PYTHON PRESS
Pikesville Middle School - February 2022
From The Principals Desk:
We ended the 2nd quarter with 105 (6th grade); 134 (7th grade); and 118 (8th grade) students who made the honor roll for the second quarter. I am very proud of our students for their hard work and look forward to having more students on the honor roll for 3rd quarter. We are close to the mid-point of the 3rd quarter; therefore, I challenge all our students to work hard to finish the 3rd quarter strong.
While we were not able to hold in-person concerts, we are grateful that we were able to record the concerts to share with our families. We are so proud of our students and their teachers for all their hard work in completing these concerts. We are hopeful that we will be able to have in-person concerts in the spring. Please take time to enjoy our student performances:
Chorus
Pikesville Singers (7/8) - https://vimeo.com/674645861
6th Grade Chorus - https://vimeo.com/674645790
Dance
Honors Dance - https://vimeo.com/675581843
Standard Dance - https://vimeo.com/675599956
Orchestra
6 Strings, 7/8 Strings, and Honors Strings - https://vimeo.com/675583988
Band
Leggiero-6th Grade Band & Honors (7/8) Band - https://vimeo.com/675678283
Rauson (7/8) - https://vimeo.com/675597714
As we come to the middle of the 3rd quarter, I want to remind students and parents of our dismissal procedures at Pikesville Middle School:
Dismissal Procedure:
1. Students will be dismissed by their bus name/number daily beginning at 2:45 p.m.
2. Students should remain in their class until their bus is called. Students may not ride another bus unless an administrator has approved within 24 hours in advance and has given the student a special pass.
3. Students should go immediately to their locker and then out the nearest exit door and may not walk around the building.
4. At 3:00 p.m. all students with buses that have not arrived will report to the cafeteria.
We have many students who ride the bus; however, they are leaving their classrooms when car riders and walkers are dismissed. They are walking the building and creating an unsafe environment during our dismissal. If your child is a bus rider, we ask that you speak to them about staying in class until their bus is called. We will start to assign consequences to students who frequently break this rule.
Thank you all for being an amazing community, and as always, please call or email with any issues or concerns - we are happy to hear from you.
IMPORTANT DATES
21 (M) Presidents’ Day, Washington’s Birthday - Schools and Offices Closed
6th Grade News Flash by Mr. Jackson
February is the month that begins the third marking period in earnest. For some, students have gotten adjusted to course changes and for others, it students have made new goals. For every student, it is an opportunity to reset for the second half of the year. February is also Black History Month and a few of our sixth graders have been chosen to research and read profiles of African Americans in history on the morning announcements. We had a class meeting to kick off the month. The purpose was to reaffirm expectations with students regarding behavior as well as academic. This meeting also communicated to the students the upcoming award assembly and the “pop-up” incentives activity, that will be occurring in the coming weeks.
A few key concerns to keep in mind.
· Reinforcing PMS H2O policy. No hats, no hoods, no offensive language.
· Adherence to the mask policy. Mask should be always worn. Masks should cover the mouth and nose area of the face. Students are expected to arrive to school with mask on. School buses also have and will enforce the mask policy as well. Students should wear their masks, always covering the mouth and nose while on the bus. Practice social distancing whenever possible.
· To support the safety of all students, the code of conduct should be followed in the classroom, in the hallway, in the cafeteria and on the bus. Students should walk during transition between classes and follow the directional flow to ensure safety for all students.
· Report cards are now available in FOCUS.
· Check Schoology regularly. Send messages to teachers directly through Schoology or send teachers an email.
· Virtual coach class information is posted on the school website. Pikesvillems.bcps.org Many teachers are also holding coach class afterschool, during lunch or virtual. Encourage your child to inquire about coach class if there are concerns.
· Afterschool activities have now resumed.
Please email Mr. Jackson ajackson@bcps.org (Grade 6 Administrator) or Ms. Daeschner ddaeschner@bcps.org (Grade 6 Counselor) if your have any questions or concerns.
7th Grade Scoop by Ms. Luechtefeld
Hello 7th grade!
We are one month down in the year of 2022 and that means it is time for our February newsletter. February is known as the month of celebrating love where we celebrate Valentine's Day and raise awareness for American Heart Month & National Weddings Month. While we love these celebrations there is another that is quite important; and that is Black history month. Maryland is the proud home of many African American icons such as Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass. We will be sharing presentations on the morning announcement to spread the stories of these icons.
It is a new quarter, and we always stress the importance of starting each quarter strong. We encourage all students and parents to regularly check Schoology to stay updated on grades. Schoology will help students know what is late, what is coming up, and is a fantastic resource. For parents it is great for understanding the teacher’s expectations and the current status of their child’s courses. Schoology is also a great resource for communicating.
Pikesville Middle has a used a staggered bell release for students for most of the year. Over the last several weeks we have transitioned back to a bell of all students. This means when students leave the class, they have a total of 4 minutes to reach their next class. This is a good amount of time even to reach the furthest classrooms. Some students are struggling to reach the class in time. Principal Miller sent a reminder of the consequence ladder for lateness at the start of the quarter.
The awards for second quarter are being accumulated and I can tell you there is a huge amount of 7th graders who have earned one. I am so excited to share these awards with all of you. Whether you earn five awards or none, do not forget this is a new quarter and you chose with your actions whether you will earn an award by creating strong habits, and making tough choices.
“Usually the hardest choice and the right choice are the same thing.”
8th Grade Updates from Dr. Sullivan
Greetings 8th grade families. We have just reached the end and the beginning of a new quarter. This symbolizes 'turning a new leaf'; an opportunity for our students to reflect and approach the new quarter with a positive outlook. While we understand how important friends are to middle school students, it is necessary that our 8th graders are focused on their schoolwork and making good decisions daily. We recently spoke to our 8th grade students in our class meeting. At this meeting, we stressed how soon high school is approaching and how important it is for them to be establishing positive habits and routines. To do this, they need to understand how to balance their time, how to work with others, and how to plan for their future. Their teachers, administrators, and counselors are here to help support them with these habits. We encourage our students to reach out to adults around them to ask for help or direction when they need it.
As always, please reach out to any member of the 8th grade team for support or if you have any questions. Dr. Sullivan (8th grade administrator), Ms. Grant and Ms. Britt (8th grade team leaders), Mrs. Banks and Ms. Daeschner (counselors)
AVID
AVID, which stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a comprehensive instructional system which provides strategies, resources, and college readiness support for all students.
What is an AVID Tutorial?
Small group tutorial sessions are held weekly during the AVID elective classes. Under the direction and supervision of the AVID elective teacher, trained peer tutors facilitate student-led discussions in small groups to help students find the answer to a question or points of confusion from their classes.
How do AVID tutorials differ from traditional tutoring?
· All students must be prepared with pre-work completed and specific questions written in a Tutorial Request Form (TRF). If they believe they have no questions in any of their classes, they must still participate in the tutorial with a completed TRF which they use to ask a question that further explores the material they are studying in their classes.
· Questions are high level thinking questions.
· Students work and discuss in a collaborative group.
· Students reflect on their individual and group participation.
· Tutors do not give the answers. They facilitate the groups' learning process.
Tutors don't teach the answers. They ask more questions. This is called the Socratic method.IT'S ACADEMIC
Math
Third quarter has begun make sure you are logging onto Schoology with your child and checking their grades and discussing attending coach classes or reaching out to the teachers to help them be successful the second half of the year. Math 6 is working on Proportionality Ratios and Rates, next is Equivalent Expressions; Math 6 GT is working on Patterns leading to Addition and Subtraction(Properties), next is Multiplication in Geometry; Pre-Algebra 7 is working on Expressions, Equations and Inequalities, next is Probability and Sampling; Math 8 is working on Linear Equations and Linear Systems; next is Transformational Geometry; Algebra 1 is working on Exponential Functions, next is Quadratic Functions; Geometry is working on Congruence, next is Similarity. Remember the textbook is online and can be found in the Course Resources folder. Please make sure you are regularly checking your student’s grade and work throughout the quarter.
Science
Happy February Pikesville Family! In 8th grade, classes are wrapping up the Mastodon and Megalodon Unit and starting into Agriculture in Action. This unit will cover genetics, natural selection, and the effects of the environment on genetics. Classes will be doing everything from Punnett squares to growing plants. This unit should take the classes until late March to finish. In 7th grade, classes are finishing up their cell city projects and preparing to begin the tissues lesson where students will understand the connection between cells and tissues. Students will even have an opportunity to explore the different tissue types while dissecting a chicken wing. Classes will then finish up the unit by connecting tissues to organ systems and beginning the culminating event project in early March. Our 6th grade classes are still moving through the Chemistry unit, where students will make slime to make the distinction between physical and chemical changes. Classes will move into the physic unit following the completion of the Chemistry unit this month. Mass Communications: Students will practice linear and non-linear editing techniques by shooting and editing short narrative films and montage sequences. Computer Science: Computer Science - Students are practicing algorithmic thinking and logic by creating flowcharts for daily routines. We'll apply this planning process later when writing computer programs for the micro: bit. Students are also learning about various ways that physical computing systems interact with people and their environment. Engineering: Over the first couple of weeks in the 3rd quarter, students in 7th grade will be applying the Engineering Design Process as they think creatively about how to design solutions for engineering challenges. Students in 6th grade just started their Introduction to Engineering. Students will be exploring what engineers do, the different types of engineers and will be introduced to the engineering design process.
As we begin the 3rd quarter, please encourage your students to seek coach class when needed. Coach classes are listed on teacher schoology pages and appointments must be scheduled at least 48hours in advance unless discussed with the teacher. Also, please encourage our students to remember to bring a fully charged device, a pencil/pen and highlighter daily. Thanks for all your parental support and have a wonderful winter!
English
In language arts this quarter, students in most grades will be exploring elements of a narrative. They will be reading historical fiction or narrative non-fiction and comparing the way historical fiction is built around historical events. This quarter, sixth grade GT students will travel back to Elizabethan times for an introduction to Shakespeare. Be sure to engage your child in conversation about what they are learning in language arts!
Students in all language arts classes will be taking the MAP reading assessment during the week of February 22nd. Please encourage your students to be rested during this week and to strive to show off their skills on the assessment.
Students in Read180 classes have started Workshop 2 with the theme of conserving Earth’s fresh water supply. It is critical that all Read180 students use the Read180 app for 40-60 minutes each week to build their skills. Student in Just Words will be expanding their spelling and reading skills to breaking down multisyllabic words.
We welcome new students in the half-year theater courses. Students will explore the structure of theater productions as well as how to convey meaning through voice, body language, and facial expressions.
In College and Career Readiness, seventh graders are exploring the stock market and financial literacy.
We are proud of all our students for their focus, effort, and growth shown during the first half of the school year!
Social Studies
This month the Social Studies Department is celebrating African American History Month by implementing activities and programs to highlight the achievements of leaders in Politics, Academics, Law, Science, and the Arts.
Ancient World 6 – Unit 3- Emerging Civilizations- Students will be working on explaining multiple causes and effects of events and developments in the past civilizations. They will be working on explaining and evaluating the relevancy and utility of historical sources based on information such as date place and origin. Students will also be required to explain physical and human characteristics that influenced the development of societies and civilizations. Students will also be able to evaluate the impact of individuals within ancient societies and their impact on the growth of world powers.
Medieval World 7 – Unit 3- Times of Change -During this unit 7th grade students will be discussing the perspectives of people during historical periods such as the Crusades, The Renaissance, and the Reformation. Students will be discussing and identifying the impact and religious significance of the Holy Land to various religious powers. Students will also gain a better understanding of the impact and spread of the Black Death on Medieval Europe. During this unit students will also be learning about the rise of the Mongol empire and the importance of cultural diffusion between Asia and Europe.
American History 8 – Unit 3- Nationalism and Sectionalism -In this unit 8th grade students will examine how diversity within America has shaped our society overtime and how America's handling of issues such as diversity impacted disenfranchised groups. Students will also explore the foundations of American culture including political, social, and economic influences. In addition, students will discuss the causes of the War of 1812 and the impact of President Andrew Jackson's domestic policies including the Indian Removal Act and the Nullification Crisis.
In addition to exploring historical content, history teachers will also be working with students on constructing explanations using reasoning correct sequence examples and details with relevant information and data while acknowledging strengths and weaknesses of their writing. our students will also be given an opportunity to complete an essay on an African American leader that has had an impact on them personally, or they will be allowed to complete an African American history calendar to learn more about the contributions of African Americans over the course of this country's history.
Foreign Language
Bonjour et Buenos Dias! As third quarter is upon us, our students are going to be getting ready for the next level of language learning. Eighth graders are choosing a language for High school, 7th graders are preparing to take the AAPL language assessment, and 6th graders are preparing for next year. If your child is in 8th grade this year, he or she should be moving on to the next level of language. For example, if your child is in Spanish or French Novice A, he or she should be moving on to Spanish or French 2 in High school. If the child is in Novice B, he or she should move on to French/Spanish Language and Culture (French/Spanish 3). If your child had a language all three years at Pikesville Middle, he or she should be moving on to either French/Spanish Language and Culture OR Special Topics depending on teacher recommendation. Students must have two consecutive years of a World Language in High School; we encourage you them stay with the same language from Middle School unless it is not offered at your zoned school.
French Junior National Honor Society “Les Jeunes Amis du Francais” nominations went out on December 10 and we are meeting on Thursdays from 3-4. Spanish and Latinx Culture Club will also be meeting on Thursdays with Ms. Pendrak in room 16. This club is open to any student who is interested in learning more Spanish and more about Latinx traditions, food, music and culture.
Remember, for extra practice, your student can also use https://quizlet.com/ to review vocabulary and then make old fashioned flash cards on index cards! We also like https://www.duolingo.com/ to track progress www.flangoo.com and https://conjuguemos.com/ for extra practice with tricky grammar rules.
Related Arts
Welcome to the Pikesville Middle School Related Arts Department! At Pikesville Middle School Related Arts consists of Physical Education, Health Education, Visual Arts, Chorus, Orchestra, Band, and Dance Education.
Physical Education & Health Education – Students are expected to be prepared for Physical Education with appropriate athletic clothing. This may consist of a Pikesville Middle School PE uniform or athletic clothing from home. If your student elects to participate in Physical Education with clothing from home, they must wear a t-shirt/sweatshirt (white or gray) and shorts/sweatpants (blue or black). Students are using the Physical Education Locker Rooms to secure their belongings. Students should ensure all valuable items are locked in their personal PE lockers. This includes but is not limited to cell phones, devices, earbuds, wallets, and jewelry. Finally, it is recommended students bring a water bottle to class to stay hydrated! Mr. Long and Ms. Britt’s class have finished Health and will be back in the gymnasium in February. Mr. Hanzelka and Ms. Speer’s classes are currently beginning Health instruction.
Visual Arts – Hello Artists! The start of the 2nd Semester will bring many new beginnings. In 6th grade Portfolio Prep, students will be rounding out their Design unit by investigating the Design Process. Additionally, 6th grade Portfolio Prep students are designing the flyer and program cover for our very own Pikesville Middle School Art Show! All students who are new to Art in the 2nd Semester will start by learning routines and procedures, and then will dive into their Identity unit! In 8th Grade GT, students will be starting their final assignment in their Design unit, following the Design Process. They will be researching social issues and creating posters, using design principles.
Student Shoutout: Recently, a Pikesville Middle School 7th grader had artwork selected to be displayed in Shelly Hettleman's Maryland State Senate office. It is one of only twelve selected to be displayed.
Honors Art: Mrs. Silverman is the contact person for 6th graders hoping to apply for 7th grade GT. Mrs. Payne is the contact person for any 7th graders who is hoping to apply for 8th grade GT. Students who are not currently in a GT Art class must apply and attend the Art Workshop for their grade level listed below:
o February 17th, 2022 – 6th Grade GT Art Workshop with Mrs. Silverman (3:00 – 4:00)
o February 17th, 2022 – 7th Grade GT Art Workshop with Mrs. Payne (3:00 – 4:00)
Students staying after-school must have transportation home. If you are unable to attend the after-school Art Workshop, please email Mrs. Silverman (jsilverman7@bcps.org) or Mrs. Payne (epayne2@bcps.org) to make an alternate arrangement.
Important Update: Pikesville Middle School Winter Concerts
Currently our classes are finishing concert recordings. Once all our concert groups have finished the recording process, and the film has been edited, the show will be accessible to Pikesville Middle School families. Stay tuned for more information!
Chorus – Mr. Permenter’s chorus classes have been singing their hearts out each day in rehearsals. We are finishing the process of recording our Winter Concert Series. We are excited to share our beautiful sound with you once the editing process has been completed.
Pikesville Singers Honors Chorus - Students who are interested in auditioning for the Pikesville Singers Honors Chorus for the 2022-2023 school year, see Mr. Permenter in room 46 for an audition day and time.
Spring Musical, “Fame, Jr.” – Auditions will take place from 3:00 - 4:30 on Tuesday, February 15th in room 46. If you would like to stay after school for this activity, please see Mr. Permenter for a permission slip.
If you have any questions regarding Pikesville Singers Honors Chorus or Spring Musical auditions please message Mr., Permenter on Schoology or send him an email at opermenter@bcps.org
Orchestra – Mr. Lavallee’s Orchestra classes sound fantastic! The students just finished recording the Winter Concert Performance. It is crucial students take their instruments home to practice outside of school as well. 6th grade continues to work hard to develop the basic posture, skills, and techniques to become excellent musicians. 7th/8th grade students are continuing to refine their craft and are working diligently to produce an exceptional sound.
Honors Orchestra – Auditions will take place during students’ regular Orchestra classes. Students who are already in Honors Orchestra may be asked to reaudition. Students will be asked to play a piece of music they know and sight-read. Once all have auditioned, students will be notified by letter of their acceptance or not. Please, contact our Orchestra Director, Mr. Lavallee (llavallee@bcps.org), with any questions.
Orchestra students must have the following items:
· Method Book (This can be purchased from Mr. Lavallee for $10.00)
· Rosin (This can be purchased from Mr. Lavallee for $5.00)
· One-inch Black Binder with clear protective sheets for their music
Please, contact our Orchestra Director, Mr. Lavallee (llavallee@bcps.org) or Mr. Long (blong3@bcps.org), our Related Arts Department Chair should you have any concerns obtaining the items listed above.
Band – Our General Music classes are welcoming new students explore all types of music! Students in grades 6th and 7th grade are exploring music from around the world! Classes are working with various musical concepts and instruments. In our 8th grade General Music classes, students are studying music throughout American History.
For our Band classes, as we start the new semester, please remind students their instruments should be brought home at least twice a week. Additionally, please wash the playing masks, so they come to school fresh and clean for students to use. Our Band students just finished recording their Winter Concert music. We look forward to sharing a video with you soon. Please be on the lookout for information that comes home or online about this opportunity.
Honors Band - If any 6th or 7th grade students are interested in joining Honors Band for the 2022-2023 school year, auditions are being held on February 22nd and 24th. These auditions will be after-school; students will need their own transportation on these days. Should you have any issues making after-school auditions, please contact Ms. Leggiero (lleggiero@bcps.org) to make another arrangement. Audition materials will be available two weeks prior to the audition. Furthermore, coaching will be available upon request. Students MUST sign-up for an audition day outside the band room to audition after school.
If your student still does not have an instrument for class, please reach out to the following staff members:
· 6th Grade Band/Honors 7/8th Grade Band – Ms. Leggiero (lleggiero@bcps.org)
· 7/8th Grade Band – Mr. Rauson (drauson@bcps.org)
· Related Arts Department Chair – Mr. Long (blong3@bcps.org)
Dance – Dance students recently finished their Winter Concert recordings. As the 3rd Quarter begins, Ms. Crockett is welcoming new students into her semester Dance classes. Appropriate dress for Dance class is all black. Students are also encouraged to bring a water bottle with them as this is a physical class. Dancing with a mask can be very challenging.
Honors Dance - Auditions will take place February 8th and February 10th after school from 3:00 - 4:30. Students will only select one day to audition. Students must arrange their own transportation home after the audition. Should you have any issues making after-school auditions, please contact Ms. Crockett (scrockett2@bcps.org) to make another arrangement The audition will consist of a ballet portion, movement across the floor, and a jazz with freestyle section. Any other questions can be forwarded to Ms. Crockett.
Counseling Corner
For the love of your middle schooler. Staying connected with your child as they grow more independent can be a challenge for parents, but it's more important than ever. While activities at school, new interests, more social media, and on-line gaming involvement, and expanding their social circles, can become more central to the lives of many middle school students, parents and guardians are still their anchors for providing love, guidance, and support.
In these challenging times, make efforts to talk with your child every day as they know that what goes on at school is important to you. Believe it or not, when your child knows that their parent is interested in their academic lives, they'll take school more seriously.
Because communication is a two-way street, the way you talk and listen to your child can influence how well they listen and respond. It's important to really listen carefully by making eye contact and avoiding multitasking while you talk. Be sure to ask open-ended questions that go beyond "yes" or "no" answers.
Besides during family meals, good times to talk may include car trips to their favorite store or place of interest, walking the dog, preparing meals, or joining them in a video game or even making a fun Tik Tok video together.
When your child know they can talk openly with you, the challenges of middle school can be a little easier to face. Please encourage them to seek out a trusted adult in the building if they need support with peer conflict, communicating better with a teacher or a family member, or just needing help navigating through class assignments. In addition, you or your child can reach out to the school counseling office staff at any time.
Mrs. Banks- School Counseling Chair, 7th Grade Counselor & 8th Grade School Counselor L-Z
Ms. Daeschner- 6th Grade School Counselor & 8th Grade School Counselor A-K
Mr. Nwokocha- School Counseling Intern
Mrs. Wilson- School Social Worker
Special Education
Happy February!
We are now halfway through the school year and have started 3rd Quarter and 2nd Semester. We are diligent here at Pikesville and working hard; and usual we are here to help! With that there are still many resources available for us to use.
Resources For You!
On bcps.org under the Students & Families Tab (Link - https://dci.bcps.org/department/special_education/special_education_resource_center ) you can be added to a contact list to begin receiving the weekly SERC News & Notes. Or you can find them on @SpecialEducationResrouceCenterBCPS.
The Department of Special Education or us here at Pikesville, continue to provide Resources for the following: Parent Resources & Support, Sports & Recreation, Tutoring, Mental Health, Funding, Social Skills, Equipment, Sign Language, and Respite. Also available to you is the Lending Library https://baltimore.follettdestiny.com located at White Oak School, 8401 Leefield Rd., Baltimore, MD 21234. There all BCPS parents and employees as well as local university students can borrow materials.
We also have tons of other resources that we can provide you links to and help you out with such as:
ADD/ADHD
Autism
Parents Guide to Understanding an IEP
Lastly there is the SERC Parent Webinars. There are two different ones this February and you can register Eventbrite:
Make Time for YOU! Thursday, February 10, 2022 7:00 - 8:30 PM https://sercwellnessmaketime4you.eventbrite.com
&
Ending the Silence!
Wednesday, February 16, 2022 7:00 - 8:30 PM https://sercendingthesilencenight.eventbrite.com
Thursday, February 17, 2022 12:00 - 1:30 PM https://sercendingthesilenceday.eventbrite.com
We hope you have a Great February and will continue to support you with your needs!
Health Suite
Our COVID rates at Pikesville Middle are not as high as some other schools in the county. However, this is not the time to become complacent. Please remain vigilant so that we can keep our community safe and healthy. Below are some key strategies that should be followed to stay healthy:
1. Wear a mask
2. Stay 6 feet away from others, avoid crowds, avoid close contact with those who are sick
3. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Cover coughs and sneezes
- Clean and disinfect daily
6. Monitor your health daily.
Also, if you are eligible, consider getting a booster shot. Below is a table from the CDC with information stating who can get a booster and when.
For more information visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html.
For questions or concerns, contact the health suite.
Let’s keep our community safe and healthy!
Mrs. Limmer
443-809-5000