I trust that you have experienced a restful and fun-filled summer vacation.  There has been a lot of activity at Meade Middle this summer in preparation for the 2007-2008 school year.  Our entire school building has been painted and we have conducted a couple of academic enrichment programs to support ongoing student development. This newsletter contains information that you will find extremely important as it discusses our opening procedures, daily operations and dates of upcoming events.  Classes will officially begin on Monday, August 27.  Similar to last school year, we will operate under a staggered opening.  The staggered opening means that only 6^th graders will report to school on Monday, August 27.  On Tuesday, August 28, all three grades, 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th, will report.  By allowing our 6^th graders to begin a day earlier, we will be providing them with additional time for orientation to middle school.

We are preparing ourselves for a great school year.  Our goal is to provide all students with the opportunity to excel academically and socially so that they may become positive contributing members of our school and community.  I would like to share with you our existing vision and mission statement:

VISION – Meade Middle School will become a county, state, and national leader in student achievement and in the delivery of effective, innovative instruction.

MISSION – Together, we can do it better… maintain a safe environment, increase student learning, present a challenging curriculum, teach using developmentally appropriate strategies, partner with parents and other stakeholders.

I am confident that you will find our teachers delivering instruction with a high level of expectation and rigor. One of our focal points this school year will be establishing a “caring community” through our daily student advisory program.  Additional details regarding our advisory program will be made available to you during our annual Back to School Night on Tuesday, September 18, 2007.  This school year, we will keep you informed of our monthly progress by sending home a monthly newsletter.  The monthly newsletter will also be posted on our school’s website. 

It is our expectation that all students will purchase a Student Agenda book ($5.00) in order to keep track of homework, upcoming assessments and projects. Please work with us to ensure your child is completing his/her assignments by regularly monitoring their Student Agenda book.

Lastly, I ask that you take heed to the upcoming dates enclosed in this newsletter.  They will help guide you through our initial events and activities.  I look forward to seeing you soon!

DISCIPLINE

Please look for the revised Student Code of Conduct that will be sent home to you the first day of school.

School Hours

School hours for students are as follows:

First bell – 7:50 a.m.

Second bell – 8:00 a.m. –

Students are expected to be

in their classes at this time

Bus riders dismissed –

2:35 p.m.

Walkers dismissed – 2:45 p.m.

What to do the first day of school?

Upon entering the building, you should report directly to your assigned “temporary” homeroom.  You will receive your schedule of classes during homeroom.  The first day of school will be a day of orientation.  You will be given a tour of the building; you will meet your teachers and other staff members; you will be introduced to the courses that you are taking; you will be assigned a locker; and you will eat lunch.  Homeroom assignments and a map of the school are included in this newsletter.  It is important for you to watch your local newspaper for specific bus information because some of the stops may be different this year.  You can also go online at www.aacps.org for bus information.  During the first week of school, students should arrive at bus stop earlier than the pick-up time.  After a few days, the bus routes will be established and you should arrive no sooner than ten minutes prior to the scheduled pick-up time.

Meal Prices 2007-08

Prices for meals and milk served in Anne Arundel County Public Schools effective July 1, 2007 are as follows:

Breakfast paid - $1.00

Breakfast reduced price - $.30

Lunch paid - $2.00

Lunch reduced price - $.40

Milk - $.45 

Student Attendance 

We firmly believe that regular attendance in school is necessary for a student to benefit from our instructional program.  Students absent from school should always return with a note from parents/guardians explaining the absence.  Please include in all absence notes:

1.      The date(s) absent (month, day)

2.      Reason for absence

3.      The student’s full name

4.      Your signature and a telephone number where  you can be reached during the school day.

Early Dismissal

PARENTS:  If you know in advance that you will be picking up your child for an early dismissal, please send a note in with your child stating the reason for dismissal.  Please tell your child to report to the main office first thing in the morning.  He/she will be given a pass to leave their class at the appropriate time.  Your child will wait for you in the main office when you arrive to sign them out.  This prevents interruption of the classroom and saves you time.

Thank you for your cooperation.

NOTICE – SCHOOL BUS BEHAVIOR RULES ARE IN EFFECT STARTING THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

School bus transportation is a privilege.  This privilege may be temporarily denied or permanently revoked if a student’s misconduct jeopardizes the safe operation of the school bus or the safety of pupils riding the bus.  Parents are responsible to see that their child attends school despite loss of riding privilege.

Once the child enters the school bus, the authority to manage student’s conduct lies with the bus driver and the school administration.

Conduct Standard

Behavior or activity jeopardizing the safe operation of the school bus or interfering with the welfare of other vehicle occupants is prohibited.  The use of tobacco and tobacco products are prohibited on all school buses.

Sanctions for Misconduct

A.      For the first offense, the administrative staff will take appropriate action, which will include but is not limited to a parent conference.  In addition, appropriate action for a first offense may include bus or school suspensions; the first offense may include bus or school suspensions; the term will be determined by the school administrator.

B.     For a second, third, or fourth offense and after parent notification, the administrative staff will take appropriate action which will include but is not limited to:

1.       bus suspension for up to five days for a second offense;

2.       bus suspension from six to ten days for a third offense;

3.       bus suspension for the balance of the school year for a fourth offense.

C.     Without limiting other available actions or remedies, the school administrative staff is authorized to secure restitution for vandalism caused by students to school buses.

Smoking violations will result in mandatory attendance at the school systems Anti-Tobacco Use Program, suspension, or expulsion from school in accordance with school system policy.

Student Accident Insurance

Student Accident and Interscholastic Football insurance coverage is available from UnitedHealthcare Student Resources (www.k12Studentinsurance.com) for for the 2007-2008 school year.  Please see attached flyer for more details

 Volunteer Coordinator

We are very pleased to announce that Mr. Bob Cicconetti is our Volunteer Coordinator for Meade Middle School! Our School Improvement Plan calls for strong parent involvement and we will use some of our grant funds to support this position.  Bob will be in charge of all of our volunteer programs, and I hope that when he calls, you will be able to find the time to help our school. If you have time to volunteer, please call Bob at 410-674-2355.  You will meet Bob at “Back to School Night”.  He will be there to explain our volunteer program and to give you an opportunity to sign up!

“The hardest thing about volunteering is returning back through the school doors.”  Bob Cicconetti

Health Room

Our Health Room is staffed by a full-time Health Assistant and Registered Nurse.  These health professionals will manage our Health Room and help meet the health needs of our students.  You may contact them here at 410-674-2355 ext. 210.

Medication Distribution

Absolutely no medication may be given to a student without a completed, current, signed medical form on file with the school nurse.  These forms are available from our school nurse.  Students may not carry any type of medication with them during the school day.

Meade Middle School has five interdisciplinary teams. The interdisciplinary team includes a student’s major academic and special area teachers.  This group of teachers is responsible for the educational progress of a group of students.  This team of teachers may plan the instructional day, coordinate activities, conference with parents, and deliver advisory support to students.  This approach promotes a sense of community within students and permits individualized attention for students.

Educators have learned that the interdisciplinary team organization is far more than a way to encourage team teaching.  It is a method of bringing teachers and students together to establish authentic learning communities.  When teachers and students are grouped together into interdisciplinary teams, it creates an educational glue that holds together almost every other aspect of the school program.

The interdisciplinary team uses common planning time to plan, implement, and evaluate a program of instruction for their students.  The interdisciplinary team (IDT) helps students to see relationships in content and skills learned in school subjects.  The IDT encourages an emphasis on the child, as well as the subject matter, by providing frequent assessment of student needs, a coordination of teaching efforts, and more personalized instruction.

There is little doubt that the interdisciplinary team organization provides a smooth and supportive transition for students moving from the largely self-contained atmosphere of the elementary school to the more loosely organized, but highly departmentalized situation of the average high school.

The IDT should also manage instructional workload demands by coordinating the amount of homework and scheduling of tests and major projects’ due dates.

Finally, IDTs can design a variety of instructional activities, which address the developmental characteristics of middle school students.  Instructional activities, which should be coordinated by the team, may include projects, field trips, career exploration, community service, and skill development programs.

Federal Impact Aid Survey form

On Monday, October 1, 2007, your child will be bringing home a Federal Impact Aid Survey form.  Please fill out the information requested on the form and either mail it to Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) or return it to your child’s school.  The form will be inside a self-addressed, stamped envelope for its return.  This is a multiple child form and will hold up to five of your children’s names.  Should you have more than five children, please utilize a second form that you can either obtain from the school or download from the AACPS website, www.aacps.org, Students, under Forms.  The Parent-Pupil Survey form for 2007-2008 will be available to download on September 28.  We will also be using our Connect-Ed Automated Telephone Notification System to remind you about the significance of completing this survey and returning it.  The school system receives approximately $3 million from the Federal government in support of our children after the forms are processed.  Should you have any questions regarding this information, please contact Donna Barker at 410-222-5200.

Student Government Association

Ms. Robi Gilbertson, 8^th grade Social Studies teacher, will be the SGA advisor for the coming school year.  Ms. Gilbertson is responsible for holding elections, setting up the organization, and guiding the students as they plan activities for the year.

Parent Conference Opportunities

We believe that your involvement here at school is critical to your child’s success.  We ask that you call first to our guidance office to schedule an appointment 410-674-2355 and ask for Ms. Pinkett.

Homework Hints

1.      Check to see that your children understand their assignments.  If there is a problem, work through an example with them.

2.      Sign and date your children’s homework.  Teachers appreciate it when they know that the parents are interested enough to check over their children’s homework and see that it is finished.

3.      Follow-up on homework assignments by asking to see your children’s homework, after it has been seen by the teacher.  Look at the teacher’s comments to see if your children have done the assignments correctly.

4.      Contact the teacher if you don’t understand the assignments or your child has a special problem.  This is a common problem among parents, so don’t hesitate to contact the teacher.

5.      Look for homework daily.  Assume that your children have homework to do every day.

6.      Resist doing your children’s homework for them.  Work with them and encourage them to do the work themselves.

7.      Be sure to praise your children for a job well done.  Encourage the good work that your children do and comment about improvements they have made.

Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Students

Students participating in the AVID program will need the following supplies for their classes.

One 3-inch, 3-ring binder

Notebook Dividers – 6 sets of 4 (one set for each course)

Yellow highlighter

Black Pen

Blue Pen

Number 2 pencils

Notebook paper

Daily planner ($3.00 for a school agenda)

Marble Composition Notebook

Clear pouch or plastic case (to hold supplies)

PTSA NEWS

Your PTSA officers for the 2007-2008 school year are:

·         President

Ms. Mia V. Smith

·         Vice Presidents

      Ms. Tryphenia Ellis-Johnson

·         Treasurer

 Mr. Lorn Taylor

·         Secretary

Meade Middle School Orientation

Orientation for 6^th grade students and students new to Meade Middle School will be held on Thursday, August 23, at 6:30 p.m. in the school cafetorium.  Get a jump on the new school year!  Meet teachers and administrators.  Self-guided tours of the building are encouraged.

Substitute Teachers Needed

Anne Arundel County Public Schools has immediate need for substitute classroom teachers.  Persons with a high school diploma, with additional college coursework, or with a Bachelor’s degree are encouraged to apply.  All applicants hired will be provided with a substitute teacher orientation to assist them in working in today’s school environment.  Rate of pay:  $55/per day with high school diploma; $60.00/per day with a two year degree; $90.00/per day with a four year degree.  Long-term substitute pay (Bachelor’s degree only) is $120.00/per day.  For further details and information regarding the application process, please call now 410-222-5068.

Great Part-Time Job Offer 

Rewarding School Crossing Guard positions available in Anne Arundel County at $10.53 per hour.  You must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent.  You must also have a vehicle to get to and from your assignment.  Call Anne Arundel County Police Department, Crime Prevention Unit, at 410-222-8568.

Cafeteria Workers Needed

Cafeteria workers are needed at Meade Middle School.  The pay starts at $8.00 per hour at 2 ¾ hours per day.  Call Foodservices for more information at 410-222-5900.

Student Clubs for 2007-2008

The following clubs and other extra-curricular opportunities are available this school year. Meeting times will be announced during the morning announcements.

Baker’s Dozen

Chorus

Concert Band

Fall, winter, and spring Intramurals

Fitness Club

Math Club

Orchestra

Piano Club

Science Club

Stage Band

Student Council

Yearbook and many others

Lifetouch Photography

Parents/Guardians – Our school has contracted Lifetouch Photography as our official yearbook photographer.  Lifetouch offers a variety of portrait packages and background styles for your selection.  Each student will receive a picture day flyer with payment envelope approximately one (1) week before picture day.  If your child does not receive this flyer, additional copies will be made available in the school office.  In the interest of security, check, money order or credit card payment is recommended.  Photographers will not be able to open payment envelopes in order to make change for cash customers.  If cash is your preferred method, please include the exact amount in your payment envelope.  ALL students will be photographed for Yearbook purposes.  But only those making payment with completed order form on picture day will receive a portrait package.

Lifetouch Photography can provide additional information regarding picture day directly to parents and guardians by calling 800-445-1189 or local 410-644-7700 Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or via email at UCAnswers@Lifetouch.com.

Calendar of Events

Thursday, Aug. 23   –  Orientation Night for 6^th grade students and parents (also, any students new to Meade

Middle), 6:30 p.m.

Monday, Aug. 27 – School open for grade 6 students    *A Day/Blue*

Tuesday, Aug. 28 – School open for all students            *A Day/Blue*

Friday, Aug. 31 – School  closed for students and  teachers

Monday, Sept. 3 – School closed for Labor Day

Tuesday, Sept. 18 – Back to School Night: PTSA Meeting, 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 13 – School closed – Rosh Hashanah

Friday, Sept. 28 – Interims sent home

Thu. /Fri., Oct. 4/5 – School Picture Days

Friday, Oct. 19 – School closed for students

Thursday, Nov. 1 – Two-hour early dismissal

Friday, Nov. 9 – Makeup Picture Day

Friday, Nov. 16 – Report Card distribution

Wed./Thurs., Dec. 5/6  – Vision & Hearing Screening for 8^th grade and new students