AVID NEWS
Benjamin Banneker
Middle School
In This Issue

Message from AVID
Coordinator

Fundraiser Update

AVID College Field Trips

Message from Student
Officers

Staff Spotlight

Message from District
Coordinator


Preliminary Scholastic
Assessment Test
(PSAT)
AVID Student Testimonial
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DECEMBER 2015
Message from AVID Coordinator
As we closely approach
2016, I want to reflect on
the progress made by the
students thus far:
 46 out of 58 students
earned a GPA between the range of 2.0
-2.5
 10 out of 58 students
earned a 3.0 or higher.
 35 out of 58 students
scored either proficient or advanced on
standardized test entitled, MAP-R.
 2 out of 58 students
have received a
referral.
As we continue to press
our way through the end
of the semester, I anticipate even greater gains for
the 2nd semester and beyond. With these type of
statistics, our students
making tremendous strives
without receiving any financial support from
MCPS. AVID, an international program requires
that districts fully fund the
program to ensure that
expenses are taken care of
as it relates to field trips,
college tutor stipends, arrangements of guest
speakers and many other
things. Our neighboring
counties (Prince Georges’,
Howard, Baltimore and
Charles) support their
AVID program 100%,
however we underrepresented and underserved.
funding for our program. Of
course, this level of advocacy
will not only help our students
at Banneker, but it will greatly
assist the other seven schools
in MCPS who offer the AVID
program. Educators often given
an appeal to members of the
board on various issues, however it will be very powerful
for a group of parents to join
me in pushing out agenda. If
you are interested, please feel
free to e-mail me at
[email protected]
I look forward to hearing from
you soon. Otherwise, enjoy the
remaining days of the year.
In February, I will be presenting at the Board of
Education to advocate for
additional support and
Fundraiser Update
We have one new community partner:
Technet has donated $25.00 to assist our
program.
For this month, AVID students will be
spearheading their very first dance entitled
We have raised $505.00!
Winter Wonderland being held on Friday,
Our goal is to raise $1000.00
December 18th. We need volunteers to help
with setting up, food servers and cleaning up. A sign up sheet will be sent home
on Monday, December 7th to indicate other areas of need and support.
.
AVID NEWS
Benjamin Banneker
Middle School
STUDENT OF THE MONTH
6th Grade
Million Amanuel
7th Grade
Alaya Marshall
8th Grade
Christine Gomes
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DECEMBER 2015
AVID College Field Trips
AVID students from Banneker Middle School have taken several field trips in recent weeks
to area colleges to give them a glimpse into campus life. Last month, our 6th graders visit Washington
Adventist whereas our 7th and 8th graders visited the University of Maryland at College Park. For
each tour, they took a special tour throughout various parts of the campus which was indeed the highlight. An administrator spoke to the students about the importance of maintaining a high GPA while in
middle school. Our next scheduled field trips for 2016 will be forthcoming. If you are interested in
becoming a chaperone, please let me know. We would love for you to share this experience with your
AVID student.
Message from Student Officers
Each month, our grade level AVID Officers have a chance to meet to discuss AVID business. It was
brought to me attention that the student felt a need to be recognized more for their efforts. Kendall
Carr made a motion to adopt an AVID Student of the Month. AVID Vice President seconded the
installment of Student of the Month. The criteria that was established by the officers consist of following the 3Rs:
 Respectable
 Ready to Learn
 Responsible
AVID Teachers submitted their votes for the students who demonstrated these traits on a consistent
basis.
Staff Spotlight: Ms. McEachern
My Favorites
Movie(s): Gr ease and Nutty Professor
Food: Mangos
Candy: Reese Peanut Butter Cups
Hobby: Reading
Vacation: Trip to West Africa
What college did you go to?
University of Maryland, Bowie
State University and University of
Phoenix
What was your first job?
Salesperson
Amusement Park: Disney World
Music: Neo Soul
Cartoon: Backyardigans
TV Show: The Real
Teacher(s): College Professor, Dr. Konao
AVID NEWS
Benjamin Banneker
Middle School
Calendar of Events
Thursday, December 24
Winter Break - offices and
schools closed
Friday, December 25
Winter Break - offices and
schools closed
Monday, December 28
Winter Break - no school for students and teachers
Tuesday, December 29
Winter Break - no school for students and teachers
Wednesday, December 30
Winter Break - no school for students and teachers
Thursday, December 31
Winter Break - no school for students and teachers
Friday, January 01
New Year's Day - offices and
schools closed
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DECEMBER 2015
Message from District Director– Tutorial Process
AVID tutors who work with students received extensive training on the AVID tutorial process. The November 3rd
training was facilitated by our District Director, Victor Caroscio. “The purpose of the training was to ensure better
communication between the AVID teachers, tutors, and students so that the students would be supported on their
road to academic success,” Mr. Caroscio said. The topics covered included the 10- step Tutorial Process, the expectations of tutors, questioning strategies, and Cornell Notes — the note-taking style that AVID who recently
completed her required 4 hours worth of training. “I believe the training covered all aspects of the tutorial requirements.” Tutorology is central to the AVID program. Every Tuesday and Thursday, college tutors will work with
students in small collaborative groups called tutorials. However, the program is different than tutoring in the traditional sense; when students have a question, the tutor does not answer it outright, but asks the students a series of
questions to help them arrive at the answer. “I often refer to the tutors as coaches,” explained AVID District Director Mr. Caroscio. “The purpose of tutorials is to teach our students to think critically and arrive at the answer. Our
tutors start on Tuesday, December 1st.
Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT)
Its’ never to early to start developing a mindset for college entry requirements. Therefore, our
8th grade AVID students will have the opportunity to take a free online full SAT practice test on
Wednesday, December 16th and Friday, December 18th. It is an AVID essential
(requirement) that all 8th grade AVID students be exposed to the PSAT. Final score and reports
will printed and counted as a grade under their Portfolio category (100 for completion). Those
taking the paper test will just include the answer sheet in their portfolio. (Their Portfolio is made
up of many parts and will be used as evidence for their final interview. If students are absent
during these dates, they must schedule a time to make them up. No additional class time will be
devoted to finishing it beyond the dates listed above. Each student with the highest score from
each period will get to pick something from the "goodie box" and receive a Free Tutorial Pass.
AVID Student Testimonial
Our 6th and 7th grade students are in their first year in the AVID program. Many of them have
expressed delight in how it has prepared them. Our 7th grade AVID Historian, Destiny Mondelus
stated that AVID has helped her learn how to take Cornell Notes to gain a better understanding
of what she is learning. In addition, she shared how she has practicing the skill of advocating.
Throughout the second quarter, students are learning how to self-monitor their academic progress
which is also Banneker’s school-wide focus. “At times, AVID can be very hard because we are
forced to study more, but it has paid off for me” said Andrea Kornegay, 6th grade AVID student.
Indeed, these stories are representative of students who are greatly benefiting from the program.