September 2014
TEST TIGER TIMES
Counselor’s Corner
Mopps’ Musings
What a great start to the new school year! It is hard
to believe that we are already three weeks into the
year. We have nearly 200 new students and 5 new
teachers. Everyone seems to have hit the ground
running. We had the 5th graders attend ½ day before
the rest of the students came, which always seems to
help. Our back to school night was well attended and teachers
had an opportunity to meet with parents and talk about their
classes.
Arrival and dismissal are going well. Fifth graders are
reporting to the small gym every morning and waiting on their
teachers to pick them up, while the sixth, seventh, and eighth
graders can either wait outside or in the big gym. The doors
open at 7:45 for students to come in and get breakfast or report
to the gym. Dismissal is moving just as smoothly. The buses
seem to be getting here and leaving by 3:45 daily. We
appreciate all of the parents following the procedures for drop
off and pick up.
As always, we encourage parents to discuss school with their
children. Ask them how their day has gone. Take them to an
extracurricular activity. The more students are involved here at
Test, the more successful they will be. We have football
(7-8th), volleyball (7-8th), cross country (5-8th), girls’ and
boys’ basketball (7-8th), wrestling (5-8th), swimming (5-8th),
track (5-8th), and golf (5-8th) that students can participate in.
We also have choir, band, orchestra, drum ensemble, and
cheerleading.
Let’s continue this great start. If you ever have any questions,
please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 765-973-3412.
Respectfully,
Stacy Mopps
FREE MONEY FOR COLLEGE!!!
If you are an Indiana 7th or 8th grader, who qualifies for the
Twenty-first Century Scholars program, you can get up to four
years of undergraduate college tuition to attend an eligible
Indiana public, private, or proprietary institution.
To enroll your child you will need the following:
 Have your child’s Social Security Number on
hand.
 Have parent or legal guardian’s Social Security
Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification
Number (ITIN).
 Have 2014 taxable gross income amounts for the
parent(s) or legal guardian(s) ready.
 Have a valid e-mail address available which will
be needed to submit the online application. If you
do not have an e-mail account, you can set up a
free account at sites such as : www.yahoo.com,
www.gmail.com, www.hotmail.com
2014-2015 21st Century Scholar Income Maximums
Household Size
Maximum Annual Income
2
$27,991
3
$35,317
4
$42,643
5
$49,969
6
$57,295
For each additional person in the household, add $7,326.
Go to the RCS website- www.werRichmond.com, go to Test
Intermediate homepage and follow the link. If you do not have
internet access, your child may pick up an enrollment form
from Mr. Norris, guidance counselor, and he will help enroll
your child. All information is treated as confidential and all
documents will be shredded. If you need more information
about this program, please call 973-3412 and ask for Mr.
Norris.
Book Recommendations
Interviews
The first recommendation is Wonder by R.J. Palacio and was
recommended by Mrs. Marsee, Test Intermediate’s librarian.
This novel is about a boy with severe facial deformities. He has
always been homeschooled but one year his parents decide that
they want him to start attending school. He begins 5 th grade and
is struggling with being accepted by his classmates. This is a
great book about surviving bullies. Kids in grades 5-8 would
enjoy reading it.
Students chose a few of their most memorable and favorite
teachers to interview for the month of September.
The next recommendation is Crazy by Han Nolan and was
recommended by 8th grader, Charlee Wilhelm. This book is
about a boy named Jason. His mother has passed away and his
father suffers from a mental illness. He tries to keep everything
together by relying on his imaginary friends. This book is
appropriate for upper middle school students.
Test library is using an old card catalogue to display books that
students and teachers recommend to others. If you are looking
for a new book to jump in to, then stop by the library to check
out the recommendations!
Mrs. Creech
Question: What’s your favorite thing about Social Studies?
Answer: I love teaching things that show us why things are the
way they are, for example, how world religions evolved.
Question: What’s your favorite movie?
Answer: I love Tim Burton movies! Dark and scary type stuff
with a little bit of humor.
Mrs. Allen
Question: What is your favorite grade to teach?
Answer: 5th and 6th grade rock!
Question: Who is your favorite celebrity?
Answer: Channing Tatum.
Mrs. Mowell
Question: How many years have you been a teacher?
Answer: I have taught at Test for 12 years.
Question: Who is your favorite basketball team?
Answer: The Boston Celtics are my favorite.
Mr. Merritt
Question: If you could dye your hair, what color would you
dye it?
Answer: Blonde.
Question: How long ago was it when you were in the 7th
grade?
Answer: A long time ago, back in the 1980s!
Book Fees
Book fees are due A.S.A.P. You can still pay online or come to
the office and pay. Payments can be made by check, cash, or
money order.
Picture Day
Test Intermediate School’s picture day will be Thursday,
September 11th. Picture packets have been sent home with
students.
Art/Comic Contest
Hello Test Intermediate students! Are you an artist? Do you
like to be spooky and eerie? Then I’ve got a challenge for you!
This September we are beginning the monthly art and comic
contest. The theme for October’s comic is Halloween frights
and the theme for October’s art contest is the eeriness of fall.
The winning artwork/comic will receive one free ice cream. If
you plan on participating, please turn your comic or artwork
into Miss Kleather (room 116) by September 22 nd.
A Note From Miss Kleather
Sports
Miss Kleather’s students are currently working on how to
effectively set up a writing piece and Close Reading strategies.
Updates and reminders are sent out at least once a week
through a free text and email service called Remind 101. A
flyer was sent home the first week of school with your child
that included instructions on how to sign up. If you’d like more
information on this, or have other questions, contact Miss
Kleather via email at [email protected] or phone at
765-973-3412. This year is filled with a lot of fun and learning,
so be sure to stay connected!
RIF football has five games in September. On September 4 th,
Richmond will travel to face Anderson. Richmond will play
away at Northeastern on September 10th. On September 17 th
Richmond will have a home game against Muncie Wilson. On
September 20th there will be a home game against New Castle.
The final game in September will be an away game on
September 29th against East Jay.
Music
Band
 Practice journals are due Friday
 September 23rd –Marching Rehearsal @ Civic
Hall 6-8 p.m.
 September 24th –Homecoming Parade with high
school
 Meet at Cordell Municipal Pool 5:00
p.m.
 Wear black Test band shirt
 September 26th –Middle School Appreciation
Night Football Game @ RHS during halftime
 Wear black Test band shirt
Choir
 December 8th—Concert
The Richmond Intermediate football team is raising money for
new equipment. They are selling spirit wear for fans to
purchase. For further information, contact someone on the RIF
team.
The volleyball season just started! The games for the month of
September are on the 3rd, 9th, 11th, 15th, 17th, 22nd, 25th, 29th, and
30th. Anyone can come to the game, the more support they
have the better they play. They practice from 3:45-5:30 every
Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. On Tuesdays they
practice from 4:00-5:30. Coach Eifert is the 7th grade coach and
Coach Webber is the coach for 8th grade.
Attention all students interested in cross country! It’s not too
late to sign up. If you like running long distances, then you
should pick up a permission slip in the office so you can join. If
you have any questions, please ask Miss Pearson.
Good luck to all teams at their upcoming games and
competitions!
Drum Ensemble
 December 8th—Network Conference
Orchestra
 September 30th--Concert
Super Bubble Gum
Mommy made me mash my M&M
The Octave Slide
What do the above phrases have in common?
**Just ask a 6th grade choir member.
Did you know Test Intermediate now has a 6th grade choir?
Choir students meet during 1st period every day in room 119
with director, Mrs. Limburg. The choir students are learning
proper singing techniques, reading 3-part music, and practicing
fun songs with friends. Watch for upcoming concert
information. If you enjoy singing, talk with Mrs. Limburg
about joining choir 2nd trimester. **The first five people
(non-choir members) to tell Mrs. Limburg the correct answer
will receive a prize.
A Big Thanks
Test Intermediate School would like to recognize and send a
huge “THANK YOU” to Shear Designers for their continued
support with their own time and donations for Test to send a
student each month for a salon experience. It is greatly
appreciated by staff, students, and families! Thanks again for
your ongoing generosity! If you have any salon needs, please
call or visit Shear Designers located at 1501 W. Main St.
Richmond or call 935-0956!
September Birthdays
5th Grade News
This year Family Fitness
Works (FFW) and Rec
Plex has sponsored Mr.
Scott’s classroom by
replacing all of the chairs
with 55cm exercise/
stability balls. Research
has shown that by
replacing chairs with
these balls, students stay
more active and engaged
in their learning. While
all students benefit from
using these balls, the
group that benefits the
most are the students
with ADHD. They
allow them to release some of their nervous energy and resist
the temptation of acting out, getting up out of their seats, and
allows them to stay on task.
After spending the first few days of going over and reinforcing
proper procedures, students are doing extremely well. We look
forward to FFW sending some instructors over to teach our
class how we can use the balls to not only grow stronger
academically, but also stronger physically. We want to thank
John Dils, Jane Barker, and Jason Whitney for their efforts in
making this happen.
The Scholastic Book Fair is coming
September 22nd!
Tell your parents…tell your
grandparents…tell your trusty steed!
Make a quest to the book fair and capture
a good book!
Parents and grandparents interested in volunteering at the
book fair should contact Mrs. Marsee at 973-3412.
Jayci Allen
Brennen Urich
Calli Hammock
Yamiben Patel
Kelsey Mullins
Jason Holliday
Mr. Bettner
Kendra Besecker
Brice Brown
Elizabeth Lofton
Lakisha Woodall
Shirley White
Diante Taylor
Tiffany Horn
Travon Curry
Mrs. Slifer
Logan VanWinkle
Ethan Renner
Mrs. Kelly
Tyrell Wright
Lily Markey
Amir Mills
Justin Fritts
Madison Sublett
Haley Shipley
Madison Allen
Kenzie Wright
Hailey Collins
Mr. Merritt
Benjamen McKee
Tessa Nicholson
Jessica Holland
Isabel Morales
Brandon Gregory
Trinity Miles
Ely Ervin
Dylan Puckett
Oscar Hernandez
Mrs. Toby
Hector Thomas
Alexander Perales
Shannon Tanner
Cameron Sittloh
Chloe Mitchell
Ashia Rogers
KeShawn Edwards
Michael Mejia
Rylee Hampton
Hernan Contreras
Nick Shinn
Kimberly Baker
Alena Short
Madelynn Derringer
Heidi Heiber
Hailey Harris
Kaytlynn Gerken
Hayden Helms
Mrs. Michaels
Mrs. Toby
A sixth grade teacher at Test Intermediate needs our help!
She was diagnosed with PCS six years ago and now needs a
new liver. The staff and students at Test have been helping
Mrs. Toby reach her goal of fundraising $25,000. So far she
has $11,734!
The health teacher, Mr. Myers, has agreed to get a
makeover if $100 or more is raised by the first week of
September.
Outside the library is a piggy bank where Test’s staff and
students have been donating extra change. $117 has been
collected!
If you are interested in contributing to Mrs. Toby’s fund,
please visit www.helphopelive.org.