Timberwolf News & Notes
John Poole Middle School
March 20, 2016
Principal’s Message
Good Evening Timberwolf Families!
We are now three days from Spring Break. It is hard to
believe that as I am writing this and they are forecasting snow for
this weekend! We are also just 8 school days from the end of
the third marking period and the school year is almost 75%
completed!
What an awesome job our staff did this past week with our
humanities night. I am sure that those of you who attended our
annual humanities night had a great time. I want to thank all of
the staff members who planned and coordinated this event for
their hard work. It is always great to see staff, students, and
parents connecting and having fun while learning together.
Our next big event is our first ever talent show, which is
scheduled for April 8th at 6:30 p.m. Mr. Mattingly has been
working with our student leaders and student government
association to plan this event. We have a number of talented
students who will be participating and we are hoping that you will
have time to come and check it out. Best of all, it is a free event
and we welcome all of our families and friends.
As this is the last News and Notes prior to spring break I
wanted to take a minute to wish you all the best during spring
break. I hope you find the time to spend with your loved ones
and get some rest and relaxation. As I reflect this holiday
season I cannot tell you enough how much I enjoy being a
member of this school and community.
Upcoming Dates:

3/24 – No School, Prof. Day

3/25&28 – HOLIDAY,
School

3/29-4/1 – No School, Spring
Break

4/8 – 3rd Marking Period Ends

4/8 – Talent Show – 6:30 pm

4/11 – 4th Marking Period Begins

4/22 – Report Card Distribution

4/25 – 8th Grade Field Trip to
Natural History Museum

4/26 – HOLIDAY, No School

4/28 – 8th Grade Career Day
No
Make it a great week!
Respectfully,
Mr. Robert Sinclair Jr, Principal
Extension of 3rd Marking Period
Due to the number of snow days this marking period, MCPS has moved the end of the 3rd marking period from
Wednesday, March 23 to Friday, April 8. The 3rd marking period professional day for teachers will remain on
Thursday, March 24, which is the first day of spring break for students. Report card distribution for 3rd marking
period will now occur on Friday, April 22.
Hallway Heroes
Hallway Heroes are students we honor for demonstrating exemplary PRIDE behaviors as they move from class
to class, helping to keep our hallways safe and comfortable for everyone. The students recognized below
consistently demonstrate Purpose, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Effort everywhere they go at JPMS. They
are Hallway Heroes and we are proud to celebrate their high expectations and their Timberwolf
PRIDE! Congratulations to last week’s winners:
Diesel Anderson
Rachel Miller
Alyson Gotlewski
Madison Repass
Sam Koeser
Jaylen Riggs
Spring Break Technology Camp
Montgomery College Youth Programs is offering a SPRING BREAK TECHNOLOGY CAMP. Tuesday,
March 29 through Friday, April 1, students can get a taste of what is planned for the 2016 Youth Summer
Camps. This spring break program offers some of the most popular summer camp activities.
For more information and to register, please visit the MC website at
http://www2.montgomerycollege.edu/departments/wdce/youthpdf/springbreak.pdf . Questions may be directed
to Sharon Wolfgang at 240-567-7264 or [email protected] and Karla Espinoza at 240567-7917 or [email protected]
County Executive Releases Operating Budget Recommendation
Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett has released his recommended operating budget for FY 2017 and
is proposing a $135.9 million increase in spending for MCPS. This is about $44 million less than the $2.5 billion
operating budget the Board of Education had requested. The Montgomery County Council will hold public
hearings on the County Executive’s budget recommendation on April 5, 6, and 7. This is an opportunity for
parents, staff, students, and community members to share their thoughts with county leaders about why it is
important to fully fund the MCPS budget. To sign up to testify at a hearing, visit
www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/PHSignup.html or call 240- 777-7803. Stay informed and engaged
on the budget request on the MCPS operating budget website:
www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/budget/
Study Released on MCPS Choice and Special Academic Programs
MCPS has released its comprehensive study of choice and other special academic programs. The study was
commissioned by the Board of Education to analyze how well choice and special academic programs advance
the district’s mission, core purpose, and core values, and to recommend ways MCPS can improve these
programs. Over the next several months, MCPS will engage with the community and work to develop a plan to
address the report’s findings and recommendations. Three community dialogues are scheduled to discuss the
recommendations and the vision for choice within MCPS. The meetings will take place from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
on April 6 at Gaithersburg High School; April 18 at Kennedy High School; and May 5 at Walter Johnson High
School. The report is available at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/choice/report.aspx, where feedback also
can be submitted online.
8th Grade Dance
The 8th Grade Dance will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2016 at the Poolesville Baptist Church. The dance will
be from 7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. and the theme will be “An Evening Under the Big Top.”
Needed: Volunteers to help with the event. If interested, please contact either Dreama Hemingway at
[email protected] or Jennifer Kasten at [email protected]
Choose Respect Conference— #RespectYourSelfie
Students and parents: mark your calendars for the 2016 Choose Respect Conference. This free event will take
place THIS SUNDAY, March 20, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Richard Montgomery High School. Morning
host Tommy McFly of 94.7 Fresh FM and correspondent for WUSA9-TV will emcee the opening session of the
conference. Toby Knapp from HOT 99.5 will emcee the closing session and announce the winners of the 2016
PSA contest. Parents, teens, youth service providers, and educators will come together to discuss the problems
around teen dating violence and talk about ways to establish healthy relationships. Did you know that nearly 1.5
million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner each year?
This is an important conversation that all students must have. There will be raffles, prizes, free food, and live
entertainment. You don’t want to miss this event. For more information and to register, visit
www.montgomerycountymd.gov/fjc/chooserespect.html.
Are You Up to the 5th Grade Challenge?
The MCPS Educational Foundation invites you to join local dignitaries and community leaders for a night of fun
and celebration at the fourth annual “Are You Up to the 5th Grade Challenge?” event on Monday, April 11. The
event will be held at 7 p.m. at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, 8633 Colesville Road in Silver Spring.
The event will test local celebrity contestants on their knowledge of Grade 5 facts. Students from more than 20
MCPS elementary schools will participate in the event. The event is free and open to the public. Those who wish
to attend are asked to register online at: www.mcpsfoundation.org/fifth-grade-challenge-2016.
Montgomery County National College Fair Set for April 19 and 20
The annual Montgomery County National College Fair will be held on Tuesday, April 19, and Wednesday, April
20, at the Agricultural Center, 501 Perry Parkway in Gaithersburg. This free event will feature representatives
from dozens of colleges and universities, and provide resources to students and parents navigating the college
admissions process. The fair runs 9:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on both days and is open to Grade 11 students attending
with their schools. The fair also will run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday and will be open to all students
in Grades 8-12 and their parents.
Attention 8th Grade Parents!
It’s that time of year! We are preparing for the 2016 Career Day for our 8th grade students. We have many
wonderful things planned for them but still need your help. Parents can help by being a presenter and sharing
with our students your personal career path. You will share for about 15 minutes with 4 different small groups of
10-15 students. Students sign up for this day 10 days in advance, so we need your commitment by April 14th OR
we always need help with refreshments for our presenters. You can help with this by signing up on
Sign Up Genius www.SignUpGenius.com/go/60B0E4DAFAF23A02-jpms1/7690200
In case you do not have access to Sign Up Genius, please click on the link to get a hard copy of the signup sheet
CareerDaySignup.pdf
If you have questions, feel free to contact [email protected], [email protected],
[email protected] See attached form for more details!
Attention 6th Grade Parents
BE PREPARED! The Maryland mandatory immunization requirements will change next year when your child
enters 7th grade. The new requirements for 7th grade are: Meningococcal (MCV) & Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria,
pertussis/whooping cough). Visit your child’s health care provider for required immunizations. Please provide
proof of immunizations to your school’s health room as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please call
the nurse or health tech at 301-407-1029.
Soccer Schedule
Soccer start times are 3:15 at home and 3:30 away
Boys' Soccer





4/7 at King
4/12 vs Kingsview at Home
4/20 at Neelsville
5/3 at Clemente
5/5 vs Rocky Hill at Home
Girls' Soccer





4/7 vs King at Home
4/12 at Kingsview
4/20 vs Neelsville at Home
5/3 vs Clemente at Home
5/5 at Rocky Hill