Poplar Grove Post
April 2017
NOTE FROM THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL:
Hello PGMS families,
Welcome back from Spring Break! We hope everyone had a wonderful and refreshing time away from school, and we are excited about all the great things we are doing now that we have returned. PGMS is gearing up for field trips, a Spring Fling, and spring sports just to name a few things to look forward to.
We are ecstatic about our new playground equipment that was installed over break! All of the students have been swinging, climbing, and playing soccer with our new equipment. Thanks for all of your patience, and we look forward to lots of fun afternoons in the sun.
Finally, TCAP testing will begin this month. We will be testing for short periods of time over a three-week period beginning April 18th. If you are interested in proctoring, please contact the front office or email me at ormanjoh@fssd.org for more information. As always, the best method for TCAP preparation is to get a good night’s sleep and eat a healthy breakfast. We all love showing everyone how awesome our students and teachers are, and this is an excellent opportunity to do so!
CLINIC NEWS FROM NURSE LIZ:
CLINIC NEWS
PARENTS OF CURRENT SIXTH-GRADE STUDENTS
All rising seventh-grade students will need to provide an update Tennessee Certificate of Immunization prior to your child beginning school in August. The form must be signed by a healthcare provider and show proof of the following vaccines:
· Tetanus-Diptheria-Pertusis booster ( Tdap )
· Varicella ( 2 doses or history of disease confirmed by physician)
· Hepatitis B ( 3 doses)
Your child WILL NOT be able to start school unless they have received their required vaccinations and we have documentation of them on a Tennessee Certificate of Immunization. We are unable to accept a copy of your child’s immunization record. To avoid any delays, plan ahead and take care of this now. Physician’s offices get really busy right before school begins.
STUDENT ATHLETES
The state board of education requires athletes to have a sports clearance/participation exam on file, prior to trying out and participating in any middle school sports. The form is good for 1 year from the date the physical was done.
Parents, please remind your child if they become ill while in school they are NOT to text you, asking you to come and pick them up. All students should come to the clinic for me to assess them. Your child can call you from the clinic if needed.
Nurse Liz
COUNSELOR'S CORNER:
The Elementary and Middle schools in Franklin Special School District and Williamson County will have a food drive March 28 - April 14. This drive will benefit the GraceWorks Food Pantry. Students are encouraged to bring the following items to school for the food drive: Ramen noodles, granola bars, peanut butter crackers, cheese crackers, fruit snacks/raisins, mac and cheese microwavable bowls and ravioli/spaghetti microwavable bowls. All food should be individual sized portions.
Cash/check donations are very helpful to GraceWorks, particularly for the Fuel Bag program. GraceWorks is able to use these funds to purchase food for pennies on the dollar. Financial support of the pantry also allows them to purchase food they rarely receive, i.e. shelf stable milk and fruit. All donations collected with this event go directly to the food pantry and the fuel bag program. All checks should be made out to “GraceWorks” with the name of the school in the notes section. Checks may be given to your child's homeroom teacher.
There will be two grand prizes awarded. The school that collects the highest number of pounds and the school with the highest average pounds per student will each receive $1,250. Darrell Waltrip Automotive Group is sponsoring this contest. The details for the contest can be found at www.darrellwaltrip.com/hungerchallenge.
There will be several boxes in each grade level hallway and in the foyer of Poplar Grove Elementary and Middle School where food can be dropped off. If you have any questions about the food drive you can contact Keith Welch (Middle School Counselor) at 615-472-3993 or Whitney Chambers-Woods (Elementary School Counselor) at 615-472-3995.
We appreciate your help in serving our community!
Spring Fling!
PBS - Positive Behavior Support
Hopefully, you all received a letter at the beginning of the year introducing you to our first year of RTI 2-B. This is a school-wide program to help support students and increase positive behavior at PGMS. Students who demonstrate our three positive behavior expectations ~Be Responsible, Be Respectful, Show Pride~ earn PBS tickets and are able to spend them in a variety of ways here at school. We encourage you to discuss these expectations with your child, and you can even incorporate the expectations into your daily routines at home. Thank you for your support. Partnership between home and school is essential for every child’s success!
If you, or your business, may be able to donate to the Positive Behavior Support initiative at PGMS, please contact Mrs. Iturri at iturriton@fssd.org or Mr. Orman at ormanjoh@fssd.org. We would love to recognize you in our next newsletter for sponsoring this amazing school-wide program.
GRADE LEVEL NEWS:
5TH GRADE NEWS:
The fifth graders have been busy during the month of March. We are really enjoying our new playground equipment. Students LOVE being able to climb, take more opportunities to swing and play soccer with our new goals! These new additions have been a great change to the back parking lot.
In Math class, students have been exploring fractions in a variety of ways. Ms. Cochran and Ms. Omer have been incorporating many hands-on opportunities to dig deeper into how fractions work.
Students currently have the opportunity to participate in a county-wide poster contest designed to promote the Water Department’s “Only Rain Down the Drain” campaign. Representatives from the Water Department came to visit our fifth graders to teach them about water pollution and ways to keep our rivers clean.
6TH GRADE NEWS:
I Too Sing America
I too sing America
I am a descendant of the forefathers of America
They worked long and hard to make this country great
Through wars, depression, and devastation they stood strong and united
But now we must encourage the next generation to be strong
And be the leaders of tomorrow
And show them how to be successful
Tomorrow will bring more opportunities for the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness
I'll roll up my sleeves and remember
Through wars, depression, and devastation they stood strong and united
Nobody'll change our minds
Or take our pride
Or kill our spirit
Besides, isn't freedom worth the price?
They'll challenge us
And we will succeed
I too am America
...And, we love our new playground equipment!!
7TH GRADE NEWS:
On Wednesday, March 29th we had our 3rd quarter awards ceremony. Awards were given for the highest average in each class as well as the most improved average from 2nd to 3rd quarter. Teachers are very proud of student progress and hope to carry the momentum through the fourth quarter. Finish strong 7th graders!
8TH GRADE NEWS:
The 8th graders are reviewing for the 2016-17 TNReady Testing!! They are working hard!! #8thgradereadyforTNready
On March 2, the 8th graders read to and with elementary students for Read Across America. Both middle and elementary students enjoyed this collaborative reading opportunity.
#bigsreadwiththelittles
RELATED ARTS NEWS:
Read Across America Celebration was a Huge Success!
The PGS Library Media Centers received a combined profit of $2,047.90 from the Used Book Sale. Teachers, students, and parents were able to purchase many great titles at great prices. Some left-over books were donated to the Williamson County Public Library to help their Used Book Sales. Many families will continue to benefit from the books shared at PGS.
What a great way to celebrate READING!
Art News
Also Grayce Bechtel, Luka Ornellas, Monserrat Hernandez and Emily Morra displayed their art work at the Williamson County Factory Show March 4th. It looked great! This April in 7/8 art class we will be connecting to social studies and art to create our own currency. Fifth and sixth grade will be doing self portraits like Picasso. Art club will be meeting April 7th and 28th.
Spanish News
POPLAR GROVE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Email: treadwaychr@fssd.org
Website: poplargrovemiddle.fssd.org
Location: 2959 Del Rio Pike, Franklin, TN, United States
Phone: 615-790-4721
Twitter: @FSSDpgms