THE COBRA CONNECTION
APRIL 2018
A message from our Principal
During the week of April 16th students will embark upon the 2018 PARCC Assessment. The PARCC assessments cover two courses – English language arts/literacy and mathematics – for students between Grade 3 and Grade 11. These exams are intended to be used as indicators of student needs and progress for teachers to identify and address.
To ensure that students are ready to perform their best, we encourage you to provide your child a great breakfast each day or to make sure your child arrives to school on time to ensure that we can provide breakfast for them. Ensuring that students have the rest that they need is also of great importance to us and we know that it is just as important to you.
Teachers at MLK have been actively working with your children by engaging with them with rigorous lessons daily that mimic the expectations of PARCC. We are optimistic that both the hard work of your children and our staff will yield even greater results on this year’s assessment. In the coming week’s ask your children about how they feel about the assessment. Use the online resources available at parcconline.com.
Thanking you in advance for all that we know you will do to support your children in this endeavor.
What's Happening at MLK
PARCC TESTING
Begins Monday, April 16th!
What are the PARCC TESTS?
The PARCC tests measure whether students are meeting new, higher academic standards and are mastering the knowledge and skills in English Language Arts/Literacy and Mathematics in grades 3-8 and high school. These tests capture more complex skills like critical-thinking, persuasive writing, and problem-solving – skills that were not measured on previous state tests. Scores may look different on this new test compared to previous assessments. Low scores do not mean students are learning less. Instead, low scores mean the tests have changed and the state has asked students to meet a higher bar. The goal is to ensure every student graduates ready for college, a career and a successful life.
MLK will test students in grades 7 and 8 during the week of April 16-20 followed by students in grade 6 during the week of April 23-27. Students are encouraged to get a good night's rest on each night of testing and to arrive at school on time. We thank parents in advance for ensuring that students rest well and have a great breakfast on their testing days.
Your Input is Needed!
Uniform Changes for 2018-19 School year
Parents are asked to complete the form attached here to share their insight no later than April 20, 2018.
*KING'S KUDOS*
MLK students heading to GLOBAL Destination Imagination Competition
Destination Imagination is a volunteer-led, educational non-profit organization that teaches 21st century skills and STEM principles to kindergarten through university level students through creative and collaborative problem solving challenges. Team members work together to develop a solution to one of 7 open-ended challenges and present their solutions at tournaments.
We wish each of the members of the DI team all the best as they head to Knoxville to compete in May.
Instrumental Festival Assessment
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Choral Festival Assessment
Prince George's County Spelling Bee
Divine Roberts (grade 8) represented MLK very well in the P.G. County Spelling Bee at College Park (please view the photo). She got to the third round and in doing so showed a great deal of poise and confidence. Great job Divine Roberts!
Science Bowl and Science Fair Achievement 2018
Congratulations to the MLK Science Bowl Team: Michael Stroud, Joshua Webb, Joseph Bailor, Rahel Mani, Trevor Bateman and team sponsor Mrs. Elizabeth Butler, for their stellar performance in winning the 2018 PGCPS Science Bowl Championship. Our team defeated Hyattsville Middle School in the semifinal round and Kenmoor Middle School in the championship round. Their commitment and team work led to this spectacular achievement two years in a row: 2017 and 2018 PGCPS Science Bowl Champions.
We are extremely proud our team!
A special thanks to their teachers and parents who supported their participation. We are very proud of our future scientists and look forward to their work in the future.
END OF YEAR ACTIVITIES
FIELD DAY
Friday, June 1. This an "All" day event with multiple activity stations. A lunch station will be set-up as well.
AWARD ASSEMBLIES
6th / 7th Grade Assembly
Monday, June 11th
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
8th Grade Award Assembly
Wednesday, June 13th
10 am - 12 pm
Students leave with families
8th Grade Dance
Wednesday, June 13th
6 pm – 8 pm
TALENT SHOW
Ameri-King's Got Talent! Our annual end-of-year talent show is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, June 12. Permission slips will be available from Mrs. Stewart in mid-May and all interested participants must have no significant discipline referrals for 4th quarter. Auditions will be open to the first 25 acts who submit their permission slips and meet eligibility requirements. Auditions are scheduled for Wednesday, May 30, from 4:00-5:45 p.m. 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 see Mrs. Stewart for more information!
Soccer Home Game Schedule FY18
April 09 / Girls first / 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
April 18 / Boys first / 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
April 25 / Boys first / 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
April 30 / Girls first / 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
May 07 / Girls first / 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Please note, any students coming to support the team must be accompanied by an adult, the entire game.
Open Access Opportunities!
Dispute Resolution and Managing Anger
TEEN ART SUMMIT
The Department of Parks and Recreation is hosting a free day-long art forum for students ages 11 to 17. Meet professional artists, participate in hands-on workshops, and share your ideas on how you can use the arts to impact your community. Meet other teens who share a passion for the arts.
Saturday, April 21, 2018 (9 am - 3 pm)
Harmony Hall Regional Center
10701 Livingston Road
Fort Washington, MD 20744
Summer Performing Arts Intensive
For more information please visit the website here
BAPS CHARITIES: Walk Green 2018 in Washington D.C.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School is proud to partner with the Beltsville Volunteer Fire Department and over 23,000 walkers in support of BAPs Charities efforts to help support the planting of 130,000 trees in 2018.
Walk Green is an event to support The Nature Conservancy’s efforts to plant and restore over 1.6 million acres of land by planting one billion trees by 2025 through their Plant a Billion Trees initiative. Volunteers drive their efforts, dedicating a portion of their lives in selfless service of others both in their local neighborhoods as well as globally.
Working in five key areas, BAPS Charities aims to express a spirit of selfless service through Health Awareness, Educational Services. Humanitarian Relief, Environmental Protection and Preservation, and Community Empowerment.
Martin Luther King Middle School students and families are invited to participate in support of this worthwhile effort.
If you would like to Donate or get involved visit (BAPS Charities).
Saturday, June 30th 2018
Time: 9:00 AM
Registration Start Time: 8:00 AMLast chance to purchase MLK 2018 Year Book!
The cost for a year book this year is $22. Only Cash or Money Orders will be accepted. Advanced copies of the yearbook may be purchased through Mrs. Clontz. Additional copies are limited. Don’t miss out!
Important dates in April
April 09 - Pennies for Patients Kick-Off!
April 11 - 6th Grade Personality Shots
April 12 - 6th Grade Field Trip
April 12 - 7th/8th Grade Personality Shots
April 16 - 27 - PARCC TESTING
April 20 - Third Quarter Report Cards Released
SchoolMax Family Portal
Prince George's County Public Schools provides a Family Access Portal that allows authorized caretakers to log into SchoolMAX and view their child’s contact and student information, in addition to current attendance records, assignment scores, discipline and grades. To access the family portal and create an account click here.
Email: MLKMS@PGCPS.ORG
Website: www1.pgcps.org/marinluther
Location: 4545 Ammendale Road, Beltsville, MD, USA
Phone: (301) 572 - 0650