PTSA Newsletter 2010-11
Vol. 12, No. 1, Sept. 2010
President’s Letter
Principal’s Message
On behalf of the Tilden
Parent Teacher Student Association, welcome to another school year at Tilden.
Though it still feels like Susan Verner
summer, our kids are off and running
after a smooth start to the new term
thanks to Tilden’s top-notch administrators – a special welcome to Monifa
McKnight, our new assistant principal -and excellent teachers.
Our PTSA is strong and has a great
executive board in place. (See page 6)
But we also need you, the parent community, to participate this year.
What can you do?
First, join the PTSA and contribute to
Direct Appeal. (Forms attached) Joining the PTSA is the best way to meet
other parents, get to know teachers, and
find out what’s going on at Tilden.
Studies show that kids of parents who
are involved with their children’s school
do better academically.
And, your dues and tax-deductible donations support the many activities the
PTSA sponsors to support our staff and
enrich our students’ academic and social experiences.
Second, come to PTSA meetings and
events. Each month, get your own update on what is happening at Tilden.
Listen to the principal’s report. Hear updates on PTSA activities. Participate in
PTSA-sponsored programs at some
(Continued on page 3)
The beginning of the
school year is always a
busy, but exciting time.
Weeks of preparation are
now a reality.
Jennifer Baker
The building is gleaming and our staff
is rested and rejuvenated, ready for another year. We were thrilled to greet
our students this week. The energy
and enthusiasm of our students bring
the building to life each August.
This year, despite some minor airconditioning issues, I am happy to report that we have had a successful
opening. The first week has been remarkably smooth. Our students now
know their schedules and have settled
into a new routine with ease. They
have mastered the art of opening their
lockers and discovered all the best
ways to get to their classrooms. The
teachers have commented all week
about how wonderful it is to see our
students back in their classrooms ready
to learn.
Walt Disney, a man who dreamed
creatively, said, ―All our dreams can
come true, if we have the courage to
pursue them.‖ (Continued on page 3)
—--————————————————
Back to School Night
Thursday, Sept. 16, 7 p.m.
Principal’s Briefing, 6:30 p.m.
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PTSA Briefs
PTSA Officers 2010-11
President:
Susan Verner
[email protected]
Vice Presidents:
Suzanne Mozayeni
[email protected]
Barbara Ferry
[email protected]
Treasurer:
Cate Hammaker
[email protected]
Secretary:
Debbie Kobernick
[email protected]
MCCPTA Delegates:
Dave Dennison
[email protected]
Laura Bonetta
[email protected]
Newsletter Editors:
Cynthia Suen
[email protected]
Jonathan Salant
[email protected]
301-984-5942
301-984-4025
301-962-6390
301-770-3048
301-770-0044
301-987-0070
301-946-6883
301-530-4690
301-770-3813
Get Your Sweatshirts
The Physical Education Department
will be selling Tilden sweatshirts and
sweatpants on Back to School Night.
The cost is $20 for sweatpants and
$25 for hooded sweatshirts, payable either by exact change or by check made
out to Tilden Middle School. No sweats
will be sold prior to this night and they
are sold first come, first served, beginning 30 minutes prior to the event.
Students may wear any type of sweat
clothes over their gym shirt and shorts
on cold days. Students do not have to
buy the Tilden sweats. The department
sells these as a service. They are highquality sweats and the children like them
but they are not required.
--Patricia O’Reilly
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Picnic Praise. Thanks to committee chairs
Karen Belt, Jeannie Geier and Meaghan
Miller for another fantastic back to school
picnic. We’ve never had the picnic on the
second day of school, and yet these volunteers had everything under control.
Teacher Luncheon. Thanks to David
Dennison and Mamma Lucia’s for providing lunch for our teachers on their first inservice day, Thu., Aug. 26. Also thanks to
board member Suzanne Mozayeni for
helping coordinate this event. Our teachers appreciate these efforts.
PTSA Listserv. Be sure to receive important e-mails from the school, the PTSA
and the parent community by joining the
PTSA listserv. Here’s how to join:
1. Send a blank message to:
[email protected]
2. Send a message to Susan Wyderko, egroup moderator. Provide your name and
your connection to Tilden so that your subscription may be validated.
3. Register at http://groups.yahoo.com/
group/tilden to be able to post messages.
When you go to that page, you will be
prompted to create an ID and password.
Newsletter Deadlines. All copy is due to
the editors by the following dates for that
month’s issue: Oct. 8, Nov. 5, Dec. 10,
Jan. 7, Feb. 4, Mar. 4, Apr. 7, and May 6.
There is no newsletter in June.
Parent Help. Check out the Unofficial
Guide to the First Year at Tilden, at http://
www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/
uploadedFiles/schools/tildenms/homepage/
UnofficialGuidetoTheFirstYearatTilden.pdf
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Principal’s Message
(Continued from page 1)
Each of our students arrives at our
doors full of promise and dreams. Our
job, one we take very seriously, is to help
give the students practical tools they can
use to move towards their future, individual goals and dreams.
One of our objectives at Tilden is to
host events throughout the school year
that will bring families, students and staff
together at the school. Despite the blazing hot weather, we held a wonderful
family event on Tuesday, Aug. 31.
The turnout was great for our annual
family picnic. It was a huge success. I
truly appreciate the outstanding effort by
the PTSA in planning and executing such
a marvelous evening, which included music, dancing, friendship, pizza and ice
cream.
Another important date which is rapidly
approaching is our Back-to-School night
on Thursday, Sept. 16. The evening will
begin at 6:30 with an optional meeting in
our gym that I will host.
The visits to classrooms to meet teachers will begin promptly at 7 p.m. This is a
great way to get an idea of what your
children experience on a daily basis.
More information will be coming home
soon.
Finally, I hope all of our parents will join
our PTSA Listserv. The directions are on
our website under the PTSA tab. This is
an important form of communication from
the PTSA and the school.
We do make a concerted effort to get
critical information out to families in a
timely fashion and the listserv is frequently used to share what is happening
here at Tilden. I hope you will join soon.
The artist Christo once said, ―It is not
only one person's work; it's really a partnership and collaboration during all these
years.’’
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Whether this is your child’s first week
of middle school or the beginning of their
last year, as the 2010-11 school year begins, I look forward to our continued partnership as we come together to support
the children and create and excellent
middle school experience for all.
—Jennifer Baker
President’s Message
(Continued from page 1)
at some monthly meetings on important
topics for parents of middle-schoolers.
The meetings are generally the second
Tuesday of each month at 7 pm in the
Media Center.
And come to other events during the
school year, like our always-popular
Charity Basketball Game in February
and International Night in March.
Third, join the PTSA e-mail list, our
listserv. Both the PTSA and the school
use this list to send out important information. Get the daily announcements
delivered to your inbox. Receive the
PTSA Newsletter, which is only available
on the web. (If you’d like a copy mailed
to you, just let us know.)
Learn more about upcoming events.
Stay connected to your child’s school.
Simply go to the Tilden webpage and
follow the instructions:
http://
www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/
tildenms/ptsa/index.shtm.
Fourth, volunteer. We have some
committee chair positions waiting to be
filled and other committees that can always use help. Interested? Send me an
e-mail at [email protected].
—Susan Verner
P.S.: Be sure to check out the ―Unofficial
Guide to the First Year at Tilden‖ under
Quick Links on the Tilden home page.
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PTSA Calendar of Events
2010-2011
Thu., Sept 16, 7 pm: Back to School Night – Meet the staff and tour the school. See
the school from the perspective of your student as you move through their
academic schedule.
Tue., Oct. 12, 7 pm: PTSA Meeting – High School in Middle School
Tue., Nov. 9, 7 pm: PTSA Meeting – Middle Schoolers and Facebook
Dec. 7-9: Scholastic Book Fair
Thu., Dec. 16, 6:30 pm: Holiday Reception Before Winter Concert at WJ
Tue., Jan. 11, 7 pm: PTSA Meeting – Parenting Program
Thu., Jan. 20, 7 pm: PTSA Cluster Meeting at Tilden
Tue., Feb. 8, 7 pm: PTSA Meeting Parenting Program
Fri., Feb. 25, 7 pm: PTSA-Sponsored Charity Basketball Game
Tue., Mar. 8, 7 pm: PTSA Meeting – Business Meeting, appoint nominating committee
Fri., Mar. 11, 7 pm: International Night
Fri, Apr. 15: Career Day (tentative)
Tue., Apr. 12, 7 pm: PTSA Meeting – Business Meeting, approve wish list
Tue., May 10, 7 pm: PTSA Meeting – Program: Transition to Walter Johnson HS
Fri., June 10, 5:30 pm: Eighth Grade Promotion Ceremony and Dance
Student Service Learning (SSL) Notes
Give a Little Time…Make a Big Difference
SSL Fosters Civic Responsibility
SSL is a graduation requirement in the state of Maryland. Understand the SSL plan
in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) by contacting the SSL coordinator in
any middle or high school and exploring the SSL Web site www.mcpsssl.org.
Service performed during the summer for which SSL hours are desired must be
documented on MCPS Form 560-51, Student Service Learning Activity Verification,
and turned in to the SSL coordinator, Ms. Stasko, room A138, by the last Friday in
September (Sept. 24).
All organizations and opportunities for which SSL hours are desired must be preapproved. Check the list of organizations tagged, ―Approved SSL MCPS‖ and opportunities tagged, ―MCPS SSL Approved‖ at the website www.mcpsssl.org or get MCPS
Form 560-50, Request for SSL Preapproval, granted in advance of any involvement.
Students may serve on campaigns of individuals running for public office. MCPS
Form 560-50, Request for SSL Preapproval is required by each student in advance of
any service.
The award of SSL hours outside of the instructional day (before school, lunchtime,
after school) is one SSL hour for every hour of service. There is a maximum of eight
hours within a 24 hours period. No exceptions.
–Jane Stasko
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Meet Our New Principal Intern: Monifa McKnight
I am excited to introduce myself as the new principal intern at Tilden Middle School.
In the short time since I’ve joined the Tilden Middle School team, I have seen firsthand
that this is a school community where students come first and staff believe all students
can achieve at high levels. I am truly honored to have the opportunity to work with
such amazing students, staff, and a supportive school community. I look forward to
continuing to work through Tilden’s vision of being a happy, safe, and caring place,
which is absolutely evident.
To many, I am new to the Walter Johnson cluster so I would like to share a little
about my background. I was born and raised in the small town of Orangeburg, S.C. I
have a bachelor’s degree in elementary education K-8 from South Carolina State University and master’s degree in educational leadership from Bowie State University. I
am currently pursuing my doctoral degree in educational leadership and policy at the
University of Maryland at College Park.
I began my career as a teacher in the Newport News public schools and moved to
Montgomery County in 2001 as a middle school English and reading teacher. I have
most recently served as the assistant principal at Parkland Magnet Middle School for
Aerospace Technology for the past four years.
I recently transitioned from Ms. Bellinger to Mrs. McKnight a year ago when I married
my college sweetheart. My husband and I reside in Bowie with my teenage sister-inlaw and our dog Lizzy.
In my experience as a teacher and administrator, I am passionate about student
achievement and all that it takes to help students be successful during their adolescent
years.
I love middle school students and there is nothing more rewarding than helping them
blossom into young confident individuals, while they experience so many changes during this delicate time in their lives. I come to Tilden making a commitment to work collaboratively with staff and parents to continue to improve and support systems that
work best for our students.
Again, I am thrilled to be a part of Tilden Middle School and the Walter Johnson cluster. I look forward to meeting you in the comfortable homelike hallways or outskirts of
Tilden Middle School throughout the school year.
Best wishes to you for a great year as well.
—Monifa B. McKnight, Principal Intern
Don’t Miss These Upcoming Events
Thu., Sept. 16, 7 pm: Back to School Night. Meet the staff and tour the school. See the
school from the perspective of your students as you move through their academic
schedule.
Tue., Oct. 12, 7 pm: First PTSA Meeting – High School in Middle School
Tue., Nov. 9, 7 pm: PTSA Meeting – Facebook and Middle Schoolers
*
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2010-11 PTSA Officers and Committee Chairs
Officers
President
Vice President
Vice President
Treasurer
Secretary
MCCPTA Delegate
MCCPTA Delegate
Susan Verner
Suzanne Mozayeni
Barbara Ferry
Cate Hammaker
Debbie Kobernick
Dave Dennison
Laura Bonetta
301-984-5942
301-984-4025
301-962-6390
301-770-3048
301-770-0044
301- 987-0070
301-946-6883
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
301-984-5851
301-984-3344
301-946-8524
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Committee Chairs
Back to School Picnic
Jeannie Geier
Karen Belt
Basketball Game
Beth Resnick
Book Fair
Open
Bulletin Board
Julie Poling
Cluster Representative
Debby Orsak
Copy Team
Gabrielle Roth
Directory
Lisa Cirillo
Directory Advertising
Dee Lichtenstein
Eighth Grade Celebration
Debby Orsak
E-mail Groups/Listserv
Susan Wyderko
Gifted and Talented Liaison Lisa Strauss
Guidance/Career Day
Anne Ackerman
International Night
Karina Sanchez
Membership
Gabrielle Roth
Jennifer Rabin
Movie/Activity Night
Karen Burgett
Lisa Moss
NAACP Representative
Open
Newsletter Editors
Cynthia Suen
Jonathan Salant
Restaurant Night
Becky Hutton
Retail Incentive Programs
Shari Campbell
Safety and Health
Open
School Dances/Game Room Sharon Gross
Anne Ackerman
School Spirit/Apparel
Leona Hiraoka
Special Needs Liaison
Joanne Schmader
[email protected]
Staff Appreciation
Debbie Labonski
Student Service (SSL)
Cheryl Morris
Webmaster (PTSA site)
Lin-Lin Mao
WJ Booster Liaison
Val Carter-Schelp
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301-933-7070
[email protected]
301-770-2289
[email protected]
[email protected]
301-770-5908 [email protected]
301-933-3686 [email protected]
301-770-2289
[email protected]
301-770-7098
[email protected]
301-933-8528
[email protected]
301-881-3481 [email protected]
301-984-2362
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
301-476-4118 [email protected]
301-770-3813
[email protected]
301-946-0094
[email protected]
[email protected]
301-881-9401 [email protected]
301-881-3481 [email protected]
301-946-8108
[email protected]
301-946-5396
[email protected]
301-984-2101
[email protected]
301-881-1277
[email protected]
[email protected]
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Welcome to the Literacy Corner. Each month you will find information,
strategies, and/or tips that will help your child enhance his/her literacy
skills.
DID YOU KNOW . . .
Students need to read a minimum of 25 self-selected and/or
assigned books (or book equivalents) a year in order to process
1 million words and maintain their
current rate of academic progress.
This means that students need
to read books at their independent reading level for about 30
minutes per day, every day and
it’s a curriculum requirement.
—Maryland Department of Education
LITERACY is critical
thinking through reading,
writing, speaking, listening, and viewing.
Be a literacy role model
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MAP-R
MAP-R is the Measures of Academic Progress in Reading Assessment.
With the exception of students
who read English below a secondgrade level, it is administered to all
students enrolled in MCPS middle
schools in the fall and spring and
some or all students in the winter.
This is an untimed, diagnostic
test, so there are no accommodations. The results are used by
teachers to help plan instruction for
students.
Students at Tilden Middle School
will take the MAP-R between Sept.
10 and 24. Don’t forget to ask your
child for his/her score! Compare
your child’s spring and fall scores.
If you have questions, contact
Claudia Fraser, AEI literacy coach,
at 301-230-5930.
Average MAP-R Fall RIT Scores
Grade 6
213
Grade 7
217
Grade 8
220
2010-2011
TILDEN MIDDLE SCHOOL
Direct Appeal & Membership Campaign WHAT IS DIRECT APPEAL (DA)?
DIRECT APPEAL REPLACES THE SALE OF PRODUCTS THAT ONLY RETURN A SMALL PROFIT TO THE SCHOOL. The Direct Appeal
program asks that each family make a donation to the PTSA instead of having several fundraisers during the year. In a
Direct Appeal Campaign, 100% of your donation will benefit Tilden. And, 100% of your donation is tax deductible.
How can you help? Make a donation - ANY amount donated will be greatly appreciated. Many corporations offer
“matching fund” programs. Ask at your office — and double your donation!
Why? • 100% of your Direct Appeal contribution will benefit your children. • You and your child will NOT be asked
by the PTSA to sell anything. And, independent school fundraising is being phased out at Tilden • 100% of your
Direct Appeal contribution will be tax deductible. Money raised through Direct Appeal helps ALL STUDENTS.
WHY JOIN THE PTSA IF I HAVE ALREADY MADE A CONTRIBUTION TO
DIRECT APPEAL?
The PTSA sponsors the Direct Appeal campaign, but Membership & Donation are not “one-in-the-same.” The PTSA is a
national organization that requires participating schools, parents, teachers, and/or students to join or become “members.”
PTSA is an Advocacy organization — empowering parents & communities to make a difference in our children’s lives.
What are membership dues? At Tilden, the cost to become a member is $25.00 for an individual or $35.00 for a family
membership (2 adults).
What’s the difference between joining the PTSA and making a contribution to the Direct Appeal Campaign? Joining
the PTSA means that you have voting privileges during the membership year on important budget and program issues.
Direct Appeal, on the other hand, is a campaign to raise funds for various school improvements, educational programs,
etc., in lieu of fundraising activities.
Are there other benefits for joining the PTSA? Yes. PTSA membership entitles you to a number of resources accessible
at www.PTA.org, including an on-line subscription to Our Children magazine, The PTA Parent online newsletter, and
discounts & promotional items.
Can I write one check for both my PTSA membership and the Direct Appeal Campaign? Yes. For example, if you
decide to join the PTSA as an individual member ($25.00) and make a donation to Direct Appeal ($100.00), you can write
one check for $125.00.
How does the PTSA spend the money I donate through Direct Appeal or with my PTSA membership donation?
Donations are used to help fund these programs and more: Student Directory • International Night • School
Beautification• Cultural Arts Programs • Newsletter • Eighth Grade Celebration • Geography Bee • Career Day • Staff
Appreciation • After School Activities • Parent Programs •Family Movie Night •Staff Instructional Fund• Teacher Wish
List Items • WJ Prom Breakfast • Webster Fund For Teacher Support
MAKING A DA CONTRIBUTION AND JOINING THE PTSA - HERE’S HOW
Mail or drop off completed form on the back to Tilden MS PTSA, 11211 Old Georgetown Road,
Rockville, MD 20852.
(Please print!)
Student Name________________________________________________
Grade__________
Student Name________________________________________________
Grade__________
Student Name________________________________________________
Grade__________
Parent/Guardian Name (#1) ___________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name (#2)____________________________________________________________________
Phone# 1 _______________________________ (H/W/C) Phone #2 __________________________ (H/W/C)
Street Address______________________________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip _____________________________________________________________________________
First Member E-mail
Second Member E-mail
We would like to recognize your support by thanking you in one or more of the following ways: Newsletter, PTSA
Bulletin Board, TMS Website, etc. Please indicate only if you WOULD NOT like to be recognized.
_____ No, I would prefer not to be recognized as a contributor to the Direct Appeal Campaign.
ITEM
Direct Appeal Campaign Contribution
Tilden Supporters - up to $99 Timberwolves - $250 - $499
Friends of Tilden - $100 - $249 Wolf Pack - $500 or more
PTSA Membership ($25.00)
Member Name #1 _____________________________________
PTSA Membership – 2nd membership ($10.00)
Member Name #2______________________________________
EXTRA DIRECTORY ($5 EACH)
$ AMOUNT ENCLOSED
Direct
Appeal
$ _______________
PTSA #1
$ _______________
PTSA #2
$ _______________
$ __________________
$
________________
*Mail or drop off completed form and check to Tilden MS PTSA, 11211 Old Georgetown Road,
Rockville, MD 20852.