Volume 2015, Issue 2
October 2015
Hickory Creek
Middle School
22150 S. 116th Ave
Frankfort, IL 60423
815-469-4474
Congrats to our
Students of the Month!
September- Caring
Tynan Chamberlin
Sophia Barnard
Devyn Mangin
Cory Brown
Tiffani Gergely
Bella Koreman
Melissa Bauer
Payton Bruns
Hank Grunert
Charlie Moll
Kayla Crabtree
Katherine Malcom
Nurse’s Notes
Physical and Dental Exams
Illinois requires all medical forms and
immunizations to be turned in and compliant by
OCTOBER 15, 2015. In order to verify if your
child’s records are compliant and to avoid the
possibility of exclusion, these documents
should be turned in as soon as possible to
allow time for review by the nurse. If these
documents are not turned in by October 15th,
your child will be excluded from attending
school and will not be allowed into the building
until records are in compliance.
6th grade students- physical, up to date
immunizations (Tdap and Meningococcal),
dental.
New students- physical, up to date
immunization, vision.
New student from out of state- Illinois
State physical, up to date immunizations, vision
Sport physicals- required for all sports
team participation at Hickory Creek Middle
School, including tryouts. Physicals expire 395
days from the date they were obtained. The
6th grade physical may be used in lieu of a
sport physical.
l
i
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o
dent C
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Student Council will meet from 2:30-3:30
on the following dates:
October 8th & 22nd
Student Council is sponsoring
“Theme Thursdays”
October 1--”Cubbie” Blue Day wear your
Cub gear or royal blue and Red
October 8-- PJ Day
October 15--Crazy Sock Day
October 22--Baseball Day-wear your
favorite baseball jersey/t-shirt
October 29-- Wear orange or black
SAVE THE DATE:
Friday, October 16 4:30-6:30 is
our FALL Social--dancing, open gym,
concessions and more.
Book Notes from the Library
All our students have been through the
library for an orientation and book check
out. Please be aware that books are
stamped with due dates at every check out.
Students also have been instructed in how
to access Destiny OPAC where they can
see everything they have checked out, the
date their materials are due, how much
money they may owe and whether a book
they requested is ready to be picked up.
They can also write short reviews of
books they’ve read! Other students find
these peer reviews extremely helpful.
Summer Reading Raffle
HCMS students were invited to read over the
summer, either through an official summer
reading program or on their own. Students
then talked to Mrs. Raynes about the books
they read and each title
earned them a raffle ticket.
A drawing was held on September 21st and
the following students won a prize for their
summer reading:
Veronica Szafoni, Allison Lisota, Lydia Bednar
Congratulations!
A big THANKS to Olivia Parker who
suggested the program and created all the
advertising posters at school!
Happy Reading!
Counselor’s Corner
Let’s talk about test anxiety. What happens when you are faced with a test?
Do you panic a little bit? Are you worried that you aren’t as prepared as you
should be? Are the butterflies in your stomach working over time? Do you get
a headache, have tense muscles, shake or feel sweaty? Well that’s OK! Having
feelings like these are quite common and can even act as a motivating force
to help us perform well on a test. But, having these feelings can also become
so overwhelming that they interfere with how well we do on a test….
Here’s a few tips to help reduce test anxiety:
*Reduce anxiety and tension by being prepared for the test – study in small
chunks for several days leading up to the test. Avoid cramming for a test as
this may increase your anxiety and does not facilitate learning the material.
*Your peers are feeling the same way you are, so why not make a study
group? You can review notes, go over the book, ask each other questions,
clarify information, review study guides and quiz each other.
*Develop tricks that will help you remember the material - like using
mnemonics….I’ll bet you used HOMES to remember the Great Lakes - Huron,
Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior…right? Why not apply that to what you’
re learning today?
*Get a good night’s rest before the test. It’s much harder to recall information
when your brain is sleepy and foggy.
*When it’s time for the test, review all of the questions before you start
answering them. Then go back and answer the questions you know for sure;
then answer the questions you aren’t 100% sure of; and lastly, answer those
questions you don’t know. This will help you from getting stuck on a question
you may not know, and not answering the rest of the questions on the test
that you do know!
After the test is done, RELAX! Take a deep breath and be proud of your work.
Think about what helped you manage your anxiety for this test, use it for the
next test. Did you feel that you were prepared? If not, make some changes to
your study habits so next time you are better prepared.
Remember, a test is a snapshot of how well you know the information at that
time. The grade you receive does not define who you are. Instead, use that
grade to gauge how well your study habits are working, and make
adjustments as necessary.
8A
8th grade has been off to a
great start! We started the
year with many team building
activities in advisory. One
included a field trip to Camp
Manitoqua.
Team 8B
Camp Manitoqua 2015
“My fa
vorite
pa
challe rt was ove
r
nges
we fa coming the
c
’
ed.”
u
t if yo
a
h
t
rned
, it’s
“I lea n-minded rk
e
o
re op asier to w et
g
e
a lot ople and
e
with p gs done.”
thin
“What I learned from the team
bonding was that even when
you get frustrated you must
control your words and
feelings...continue to work as
a team. If everyone is not
participating, it won’t work”
es
“Sometim
to
you need
rely on
others for
help.”
“It bond
s
people you with other
y
very we ou didn’t know
ll while
also be
a fun/d
ing
ifferent
thing.”
8C
Miss Flynn
Mrs. Johnson
Mrs. Hardy
Mrs. Ryan
Mrs. Sommer
ELA/Honors ELA: In ELA classes students are
finishing up reading The Outsiders, While
reading students are practicing objective
summaries. They are also analyzing
characters, plot, dialogue, and point of view.
The Honors ELA class is starting the novel
Four Secrets. All classes will begin writing a
narrative in the upcoming weeks.
Camp Manitoqua
Students from team 8C visited to Camp
Manitoqua on September 2nd. Students
practiced team building and
communication activities. A good time
was had by all!
MATH: The students just finished up the
Pythagorean Theorem and did very well! We
are currently working on the Properties of
Exponents. In honors, the students delved into
exploring Quantities and their Relationships
using the graphing calculators! Now, they are
working on Graphs, Equations and
Inequalities.They are off to a great start!
SCIENCE: Sharks! Students have recently
completed a shark research project with
graphing. The study of amphibians includes
research of a vanishing species and ploy for
saving the species.
Social Studies: Students have just finished
Chapter 13 of Social Studies; learning the
differences between the North and the South.
We will continue our journey down the road to
the civil war.
We are Team Gold!
Team
7A
Team 7A
What’s Going on in September?
Seventh graders on Team 7A Team Gold are
very busy this month…
We are planting radishes and studying the
Scientific Method.
In math, students are problem solving and
exploring ratio and proportion relationships.
Ask your child about what they have learned
about the early history of the United States.
What were the positive or negative impacts of
the Columbian Exchange on our early American
settlers?
In ELA, we wrote some fantastic “color” poems
that we would love to share with you! Check
them out!!
Team 7B
Team 7B Lucky Stars
We are excited to have the opportunity to work with you and your
child over the next several months.
If you ever need to meet with the team, our designated meeting
time with parents is on Wednesday at 10:30. Please contact any of
your child’s teachers by e-mail to set up an appointment.
ELA
Mrs. Rutovic srutovic@fsd157c.org
Math/SS/Honors Math
Students have been reviewing the importance of plot and its many
elements. We have been writing structured paragraphs and practicing using
text evidence to support assertions.
Social Studies
Mrs. Swierczewski pswier@fsd157c.org
ELA/Social Studies/Honors ELA/Drama Club
Mrs. Bunnell dbunnell@fsd157c.org
Science/Math
Ms. Dyokas ldyokas@fsd157c.org
ELA/Social Studies
Mrs. O’Hea tohea@fsd157c.org
Math/ELA/Science/SS
School Phone 815 -469-4474
In our social studies classes, students are working on economics and the
review of early American history and Colonial America. Skills that have been
emphasized include evaluating primary sources, differentiating between
historical fact and interpretation, and identifying central ideas.
Science
Students just finished learning all about the Scientific method and now they
are applying what they learned to a real world situation We have planted
over 1300 radish seeds and are testing to see how planting depth affects
germination rates. In addition, students are applying their graphing skills
learned in math class.
Math
Students this month are exploring ratios and proportions by looking at
charts. They are learning how to analyze data that represents if a problem
varies directly or not.
TEAM 7C - LUCKY CHARMS
DURING ADVISORY,
WE WILL BE FOCUSING ON
ACADEMIC ASSISTANCE,
ORGANIZATION,
CHARACTER PILLARS AND...
TEAM BUILDING!
Trustworthiness
Respect
Responsibility
Fairness
Caring
Citizenship
OUR STUDENTS DESIGNED A STRUCTURE
USING ONE YARD OF TAPE , ONE YARD OF
STRING, AND 20 PIECES OF SPAGHETTI. THE
STUDENTS COLLABORATED IN ORDER TO
BUILD THE HIGHEST TOWER THAT COULD
HOLD ONE MINI MARSHMALLOW.
SIXTH GRADE NEWS
Kool Katz
Mrs. Brendlinger
Mrs. Mills
Ms. Grady
Mrs. O’Brien
Mrs. Kazmierczak
Roaring Tigers
Mrs. Kline
Mrs. Sandowski
Mrs. Fletcher
Mrs. Steele
Mr. Ferraro
Top Tigers
Mrs. Bohms
Mrs. Jeglinski
Mrs. Giammarco
Mrs. Bouck
Fridays are
Team Spirit
Day Wear :
Black Shirts
Fridays are
Team Spirit
Day Wear :
Maroon & Gold
Tie-dye Shirts
Fridays are
Team Spirit
Day Wear :
Blue Shirts
Math Update: Math classes will be finishing the fraction units and
moving to decimals. Honors math classes are finishing the units
involving decimals and will be working with expressions. 6th graders
are encouraged to ask questions and to be advocates for themselves
when they are unclear of concepts being presented in class.
Science News: Science classes will continue studies in the Ecology
Unit by investigating biomes, constructing food webs, and exploring
the delicate balances that exist in the world in which we live.
Students will be conducting research and dissecting owl pellets.
Social Studies: In Social Studies sixth graders will continue to explore
the development of ancient civilizations in Mesopotamia. If you are
looking for an educational outing, consider making a trip to the
Oriental Institute at the University of Chicago. The museum houses a
large collection of Mesopotamian artifacts.
Boxes of Tissues
Needed
Helping a fellow sixth grader organize
his locker. Great Teamwork!
Runny noses and
allergies are quickly
depleting Kleenex
supplies. If you have
not yet sent in a box
to your son or
daughter’s Advisory
room, a donation
would be greatly
appreciated.
Sixth Graders Know,,,
Athletics
When given the choice between being right or being kind,
choose kind.
-Dr. Wayne Dyer
ELA Students Explore the World of Auggie Pullman in
the Novel, Wonder, by R.J. Palacio
6th Grade ELA students are presently immersed in the world of
Wonder, a heartfelt novel, by R.J. Palacio, based on the life of Auggie
Pullman. While Auggie is a normal ten-year-old boy on the inside, he
struggles with severe cranial deformities. The reader follows Auggie’s
struggle to fit in with the students at Beecher Prep, his new school and
the dynamics of a family dealing with it all. Wonder makes us all stop
and think about the way we treat people dealing with disabilities.
Palacio challenges all of us to “Choose Kind”.
Together
Everyone
Achieves
More
SIXTH GRADE NEWS
We’ve Got Spirit,
Yes, We Do!
The sixth graders experienced their first HCMS Spirit
Assembly this month, and do they have spirit! As a
school, we had so much to celebrate this month. The
students made signs and cheered on the HCMS Girls’
Softball Team, as they prepared to head to BloomingtonNormal for the state championship finals. In addition,
the Boys Baseball Team was honored and wished the best
as they compete for the Regional Championship. We have
many sixth graders participating in Cross Country and we
can’t wait to see how many head down to the state finals
at the end of the month!
Sixth graders, don’t miss an opportunity
to get involved in an activity at HCMS.
HCMS has so much to offer.
Band
Congrats to the HCMS Tiger Band for its
great performance in the Frankfort Fall
Festival Parade!
HCMS Band chair auditions will be held in late October.
Our next performance at HCMS is the November Veterans
Day Concert.
As always, check the online Band Handbook for the
upcoming schedule.
Chorus
Varsity Chorus, Sixth Grade Ensemble, Advanced
Choir, and Show Choir are all working hard toward
the November Fall Concert on November 19!
Congratulations to Advanced Choir section leaders:
Kylie Lazzo, Brianna Ebenroth, Brooke Nickelson,
LIly Pavlik, Alyson Rea, Sara Dore, Dillon Ruzich,
and Nathan Tilton.
Thank you to Aisling Hanly, who is assistant
directing Varsity Chorus and Sixth Grade
Ensemble!
The Chorus Boosters are sponsoring the first event
for the year - a night at Drury Lane, Oak Brook for
dinner and the musical “White Christmas”. All
permission slips and fees are due by October 14.
Las Clases de Español
BIENVENIDOS
Spanish Classes are off to a great
start this year! Here are examples
of some of the work so far...
7th Graders began using the verb “ser”
and wrote their very first Spanish
paragraph introducing themselves.
7th graders learned the
MONTHS of the year and
the SEASONS - the used a
paper plate to display their
knowledge.
Art
General Music
8th Grade Instrumental Music: This year is off
to a great start! It has been amazing to see this
class grow as musicians. So far we have
learned…
● How to read read notes on the e, f, g string
of the guitar
● How to play the G, C, D7, G7 chords on the
guitar
● How to play multiple rhythm and lead parts
8th Grade Music Production: Each
year I am amazed at how creative and
intricate each of these 8th grade
production projects are. We are
currently working on creating a Canon
in MIDI using Mixcraft 5.
7th Grade General Music: We are having a
blast, currently using guitars to explore
melody, harmony, playing as an ensemble
and solo performance!
6th Grade General Music: We are
Ukutastic in 6th Grade! Ask a 6th grader in
music class why it is cool to play the
Ukulele and they will tell you it’s a fun and
easy way to experience music first hand!
Physical Education
Physical Education classes have been
taking full advantage of the great fall
weather by participating in several
activities outside. Activities this year
include golf, flag football, and soccer.
Health Rotation:
Mr. Talaga’s classes are
currently in their health
rotation and will be returning
to PE on October 16th.
Mr. Purpura’s classes will be
next in rotation and be headed
up to Health on October 19th.
Classes have also been busy learning
how to use heart rate monitors,
becoming familiar with the fitness
room, and testing their fitness levels
with FitnessGram testing. Student’s
fitness levels will be tested using the
FitnessGram throughout the year to
show fitness level growth.
HCMS Physical Education Staff
GO TIGERS!!!
Tech Time
6th Grade:
We just started using the green screen to
take pictures and explore Photoshop tools.
We are combining Photoshop and Word
with our upcoming Dream Project: dream
place, dream job, dream room.
7th Grade:
7th graders just wrapped up research data
projects by creating Excel graphs to share
results. Students are now focusing on creating
character counts posters in Powerpoint. They
are adding Photoshopped pictures of
themselves acting out great character. Next
up we will present an “Important Day in
History using Google Slide tools.
8th Grade Advanced Tech
Our class is creating
campaign videos to
incorporate their
photoshopped campaign
posters and speeches
created on our brand
new webcams. Next up,
we will be starting a
Career Project using
Google Slides.
8th Grade - Computer
Design
Students are spending
many weeks on game
design for quarter one.
They are writing code for
different actions and
adding parameters.
Students have created
games using Scratch and
have completed an
entire course using Code.
org. We will move into
graphic design projects
using Photoshop.
Athletics
The beginning of the school year has
been a busy one for Hickory Creek
athletics.
Cross country has been working hard
since before school started. The
conference meet is coming up on
October 6th at the Manhattan Round
Barn.
Boys volleyball is working hard and
winning matches. They will finish out
their season with the conference
tournament at Liberty the week of
October 5th.
Girls basketball is under way for the
fall season. 6th graders will have
their first game on Oct. 1st and 7th
and 8th grade girls will play on Sept.
30th.
GO TIGERS!!!
UPCOMING TRYOUT DATES
All tryouts are after school
until 4:30.
All athletes must have an up
to date physical to tryout.
6th Grade Boys Basketball
October 13, 14, 15
7th and 8th Grade Boys
Basketball
October 19, 20, 21
Athletics
Boys Baseball
The Tigers were on a hot streak for
the end of the season! The boys beat
BUGC 2-1 in a thrilling extra innings
game for the Regional
championship!!!
They then faced James Hart in the
Sectional championship and lost a
heartbreaker 6-3.
Thanks for a great season!!
Girls Softball
The Tigers worked hard and played
incredible softball throughout the
entire season.
2015 Regional Champions!!!
2015 Sectional Champions!!!
2015 State Champions!!!
Congratulations to the
players and coaches!!!