AVID NEWS
Benjamin Banneker
Middle School
In This Issue

Message from AVID
Coordinator

Fundraiser Update

Parents’ Meeting

Field Trips

Staff Member Spotlight
VOLUM E 1
IS SU E
8
APRIL
2016
Message from AVID Coordinator
I hope that everyone had a
restful and fulfilling Spring
Break! As we closely approach the 4th quarter, it will
be so imperative that we united as one in stressing the
importance of ‘ending
strong.” Oftentimes, students
lose focus during the last
quarter and produce lackluster results due to the looming
summer vacation.
During our last AVID Site
Team Meeting, many teachers expressed the need for our
AVID students to have more
reading and writing opportunities. As a result, more reading and writing assignments
will be assigned for the next
two months. Ironically, all
students will be taken
PARCC which is a newly
adapted statewide test that
ultimately measures students’
reading, writing and
and mathematical skill set.
Each grade level will have more
How will the AVID Elective
timed writing assignments. Essencourse prepare students for
tially, this will lessen the testPARCC in the area of reading? taking anxiety most often associatStudents will receive more read- ed with students who are taking
major test such as PARCC. It is
ing assignments that will allow
important for students to not only
for additional reading practice.
demonstrate their content
Throughout the year, students
have learned research-based strat- knowledge, but to learn how to
egies that have been deemed as strategize and organize their
effective if used on a consistent thoughts while monitoring their
time.
basis. Throughout the AVID
course, time will be given to revisit the strategies and apply
them to text of high complexity
and rigor. More specifically,
reading strategies (before, during
and after) and word solving strategies will be utilized to increase
a transfer of skills throughout
their other content areas.
How can parents assist during
the next two months?
All parents should be supportive
of the rigor that the AVID students will experience. Encourage
them to take copious notes and ask
a lot of questions when clarity is
needed.
How will the AVID Elective
course prepare students for
PARCC in the area of writing?
Fundraiser Update
During the month of February and March, we raised over enough money
.to sponsor a dance and pay for the salary of four college tutors. Indeed,
our initiatives would not have been fulfilled without your support and
commitment to the program. During the month of April, our efforts will be
on raising money for the AVID End of the Year Ceremony. My ultimate
goal is to provide certificates and gift cards to recognize AVID students
who have made tremendous efforts in their journey at Banneker Middle
School. Of course, food will be provided for this grandiose occasion,
therefore this month, students will be responsible for raising money for
our AVID Monetary Donation Drive. In order for this event to take place,
students will need to raise $75.00. Please contact family, friends, fellow
employees, and/or local businesses in an effort to have a memorable ceremony. All students will have a manila folder that has the Monetary Donation Letter and Pledge Forms. Please e-mail me if any questions arise.
AVID Monetary
Donation Drive
Goal=
$75.00 per student
Expenses:
Catering
Rental Space
Certificates
Gift cards
AVID NEWS
Benjamin Banneker
Middle School
AVID Student Meeting
AVID Student Meeting will
take place on Wednesday, April
6th. Food and transportation
will be provided.
SAVE THE DATE
On Wednesday, April 27th, join
for our 2nd Restaurant Night at
Squistos located in the
Burtonsville Shopping Center.
Proceeds to benefit our program
will be from 4:00p.m.-9:00p.m.
The formula for the fundraiser:
 $500.00-less= 10% profit
 $1000.00- $501.00= 20%
profit
 Over $1000.00= 30% profit
Lets aim for 30% of the profit.
Flyers will go out one week
prior for marketing purposes.
VOLUM E 1
IS SU E
8
APRIL
2016
PARENT MEETING (APRIL 21st @ 4:00p.m.)
All parents are invited to attend this month’s Parent Meeting being held in the Media Center at
4:00p.m. It will be mandatory that all 8th grade parents be in attendance to discuss specific details of
the Closing Ceremony tailored for the 8th graders. There will be messages sent electronically as well
through ConnectEd in case you will not be in attendance. Nevertheless, there will be time sensitive
dates that will must be honored in an effort to plan accordingly for the big event. If you have any questions, please let me know.
FIELD TRIPS
Permission slips for the grade level field trips will go out on Monday, April 4th.
 6th Grade: May 5th—-University of Maryland-Baltimore
 7th Grade: May 4th—-Montgomery College (Takoma Park/Silver Spring)
 8th Grade: May 2nd— Bowie State University
There were many exceptions made for the last field trip that made it very strenuous as it related to the
planning component. I ask you ever so kindly to please sign and return permission slips as well submit
the required allotment. Additionally, all students will be eating either on the designated campus or in
close proximity. Please provide at $5.00 to your AVID student on the day of the trip to take care of
Staff Spotlight: Mrs. Stump
What college did you attend?
 Shippensburg University
What did you major in?
 Elementary Education with a
minor in Early Childhood
My MIDDLE SCHOOL FAVORITES
Movie: “The Sandlot” & “A League of Their Own”
Food: Lasagna
Candy: Mr. Goodbar & Kitkats
Hobby: Reading :)
Vacation: Bethany Beach (Family Vacation)
Amusement Park: Wild World (now 6 Flags, only liked
the bumper cars)
Music: Christian
Cartoon: Captain Planet
TV Show: TGIF; Full House, Family Matters, Step by
Step, Boy Meets World
Teacher(s): Mrs. McGillycuddy