The Monument
1
THE MONUMENT
Volume 3, Issue 3
BATTLE MONUMENT SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
NOVEMBER 2012
BUILDING INDEPENDENCE
IN OUR SCHOOL, HOMES AND COMMUNITY
The Principal’s Message:
It is hard to believe that the year is rapidly coming to a close! We have been blessed with
some unseasonable warm weather which I fear is only short-lived! It has, however,
provided opportunities for the students to continue to go outside for exercise and fresh
air. We have also used the good weather as opportunities to continue to practice our
skills at exiting the building in an emergency situation.
D. Jerry Easterly, Jr.
Principal
[email protected]
Kyle L. Martin
Assistant Principal
[email protected]
In this issue:
Attendance….2
Calendar….3
STAR Student….4
Class Notes….5
Music Notes...9
Social Work...10
Health Suite...11
While BMS is continuing to reap the rewards of the Monkee See -- Monkee Do/Microsoft
(MS-MD/MS) initiative, BMS is also developing an opportunity for our school to give to
others less fortunate. BMS will be entering into a partnership with Kids Helping Hopkins.
We will be soliciting for donations so that our students can assemble goody bags that will
be given to children who are on an inpatient stay at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center.
Many of our students and their families have used the Children’s Center, and this is an
excellent way for our school to give back to the community, as others have been so
generous to us. I will be providing more information on this initiative after the winter
break.
As another way to express our gratitude to the many people who were involved in the
MSMD/MS initiative, BMS created a video for these individuals. Every student was able to
express “thanks”, and the video also includes our “Gratitude Parade” held during
American Education Week and clips of students using the supplies which were donated. If
you would like to view the video, please go to https://dl.dropbox.com/u/76652689/
Gratitude%20Movie.mp4. Special thanks to Jodi Walker for producing the video!
Microsoft has also posted a video on you tube. Go to http://youtu.be/-xSLyFOGntw to
view the video.
I would also like to congratulate Jason Gaynor. Jason has been working to complete a
Master of Science in Education with a focus on Technology for Educators and should
complete his course requirements. I had the opportunity to attend a meeting with Jason
and his classmates and see Jason’s electronic portfolio. I know that you will join me in
congratulating Jason. I look forward to how he can help us continue to infuse technology
into our school community.
I would like to welcome Linda Blische back to BMS. Linda is one of our Additional Adult
Assistants, and she has been out for an extended time due to injuries she sustained in an
automobile accident. I am glad that Linda has healed and able to return to work! I am
also happy to report that Tamara Cole and her foster son Tyshawn are back at BMS after
Tyshawn had surgery.
In November, Starlab came to BMS. Starlab is a simulated planetarium. All classes had
the opportunity to visit Starlab on two separate occasions. Students had the opportunity
to experience how Baltimore changes within a 24 hour period within seconds. Students
also went into outer space and saw the earth and got to visit other planets. This was a
wonderful experience for our school, and I know everyone is already looking forward to
when Starlab will again visit BMS!
I am happy to report that the BCPS Office of Library Information Services has contributed
$2,000 to BMS to enhance and refurbish library materials. I am also examining the
possibility of having the second Tree of Knowledge purchased and installed in our
computer lab. Once our second tree is installed, our library renovations will be complete.
“It is not enough to have lived. We should be determined to live for something. May I
suggest that it be creating joy for others, sharing what we have for the betterment of
person kind, bringing hope to the lost and love to the lonely.”
The Monument
BATTLE MONUMENT ATTENDANCE SUPERSTARS
PERFECT ATTENDANCE
Neal Adams
Sam Adams
Josh Bartosevich
Jason Blake
Danielle Cicio
Danny Crawford
Gino Fiorenza
Timmy Fisher
Damon Jackman
Nicky Kelly
Tyler Matthews
Brandon Merritt
Marreis Minnifield
Jonathan Moore
Mia Mullins
Ian Nohe
Destinee Phillips
Brendon Pickett
Charles Umezurike
GREAT JOB STUDENTS AND PARENTS!
2
The Monument
DATES TO REMEMBER
Mark your calendar now for these
important events
December 7th: Monthly Celebration (2:00 - 3:00)
December 11th: Pediatric Consult with Dr. Pakula
December 17th: Senator Kathleen Klausmeir to visit BMS & Logan Elementary to perform at BMS.
December 18th: Board of Education to meet.
December 20th: Winter Program (7:00 PM in the multi-purpose room).
December 21st: Winter Break begins at the end of the school day.
January 2nd: Schools Reopen
January 4th: Monthly Celebration (2:00 - 3:00)
January 8th: Board of Education to meet
Battle Monument Celebrity Birthdays
Students:
Khalif Givens (12/04)
Katelyn Nesbit (12/04)
Fikki Fowose (12/10)
Josiah Sealey (12/10)
Marreis Minniefield (12/12)
Victoria Ricks (12/13)
Christine Lashay-Pack (12/15)
3
The Monument
CONGRATULATIONS to Teonna for being named the
student of the month for the most increased interactions in
class!
4
The Monument
5
Room 100:
Primary, Ms. Megan Heath
The students in room 100 have been working extremely hard this fall at Battle Monument. After Monkee See - Monkee Do
and Microsoft helped fund a project to revamp the courtyard, my students have taken on the responsibility to keep the area
clean of debris. Due to the unfortunate timing, hurricane Sandy decided to wreak havoc on the courtyard the weekend of
the project. Despite hard work from volunteers, the area had been polluted by leaves, pinecones, and other trash. It could
have been a time to be devastated that the hard work was so quickly destroyed by weathering damage, but out popped an
Cameron
idea. I would have never expected my students to work so diligently on the project, but as they usually do, my students
gathering
surprise me with their talents.
leaves.
Since the hurricane and fall weather has set in, my students work at least once a week on raking the courtyard, bagging
leaves and picking up pine cones. Katelyn specializes in her talents of “fluffing the leaves”, but also does a pretty nice job
at putting them in trash bags when prompted. She even adds her own spice to the task by adding a couple of wonderful
dance moves during breaks. Brandon does a wonderful job with raking and gathering the leaves into piles, and specializes
in jumping into the piles as a celebration (who can blame him). Cameron specializes in picking up the pine cones and
disposing them properly. He is extremely good at finding all different shapes and sizes. Lastly, Tyler has done a wonderful
job with gathering handfuls and dumping them into the trash bags.
I continue to see growth in my students as the end of fall draws near. I look forward to finding new fun and rewarding work
tasks when the bitter winter chill arrives. Keep up the good work room 100! I am so proud of you all!
Tyler
throwin
g a pile
of
leaves
away.
Remember to send in your Box Tops for
Education. For a complete list of products
check out
www.boxtops4education.com
The Monument
6
Room 129:
Primary/Secondary, Ms. Tracy Aragon
November was a busy month and ALT-MSA objectives kept our class very busy. We learned about word use, antonyms, and
drawing conclusions in reading. For math, we learned about completing equations, fractions and distance. Science was
packed with fun activities to learn about the rock cycle, state of matter and element/compounds. Our class enjoyed the
monthly celebration and our trip to Giant/Big Lots. The month ended with us learning about Thanksgiving and making
cards and crafts for our families! We look forward to December and all of the fun holiday activities it will bring!!
Talk about special needs swim lessons to any parent in
Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania & Washington Dc and the
name Sensory Swim almost always comes up. It's like that
across the country and parents will tell you what Sensory
Swim does during their one-on-one swimming lessons is
what sets the special needs swim program apart.
Sensory Swim is America's special needs swim school where
impossible odds set the stage for amazing miracles.
Sensory Swim provides individual special needs swim
lessons for children and adults with a variety of special
needs including but not limited to












Autism
Asperger Syndrome
Blindness
Cerebral Palsy
Childhood Disintegrative Disorders
Down Syndrome
Dyslexia
Hearing Impaired
Rett Syndrome
Sensory Processing Disorders
Speech Impaired
Spina Bifida
This special need swimming program was formed so
students are able to enjoy sports, recreational activities and
swimming lessons in a safe and friendly environment.
For more information go to :
http://www.sensoryswim.com/pecialneedsswimlessons.cfm
or
Sensory Swim
9603 Deereco Road #82
Timonium, MD 21093
Pre-K , Ms. Jodi Walker(443)500-6894
Room 127:
November was a very busy month for us in Pre-K and with so many days off for holidays, conferences, and the election, it
went by really quickly.
The Monument
7
Room 130:
Secondary, Mr. Tom Bennett
Room 130 has been going to a variety of locations for our Community Based Instruction trips on Tuesdays. Some of the
places we have visited are Giant Food, Wal-Mart, Big Lots and the AMF Bowling Lanes. We also have a trip planned to the
Wise Avenue Volunteer Fire Department train garden in December. While we are at the stores we spend our time “window
shopping”, locating items using picture symbol shopping lists, paying for items at the cash register and also just enjoying
time out together in the community.
We continue to work on academic “seat work”. This is instruction in concepts such as color, shape, number and letter
recognition, spelling first names, counting items up to 10 and recognizing coins and paper currency. Battle Monument also
has access to a great new internet based instructional tool; it is called Unique Learning and the content is specifically
designed for students with special needs. The students seem to enjoy the materials offered by UL and they are doing a
great job at remaining focused and participating during instructional time.
The weather has begun to get cooler and we have been going outdoors less during the day. We have replaced visiting the
playground with trips to the motor room where students do things such as ride stationary bikes, swing, climb and play catch
with one another. Jalen and Zy’aria often enjoy touring the school on the bikes during this time.
November 12th through November 16h was American Education Week. We would like to thank all of the parents who visited
Battle Monument during our open house.
Mr. Bennett’s class working during a speech
lesson.
Room 131:
Primary, Ms. Rosie Idzi
November has been an exciting month. We enjoyed a CBI trip to Wal-Mart and the Dollar Store. We explored the different
departments and were able to purchase some items. We have talked about being thankful and the Thanksgiving holiday.
HELP RAISE MONEY FOR BATTLE MONUMENT
In addition, we are starting to practice and get ready for the winter concert, “Frosty”. All of our friends are participating as
Save those wrappers!!!
reindeer! We hope that everyone is able to participate in the December 20 th performance and that all of our family and
friends are able to come and enjoy the performance.
In December we will be enjoying a CBI trip to the Wise Avenue train
are continuing to work on many new skills
Wegarden.
are stillWe
collecting:
such as learning our letters, numbers, and all about the season’s holidays.
Please be sure to check your child’s note book and folder each night for important notes and information about upcoming
Capri Sun and Honest Kids drink pouches
events.
Cookie wrappers- Keebler & Nabisco
Candy wrappers- M & M’s, Skittles & Snickers
Campbell’s Soup Labels
The TerraCycle Brigade programs are a fun and easy way
for us to empower children to make a difference locally
and globally while at the same time learning about the
importance of recycling and reusing. Thank you in
advance for helping us reduce the amount of waste going
to landfills and raise money. Your participation is a key
part of our efforts.
If you have any questions, please call or email me at
[email protected].
The Monument
8
Room 132:
Transitioning, Ms. Joanne O’Connell
November seems to have gone by so quickly. We really enjoyed American Education Week. It was so nice to have parents
come and see their children working and the progress the students are making. We began the week with the “Gratitude
Parade” where we showed off the poster we made showing all the things we are grateful for. On Wednesday we had an
assembly and celebrated by saying thank you for all the donations we received the previous month from the Monkee See Monkee Do and Microsoft initiative. Our class has benefited in so many ways from these donations. We received many
science, health, and nutrition activities.
This month we continued to work on our individual objectives. Tina is progressing with brushing her teeth. Tia has been
practicing brushing her hair. Teonna is operating a radio using a timed switch. Charles has been learning to navigate his
speech device and is saying new vocabulary words. JT has been increasing his vocational skills and is completing multiple
steps with our recycling program. Wayne has been improving in the area of vocational skills by improving his fine motor
skills.
This month we traveled to Redner’s grocery store for one of our CBI trips. Students seemed to enjoy this trip. We selected
items needed for our cooking class and snacks for the classroom. The bakery staff offered cookies to the students and the
students practiced their signs to request cookies and say “thank you” for the cookies.
We made two different smoothies (shakes) this month in our cooking class. We practiced signs and used picture symbols
to follow the recipe and request “more.”Tia loved adding strawberries with a switch-operated arm into the blender. JT did a
great job using the blender to shake up the items. These were very motivating activities for our class.
Our class continues to work hard and we are looking forward to more fun in December.
Room 133:
Secondary, Mr. Jason Gaynor
Well, between Hurricane Sandy and Thanksgiving November was a bit of a short month, but we still managed to pack in
quite a bit. For our CBI trip we went to Giant where we explored foods at different temperatures. We learned that most of the
students, especially Jason, preferred items at room temperature versus food in the freezer aisle. In math, we have
continued working on vocational tasks. In particular Ian has been doing a fantastic job matching numbers and using a
template to make a requested set of objects. David has also really gotten the hang of assembling kits by placing an object
inside a container, putting a lid on top, and placing it in a “finished” bin. During the recreational/leisure/games part of our
math centers rotation Gina has been doing a fantastic job moving her body to make the character on one of the various
Xbox Kinect games move. All of the students have really enjoyed testing out this wonderful new educational tool! In reading,
the students, especially Raymond who has been doing an awesome job answering questions with a bingo dabber, have
really been enjoying the activities created by Ms. Sanford, our wonderful intern from Towson University. Overall, it was a
great month and we look forward to whatever December has in store for us!
Library Media Specialist, Ms. Angela Sofinowski
This month in the library students have been focusing on learning about the harvest and how it relates to Thanksgiving.
Students have also been learning about the Mayflower voyage and how the Pilgrims began their new life in America.
Students in Ms. Fell’s class have continued working on their typing skills with a game called Super Hyper Spider Typer and
have completed their first typing test to determine their words per minutes and mistakes per minute. The students did very
well with this test and we hope to build our words per minute while lessening our mistakes. Students in Mrs. Walker’s class
were able to interact with the story The Little Red Hen with materials obtained during the Microsoft/Monkee See-Monkee
Do project. The students were able to identify characters in the story with our finger puppets.
The Monument
9
Vocal/General Music, Ms. Christina Blackman
Six of our classes: Gaynor, Idzi, Kirsch, Marilyn Heath, Stansburge, and Walker, have begun rehearsals for our Frosty the
Snowman performance on Thursday, December 20th at 7:00 pm. We always look forward to the magic that happens when
students perform for an audience, so mark your calendars for an evening of celebration as we cheer our students’ skills!
Regular music classes continue, and they begin with therapeutic drumming in room 113. However, this month the goal has
moved from simply participating in the drumming, to playing a specific pattern in unison. All classes are working on a playrest-rest-rest pattern (a pattern used in much Native American music), and some classes have been able to play more
complicated patterns. Early in the month, we played those patterns only on the drums, with no other music playing, and later
in the month we put those patterns to Native American music.
Our movement activities have focused on the concepts of high and low. Students have stretched their arms high upon
hearing high notes, and have reached their arms low—or squatted on the floor—upon hearing low notes. Students have used
the “yes” and “no” song to let me know if they want to have turns playing high and low notes on bells while the entire class
responds physically to the sound.
Our music concept this month has been musical texture. A THIN musical texture means there are very few—or just one—
sound happening simultaneously. The more instruments, voices, and sounds you add, the THICKER the musical texture
becomes. We exemplified this by using a book and song called “Turkeys Everywhere.” We began simply with me singing the
song—a THIN texture—and gradually added other instruments with each new repetition of the song, all the while supporting
the song with the visual aid of the book.
Students are still being given a “choice time” at the end of each music class, most often for 5-7 minutes. This continues to
be a good time to help students discover instruments that motivate them and to work on playing those instruments with
increased independence.
As a school, we have practiced gratitude this month, and it has been such a good reminder that we have so many things for
which to be thankful. I am so thankful to be teaching music at Battle Monument School, where each child is so unique and
beautiful, and where the families and staff all work together so enthusiastically to showcase that beauty!
Instrumental Music, Ms. Nancy Haney
With the month of November comes the start of our rehearsals for the Winter Program. Our students who are in Frosty the
Snowman, which is this year’s Winter Program, have been working hard on learning their lines, dances, and movements
across the stage. The show is going to be spectacular when we perform it on Thursday, December 20th.
Our classes who are not preparing for this winter’s Program have been hard at work as well. In celebration of Native
American month and Thanksgiving the students have been learning about Native American music. We have tried playing a
native flute and a double native flute, have kept a steady beat to Native American music, and have been doing an eagle
dance for our movement activity. Our focus has been on the musical concept of loud verses soft, which we have explored
through big and small movements, identifying known sounds as being loud or soft, playing our drums loud and soft, and
matching the level of loudness in a song. Our instruments of the month were from the woodwind family and we tried out the
flute, clarinet, saxophone, and some world instruments such as the ocarina and didgeridoo. We also enjoyed a visit from a
guest musician, our assistant principal, Kyle Martin.
Timmy &
Mr. Bennett's class
Danny
performing the eagle dance.
playing
drums.
Mr. Kyle showing off
The Monument
10
Rm. 123, Battle Monument School:
Ms. Paula Davis, LCSW-C (Mon-Fri)
Email: [email protected]
Ms. Hilary Hellerbach, LCSW-C (Mon, Tues & Thurs.;
8:30—2:30) Email: [email protected]
The holidays are here, and this can be a busy and stressful time for many families with changes in routine, diet, and
financial challenges that winter often brings. Again, we all need to remember that our children sometimes have trouble with
changes in routine. It can be helpful to try to keep things as consistent as possible, and when something new is coming up
to verbally and with visual cues (pictures, items that are meaningful, etc.) prepare them for what will happen that is different
from what they are used to.
It can also be helpful to be sure to have available familiar healthy foods to offset the increase in treats often available at
this time of year since what we eat often effects how we feel. Many of us are feeling the financial crunch, especially this
year. It is helpful to remember that time and caring are some of the best gifts that we can give. Be sure to point out to your
children the lights, good smells, pretty music, tasty food and time together that are a part of the season!
As always, if there is any way that we can be helpful with resource referral, supporting your communication with your child’s
teacher, or accessing needed items such as food, clothing, diapers, or adaptive devices please don’t hesitate to call the
Social Work and family Center at: 410-288-0391. If we are not available when you call please leave a message and we will
get back to you.
Our fall Respite and Resource Event was a success! We had 20 agencies represented who gave helpful information to
families and staff. We had at least 14 families attending who came from Ridge Ruxton, Sussex Elementary, Sandy Plains,
and Battle Monument, and we had a number of BCPS staff members attend and take information for the families with
whom they work. We want to extend our thanks to all who attended and to our custodial staff and students who helped with
set up and clean up! If you would like to come in and get some of the information provided we have additional pamphlets in
the social work office.
Thank You Thank You!
We wanted to send out a special thanks to the Monkee See Monkee Do, Microsoft, Santa’s Helpers Anonymous Program,
Ravens Roost, Jerry Bathory, Tabco Kids Care, Sue Anderson & the Mermaids, Joan Langstrom, and others who have
VOLUNTEER
OPPORTUNITIES:
you are turkeys
interested
in
donated so generously to our families this year. Also, thank you to
Jamie O’Donnell
who donatedIf several
to our
volunteering
at
BMS,
please
contact
Ruth
Cummins
at
families in honor of the Raven’s Hope Project. Community support is a wonderful thing.
410-887-7000. All volunteers must complete the BCPS
Transition Class Update:
training on abuse and neglect, which is coordinated by
Thank you to Mary Scott and all of the staff and families who attended
our transition
pot luckVolunteers
on 11/13! could
Five families
the school’s
social workers.
be usedand
in a
number of staff made it a fun and informative evening for all. classes, in the main office, and to help with the
of school
equipment. Ms.
TheSmith’s,
school could
also
In January we will begin Wednesday morning visits to local adult maintenance
service providers!
Ms. O’Connell’s,
and Ms.
Kirsch’s classes will visit and participate in activities three Wednesdays
in a rowtoatassist
Unitedwith
Cerebral
Palsy –the
Crossroads
use volunteers
maintaining
school’s
(1/23/13, 1/30/13, 2/6/13) and The ARC of Baltimore- Dundalk
Center (2/13/13, 2/20/13, 2/27/13). We are hoping to
courtyard.
hear from some other agencies to visit later in the spring. If you would like to meet us at any of these agencies to learn more
about their programs please call Hilary in the Social Work Office.
Parent Support Group:
Parent Support Group: We are planning to start monthly support group meetings in January. Keep your eyes open for a flier
when we return from the break!
The Monument
11
School Nurses, Ms. Becky Kight, Ms. Linda Piazza, & Ms. Vicki Schmelz
NUTRITION TIP OF THE MONTH
Holiday celebrations bring visions of homes decorated with lights and wreaths with brightly colored bows. Red adds life to
the surrounding bare landscape. Adding red fruits and vegetables to our diets helps improve heart health and memory
function. The following recipe would be a festive and healthy addition to our holiday meals.
APPLE CRANBERRY RELISH
1 apple, cored, peeled and sliced
1-12 ounce bag of cranberries, fresh or frozen
3 tablespoons orange juice concentrate
½ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 tablespoons sugar
Place apple slices and cranberries in food processor and chop lightly. Heat orange juice concentrate, ginger, cinnamon, and
sugar in pan over medium heat and add apple/berry mixture to pan. Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring often.
This relish can be served warm or chilled, as a side dish for meats and chicken. Makes 6 servings. Approx. per serving: 78
calories, 0.2 grams of fat. (EXCERPT FROM “THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY’S HEALTHY EATING COOKBOOK 3 RD EDITION,
COPYRIGHT 2005)
Are you interested in receiving The Monument by email?
In an effort to cut down on costs and supplies, we offer The Monument in the electronic format. Simply send us your email
and we will add you to our distribution list for the newsletter. Please fill out the form below and send to school with your
child or email Sue Kashen at [email protected] with your information.
Name:______________________________________________________________________
Email Address: ______________________________________________________________
Students Name: _____________________________________________________________
- or Organization Name:__________________________________________________________
The Monument
12
POSITIVE BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION AND SUPPORTS
New Program: Did your child come home with a DOG Sticker yet?
During the month of January and February , the Doing Our Greatest (DOG) program was in full
swing. Here is some more information about this:
WHAT IS IT? A program to reward self- initiated and outstanding behavior that follows the
SAFE school of contact.
Who? Students and staff may receive a DOG if they are displaying outstanding S.A.F.E
behavior.
Where/When? Teachers and staff immediately give a DOG sticker when positive “SAFE”
behavior is seen. A DOG sticker may be given to the student and hung on their shirt, book bag,
or wheelchair so all can see.
SAFE SLIP Gotchas: Students will still be awarded Safe Slip “Gotchas” for specific ways they
have shown “Safe Behavior” during the day. Parents should be receiving gotchas at home.
Feel Free to display on your fridge, dining room table, bathroom mirror, or anywhere your child
might appreciate them!
PBIS Reminder:
Here is our motto S.A.F.E which stands for
S= Safe Body
A= Able to communicate
F= Follow routine
E= Engaged in learning.
Here‘s what S.A.F.E. means at school:
REMINDER
-”Safe Body “can look like quiet hands and feet, walking/wheeling
through the halls calmly,
Parents:
and using your purple circle.
When dropping off or picking up a child, or visiting the
school for another reason, please make sure you check in
the office and
then wait
for a staff
person to
escort
-“Able to communicate” can look like answeratquestions
during
work,
bringing
and
using
your child to or from class. A staff person will be happy to
a communication device, and discussing your needs and feelings to help you learning
escort you to your destination within the school. Thank
throughout the day.
you for your cooperation with this!