The CMT exams began on March 4th and continued through March 25th. Hillside students had been preparing for the exam in their Mastery Home Bases since September with emphasis on persuasive writing, editing and revising, and mathematics.  

The results of the 7th and 8th grade CMTs are used as part of the criteria for high school placement at NHS as well as admittance to the technical high schools. Results are also used as part of the criteria for 8th grade Algebra placement. We were pleased with the efforts of our students during the testing period. We hope that the results reflect these efforts. NCLB reports will be available on the district web site and in Hillside’s main office upon request.
Text Box: In keeping with our commitment to helping our students achieve academic success, Hillside has been offering math tutoring to any interested students. It is held at the school from 2:30 to 3:30 each day. Mondays and Wednesdays are reserved for 7th graders, Tuesdays and Thursdays for 8th graders and Fridays for Algebra students. Until recently, most of the material being covered during these sessions was CMT review. Our immediate goal was to offer support based on the strands covered on the CMT. Our students who participated in the program found these sessions invaluable in helping prepare for the CMTs. Text Box: Now our focus will be on students’ individual areas of concern. Our Math tutor Mrs. Boesel, works closely with the math department to reinforce topics covered in the 7th and 8th grade curriculum, but if students come to the tutoring sessions with specific concerns, these areas are addressed. There are currently openings in the program for students who are motivated to do well and maintain or improve his or her math grades. If your child is interested, please contact Mrs. Boesel at the school. We are pleased that we are able to offer this ongoing support to our students. Note: Transportation home is not provided.

MASTERY TESTING

 MARCH 5TH
Text Box: CONTENT AREA LITERACY Text Box: Hillside Middle School and Cross Street Elementary School have been working together on a grant with Southern Connecticut State University. Hillside content teachers involved in this grant are receiving professional development in conjunction with hosting students from Southern Connecticut State University. The purpose of this grant is to have pre-service teachers understand the workings of a classroom and see how literacy is embedded in the science, social studies and math curriculum. This training has proven to be inspiring and beneficial to the students involved. One student who was surveyed says, “The use of these strategies has helped me grow as a student. Now I understand what we’re reading in the text book rather than when we didn’t use the strategies.” Text Box: Another student states, “Most of the time I spent countless hours frazzled taking notes that I don’t even understand. Now I look forward to coming to class and learning and comprehending new things. In my opinion these strategies are great!” Content teachers do not have to be reading teachers. However, in order to maximize learning of specialized subject matter, content teachers can address literacy needs to assist struggling readers master the curriculum. Teachers and administrators have shared the before, during and after reading strategies through faculty meetings and other professional development opportunities. Having the schools come together to bring quality instruction to students is just another way of improving content literacy instruction at Hillside.

March 2008

 

 

Volume XX, Issue IV

HILLSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL

NEWS AND NOTES

Inside this issue:
Text Box: AFTER SCHOOL TUTORING PROGRAM

Talent Show!

It's that time of year again.  Hillside's Annual Talent Show is getting underway.  Practice is taking place after school on Thursdays and Fridays. Talent show members and crew will be working with Ms. Pulaski and Mrs. Hunt, preparing for the Friday, May 9th performance!

This year we will be entertained with all sorts of acts.  Our students will be singing, dancing, showing their prowess in  karate and cheerleading, and presenting a number of instrumental performances from classical to rock.

This is a MUST SEE for all Hillsiders. We know we will be impressed with  all our performers.

 

L A REPORT

 

RPORTS

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

 

2

LA/MATH/S.S.

 REPORTS

2

SCIENCE/U.A./SPANISH  REPORTS

3

TIDBITS

4

SPORTS REPORT

4

 

 

 

PHYSICAL BEST

4