VETERANS MEMORIAL
MIDDLE SCHOOL
FEBRUARY 24, 2016
Mrs. Renee Kotsianas, Principal
Mr. James Carr, Assistant Principal
Mr. Paul Walski, Assistant Principal
ACHIEVE 3000:
Nicole Cullen in Mrs. Nolasco’s history class is the proud
winner of a $50 gift card issued to her by Achieve 3000.
Nicole competed with her response to a poll question
against other middle school students across the United
States. She responded to the question with a high level of
background knowledge and evidence from the article itself.
Here is the question: “In the U.S., primary elections and
caucuses are used to narrow the field of presidential
candidates. In most primary elections, voters cast their
ballots in secret. In most caucuses, voters cast their votes
openly, in front of others. What do you think?”
NJ Natural Gas Class Trip:
Mrs. D’Erasmo and Mrs. Brennan’s classes would like to express their immense gratitude to Mrs. Carolyn Gannon for giving them a
tour on February 9th.
They really enjoyed traveling through the museum and especially loved the old stoves, refrigerators and the iron. During the video
presentation, they enjoyed how they talked about energy and how it was incorporated into the pizza oven and the making of the
popcorn. They loved the question and answer session and the bonus was receiving the prizes and the capes. The students really
enjoyed the conversation about Energy Vampires and they are all going to be more aware of these tips at home. Finally, the
students learned that if they smell rotten eggs they should not use anything electrical and should leave the building immediately.
During the office tour with Mr. Thoms, the class enjoyed observing the staff working on the computers. Mr. Darske gave them a
great explanation of how natural gas is pushed throughout our state and how the temperature and wind speed always have to be
monitored. The students enjoyed the TV Monitors and how you always have to stay updated on our area by watching CSNBC.
In closing, Mrs. D’Erasmo and Mrs. Brennan’s classes truly appreciated the presentation and are hoping to tour NJ Natural Gas again.
Lucas Bauer Wins the National Geographic Bee!!!
Over 30 students competed in the school wide finals of the National Geographic Bee at VMMS. Students answered a
variety of geography questions. For example, in the category Weird but True, students were asked the following
question:
In France, Ketchup is banned in elementary schools. It’s weird, but it’s true! France is located on which continent that
borders the Bay of Biscay? ~Europe
The students showed off their fierce geography skills. Lucas Bauer of homeroom 121 won first place. Catherine Rowe of
homeroom 101 took second place. Matthew Thorn of homeroom A6 took third place after an intense battle of wits with
Catherine. Livia Webster of homeroom 125 finished in 4th place with Abigail Landsnes of homeroom 109 taking 5th place.
Thanks to our very generous VMMS PTA Lucas received a prize basket with a $25 gift certificate to the movies and
Catherine received a prize basket with a $15 gift certificate to the movies. Also, thank you to the social studies teachers
of VMMS for supporting the bee and sending homeroom representatives. Now we wait to see if Lucas will qualify for
the State finals. All of VMMS wishes him good luck!
BRAIN WASH GAME SHOW:
On February 18th, the PTA sponsored the Brain Wash Game Show assembly for grades seven and eight. Eric Dasher, the
founder and sole entertainer of the show, is an outstanding master of keeping the students focused, interested and
interactive. This ever changing trivia fun features, music, fun facts, pop culture, puzzles and more projected onto a large
video screen. Two person teams are chosen from the audience, ending the hour long program with teams of teachers.
Eric makes a lasting impression on audiences at every performance.
Mentor PC & Pizza:
Mrs. Berry and her
mentee Emily Meacham
hosted the second
mentor and mentee get
together on Thursday
February 18th. Everyone
enjoyed pizza and music
while they designed a
collage in Microsoft
PowerPoint, printed it,
and took it home as a
souvenir.
Mark Your Calendar:
2/22 – PTA Old Monmouth Candy Fundraiser –
Ends 3/4 and Pick-Up 3/18
2/24, 25 & 26 – PAWS All-Star Assembly
2/25 – Final day to pick up NJHS applications
2/26 – 3rd Marking Period Progress Reports
3/1 – 7th & 8th Grade PARCC Parent Information
Session 6:30-7:30 BTHS Library
3/2 – 6th Grade PARCC Parent Information Session
6:00-7:00 VMES Auditorium
3/2 – Read Across America