The Michael J. Petrides School
Middle School Newsletter Grade 6
October 2015
Dear Middle School Parents,
I want to officially welcome everyone back to school for what I hope to be a fabulous school year! I hope you enjoyed
the summer. Mother Nature was certainly good to us. I am so happy we are continuing to experience the beautiful sunny
days. Our school looks picture perfect with its new quad and the students look remarkable in their new school uniforms.
As per our new school uniform policy, ALL students are required to wear uniforms every day to school. The uniform
policy consists of a light blue top and navy blue bottoms.
Classes have gotten off to a wonderful start. I was happy to see so many of you during our first open school night. The
teachers have been planning exciting Parents as Partners events for you during this school year. The first Parents as
Partners workshops will be offered on Tuesday, October 27, 2015 from 2:30 – 3:15. Here are the specifics:
Grade 5 – Accordion Story Mapping with Ms. McDonald in Room B206
Grade 6 – Pearson success tutorial with Ms. Calimano in Room B204
Grade 7 – Creating Life Long Readers with Ms. Ponzi in Room B213
Socialization is paramount in the life of an adolescent. Its importance has been noted by sociologists for a long time. “In
order to build gratifying human relationships, it is vital that children learn and have the opportunity to practice social
skills considered appropriate.” We are happily planning some social activities to celebrate Halloween in middle school!
On Friday, October 30, 2015 we will be having a trip to the movies. The students will have the option to see Hotel
Transylvania 2 or Pan. They will receive the snack pack with their ticket. The cost is $15. A permission slip has been
sent home in backpacks and is available on petridesschool.com. We will also be having a Middle School Halloween
Dance on Friday, October 30, 2015 from 6:30 through 8:30 pm. A permission slip will be forthcoming.
Petrides PAWS Points Tracker sheets will be explained and distributed to all middle school students on or before
October 2, 2015. Students can earn points for PAWS behavior throughout the month. Our reward token store will be
open Monday, November 2, 2015.
Our after school program is well underway. We are offering homework help from our middle school teachers five days
per week. We are also offering tutoring in the major subject areas five days per week. We will be adding a boy’s varsity
basketball team and a track team to the program. In order for students to try out they must complete a PAL application.
Applications are available online at petridesschool.com or in my office. We will continue to offer flag football,
basketball, ping-pong, step, dance, robotics, cooking and arts and crafts. The program runs from 2:30 to 6:00 daily and
students can attend only part time if desired.
Pupilpath.com is an online resource to keep track of assignments and your child’s progress at school. Pupilpath is up and
running for students and parents in grade 6 - 8. Pupilpath will be up and running for students in grade 5 within the next
few weeks. You will be receiving login information by backpack.
Please note that there is no school on October 12, 2015 in observance of Columbus Day. The end of the first marking
period is November 6, 2015.
If you have any questions feel free to contact me at BSouffrin@schools.nyc.gov or at (718) 815-0186 extension 22171.
Sincerely,
BettyAnn Souffrin
Assistant Principal
What topics will the students learn today?
ELA – The students will be studying the purposes and elements of mythology. They will read complex
informational texts about the elements of mythology. As a class, we will closely read several complex Greek
myths and then work in small groups to build expertise on the topic. The students will develop their narrative
writing skills as they create their own hero’s journey narrative.
Math - This month the students will be working on decimals using different operations (addition, subtraction,
multiplication and division). We will also be working on algebra and learning how to write expressions
Science – During this month the students will discover that most activities in life involve one form of energy
transforming into another. The students will identify how energy changes form and identify various forms of
energy. In addition, the students will be able to describe the advantages and disadvantages of using various
energy sources.
Social Studies – This month our Social Studies Scholars will be continuing to build on their historical thinking
skills as they learn how to analyze both primary and secondary sources. This includes sourcing a document
(before reading), closely reading (and annotating), contextualizing, and corroborating sources. We will also
begin our study of world geography to better enhance our map skills and knowledge of landforms around us.
This will culminate with learning the five themes of geography (place, location, movement, humanenvironment interaction and region).
Test/Projects Dates
Oct. 2nd – ELA In-class Complex Text Assessment
REMINDERS!
Oct. 19th – Math quiz: Chapter 3
As per our new uniform policy ALL students are
required to wear uniforms every day to school. The
uniform policy consists of a light blue top and dark blue
bottoms. Please use the attached order form to order
the appropriate uniform for your child or you may
purchase these items at a store of your choice.
Oct. 20th – Literary Analysis: Connecting themes in
Cronus and The Lightning Thief.
Please make sure that your child is reading daily. If they
have a hectic schedule, let them grab a book on the go!
Oct. 6th – Math quiz: Chapter 2
Oct. 7th – Science quiz: Ch 2
Oct. 8th – SS quiz: Primary & Secondary sources
Oct. 21st – SS exam: Geography/Map skills
Oct. 22nd – Science exam: Ch 2
Oct. 26th – Math quiz: Ch 4
Oct. 26th – Narrative Writing piece: My Hero’s
Journey
Required Reading
ELA –The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (in
class); D’Aulaires Book of Greek Myths by Ingri
D’Aulaire; Daily independent reading.
Math – Textbook Ch. 3 (pages 60-93) and Ch. 4
(pages 94-117)
Science – Textbook Ch 2: Energy
SS – Eastern Hemisphere, Part A, Ch 1 & 2; Class
work packets with primary sources and maps.
A great resource for students to explore current events
and other updates about our world is
https://newsela.com. This website is an innovative way
to build reading comprehension with nonfiction that’s
always relevant. Students can read these articles or
those from other newspapers and construct a report
addressing the 5 Ws and How for extra credit.
The Petrides Scho
School Closing
October 12th
Columbus Day observed
Social Studies Scholars of the Month
Celine Cheung – Class 620
Daniel Innocente – Class 61
Tharushi DeSilva – Classs 622
Grade 6
Sun
4
Mon
5
Tues
6
SS quiz:
Primary/
Secondary
sources
11
12
Wed
2
3
7
8
9
10
14
15
16
17
ELA In-class
Complex Text
Assessment
Dress Down Day
Science exam:
Chapter 2
20
Math quiz:
Chapter 3
21
22
26
27
Math quiz:
Chapter 4
Transit Museum
Trip Class 622
ELA Narrative
Parents as Partners
Writing: A Heroes
Workshop
Journey
2:30-3:15pm
Room B204
SS exam:
Geography and
Map skills
23
24
Funky Sock Day
Transit Museum Trip
Class 620
Transit Museum
Trip Class 621
ELA Literary Analysis:
Connecting Themes
25
Sat
Math quiz:
Chapter 2
13
19
Fri
1
School Closed
Columbus Day
observed
18
Thurs
28
29
30
Movie Trip
Halloween
Dance
6:30-8:30pm
31
End of First
Marking
Period
Nov. 6th
Getting to know your academic teachers…
Jennifer Brancaccio – ELA
Ms. Brancaccio is your sixth grade ELA teacher. She has been teaching here at Petrides since 1998. In addition to sixth grade English
Language Arts, Ms. Brancaccio has taught Kindergarten, second, third and fifth grade, as well as a college level reading course. Ms.
Brancaccio received her Master of Science degree in Reading as a Reading Specialist from St. Johns University. Ms. Brancaccio will use her
expertise and extensive experience to help prepare her students to be life long learners and critical thinkers using a rigorous and
interesting curriculum. Ms. Brancaccio is so excited to plan opportunities, such as school trips and productions to enrich and extend the
ELA curriculum.
Cheryl Calimano – Math
Ms. Calimani will be teaching Math to the sixth grade students. The math program is called envision Math. Ms. Calimano’s expertise with
this curriculum is evident through the rich experience your child will have in her classroom and the feedback you and your children will
receive regarding their math skills. In addition to the sixth grade, Ms. Calimano also taught third and fourth grade. She has earned her
Masters Degree in both Education and School Administration.
Mr. Giordano (Class of 2010) – Social Studies
Mr. Giordano is currently teaching Social Studies to our sixth grade students. In addition, he provides Special Education teaching services
for the Eighth grade. Mr. Giordano is completing his Master’s Degree in Social Studies Education at Teacher’s College, Columbia University.
He is excited to start his second year of teaching and to develop a Middle School Student Government this year. Mr. Giordano is an alumnus
of The Petrides School and a member of the graduating class of 2010.
Christine Marino – Science
Ms. Marino is one of your sixth grade Science teachers. She currently teaches seventh grade Science as well. Ms. Marino has been teaching
for eighth years. She earned her Masters in Education degree from Wagner College. Ms. Marino’s love of nature and animals has helped
her develop a curriculum that while rigorous is also entertaining and interesting. Your children will perform some very exiting
experiments with Ms., Marino.
Gina Palemine – Science
Ms. Palemine is also currently teaching Science, as well as Spanish to our sixth grade students. She also provides Special Education
Teaching Services for the fifth grade. In addition Ms. Palemine teaches fifth grade Spanish and ICT classes. Ms. Palemine has a true love
working with sixth grade students and works very hard to ensure smooth transition into middle school. Ms. Palemine is an alumnus of the
Petrides School and a member of the graduating class of 2003.
Amanda Rebecchi – Integrated Co-Teacher (ICT) ELA and Math
Ms. Rebecchi Is co-teaching both ELA and Math for our sixth grade students.. She is also providing Special Education teaching services for
the sixth grade. Ms. Rebecchi is thrilled to be joining the sixth grade teaching team and is excited for the school year! Ms. Rebecchi is also
an alumnus of Petrides and a member of the graduating class of 2009.
We want to hear from you!
I believe that open communication between teachers and parents is paramount for student success. In order to
communicate effectively, I have listed the email addresses of middle school teachers, including the Foreign
Language and Elective teachers. You can also always contact me at 718-815-0186 ext 22171 to leave a telephone
message or email me at BSouffrin@schools.nyc.gov.
Jennifer Brancaccio – JBrancaccio@schools.nyc.gov
Monte Brown - MBrownlii@schools.nyc.gov
Zunilda Cabrera - ZCabrer@schools.nyc.gov
Cheryl Calimano – CCalmia@schools.nyc.gov
Gary Giordano – GGiordano@schools.nyc.gov
Susana Held - SHeld2@schools.nyc.gov
Christine Marino - CStatile@schools.nyc.gov
Gina Palemine – GPalemine@shools.nyc.gov
Amanda Rebecchi – ARebecchi2@schools.nyc.gov
Nancy Bonior - NBonior@schools.nyc.gov
Vincent Bunnicelli - VBunnic@schools.nyc.gov
Tom Cintula - TCintula@schools.nyc.gov
Deanna Eliot - DLlinas@schools.nyc.gov
Cindy Forkowitz - DForkow@schools.nyc.gov
Elizabeth Grannetelli - EGrannetelli@schools.nyc.gov
Francesca Landolina - FLandolina2@schools.nyc.gov