February, 2015 Stephen Decatur Middle School Volume 11, Issue 6 A Letter From the Principal Dear Parents: Important Dates January 30 Report Cards Issued February 2 Builders Club Meeting February 3 DBacks and Gator Students High School Scheduling Assembly February 4 Terp and Dragon Students High School Scheduling Assembly February 6 School Dance February 10 No After School Academy February 11 SGA Meeting February 16 School Closed for Presidents’ Day February 20 History Day at SDMS February 25 NJHS Induction Ceremony February 26 Last Day of After School Academy Session Two February 26 Grade 8 Parents High School Information Night 5 PM at SDHS March 9-13 PARCC Testing for Grade 7 Students March 23-27 PARCC Testing for Grade 8 Students Last year due to inclement weather students only attended school twelve days in January. Fortunately, this year we have been able to attend school all of our scheduled days this month. Second semester has just begun, the half way point in the school year. It is hard to believe but, eighth graders will begin the high school scheduling process next week. The ninth grade school counselor and an administrator from Stephen Decatur High School will be making a presentation to our eighth grade teams explaining the process, student options and answering individual questions about scheduling. Later in the month parents are invited to Stephen Decatur High School to learn more about the scheduling process and to have any questions you may have answered. That meeting is scheduled for February 26 at 5:00pm in the high school auditorium. Please note the important dates for this month. SGA is sponsoring a dance on Friday, February 6 from 7-9. History Day is the February 20 and National Junior Honor Society Induction Ceremony is February 25 at 7:00pm. In case you missed the announcement last month, we are proud to have Mr. Mundick, our instrumental music teacher, representing Stephen Decatur Middle in the Worcester County Teacher of the Year Program in April. He has developed an outstanding instrumental music program here at the middle school, offering concert band, jazz band, beginning band and marching band to students. As always, please call, email or stop in if you have a question or concern. If you are not receiving automated calls for cancellations, delays or other important announcements, call our front office so that we may add your telephone number to the calling list. This is an efficient way for you to receive important information. Don’t forget to check your child’s academic progress regularly using Power School, our student information system. Again, if you have lost or do not have your assigned password, please call the school so that we may assist you with that as well. We want to work together with you, the parent, to make certain your child is making and getting the most from the academic opportunities here at Stephen Decatur Middle School. Sincerely, Lynne Barton JANUARY STUDENTS OF THE MONTH Chameleon Team Briana Henry, Laura Meadows, Allison Johnston, Eric Gwin Cobra Team Anna Putsch, Austin Miller, Lexi Orf, Tony Scafone Iguana Team Claire Merritt, Amber Whittaker, Brendan Hartley, Kayla Janek Gecko Team Brianna Wesche, Logan Seitz, Erin Trask, Lauren Kennard Diamondback Team Lindsey Hutchins, Gavin Bunting, Ashton Fisher Dragon Team Xan Johnston, Shaun Guernsey, Makayla Zajdel, Grace Schwendeman Gator Team Matthew White, George Luzier, Reed Welton, Samantha Lokey Terrapin Team Sarah Proctor, Gabrielle Suplee, Emily Malinowski, Remy Anderson, Shannon Lewis Page 2 Volume 11, Issue 6 Attention Parents of Grade 8 Students! In less then six months your 8th grader will officially be a High School student. Although this is a exciting time it can also be a stressful time. In an attempt to help the students transition from middle school student to high school student, many different opportunities will be offered in the upcoming months. The first of which will take place on February 3 and 4. The SDHS 9th grade guidance counselor and Mrs. Cater will visit with the students for an assembly to review the scheduling process and options for incoming 9th grade students. At this time the students will receive a schedule sheet. Take some time to review this sheet and the course catalog with your child. All schedule sheets are due back to SDMS no later than February 20. Then on February 26, at 5:00 PM, SDHS will host a parent orientation/information night. This will take place at the High School in the auditorium. We encourage all parents to attend this important meeting. More opportunities will be provided as we get closer to the end of the school year. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Cress, the 8th grade guidance counselor. What is PARCC? BLACK HISTORY MONTH February is the annual observance of Black History Month, a time to recognize the achievements, contributions, and culture of African Americans. In 1926, Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson, an African American historian, writer, and educator, established Negro History Week to honor the contributions of African Americans. Often called the “Father of Black History,” Woodson chose February for this observance because the birthdays of abolitionist Frederick Douglas and President Abraham Lincoln fall in this month. During the early 1970s, the name of the celebration was changed to Black History Week. It was expanded to Black History Month in 1976. The theme for the 2015 celebration is: A Century of Black Life, History, and Culture. (www.educationworld.com) PARCC is an acronym for The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers. Tests are administered in the Spring in the areas of English Language Arts/Literacy and Mathematics. SDMS students will take the first round of PARCC assessments in March. Grade 7 students will test the week of March 9 and Grade 8 students will test the week of March 23. If you would like more information about PARCC or you would like to see a sample test, visit these websites: General Information on PARCC www.parcconline.org PARCC Practice Test http://parcconline.org/practice-tests Volume 11, Issue 6 After School Academy… because learning does not stop at the bell. Session two of the After School Academy is going strong with 214 students participating! The last day for session two is Thursday, February 26th. The Academy will not be open on February 10th due to a teacher training meeting. Session Three will begin on March 30. Registration forms will be available March 9. If you have any questions about the After School Academy at SDMS, please contact Mrs. Torpey. SDHS Taco Night has been scheduled for Wednesday, February 11th 2:30-7:00 pm. Page 3 Friday, February 6th 7:00-9:00 $7.00 pre-registration or $10.00 at the door This dance is sponsored by the SGA. The Builders Club worked very hard during the month of January to create cards to support the "Valentine for Veterans Program". This project thanks the veterans for their sacrifices while letting them know that they are appreciated and not forgotten. The cards will be sent to Perry Point Veterans Hospital, Charlotte Hall Veterans Hospital and the Baltimore VA Medical Center. The next Builders Club meeting will be held on Monday February 2nd after school till 4:30. Spring Pictures! Sounds funny for us to say that the spring pictures will be taken on February 19th with all these frigid temperatures! But nevertheless, spring pictures will be taken on February 19th during the specials classes. As in previous years all students will have their pictures taken. In a few weeks the students will receive the picture packets for your review. Should you not want to keep the pictures, please return the package ASAP. If you would like to purchase some or all of the prints return the money in the envelope provided. ALL PICTURES MUST BE EITHER RETURNED OR PAID FOR IN FULL. If you have any questions, please contact the guidance secretary, Ms. Vessey. SAY CHEESE! Stephen Decatur Middle School 9815 Seahawk Road Berlin, MD 21811 Phone: 410-641-2846 Fax: 410-641-3274 www.worcesterk12.com www.sdmsmiddle.com Northern Schools Mission Statement The mission of the Northern Schools, a diverse and growing community, is to provide a rigorous, sequential, and balanced curriculum for all students to become responsible lifelong learners. This will be accomplished through instructional excellence in partnership with family and community in a safe, caring, and well-maintained in environment. We will recognize the uniqueness of each student’s role as a productive citizen in an ever changing world. Homework Hotline Numbers The access number for the Homework Hotline is 410-632-5399. Codes for each team and closings/delay are listed below. Lynne Barton, Principal Closings/Delays 6600 Marcus Shipley, Assistant Principal Terrapin 6611 Theresa Torpey, Extended Day Administrator D-Back 6613 Dragon 6614 Susan Porter, Curriculum Resource Teacher Chameleon 6607 Gecko 6609 Cherie Townsend, Guidance Counselor, Gr. 7 Iguana 6608 Cobra 6610 Gator 6612 Stephanie Cress, Guidance Counselor, Gr. 8 Darlah Woodley, School Nurse What are you doing this summer? Sdms summer academy has been tentatively scheduled for june 22—july 17. more information and program details will be shared as soon as possible. The Worcester County Board of Education does not discriminate in admissions, access, treatment, or employment in its programs and activities on the basis of race, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, marital status, color, gender identity and expression, national origin, creed, religion, age, ancestry, genetic information, or physical or mental disability.