CHARGED UP NEWSLETTER—SPRING, 2015
NEWS FROM MR. HUYCK
Hello Charger Families!
I hope that everyone enjoyed a relaxing Spring Break!
As we quickly advance into 4th quarter, I want to take
an opportunity to celebrate the many milestones this
year has already provided!
We successfully completed the Writing Portion of the
new FSA testing with students. In spite of a few
technical glitches that affected our 8th graders,
testing was a success! A few weeks back, our
Chargers did a practice run of the new FSA tests.
This was a successful dry run and our Chargers were
able to see what was going to be expected come test
day.
Our 8th grade Boys Basketball Team celebrated a
perfect season this year! They played some very
tough teams and were able to maintain an undefeated
season!
On February 20th, we celebrated our 1st Semester
Charger Champions. Students were recognized for
embodying one of our 4 P’s of being Polite, Prepared,
Productive and Proud.
The process of articulation has begun, as we begin to
make preparations to welcome new 6th grade students
and say goodbye to our 8th graders. Students in both
6th and 7th grades have also begun to explore class
selections for the 2015-2016 school year.
Issue #4
IN THIS ISSUE
Academic Spotlight
Chasco Coffee Café Night
Athletic Showcase
Attendance Matters
Testing Schedule
Tips to Reduce Test Taking
Anxiety
Upcoming Activities & Dates
to Remember
Chasco Middle School
welcomes our new
Assistant Principal,
Ryan Fisher!
When you see him around
campus, be sure you
introduce yourself to him!
CHARGED UP NEWSLETTER—SPRING, 2015
ISSUE #4
Science Spotlight
The science department is excited for our students who represented Chasco Middle School at
the District Science Fair. Those students were:
Ashton Romero
Hunter MacNeill
Alyssa Defreitas
Sean Alegria
Thomas Sutton
Chris Riley
Sarah Scalisi
Leila Bove
Tyrell Truesdale
8th grade has finished Human Growth & Development for the year!
6th is studying force and motion and is just “moving” along.
7th grade is rockin’ and rolling with the rock cycle.
Chasco’s Lego League’
On January 17th, Chasco Middle School
sent its first Lego League Teams to the
competition, Robots at Rushe
Event. Both teams, Robotic Generation
and Gigabotz, did a great job! The
Gigabotz moved on to the next level of
competition and represented Chasco
Middle at the Regional Event, which
was held on January 31 at Middleton
High School. Congratulations to both
teams!
CHARGED UP NEWSLETTER—SPRING, 2015
ISSUE #4
History Fair Spotlight
In January, students from Mr. Zizo, Mr. Marretta and Mr. Smith’s advanced classes participated
in the History Fair. The following students have been selected to represent Chasco Middle
School at this year’s District History Fair:
Individual Exhibit:
Briyonna Yarbrough--Topic: Nelson Mandela
Group Exhibit:
Kayla Sizemore, Ben Sideris, Abagail Dunn, Emma Dunnphee, and Dylan
Piserno--Topic: Adolf Hitler
Group Exhibit:
Kevin Saflor and Caitlin Murphy--Topic: Rosa Parks
Group Website:
Ashton Romero, Michael Krietemeyer, Aaron Sobonowski, and Hunter
MacNeill--Topic: Nikola Tesla
Research Paper:
Julia (Devan) Jackson--Topic: Maya Angelou
Research Paper:
Sarah Scalisi--Topic: William Shakespeare
History Fair Board: Jackie Robinson
History Fair Board: Anne Frank
CHARGED UP NEWSLETTER—SPRING, 2015
ISSUE #4
English Language Arts
Read, Write, Cite!
Read, Write, Cite has been the overall theme in language arts this quarter! Students have been
writing both informational and argumentative essays, and reading not just informational texts,
but poetry and literature as well! Students will have the opportunity to create a speech for an
upcoming TEDx event based on the theme, The Changing Face of Education! Our curriculum is
rich with reading, writing, speaking and listening!
CHARGED UP NEWSLETTER—SPRING, 2015
ISSUE #4
Chasco’s Coffee Cafe Family Night
On Wednesday, February 11th, Chasco Middle School held the 3rd Annual Coffee Café event.
This was an opportunity for students to read poetry, write poetry and spend time with their
family and friends in a trendy, coffeehouse environment. Many students and family members
worked up enough courage to read poetry aloud. It was a great night had by all!
Math
Seventh grade Math students are learning about equations, which will set the foundation for
Algebra. Students will then be introduced to Geometric Concepts, including circles, cones and
spheres.
All Math teachers are eagerly awaiting Pi Day in March. This year is special—
March 14, 2015 at 9:26:53 are the first digits of Pi. (3.141592653)
CHARGED UP NEWSLETTER—SPRING, 2015
ISSUE #4
Boys Basketball
The Basketball season has officially concluded for both 7th and 8th grade teams. It was an
exciting season to be a Charger Basketball Player, as both teams ended their seasons with
winning records! The 7th grade team finished their season strong with five (5) wins and three (3)
losses, while the 8th grade team remained undefeated Champions! Go Chargers!
7th GRADE CHARGERS
CYNKOY BARKLEY
HORACE BRINSON
JONATHAN HIGGINS
KOBE MONROE
CHRISHAUD MONTGOMERY
GUS MORRIS
IAN PROVENZANO
JACQUEZE RICHARDSON
DEQUAN ROWLAND
QUINTON SIMPSON
RAFAEL TORRES
DYLAN VITO NEWTON
COACH ZIZO
MANAGER: ABIANNA
MCDONOUGH
8TH GRADE CHARGERS
JOSH BROWN
JJ ERAZO
JOSH FRAZIER
ISAIAH GARDNER
TRENTON LYNN
DJ MANN
KEVIN MATHEWS
JOSH VAIL
JAYVON WILSON
JACOB ZIO
COACH MAROTTA
CHARGED UP NEWSLETTER—SPRING, 2015
ISSUE #4
Girls Socccer
Ms. Spolarich and the Girls Soccer Team had an outstanding season! They ended their year with
two (2) wins, four (4) losses and one (1) tie. All of the girls played with tenacity and heart and
made tremendous growth throughout the course of the season. Go Lady Chargers!
CHARGED UP NEWSLETTER—SPRING, 2015
ISSUE #4
As we enter the season of standardized testing, consistent attendance is more important than ever!
Research has shown that students who miss more school than their peers score lower on
standardized tests. This fact holds true to any age, grade, demographic group, and state! By the
time a student reaches 6th grade, attendance rates can be used to determine if a student is at risk
of dropping out!
Help your child remember that attendance is an important life skill that isn’t only used in school, but
also later in life when they are get a job. Only keep your child home if they are running a fever or
vomiting; if they wake up with a cough, runny nose or other ailment, encourage them to get to
school and to use the clinic if they feel the need to go home.
Testing Schedule 2015
On March 2ND and March 9-10th, Chasco Middle School Students participated in the FSA (Florida
Standards Assessment) Writing test. After students return from Spring Break, they will participate in
testing in additional areas (Math, Reading, Science). At the end of the year, students will participate
in End of Course exams. These tests will help to measure information learned throughout the course
of this school year.
Students will be testing on the following TENTATIVE dates: (Subject to change!)
6th Grade Assessments:
*April 13th – April 17th
Computer Based Testing English Language Arts & FSA Math
7th Grade Assessments:
*April 21st – April 27th
Computer Based Testing English Language Arts and FSA Math
*May 7th and May 8th
Computer Based End of Course Exam Civics
8th Grade Assessments
*April 15th& April 16th
Paper Based Science FCAT
*April 29th - May 5th
Computer Based FSA ELA & Math
*May 11th & May 12th
Computer Based Algebra I Honors
CHARGED UP NEWSLETTER—SPRING, 2015
ISSUE #4
Reducing Test Taking Anxiety
Does the thought of taking a test evoke anxiety, fear, sadness or anger in your child? If so, you’re
not alone! Research has shown that while students may have the cognitive ability to do well on
exams, many fail to do so due to elevated levels of anxiety. Because of the societal emphasis
placed on testing, this factor (anxiety) could potentially limit their educational and vocational
opportunities (Zeidner, 1990).
Parents can take several steps to help alleviate anxiety. Below are some strategies to help your
child ace his or her next test with both confidence and ease!
*Make sure your child attends school regularly, so he/she will know what is expected come test day
*Help your child get enough sleep the night before a big test. Teenagers are still growing and need
8 ½ - 9 hours of sleep every night!
*Talk with your child about test taking fears and encourage them to do their very best.
*Help your child be prepared for tests; encourage studying and help them avoid last minute
cramming!
Dates to remember
Track Meets: 3/26 @ Anclote High School; 3/31 @ Hudson High School; 4/2 @ River Ridge High
School; 4/7 @ Gulf High School; 4/9 @ Fivay High School; 4/14 @ River Ridge High School
(Conference for those who qualify)
Report Cards: March 30th
No School: April 3rd and May 25th
FSA Testing Dates:
4/13-4/17: 6th grade FSA Reading and Math
4/20-4/24: 7th grade FSA Reading and Math
4/27-5/1: 8th grade FSA Reading and Math