THE COBRA CONNECTION
JUNE 2018 EDITION
A message from our Principal
We are excited and gearing up for our first ever ARTSCAPE experience where staff will expose students to Arts Integrated lessons and allow students to reimagine their traditional core content through a lens on the arts.
As an arts integration school, we are committed to making this as much a part of our daily learning experiences as we can.
From June 15-20 students will have the opportunity to experience carefully designed Arts Integration lessons in all of their classes. We will gain their reflections on the experience to allow us to consider how to improve our practice for the students that we will receive next year. Not only students are committed to learning at MLK, teachers and leaders are too!
Toward that end, I hope that as the school year ends, you will take the opportunity to share your feedback with me about successes that you have experienced as you have learned about my leadership as your new principal, as well as opportunities that might exist for us to improve our work on behalf of your children. As always, my door is open and so are my ears as you offer us feedback on the work we do. Please don't hesitate to email me at rotunda.floydcooper@pgcps.org. Additionally, know that as we plan forward for next year, I will be looking for even more opportunities to connect with you regularly to ensure that we can hear from you more often.
Until then, I want to thank each family for all you do to support MLK and in support of each OUR students. We couldn't do our jobs without you.
Best,
Rotunda Floyd-Cooper, Ed.D
Principal
LET'S CELEBRATE
Environmentalist Club Keeps MLK's Campus Beautiful During Seasonal Clean up
Mrs. Lambert, their club sponsor, and the full MLK community are grateful for the support that these outstanding students offer to help make MLK Great!
MLK Social Studies Teachers Honored for Excellence in Teaching
END OF YEAR ACTIVITIES
Year Book Sales !
The cost for a yearbook is $22 made payable by Cash or Money Order Only.
Advance copies of the yearbook may be purchased through Mrs. Clontz. Additional copies are limited. Don't miss out on this opportunity!
Arts Integration Showcase June 11-13
On June 11th and June 13th, respectively, we will have student work on display in the lobby and in the media center at MLK for families and students to peruse to demonstrate just how powerful the Arts can be to learning all content. We hope you will take time to join us!
Field Day 2018 was a success!
Students engaged in sports and play among their peers and with staff all day. There was something for everyone- from relays, to soccer, even indoor fun with board games and coloring competitions. Students and staff enjoyed the sun and fun. We look forward to replicating another successful event for each of our students next year.
AWARD ASSEMBLIES
6th/7th Grade Award Assembly
Monday, June 11th
1:30-3:30 pm
There is a two (2) Guest limit per student
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8th Grade Award Assembly
Wednesday, June 13th
10-12pm
*Professional Attire*
Students leave with families
There is a two (2) Guest limit per student
TALENT SHOW - JUNE 12
Ameri-King's Got Talent!
Our annual end-of-year talent show is scheduled for Tuesday, June 12. All interested participants must have no significant discipline referrals for 4th quarter. Auditions were open to the first 25 acts who submit their permission slips and meet eligibility requirements. Students who are accepted into the talent show are expected to attend the dress rehearsal on Monday, June 11, from 4:00-5:15 p.m. Please contact Mrs. Stewart for more information!
8th GRADE DANCE - JUNE 13
8th Grade Dance
"Welcome to the OSCARS!"
Wednesday, June 13th
6-8pm
*Dress To Impress* Attire
This Event is proudly Sponsored by the
Martin Luther King, Jr Middle School PTO
WHAT'S HAPPENING @ MLK
"NEW" Uniform Policy
Through the collaboration of students, parents and staff the MLK's Uniform Policy for the 2018-2019 School year has been revised. Please read the new policy here.
Student "Financial" Obligations
As we approach the end of the 2017-2018 school year we need to make sure that our students have completed all of their obligations before leaving for the summer. Students will need to make sure that they have turned in all of their text and library books, refunded the cafeteria for any lunch loans, and made sure that have either paid for or returned any pictures that they received.
Student textbooks were scanned and distributed to students at the beginning of the year or when they started at MLK. Students are required to either return their text or pay a fine for damages or loss of these books. They are also responsible for books that they checked out from the library.
Please return all books and materials to MLK in a timely manner. Book fines remain on a student’s record and will need to be resolved before students exit the PGCPS school system.
Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)
The MLK, PTO is calling for nominations for the 2018-2019 school year. If you, or someone you know, are interested in an elected board position, please review the position descriptions below and send your name, email, phone number and the position title you are interested in to Joni Wiredu, jonielizabeth@gmail.com no later than Monday, June 4. We will confirm the slate of nominations at our next meeting on Tuesday, June 5, at 6pm. We will distribute the slate of nominations via email. The election will close at 5pm, Monday, June 11.
Martin Luther King Jr. Middle Schools and BAPS Charities
We are so excited to announce that Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School is partnering with BAPS Charities, a wonderful global non profit organization that helps build schools and hospitals, protect the environment, provide natural disasters relief and provide healthcare for the less fortunate.
On June 30, 2018 we will be participating in the BAPS Charities 5K Walk. The walk will begin at the Jefferson Memorial in Washington D.C. Principal Rotunda Floyd- Cooper, Parent Engagement Assistant Sonja Rhodes along other staff have committed their support this great cause by participating as well as contributing to this awesome endeavor. BAPS Charities is raising funds for three(3) national beneficiary, the Nature Conservancy,which will help plant 100,000 trees this year and local beneficiaries Beltsville Volunteer Fire Department and Martin Luther King Middle School.
Martin Luther King Middle School students and families are invited to participate in the 5K Walk in support of this worthwhile effort. Please RSVP with Ms. Croom or Ms. Burley with the number of guests attending and their T-shirt size.
If you would like to Donate or get involved, please visit our dedicated Walk Webpage: http://www.bapscharities.org/user/mlkmsfundraiser2018/
For additional information please contact Pragnesh Mistry (pragnesh.d.mistry@gmail.com) or Mayur Patel (mayur.r.patel@gmail.com).
NOTES FROM THE GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT
8th Grade Transitional Paperwork
Proof of residence shall be a prerequisite of admission to the public schools. Such proof must have the parent’s or court-appointed guardian’s name and address listed. It must also be provided to school personnel with any change in residence. Proof of residence may be established by a combination of the following documents: settlement papers, lease/rental agreement, deed of property, mortgage statement, letter from apartment complexes on official letterhead, or a current tax assessment bill. These documents must be originals. Settlement papers, lease agreement, and rental agreements must be signed and dated by all parties. Additional items including recent mail (within 30 days) are required if there are concerns regarding the proof of residence, if the original term of the lease has expired, or if the ownership information is more than one year old. The documents provided must be originals, not copies. These documents must be delivered by US Postal mail and may include the following: non-cell phone bill, utility bill, credit card statement, bank statement, mail from government agencies (excluding PGCPS) for official correspondence, hospital bill, or auto, home, or health insurance policy. Copies of online documents are not acceptable as proof of residence with the exception of an electronic commercial lease accompanied by an original letter from the property manager. Private party leases must be notarized by the landlord or attach a recent notarized statement by the landlord verifying the terms of lease. The documents must be originals, not copies. A copy of the proof of residence must be attached to thePA-14, Student Registration Form.
Immunization Updates
Does your child have their immunizations for the upcoming 2018-2019 school year? Current 6th grade students will need the Tdap and Meningitis vaccines to enter 7th grade on September 4, 2018. But guess what? There is no need to wait and get caught in the summer rush, not able to get an appointment before the school year begins or have your child excluded from school on the first day.
Now is the time to act! You can go to your primary care provider now to get your child immunized for the 2018/2019 school year. Other options for you include: going to the local health department clinics, local pharmacies, grocery stores and urgent care centers.
Send in the updated record to the school as soon as possible!
ATHLETE PACKETS
Did you know that student athlete packets are good for the entire school year? So while school is out this summer, get your packet filled out and completed by your doctor and turn it in to the main office or bring it in when school is back in session. If you have any questions, please contact Kim Jones at Kimberlee.Jones@pgcps.org.
OPEN ACCESS OPPORTUNITIES
Dematha Soccer Academy Travel Soccer Tryouts and Summer Camp Information
DeMatha Soccer Academy (DMSA) Travel Soccer Tryouts
- About Our Club: http://www.demathasocceracademy.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1189777
- Meet Our Staff: http://www.demathasocceracademy.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1209837
- Tryout Dates and Registration: http://www.demathasocceracademy.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1228785
DeMatha Soccer Academy Summer Camps
IMPORTANT DATES IN JUNE
June 11 - 6th/7th Grade Awards Ceremony (1:30pm-3:30pm)
June 11-13 - Arts Integration Showcase
June 12 - Talent Show
June 13 - 8th Grade Awards Recognition Ceremony (10am-noon)
June 13 - 8th Grade Dance (6pm- 8pm)
June 20 - Last Day of School for Students
June 30 - GreenWalk2018 (Staff, Parents and students are encouraged to register!)
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR MIDDLE SCHOOL
Email: mlkms@pgcps.org
Website: http://www1.pgcps.org/martinlutherkingjr/
Location: 4545 Ammendale Road, Beltsville, MD, USA
Phone: 301-572-0650