MS Newsletter 10/30/2026

Posted Date: 10/30/26 (01:56 PM)

Oxford Academy Middle School

October 30, 2026 Newsletter

Upcoming Events:

October 30: Half day for students - dismissal at 11:30am.

October 30: Halloween dance and party for grades 5-8 (REMINDER: There are criteria for kids to attend based on behavior, academics and attendance)

November 2: BOE Meeting, 6pm.

Athletics:

Monday November 2: Modified Girls Basketball Practice 4:45-6:15

Monday November 2: Modified Boys Basketball Practice 3:15-4:45

**Schedules are posted in Schedule Galaxy as well**

The modified boys’ and girls’ soccer teams wrapped up an incredible season yesterday with a fantastic, fun-filled final practice! We couldn't have asked for better weather as all the teams took to the field together one last time this year to celebrate their hard work, growth, and team spirit.

We want to send a thank you to all the families for your generous contributions of sweet treats and delicious donuts! The players absolutely loved the celebration, and it was the perfect way to cap off a wonderful season of soccer. We are so proud of the dedication, sportsmanship, and energy these athletes brought to the field every single day.

Congratulations to all of our players on a great season!

We want to extend a huge thank you to Roma's for hosting our pasta dinner for the modified boys’ soccer team! The players had a wonderful time bonding over a delicious meal. We deeply appreciate Roma's incredible support of our athletes and school community!

5th Grade:

5th Grade ELA

Core Reading & Comprehension: We began the week with Chapter 5 of Esperanza Rising. Our primary focus was analyzing text evidence to track changes in Esperanza’s behavior and attitude as her circumstances evolve. Having finished Chapters 1–5, students completed their first ELA assessment. Test results will be shared with students on Monday.
Vocabulary Development: Weekly vocabulary fill-in-the-blank homework is assigned every Tuesday. We are currently practicing using sentence context clues to align vocabulary words with their correct definitions.
Writing: Next week, we will dedicate more class time to letter writing. Once rough drafts are complete, final drafts should be finished either during study hall or at home. The final deadline remains November 13th.
Looking Ahead to Next Week: Our vocabulary study will shift focus toward character analysis from our novel. Students will have nightly homework Monday through Wednesday, followed by assessments on Thursday and Friday.
Special Guest Event: On Friday, 5th graders participated in a mini-workshop led by actors from REV Theatre in preparation for the upcoming ECHOES performance in March. Next year, students will have the exciting opportunity to submit their own written work to REV Theatre for a chance to have it performed live.

5th grade math this week, we started Module 2, called Fractions Are Numbers. We interpreted fractions as division and practiced converting improper fractions into mixed numbers through a scavenger hunt around the classroom. We also represented fractions using tape diagrams. We began the week with a bat puzzle and ended it with a pumpkin multiplication puzzle. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

5th Grade Social Studies- We wrapped up another fantastic week of learning! Students finished up their unit on economic systems by exploring command, market, and mixed economies, and they did a wonderful job completing their interactive projects comparing how different societies manage resources. To review our social studies basics, we ended the week with a thrilling Halloween-themed escape room activity!

Looking ahead, please keep these important upcoming dates in mind:

Unit Test: Wednesday, 11/4
Vocabulary Quiz: Friday, 11/6

Please reach out if you have any questions. Have a great weekend!

5th Grade Science is working on looking at water and what may be dissolved in it. Next week we will be testing our water samples for pH levels and the presence of chlorine and other substances that cannot be seen. The next vocabulary quiz will take place on Tuesday November 3rd. Please reach out with any questions or concerns.

6th Grade:

6th Grade ELA

Core Reading & Comprehension: Students completed an open-note quiz on Hoovervilles during the Great Depression. We also read two additional chapters of Bud, Not Buddy, focusing on the skill of restating prompts to craft complete, structured answers.
Writing: Most 6th graders are currently drafting or finalizing their independent letters, which are due November 13th. Students are strongly encouraged to utilize study hall periods efficiently to meet this deadline.
Vocabulary: Next week will mark our final week of vocabulary pulled from Bud, Not Buddy. Following this, we will spend a couple of weeks reviewing foundational English vocabulary terms from last year.
Book Reports: A few students have had their next independent reading book approved and were provided with their new assignment outlines. These outlines are due December 18th.
Special Guest Event: 6th graders also attended Friday’s workshop with REV Theatre regarding the March ECHOES performance. This year, 6th-grade students have the opportunity to submit a short piece of writing to REV Theatre, with selected works being staged by professional actors in March. Ask your child about this fantastic opportunity!

6th Grade Math: We officially finished our first module this week and wrapped it up with our end-of-unit assessment. The students did a fantastic job, and I am so proud of their hard work!

Next week, we dive into Unit 2, which will focus on:

Operations with fractions (multiplying and dividing)
Multi-digit numbers (fluency with division and decimal operations)

Have a safe, fun, and Happy Halloween!

6th Grade Social Studies- Our 6th graders had another exciting week exploring the world of early humans! We focused on major early human advancements, tracing their progression from scavengers to skilled hunter-gatherers. Students also investigated the evolution of tools, as well as how early humans developed advanced thinking and early forms of communication.

Looking ahead, please note our upcoming assessment:

Vocabulary Quiz: Friday, 11/6

As always, please reach out if you have any questions. Have a wonderful weekend!

6th Grade Science tested what happens with air when it is exposed to hot and cold water. We also discussed some extreme weather situations. We will continue with weather next week. The next vocabulary quiz will take place on Tuesday November 3rd. Please reach out with any questions or concerns.

7th and 8th Grade:

📚 ELA 8

This week, students practiced grammar, mechanics and usage skills by editing more quotes by NFL players. Students are continuing to work on the importance of using their best handwriting and taking pride in the work they put on paper.

Students will have an Independent Reading Page Check on Monday, November 2nd. The book 1 completion date has been extended to Monday, November 2nd.

Reading Competition Standings:

First Place: 8th Period-8,993 pages!!!

Second Place: 5th Period-2,027 pages

Third Place: 7th Period-2,013 pages

Thank you for encouraging your student to read at home and for supporting their learning! Your partnership makes a difference.

As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns at ncrandall@oxac.org. I look forward to another great week of learning with your students!

7th grade Social Studies:

Albany Trip

Seventh grade students spent a day visiting Albany. They took a guided tour of the Capitol Building where they were able to sit above the Senate and Assembly Chambers. Students took an express elevator 42 stories to overlook Albany and the Hudson River from the Corning Tower Observation Deck. Students were able to tour the New York State Museum to see and learn more about our state. While there, kids were able to interact with exhibits, including a longhouse and a NYC train car as well as taking a ride on their historic carousel.

8th grade math: we are continuing to solve multi-step equations with fractional coefficients.

¡Hola, familias!

Our 7th-grade Spanish students have officially mastered a major milestone: telling time in Spanish! Over the past week, the class has worked hard to count all the way to 60, differentiate between es la una (for 1:00) and son las... (for all other hours), and put their communication skills to the test.

They are now able to both ask for the time and give the time to others! In class, we have been practicing with interactive speaking activities where students play the role of helpful travelers or busy people on the street, asking each other "¿Qué hora es?" (What time is it?).

How you can support their learning at home:
You can keep their new skills sharp by asking them for the time in Spanish during your daily routine! Here are a few quick phrases they know:

¿Qué hora es? (What time is it?)

Adding minutes: Son las cinco y veinte. (It is 5:20.)

We are so proud of their confidence and enthusiasm as they use their language skills in real-world scenarios. ¡Excelente trabajo, clase!

¡Hola, familias!

Our 8th-grade Spanish students have been exploring the vibrant world of cultural celebrations and holiday traditions in the Spanish-speaking world! We have specifically looked at major holidays like Christmas (Navidad), Halloween (dia de los muertos) and compared how these traditions are both similar to and different from our own celebrations here in the United States.

To bring this cultural exploration to life, students are learning the vocabulary needed to host their own celebrations. They have been working hard on how to write formal and informal party invitations in Spanish, as well as how to discuss the essential party supplies, decorations, and items needed to make an event successful.

How you can support their learning at home:
Ask your student about some of the unique holiday traditions they discovered! You can also review some of their new event-planning vocabulary together:

The Invitation: Estás invitado a... (You are invited to...) or ¿Te gustaría venir? (Would you like to come?)

Party Details: La fecha (The date), La hora (The time), and El lugar (The location).

Event Essentials: Las decoraciones (Decorations), La comida (Food), Los globos (Balloons), and Los regalos (Gifts).

It has been wonderful watching the students make meaningful cultural connections while expanding their practical language skills. ¡Buen trabajo!

Math 7: This week we began our unit on proportions. We reviewed ratios and unit rates, and solved ratio questions involving complex fractions. Next week we'll introduce a new way of solving ratio questions by using Algebra. Hope everyone has a safe and fun Halloween weekend!

7th Grade Science: Students completed their Scientific Method and Measurement unit this week. Students were able to work in the lab practicing mass and volume measurement with scientific instruments. Next week, we'll start our unit on Chemistry and have a vocabulary quiz on Friday.

8th Grade Science: Students have been learning about physical and chemical properties as well as different types of mixtures and how to separate them. They put their knowledge to the test this week with a Bath Bomb investigation lab. Students are currently working on a NYS required lab.

News / Programs / Clubs / Related Arts:

FFA:

In conjunction with the Craft & Vendor Fair being held on November 14th, Ms. Johnson (HS Agriculture Teacher) is looking to host a Youth-Entrepreneur portion of the day! Ideally for students in grades 5-12, this is an opportunity for a student with a business mind to learn first hand how to turn a passion project into a small business. Learning basic skills, students will be able to have their own table at the event! ***See Graphic below.**

Parents should email rjohnson@oxac.org for the sign up form and details.

Amelia's Voice AW5K

Let's bring our community together for a great cause!

The race is a 5k walk/run through the streets of the Village of Oxford will hold this race every October to raise awareness against domestic violence Amelia’s was a beautiful 16 year old girl that was tragically murdered by her boyfriend 5/3/2019. We created Amelia’s Voice Inc to raise funds and we are starting an annual Amelia Wakefield grant fund to help restore the Hope Center for domestic violence assist any needs domestic violence victims may arise for them to get free from the violence and control. We are Amelia’s voice and will always hold this race and other events to raise funds and awareness and help domestic violence victims.

This is a professionally timed race and medals for Top 3 male, Top 3 female, Top 3 teens and Fashionably Late are awarded.

Course Oxford High School left onto south washington, left chenango st, left scott st, right state st and up the big hill, left grays heights rd,, follow that around and down park st, right south washington, left alice st and the loop around to south washington right and then left into the school and across the finish line.