MMS Newsletter
“ENTER TO LEARN, STRIVE TO ACHIEVE!”
Mission Statement
The Mission of Middletown Middle School is to engage students as 21st century learners who strive to achieve their goals. We support students through rigor and active participation within a culture of cooperation, organization, determination and excellence to prepare our students for college and careers.
A publication for Middletown Middle School students, staff, parents, and the Middletown community.
At Middletown Middle we enter to learn and strive to achieve.
Upcoming Events
Administrative and Office Announcements
Principal's Chat
Thank you to the parents that attended our Principal’s Chat on 10/6. For those that could not attend, staff and parents engaged in collaborative conversations about 1:1 Chromebooks, blended learning, and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD). Teachers have been incorporating technology into their lessons as a tool for instruction and students have been creating digital projects to demonstrate their understanding of content. We continue to strive for high levels of engagement, exceptional communication, and daily purposeful integration of technology.
Our next Principal’s Chat is scheduled for December 15th at 9:30 am in the MMS Media Center. We look forward to seeing you then.
Survey Time!
Frederick County Public Schools has launched a survey to gather your perceptions about Middletown Middle School. The survey is now open and will close Wednesday, December 6, 2017.
To access the survey go to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HXHL7XB
Enter the following password for Middletown Middle: 0311
Thank you in advance for sharing your feedback in order to build on our strengths and work to make improvements as a partner in your child's education.
PBIS
The PBIS Committee would like to thank all the parents for their support on a very successful Fall Extravagance Dance. In an effort to encourage positive behavior, reduce referrals, increase attendance, and to support Middletown Middle School’s mission, vision and values the team is planning many events and incentive rewards. First is the Turkey Bowl - a student vs. staff flag football game scheduled for Friday, November 17th. Eighth grade students will have the opportunity to use the Shields they have earned so far this year to participate in the game as a player or to cheer. Sixth and seventh grade students will get to watch the game and have outside time to celebrate positive behavior. In addition to the school store, twice monthly raffles, and classroom incentives the PBIS Committee is investigating new ways for students to use their shields. We are always interested in new members joining us in our quest to promote and reward positive behavior. The next PBIS meeting is Wednesday, November 15th at 3:15, please contact Cindy Johnson at cindy.johnson@fcps.org if interested.
School Counselors
Holiday Assistance Available
Middletown Valley People Helping People (MVPHP) is offering assistance to local families this 2017 holiday season.
If you would like to sign up for holiday assistance this year or would like to donate gifts for families this holiday season please contact MVPHP at 301-371-3119.
Pre-Registration is necessary. Deadline for registration is by Monday, November 20, 2017.
GIRL TALK
We are inviting all 6th, 7th and 8th grade girls to participate in a group called Girl Talk.
Girl Talk is a peer-to-peer mentoring program that offers positive weekly meetings, community service projects and friendship building activities for middle school girls. Girl Talk is led by high school girls who serve as mentors and through mentoring, develop key leadership skills they will use throughout life. Our Girl Talk chapter will be led by high school junior Bridget O'Toole, senior Kendal Neel and freshman Rachel Robinson. Mrs. Frushour, school counselor, will be the adult advisor.
We meet on Wednesdays from 3:00-4:00.
For more information please visit their website: http://www.mygirltalk.org/
Permission forms to participate are always available in the counseling office and need to be turned in before you attend.
Friday, May 11 – Career Day
The Counseling Dept. and valuable committee members will be working through the planning process with putting such a great day together for all of our students at Middletown Middle School.
We look forward to our staff, parent, and community support of this great day of learning for our students. Our parent and community stepped up big time last year to help us have such a wonderfully diverse group of people and careers represented at our Career Day! We look forward to seeing many returning volunteers and hope for some new volunteers willing to step up and share out exciting information about their world of work with our students.
Safe House - Thursday After School Program for all middle school students
Looking for a place to meet friends, have a snack, study, play games, or relax? Bring a friend or come to meet others! We welcome you! Zion L.C. - 107 West Main Street, Middletown, MD
There is NO FEE ($) for participating. 3 pm - 5:30 pm
Middletown Knight Striders - Cross Country/Track & Field
Beyond the Classroom – Meritorious Student Service Learning during Middle School
Volunteer/Community Service goes beyond Maryland’s graduation requirement by encouraging students to participate in service learning activities after school, on weekends and during the summer, with the objective to instill a lifelong spirit of community activism and involvement. Students are recognized by their middle and high school. The Volunteer/Community Service Form is used to document your hours for additional service beyond that earned in school. Any student earning 25 hours or more of service outside the school day during the middle school years are eligible to receive recognition at the end of the year during an 8th grade recognition assembly. Those 25 hours are the MAXIMUM number of hours a student can take to the high school toward the 75 total hours needed to be considered as a “meritorious student service learner” and receiving recognition and a certificate at high school graduation. All meritorious hours of service are NOT required, but are encouraged and looked highly upon by colleges & universities when making decisions about student selection during the application and interview process. Forms can be found online on FCPS website (www.fcps.org ), more specific link - https://campussuite-storage.s3.amazonaws.com/prod/33903/86de7fb0-3a18-11e6-b537-22000bd8490f/898945/1d792bbe-09b6-11e7-b6d9-22000bd8490f/file/SSLInstructions_Forms_2016-2017.pdf or in the Counseling Office. Forms should be completely filled out and submitted to the Counseling Office for approval and recording of those hours served. We send our record of meritorious service learning hours to Middletown High School in June each year for the 8th grade students moving into 9th grade in the fall.
Middletown Middle School counseling office can assist students and parents with questions regarding Meritorious Student Service Learning (MSSL) hours. Please contact us at 240-236-4204 or 240-236-4206. Thank you for encouraging your child(ren) to embrace community involvement through helping others and earning some hours of service!
Carson Scholarship Opportunity
Attention parents of 8th graders: The staff of Middletown Middle School would like to nominate one 8th grader to be considered for a Carson Scholarship. If your child is interested in being nominated, please have your child stop by the Counseling Office to pick up an interest survey after November 13, 2017. Your child must have a minimum GPA of 3.75, and he/she must be involved in the community in some way.
The purpose of the Carson Scholars Fund is to recognize and reward outstanding students who exemplify academic excellence and humanitarian qualities. This interest survey is meant to help the staff have a better understanding of who your child is both inside and outside of school. Forms must be submitted to the school counseling office no later than November 21, 2017.
Capture Kindness
World Kindness Day is November 13th.
Do you want to make a difference, get inspired, and be part of a global kindness movement?
Join: The #CaptureKindness Challenge
A 14-week opportunity to share and capture acts of kindness!
It kicks off on World Kindness Day (Nov 13, 2017) and culminates on Random Acts of Kindness Day (Feb 17, 2018)! We will end our Kindness Campaign with a “Week of Kindness” February 12-16.
How do I participate and win prizes?
Join the challenge by signing the Kindness Pledge and then do 1 act of kindness each of the 14 weeks.
Need ideas? No sweat! Every week has a different theme and sample ideas based on that theme! The best part? By posting a photo of your weekly act of kindness with the hashtag #CaptureKindness, you can win awesome prizes and inspire more people to join! Let's show the world that kindness is everywhere when we choose to focus on it.
News From Advanced Academics
What’s all this talk about MINDSETS?
Brain Science: Learning and Neuroplasticity
My BRAIN Is Like a Muscle That GROWS!
A key component of Carol Dweck’s research in the field of Mindset is the idea of teaching students about the brain science behind learning and helping them to understand they have the power to impact the way their brain develops! Brain research related to learning is a relatively new field that has great implications for education. New research reveals that humans have the ability to make long-lasting changes to the brain throughout one’s lifetime. How?? Through dedicated effort & practice AND armed with the knowledge that it is possible to change one’s own brain.
In this video, mathematician and author, Jo Boaler discusses the brain science behind learning math… or learning anything, really! Not only is it important for adults to understand this, but it’s KEY for students to learn and understand that they CAN learn anything, and the proof is in the brain science.
To learn more about learning and the brain, visit: http://www.dana.org/
To learn more about Growth Mindset related to Math, visit: https://www.youcubed.org/resource/parent-resources/
Destination Imagination
Mrs. Thompson is seeking donations for our MiMS Destination Imagination Team. Our team needs the following items for the Instant Challenges part of our program. Thank you for any and all donations. Items can be dropped off at the front office, or students may bring them to Mrs. Thompson in Room 134. Thank you!
Art
Mrs. Severn’s Art News
Panamanian Molas Project
Bridget Adams, Colby Moran
Helen Bartman, Kaitlyn Ausherman
7th Grade Creative Arts
VISUAL ARTS Grade 6
Students have completed their Peace Posters for the Middletown Lions Club Contest and the judges have selected the winners. The finalists are:
1st Place Winner: Iliana Melin $100
Honorable Mentions: Edward Hall $25, Sully Kiefert $25 and Amelia Melin $25
Congratulations to our winning students and a special thanks to the 6th grade Visual Arts students for participating and sharing their talent with our Middletown Lions Club.
Also, students are completing small clay animal figurines using clay techniques and then painting them with acrylic paints. Their next unit will be a study of Color Theory.
The students have completed a cut paper craft lesson based on the fabric art of Panamanian Molas. Currently, Students have been working with clay and have made bowls using the coil technique. They will be using Central and Native American symbols and glyphs and the subject for their glazed bowl designs.
Clay Figurines
Marco Jih Vieira, Alyssa Slimmer, Lily Miller, Lily Ana Arias
6th Grade Visual Arts
Mr. Auleta's Creative Arts
We started our West African Culture Unit where students have learned about different instruments, storytellers, and masks pertaining to that culture. Students have been working hard on creating their Folktales and creating masks using various materials. I am looking forward to their presentations once they are finished. Our next units will be Japan, China, and a Music unit, and if time allows, a culture unit based around the great civilizations of the Inca, Mayans, and Aztecs.
Mrs. Wright's Visual Art
7th and 8th grade Visual Art:
Mrs. Wright's 7th grade Visual art students have completed a Fauve style ink resist painting and reviewed the principles of design. They are now working on a Non-Representational oil pastel piece.
The 8th grade Visual students have completed charcoals and are starting a large unit on Pop Art. They will be doing a painting and a presentation.
Students of the Month:
Allison Ward, grade 7
Fauve Ink Resist Painting
Marin Bartman, grade 8
Moody Autumn Charcoal
Career & Technology Education
Mr. Seiler
Grade 6 - Technology Exposition
Students are designing towers and will be building them out of balsa wood. The towers will be tested using a compression tester to determine the tower's efficiency.
Grade 8 - Problem Solving
Students are in the process of designing straw bridges which is one of the county’s formative assessments. They will then construct the bridges and test them using a six and a half pound weight.
Mr. Lipscomb
Invention and Innovation (7)
We are learning about marketing and the methods that companies use in package design to attract customers. Classes are making a package for an imaginary invention and using marketing techniques in their package design. In our next unit, students will learn about simple machines and put that knowledge to use by designing and building a launching device...for launching marshmallows, that is.
Mrs. Ledford
Food Science
The 6th grade Food Science students are getting excited about cooking. They are discovering what kind of tools are used in the kitchen and practicing safety and sanitation skills. Students will also become skilled at washing dishes by hand and setting the table properly! The first cooking lab will be during the first week in November with future labs to follow.
Mrs. Stuart
World Language Exploratory (WLEX)
6th grade World Language - Students are currently learning Latin names for family members and learning about the households and houses in Roman times.
Life Skills
7th and 8th grade Life Skills classes have successfully completed their first cooking lab of Halloween Cupcakes. Yum! They are continuing to learn about cooking, utensils and equipment used to cook, cooking techniques, and jobs available in the culinary field. Feel free to ask them to correctly set a table for dinner at your house :)
Mr. Auleta
Communication Technique (Comm Tech.)/CSI
We have started our web development unit, and the students are quickly learning HTML code. Ask them what HTML tags are and how they work. You can even have them log onto code.org for them to show you the website they are creating. Awesome stuff! Next unit includes creating a video game and creating a video PSA which could be entered into the Tech Fair competition in February at the CTC (Career and Technology Center).
Foreign Language
World Languages
Both French and Spanish classes are starting to practice answering different types of questions for their oral interviews. Interviews count as a benchmark grade for level 2. Level 1 is a formative grade and practice for their benchmarks which will incorporate a variety of tasks.
Language Arts
6th Grade
6th grade language arts is rocking and rolling as we finish up our narrative benchmark. We are analyzing non –fiction texts and practicing making claims that can be strongly supported with relevant text evidence. Sixth grade will also be analyzing themes of various fiction texts. Remember to read, read, read!
7th Grade
Seventh grade LA students are finishing up writing narratives and will be moving to writing a literary analysis. Students are encouraged to review Word Wizard root words. Students should also continue to read their novel and complete double-entry journals.
8th Grade
In 8th grade ELA, students are working on writing stories using elements of plot and characterization. Students are focusing on Van Gogh's life and paintings to draw inferences. Students are preparing for the first benchmark, writing a narrative. Word wizard study continues bi-weekly.
Literacy Specialist
The annual Young Author’s contest, sponsored by the Frederick County Reading Council (FCRC), has begun. All entries are due to language arts teachers by December 15, 2017, so there is still plenty of time to write, refine, and submit an entry. We would love to see students at every grade level submit their poems or short stories to be considered. MMS has had several students recognized at the county and state level over the past few years, and we want to continue to represent the Knights with the quality writing that they produce! Any student who is interested in submitting a poem or short story can get the information from their language arts teacher or from Ms. Casey.
Mathematics Department
Thank you to all the students, families and staff for raising $8233 for the Frederick Rescue Mission. We surpassed our goal of raising $6000.
There are many fun and exciting engaging activities occurring in the mathematics classrooms across the building.
Students in 6th grade prepared grocery lists by shopping through Weis adds while learning about adding decimals, while also answering problems around the building.
Students in 7th grade had a potato head challenge to get all the pieces of their potatoes together while answering specific percent problems.
8th grade finished up discovering Pythagorean Theorem and currently moving into slope and understanding how slope relates to the equation of lines.
Between now and the end of December, all students will be taking their first benchmark that covers all the material they have learned so far this year. Students will be taking these benchmarks on their Chromebooks/devices using a platform called Performance Matters.
8th Grade students had the opportunity during the last week of October to see Mr. Hagerman as he performed Math Magic to the student. Thank you PTSA for this opportunity.
To see more exciting opportunities for students in math classes, please follow the following teachers on twitter:
Derek Beet, Math Specialist @MIMSMathSpec
Kellie Phillips, 8th Grade @KellieMPhillips
Meagan Byrd, 6th Grade @Meaganebyrd
Amy Newkirk, 6th Grade @SpEdCoTeacher
Amy Clipp, 6th Grade @AClipp
Mathematics Specialist
Besides the Go Math textbook and other resources the Mathematics Department teachers provide in classroom for students, the Council of the Great City Schools has developed content and grade-specific parent roadmaps that provide detailed information for parents about the expectations of the Common Core in Mathematics. These roadmaps include examples of grade-level focus in the content area using parent-friendly language, sample progressions of learning across three grade levels in the Common Core, and tips to parents on communicating with teachers about their child’s work and how to support student learning at home. Grades K-8 and High school Parent Roadmaps for Mathematics have been posted and Spanish-language versions are available in grades K-8.
Media Center
“The media center is no longer in need of magazines. Thank you to all the parents who have contributed magazines over the last year and a half.”
Knight Writers: Does your child like to write: stories? poems? novels? Then Mrs. Poscover and Mrs. Casey have the place for them!! Every other Thursday they will host a meeting of the “Knight Writers” in the media center during ELT. Students will be placed on the tutoring list so they can attend. If you think your child might be interested please encourage them to let Mrs. Poscover or Mrs. Casey know.
Band and Orchestra
The holiday season is right around the corner! Come check out our band and orchestra students in their Winter Concerts on Monday, December 4 and Tuesday, December 5 at Middletown High School in the auditorium. Doors open at 6:30 pm and the concerts start at 7 pm.
We love to perform for the local community! Our 6th, 7th, & 8th grade orchestra students are visiting Homewood Nursing Home and Edenton Retirement Home on December 13 to perform for residents. If you'd like to "book" one of our ensembles for a free local performance, please contact Whitney Blickenstaff. Thank you for supporting music in our school!
Physical Education & Health
PE/Health:
Term 2 welcomes the great indoors for PE! Some classes will be starting health. The classes that will remain in PE will be playing volleyball and basketball while becoming more familiar with the cardio room and weight room. Make sure you have all the tools to be successful this term.
Health - Moats, Daw (8th & 7th grade), Bono (6th grade)
PE - Diener, Phillips, Bono (7th & 8th grade), Daw (6th grade)
Science
Sixth grade
6th Grade Science is just getting into our Extreme Planet Unit (Weather). Students will be exploring air masses, weather fronts, air pressure, how they interact, and the results that come with them. Students will be doing plenty of collaboration work in class and almost all work can be accessed through Google Classroom.
Seventh grade
Science is AWESOME! Students completed the wonderful "Flow of Energy" Unit at the end of Term 1. Students found success with magnets, electromagnets, toy cars and more. It was a successful and rewarding Science Unit.
We are so excited to begin the thrilling Chemistry Unit. Students will learn about atomic composition and molecule structure! The wonderful properties of matter and the interesting details about the structures of atomic molecules will be explored. Students will participate in labs, demonstrations, and activities describing the different states of matter. Students will collect, analyze, and discuss data about chemical reactions of pure substances. Chemistry is cool. If you have any questions or comments about Chemistry, please contact Ms. Martz or Ms. Staley anytime! Have a wonderful month!
Eighth grade
Mrs. Sunkel's 8th grade Science classes have begun the 2nd Module of Curriculum, Inheritance. We start the module studying DNA, human traits and genetics. We also use Punnett squares to make predictions about the chance of having particular traits.
Social Studies
6th Grade History of the Ancient World
Ms. Bartman & Ms. Keilholtz
This month in Ancient World History, students are diving into the world of Ancient Egypt. Students are examining their society, economics, religion and culture during this unit through a mixture of hands-on assignments, group activities, problem based learning and independent study.
7th Grade History of the Medieval World History/Early Modern Times
Classes have completed Unit 2: The Middle East in the Early Middle Ages and are now beginning to study Africa in the Middle Ages to the 1750s. This unit discusses the kingdoms and societies of early West Africa including Ghana, Mali, and Songhai. Also, this unit discusses the rise of Ghana as a trading empire, the influence of Islam on West Africa, and the cultural legacy of West Africa.
Field Trip News: The trip to Medieval Times is on Thursday, December 14th. ALL permission slips and money are due to your social studies teacher, Mrs. Caron or Mrs. Kefauver, by TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14TH.
***If you need another permission slip please go to your child’s “google classroom” and search the topics bar, “Field Trip Medieval Times”.
8th Grade Social Studies
In Social Studies, we will be completing our Road to Independence Unit. Students will learn about the events that led to the American Revolution and signing of the Declaration of Independence. They will also examine different battles in the revolution and how the colonies were able to win independence from Britain.
Special Education
Case Managers continue to work with students to advocate for themselves.
Theatre
High School Musical 2, Jr. rehearsals are in full swing! The students are working incredibly hard, and the show is beginning to truly take shape! The show will take place on Friday, January 5, 2018, at 7 pm and Saturday, January 6, 2018, at 2 pm and 7 pm. It is going to be a fantastic show, so make sure you mark your calendars! It is sure to be a truly remarkable show!
Theatre Arts
This year is flying by in the Theatre Arts Classroom! Students have just finished the choreography unit and have danced their hearts out. With the new term begins a new unit. Students will be working on learning the types of stages, stage directions, body positions, and planes. Students will also be applying the learned stage terminology for upcoming projects in class. Knowing each of these things is important to the success of the class show. Students have been working incredibly hard this year, and I am so proud of the progress they are making. It is sure to continue to be a great year!
PTSA
It’s hard to believe that we are already heading into the holiday season. I hope that all of you spend time making memories with your family and friends. The PTSA is busy, as always! Our next General Membership meeting will take place on Monday, November 13th, in the MMS Media Center at 6:15 PM. Please join us!
On November 20th, the PTSA is hosting dinner for the MMS teachers during Parent-Teacher Conferences. Please consider signing up to bring a dish or to help with set up or clean up. A Sign Up Genius was sent out through Find Out First and Facebook on November 6th. THANK YOU in advance! The teachers really appreciate your generosity.
The PTSA has already hosted three Knights Out of the Kitchen events this year raising over $500 for school programs. Thank you to Asian Café, James Gang, and The Braddock Inn for your continued support of our school! Look for information coming home soon for the next Knights Out of the Kitchen event on December 6th at James Gang. Take the night off from cooking and have dinner with friends and family. It is a great way to enrich your child’s experience at MMS.
The PTSA has two holiday fundraisers going on now. The first is Lynch Creek Farms Greenery. You can order anytime between now and December 17th and specify the delivery dates. To view the beautiful center pieces and wreaths, please visit https://www.lcffundraising.com/c/107390.
The second fundraiser is Sallie Foster! There was high demand for these products so we were happy to oblige. Orders can be placed on-line before November 27th and they will be delivered directly to you. To start shopping for gift wrap, kitchen gadgets, holiday décor, chocolates, and much more, visit https://supportmyschool.org/store/brochures.php?sID=3129750.
If you have not signed up for PTSA Membership yet, please visit our page on the school website to access the membership form. Forms and dues may be dropped off at the office at any time. If you wish to pay via PayPal, you can visit: https://www.paypal.com/cgibin/webscrcmd=_sxclick&hosted_button_id=UBV2QXGBCBFXA. Signing up does not obligate you to volunteer but it does allow you to become more involved in your child’s school. The people of Middletown take pride in our community. Joining the PTSA is a great opportunity to connect with others, make new friends, and support our school.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us anytime at ptsamiddletownmiddle@gmail.com and follow us on Facebook for updated information about school activities, programs, and special events.
Thank you to all of our volunteers and members who continue to make this a great year for our students and staff.
“No one can do everything, but everyone can do something” - Max Lucado
Heather Houck
PTSA President
FCPS News
Inclement Weather
For the fastest and most accurate information, please check the following:
· Television - FCPS TV Cable Channel 18
· Internet - www.fcps.org
· Email/Phone - Sign up for Find Out First e-mail and emergency only phone text messages
Emergency Lunches During Inclement Weather
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B11_YwKyvR94Rl9YcnBwejRWTzg