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Smithsburg Middle School
February 2015
Dates & Details
Feb. 2 – 11 – Grade 8 Family
Life
Feb. 3 – Grade 8 Day on the
Job
Feb. 4-6 – Annual 3 on 3
Tournament
Feb. 6 – All County Band
Rehearsal
Feb. 7 – All County Band
Concert @ NHHS – 7:00 PM
Feb. 10 – PTSA Meeting-6:00
PM
Feb. 16 – President’s Day –
School and CES closed
Feb. 17 – 25 – Grade 7 Family
Life
Feb. 20 – Student Council
Activity Night-6:30-8:30 PM
Volume 1, Number 6
From the Principal’s Desk…
Dear Parents/Guardians:
In all the world, there is no heart for me like yours.
In all the world, there is no love for you like mine.
Maya Angelou
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY
This quote by Maya Angelou expresses how it feels to serve the Smithsburg Middle School community. It
continues to be a labor of love for me. I thank you for your continued support.
Second semester is underway. Half the school year has passed. The staff and I are looking forward to working
with your children as we prepare them for the next grade level and the standardized tests ahead of us. A
review of student performance demonstrated that a limited number of students need extra support to be
successful in classes. Staff will meet with these students to outline a plan of action for each student.
We are in the process of preparing our staff and students for the PARCC tests which will be administered in
March. There will be county wide and state wide “stress tests” to make sure the technology system can handle
the load when testing occurs. Teachers are administering practice tests so students can be acclimated to the
new testing format and the types of questions they will be expected to answer. SMS students will be prepared
and will demonstrate excellence on these tests.
The staff and I are always available to meet with you or to talk with you about any concerns or questions you
may have. Please feel free to contact us.
Dr. Stephen Tarason
Principal
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feel valued, safe, and will become
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[email protected]
Our School Newsletter is now available on our
school website Go to www.wcps.k12.md.us
Schools, Middle, More Info
Contact Us
Stephen Tarason, Principal
Kyle Lingg, Asst. Principal
Phone – 301-766-8353
Fax – 301-824-5147
Address:
68 N. Main Street
Smithsburg, MD 21783
The Board of Education of Washington County does not discriminate on
the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, size, age, or disability
in employment or the provision of services. If you have a question about
this policy, call the Director of Human Resources at 301-766-2808.
www.wcboe.k12.md.us
LEOPARD’S PRIDE
Super Spellers
Spelling Bees were held at each
grade level recently. The champions
are as follows:
Grade 6 – Champion – Emilea Huff,
Runner Up – Paige Huntzberry
Grade 7 – Champion – Olivia Miller,
Runner Up – Zach Wandalowski
Grade 8 – Champion – Carleigh
Baker, Runner Up – Davin Spessert
Congratulations and Good Luck to our
students as they participate at the
County Bee on February 28, 2015 at
1:00 PM at Western Heights Middle
School
Pictured left to right: Carleigh Baker, Davin
Spessert, Zach Wandalowski, Olivia Miller,
Emilea Huff, Paige Huntzberry
S.T.A.R.S.
PTSA NEWS
(Success Through Academic Achievement at Smithsburg)
Congratulations to the following students who received academic
recognition at the S.T.A.R.S. Ceremony held on January 29, 2015:
S.T.A.R.S.
Grade 6: Emma Verdier, Gabrielle Ryder, Stephanie Lewis,
Hailey Daniels, Colin Whitt, Meagan Adkins, Joshua Perez,
FeiYan Collins, Bradley Powers, Edey McDougal
Grade 7: Isaac Lowe, Olivia Miller, Abigail Stevens, Mackenzie
Needy, Ashley Davis, Andi Wynkoop, Aidyn Smith, Abigail Kittel,
Kasey Fagan, Nicholas Notabartolo
Grade 8: Jarret Pryor, Arin Abrecht, Ryan Goodmansen,
Chase Miller, Logan Rummel, Asher Newberry, Lacey Clopper,
Elijah Dove, Katelyn Meyer, Sydney Scott
Happy New Year! We hope everyone had a safe and wonderful
winter break!
The PTSA is working on future Dinner Night Out dates and
locations. Please keep your eyes out for flyers coming home
regarding these fundraisers.
We have received a vast interest in a spring Talent Show and
have had a number of people offer to help. We are still in need
of someone willing to organize this event. If you are interested,
please contact us as soon as possible.
Please join us at our next meeting on Tuesday, February
10 at 6:00pm in the Media Center.
Rising S.T.A.R.S.
Grade 6: Jessica Hutzell, Ryan Garcia, Jacob Donivan,
Garrison Johnson, Lillie Anders, Devin Bollinger, Abigail Pulver,
Nicholas Bono, Carl Oree, Emily Shoop
Grade 7: Joi Jones, Luke Williams, Andrew Windham,
Elisabeth Little, Brandon Fink, Derrick Stubenhofer, Dakota
Coyle, Emily Everett, Brayden Crabtree, Joel Martirano
Grade 8: Anthony Mazarella, Samuel Pietrzak, Courtney
Howard, Nicholas Baer, Kara Poole, Michael rowan, Blaine
Davis, Leah Kline, Nathaniel Hartney, Liam Halsey
Jennifer Ashbaugh, Mary Glessner, Amy Woodward, Jen
Keller, and Anne Jessop
PTSA Executive Board
KUDOS…
To Kara Poole who was selected to be a member of the
Region 1 Girls’ Soccer Olympic Development Program
Team. This program is the first step towards making the
U. S. National/Olympic Team Pools. Kara traveled to
Orlando, Florida recently to train and compete against
other Regional players.
Congratulations Kara!
STAR Designer
Daughters of the American Revolution
American History Essay Contest
Pictured L to R: Joel Martirano, Mary Doorn – staff member and DAR
member, Luke Williams, Liam Halsey, Arin Abrecht
Kudos to Amarah Stilianos, grade 8, for her “STAR”
design of the 2014-15 S.T.A.R.S. shirt.
The Daughters of the American Revolution are very proud
to recognize the following students as winners of the
annual American History Essay contest: Luke Williams –
st
nd
grade 7 – 1 Place, Joel Martirano – grade 7 – 2 Place,
st
Arin Abrecht – grade 8 – 1 Place, Liam Halsey – grade 8
nd
– 2 place. The 1st place winning essays were sent on
to compete at the State level
CHARITY BASKETBALL GAME
STUDENT COUNCIL NEWS
The Smithsburg Middle Intramural Club is planning a
Charity Basketball Game. Smithsburg Faculty will
compete against a team of local law enforcement/military
personnel to raise money for the Warrior Canine
Connection (WCC). Our lead teacher, Pam Ours,
volunteers for this organization that breeds and trains
dogs for our wounded veterans. The event is currently
,
scheduled for Thursday, March 26 2015. If you have
additional questions or would like to help, please contact
Mrs. Izat at Smithsburg Middle School.
([email protected],us or 301-766-8353)
Advisor for this year’s Student Council: Mrs. Lisa Waters
[email protected]
GEOGRAPHY BEE
Pride Schedule
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Friday, February 6
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Friday, February 20
Smithsburg Pride
College Pride Day
Important Dates
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 January 26 - February 10 Valentine’s Day:
Candy Gram Sales
Candy Grams will be sold during all 3 grade level
lunches. Student Council Members will take turns
selling Candy Grams at each lunch every day.
Costs: Candy Grams $1.00, Valentine Cards
.50 Cents

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Thursday, February 12
WCASC Meeting @
Williamsport High
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8 Grade students will not be able to attend due to
Family Life Instruction. Permission Slips can be
obtained from Mrs. Waters and must be signed and
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returned by February 5 . Please indicate whether or not
you are buying lunch on your form. You must let your
teachers know that you will be absent from class that day,
and you are Responsible for any work that you miss. No
parent notes accepted!
 Saturday, February 7
Legislative Session
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Legislative Session will be held on Saturday, February 7
th
(snow date: February 14 ) from 9 AM to 5 PM at
Manchester Valley High School in Carroll County. The
rd
cost is $25. Registration closed January 23 . A WCPS
school bus has been reserved for the trip. The bus will
depart the old BOE on Commonwealth Avenue at 7:15
AM and return about 7 PM. There is no additional cost
for the bus. Mrs. Gretchen Smith, WCASC Advisor &
Social Studies Lead Teacher will accompany the students
as their chaperone.
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
Pictured:
Front row L to R: Zach Wandalowski, Emily Shoop, Gabrielle Ryder
Middle row L to R: Clara Desclous, Emily Kellogg, Mrs. Nancy SoudersSocial Studies Department Leader, Nathaniel Hartney, Abigail Kittel,
Nolan Zahm
Back row L to R: Ricky Moser, William Schupp
The final competition for the 2015 Geography Bee was
held on January 7, 2015.
Congratulations to Zach Wandalowski – grade 7 – First
Place Champion, Gabrielle Ryder – grade 6 – Second
Place.
Good luck to Zach as he takes his written test to qualify
for the Maryland State Bee. Zach was also our school
champion last year!
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Friday February 20 Valentine Themed
Activity Night
Student Council is sponsoring an Activity Night February
th
20 from 6:30-8:30 PM. The admission is $5.00 and
includes a snack and drink. Music/ karaoke and games
such as bowling, Wii Just Dance, Basketball, and ping
pong will be provided. Student council Members are
encouraged to bring desserts; cookies, brownies, etc…
Volunteers are needed in order to make this night a
success! Please contact Mrs. Lisa Waters, Student
Council sponsor at [email protected] or at 301766-8353.
FFA News for February
Meeting dates for February are: 9th and 23rd. Planting
week is the week of February 23rd. FFA members will
plant seeds in the mornings and after school. More
information to follow!
Make-Up Work Reminder
FOR PARENTS
Zone Closing Options
Since the 2001-2002 school year, WCPS has
implemented two specific weather zones. The two zones
are the Hancock Weather Zone and the Cascade
Weather Zone. These areas typically experience greater
inclement weather than the majority of the county. These
zones may be delayed or closed separately from the rest
of the county.
The Cascade Zone is defined as being the attendance
area for Cascade Elementary School. Students who live
in the Cascade Elementary attendance area and attend
Cascade Elementary, Smithsburg Middle School or
Smithsburg High School will follow any schedule changes
that apply to the Cascade Zone. Students who live in the
Old Forge Elementary, Smithsburg Elementary and
Greenbrier Elementary attendance areas and attend one
of these elementary schools, or Smithsburg Middle or
Smithsburg High School are NOT included in the
Cascade Zone. More specific information, including a
road list in the Cascade Zone, is included in a 3-page
PDF HERE. The Hancock Zone is defined as being the
attendance area for Hancock Elementary School and
Hancock Middle/Senior High School.
Please be reminded of the following regarding make up work after your
student has been absent from school:
Absent less than 3 days – Parent may request work through the front
office. Teachers may also choose to provide work to the front office
after speaking to the parent. If a parent makes the request it should be
communicated that teachers may only submit work if it is appropriate to
do so based on what was missed in the classroom for the period of
absence. Students may not receive work from every teacher is it is not
appropriate.
Absent 3 days or more – Work may be requested through the front
office. All teachers should provide work to the front office. The front
office will coordinate with parents and teachers to gather work and make
arrangements for pick-up of work.
Counselor’s Corner
DID YOU KNOW?
• Students should miss no more than 9 days of school each year to stay engaged,
successful and on track to graduation.
• Absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with school
work, dealing with a bully or facing some other potentially serious difficulty.
• By 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high
school.
• By 9th grade, regular and high attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than
8th grade test scores.
• Missing 10 percent, or about 18 days, of the school year can drastically affect a
student’s academic success.
What this means for our students at Smithsburg Middle
School…
• Students can be chronically absent even if they only miss a day or two every few
weeks.
• Attendance is an important life skill that will help your child graduate from college and
If you hear or read that there is a 2 hour delay or that
schools are closed for the “Cascade Zone”… only those
Smithsburg Middle students who live in the Cascade zone
should follow the delay or closing announcements. ALL
OTHER SMITHSBURG MIDDLE STUDENTS SHOULD
REPORT TO SCHOOL ON TIME.
keep a job.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Make school attendance a priority
• Talk about the importance of showing up to school every day, make that the
expectation.
• Help your child maintain daily routines, such as finishing homework and getting a good
Please feel free to contact the school if you have
additional questions.
night’s sleep.
• Try not to schedule dental and medical appointments during the school day.
• Don’t let your child stay home unless truly sick. Complaints of headaches or stomach
HOMEWORK CLUB
Don’t forget…after school homework help is available for
students on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30- 4:30
PM. Please be advised that students must have
homework or work from their teachers when they stay.
Box Tops for Education
Now through the end of February we are collecting box
tops. Please put at least 30 in a baggie with the students
name and drop off in the blue box located by the front
office. Each person that turns in 30 or more box tops will
receive a free ice cream sandwich. So far we have made
over $600.00. Last year we reached $1000 so let the
clipping begin. Let’s try and reach that goal again.
aches may be signs of anxiety. Help your teen stay engaged
• Find out if your child feels engaged by his classes and feels safe from bullies and other
threats. Make sure he/she is not missing class because of behavioral issues and
school discipline policies. If any of these are problems, work with your school.
• Stay on top of academic progress and seek help from teachers or tutors if necessary.
Make sure teachers know how to contact you.
• Stay on top of your child’s social contacts. Check their social media sites regularly.
Peer pressure can lead to skipping school, while students without many friends can
feel isolated.
• Encourage meaningful afterschool activities, including sports and clubs.
Communicate with the school
• Know the school’s attendance policy – incentives and penalties.
• Talk to teachers if you notice sudden changes in behavior. These could be tied to
something going on at school.
• Check on your child’s attendance to be sure absences are not piling up.
• Ask for help from school officials, afterschool programs, other parents or community
agencies if you’re having trouble getting your child to school.