Updated Basketball Practice Schedules

Junior Team: 

Practice:  Thursdays (only),  3:15 - 4:15 PM

Coaches:  Nick Lannon & Ben Xavier
 

Nick Lannon is the rector at Grace Van Viorst Church, who has been at our school as a visitor, guest, and baccalaureate speaker.  Ben Xavier, father of Angus and Zachary, is also serving as coach.

Senior Team:

Coach:  Ben Kaufmann

Practice:   

Thursdays, 4:30 - 5:30 PM  & Tuesdays, 5:50 - 7:00 PM

Ben, the father of Jonathan and Eliot, when talked about by his children is most often remembered for his marathons, but has been a life long fan and player of basketball, along with his children.  Ben has been involved with Mustard Seed as a parent for more than six years and, as a parent, has frequented many games and field trips and more. 

 

Girls' Team:

Coach:  William Mirlas

Assistants:  Ashley & Stacey Sweeney

Practice: Thursdays (only),  5:30 - 6:30

Last year, the Hoboken league started its first year of girls' basketball in order to increase the number of girls playing basketball.  We did not know until the last minute that we had a coach who would support the girls' team.  William Mirlas, father of Jacob and Devin, will be coaching the girls' team this year.

Note:  All players must register with the Hoboken Recreation Department, provide them with emergency contact information, and pay the designated fee. The forms were sent home.  Fees and forms are due on Friday. 

2011 History Exhibition

Choose an invention/discovery from one of the civilizations that we have or will be studying that you think has been the most influential. You will describe the invention/discovery and its influence through history until the present time. Please provide at least 3 specific examples plus a modern day example. You will also create a power point/webpage that will showcase your presentation. All inventions/discoveries must have been invented/discovered before 476 AD (the fall of the Roman Empire).

Basketball Games Starting--Come Support MSS!

Basketball games begin this week.  Check out the schedule below and find a date when you can come cheer the teams on! All Games Played Mondays and Tuesday will be at the Multi Service Center (124 Grand Street). All Games Played Wednesdays and Fridays will be at Wallace School (1100 Willow Ave). Grammar (Grades 6-8): Friday, January 7, 6:15PM:            MSS vs. HCA* Tuesday, January 11, 7:15PM:        MSS vs. Hoboken Charter Monday, January 24, 6:15PM:        MSS vs. Hudson Monday, January 31, 6:15PM:        MSS vs. Stevens Co-op Wednesday, February 2, 7:15PM:   MSS vs. Elysian Charter Wednesday, February 9, 7:15PM:   MSS vs. Hudson Friday, February 11, 6:15PM:         MSS vs. HCA Wednesday, February 16, 6:15PM:  MSS vs. All Saints Monday, February 28, 7:15PM:       MSS vs. Elysian Charter Wednesday, March 2, 6:15PM:        MSS vs. Hoboken Charter Monday, March 7, 6:15PM:             MSS vs. Stevens Co-op Friday, March 11, 6:15PM:             MSS vs. All Saints *Hoboken Catholic Academy

Winter Term

As we begin the winter term, new things are happening.  Here are some brief descriptions:

Geography Bee!
 The final National Geographic Geography Bee round takes place this Friday at 2:00 PM in the Community Room.  In December, ten students in grade 4 through 8 qualified to participate in the final rounds.  Adrian Voysey and Isaac Parker will be representing the Seventh Grade.  This Friday, a single finalist will be determined, a student who will then complete a written test as a part of a statewide competition.


Ancient Civilizations -  
As we enter the winter term, students look at Ancient China,  the Ancient Nubian empire, and Ancient India, exploring and noting the ways in which ancient stories and traditions touch the present.  Soon, students will give particular attention to ancient history-changing inventions, such as the invention of writing, paper, law, alphabets and numerical systems, and more.

Astronomy -
In the winter term, we will also be exploring the wonders of the Universe, recalling the lessons from ancient star maps and charts, as well as current photography and texts.  From planets to black holes, comets to supernovas, students will learn the simple and complex science behind the wonders of creation.


Drawing and Abstract Art-
Students are exercising their drawing skills on the subject of still life. As with any skill, drawing can be frustrating but improves with practice. The students will take their flower drawings and transform them into an abstract work of art in the style of Mondrian. To do this we will explore balance within our drawings as well as study Mondrian's use of line and color.

I Love Math !
I Love Math Day (February 14) is right around the corner. Between now and then, students in all three grades will be working on 4 challenging problems for about one week each.  They will work in teams.  The problems require teamwork, cooperation, persistence, creativity and lots and lots of problem solving strategies.  Each team will be presenting their thinking, their work and their solutions (when they have one) in creative ways to demonstrate their understanding.  

Pre-Algebra
January begins with a review of fractions, mixed numbers, decimals and percentages. Students will connect this review to the new skills learned last fall:

--solving equations that involve fractions and decimals
--evaluating algebraic expressions with rational numbers
--developing proficiency with positive and negative rational numbers
--using fractions and decimals to solve geometry problems

Literature, Writing, and Language Arts -

• High Volume Reading - Students continue to press forward to increase their volume of reading each week.  As always, each student reads a novel each week (primarily at home).   Written critiques and book talks are given each Friday morning.
• Literature Studies -  Seventh Grade students are beginning the novel, Dream Freedom by Sonia Levitin. This novel focuses on two perspectives: the life of an American teen and the lives of children growing up in the Sudan. As we read, we will draw text inferences to support the main questions, "Why is there suffering in this world? How can we work towards redemption of this suffering?"
• Writing Composition  -   Students are beginning their preliminary work for the persuasive essays that they will be writing in connection to their History Exhibitions.
• Other Language Arts -  this is yours! 

A Few Reminders

Service Project:  December
We are collecting new stuffed animals - to be given to children suffering with AIDs and other children who are spending the holidays in the hospital.

Las Posadas:  December 21
The last day of school before Christmas break is Tuesday, December 21, but school does not end until that night!  All Upper School students lead in some way.  Students in grades 7 & 8 take special leadership roles and so arrive early - at 6:30 PM.

Dressing for the Weather!  Every day!
Our plan for park time is to go outside as many days as possible. Only extreme cold and rain will keep us indoors. Please make sure your child brings proper outdoor gear.   If both the temperature and are at 20 degrees or above, we will go outside. At that temperature, students will be safe, so we will go out. Still, they will be safely uncomfortable, unless they are wearing hats and gloves. This means that hats, gloves and coats are needed every day now.

Geography:  Preparing for the Geography Bee in January 

The preliminary classroom rounds for grades 4-8 will take place in December so that the final bee may take place as soon as we return in January!

Winter Days

Just a reminder that during these cold winter days students will still be going outside for Park unless the weather falls below 20 degrees (this includes wind chill).  What this means is that students should be dressed accordingly with hats, gloves, a thick jacket, etc.  If you have any questions please email me.

Tuesday 12/7

Carnegie Hall (Wednesday December 8th)
Below is the schedule for tomorrow's trip to Carnegie Hall.  Please take careful note of when the students are expected to arrive at school.

8:10am - arrive at school
8:20am - board the bus
9:30am - seating at Carnegie
10am-11:15am - performance @ Carnegie
11:15am-noon - return to MSS

A Few Words about Math

During Advent, daily math classes continue apace. Last week the Seventh Graders were perfecting their skills with positive and negative numbers, and practiced solving equations using more complex calculations. This week, they are studying the absolute value concept, and practicing with exponents. More familiarity with powers and exponents help them be more confident with scientific notation, and support their work in math and especially science.

Spanish Corner

Language as a vehicle for learning and not learning as a vehicle for language acquisition best summarizes the way we teach language at Mustard Seed School. We bring children into a Spanish immersion experience that provides them with lots of input, culture and learning. Language acquisition is more than a grammar lesson in class. Students are invited into another culture and language as a means of learning and exploring. As we study a particular subject, simple phrases and questions and highly used words provide opportunities for authentic communication and growth. It is the goal of our program that communication be meaningful to students. Currently students are learning about clothing. Students will learn about clothing found in the Andean region and explore ancient cultures values as seen in their clothing and communities. We will focus further on clothing from Perú.

Basketball Practice

Due to the limited availability of the gym, basketball practice will take place this month only on Thursdays (not on Tuesdays):
Junior Team: 3:15 - 4:15
Senior Team: 4:30 - 5:30

Note: As before, 6th grade boys would go to Basketball practice at 3:15 PM and then go to join Chorus sectionals, ending at 5:40 PM. As for 7th & 8th grade boys, basketball practice begins at 4:30 PM and Chorus sectionals take place beforehand.

This is the plan for December.

We are still working at increasing our times for practices. We are also still looking for a Junior team coach and a Girls Team coach. Any interested coaches should contact us at:   Khanson@mustardseedschool.org. More news to come.

Las Posadas

More information will be given soon but for now just wanted to remind everyone that Las Posadas is on a Tuesday night (12/21) this year.  Hopefully everyone will be able to join us.