The Week of February 23, 2015

Hello!
Back to School...


Monday we will have a minimum day and your student(s) will be released at 12:00 pm.   The teachers will be having a staff development day and will be planning out the rest of the school year as it pertains to common assessments and analyzing data from the assessments, adjusting curriculum and reteaching those areas that need support.   Though on the surface this may seem simple enough, it can take a long time in planning, instituting, evaluating and reflecting and planning again and again or as it can be called, the continuous teaching and learning cycle.

The middle schools have set aside five early release days for this and other purposes and during three of the five, all three middle schools work together on common core curriculum and teaching standards. 

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Passport Events!

We haven't had a passport event in a while but we will be having a couple over the next couple of months. We haven't set the sticker entrance numbers yet but we will have that for the students in the next week or so...  coming up...

Date TBD:      The Game Truck! 

Science of the Super Hero!

Date specific:  March 31st 

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WoW Word of the Week!

affect

[v. uh-fekt; n. af-ekt]

verb (used with object)

1.

to act on; produce an effect or change in:

“Cold weather affected the crops.”

2.

to impress the mind or move the feelings of:

“The music affected him deeply.”

noun

3.

Psychology. feeling or emotion.

Psychiatry. an expressed or observed emotional response:

“His response to the murder was a flat, blunted affect.”

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Chevy's Fundraiser - 8th Grade Promotion Dance

Wednesday - February 25, 2015 - 1:00 - 9:00 pm

Please present flyers for our school to get credit. Invite your friends, families and neighbors...and have a great time! Mark your calendar. Thank you for supporting  our Promoting Class of 2015!!!

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That's all for now!  --Mr. CL 

The Week of February 9, 2015

Hello, 

Wednesday 
February 11th 

Science Fair! 

6th grade will be setting up in the gym with their poster boards during the day and the actual fair will be from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm

7/8th will be setting up in the MPR during the day.

Science teachers: Judging will take place from 3 pm-4:30 pm behind closed doors. 6th grade teachers will judge 7th grade work , 7th grade teachers will judge 8th grade work and 8th grade teachers will judge 6th grade work. Each teacher should pull their top 10% for judges to rate. 

Ms Thompson's classes will be in Lab 33 for Prezi presentations 

Mr. Romiti's classes will be utilizing Chromebook presentations 
in his classroom, Rm 19

Ms Lake has done a great job gathering together many presentations from local organizations that work with science on a daily basis for our parents and students to visit:

In the Learning Center or at the front entrance...

1)  Veterinarian:  Dr. Harrigan

2)  Recology:  Julie Alter

3)  Santa Clara Water District:  Ardy Ghoreishi

4)  Fire Prevention Specialist:  Pam Temmermand 

5)  Santa Clara County Parks Department  

6)  Gilroy Fire Department  

AND for the NIGHT AS WELL!

Class of 2015 Promotion

8th Grade Promotion Dance Fundraiser!

8th Grade Promotion Dance Fundraiser!

*Volunteers and Baked Goods Needed*

Funds raised will support the Brownell 8th grade promotion dance

Fundraiser will be held during the Science Fair

Date: Wednesday - Feb. 11, 2015

Time: 5:00pm- 6:30pm

In the Multi Purpose Room & Library

**Please make sure baked goods DO NOT INCLUDE: NUTS, STRAWBERRY AND PINEAPPLE** 

*If you are not available to volunteer, but are interested in supporting the 8th grade class of 2015, please contact us @ kristinmlln@yahoo.com.

*Baked goods can be dropped off at the library

All support is welcome!

DATE: 2/11/2015 (Wed 5:00PM - 6:30PM)

LOCATION: Brownell MRP


Monday Word of the Week!
MAJOR

[mey-jer]

noun

1.

a commissioned military officer ranking next below a lieutenant colonel and next above a captain.

2.

one of superior rank, ability, etc., in a specified class.

3.

In Education.

a subject or field of study chosen by a student to represent his or her principal interest and upon which a large share of his or her efforts are concentrated:

History was my major at college.

a student engaged in such study.

4.

Music. a major interval, chord, scale, etc.

5.

the majors.

Sports. the major leagues:

He coached in the majors as well as in the minors.

the companies or organizations that lead or control a particular field of activity:

the oil majors.

adjective

6.

greater in size, extent, or importance:

the major part of the town.

7.

great, as in rank or importance:

a major political issue; a major artist.

8.

serious or risky:

a major operation.

9.

of or relating to the majority:

the major opinion.

10.

of full legal age as in "not a minor"

11.

In Music.

(of an interval) being between the tonic and the second, third, sixth, or seventh degrees of a major scale:

a major third; a major sixth.

(of a chord) having a major third between the root and the note next above it.

12.

pertaining to the subject in which a student takes the most courses:

Her major field is English history.

“And yes, the majority opinion and that of Major General Margery Major who (after discharge went back to school to major in mining so she could be--not a minor miner, but a major miner) believes that major is a major word that is used throughout the majority of the English speaking world and not marginally either…” 

Now let's talk Math... and think about allowing ourselves to work and learn in a 21st Century environment with a growth mind set and utilizing computers for what they can do for us,and our students... In other words, Calculating with a computer as a tool and not calculating and memorization as an end in itself... 

The Common Core Standards and 21st Century skills nurtures a Growth Mind Set.  

Here is a chart differentiating the "Fixed" and "Growth" Mindsets  

Failure is not only an option, it is an integral part of the process!

Mr. CL

The Week of February 2, 2015

WELCOME BACK!

FEBRUARY IS THE MONTH OF GROUNDHOGS, VALENTINES AND PRESIDENTIAL BIRTHDAYS.... AND MORE, MUCH MORE...

Black History Month...
From the History Channel website: http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-month

"Black History Month, or National African American History Month, is an annual celebration of achievements by black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in U.S. history. The event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating black history."   (PLEASE VIEW THE FOLLOWING 6 MIN VIDEO)

"The Harlem Hellfighters were an African-American infantry unit in WWI who spent more time in combat than any other American unit. Despite their courage, sacrifice and dedication to their country, they returned home to face racism and segregation from their fellow countrymen."

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Volleyball and Soccer Start Up this month!   Stay tuned!

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Parent Club meeting this Wednesday at 7:00 pm in the Library!  Our students and teachers need our help!

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Brownell will be leading the Flag Salute at the Board Meeting on Thursday the 5th!   Come see us shine!   7:00 pm!

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in·ter·pret

inˈtərprət/

verb

1.

explain the meaning of (information, words, or actions).

"the evidence is difficult to interpret"

synonyms:           explain, elucidate, expound, explicate, clarify, illuminate, shed light on More

translate orally or into sign language the words of a person speaking a different language.

"I agreed to interpret for Jean-Claude"

perform (a dramatic role or piece of music) in a particular way that conveys one's understanding of the creator's ideas.

synonyms:           perform, act, play, render, depict, portray

"he interpreted the role of Hamlet"

2.

understand (an action, mood, or way of behaving) as having a particular meaning or significance.

"her self-confidence was often interpreted as brashness"

synonyms:           understand, construe, take (to mean), see, regard

"the remark was interpreted as an invitation"

That is all for now!  Mr. CL