two months left in the
school year, but with Prom,
Senior Picnic, Senior Trip and
Graduation on the horizon, we
are definitely going to make
the most of what little time we
have remaining. "We do not
remember days, we
remember moments." -
Cesare Pavese
Ms. Swinton & 704 In ELA, class
In math the students have wrapped up
geometry and are now being
introduced to probability and
statistics. In ELA, the students are
exploring the use of cause and effect in
writing pieces. We are currently
reading the unit titled "Natures Fury",
which highlights some of the worlds
worst natural disasters in history and
its impact on people and places.
CodeX has been placed on a
temporary hold in order to prepare the
students for the EOY Writing
assessments. The students have been
spending the past few days
developing and outlining their essays
with the help of graphic organizers. In
science, the students are exploring
matter. The students are learning
about solubility. Instructional
modifications have been put in place
to keep the students engaged and
ensure understanding of the concepts.
Videos, images, presentations and
hands-on activities have been
incorporated into the science lessons
which the students seem to enjoy. In
social studies, we are currently
discussing Alexander Hamilton and his
immense contribution to society in
terms of economic development. The
students are looking forward to our
Class 604- Ms. Pizzo In Math,
students in Class 604 will be
exploring equations and
inequalities. They will learn how
to solve addition, subtraction,
multiplication, and division
equations. They will also learn
how to graph inequalities. In
ELA, students are currently
working on an essay in which
they analyze how the author
Mawi Asgedom uses the writing
strategies imagery, personal
reflection, all capital letters, and
figurative language to convey his
experiences as an immigrant in
America. In Science, students are
working hard on finishing their
Powerpoint presentations on the
different types of energy.

4. Panther Pride Press- May 2017- Issue 9
Ms. Thomas-
In March, we celebrate Women’s History month! What
a great time to recognize some of the phenomenal
women who have helped to shape our lives and our
world. We honor women like Mother Teresa, Michelle
Obama, Susan B. Anthony, Serena and Venus Williams,
and countless others who have paved a path that all
people, regardless of gender, can follow. So let’s grab
a book, crack open a newspaper, or log online to learn
more about these instrumental groundbreakers!
ENL with Mr. Delmonte
ENL students are being evaluated in the four
modalities of listening, speaking, reading, and
writing with the NYSESLAT test to assess how well
they have progressed in their English language
skills since September. Good luck to all students
taking the test!
Mr.Pratt and Mr. Convissar- Physical Education
We are going to be playing our very exciting
student/faculty volleyball game on Tuesday, June
20th. This will mark the second year that our
incredible alumni will come back to participate.
VIP seats will be available for our students to
come and cheer and of course all staff are
welcome to come play or cheer. This year's
fitnessgram is going "green". Hard copies will not
be given out, but students and parents will be able
to view them online on their DOE accounts - more
info to follow! Make sure you get enough sleep,
eat a healthy diet and exercise for at least one
Ms. Tse and Ms. Mallen Classes 805 and 605 Updates
Classes 805 and 605 have a busy and exciting month ahead. We have many exciting class trips planned including
a trip to the New York Aquarium, an Adaptive Physical Education (APE) track and field trip with Ms. K, and of
course our continued walking trip to Shoprite. In ELA we will be working on writing dialogue and poetry and
working on our reading strategies in small guided reading groups. In Math we will be continuing to work on
counting money and making change as well as an introduction to fractions.
Ms. Trombetta- Band
Our 6th, 7th and 8th grade band students have been
hard at work preparing for several upcoming
performances to showcase their skills and talents!
Seventh and 8th grade Arista/Archon band students
will perform a piece together at the ceremony on
May 23rd,at 6:00 pm. All 6th, 7th and 8th grade band
students, soloists and small group ensembles will
perform at the spring concert on March 26th at
9:00am (for grades 3-5) and 1:00pm for (for grades
6-8). Parents are invited to attend either
performance. Sixth and 7th grade band students are
also preparing for the upcoming 8th grade
graduation on June 23rd. Eigth graders will perform
a special piece for the graduation ceremony as well.