February 2023 Newsletter
EDGE Interim Week
March 13 - 16
EDGE interim week is coming up and we are excited for the opportunity to engage in real-world learning experiences. This year, EDGE students will be engaging in experiences throughout the KC Area including visiting exhibits at the World War I museum and Nelson Atkins museum. Parents, if you are interested in being a chaperone for the World War I or Nelson Atkins trips, please contact Mr. Baldwin or Mrs. Carpenter.

Approximately thirty EDGE students are traveling to Guatemala in partnership with Squads Abroad. Students will be partnered with a school in Tecpan, Guatemala, to engage in cultural immersion, provide educational workshops, and support with infrastructure projects.
February Highlights
EPiC Collaboration: On Thursday, February 23rd a group of EDGE students traveled to EPiC elementary to collaborate with Studio 2 students on their puppet documentaries about erosion and weathering. The students worked in small groups to write scripts and prepare for the next steps in their project.
Guest Speaker: Penny Hodges: On Wednesday, February 22nd, EDGE hosted a presentation by Penney Hodges, Federal Probation Officer, in conjunction with our Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions unit. Students were able to ask questions related to our current documentary project.

Union Station: Maya Exhibition: On Friday, February 10th EDGE students had the opportunity to experience the Maya Exhibition at Union Station.
Geometry: Students continue to work on solving right triangle problems. They have used the Pythagorean Theorem and special right triangle shortcuts to solve for missing side lengths. These two concepts have been assessed and updated on PowerSchool. Students are currently working on using Trigonometry ratios to solve for missing side lengths and angles. 

Algebra 2:  Students are applying their prior knowledge of transformations and characteristics of functions to exponential functions. Once students have learned the basics of exponential functions, they solve compound interest problems and other exponential application problems. 

Probability and Statistics: Students are working on the Mathematics of chance probability. Students will learn the rules of randomness and probability.

As always please make sure you are checking PowerSchool to see how your student is doing with the competencies. Competencies can always be improved on by retaking checkpoints. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out. 
Project Update
UN Sustainable Development Goal #16
EDGE students are continuing their work with UN Sustainable Development Goal #16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
Student groups are putting the finishing touches on their scripts and storyboards and several groups have begun filming. Last week, students gave and received beneficial feedback from their peers and teachers via a gallery walk. Students have also learned about copyright and fair use policies as they work on matching the best visuals for their documentary segments. This week, students will engage in a Socratic Seminar to discuss the ethics of using artificial intelligence.
Spring Conferences
Tuesday, March 14th
We look forward to sharing your student's learning progress this spring! Parents can sign up for spring conferences using the My Conference Time platform. Mr. Baldwin and Mrs. Carpenter will be available for conferences on Tuesday, March 14th from 3:30pm - 7:30pm.

Please note that Mrs. Ajayi, Mrs. Comegys, Dr. Langhorst, and Mrs. Wahlert will be traveling to Guatemala with EDGE students and will be unavailable for conference evenings. If you would like to discuss your student's progress, please reach out to them via email to arrange a time. We are happy to connect!
Upcoming EDGE Events
March 10 - 16 - Global Impact Squad - Travel to Guatemala
March 13 - 16 - EDGE Interim Week
Monday, March 13 - Field Trip - Nelson Atkins Art Museum
Tuesday, March 14 - Field Trip - WWI Museum
Tuesday, March 14 - Parent Teacher Conferences (Baldwin & Carpenter)