PTSA Newsletter 2010-11
President’s Letter
Here’s to hoping that the
snow showers forecast for
Tuesday don’t preempt our
next PTSA meeting.
Weather permitting, our Susan Verner
PTSA meeting this month, on Tuesday,
Feb. 8, will include a program on Setting
Logical Limits for Tweens and Teens presented by Molly Jackman of the PEP program. She is an excellent presenter who
provides terrific take-home information.
On Feb. 25, we have our Annual Charity Basketball Game, chaired again this
year by Beth Resnick. Come out and see
Tilden staff members take on a team of
cluster parents in what is sure to be a
spirited game. The staff has been practicing and should be ready. There will also
be special half-time entertainment.
Funds raised at this event will go to the
Tilden Families in Need Fund.
The next night, Feb. 26, there will be an
event at WJ called Community Cupcakes:
Cupcake’s Got Talent. Community Cupcakes is an event started by Val Carter in
2008 in memory of her son, Tilden seventh-grader Luke Carter-Schelp, who died
in 2006 after being hit by a car.
Each year, on Luke’s birthday, Val organizes a charity event to celebrate Luke
and to raise funds for a worthy cause.
Shortly before Luke died, Val asked him
to volunteer with her at the polls for the
November election. Luke said he would
come as long as there were cupcakes.
(Continued on page 3)
Vol. 12, No. 6, Feb. 2011
Acting Principal’s Message
Welcome to the third quarter and second semester.
Students at Tilden have performed exceptionally well
during the first half of the
Ms. McKnight
school year.
They all worked very hard in preparing
for their exams and that has been reflected in their grades.
Honor Roll letters will be coming home
soon in the hands of students who are
very excited about their accomplishment
of being academically dedicated during
second quarter. With a running start like
this, I am truly looking forward to second
semester being Simply The Best.
As the second semester unfolds, sixth,
seventh and eighth grade students will
embark on new horizons with learning
new and rigorous content. Each of them
is absolutely up for the challenge.
The Tilden Middle School staff will continue to keep the bar raised with a high
level of expectations. This time of year
also unfolds the registration season at all
grade levels. Please be vigilant for upcoming due dates pertaining to registration deadlines.
(Continued on page 6)
PTSA Meeting
Tuesday, Feb. 8, 7 pm
Media Center
Setting Logical Limits
for Tweens and Teens
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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
240-274-2088
301-770-3048
301-770-0044
301-987-0070
301-946-6883
301-530-4690
301-770-3813
Student Government Association
The SGA has been working very
hard. We are gearing up for the annual
student member of the Board convention
and election. Several of our students will
attend the nominating convention. This is
a wonderful opportunity to get a taste of
the political arena. We look forward to
preparing for the election.
We are running two fundraisers in February: Candygrams, which benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and Pennies for
Patients, which benefits the Leukemia and
Lymphoma Society. Don’t forget to bring in
that loose change to your first-period
teacher from Feb. 14 through Mar. 4.
Our last all-school dance will take place
on Apr. 15. SGA is a great way to get involved and meet new people while helping
out your school and community. We encourage every student to join us.
--Amy Domingos and Michelle Cassels
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Next Meeting. The next PTSA meeting
is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 8,, at 7
pm in the Media Center. The program
will be settling logical limits for tweens
and teens.
Molly Jackman of Parenting Encouragement Program is back for another
engaging and informative program on
parenting middle schoolers. Come hear
Molly’s presentation and bring your parenting questions. There will be time for
questions and answers after the presentation. Our business meeting will follow
the program.
Please Help. Contact Beth Resnick at
[email protected] to help at the annual PTSA charity basketball game on
Friday, Feb. 25, and Karina Sanchez at
[email protected] to help at
International Night on Friday, Mar. 11.
Thank You. Thanks to the following parents for their help with the SGA dance
last month: Donna Hanes, who donated
an air hockey table; Gianna Vallefuoco,
who helped pick up the donated table;
and Renee Sklarew, Lisa Strauss and
Val Carter who helped set up, sell pizza
and clean up
A big thanks to Sharon Gross and
Anne Ackerman for organizing everything and for running around Rockville to
replenish the game room supplies just in
time.
And thanks to all our members and donors, the PTSA was able to purchase
games and other supplies for the game
room.
Newsletter Deadlines. All copy is due
by the following dates for that month’s
issue: Mar. 4, Apr. 7, and May 6.
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Hoop It Up
Please join us on Friday, Feb. 25, at 7
pm for the annual Tilden Charity Basketball Game. Come watch the Tilden Timberwolves faculty and staff take on a
team of Tilden parents and teachers
from the feeder elementary schools.
In addition to the game, this event will
also feature a 50/50 raffle, half-court
shootout and a halftime performance by
the X-treme Acro gymnastic troupe
coached by Mrs. Cassels.
Pizza and snacks will be sold.
All proceeds will benefit the Tilden
Families in Need Fund to help those
needing financial assistance.
Tickets are $5, with children under 5
admitted free. Doors open at 6:30.
Want to help or have questions?
Please contact Beth Resnick at [email protected].
President’s Letter (from page 1)
At each Community Cupcakes event,
everybody gets a cupcake.
Coming up in March, we will be cosponsoring a showing of the film ―Race to
Nowhere‖ on March 3 at Walter Johnson.
Also in March, don’t miss our annual International Night. It is a fabulous evening
where the many nationalities of Tilden are
showcased by our Tilden families.
Finally, please join me in welcoming
Monifa McNight to her term as our interim
principal! If you haven’t had a chance to
meet her yet, she will be giving the principal’s report at our PTSA meeting on
Tuesday. Also, we wish Mrs. Baker well
during her time away from Tilden.
Though I am sure the kids would love a
few more snow days, personally I am
hoping for just a few more snowflakes,
and an early spring.
—Susan Verner
Free Tickets Available Feb. 17 for Showing of “Race to Nowhere”
The Walter Johnson, Tilden and other cluster PTSAs are hosting a free screening of
the documentary, ``Race to Nowhere’’ at 7:30 p,m. Mar. 3 in the Walter Johnson auditorium. The film is rated PG-13 for thematic material involving stress on adolescents.
Tickets for this documentary will be available beginning Feb. 17. A link will be on the
Walter Johnson website (www.walterjohnson.com) and will be distributed to the WJ
Cluster PTA listservs on that date. Only four tickets may be reserved at a time.
Because we are offering these tickets for free, and because there is strong interest in
seeing this movie, we ask that you only take tickets if you know you can attend. No
one will be allowed in without a ticket, and we expect this event to be sold out.
―Race to Nowhere‖ is the product of a concerned mother-turned-filmmaker, who aims
her camera at what she says is the high-stakes, high-pressure culture that has invaded
our schools and our children’s lives, creating unhealthy, disengaged, unprepared and
stressed-out youth.
Featuring the stories of young people in all types of communities who have been
pushed to the brink, educators who are burned out and worried that students aren’t developing the skills they need, and parents who are trying to do what’s best for their
kids, ―Race to Nowhere‖ points to what it says is a silent epidemic in our schools.
For additional information, see www.racetonowhere.com/tools
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Calendar of Events
Tue., Feb. 8, 7 pm: PTSA Meeting: Setting Limits
Thu., Feb. 17: Tickets available for ``Race to Nowhere’’
Fri, Feb. 18, 7 pm: Tilden Talent Show
Fri., Feb. 25, 7 pm: PTSA-Sponsored Charity Basketball Game
Sat., Feb. 26: Community Cupcakes Luke Carter-Schelp event at Walter Johnson HS
Thu., Mar. 3, 7:30 pm: ``Race to Nowhere’’ showing at Walter Johnson
Tue., Mar. 8, 7 pm: PTSA Meeting – Business Meeting, appoint nominating committee
Fri., Mar. 11, 7 pm: International Night
Fri., Apr. 15: Career Day
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
—Participate in school-sponsored clubs and organizations that promote service.
—Consider getting involved in service on President’s Day February 21 and the ―Early
Release‖ day on March 4.
—Demonstrate a good work ethic when addressing real need in the community.
—Remember: SSL is a graduation requirement. SSL along with all other requirements must be met for a high school diploma to be awarded.
—Find meaningful, high quality service-learning opportunities by searching
www.mcpsssl.org.
—Jane Stasko
Family and Consumer Sciences Getting into Cooking
The sixth-grade FACS students are very excited to get right into cooking as we
have started our second week in class. Our first lab is healthy fruit smoothies. This is
a wonderful starter lab to make at home. Next we will build on our skills and start making more elaborate recipes that include vegetable fried rice, fajitas, pita pizza, the everfamous monkey bread and many, many more wonderful treats.
I encourage the students to bring in favorite recipes to share. Nutrition and cooking
techniques is a consistent learning process throughout the entire semester. FACS is a
wonderful way to learn life skills, make new friends and work together with others.
The seventh graders are planning their first lab, homemade muffins. This is another
wonderful starter lab that is great to make at home. Following muffins, we will be getting into more meal planning such as fajitas, home-made pizza, appetizers, stir-fry and
much, much more. Nutrition and financial literacy are also key elements.
The eighth graders are working well within their groups and deciding on jobs, recipes
and strategies to create successful labs. Our first lab is a review beginning with homemade pizza. Students get into more detailed recipes, meal planning, cultural foods
and group collaboration. Financial literacy and budgeting is further explored.
FACS is a wonderful way to expand on independence, decision making and problem
solving skills while having fun
—Amy Domingos, FACS Teacher
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Caffeine Warning
A new hazard for adolescents is the
negative health effects of energy drink
consumption. They are consuming these
types of drinks at an alarming rate.
Caffeine is the main ingredient in the
majority of these drinks. The FDA
recommends no more than 65 mg of caffeine per 12 ounces of any drink. However, energy drinks contain up to 500 mg.
Specific effects that have been reported
include jitteriness, nervousness, dizziness, the inability to focus, difficulty concentrating, gastrointestinal upset, and insomnia. Health care providers report that
they have seen the following effects from
the consumption of energy drinks: dehydration, accelerated heart rates, anxiety,
seizures, acute mania, and strokes.
The acute and long-term effects from
excessive and chronic consumption of
these drinks alone and in combination
with caffeine are not fully known. Energy
drinks are often consumed with alcohol
because it may reduce the depressant
effect of the alcohol, thereby allowing the
adolescent to consume more for longer
periods of time.
Eliminating the consumption of energy
drinks has the potential to prevent negative health effects in children.
—Elizabeth (Betsy) Trotta
School Community Health Nurse
Come see the Tilden Variety
Show
7 pm Friday, Feb. 18
Tickets $5
All proceeds will benefit the
Music and Drama departments
Don't miss this fun evening
Prizes will be awarded to the "Act
of the Night"
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Acting Principal’s Message
(Continued from page 1)
As I began my first day on the job as
acting principal, I woke up excited for the
opportunity. That feeling has remained
throughout my first week.
I am looking forward to the many exciting experiences to come while working
with the students and staff over this period of acting principal.
This week has provided me many learning experiences and the opportunity to
walk in the shoes of a building principal.
I plan on taking advantage of this opportunity to enhance my professional growth
in order to make me a stronger instructional leader.
I will also continue to focus on student
achievement and all that it takes to help
students be successful during their adolescent years.
As we embark upon this four-week journey together, I know that I am in the right
school to receive this experience. I am
truly honored to serve in this capacity and
support your child’s educational success.
Finally, please join us for two upcoming
events that will showcase the talents of
Tilden’s students and staff. Our student
talent show will be held at 7 pm Friday,
Feb. 18. Students are working with Mr.
Patrie and Mr. Shaw to prepare for this
wonderful event to show off their talents.
We will also host our big Tilden Charity
Basketball Game at 7 pm Friday, Feb. 25.
The Tilden Timberwolves staff will take on
a team of feeder elementary teachers and
Tilden parents. All proceeds from this
event will benefit the Tilden Families in
Need Fund.
I hope to see you at these upcoming
events and wishes to you for a happy and
healthy start of the new semester.
—Monifa B. McKnight
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The beautiful thing about learning is
that no one can take it away.
Test Taking Tips
Multiple Choice – Try to predict
the correct answer before looking at
all of the choices. Read all of the answers even if one looks correct. Cross
out any answers that you know are
wrong. Look for clues that provide evidence for the response you think is
correct.
Fill in the Blank – Read all of the responses. Eliminate those you are sure
are wrong. Try each remaining answer
in the blank to see which one is correct.
Vocabulary – Read all of the
answer choices. Look for surrounding
words that in the sentence or text
that provide clues to the meaning.
Think about the part of speech of the
word or blank. Eliminate any answers
you know are wrong. Try each remaining response.
Proofreading - Try to identify
the type of error. Is it spelling, punctuation, capitalization, or grammar?
Do the subject and verb agree? How
would you correct it?
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MAP-R
All students, except some who are enrolled
in ESOL 1 or the LFI Program, took the
Measures of Academic Progress – Reading
test in late January through early February.
Ask your child for the letter with his/her
RIT score. Typical growth at the middle
school level is three RIT points over a year.
Compare your child’s current score with
his/her winter score from last year. Did
your child make gains? If not, is it because
your child was not feeling well or did not
put forth his/her best effort? Is your child
keeping up with the required independent
reading of 25 books per year? Compare the
scores below to see if your child is maintaining his/her rate of reading progress.
Approximate Median Scores by Grade
Grade Level
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7
8
MSA.
Winter RIT Score
215
219
222
The Maryland School As-
sessments will be administered
March 7-16. Review test-taking
tips and strategies with your
child.
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