Weekly Newsletter | January 22, 2025
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Dear Bromfield Middle School Families,
The cold has had an impact this week at TBMS - particularly in keeping us all inside during lunches! Students have, for the most part, handled this disappointment well. I am compelled to acquiesce to students’ fervent requests to allow outside time during lunch soon, provided that students are dressed appropriately. To that end, please be sure to send your children with winter attire if they do intend to be outside at lunch.
I also want to take a moment to acknowledge the change this week in Washington, D.C. As our country navigates this period of transition, I recognize that members of our school community may be experiencing a wide range of emotions. For some, this change may bring hope and optimism, while for others, it may evoke uncertainty or concern. These feelings are valid and reflect the diversity of perspectives that make our community strong.
At The Bromfield Middle School, we remain committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where all voices are respected. This moment offers an opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations, model empathy, and reinforce our shared values of inclusion, belonging, and community. Thank you for your ongoing partnership in supporting our students and one another through this time of change. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mr. Daniel Hudder
Bromfield Middle School Principal |
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WEEKLY UPDATES
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SIXTH GRADE
Sixth graders are right on pace in math, moving into the second half of the curriculum at this midyear point. Last week they wrapped up Module 8, where they learned how to write equations with two variables and represented the equations on tables and graphs. This week 6th graders are moving on to Module 9, "Ratios and Rates".
With the second semester beginning on 1/21/2025, teachers lead students through a priorization activity. Given the change in classes, increasing teacher expectations, and student activities outside of school, learning how to prioritize is an important skill. Students were given a set of activities and asked to rank them in terms of priority. Next, whole-class discussions allowed students to explain their ranking systems. Finally, using current activities and assignments from school, students developed a “priority plan” for their activities. To complete the week, students participated in an empathy activity. The activity started with a quick introduction to the life and accomplishments of Martin Luther King, Jr. Students were shown videos followed by teacher-led discussions. These discussions focused on how we can positively effect our sixth-grade school community. To complete the activity, students were given the outline of a shoeprint. Within the shoe print, students sketched and colored their example of positive behavior to impact the group.
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SEVENTH GRADE
In world geography 7th graders are exploring Central and South Asia. This week, students have been working as curators to determine which artifacts should be included in an exhibit about the ancient Harappan Civilization (aka Indus River Civilization). Inquiry, analysis of evidence, and supporting a claim with evidence and reasoning, are skills embedded in the learning objectives.
In addition to academic support time during FLEX, students completed a second STAR assessment for math; a diagnostic test to gauge progress. Last week also marked the beginning of a series of hands-on STEM activities that spark creativity, ingenuity, and collaboration. Between now and February break, FLEX groups will take part in seven STEM challenges, each led by a different FLEX teacher.
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EIGHTH GRADE
In math, students just finished learning about sequences. Given a numeric pattern, they learned how to find the “n”th term, meaning they could find any term in the sequence. Furthermore, we began the process of conceptually understanding exponents and learned how to write them in different forms: exponent form, expanded form, and standard form. Ask your student what happens if you multiply two terms with the same base but different exponents!
This week in flex we spent Monday and Thursday as an academic day to work on assignments as the quarter ends on Friday. On Tuesday, we Dropped Everything and Read (DEAR), and on Wednesday we worked on executive functioning skills. Students were provided time to organize their binders, backpacks, emails, lockers, etc… Afterward, they created academic to-do lists and began to work on assignments. On Friday, 8th graders reflected on their progress from the first half of eighth grade and thought about how they can move forward for quarters 3 and 4. We look forward to a wonderful second half of eighth grade!
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UNIFIED ARTS
Please ensure ALL STUDENTS have HEADPHONES or EARBUDS.
As we wrap up Quarter 2 and head into Q3, all grade levels are learning different Digital Citizenship concepts.
8th Grade Update
8th Graders are focused on artificial intelligence. By the end of this unit, students should be able to:
Provide a basic explanation of how artificial intelligence works Discuss some benefits and challenges of using artificial intelligence Identify a few well-known tools that use artificial intelligence Provide examples of how artificial intelligence is used around the world on a typical day
In addition, we will have round table discussions about responsible and ethical use of AI, algorithmic biases, and misinformation. This website has the graphic we use for our class debates.
In Quarter 3, 8th Graders will experience the Harvard Cable TV Studio, learn basic Web Design and focus on using google tools for efficiency and organization, specifically in GMail, Calendar and Drive.
7th Grade Update
Seventh Graders are have been learning about Digital Citizenship. Here is a video overview and learning objectives of the course materials we used. We have had a lesson on each of the topics below. Attached to each topic are some questions you can ask your 7th grader to help engage in this important conversation. We conclude this unit, in the next 2 weeks, with a round table meet and greet with our Harvard school resource officer, Officer Schaeffer and his dog, Frannie.
Our next unit in 7th grade will explore Podcasting with GarageBand!
6th Grade Update
6th Graders continue working on Information Literacy and online safety and awareness. Students are developing tools and strategies as they encounter social media and news media as responsible digital citizens. They are developing tools and strategies. Students learned about the 6 different information zones and analyzed online media examples for purpose. In Q3, we will continue our work with Mrs. Segaloff in the library to learn more about using reliable resources and credible information for research.
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COMMUNITY NEWS AND EVENTS
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There is an international trip to Europe just approved by the School Committee and administration. If you are interested, please register to attend the info meeting on Wednesday, January 29, 7:30-8:30 PM in the Cronin Auditorium at The Bromfield School. The trip will be for current 8th, 9th, and 10th graders, (classes of 27, 28, and 29). It will take place June 19-30 in 2026.
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Send a Valentine message!
Share a message of love, like, or just admire-from-afar! Surprise your sweetheart, your mom or dad, your kids, a friend, a teacher. The Harvard Press will publish, at no charge, Valentine messages (40 words max) in its Feb. 14 issue. Creativity is encouraged! Send your message to valentine@harvardpress.net. Deadline is Monday, Feb. 10.
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The Review is excited to announce that we've opened submissions for this year’s literary magazine!
If you have any sort of written essays, poetry, short stories, physical or digital art, or photographs that you’d like to share, then we encourage you to submit them to us! There’s no sort of criteria on what to send in-- if you like what you’ve created, then we suggest that you share it with others by submitting it to The Review Google Classroom (Classroom code 6jkbr5i) by FEBRUARY 28th 11:59 PM. All of the submissions will be printed in a physical magazine that will be available schoolwide free of charge. You can either submit material anonymously or choose to be credited.
Please keep in mind that if your submission is art or photography, it will automatically be considered a contender for the Review's cover and the student whose art is chosen will receive a $10 Dunkin' gift card. If you would like to be excluded from the competition, however, you may indicate so in the "Private Comments" section of your Google Classroom submission.
If you have any questions, please contact Isaiah Geraldez (25igeraldez@psharvard.org), Del Howland (25dhowland@psharvard.org), or Mr. Murphy (pmurphy@psharvard.org).
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THE BROMFIELD MIDDLE SCHOOL
Daniel Hudder, Principal
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| 14 Massachusetts Avenue, Harvard MA, 01451 | (978) 456 - 4145 |
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