- Mount Nittany Middle School
- Welcome to the Red Team Newsletter & Supply List 2023-2024
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Mount Nittany Middle SchoolWelcome to the Red Team!
Summer greetings from the Mount Nittany Middle School Red Team! We are happy to have you as a student on our team, and we look forward to a successful school year.
Meet the Red Team teachers:
Mrs. Julie Hnath (jdw38@scasd.org) Academic Literacy
Ms. Amy Anderson (axa14@scasd.org) Art - Spring Semester
Mrs. Lori Duffy (lss11@scasd.org) English
Ms. Rebecca Henry (reh15@scasd.org) Math
Mr. Jonah Klixbull (address forthcoming) Music - Fall Semester
Ms. Jane Rubba (jer23@scasd.org) Science
Ms. Susan Anderson (sla11@scasd.org) Social Studies
One of our Red Team goals is to help our students with organization. With that goal in mind, please refer to the list below when purchasing your school supplies. Students may combine subjects in their binders. Please make sure that binders are clearly labeled in order to avoid any confusion that may lead to late homework and lower grades.
Supply List
Homeroom: 2 boxes of tissues to help ensure an adequate supply during the cold and flu seasons
Advanced Algebra 1, Algebra /Geometry 8, and Advanced Geometry: 3-ring binder, pencils
Recommended, but not required, is a Texas Instrument (TI) Graphing Calculator - TI 83+, TI-84, or TI-84+. Although not required, purchasing a graphing calculator is a good investment. These calculators are approved for use in high school and college math courses as well as on standardized tests such as the PSSAs, Keystones, SATs and ACTs.
An engraver is available at school if you wish to have your calculator marked. Students who do not own a graphing calculator will be provided one for use at school as needed.Art: 2-pocket folder, a 9X12 sketchbook or 15 pages of unlined printer paper, four #2 pencils to be donated and used in the art classroom
Social Studies: 3-ring binder or folder to keep handouts, pencils, highlighter, and Charged Chromebook, 1 set of wired earbuds ** (Please see Chromebook note below.)
English: Charged Chromebook, 3-ring binder or folder for papers, pencils, 1 set of wired earbuds** (Please see Chromebook note below.)
Academic Literacy: Charged Chromebook, pencils
Music: Charged Chromebook, 1 set of wired earbuds ** (Please see Chromebook note below.)
Science: 1 folder, 1 composition-style notebook with pages bound (No spiral notebooks- the pages rip too easily, and this notebook will need to stay intact the entire year.), either college rule or graph paper, pencils
All students should have and maintain an ample supply of #2 pencils, erasers, pens (blue and colored for self-correcting), highlighters, and loose-leaf wide-ruled notebook paper.
**Since all eighth graders will be using Chromebooks in school, we are asking that all students purchase 1 set of personal earbuds to keep at school. The earbuds will be needed daily for classroom computer activities that require the use of sound and for music keyboard activities. (As a reminder, AirPods are not permitted for use in school.)
SnacksTeachers permit nutritious snacking as long as it does not disturb the class. Each student must bring his/her own nutritional snack; sharing distracts others. Please do not send candy or full-size bags of snacks. Water in plastic bottles is the only drink permitted.
Mark Your Calendar:
MNMS 8th Grade Back-To-School Night
On Wednesday, August 16, from 6:30-7:30 PM, you will have an opportunity to meet teachers and visit classrooms. During the evening, you may visit team teachers and exploratory teachers in their classrooms to help you prepare for a great school year. You will be receiving more information about the evening from Mr. Ishler. We look forward to seeing you on August 16th, and we look forward to being your teachers for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year.
Eighth Grade is a Pivotal Year
The Red Team recognizes that eighth grade is the culminating year at Mount Nittany Middle School. Your child has changed in many ways since he/she entered sixth grade. The sixth and seventh grade years were building blocks in developing successful academic performance. During this school year, your child must learn to balance academic challenges, peer issues, extracurricular activities, and family responsibilities. Learning to maintain this balance is never easy. In fact, we believe that it is a life skill that requires dedication to responsible academic and social behavior. The rules we have established will not only facilitate the transition from middle school to high school, but they will also become tools that your child can use to achieve success in the future. Please review these rules with your child before the start of school.Red Team’s Steps To SuccessStudents must be prepared for class. They should make sure that they have all the materials needed before class begins. Students may go to their lockers between classes.
Students must bring a fully-charged Chromebook to school every day.
It is an expectation that students check their SCASD email every day.
In order to receive full credit, homework must be completed and turned in on time. Individual teachers will determine how much credit will be received for late assignments.
Homework is not late if a student is absent. However, students are responsible for turning in past-due assignments upon their return to school. Tests need to be scheduled and made up in a timely manner, as well. Students who will miss part or most of a school day due to medical appointments, field trips, extracurricular activities, etc. are expected to turn in homework and obtain assignments before they leave and make up any quizzes or tests as soon as possible. Students who arrive late to school are responsible for seeing the teachers of the classes missed prior to their arrival.
If students are absent, they are expected to check Google Classroom for each class. Next, students should check their SCASD email for additional information that may be sent about missed assignments.
Academic integrity is critical for success. If a student is caught copying another student’s work, the school discipline policy will be followed.
As a part of our school-wide positive behavior program, we expect all of our little lions to ROAR by demonstrating their skills in the areas of Responsibility, Organization, Attitude, and Respect. We want to create an atmosphere where all students feel comfortable learning and socializing.
Study Skills Tips
Study skills are a very important part of your child’s education. Students need to establish strong skills at an early age. Here are some helpful hints:
- Students should establish a specific schedule for doing homework and studying.
- Students should study in several short sessions of 30 to 40 minutes each with a few minutes break between each session.
- Students should take notes as they read.
- Encourage your child to review class notes and readings each day as an integral part of his/her study time. Review time will improve overall comprehension and long-term retention.
- Review previous quizzes and tests with your child.
- Students should use an assignment book or an electronic source daily to record all assignments.
Enjoy the remainder of your summer vacation!