Middle 6-8

The 8th grade year is filled with a lot of exciting opportunities. Here are some of the activities, the approximate date and cost. All payments can be made online.
 

5/14/2024 - Mets Game

• 1:00 p.m. game against the Phillies. The stadium is cashless, so students should bring a debit card or have ApplePay. 
• $20 (permission slip and $ to be collected by school at a later date)

6/10/2024 -6/11/2024 - 8th Grade Overnight Trip

• Two days, one night. Students will travel to Pocono Valley Resort. Students will sleep in cabins, choose from a variety of activities and bond with their fellow classmates.
• $300 -If possible pay in full by 4/1. Split payment- 1st half due 4/1, 2nd half due 5/1

 6/25/2024 - 8th Grade Graduation

• Cost includes tickets for families, and a commemorative 8th grade piece of swag. It is being held at the Grand Centennial Memorial Temple on 14th Street in Manhattan in the morning. If you need more than 6 tickets - please reach out to the graduation committee. 
  $150. Full Payment by 5/1

6/25/2024 (evening) - Boat Cruise

• Students will embark on a cruise of the East River, for a night of dining and dancing. The cruise will pass the Statue Liberty, and will travel up the Hudson. Arrive by 6pm, and the cruise will be from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
•  $150 - Full Payment by 5/1

End of June - Field Day

• One last hurrah for our 8th graders! We will walk over to East River Park for a day of games and sports and snacks.
  Free

Payments can be made using the following link: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/68080821-4f2d-4900-90c5-6571825d616a

We know this is a lot of money, and please reach out if you may need financial assistance, or in the past, if you are able to do so, we have had some incredibly generous families who were able to sponsor the trips of other students who couldn't afford the trip. And that generosity has made a trip possible for a student who otherwise would not have gone. We're so excited about all of these upcoming celebrations and breaks!

The 8th Grade Graduation Committee

6th Grade Band: Students will participate in the Sixth Grade Concert Band (instrument choices include flute, oboe, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, baritone horn, and percussion). They will develop instrumental proficiency and music literacy through performance of a repertoire including Western classical music and contemporary concert band literature.

7th Grade Band: Continuing their instrumental studies, students in Seventh Grade Band develop musicality, read music, and work as a team, playing a varied concert repertoire and learning scales, etudes, and chorales.

8th Grade Band: Students further refine their musical skills in Eighth Grade Band. In addition to expanding their range and sight-reading ability, students concentrate on proper intonation, phrasing, and musical interpretation. Selected literature focuses on pieces listed in the NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) manual.

6th Grade Studio Art: Students explore the fundamentals of drawing, painting and collage through a variety of art projects that explore The Elements of Design in a studio art environment. Students use a variety of mediums and build their art vocabulary and appreciation for the arts.

7th Grade Studio Art: Students further their knowledge of the principles and elements of design with an emphasis on perspective, proportion, scale, and point of view. They also learn about different artists, cultures, and movements and make interdisciplinary connections throughout the year.

8th Grade Studio Art: Students develop an ability to interpret and work in a variety of visual art forms through the study of the elements of design in drawings, paintings, sculptures, collages, and other media.

8th Grade Health: Students follow the HealthSmart curriculum, which helps develop skills necessary for a healthy lifestyle. Topics include mental and emotional health; HIV/AIDS; abstinence and safe sex; tobacco, alcohol, and drug prevention; violence and injury prevention; nutrition; and physical activity.

6th Grade Spanish: Language instruction is not offered in 6th Grade.
7th Grade Spanish: In this class, students continue to improve their listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills.
8th Grade Spanish: Students prepare for their proficiency exam, which will allow them to skip one year of foreign language in High School. By the end of the year, they will be able to communicate basic ideas in Spanish, read and write intermediate texts, and listen to authentic basic Spanish conversations.

6th Grade: Language instruction is not offered in 6th Grade.
7th Grade Mandarin: This beginning course is designed for students with little or no Chinese language background. Over the course of the year, they will acquire the skills to communicate effectively in socially, culturally and developmentally appropriate ways. They will also be introduced to the writing of Chinese characters and will explore cultural practices and perspectives of Chinese culture.
8th Grade Mandarin: In this course, the goal is for students to attain novice-mid to novice-high proficiency in Mandarin through a standards-based approach. They will give brief oral reports and presentations in each thematic unit, and also write sentences in Chinese characters on the topic covered.

Library classes are integrated into classroom instruction. In collaboration with classroom teachers, students are taught research skills while investigating topics covered in their classes. In addition to the resources at the NEST+m library, students will learn how to find information on the Internet, gather sources from the New York Public Library, and use electronic databases. They will also learn how to avoid plagiarism and properly cite their sources.

Read the latest SGO Newsletter!

The Middle Grades Student Government representatives work with teachers and administrators to build community and improve student life at school. The SGO representatives also help welcome new students to the Middle Grades.

Reach out to your Assistant Principal or Guidance Counselor if you would like to join the Student Government Organization.

As the Middle School Guidance Counselor, I work closely with all Middle School students, parents/guardians, teachers, and administrators to build an inviting and supportive school environment, where everyone is valued and respected. I will take your concerns seriously and help you find a workable solution. In addition to helping Middle School students navigate the admissions process for high school, I help with academic difficulties, peer relationships, drug and alcohol issues, and special education issues. Please contact me with any questions about how I can help you succeed both academically and personally during your time at NEST+m.

Melissa Chen, Middle Grades Guidance Counselor

Also, visit our Guidance Counselor webpage.

Athletics are an integral part of NEST+m Middle School—we take great pride in our teams and after-school clubs. The NEST+m Eagles sports program has grown over the past three years to include seventeen boys’ and girls’ sports teams and clubs. Students who want to participate must be passing all subjects and demonstrate good behavior. Practices are either in the morning, from 7 to 8am, or in the afternoon, from 3:30 to 5:30pm. Games and meets are generally held after school.

Middle School athletes play in citywide public-school leagues, and the NEST+m teams have been very successful making it to the playoff or championship rounds. Middle School Athletic Director Jaclyn O’Connor and the fellow coaches at NEST+m coach year-round to provide great opportunities for students to become physically active and learn valuable teamwork skills.

Fall Sports

• Boys/Girls Soccer
• Boys/Girls Cross Country
• Boys/Girls Flag Football
• Boys/Girls Table Tennis
• Boys/Girls Tennis
• Girls Volleyball

Winter Sports

• Boys Basketball
• Girls Basketball
• Boys/Girls Track & Field

Spring Sports

• Boys/Girls Track and Field
• Boys Baseball
• Girls Softball