Carpenter Middle School
HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE RANCH!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Attention 8th Grade Parents:
Starting the week of Feb. 8 - Feb.12, 8th grade science students will be required to attend tutorials based on winter MAP scores. If your child needs to attend tutorials to prepare him/her for the Science STAAR, a letter will be sent home as well as a phone call. Reminder that 8th grade Science STAAR is on Wednesday, May 11th, 2016. Thank you for your help in providing the best for our students here at Carpenter!
Valentine's Day Carnations for Sale!
Valentine's Day will be here before we know it! The ESL Department will be selling red carnations for $1 each beginning Monday, January 25th through Friday, February 5th. Students may buy during their lunch period in the cafeteria. Parents and teachers, there will be a Valentine's box available in the front office for your ordering convenience. Flowers will be delivered to students during 7th period on February 12th. Only cash accepted. Proceeds will go toward field trip and Culture Day expenses. For questions about ordering flowers, contact Sarah Brawdy at 469-752-5153. Happy Valentine's Season!
Getting Ready for STAAR...
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.
KICKIN' AROUND THE RANCH
What's on Deck
Thursday, February 4th
- 7th Boys BBall VS Haggard @ CMS | 6-8pm
- 7th Girls BBall AWAY @ Haggard| 6-8pm
Friday, February 5th
- CMS -College Shirt Day
- Band Ensemble Festival @ Schimelpfenig MS from 5:00-9:00pm
Monday, February 8th
- 8th Boys BBall AWAY @ Otto | 6-8pm
- 8th Girls BBall vs Otto @ CMS | 6-8pm
Tuesday, February 9th
- 7th Boys BBall AWAY @ Otto | 6-8pm
- 7th Girls BBall vs Otto @ CMS | 6-8pm
Wednesday, February 10th
- Pizza lunch for kids
When: During student lunches
Description: Just $5 buys 2 slices of pizza, a drink, and chips!!! Preorder Monday, February 8th and Tuesday, February 9th.
For 8th Graders Only
2/2- 2/25- Four year plan meetings with student/parents and registering for 9th grade- TIME BY INVITATION. Contact Janet Jordan, 8th Grade Counselor, at 469-752-5016 if you have any questions.
NJHS Student Reminder...
Sign up... http://tinyurl.com/jls4jes
Box Tops New Rewards
NEWS FROM CMS PTA
Back the Future!
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 performed every task, great or small, with utmost integrity. He served as a positive role model to staff and students at Carpenter for 24 years.
COUNSELOR'S CORNER
Cowboy Character
Archbishop Patrick Flores was called a “leader of change.” He devoted his entire life to changing and improving the lives of underprivileged people.
Archbishop Flores understands what it means to be underprivileged because he was raised in a home without running water or electricity. As a child, he was not allowed into certain restaurants, theaters, or swimming pools because he was Mexican-American. He overcame his impoverished childhood and became a powerful force for good in America.
Do you want more from your life? Archbishop Flores said:
“Through education and hard work, you can create a better life.”
Today, remember this: A good education opens doors to a better tomorrow.
RODEO Tip of the Week
Talk Just to Be Talking
Because communication between parents and children decreases with the advent of adolescence, much of the verbal interaction that we do have with the youngsters is designed to get a point across, teach them something, get them to see the situation from a different angle, change their attitude, tell them what they are doing wrong, show them how to do it correctly, or convince them of the importance of certain activities. In other words, when you talk to them, you are trying to accomplish something more than a simple, enjoyable conversation. If this is the majority of communication that you have with your teenagers, their willingness to talk to you will certainly decrease. An important goal in communicating with teens should be just talking with them, without trying to accomplish anything other than talking.
This can be achieved primarily by discussing with the teenager something that is of interest to him or her. Some children's interests at the current time center around sports, skateboards, cars, music, and the opposite sex. If you want to have a conversation with them just to talk, and for no other purpose, this can usually be accomplished by discussing one of the above subjects. You can speak with your youngsters about movies they have seen, YouTubers, celebrities, school news, and other subjects you know will interest them. Many times it is important just to communicate with them, without trying to accomplish anything, make a point, or get them to understand a concept. Talk just to talk.
COMMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
PISD Parent Workshops for February
Click English or Spanish for printable flyer.
Family Education and Guidance Services 469-752-2272
Substance Prevention Parent Information
Drug and Alcohol Prevention Information: Did you know that PISD has a Substance Abuse Prevention website? Here is the link, http://k12.pisd.edu/substance-abuse-prevention be sure to check out the videos linked on the home page and the excellent informational websites linked on the “Resources” page.
Computer Classes for Spanish Speaking Adults
Once again, Schimelpfenig Library (the City of Plano library, not the school) is hosting a series of 5 Computer Classes for adults in Spanish.
These are free and begin Saturday, February 6 at 9:00am. We ask that attendees register ahead of time, either online or by phone. Registration opens 2 weeks before each class date.
I’ve attached a simple flyer for you to share, so please feel free to forward this to anyone who may be interested.
If you need more information, please call me at 972-769-4200.
Eva González
Senior Public Services Librarian
L.E.R. Schimelpfenig Library
5024 Custer Road
Plano, Texas 75023
T 972.769.4200
F 972.769.4210
Williams High School Open House
Williams’ Open House for incoming 9th graders is February 4th from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Clark HS Cheer Clinic!
Clark High School is hosting its annual cheer clinic on Saturday, February 6th, from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm. Check In/Late Registration will begin at 9:00 a.m. and there will be a participant performance at 12:30 p.m. The registration fee is $25 by January 31st. After Jan. 31 until the day of the clinic, the fee is $30. Participants are encouraged to rock their best 80’s hair and accessories. Prizes will be awarded for best dressed for each feeder school. Three prizes total!
CLICK HERE for more info or look for the registration form in the distribution area of your school.
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