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message FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Greetings, I write to you in this month’s newsletter with a sense of pride and enthusiasm for the positive energy and direction I see our school moving in. Our teachers are in the midst of administering quarterly countywide benchmarks. The benchmarks, which are aligned with the Voluntary State Curriculum, allow our teachers to assess your child’s performance in comparison to the state and county standards. In reviewing our students’ performance thus far, I am delighted to see that Ms. Kelly Abernethy’s 6^th grade standard classes’ composite average exceeded the county average. This is one example of the level of teaching and learning that is occurring at Meade Middle School this year.

Two weeks ago our PBIS committee reviewed our school-wide discipline data and discovered that we have experienced a 43% reduction in the number of discipline referrals for the first two months of school this year in comparison to last year.

We really want to extend this level of performance. To do so, your continual support is needed. Requiring that your child completes homework on a daily basis and studies for upcoming assessments is critical. In addition, guaranteeing that your child is present and on time each day stresses the importance of the “work” we are jointly engaged in.

In building upon the aforementioned successes experienced during the first marking period, along with your commitment, we will collectively put our students in a position to demonstrate proficiency on the Maryland State Assessments. The MSAs will be administered in April this school year.

This school year we are attempting to become more creative in our method of keeping you engaged in our progress. Our next four PTSA meetings will be held offsite at each of the three feeder schools: Van Bokkelen Elementary, Brockbridge Elementary and Jessup Elementary. Each meeting will consist of general PTSA items along with an overview of guidance services and school activities. At each meeting you can expect to communicate with our PTSA executive board, guidance counselors and administration. The dates and locations of these meeting are found on pages 4 and 5 of the newsletter. Personally, I would like to thank the parents and community guests who attended our first Citizen’s Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting of the year. This past Thursday’s CAC meeting was the most productive and well attended CAC meeting during my tenure at Meade Middle School.

I would like to personally acknowledge three parent volunteers.   Ms. Lynn Daniels, Ms. Callie Booth and Ms. Jocelyn Brannan have made weekly sacrifices of their time to assist our teachers with copying and disseminating materials for our daily advisory program. Thank you!!! I would also like to thank Ms. Fay Hwang, Computer Lab Technician, for assisting in creating a new school website. I am confident that you will find the new site appealing and user friendly.

 In closing, as part of American Education week, Monday, November 12, has been set aside as a day for you to come in an experience the teaching and learning process with us. Please be sure to sign in at the main office. I ask that you also mark your calendar for Monday, November 19, and Tuesday, November 20, for our annual Teacher-Parent conferences.  We will remind you of this opportunity to review your child’s progress with their teachers via our Connect Ed phone system.

Until the next newsletter, let’s continue our journey from being a good school to being a great school!!!

Schools Supported by Safe & Drug-Free Schools Personnel

Are you concerned about teens using alcohol and other drugs?  What can parents do?  What are the signs of substance use?  Why do teens feel they need to experiment?  You can get answers and help …

In conjunction with our system-wide goal of creating safe and orderly learning environments, the Safe & Drug-Free Schools Project has assigned Substance Abuse Specialists to most secondary schools countywide.

Services provided include:

·         Classroom-based substance abuse awareness education.

·         Screening of potentially drug-involved students.

·         Student, staff and parent awareness, training, and consultation.

·         Maryland Student Assistance Program (MSAP) training and program support.

·         Implementation of student life skills groups.

 For more information, contact Vikki Carter, Substance Abuse Specialist, at  #443-603-4841, serving Arundel, Meade, MacArthur, George Fox, Marley, Old Mill North, Old Mill South, Bates, and Southern Middle Schools.

 RaptorWare V Soft Visitor System

(Reprinted from the April 2007 edition)

The safety of all students and staff in Anne Arundel County Public Schools is of utmost importance to all of us.  Beginning the first day of school in the 2007-2008 school year, our school will be utilizing a new system for checking in all visitors.  The system is called V Soft by RaptorWare.  When you visit our school for the first time, you will be asked to present a government-issued photo ID to a staff person in the school office.  This card will be scanned and the following information will be collected:  your photo, your name, and your date of birth.  This information will be utilized to check you in, create an ID badge, and compare your information against sexual offender databases throughout the country.  If your name appears on any of the lists or your refuse to allow the use of your ID, you will not be allowed access to the school.  On future visits to a school, in which you have previously registered, you will only be asked to show your ID as your name will be selected from an existing list of previous visitors.  You will also be asked to check out with the office upon leaving the school so that we know you are no longer in the building.  You will be required to check into the system even if you are only coming to school to pick up your child.  The information collected will not be shared outside of the school and is kept on a secure server.  Your assistance in keeping our students safe is appreciated.

Team 6A News

Team 6A would like to congratulate the following students for being selected as "Student of the Month" for September.

 Karina Arredondo, Derrick Butler, Amanda Clevinger, Sarah Hayes, Stacey Hug, Kiarra Lee, Cristell Ortiz, Megan Reyda, Daniel Spruill, Tanairi Vera-Vera, Avery Baker, Dejah Chang, Nicole De Vos, Michael Hazleton, Monique Jackson, Brittany Nau, Crystal Parks, Paulo Roldan, Javonte Stansbury, Batu Balimas, Valencia Tynes,  Trishna Chowdhurry,  Akintomiwa Falodun, Myesha Hicks, Nicole Krug, Carrie Ohanyerenwa, EJ Pratt, Jonathan Smith, and Salihah Spicer.

 6B Students of the Month for September

 Congratulations to the following students who were chosen as Students of the Month for September:

 Bravlio Avalos, Delonte Barnes, Bryan Bentley, John Caldwell, Samantha Carpenter, Charles Deinlein, India Eady, Thomas Hange, Karen Harris, Kiyana Hill, Duwa Jafri, Chelsea Jarrell, Bryon Lee, Kevin Mayfield, Destiny McKinney, Tyrell McSee, Asha Modali, Victoria Ortiz, Nicki Parker, Anthony Paul, Kathyana Philippe, Jada Powell, Jelani Prue, Rachel Richardson, Chelsea Scott, Sade Simon, Meaghan Smith, Tiffany Tindal-Pagan, Kalita Waters, Yokimah Williams, Aaron Masters, and Ammon Weaver.

 News from Team 7B

Hello from the teachers of Team 7B: Mrs. Miller, Ms. Biskup, Mrs. Grimes, and Mr. Hiramatsu.   Field trip plans are in the works for the second half of the school year.  We look forward to the alternative learning opportunities these trips provide for the students.  Details will be forthcoming.  November parent/teacher conferences will take place on the 19th & 20th.  If you would like to schedule a conference for one of these two days, please contact the school secretary at 410-674-2355.  Congratulations to the following students who were selected by their teachers as Students of the Month for October:  Adnan Ajanah, Ashley Jones, and Jenny Wagner.  Keep up the excellent work!

 Science Fair in January

The Science Fair is designed primarily for 8^th grade advanced level students; however, students in grades 6-8 are eligible to participate. Students who chose to participate (who are not in 8^th grade advance level classes) will receive extra credit. Students should see their science teacher for more details.  The due date for Science Fair projects is January 8.

 Meade Middle School Students Meet Astronaut

Meade Middle School students are literally proving that “the sky is the limit”.  On October 10, 2007, students from the Engineering and Technology Club, under the leadership of advisor and math teacher Mrs. Rosalyn Swiggett, had the opportunity to meet astronaut, Paul Richards. 

This meeting, sponsored by the Engineering and Technology Club allowed students to try on parts of an astronaut’s uniform, tour an on-site NASA museum, and view 3-D images from a space satellite. This experience served as the starting point for students as they will continue to explore concepts related to applied engineering and technology throughout the school year.

Elizabeth Fach, a math teacher from MacArthur Middle School, as well as some MacArthur Middle students also participated in the event.

 Health Room News

 Contact Information

Frequently there are changes in home, work, and cell phone number.  Please don’t forget to update the health room with current emergency phone numbers.

 Vision and Hearing Screening

Hearing and Vision Screening for all 8^th graders and those students new to Anne Arundel County Public Schools will be held on December 5 and 6.  Please make sure that your child is prepared for screening by wearing their current glasses or contact lenses. If your child does not fit into one of the above categories, but you are interested in having him/her screened, please phone Shani Ball, RN, School Health Nurse, at 410-674-2355 X211.

 Medications at School

Medications are only administered at school when absolutely necessary.  Medications cannot be accepted or allowed to be self administered without the receipt of the appropriate medication form, “pdications including cough drops and cold tablets.  All medication must be presented in an unopened container and labeled with the child’s name.  If the child is to self-carry and inhaler, the medication form must still be coarent Request to Administer Medications at School”, which has been completed and signed by both the physician and the parent.  This policy includes all prescription and over the county non-prescription mempleted and kept on file in the health room.  These inhalers must also be labeled and in the box with the prescription label.  For your convenience a medication form is included in this newsletter.   

Meade Middle Sweatshirts

Meade Middle Sweatshirts will be sold in the cafeteria during the lunch periods for $15.00 per sweatshirt. 

Calendar of Events

Thursday, Nov. 1 – Two-hour early dismissal *Fundraiser Pick-up, 2:30 – 7:00 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 9 – Makeup Picture Day

Wed., Nov 7 – PTSA Fundraiser, Ft. Meade Pizza Hut, 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Nov. 12-16 – American Education Week

Tuesday, Nov. 13 – PTSA/Guidance Services Night, Van Bokkelen Elementary, 7:00 p.m., Media Center

Wed., Nov 14 – PTSA Fundraiser, Cantina Mamma Lucia Restaurant

Thurs., Nov. 15 – Fundraiser Party, 2:15 –4:30 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 16 – Report  Card distribution

Nov. 19 & 20 – School Closed;  Parent/Teacher  Conferences

Nov. 21-23 – School Closed; Thanksgiving Holiday

Tuesday, Dec. 4 - Chorus Winter Concert, 7:00 p.m., Cafetorium

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

Wednesday, Dec. 5 - Instrumental Winter Concert, 7:00 p.m. Cafetorium

Friday, Dec. 7 – Interims  sent home

Tuesday, Dec. 11 – PTSA/Guidance Services Night, Brockbridge Elementary, 7:00 p.m.

Dec. 24-Jan. 1 – Winter Holiday; School Closed

Wednesday, Jan. 2 – School  open for teachers and students

Jan. 7-11 – High School Assessment (HSA)

Tuesday, Jan. 15 – PTSA/Guidance Services Night, Jessup Elementary, 7:00 p.m

Wed., Jan. 16 – PTSA Fundraiser, Cantina Mamma Lucia Restaurant

Jan. 17, 18, 22, & 23 – Two-hour early dismissal for students

Monday, Jan. 15 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Commemoration; School Closed