Smithsburg Middle School February 2015 Dates & Details Feb. 2 – 11 – Grade 8 Family Life Feb. 3 – Grade 8 Day on the Job Feb. 4-6 – Annual 3 on 3 Tournament Feb. 6 – All County Band Rehearsal Feb. 7 – All County Band Concert @ NHHS – 7:00 PM Feb. 10 – PTSA Meeting-6:00 PM Feb. 16 – President’s Day – School and CES closed Feb. 17 – 25 – Grade 7 Family Life Feb. 20 – Student Council Activity Night-6:30-8:30 PM Volume 1, Number 6 From the Principal’s Desk… Dear Parents/Guardians: In all the world, there is no heart for me like yours. In all the world, there is no love for you like mine. Maya Angelou HAPPY VALENTINES DAY This quote by Maya Angelou expresses how it feels to serve the Smithsburg Middle School community. It continues to be a labor of love for me. I thank you for your continued support. Second semester is underway. Half the school year has passed. The staff and I are looking forward to working with your children as we prepare them for the next grade level and the standardized tests ahead of us. A review of student performance demonstrated that a limited number of students need extra support to be successful in classes. Staff will meet with these students to outline a plan of action for each student. We are in the process of preparing our staff and students for the PARCC tests which will be administered in March. There will be county wide and state wide “stress tests” to make sure the technology system can handle the load when testing occurs. Teachers are administering practice tests so students can be acclimated to the new testing format and the types of questions they will be expected to answer. SMS students will be prepared and will demonstrate excellence on these tests. The staff and I are always available to meet with you or to talk with you about any concerns or questions you may have. Please feel free to contact us. Dr. Stephen Tarason Principal e…students at a minimal cost. Some of the activities SMS Vision studentSmithsburg council offers include: a. Any h events. If you Middle School is a professional learning community where all contact students are able to help please Mrs. Izat by email. feel valued, safe, and will become life long learners [email protected] Our School Newsletter is now available on our school website Go to www.wcps.k12.md.us Schools, Middle, More Info Contact Us Stephen Tarason, Principal Kyle Lingg, Asst. Principal Phone – 301-766-8353 Fax – 301-824-5147 Address: 68 N. Main Street Smithsburg, MD 21783 The Board of Education of Washington County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, size, age, or disability in employment or the provision of services. If you have a question about this policy, call the Director of Human Resources at 301-766-2808. www.wcboe.k12.md.us LEOPARD’S PRIDE Super Spellers Spelling Bees were held at each grade level recently. The champions are as follows: Grade 6 – Champion – Emilea Huff, Runner Up – Paige Huntzberry Grade 7 – Champion – Olivia Miller, Runner Up – Zach Wandalowski Grade 8 – Champion – Carleigh Baker, Runner Up – Davin Spessert Congratulations and Good Luck to our students as they participate at the County Bee on February 28, 2015 at 1:00 PM at Western Heights Middle School Pictured left to right: Carleigh Baker, Davin Spessert, Zach Wandalowski, Olivia Miller, Emilea Huff, Paige Huntzberry S.T.A.R.S. PTSA NEWS (Success Through Academic Achievement at Smithsburg) Congratulations to the following students who received academic recognition at the S.T.A.R.S. Ceremony held on January 29, 2015: S.T.A.R.S. Grade 6: Emma Verdier, Gabrielle Ryder, Stephanie Lewis, Hailey Daniels, Colin Whitt, Meagan Adkins, Joshua Perez, FeiYan Collins, Bradley Powers, Edey McDougal Grade 7: Isaac Lowe, Olivia Miller, Abigail Stevens, Mackenzie Needy, Ashley Davis, Andi Wynkoop, Aidyn Smith, Abigail Kittel, Kasey Fagan, Nicholas Notabartolo Grade 8: Jarret Pryor, Arin Abrecht, Ryan Goodmansen, Chase Miller, Logan Rummel, Asher Newberry, Lacey Clopper, Elijah Dove, Katelyn Meyer, Sydney Scott Happy New Year! We hope everyone had a safe and wonderful winter break! The PTSA is working on future Dinner Night Out dates and locations. Please keep your eyes out for flyers coming home regarding these fundraisers. We have received a vast interest in a spring Talent Show and have had a number of people offer to help. We are still in need of someone willing to organize this event. If you are interested, please contact us as soon as possible. Please join us at our next meeting on Tuesday, February 10 at 6:00pm in the Media Center. Rising S.T.A.R.S. Grade 6: Jessica Hutzell, Ryan Garcia, Jacob Donivan, Garrison Johnson, Lillie Anders, Devin Bollinger, Abigail Pulver, Nicholas Bono, Carl Oree, Emily Shoop Grade 7: Joi Jones, Luke Williams, Andrew Windham, Elisabeth Little, Brandon Fink, Derrick Stubenhofer, Dakota Coyle, Emily Everett, Brayden Crabtree, Joel Martirano Grade 8: Anthony Mazarella, Samuel Pietrzak, Courtney Howard, Nicholas Baer, Kara Poole, Michael rowan, Blaine Davis, Leah Kline, Nathaniel Hartney, Liam Halsey Jennifer Ashbaugh, Mary Glessner, Amy Woodward, Jen Keller, and Anne Jessop PTSA Executive Board KUDOS… To Kara Poole who was selected to be a member of the Region 1 Girls’ Soccer Olympic Development Program Team. This program is the first step towards making the U. S. National/Olympic Team Pools. Kara traveled to Orlando, Florida recently to train and compete against other Regional players. Congratulations Kara! STAR Designer Daughters of the American Revolution American History Essay Contest Pictured L to R: Joel Martirano, Mary Doorn – staff member and DAR member, Luke Williams, Liam Halsey, Arin Abrecht Kudos to Amarah Stilianos, grade 8, for her “STAR” design of the 2014-15 S.T.A.R.S. shirt. The Daughters of the American Revolution are very proud to recognize the following students as winners of the annual American History Essay contest: Luke Williams – st nd grade 7 – 1 Place, Joel Martirano – grade 7 – 2 Place, st Arin Abrecht – grade 8 – 1 Place, Liam Halsey – grade 8 nd – 2 place. The 1st place winning essays were sent on to compete at the State level CHARITY BASKETBALL GAME STUDENT COUNCIL NEWS The Smithsburg Middle Intramural Club is planning a Charity Basketball Game. Smithsburg Faculty will compete against a team of local law enforcement/military personnel to raise money for the Warrior Canine Connection (WCC). Our lead teacher, Pam Ours, volunteers for this organization that breeds and trains dogs for our wounded veterans. The event is currently , scheduled for Thursday, March 26 2015. If you have additional questions or would like to help, please contact Mrs. Izat at Smithsburg Middle School. ([email protected],us or 301-766-8353) Advisor for this year’s Student Council: Mrs. Lisa Waters [email protected] GEOGRAPHY BEE Pride Schedule th Friday, February 6 th Friday, February 20 Smithsburg Pride College Pride Day Important Dates th th  January 26 - February 10 Valentine’s Day: Candy Gram Sales Candy Grams will be sold during all 3 grade level lunches. Student Council Members will take turns selling Candy Grams at each lunch every day. Costs: Candy Grams $1.00, Valentine Cards .50 Cents  th Thursday, February 12 WCASC Meeting @ Williamsport High th 8 Grade students will not be able to attend due to Family Life Instruction. Permission Slips can be obtained from Mrs. Waters and must be signed and th returned by February 5 . Please indicate whether or not you are buying lunch on your form. You must let your teachers know that you will be absent from class that day, and you are Responsible for any work that you miss. No parent notes accepted!  Saturday, February 7 Legislative Session th Legislative Session will be held on Saturday, February 7 th (snow date: February 14 ) from 9 AM to 5 PM at Manchester Valley High School in Carroll County. The rd cost is $25. Registration closed January 23 . A WCPS school bus has been reserved for the trip. The bus will depart the old BOE on Commonwealth Avenue at 7:15 AM and return about 7 PM. There is no additional cost for the bus. Mrs. Gretchen Smith, WCASC Advisor & Social Studies Lead Teacher will accompany the students as their chaperone. th  Pictured: Front row L to R: Zach Wandalowski, Emily Shoop, Gabrielle Ryder Middle row L to R: Clara Desclous, Emily Kellogg, Mrs. Nancy SoudersSocial Studies Department Leader, Nathaniel Hartney, Abigail Kittel, Nolan Zahm Back row L to R: Ricky Moser, William Schupp The final competition for the 2015 Geography Bee was held on January 7, 2015. Congratulations to Zach Wandalowski – grade 7 – First Place Champion, Gabrielle Ryder – grade 6 – Second Place. Good luck to Zach as he takes his written test to qualify for the Maryland State Bee. Zach was also our school champion last year! th Friday February 20 Valentine Themed Activity Night Student Council is sponsoring an Activity Night February th 20 from 6:30-8:30 PM. The admission is $5.00 and includes a snack and drink. Music/ karaoke and games such as bowling, Wii Just Dance, Basketball, and ping pong will be provided. Student council Members are encouraged to bring desserts; cookies, brownies, etc… Volunteers are needed in order to make this night a success! Please contact Mrs. Lisa Waters, Student Council sponsor at [email protected] or at 301766-8353. FFA News for February Meeting dates for February are: 9th and 23rd. Planting week is the week of February 23rd. FFA members will plant seeds in the mornings and after school. More information to follow! Make-Up Work Reminder FOR PARENTS Zone Closing Options Since the 2001-2002 school year, WCPS has implemented two specific weather zones. The two zones are the Hancock Weather Zone and the Cascade Weather Zone. These areas typically experience greater inclement weather than the majority of the county. These zones may be delayed or closed separately from the rest of the county. The Cascade Zone is defined as being the attendance area for Cascade Elementary School. Students who live in the Cascade Elementary attendance area and attend Cascade Elementary, Smithsburg Middle School or Smithsburg High School will follow any schedule changes that apply to the Cascade Zone. Students who live in the Old Forge Elementary, Smithsburg Elementary and Greenbrier Elementary attendance areas and attend one of these elementary schools, or Smithsburg Middle or Smithsburg High School are NOT included in the Cascade Zone. More specific information, including a road list in the Cascade Zone, is included in a 3-page PDF HERE. The Hancock Zone is defined as being the attendance area for Hancock Elementary School and Hancock Middle/Senior High School. Please be reminded of the following regarding make up work after your student has been absent from school: Absent less than 3 days – Parent may request work through the front office. Teachers may also choose to provide work to the front office after speaking to the parent. If a parent makes the request it should be communicated that teachers may only submit work if it is appropriate to do so based on what was missed in the classroom for the period of absence. Students may not receive work from every teacher is it is not appropriate. Absent 3 days or more – Work may be requested through the front office. All teachers should provide work to the front office. The front office will coordinate with parents and teachers to gather work and make arrangements for pick-up of work. Counselor’s Corner DID YOU KNOW? • Students should miss no more than 9 days of school each year to stay engaged, successful and on track to graduation. • Absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with school work, dealing with a bully or facing some other potentially serious difficulty. • By 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school. • By 9th grade, regular and high attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th grade test scores. • Missing 10 percent, or about 18 days, of the school year can drastically affect a student’s academic success. What this means for our students at Smithsburg Middle School… • Students can be chronically absent even if they only miss a day or two every few weeks. • Attendance is an important life skill that will help your child graduate from college and If you hear or read that there is a 2 hour delay or that schools are closed for the “Cascade Zone”… only those Smithsburg Middle students who live in the Cascade zone should follow the delay or closing announcements. ALL OTHER SMITHSBURG MIDDLE STUDENTS SHOULD REPORT TO SCHOOL ON TIME. keep a job. WHAT YOU CAN DO Make school attendance a priority • Talk about the importance of showing up to school every day, make that the expectation. • Help your child maintain daily routines, such as finishing homework and getting a good Please feel free to contact the school if you have additional questions. night’s sleep. • Try not to schedule dental and medical appointments during the school day. • Don’t let your child stay home unless truly sick. Complaints of headaches or stomach HOMEWORK CLUB Don’t forget…after school homework help is available for students on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30- 4:30 PM. Please be advised that students must have homework or work from their teachers when they stay. Box Tops for Education Now through the end of February we are collecting box tops. Please put at least 30 in a baggie with the students name and drop off in the blue box located by the front office. Each person that turns in 30 or more box tops will receive a free ice cream sandwich. So far we have made over $600.00. Last year we reached $1000 so let the clipping begin. Let’s try and reach that goal again. aches may be signs of anxiety. Help your teen stay engaged • Find out if your child feels engaged by his classes and feels safe from bullies and other threats. Make sure he/she is not missing class because of behavioral issues and school discipline policies. If any of these are problems, work with your school. • Stay on top of academic progress and seek help from teachers or tutors if necessary. Make sure teachers know how to contact you. • Stay on top of your child’s social contacts. Check their social media sites regularly. Peer pressure can lead to skipping school, while students without many friends can feel isolated. • Encourage meaningful afterschool activities, including sports and clubs. Communicate with the school • Know the school’s attendance policy – incentives and penalties. • Talk to teachers if you notice sudden changes in behavior. These could be tied to something going on at school. • Check on your child’s attendance to be sure absences are not piling up. • Ask for help from school officials, afterschool programs, other parents or community agencies if you’re having trouble getting your child to school.