Friday, February 15, 2013

March Dance Chaperones

Swift House will be hosting the next middle school dance on Friday, March 8th at 6:30.  Please sign up to chaperone here.  (This really is fun!)  We we request that students in Longchamp and Donnelly's Core bring two-2 liter bottles of cold soda or juice and Mrs. Skapof and Mrs. Laberge's core bring individually wrapped snacks.

Stock Market Update-  Our top five teams

This week, students have learned about mutual funds and bonds.  Some students have diversified their portfolio, including these types of investments.  Our top teams as of Friday morning are below.  The regional ratings is Chittenden County and the  Coordinator Rankings are the state.   There are only four middle schools with more than five teams.  The Rankings, however, include high school teams!

Swift House Ratings on Friday, February 15th

First:  Brock W., Matthew M, Cam L, Aaron W- Team 242
Second:  Bryce, Storm, Katelyn- Team 251
Third:  Jackie, Annie, Chiara Al, Hannah N. - Team 244
Fourth:  Alyse, Eliza, Julia N, Molly - Team 231
Fifth: Hannah B, Bray, Jojo, Caroline - Team 259

These ratings change daily!  Many students jump on the computer first thing in the morning to check their portfolio ratings.  Next week will be the last week of instruction for the stock market.  Students will be learning about risk and what makes the stock market change.  Although the Stock Market Game will go until April 12th, we will be looking at the history of the 20th century (7/8) and Native Americans/Early Explorers (5/6)  through an economics lens.  They will be given time to trade each class.

Science Fair- Thursday, March 28th @ 6:00 pm

Ms. Laberge and Ms. Skapof introduced this year's science fair for 7th and 8th graders on Friday. Students received a packet explaining each step of the science fair process.  A list of due dates can be found here.

Students will work throughout the month of March to design, carry out, analyze and present a testable question.  Students may work with partners, though will need to complete a permission slip signed by parents in order to do so.  We only have 8 classes scheduled to work on projects (Tuesdays and Thursdays) so students should be prepared to work outside of class time. 

Next Week is Theme Week!

Students are very excited about next week's theme week.  Our schedule will be slightly different and students will not have world language or their regular related arts classes.  Chorus and Band will still occur, but at 1:10 instead of 11:50.

Upcoming DC Deadline:

Friday, February 22nd:  Overview Article, Subfocus Questions, Preconcept Map

Calling 8th Grader's Baby Pictures for Yearbook

The Yearbook Committee is looking for baby pictures for our current 8th graders by Friday, March 8th.  Please send them in and envelope with your child's name and team on the reverse side.  Students should give them to Mrs. Barland.

Update on the Stock Market Game - Saturday, February 16th

 Things change quickly!

Team 242 has moved up to 4th place in the region and 9th place in the state and continues to be 1st on the team!

Team 244 is now 10th in the region, 37th in the state and 2nd on the team.