AVID NEWS
Benjamin Banneker
Middle School
In This Issue

Message from AVID
Coordinator

Fundraiser Update

Parent Meeting Update

Staff Member Spotlight

Students of the Month

Learning in ACTION
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Message from AVID Coordinator
As we usher into a new
year, let us not look back
on all of the things that we
encountered in the year of
2015, yet let us move forward to the new experiences, expectations and
elevation that will embrace us ever so tightly.
An AVID student is the
epitome of someone who
doesn’t settle for mediocrity or being comfortable
with being “average.”
Throughout every facet of
the program, our AVID
students are constantly
challenged as it relates to
critical thinking, writing,
reading and organizational
skills. During the 1st semester, we had numerous
students who expressed
interest in becoming part
of the AVID
required to complete a survey to
gather feedback on their perception of the program. In reviewing the AVID Student Survey,
there was 11% of the students
who didn’t fully have a clear
understanding as to why they
were selected into the program.
For this reason, our AVID Student Selection Committee reexamined last year’s criteria which
now reflects motivation and advocacy as one of the new lookfors into entering or maintaining
status in the program. In moving
forward, students who not showing progress as it relates to the
newly revised criteria will be
placed on probation and will be
requested to exit the program. It
is important that I hold our students to high expectations and I
feel that they will meet the
challenge!
family, however not everyone was able to get it. It is a
distinction to be in a college
preparatory program that
shapes the mindset of young
individuals who have the
potential to go to a four-year
university or college.
As an educator and a parent
of two, it is very important
that we continue to pour in
encouraging words of wisdom to our children. As you
may know, all A VID students are enrolled in rigorous
courses which embodies this
year’s motto: Good to Great.
During the AVID Elective
course, students have a
chance to learn the WICOR
strategies and apply them
throughout their classes.
During this month, we will
start off with reading and end
with writing and inquiry.
Each semester, students are
Fundraiser Update
We are so fortunate and honored to have received another donation from the Audi dealership in the amount
of $500.00. Students will bring a copy of the Monetary Donation Letter on Friday, January 8th which
could be shared with your employer.
On Thursday, January 29th, we will have our second
AVID Restaurant Night at Squistos (15654 Old Columbia Pike). Visit the website to peruse the menu:
www.squisitopizzaandpasta.com.
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AVID NEWS
Benjamin Banneker
Mi ddle School
AVID Site Team Meetings
Please visit our website to find
the list of scheduled meetings
for the entire school year.
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AVID Parent Meeting #2
Mark you calendars! Our January AVID Parent Meeting has been changed from Monday,
January 11th to Monday, January 25th. The meeting will start promptly at 3:20p.m.
and end at 4:20p.m. During the meeting, we will be talking about the following topics:
 BBMS School Improvement Plan
 AVID Student Data
 Field Trips
 Fundraisers
 MCPS AVID Board Presentation
 End of the Year Ceremony Planning
If you would like to add additional agenda topics, please email our AVID Parent Liaison, Ms.
McEachern at [email protected] by Friday, January 15th. Impressively, we
had 12 parents represented at last month’s AVID Site Team Meeting. As much as we would
like to increase a positive trajectory for parent attendance, we totally understand that there
may be conflicts. For your viewing, we will post the minutes for the meeting.
AVID Student Officer
Monthly Meeting
Staff Spotlight: Mr. Ellis
Interviewed by Isabel Villatoro and Christine Gomes
Our AVID Officers will meet
on Wednesday, January 6th
from 3:20p.m. until 4:20p.m.
Transportation will be provided for all officers.
Education
My Middle School Favorites
Movie: “Long Walk to Freedom”
Food: Italian
Candy: Nerds
Hobby: Listening to music
Vacation: Colorado
Amusement Park: Hershey Park
Music: Everything but Country
What college did you go to?
University of Maryland
Cartoon: Arthur
TV Show: Sports/NFL
Teacher(s): 9th Grade Social Studies Teacher
AVID NEWS
Benjamin Banneker
Mi ddle School
Calendar of Events
Wednesday, January 6
AVID Student Officers’
Meeting
Monday, January 18
Martin Luther King, Jr Holiday/
NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, January 19-Thursday,
January 21
Exam Week
Monday, January 22
End of the 2nd Quarter & 1st
Semester Ends
Monday, January 25
Professional Day for Teachers/
NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, January 26
Beginning of 3rd Quarter & 2nd
Semester
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Student of the Month & Most Improved Student
For each grade level, teachers have the opportunity to vote for the student who they that has
consistently demonstrated the 3Rs and/or made the most improvement within a 4 week period.
Congratulations to the following students who were voted for the Student of the Month:
 6th Grade: Yasmine Juhar
 7th Grade: Cardena Campbell
 8th Grade: Andrea Arbaiza
Congratulations to the following students who were voted for Most Improved Student:
 6th Grade: Jaylon Powell
 7th Grade: Shadrack Kapangala
 8th Grade: Collin Clarke
Learning in Action
Our AVID Tutorials started mid-way during the 2nd quarter. They are uniquely designed to
assist students with their “Point of Confusion” or concept/topic that they are struggling with
the most in one of their classes. The tutor/student ratio is 1:5 which allows for small group
instruction tailored for students to present their Point of Confusion while their assigned tutor
and peers ask questions derived from Costa’s Level of Questions to help students to clarify
their initial questions. There are stem questions that students are able to use to assist them in
formulating their questions. Ultimately, they will be able to pose these same type of classes
during their classes when questions arise. Please visit the website to see a sample of Costa’s
Level of Questions.
Ms. Walters, AVID Tutor assisting the AVID Elective 8 a group of students with Science.
Valentina Idore, William Creighton and Kendall Carr