Pikesville Middle School February Newsletter, 2015

chool
Pikesville Middle S
er, 2015
t
t
le
s
w
e
N
y
r
a
u
r
b
e
F
7701 Seven Mile Lane, Baltimore, MD 21208
410-887-1207 http://pikesvillems.bcps.org
Diane Richmond, Principal, drichmond@bcps.org
follow on Twitter @DianeRichmond15
April Franklin, Assistant Principal, grade 6, afranklin5@bcps.org
Anne Hammel, Assistant Principal, grade 7, ahammel@bcps.org
Kevin Feeney, Assistant Principal, grade 8, kfeeney@bcps.org
DATES TO REMEMBER
Thursday, February 5
Distribution of Report Cards
Friday, February 13
Professional Development for Elementary and
Middle Schools—Schools Close 3 hours early
Friday, February 6
IHOP Restaurant Night—5:00—8:00 p.m.
Monday, February 16
Presidents’ Day—Schools Closed
Monday, February 9
Principal’s Honor Roll and Python Receptions
Grade 6 ,11:55; Grade 7, 12:45; Grade 8, 1:35
Wednesday, February 18
Pikes Diner Night—5 :00—7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 11
PMS Family Association Meeting—6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 25
Interims Distributed
PROUD TO BE A LIGHTHOUSE SCHOOL!
Pikesville Middle School was named to become one of the county’s first
“Lighthouse” middle schools, joining with 10 elementary schools that piloted the school system’s instructional digital conversion this year.
The conversion, which is part of a multi-year effort called S.T.A.T.
(Students and Teachers Accessing Tomorrow) to create 21st century learning environments, is centered
on shifting teaching and learning through the integration of technology. Lighthouse schools are those
that have been tasked with pioneering staff development, curriculum conversion, personalized and
blended learning, and the use of 1:1 digital devices for each student, beginning with sixth graders in
2015—2016. Watch the exciting announcement here:
http://www.bcps.org/bcpstv/video.html?Program=STAT&VideoID=414
LITERARY MAGAZINE
The Literary Magazine Club continues to meet on Tuesdays from 2:45 to 3:30 p.m. in room 34 with
Ms. Doran and Mrs. Lancaster. We are already editing and typing submissions for this year's magazine, and we look forward to receiving more submissions. We encourage students of all grade levels to
send in their creative works of writing and art!
SPELLING BEE
Congratulations to the six finalists in our school-wide Spelling Bee: Laura R, Nathan R, Will
F, Jacob L, Noah B, and Aleksey B. These students will compete against one another on Friday, February 13th for a spot in the Baltimore Bee that takes place in March. We wish them
the best of luck!
EARLY COLLEGE AWARENESS
The Early College Awareness program will be offering a college workshop designed to raise awareness
for first-generation, college-bound Grade 8 students and their parents. In its fourteenth year, this opportunity is available to all Baltimore County middle school students. The college workshop will include
information on financial aid and scholarships for college, and preparing for college while in high
school. Participants will also hear from current college students and enjoy dinner on a college campus.
The program will be held on Thursday, February 5, 2015, at Stevenson University, Greenspring Campus, 1525 Greenspring Valley Road, Stevenson, Maryland, 21153, beginning at 6:15 p.m., with a complimentary dinner being offered at 5:30 p.m.
PARCC ASSESSMENT
Students will begin taking the PARCC assessment in March. Parents and students can access the
PARCC website at http://www.parcconline.org/ to review test items and practice tests. Also, parents
will find a tutorial to share with students that will help them through some of the on-line testing features. We will review on-line testing features with all students during school as well. Pikesville students will be taking the English Language Arts test with paper and pencil and the mathematics test
online.
Our PARCC testing window for the Performance-Based Assessment (PBA) will begin March 2nd and
conclude on March 27th with make-up testing. The End-of-Year (EOY) assessment will begin April
20th and conclude on May 15th.
MSDE PARCC LUNCH AND LEARN
MSDE invites parents to participate in a Lunch & Learn PARCC Parent webinar series. See the attached advertisement for upcoming parent webinars. All recorded webinars can be found using the following link: http://bit.ly/ParentWebinarRecordings
BCPS STAKEHOLDER SATISFACTION SURVEY
Every voice counts. Taking the annual BCPS Stakeholder Satisfaction Survey is a quick way to let us know what you think about Pikesville Middle
School, demonstrate support for BCPS, and help the school system meet its
goal of preparing and graduating globally competitive students.
The confidential survey takes only about five minutes to complete on your
phone, tablet, or computer.
The survey is available NOW through February 28 at the BCPS Web site
(www.bcps.org) or link directly at www.https://bcps.co1.qualtrics.com/
SE/?SID=SV_0oj10KVhrdjagXX. Share your voice!
SCHOOL SPIRIT WEAR
School spirit wear is available now through the Pikesville Family Association. An order
form is attached. Great looks are available for students and parents! Orders are due to the
school office by February 6th.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
We have successfully completed the first half of the school year and are proud of students for all of
their hard work. As we enter the second semester, students should set meaningful goals for themselves
that will highlight their abilities and prepare them for future coursework they intend to pursue. Keep up
the good work!
Students earning all As and Bs, with one C allowed if an A is earned to off-set it, will be identified for
the Baltimore County Honor Roll and receive a certificate and pin with their report cards. Students
earning all As will be identified for the Principal’s Honor Roll. Additionally, teachers nominate students demonstrating outstanding self-development for Python Awards. Students achieving the Principal’s Honor Roll or nominated for a Python Award will receive invitations to a reception in the library
held during school on February 9th.
FREE SUMMER DANCE CAMP FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES 6-8
APPLICATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED
Applications are now being accepted for the second annual AileyCamp Baltimore at Towson University. AileyCamp is a fun-filled summer day camp for students between the ages of 11 and 14. Disciplined dance training and personal development with creative communication workshops will be taught
to help campers develop a respect for themselves and others. Participation is open to students in Grades
6 to 8. Prior dance training is not a consideration for admission. The camp will be held from Monday,
June 29, through Friday, July 24, 2015, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more detailed information, or to apply, visit www.towson.edu/aileycamp and download an application or contact staff via e-mail at aileycamp@towson.edu. Applications must be received by Friday, March 13, 2015.
S.T.A.T. PRESENTATION AT NEXT
GT CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
Parents and community stakeholders are invited to attend a presentation by
staff in the Office of Innovative Learning on the S.T.A.T. initiative scheduled
on Wednesday, February 4, 2015 at 7 p.m. at Cockeysville Middle School.
Topics will include how learner-centered environments and integration of digital content can provide GT students with options to accelerate learning and go
deeper into core content. This presentation will also showcase the work being
done by the 10 Lighthouse elementary schools as they lead the way for
S.T.A.T and share plans for moving forward into the second phase of the program. Several Lighthouse
school principals will also be available to discuss the impact S.T.A.T has had on giving their GT students more opportunities for enrichment.
2014 DRAGSTER COMPETITION
Mr. McChesney would like to congratulate his entire group of 8th grade Engineering students for their
hard work and performance in the 2014 Dragster Competition. Instead of gravity, dragsters were powered by a burst of air at 120 pounds per square inch. Students were provided common materials, researched drag racer designs, and created original sketches. Next, students used a 3-D modeling program called Autodesk Inventor to render their designs and create orthographic views. This software is
professional level and is extremely challenging—even for adults! Students then had to print out blueprints of their drag racer body so they could replicate the design in wood. Students utilized the drill
press, scroll saw, disk sander, belt sander and hand tools to construct their dragsters. Students primed
and painted their dragster bodies in their own unique designs. Finally, students reassembled their dragsters and competed.
Congratulations to the winners!
First place: Nick K.,Conner S.
Second place: Sophia L., Morgan S.
Third place: Montaigne H., Alexa F., Ina N.
Python Basketball Schedule
January 8th- Pikesville @ Franklin
*January 13th- Southwest Academy @ Pikesville
January 20th- Pikesville @ Woodlawn
*January 22nd- Windsor Mill @ Pikesville
January 29th- Pikesville @ Sudbrook
February 3rd- Pikesville @ Loch Raven
*February 5th- Lansdowne @ Pikesville
*February 10th- Deer Park @ Pikesville
*February 12th- Old Court @ Pikesville
*February 17th- Dumbarton @ Pikesville
February 19th- Pikesville @ Catonsville
Student Admission: $1.00
Adult Admission: $2.00
*Pizza, snacks and assorted beverages will be
for sale.
GO PYTHONS!
LUNCH & LEARN
PARENT PARCC WEBINARS
February 2015
Mathematics
English/Language Arts
Title: Social Studies: A Piece of the PARCC Puzzle
Date: February 5, 2015
Time: 1:00-1:30 PM
Limited Spaces are available!
Register Here:
http://bit.ly/ParentWebinarSocialStudies
Social Studies:
Disciplinary
Literacy
Presented by:
Donna Olszewski, MSDE, Social Studies
Education Specialist
Cecilia J. Roe, MSDE, Direction of
Instructional Assessment & Professional
Development
Description: How does social studies contribute to a student’s success on PARCC? Learn what
happens during a social studies lesson that reinforces that skills needed when taking the PARCC
Assessment. Also, receive some strategies that you can use at home.
Title: English/Language Arts
Date: February 6, 2015
Time: 1:00-1:30 PM
Limited Spaces are available!
Register Here: http://bit.ly/PARCC-ELA1
Presented by:
Kanika Dorsey, MSDE,
English/Language Arts Education
Specialist
Cecilia J. Roe, MSDE, Direction of
Instructional Assessment & Professional
Development
Title: Mathematics
Presented by:
MSDE
Mathematics Office
Date: February 12, 2015
Cecilia J. Roe, MSDE, Direction of
Time: 1:00-1:30 PM
Instructional
Assessment & Professional
Limited Spaces are available!
Development
Register Here: http://bit.ly/PARCCMath1
Description: Developing an understanding of the timeline and process for the implementation of
the PARCC mathematics test. Discover resources to support your child before and while taking the
PARCC Assessment.
Come on out to...
Pikes Diner
921 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD 21208
proceeds go To the Pikesville Middle School Music
Department To offset Wicked Transportation Costs
February 18th, 2015
5:00-7:00 p.m.
Featuring… music
from The
Pikesville Middle
Guitar Club
PIKESVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL SPIRIT SALES – WINTER 2015
ORDERS DUE – 6 February 2015
T-Shirts ($12) – Navy or Gray
Mens Crew
Small
Medium
Large
X-Large
2XL (+$2)
Navy
Gray
Ladies Crew
Small
Medium
Large
X-Large
2XL (+$2
Navy
Zipper Hoodie ($25), Pull Over Hoodie ($23), and Sweat Pants ($18) – Navy or Gray
Zipper
Pull Over
Hoodie
Navy
Gray Hoodie
Navy
Gray Sweat Pants
Small
Small
Small
Medium
Medium
Medium
Large
Large
Large
X-Large
X-Large
X-Large
2XL (+$2)
2XL (+$2)
2XL (+$2)
Gray
Navy
Gray
All T-Shirts are a soft 60/40 cotton blend material. All Sweats are 100% cotton. Pants are open bottom with pockets.
Total Quantity: __________________
Total Dollars: _________________
Parent Name: _______________________________
Student Name: ________________________________
Email: _____________________________________
7 Period Teacher:_____________________________
Cell Phone: _________________________________
Class Room Number: ___________________________
th
FORMS OF PAYMENT: Check, money order (made out to Pikesville Middle School Family Association or PMSFA),
or Cash. Enclose order form and payment into an envelope addressed to PMSFA Treasurer. QUESTIONS: Please
contact Heather at hbbudders@gmail.com. To view the items in color, please visit us on Facebook at
pikesvillems.bcps.org/parent association.