Carpenter Middle School
HOME OF THE CARPENTER COWBOYS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
A Big Green "Thank You" to Our PTA!
For each petal on the shamrock
This brings a wish your way
Good health, good luck, and happiness
For today and every day.
The teachers and staff at Carpenter Middle School enjoyed the special St. Patrick's Day treats! We appreciate everything you do for us!!!
Attention 8th Graders...
- Applications for Advanced Theater, Advanced Tech Theater and Yearbook are in the counseling office, if you are interested in one or more of these classes, pick one up and turn it in ASAP.
- Credit by Examination Applications are available in the counseling office if you are interested in testing out of Spanish, French or German. You must be fluent in reading, writing and speaking these languages to be successful. Have these forms in by Friday, May 6th, to Mrs. Jordan
Free Breakfast for All Students During STAAR Testing Times!
Save the Date! Friday, April 1st is the Spring Family Palooza!
KICKIN' AROUND THE RANCH
What's on Deck
Friday, March 18th - Spring Individual Pictures in the small gym (most likely morning only)
Saturday, March 19th - Speech Tournament @ Schimelpfenig all day
Coming soon...
Friday, March 25th - Student/Teacher holiday
Carpenter Event Calendar
New App for Track - Remind
This year the Track team is trying a new app called Remind. It is a way for the coaches to communicate with the parents and the athletes through text. If you are interested in becoming a part of this you can text @98cgd to the phone number 81010. If you have any questions about this please contact Coach Ray at Cassandra.ray@pisd.edu.
Thanks!
Casey Ray
Girls Athletics, CC, & PE
Carpenter Middle School
469-752-5131
Immunizations
All students entering the 7th Grade this fall semester must have the following:
DTP booster within the past 5 years, and MCV vaccine. Please note that your child will not be allowed to receive a schedule or to attend classes in August until proof of all required immunizations is provided to the school. Many doctors and clinics may be unable to accommodate the rush of last minute request for immunizations, so it is best to get them early. You can avoid delays during registration or on the first day of school by providing proof of updated immunizations prior to the end of this year.
NEWS FROM CMS PTA
Join PTA!
Save Money with PTA Membership - Through your PTA membership, you can also receive exclusive offers and discounts! Dell, Enterprise. rent-a-car., Great Wolf Lodge, La Quinta Inn & Suites, Six Flags, SeaWorld. San Antonio., Schlitterbahn. Waterparks and Tickets, etc...
Alex Trejo Scholarship Opportunity for Graduating Seniors Who Also Attended Carpenter Middle School
The Alex Trejo Scholarship is a $500 scholarship opportunity available for a 2016 graduating senior that also attended Carpenter Middle School. The scholarship is in memory of Alex Trejo, who served as a positive role model to staff and students at Carpenter for 24 years. Application deadline is April 1, 2016.
COUNSELOR'S CORNER
STAAR Assessments
Dear Parents,
Texas students in the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades will participate in the state-required State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) this spring. STAAR is a state assessment program designed to measure the full range of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) in mathematics, reading, writing, science and social studies. STAAR was developed to identify students' academic achievements in writing at grade 7, in reading and mathematics in grades 6, 7, and 8, and in social studies and science at grade 8. We hope that students will regard the test as important, but that they will not approach the test with undue anxiety. In accordance with state guidelines, your son or daughter will be tested on the following dates:
For any student who is absent on a testing day, a make-up test will be completed during the testing window. Results of the 8th grade mathematics test, and of the 8th grade reading test will arrive at the school approximately 2 –3 weeks after the date of the test, and they will be distributed to parents as soon as possible. Students who do not meet the passing standard will have additional opportunities to retake the 8th grade reading and mathematics tests. Results of all other tests will be sent to parents at the end of this school year. The scores will provide teachers and other educators with information needed to help students improve achievement in mathematics, reading, writing, and science.
As always, we wish to keep parents involved and informed about student programs. Please contact your grade level counselor if you have any questions.
Cowboy Character
Think about this: All peer pressure isn’t bad. For example, if your peers are pressuring you to do the right thing, then peer pressure can support you. That’s positive peer pressure.
Wilfred Peterson said: “To be a friend a man should strive to lift people up, to encourage, and to set an example that will be an inspiration to others.”
Today, ask yourself this: Do my friends lift me up? Do they bring out the best in me? Do I find myself having positive experiences with my friends, or do I find myself in trouble? Choose friends that encourage and inspire you. Remember: Positive peer pressure is the only kind of peer pressure you need.
RODEO Tip of the Week
Enforce Consequences
Enforcing consequences can be tough — but your teen needs you to be his or her parent, not a pal. Being too lenient may send the message that you don't take your teen's behavior seriously, while being too harsh can cause resentment.
Consider these methods:
Active ignoring. Tell your teen that you'll talk to him or her when the whining, sulking or yelling stops. Ignore your teen in the meantime.
Scolding and disapproval. Make sure you reprimand your teen's behavior, not your teen. Avoid using a sarcastic, demeaning or disrespectful tone. Also, avoid reprimanding your teen in front of his or her friends.
Imposing additional responsibilities. Assign your teen additional household tasks.
Imposing additional restrictions. Take away a privilege or possession that's meaningful to your teen, such as computer time or a cell phone.
Asking your teen to suggest a consequence. Your teen may have an easier time accepting a consequence if he or she played a role in deciding it.
Be consistent when you enforce limits. Whatever disciplinary tactic you choose, relate the consequences to the broken rule and deliver them immediately. Limit punishments to a few hours or days to make them most effective. Also, avoid punishing your teen when you're angry. Likewise, don't impose penalties you're not prepared to carry out — and punish only the guilty party, not other family members. Never use physical harm to discipline your teen.
COMMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Planoettes Drill Team Fundraiser
PSHS Hockey
It's the Playoffs!!! Don't miss Plano Wildcat Hockey!! Exciting!! Action Packed!! No Entry Fees!!
First Playoff Game - Wednesday, March 23rd @ 6:30 pm at the Plano Dr. Pepper Star Center.
Second Playoff Game is Tuesday, March 29th @ 7:30 pm at the McKinney Dr. Pepper Star Center.
Come out and support your Plano Senior Hockey Team! Go Wildcats!!
Online Driver's Ed Class
Looking for an online Driver’s Ed class? PTSA is partnering with Aceable Drivers Ed to provide a discounted rate for their online state approved Drivers Education course. Simply sign up using the NEW discount code ‘PSHS’ to receive a 25% discount! www.aceable.com
Safety Seminar Series
Collin College Summer Camps
Collin College offers summer camps for middle and high school students
March 16, 2016 – There is a little something for everyone this summer at Collin College. Middle and high school students interested in nursing, robotics, music or dance have a lot of options on campus as summer camps heat up. Here is the schedule of the camps sponsored by Collin College:
- Nurse Camp
For students interested in getting an inside look at the nursing profession, Collin College is hosting its free Nurse Camp. Open to students between 8th -12th grades, participants will observe demonstrations and participate in simulations from 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Central Park Campus, 2200 W. University Drive in McKinney. Space is limited. Call Beth Kasprisin, clinical coordinator of nursing, at 972.548.6605 or email mkasprisin@collin.edu for more information.
- Summer Robotics Camp
From 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., participants will stimulate their minds and unleash creativity at the Summer Robotics Camp. Open to students between 7th - 10th grades, the camp will be held at the Spring Creek Campus Living Legends Conference Center, 2800 E. Spring Creek Parkway, in Plano. Cost is $89 and includes three lunches. This camp is sponsored by the Collin College Robotics Club and the Engineering Department. Call Gena Martin at 972.377.1501 or email gsmartin@collin.edu for more information.
- Collin Summer Dance Festival
The sixth annual Collin Summer Dance Festival features workshops in modern, ballet, jazz, pilates, musical theatre and hip-hop. Daily workshops are from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in the dance studio (room AA146) at the Spring Creek Campus, 2800 E. Spring Creek Parkway, in Plano. Cost is $125. The Summer Dance Festival is for beginners or advanced dancers, 14 years old and up. Space is limited. Online registration is available at www.collin.edu/department/dance/summerdance.html Call Tiffanee Arnold, festival coordinator, at 972.881.5830 or email dance@collin.edu for more information.
- All Girls Summer Robotics Camp
From 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., girls get to design and build their own technological creation at the All Girls Summer Robotics Camp. Open to students between 7th - 10th grades, the camp will be held at the Preston Ridge Campus Conference Center, 9700 Wade Blvd in Frisco. Cost is $89 and includes three lunches. This camp is sponsored by the Collin College Robotics Club and the Engineering Department. Call Gena Martin at 972.377.1501 or email gsmartin@collin.edu for more information.
- Texas All-Star Jazz Camp
Monday-Friday, July 18-22
The Texas All-Star Jazz Camp features a flurry of daily workshops and rehearsals as musicians learn the world of big band jazz. Camp faculty includes top jazz musicians from around the country, who have played with big names such as Maynard Ferguson, Doc Severinsen, the Metroplexity Big Band and Woody Herman. This year’s special guest is NYC jazz and rock trombonist - Tom "Bones" Malone. Students must be at least 13 years old with at least one year of study on their instrument. All events will be at the Spring Creek Campus, 2800 E. Spring Creek Parkway in Plano. Cost is $265 or $310 with lunch. For information and a PDF application, call Kris Berg, professor of jazz studies, at 972.881.5108 or email kberg@collin.edu .
Asian Artist Exhibition
Enjoy the Asian Artist Exhibition including Japanese Ikebana Flowers, Chinese Calligraphy, and Photography Works of Asian Scenes March 15th-April 15th in the lobby of Plano's Courtyard Theater.
On Sunday evening, March 20th, at 7:00 p.m., there will be a concert of Asian performances from different Asian countries, including China, India, Japan, Philippines, Thailand, and others. Promotional tickets are $5 for 2 tickets, available online or by reservation.
Also, the 13th Annual Plano AsiaFest will be held on Saturday May 7, 2016 at Haggard Park in Downtown Plano. Admission is free.
For more information, visit: www.AsianAmericanHeritage.org
Flu Information from the Department of State Health Services
In 2007, the Texas Legislature passed House Bill No. 1059, also known as the Emily Lastinger Act which requires all public school districts to post immunization information prominently on the school district's website, if the district has one. The legislation was driven forward because of Emily Lastinger, a vibrant and healthy three year old who died from influenza. She was not vaccinated with the influenza vaccine. In an effort to expand immunization awareness, especially for the flu, we ask that you please post flu vaccine information on each individual campus website in addition to your district site.
The district health website has been updated to include suggested links and information, as well as basic reminders. Flu season runs thru mid- May.
Bond Proposal
On May 7, 2016, Plano ISD voters will decide on a $481 million bond proposal to fund initiatives recommended by the Plano ISD Facilities and Technology Task Force. Appointed in August, 2015 by the Plano ISD Board of Trustees, the task force included citizens, business leaders, teachers, principals and parents. The task force reviewed enrollment trends and projections, established construction and renovation needs, validated costs and sought input from fellow community members. After five months of study, debate and public input, the task force made final recommendations to school trustees which are included in this bond proposal. If approved, the bond initiative will provide funding toward eight major project areas with no increase to the tax rate and will impact all Plano ISD campuses through district-wide security updates, renovations and facility upgrades, as well as technology improvements. Find out more, including specific project allocations, at www.pisd.edu/2016bond. You may send questions to askpisd@pisd.edu.
PISD Parent Workshops for March
Click English or Spanish for printable flyer.
Family Education and Guidance Services 469-752-2272
ABOUT CARPENTER
Making Our Mark
Email: angelia.holland@pisd.edu
Website: http://k12.pisd.edu/carpenter-middle-school
Location: 3905 Rainer Drive, Plano, TX 75023
Phone: (469) 752-5000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeAreCarpenter
Twitter: @WeAreCarpenter