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PIRATE PRIDE
W.C. PRYOR MIDDLE SCHOOL
Grant Meyer, Principal
2n d Qu ar t er
Parent and St udent New slet t er
2014-2015
A+ School since 2000
2014 Okalo o sa Co u n t y 1st Place Tech Bo w l
2014 Okalo o sa Co u n t y 2n d Place Track Team
From the Principal:
Assistant Principal/Curriculum:
Pirates,
It’s hard to believe we are completing the first
semester of the 2014-2015 school year. Our students have worked hard this year and it shows.
At this mid-year point, it is more important than
ever to march steadfast toward our mission to
prepare all students to achieve excellence. To
that end, my responsibility to your students at
Pryor includes all matters relating to guidance,
curriculum, and instruction.
Happy New Year! The first
semester of the school year
will end Thursday, January 15th. It has been an
event-filled semester. It is my hope that your
student has had a great semester.
We are holding strong to our Vision and Mission,
and that is to inspire a lifelong passion for learning and prepare all of our students to achieve excellence by providing the highest quality education possible.
I would like to congratulate Mrs. Cathy Beaudoin
as our “Teacher of the Year” and Mike Mitchell for
being our “Non-Instructional Employee of the
Year.” Mike was just notified this week that he is
in the “Top Three” for the District.
Let’s continue to work hard and have a fantastic
second semester.
Principal Grant Meyer
“CONGRATULATIONS” TO:
Alyssa Verzo, Pryor’s Spelling Bee Winner,
And Balyn Wright, Runner-Up.
Alyssa placed 3rd at the
District Competition!
Way to Go!
Our aim to ensure your student’s academic
achievement is evidenced throughout the school
in every classroom and easy to recognize
throughout this newsletter. Teachers continue to
focus on having students talk and write about
what they are learning in class. Students closely
read passages to attain deeper understanding of
what the author is trying to convey. Students in
math and science revisit skills previously taught
and build upon those skills throughout the year.
Internet Safety: It has come to our attention that
some students within Okaloosa County are using
social media apps that are highly offensive, inappropriate, and potentially dangerous. All parents
in Okaloosa County have been alerted to the potential dangers of the “After School” app, in particular, and have been encouraged to ensure that
they eliminate its use. The Sheriff’s department
and the school district are working together to
track down sources of dangerous or hurtful posts
and put a stop to destructive posts and cyberbullying.
Unfortunately, any social media
app can be used inappropriately.
It is important that we all stay
vigilant in protecting our students’ online experiences. We
encourage parents to establish
rules for technology use at home. Monitor sites
that your student visits. Let’s keep our kids safe.
May you and yours enjoy this upcoming welldeserved winter break. I’ve enjoyed my first semester here at Pryor getting to know you and
your students, and I look forward to a successful
second semester. Please feel free to reach out to
me if I can be of service. It is good to be a Pirate!
Please see Pages 5-6 of this newsletter regarding
our upcoming testing schedule
Peggy Nehring
Assistant Principal, Curriculum and Instruction
8th Grade News
Mrs. Clary, 8th Grade Chair: It is hard to believe
that when we return after winter break, we will
only have two weeks left of the first semester.
When we return, we will prepare for semester
exams and all students will be doing our second
Okaloosa Writes. Exams will begin on January
13th for 1st and 2nd periods, January 14th for 3rd
and 4th periods, and January 15th for 5th and 6th
periods. Please make sure that your student is on
time to school and here every day during exams.
Friday, January 16th will be a teacher workday
and on January 19th we will observe Martin Luther King Day.
As the first semester ends,
we have noticed that many of
the students need replenishment of their school supplies. Please check with your
student to see if they may
need any extra paper, pencils, lead for lead pencils, etc.
One of the exciting upcoming events for our 8th
graders is the registration for high school next
year. There will be meetings here at the school
for you and your student to meet with an advisor
to plan their schedule for the next school year.
Information and dates will be announced in the
next month. It is important that your student
maintain passing grades in their core classes.
State law requires 8th graders to have 12 core
credits (3 science, 3 math, 3 language arts, and 3
social studies) to advance to high school.
The 8th grade teachers hope you and your family
will enjoy the holidays. It is important to spend
time with families and friends and get recharged
for the new year. When we return your student
will only be a semester away from being in high
school.
Ms Bates 8th Grade Language Arts: Mrs. Bates’ 8th
grade classes are wrapped up in getting ready for
the semester exam. The exam will be an Argumentative Essay. The prompt will be provided by
the district and all middle school students will
write an essay as their exam grade. We are hoping to have the students type it. Currently, the
new Florida Standards Assessments (FSA) Writing Assessment will have to be typed for eightheleventh grades. The window for the state writing
is March 2-13, 2015. A change from last year is
that the Writing Assessment will not be a separate score. It will be a portion of the FSA Reading
Score. In looking forward, the FSA Reading Assessment window is April 13-May 8, 2015. For
those that would like more information on the
FSA, the FSA Portal can be accessed at
http://www.fsassessments.org/.
The advanced classes have finished reading the novel, The Giver,
and will be starting Divergent.
The regular classes will be finishing The Outsiders before the holiday break. Permission slips have
been sent home for students to be
allowed to watch the movies. Students will be doing a comparison
and contrast writing and project activity after
viewing the week of January 12th.
8th grade Math: As we all work to finish our 1st
semester coursework, know that the high schools
are preparing to assign a personal high-school
advisor to each current 8th grader ~ for a personal
meeting regarding high school course work, for
9th grade and beyond, in the spring. High school
registration forms will be presented/discussed at
this meeting, and parents will be encouraged to
attend. High school enrollment in specific
courses will be contingent on teachers’ recommendation, class grade point average, and testing
results. Last year’s 7th grade FCAT results are also
considered in high school course placement recommendations. Students – monitor your grades,
stay for any offered tutoring after school, and do
your very best in your 8th grade coursework!
Stay tuned for all forthcoming information!
Ms. Clary 8th Grade
Physical Science:
students are continuing their study
of matter. The stustudents learned
how the atomic
theory has
changed, the structure of the periodic table, and
now are learning about the states of matter and
how matter can change states. The students also
enjoyed the L.I.F.E. field experience to Fred Gannon State Park in Niceville. The students rotated
between three stations where they separated
mixtures, designed and tested a water wheel, and
tested if the amount of dissolved oxygen increased as the rate of photosynthesis increased.
The trip was free and the students really enjoyed
learning in the state park environment. We will
be doing another field experience in the spring
and we will go to Henderson State Park in Destin.
If your student did not attend the first field experience, I encourage you to make sure that they
attend the next one. It is being offered free of
charge!!!! Information and field trip permission
forms will be sent home at a later date. In the 3rd
Nine Weeks we will complete our study of matter
with compounds, mixtures, solutions and acids
and bases.
7th Grade News
Mr. LeCompte’s Civics: this month classes are
working on completing Data Based Questions
(DBQ) activities in order to help with Student
Writing for next month’s writing exam. Classes
are using Close Read Strategy as a way of understanding the purpose and structure of complex
text.
6th Grade News
Ms. Singleton’s World History: classes received a
“world class” treat as Ms. Singleton shared pictures of her recent trip to Paris, France during the
Thanksgiving holiday break. Ms. Singleton made
a presentation to show them that the pictures in
their World History textbooks were authentic.
She did this by showing digital pictures she took
of the actual artifacts and paintings from the famous museum, the Louvre in Paris, France. Students could then view the actual artifact in its
proper perspective. Students were amazed when
they found the artifact of Hammurabi’s code was
actually almost 8 feet tall!!
Students also were able to see
close-up shots of many Egyptian mummies, inscribed with
hundreds of hieroglyphic symbols and writings. Most students expressed a desire to
hopefully one day go to France
to see the many historical and
rich cultural items that Ms. Singleton shared with
her classes.
Mrs. Beaudoin’s 6th grade Language Arts: classes
are currently studying the novel, Freak the
Mighty, by Rodman Philbrick. Students are delving deeper into the text by studying tier 2 and 3 vocabulary
terms, characterization, plot development, setting, author’s
tone and purpose, and literary
themes, such as the importance
of friendship and the struggles
that come with growing up.
Students are utilizing many
technological resources in school, including usage
of the iPads and laptop carts in order to practice
keyboarding skills required for the April FSA.
Students have been posting and submitting assignments through Edmodo.com as well as keeping up with grammar lessons by practicing their
skills on NoRedInk.com. Students are also practicing Argumentative Writing through a weekly
Writing Workshop, where each day is focused on
a particular writing skill.
Mrs. Deiler’s 6th grade Language Arts: classes are
studying the classic, A Christmas Carol, by Charles
Dickens. Literary concepts that students have
learned through this book are: theme, context
clues, tone, mood, setting, characterization, plot,
and symbolism. We worked toward the completion of the novel before our trip to Montgomery to
see the production live on stage. Some classes
have even acted out the scenes, dressing up in
simple costumes.
In the writing department, we are composing argumentative essays to prepare for the semester
exam. Students read 2-4 texts about a controversial topic. They have to choose a side of the debate and write the essay to argue their side using
text-based evidence.
Mrs. Martinez’s and Mrs. Sharp’s 6th grade science
classes are exploring the theory of plate tectonics.
Within this dynamic geological event the students
are studying the movement of plates that cause a
slow and rapid change to Earth’s surface, including volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and mountain building.
Mrs. Davison’s 6th Grade World History Classes
are in the middle of a tour of Ancient Egypt where
we are learning about the benefits of the Nile River, Pharaohs, including the first female Pharaoh,
Hatshepsut, the mummification process, and the
science and math involved in the construction of
the Pyramids of Egypt.
Don’t forget 1st semester
exams begin Tuesday, January 13, 2015! Make sure
to study!
Electives
Pryor's Intro to Information
Technology (IT) Classes have
begun certification testing for
Microsoft Word 2013. Intro to IT is a high school
credit class which also meets the requirement for
an Online class credit and the requirement for a
Fine Arts credit. 7th and 8th-graders can take the
class. They can earn industry certification in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel 2013, learning real-world skills necessary to compete in the
21st Century including computer fundamentals
and Microsoft Office 2013 applications.
Pryor's 8th-graders in the Fundamentals of Web
Design class are preparing to test for Certified
Internet Web Development (CIW) Professional,
which is also an Industry Certification. Students
in this class also receive high school credit
(weighted as an Honors class) upon successful
completion of the class. Students have also been
actively updating and creating new web pages for
the Pryor Web site. Check out some of these web
pages and sites by following links from the Pryor
Home page and Activities and Sports pages.
The Pryor Music Department has
been busy this nine weeks. All
County chorus and band took place
and the students did a fantastic job.
They were under the direction of
some outstanding clinicians and had an opportunity to meet and mix with the top students from
the other band and choral programs of our county. Chorus students were Emma Blair, Madison
Locke, Nicole Strecker and Cayla Weightman.
Rhizza Lucena represented the band department.
The band chili dinner concert took place in the
Choctaw cafeteria on Thursday November 20th.
The band classes played for each other and their
families. Everyone had some great chili and dessert. A great time was had by all.
The Winter/Holiday Concert took place on Thurs.,
Dec. 11th in the Choctaw auditorium. The chorus,
beginning bands, concert, symphonic and jazz
bands performed. This concert was very well-
attended and helped to get everyone in the spirit
of the season.
The Chorus and the Jazz Band will be going out to
the area feeder elementary schools as well as the
Silver Sands School and the Bob
Hope Village for their annual
holiday tour. It will take place
on Tues. and Wed., Dec 16th &
17th.
Remember that beginning band
and chorus are open to all students as an elective
and we would love to have your student in our
programs.
From the Yearbook Staff
Pryor Yearbooks are available
to order at school or online at
Jostens.com. Follow the link on
the Pryor website, or bring in
$40 in cash, or check or money
order made out to Pryor Middle School. Include your student's 6th period
teacher. Order forms are available from the student's PIERS teacher. Order by December 31st to
save $5.00
Important Information on Testing coming up after Winter Break
From Ms Nehring, Asst Principal, Curriculum & Instruction
End of Semester Exam Schedule
All middle school students will be administered a semester exam at the end of the first semester. Please review the
semester exam schedule below. Students will follow an alternate schedule that provides longer class periods for
exams to be completed. It is important that students attend all classes and study regularly to be prepared for exams.
J
Dates
January 8, 2015
January 13, 2015
January 14, 2015
January 15, 2015
Exam Exams
English Language Arts
Ensu
st
nd
1 Period, 2 PeriodSome
sched
with t
misse
rd
th
3
3 Period, 4 Period
5
5th Period, 6th Period
Important Notes
This exam will be taken on an early release day.
Ensure your student is present.
7th grade students will miss this exam day due to a
scheduled science field trip. They will need to work
with their 1st and 2nd period teachers to make up the
missed tests.
Florida Standards Assessments
Pryor students and teachers have been preparing since August for the upcoming spring assessments, the newest of
which are the Florida Standards Assessments (FSA) in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math. Please review the spring
testing schedule below and mark your calendars.
Dates
March 2 – 13, 2015
April 13 – May 8, 2015
April 20 – May 15, 2015
April 20 – May 22, 2015
Asses Assessment
FSA E FSA English Language Arts –
Writing Comp
Grad Grade Levels
FSA
FSA
FCAT
FSA
6, 7
6, 7
8 8
English Language Arts
FSA Mathematics
FCAT 2.0 Science
FSA End-of-Course Exams:
Algebra 1 and Geometry
End-of-Course Exam: Civics
6, 7, 8 6, 7, 8
6, 7, 8
6, 7, 8
8
7777 7, 8
7
Discovery Education Assessment (DEA)
DEA is a test that shows student progress as they master required standards throughout the school year. School staff
uses results to plan instruction and help students grow. The DEA is administered up to three times per year in the following subjects: English Language Arts (including Intensive Reading), Math, and Science. Students in Intensive Reading and Intensive Math classes take the DEA as a semester exam. DEA will be administered beginning in December
and conclude the first week of February. Encourage your student to do his or her best when taking this exam. It is
used along with FSA to determine if a student will be promoted to the next grade.
2015-2016 Registration
It is already time for our students to start thinking about which classes to take next year!

Current 8th grade students: Representatives from Choctawhatchee High School will be visiting Pryor Middle
School Thursday, January 29th, to distribute registration materials to eighth grade students. They will be here
at Pryor to assist with registration on Wednesday, February 11th, and Thursday, February 12th, during social
studies classes. Expect further details from Choctaw after we return from winter break.

Current 6th and 7th grade students: Pryor students will receive registration materials and submit course selections in March.

Current 5th grade students: Pryor will visit each of our feeder elementary schools and host a registration fair
for these students in the spring.
Reminder to all Parents/Guardians regarding required immunizations:
We are constantly monitoring deadlines for physicals and shot requirements.
Reminder that all 7th Graders must have a Tdap date and a Code 8 on their shot records
and the most current shot record must be provided to the school. All current 6 Graders need
to have this taken care of before entering classes next school year, and don’t forget to bring by a
copy of that shot record once the Tdap has been administered. This can be provided to the school
during summer hours as well as during the school year.
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:
Friday, December 19th to
Friday, January 2nd
Thursday, January 8th
Thursday, January 15th
Friday, January 16th
Monday, January 19th
Thursday, February 5th
Monday, February 16th
Winter Break Holidays
Early Release – Students are dismissed at 11:50 a.m.
End of 1st Semester (2nd Nine Weeks) Reporting Period
Teacher Workday – Students’ Holiday
Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday – No School
Early Release – Students are dismissed at 11:50 a.m.
Presidents’ Day Holiday – No School
THANK YOU TO OUR BUSINESS PARTNERS!