PYTHON PRESS
Pikesville Middle School February 2020
From The Principal's Desk:
Wow, this school year is really going fast! As we continue throughout the 2019-2020 school year, I wanted to remind parents and students of our Python Pride, which is our code of conduct. The Python Pride motto states that students are Prepared, Respectful, Inclusive, Diverse, and Engaged!
I am PREPARED to learn:
· I am on time for all classes.
· I have all the necessary materials.
· I make sure all cell phones and other electronic devices are only used for instructional purposes.
· I complete all assignments.
I am RESPECTFUL to myself, of others and other people’s property:
· I follow directions of all staff members.
· I use appropriate school language, volume and tone.
· I avoid causing or reacting to disruptions.
I am INCLUSIVE of others:
· I include others in all activities, opportunities and experiences.
I am DIVERSE in my thinking:
· I show respect for those that are different from me.
· I am open to meet new people and make new friends.
· I try new clubs or activities, even if they seem challenging.
· I remember that we are all one community working together.
I am ENGAGED in learning:
· I wait until instruction is finished before leaving the classroom, unless it is an emergency.
· I make an honest effort to do my work.
· I ask questions to clarify my assignments.
· I am persistent, even if I do not know the answer immediately.
· I work carefully to avoid making careless mistakes and check over my work at least two times.
I encourage you to remind your child daily that embracing the Python Pride motto will ensure they are a successful student at Pikesville Middle School. When students follow our Python Path with PRIDE, they are successful and happy students. Our goal is for students to come to school everyday ready to learn and grow academically.
The connection between home and school is critical. When staff and parents collaborate and effectively work together, student educational practices are heightened. Each student’s academic success and their respective personal responsibility at Pikesville Middle School are heavily dependent on a cooperative triangle encompassed with student-teacher-parent/guardian. Through a close and shared partnership with all stakeholders invested with Pikesville Middle School, I am confident our school will continue to be a successful place for our students to learn and grow.
Important Dates:
6th Grade News Flash by Mrs. Hammel
Third quarter has begun! Congratulations, your students are halfway through their first year in middle school. We are in the midst of finalizing details for our sixth grade field trip - information will be coming home soon 😊
As your students prepare to end the year well, just a few reminders:
- In order to be successful it’s important that they show up to class on time, with a charged device and ready to work. Please check pencil supplies, folders, and other supplies to ensure that none need replenishing.
- While they are allowed to have their phones at lunch, they are not allowed to use them during class. Students should put cell phones off and away during class.
- H20 is still in effect, there should be no hats, hoods up or obscene language
- Coach class is available if your student needs additional help. Please contact your child’s teacher for details.
7th Grade Scoop by Mr. Sullivan
Hello again from our 7th Grade Team. We sincerely hope the new year has treated everyone well. On February 6, 2020 2nd Quarter report cards will be distributed to all Pikesville Middle School students. Please be sure to review the report card with your child and return the signed envelope to their Homeroom teacher. Although students are receiving 2nd quarter report cards, the 3rd quarter is well under way. Having conversations about your child’s grades and classes is recommended. We are currently planning our 3rd quarter incentive and we do not want to see grades hold any student back from attending. Additionally, student behavior will be reviewed to determine admittance to our 3rd quarter incentive. For this reason, we would like to remind parents and students of some policies and procedures. Students should have their phone and air pods (headphones) away during the school day, this includes in the hallways. Also, it has been a mild winter; however, should the temperature change, students must place their coats in their locker at the beginning of the day. Finally, at the end of the school day students must remain in their class until their bus has been called. This is a safety matter. We aim to ensure the safety of all students at Pikesville Middle School and our dismissal policy reflects that. As always if you have any questions or concerns do not hesitate to contact the necessary staff member; we are all here to help make sure the children have a successful second half of the school year. Remember, Teamwork Makes the Dream Work!
8th Grade Updates from Ms. Luechtefeld
Happy 3rd Quarter 8th Grade Families!
We are now officially halfway through the school year and are preparing our students to leave middle school with the skills and strategies needed to be successful in high school. The 3rd quarter brings on a lot of responsibilities for our 8th grade students – they engage in different assessments such as the MISA (science), MAP (student growth in Reading and Math), and MCAP (Reading, Math, and Social Studies). In order to balance this for students, we are also beginning to plan our end of the year events with students, including a 3rd quarter field trip. On Friday, January 31 – Ms. Luechtefeld, 8th Grade Administrator and Mrs. Banks, 8th grade school counselor met with the 8th grade class to discuss the expectations for the end of the school year and to outline the events planned for the class. None of the expectations are new, however, as the school year has progressed we are starting to notice frequency with students being late to class, not completing their work in a timely manner, wearing their hoods, and having their cell phones out during the school day. Students will be held responsible for following all Pikesville procedures including the ones mentioned above, which could jeopardize their attendance at certain 8th grade events.
The following information was shared with students on Friday. Please read carefully and let us know if you have any questions.
Important Information for 8th Grade Students and Parents
Pikesville Middle School 2019-2020
Dear Pikesville Students and Families,
As the end of the school year is quickly arriving, the Pikesville 8th Grade Team would like to make you aware of some of the end of year events that will be advertised over the coming months. We also wanted to share the criteria that is required for students to attend these events.
All students will be notified if they will not be able to attend any of the following events due to not meeting the criteria. The criteria will include but is not limited to; grades, major/minor behavior incidents including suspension, detention, and SDC, attendance, library/cafeteria/other financial obligations.
3rd Quarter 8th Grade Field Trip
• A fun way to celebrate the success we have made so far in the 3rd quarter of the school year.
• Unlike our incentives, this is an actual field trip!
• Students will leave Pikesville for part of the day for a fun event
8th Grade Planning Committee
• Students will be able to apply to be on a committee that will help in planning almost all the end of year 8th grade activities such as themes for events, decorations, t-shirt design, etc.
End of the Year 8th Grade Field Trip
• One of the best trips of the year!
• Students will leave PMS for the day and participate in an entertaining, adventurous, and exciting trip to celebrate the end of their time here at Pikesville Middle School
8th Grade Semi-Formal Dance
• The semi-formal dance is one of the best events to wrap up the 8th grade year
• The dance will have great music, photobooths, food and drinks, and an amazing time for all!
• Keep an eye out for ticket information in April/May
8th Grade Farewell Assembly
• The farewell assembly is a special way to say goodbye to middle school
• Information about Farewell will come out when details are confirmed
All students and families will be regularly informed for the dates and times for these events as they get closer. If you have any comments, questions, and/or concerns, please feel free to contact Ms. Luechtefeld, Ms. Norris, or Mr. Laraia.
Sincerely,
The 8th Grade Pikesville Team
Ms. Luechtefeld, Ms. Norris, and Mr. Laraia
Virtues
Definition: I will be responsible by being dependable, keeping my word and honoring my commitments at school and home.
AVID
AVID, which stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a comprehensive instructional system which provides strategies, resources, and college readiness support for all students.
What is an AVID Tutorial?
Small group tutorial sessions are held weekly during the AVID elective classes. Under the direction and supervision of the AVID elective teacher, trained peer tutors facilitate student-led discussions in small groups to help students find the answer to a question or points of confusion from their classes.
How do AVID tutorials differ from traditional tutoring?
· All students must be prepared with pre-work completed and specific questions written in a Tutorial Request Form (TRF). If they believe they have no questions in any of their classes, they must still participate in the tutorial with a completed TRF which they use to ask a question that further explores the material they are studying in their classes.
· Questions are high level thinking questions.
· Students work and discuss in a collaborative group.
· Students reflect on their individual and group participation.
· Tutors do not give the answers. They facilitate the groups' learning process.
· Tutors don't teach the answers. They ask more questions. This is called the Socratic method.
IT'S ACADEMIC
Science
Greetings Science Family and Friends! Third quarter has arrived, and the Science/ Engineering teams are busy preparing engaging lessons for your student. The 6th grade team is continuing their Chemistry lesson and students have started studying the process and making ice cream. Seventh grade students are finishing up their body system models from unit 2 and will be moving on to their Chemistry Unit. The 8th grade students are continuing their Mastadons and Megladons unit, where they are learning about fossils and changes to various body structures over time. Our 8th grade Engineering students are continuing the design and construction of their dragsters, while our 6th grade Engineering students are working on circuits. Please continue encouraging your students to attend coach classes when needed and bring charged devices daily.
English Language Arts
In language arts this quarter, students in most grades will be reading historical fiction or narrative non-fiction representing some of the most compelling moments in world and national history: refugee crises and immigration, the Space Race, the Harlem Renaissance, the Great Depression, and the Civil Rights Movement. Be sure to engage your child in conversation about what they are learning in language arts! GT 8th graders will be traveling back to the Elizabethan Era and reading a Shakespearean comedy.
Students in all reading classes are reading novels this year as well as focusing on specific reading skills. Theater students have learned about the evolution of musical theater, chosen a song from a musical, and planned a lip-syncing performance to represent the emotion and meaning of the song! We welcome new students in the half-year 8th grade theater course. In College and Career Readiness, students will be learning about resumes, cover letters, and business letter etiquette.
We are proud of all our students for their focus, effort, and growth shown during the first half of the school year.
Social Studies
The Battle of Quarter 3 as begun!
Remember that teachers are grading practice and minor assessments each week. Written discussion posts, exit tickets, cartoons, and quizzes are examples. Each unit has 1 document based question where students have to write a 5 paragraph essay that uses primary and secondary sources to support their claim, be their evidence, and craft their reasoning. Each unit also has an exam. Please take advantage of coach classes that are offered weekly.
Ancient World 6 – Emerging Powers. Ancient India, Ancient Persia, and Ancient Greece. Investigate the geography, social structure, religious beliefs, art and culture, as well as conflicts.
Medieval World 7 – Agents of Change. What were the Crusades? Who were the Mongols? How did the Black Death affect Europe?
American History 8 – Expansion and Sectionalism. The War of 1812, America’s westward expansion, and how sectionalism occurs due to increased immigration.
Math
Third Quarter has begun, please make sure you are checking BCPSOne regularly to see how your student is performing in their mathematics class. Students are taking the Winter MAP Assessment, please ask your student about their progress. Math 6 is working on Equivalent Expressions and Equations; Math 6 GT is working on Representing Sets of Numbers and Shapes; Pre-Algebra 7 is working on Expressions, Equations, and Inequalities; Math 8 is working on Solving Equations and Systems of Equations; Algebra 1 is working on Geometric Sequence and Exponential Functions; Geometry is working on Properties and Attributes of Triangles. Remember the textbook is online in BCPSOne – Digit Content.
Related Arts
Physical Education
Ms. Britt, Mr. Hanzelka, Mrs. Powell and Mr. Long are currently in Physical Education class. Many students have misplaced or lost their uniforms. Students need to have a PMS PE uniform for class and change for class every day. Uniforms cost $20.00 for the t-shirt and shorts. Each item is $10.00. Student can see their PE teacher to get a new uniform. Cash or money order only.
Mr. Desort’s and Ms. Speer’s classes have moved to Health class for the third quarter. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to the related arts department chair Ms. Britt (mbritt2@bcps.org).
Art
GT Art Portfolio Applications are due March 5th to Mrs. Payne in room 14 by the end of the school day.
Music News
Congratulations to the following musicians from Pikesville Middle for being chosen to perform for the BCPS Honors Ensembles:
Reuben Danyali Tuba Honor Band
Samantha King Alto Honor Chorus
Londyn Daniels Alto Honors Chorus
Sabrina Schenerman Soprano Honor Chorus
Foreign Language
Bonjour et Buenos Dias! I can’t believe the third quarter is already underway. By now, your student should be able to talk about their family, animals, food and personality in their chosen World Language. You should be seeing homework in World Language classes, and if no written work is assigned, there should always be studying. All students are still using authentic websites, videos and readings to practice using the language, therefore is very important to make sure your child has his or her device charged and in class.
Students have been identified for nomination into the Jeunes Amis de Francais, or French Junior National Honor Society. We will have an induction ceremony in the spring, the date is to be determined. We have decided to offer nomination to all students of French grades 6-8 who have done exemplary work earning only A’s for the first two quarters of the year.
In the spring, all 7th grade students will be taking the APPL assessment in French or Spanish. This will determine proficiency level and be an important factor in high school placement. If you would like more information or practice tests at home, please see the ACTFL website and then find your child’s language. https://www.languagetesting.com/aappl2-demo
For additional practice and enrichment at home, your student can use https://quizlet.com/ to review vocabulary, we also like https://www.duolingo.com/ to track progress and https://conjuguemos.com/ for extra practice.
“To learn a language is to have one more window from which to look at the world.” – Chinese Proverb
Counseling Corner
PMS’s School Counseling Corner:
The Parent’s Guide to Teaching Kids About Cultural Diversity and Inclusion
*Help your child have a deep appreciation for the enriching differences they will encounter throughout life with these strategies.
You’ve heard it before: Kids are sponges! They’re constantly observing and forming opinions about themselves and others, which means this is a crucial time to teach them how to value the beautiful diversity in our world. Of course, we all want our kids to be the best global citizens they can be — but sometimes, it can be difficult to know where to start.
“From a very early age, children recognize differences, and it’s important that parents, teachers, and educational leaders are mindful of that and play a role in celebrating those differences,” says Louie Rodriguez, Ed.D, associate professor of education, society, and culture at the University of California, Riverside. “The earlier we can do that in our homes, schools, and communities, the better we’ll be at continuing those conversations as children go from K-12 to higher education.”
Here are just a few ways you can teach the value of multiculturalism and inclusivity throughout your child’s life that will help you along the way.
Encourage your kids to explore the world with open eyes, mind and heart.
The environmentalist, Baba Dioum once said: “In the end we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught.”
The same goes for multicultural inclusivity — think about what your child is taught on a daily basis about people of different races and ethnicities, religions, disabilities and abilities, gender identities, socioeconomic status, and so forth. Help them envision a world that actually represents the one they live in by exposing them to a wide range of books, toys, foods, TV shows, movies, music, experiences, and, of course, people. “There are many different ways you can introduce the idea that we live in a multicultural world, and to provide materials like books where children see both themselves and other types of people reflected,” says Rodriguez. Here are a few age appropriate books recommended to help support your mission to teach kindness and empathy to your child.
1. American Born Chinese by Gene Lue Yang
2. If I Ever Get Out Of Here- by Eric Gansworth
3. Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi and John Boyne
4. The Giver by Lois Lowery
5. The Porcupine Of Truth by Bill Konigsberg
6. The Lines We Cross by Randa Abdel-Fattah
7. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
*Excerpts taken from Scholastic Parents by Kelsey Kloss 2/15/19
Health Suite
It has been a very busy couple of months, an occasional stomach virus and/or fever. I have noticed an increase in students who have not eaten breakfast or lunch or both. It is very important for these students to not skip meals. They come in complaining of headaches, stomachaches, unable to focus in class. I am unable to give them any medications on an empty stomach. Testing is also going on currently and they need to either have eaten breakfast at home or in school or put a breakfast bar in their backpacks if they are running late. The thought of a student’s last meal being dinner the night before is a concern for me since they are in my office and missing class time. I also do not supply food in the health suite. Any concerns you may have please call me at 443-809-5000.
Thank you. Ms. Cleland RN