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Park Pride Press
November 2008 |
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| Silent Auction-Save the Date! |
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| Testing Calendar | Library Media News | Attention Bus Riders | ||
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Today marks the first day of the second marking period already, and this month, though short of school days, has an abundance of activities! At tonight’s CAC meeting, the focus will be on the crosswalk at the intersection of Jumpers Hole Road and the school. Guests will include representatives from AACPS as well as the Department of Public Works. I am extending an invitation to all parents and community members to attend. The 2008-2009 School Improvement Plan was finalized on September 29, and I am including the Goals and Objectives on page 5 for your information. The School Improvement Team meets monthly to review the monitoring piece for each objective and to discuss areas of strengths and areas for improvement as we strive to meet our long term goals. Last year SPMS initiated our first RAD (Reading for Advisory) program, and its success made it an Institutional Strategy in our 2008-2009 School Improvement Plan. This year’s RAD program will be done during Advisory classes in January and February. The novels support the theme: Getting Along: Everybody’s Different: Expect It! Respect It!, and all students should have completed the grade appropriate novel in order to participate in the novel activities. A reminder of the titles: Grade 6: Chasing Vermeer by Blue Baillet Grade 7: Loser by Jerry Spinelli Grade 8: The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis Again this year we have a business partnership with Be Beep, who has the books for sale. During the last few months, our community was hit hard with high anxiety as Wall Street experienced record setting lows. Many members of our Severna Park community are experiencing financial losses that were unexpected, and many families are now facing real needs. Many of them will be seeking the assistance of SPAN, so our contributions are vital. Our SGA and Youth RISE Leo will be collecting canned food from November 3 – 12. Please contribute what you can so that we can be one of the large contributors to SPAN. In respect for the environment, we will Go Green with our 2009 newsletters which will be online at our website. If you prefer to continue receiving a paper copy, please complete the short form on page 22 and return to the office by December 19. I will also send monthly Connect Ed messages to remind you when the newsletter is placed online. Our building has been made more secure with the addition of an AIPhone at the entrance for visitors. That door now remains locked, and each visitor must press the buzzer for entrance. The office has two handsets with monitors that show the visitor; after viewing and talking to the visitor through the security intercom, the door will be unlocked. Visitors will then check in at the Greeting Table for further assistance. November 17—November 21 will be open house for us (refer to the calendar on page 3). Please review your busy schedule to come in to observe your child’s classes. As we enter this month of thankfulness, I again wish to express my deep appreciation for the overwhelming support of you, the parents. You are a vital piece of our ongoing effort to provide the maximum learning environment for each and every child. Thank you, and I wish you a warm and safe Thanksgiving vacation with your family!
School Improvement Plan
GOAL I.I Goal: By the end of 2013/2014 school year, all students in each NCLB student group will perform at the proficient or advanced level of achievement on MSA standards. Statement of Need: By the end of 2007-2008 school year, 73% of SPMS special education students had successfully scored Proficient or better on MSA Reading. By the end of the 2007-2008 school year, 75.9% of SPMS FARMs students had successfully scored Proficient or better on MSA Reading. By the end of 2007-2008 school year, 60.4% of SPMS special education students had successfully scored Proficient or better on MSA Math. By the end of the 2007-2008 school year, 75.9% of SPMS FARMs students had successfully scored Proficient or better on MSA Math. Objective: By the end of 2008-2009, 76% of SPMS special education and FARMs students will achieve Proficient or better on MSA Reading. By the end of 2008-2009, 65% of SPMS special education and FARMs students will achieve Proficient or better on MSA Math.
GOAL I.2 Goal: By the end of 2013/2014 school year, 50% of all students in each NCLB student group will perform at the advanced level of achievement on MSA Reading and Math. Statement of Need: At the end of 2007-2008 school year, three student groups had low levels of Advanced scores in Reading: 44% of African American, 39% of FARMs, and 30.8% of Special Education. At the end of 2007-2008 school year, four student groups had low levels of Advanced scores in Math: 21% of African American, 37% of FARMs, 20% of Special Education, and 33% of ELL. Objective: By the end of the 2008-2009 school year, 50% of African Americans, 45% of FARMS, and 35% of Special Education will score Advanced in Reading. By the end of the 2008-2009 school year, 25% of African Americans, 40% of FARMS, 25% of Special Education, and 35% of ELL will score Advanced in Math.
GOAL II Goal: By the end of 2011/2012 school year, there will be a 20% reduction in the number of students receiving one or more referrals, suspensions, and expulsions for each NCLB group. Statement of Need: In 2007/2008, three student groups had a statistically larger percentage of referrals: African American (25%), FARMS (50%), Special Education (30.6%) Objective: By the end of the 2008/2009 school year, there will be a 10% reduction in the number of students receiving one or more referrals in the following NCLB groups: African American, FARMs, Special Education.
Goal III Goal: By the end of the 2008/2009 school year, each school will host a minimum of two activities, meetings, parent-teacher conferences, etc. in its community. Statement of Need: In 2007/2008,SPMS hosted one activity or meeting. Parenting the Middle School Child at the Community Center. Objective: By the end of 2008/2009, the Severna Park Cluster will host two meetings in the community.
From the pto
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Mon., Nov. 3 |
1st day of 2nd marking period
6:00, CAC Meeting
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Tues., Nov. 4 |
ELECTION DAY – Schools closed. |
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Thurs., Nov. 6 |
6:00, PTO Meeting |
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Fri., Nov. 14 |
AVID field trip |
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Mon., Nov. 17 |
6th grade Open House for parents |
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Tues., Nov. 18 |
7th grade Open House for parents |
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Wed., Nov. 19 |
8th grade Open House for parents |
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Thurs., Nov. 20 |
Picture Retake day |
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Thurs., Nov. 20 - Fri., Nov. 21 |
Open House make up days |
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Fri., Nov. 21 |
Report card distribution |
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Mon., Nov. 24 - Tues., Nov. 25 |
Student led parent conferences |
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Wed., Nov. 26 – Sun., Nov. 30 |
THANKSGIVING VACATION – Schools closed. |
National History Day
Can ordinary people like you change the course of history? Can you think of an individual either in ancient history or in modern times that has made a difference in history? How did that person influence history? Do you know someone who may not have made the history books, but contributed to the larger event that made history like a soldier in Vietnam, a woman on the Oregon Trail, or member of the underground during WWII? Who were those individuals? What was the historical context in which the person lived? What were the choices the individual made? What events led to the individual’s making that decision? What was the outcome of the decision? Did the person’s actions result in a legacy? The list can extend to individuals who were activists, world leaders, scientists, artists, or any person whose decisions and actions created a change.
These questions and more can be answered if you choose to participate in National History Day. The theme for this year’s History Day competition is The Individual in History: Actions and Legacies. Working individually or collaboratively in groups of two to five, students produce historical documentaries, exhibits, dramatic performances and research papers based on this year’s theme. Students in grades 6 through 12 may choose to participate in the Anne Arundel County Regional Competition for Maryland History Day, on March 21, 2009 at Meade Middle School. Regional winners will then compete at the state level in June. For more information about National History Day, please contact one of the following: The Social Studies Department Chair at your school, K. M. Maynard, kmaynard@aacps.org , or 410-437-2400, or B. Armour, barmour@aacps.org, or 410-570-9274.
Health Room News
Club News
Youth RISE/Leo SPAN Food Drive
Youth RISE/Leo and SGA, in conjunction with the Severna Park Lions Club, will be collecting food for SPAN from November 3 -12. Food will be collected through advisories and SGA and Youth RISE/Leo members will be counting and sorting the food. Again this year there will be a competition between the grades and the winning grade level will be able to see their teacher “Representative” dressed as an Elf in December. It will be hard to top Mr. Mc Tammany who represented the winning 7th grade class last year!
This past month, Youth RISE/ Leo members have been collecting money to send to the hurricane victims in Texas. Students volunteered their time to collect money at Back to School Night and during the lunches. A total of $405 was collected , and we want to thank Mrs. Sparby for organizing this.
After Thanksgiving, we will again be collecting toys for the Sharing Foundation. Toys can be dropped off in the barrels in the lobby after Thanksgiving. Please consider donating a toy for a needy child in this area.
Severna Park Middle has been one of the main contributors to this cause and without our help many children would not be receiving any gifts for the holidays.
We will again be making fleece blankets for Sarah’s House. Last year the club made many colorful blankets to give to the children and moms for Christmas.
All of the members of Youth RISE/Leo would like to thank the SPMS PTO for their very generous donation to the club. Without their help we would not be able to complete so many worthwhile projects.
ATTENTION BUS RIDERS!
Per the county transportation department, “Guest riders” are no longer allowed on buses on a daily basis. If a student needs to ride a different bus for an extended period, the parent should complete an Exceptional Transportation Request, in advance. That request will be forwarded to the transportation department for potential approval.
“THE SOUND OF MUSIC”
SEVERNA PARK HIGH SCHOOL
PRESENTS “THE SOUND OF MUSIC”
November 7th, 8th, 14th, and 15th at 7:30 and on November 9th and 15th at 2:30 PM. Student/Senior tickets are $10.00. To order tickets, please visit www.sphsdrama.com
If you have any questions about this, please call J. Davidson 410-703-2054.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS
World Language Connections
6th grade World Language Connections (WLC) students have completed the unit on Communication and have almost finished the French unit. They have learned French greetings (formal and informal), cognates and borrowed words, colors and preferences, numbers 0-31 in order to express ages and telephone numbers. Throughout the unit, there have been various cultural readings. We will complete the language with learning days, months, and expressions of dates and birthdays. After French, Mrs. Davis will guide her students across the Rhine River into Germany, while Mr. McTammany will be heading off to China.
Students should practice what they learn in class daily and complete assigned homework. Please check our homework web site under the Blackboard section of www.aacps.org for any needed clarification. Also, feel free to contact your student’s WLC instructor, either Mrs. Davis, andavis@aacps.org, or Mr. McTammany, mmctammany@aacps.org.
Introduction to French
Seventh grade French students have just completed the introductory unit in which we covered conversational topics such as greetings, ordering food, telling time, and expressing dates. In the second marking period, we will describe the world around us. Vocabulary for people around school will be introduced along with descriptive adjectives and information questions. Students will be able to identify and describe themselves and others, telling where they are from and using descriptive adjectives in positive and negative sentences. Key grammar concepts will include masculine and feminine nouns, definite and indefinite articles, singular forms of être (to be,) and construction of negative sentences. Cultural readings about students in France, Martinique, and Africa will be included.
Students should review and practice what they learn in class at least 15 minutes daily and complete assigned homework regularly. Please check our homework web site under the Blackboard section of www.aacps.org for any needed clarification. Also, feel free to contact Mr. McTammany, mmctammany@aacps.org, if you need information about French class.
French I
The first marking period afforded students continuing from Introduction to French in seventh grade an opportunity to review much of the material covered last year, and new language learners worked on developing good habits that will serve them well for the remainder of the year. In the second quarter, we will focus on daily activities and the world around us. Vocabulary will cover daily activities, extending invitations, phone etiquette, locations around town, interrogative expressions, descriptive expressions—including colors, descriptive adjectives, and adjectives of nationality; common objects, prepositions of location, parts of a computer. Important grammar topics will be: the irregular verbs être (to be,) faire (to do,) and avoir (to have;) negation; regular verbs with infinitives ending in –er; sentences with two verbs; question formation (regular and with inversion;) masculine and feminine nouns and articles; adjective agreement, and adjective position. Culturally, we will discuss telephone etiquette, a typical week for French students, the French education system, the countries of Sénégal and Haïti, the role of friends in the lives of French students, and information about obtaining a drivers’ license.
Students should review and practice what they learn in class daily and complete assigned homework regularly. Classzone work for units 3 and 4 will be due at the end of the marking period. This on-line work counts as 10% of the overall homework grade. Please check our homework web site under the Blackboard section of www.aacps.org for any needed clarification. Also, feel free to contact Mr. McTammany, mmctammany@aacps.org, if you need information about French class.
Quebec
Plans are taking shape for April’s trip to Montréal. Registration materials were sent home with students who expressed an interest in going on the trip. Those forms should be completed, and notarized as necessary, and returned to Mr. McTammany at school as soon as possible. Also, the initial deposit of $300 should be sent in by 10 November (checks made out to: SPMS,) so I can assemble the registration packet to send to the travel company before Thanksgiving. The final payment of approximately $500 will be due in January. The exact amount will be based on the number of participants we have. Mr. McTammany will send that information in early December.
With regards to travel documents, passports are preferred but not required (until the summer of 2009.) At this point a notarized copy of a birth certificate accompanied by some kind of photo ID will suffice. If you plan to apply for a passport, please start that process soon.
If your child is interested in going on the trip but did not receive information, please contact Mr. McTammany, mmctammany@aacps.org.
Chinese I
Here are some interesting facts about how learning Chinese is so important. Why should students study Chinese? That is where the jobs are: China is one of US top trading partner-total trade 386.7 billon in 2007.Average more than 15% increasing every year. Cover over 20 industries. That is where money is: US government has authorizes 1.3 billion in federal funds over five years to provide for Chinese language instruction in American schools. That is what most people in the world speak: 1,050 million Chinese speakers, in comparison with Spanish speaker 417million and French speaker 363 million.
If you want your child to be more competitive, now is time, Learn Chinese!
Reference http://www.k-state.edu/mlangs/chinese/whylearn.htm
Introduction to Spanish
Introduction to Spanish students will continue to describe the world around them beginning with the weather. They will also describe themselves and others using adjectives to identify personality traits and infinitives to describe after-school activities. Students should gradually be studying vocabulary listed in the textbook at the end of each unit. Check the Foreign Language Homework Website for postings of homework/quiz/test information.
Spanish I
Spanish I students will attend the Justo Lamas Concert on November 11th. They are even learning some of his songs in preparation. Students are continuing to describe themselves and others. They will also learn to tell time as well as where they are and how they feel. In class we work on all four skills, listening, reading, writing and speaking, in preparation for the midterm assessment. Students should be practicing with vocabulary and grammar structures at home in addition to the nightly homework assignment. For additional help visit www.classzone.com and see our homework website on Blackboard under Encore for more information.
A Big Thank You
Thanks to all who helped make our fall Scholastic Book Fair successful, especially Michele Kaup and Lynn Curry who both really came through for us at the last minute. Without our volunteers, the Book Fair would not be a success!
Everybody Wins!
The Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament will reward all students who read 5 books between November 1 through mid December with a FREE admission ticket to experience a night of feasting and fun at their castle at Arundel Mills Mall. Students will have the opportunity to attend a complimentary evening performance including dinner, beverages, and the live show between January and March, 2009. Parents and additional family members will receive a 20% discount off the general admission price. A minimum of one adult (parent or guardian) must accompany each student to qualify for the program. The complimentary admission is valid at the Maryland castle only.
Details will be announced in school via PA announcements. Please see Mrs. Thomas in the Media Center with any questions.
Gobble up a good book this month!
At Severna Park Middle there are several prohibited items.
We do not allow gum chewing.
We do not allow electronic musical devices such as iPods, MP3 players.
You may only eat and drink in the cafeteria.
Any food or drink not finished must be thrown away before leaving the cafeteria.
AACPS Parent Satisfaction Survey
The survey results will provide schools with a picture of their customer service and how effective schools are in keeping parents informed. Surveys will be sent home on November 21st and may be completed on paper or online.
Attendance
Did you know that excessive absences may lead to the denial of credit at the secondary level? Page 7 of the Parent Handbook states, “A student who misses six or more days of school in a semester is considered ‘excessively absent.’”
Of course, there are lawful reasons for absences. Whenever your child is absent, you must provide a note of explanation to the school within 3 days of your child’s return to school. The student gives this note to the appropriate attendance teacher. A student with lawful absences is then given time to make up work. School Counselors and Pupil Personnel Workers (PPW’s) are available to assist families in situations where students are having difficulty with school attendance.
Extra Curricular Activities
Environmental Science Club– Mr. Philip sponsors this club which meets every Thursday 2:50-3:55PM in room A103. Members will participate in experiments, projects, field trips, and environmental issues.
Math Club– Ms. Hughes and Ms. Crabbe sponsor this club. Meetings are held on Thursdays in Room C113. Members engage in friendly competitions while preparing to compete in the 24 Math Challenge, Math Counts, and Math Olympiads.
Intramurals– This activity can be on Tuesday mornings for 6th and 7th graders, or Monday through Thursday mornings for 8th graders starting at 6:45. Also, all students can stay every Thursday from 2:50 to 3:45 in the Gym.
Peer Tutors– National Junior Honor Society members are trained to work with students on organization, study skills, and to tutor all areas of academics on Thursdays. Please contact your child's counselor if you are interested!
Park Pride Press Paper Copy Request Form
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Yes, I would like to continue receiving paper copies of Park Pride Press .
Parent’s Name_________________________________________________
Student’s Name _______________________________________________
Grade _______________
Please return to the Main Office by Friday, December, 19th.
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NOTE: All flyers can now be found on the homework website instead of the newsletter under “About Our School”
Testing Calendar
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December 1, 2008- January 19, 2009 (test window) |
Technology Literacy Assessment, (TLA) (Online) grade 7 |
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January 7-16, 2009 |
MSA Science Online Practice Test, grade 8 |
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February 12, 2009 |
*National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP), grade 8 (selected students) |
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March 16-31, 2009 |
Mod-MSA Reading and Math Tests (Online), grades 6, 7, 8 |
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March 17-18, 2009 |
MSA Reading Test, grades 6, 7, 8 |
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March 24-25, 2009 |
MSA Math Test, grades 6, 7, 8 |
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April 1-30, 2009 (test window) |
English Language Proficiency Test: LAS Linksgrades 6, 7, 8 ELL students only |
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April 22 – May 12, 2009 (test window) |
MSA Science (Online), grade 8 |
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May 18, 2008 |
HSA Algebra |
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*The National Assessment of Educational Progress will be administered to selected 8th grade students at Severna Park Middle on February 12, 2009. NAEP is given by the U.S. Department of Education and tells us what American students know and can do in key subject areas. The subject areas to be assessed are reading, mathematics, or science. In addition, a few students may be assessed as part of a field test in other subjects. The test will last approximately 90 minutes. If your child is selected, a letter will be sent home to inform you. If you would like additional information about NAEP, please visit the web site at: |
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MSAP and the HOPE Locker
Maryland Student Assistance Program – MSAP identifies students whose academic performance, behavior, or attendance patterns indicate that they may have a problem related to their involvement with tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs. The program provides a systematic procedure of early identification, intervention, referral, and follow-up of “at risk” students.
At SPMS we have the HOPE locker which allows students and staff a chance to anonymously report behaviors that may be a concern. The HOPE team is made up of a group of volunteer teachers and staff that look through all notes left in the locker and then determine the best course of action. Sometimes students are referred to the counselors if it is a non drug related issue. If it is drug related, one team member is in charge of collecting data from teachers, parents, and the student. Then based on the information collected appropriate action is taken. This may involve a parent conference with the Hope team, an intervention with the student, or a referral for students to get outside help. Our goal is to make sure that any student that may need help is aware of what help is available.
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This page was last updated on November 05, 2008 The Park Pride
Press is
published monthly and provided to students and parents as a tool
of communication. Many thanks go to the administrative staff,
faculty, and parent volunteers who contribute to the
publication.
The Anne Arundel County Public School System does not
discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin,
religion, age, disability, sexual orientation or familial status
in matters affecting employment or in providing access to
programs. Questions regarding nondiscrimination should be
directed to Leslie N. Stanton, Specialist in Human Relations,
Anne Arundel County Public Schools, 2644 Riva Road, Annapolis,
MD 21401; 410-222-5318;
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