APMS Redlines

Go RED!
===APMS Redlines===
DECEMBER 2013
THE NEWSLETTER OF AVON PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL
Avon Park, Florida
Katina Kramer, Principal
Go RED - Reaching for Excellence Daily
VOLUME 2 ISSUE 4
6
STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
By: Amy Schlosser, Vice President
The Student Government Association (SGA) has shown itself as a club with spirit! Showing your school spirit simply
means participating by wearing red on game days and going to
as many school sporting events as you can. SGA members
made a splash at the home football games by wearing red
beads and making signs to show support, spirit and dedication
for our school football team.
The SGA members will be working the Jingle Bell Run this
year and also have a float in the Christmas Parade. SGA
wants to have a leadership role at APMS. We want to show
our school pride and we need you to show yours too.
Congratulations to our October
leaders!
From left: Rosemarie
Martinez. 6th grade; Dakota
Jones, 7th grade; and Timothy
Ferreira, 8th grade.
Platinum Sponsor for October is
Homemade Creations. Other
supporters are: Pit Stop Drive-Thru,
Taylor Oil, McDonalds, Highlands
Independent Bank, Florida Dairy
Farmers, Winn Dixie, Office Depot,
APMS PTO and Travis Crosson Tree
Service. We thank these sponsors
for their gracious donations and support of APMS and our leaders. Way
to go RED!
People may not
remember exactly
what you did or
what you said, but
they will ALWAYS
remember how you
made them feel.
SGA REQUESTS ITEMS FOR FOOD DRIVE
Former APMS Principal Dan Johnson, member of the Avon Park Rotary
Club, is working with SGA to coordinate a CAN FOOD DRIVE to help Avon
Park families. Please bring in non-perishable food items between December 2 and 11. Contact Ms. Davis, SGA Sponsor, for information.
SGA OFFICERS ANNOUNCED
Congratulations to the SGA officers for 2013-14. President, Rosalinda
Jaramillo; Vice-President, Amy Schlosser; Secretary, Olivia Guerndt.
MORE SGA NEWS
The week prior to Thanksgiving, SGA sponsored a coin drive for APMS.
Students brought in pennies to fill their first period teacher’s collection container. Teachers then had to count the coins on Friday, November 22 before
they could start teaching class. All money collected will go toward an improvement at APMS. SGA announced they will also have a float in the
Avon Park Christmas Parade.
NJHS MAKES STOCKINGS FOR ESE
NJHS members have been gathering items to prepare filled HOLIDAY
STOCKINGS for ESE students at APMS and other local schools. Mrs.
DeWitt is NJHS Sponsor.
NJHS OFFICERS ANNOUNCED
Congratulations to the NJHS officers for 2013-14. President, Dalton Whitman; Vice-President, Alexis Sboto; Treasurer, Kadie Crosson; Secretary, Christopher Loomis.
December 2013 Redlines
Go RED!
The holidays are often a time for wishing - hoping to
receive that gift on your list, wishing for something to
happen, looking forward to an event. This month we
asked - “What is your Christmas wish?” LET’S TALK!
“My Christmas wish is to spend time with
my family and relax during the two weeks
off of school.” Vijay
Congratulations to Mr. Colman and his first period
class for turning in the most BOXTOPS for October and winning a donut party! There are also ten
individual winners each month selected at random
from those bringing in Boxtops who receive a
prize. November collection sheets are due December 6; December collection sheets are due
January 10. Thanks for raising money for APMS!
ATTENTION PARENTS
Please be aware that there has been a policy change in
the Highlands County Student Progression Plan. In the
past, if a student made an F below 50 in a subject area,
that lowest F was automatically brought up to a 50 and
was re-averaged with the other three 9 weeks grades.
This policy is no longer in place. We are educating
both students and parents so that everyone understands
that the grades earned will be reflected as the final
grade. To calculate the year end average (final grade),
all 9 weeks grades are added together and divided by
four. So, even students with a D average might be in danger of failing for the year even if they only make one low
F. Students failing more than 2 subjects in a grade level
for the year will be retained. Please help by making sure
that your child is in attendance daily; many times when
students miss, they do not turn in work. Also, it is extremely important to monitor your child’s grades each 9
weeks in Pinnacle Gradebook Viewer found on our website: http://highmail.highlands.k12.fl.us/~apm/. Our counselors and teachers will work with you on any concerns
that you may have, so please feel free to contact us at
452-4333.
INTEGRITY
Doing the right thing no
matter what the consequences!
“All I want for Christmas is for my cousin
Jade to feel well. She has brain cancer and
is going through chemotherapy.
This
chemo pill makes her feel ill, and she isn’t
going to be able to attend her freshman
year of high school.” Kadie
“For Christmas, I wish to get a new volleyball for extra practice before the season
starts.” Destanie
“Since I have a different religion, we don’t
celebrate Christmas or exchange gifts. But
I do wish that I get to meet One Direction
some day.” Afrin
“For Christmas, I wish to receive a new
softball bat and tons of clothes.” Malia
“My Christmas wish is getting a video
game system like Xbox or Play Station. I
also wish for peace in the world, especially
in Middle Eastern countries like Syria and
Egypt.” Francis
Thank you to students in Ms. Mullenax’s
8th grade advanced language arts for taking time to
answer. We hope that all of your wishes come true.
WINTER BREAK
DEC. 20 thru JAN. 6
SCIENCE FAIR
December 11-13
AWARDS
December 12
7 pm
December 2013 Redlines
Go RED!
NEW PE
COACH
LANDRESS
ENJOYS JOB
APMS JOINS IN
Sponsored by SGA, the last week
of October brought drug awareness to the campus of APMS. The
annual national campaign began in
1985, when drug traffickers in
Mexico City tortured and killed
DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) agent Kiki Camarena.
This began the annual tradition of
displaying Red Ribbons as a symbol of intolerance toward the use
of drugs.
According to the National Family
Partnership (NFP) who organized
Red Ribbon, children of parents
who talk to their teens regularly
about drugs are 42% less likely to
use drugs than those who don’t.
Our children have the right to
grow up drug free, and we have
the responsibility to make that
happen.
Trees on campus were decorated
with red ribbon. Students had the
chance to follow a Red Ribbon
theme each day, which included
taking a pledge to stay drug-free,
finding and wearing Red Ribbon
bracelets, and a day to wear black
in memory of those who lost
their lives to drugs.
Virginia Landress is not a new face at APMS. She has been a teacher
for 14 years, and for the past five years has taught Read 180. But this
year she is spending her time in the gym, teaching all grades PE and
Health.
Coach Landress says that she became seriously interested in PE about
three years ago, when two of the PE coaches were retiring. At that
time, she wasn’t certified for PE, and it didn’t work out until this year.
In addition to being a PE coach, she is also athletic director at APMS.
Her duties as AD include scheduling transportation and officials for all
sports and making sure there are people to help at home games to collect gate money, work the chains, run the scoreboard, etc.
Her favorite sport is volleyball, and she coaches the 7th grade APMS
volleyball team. When she was in college, she was named All-American
in volleyball. Coach Landress attended college on volleyball scholarships, playing at the University of Arkansas Little Rock for two years,
then transferring to play at Florida Southern College. She received a
Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education while there.
It’s no surprise when asked what, if any, changes she would like to
see in our PE program or facilities, her response was “Air conditioning
in the gym would be nice.”
Redlines asked her some questions to get to know her better.
Q. What sport do you like watching the most?
A. I love watching football, it is so exciting. I especially like to watch
my son play football.
Q. Your favorite football team?
A. The Florida Gators. Go Gators!
Q. What do you like to do in your spare time?
A. In my spare time, I like to spend time with my family, read, workout
or walk.
Q. Tell us about your family and pets.
A. I am married and we have a 15 year old son, Zachary, and a 13 year
old daughter, Cambrie. We have a Bassett Hound named Dolly,
and 3 gerbils, Star, Storm and Shadow.
Q. What is your favorite food?
A. I enjoy many different kinds of foods, but like Italian food the most.
Q. What advice would you like to share?
A. I would advise my students to find creative ways to stay active. It
really does make you feel better, inside and out.
Coach Landress commented that she is really enjoying the change to
teaching PE. She is learning some sports or activities that she has not
participated in previously, so she is learning right along with her kids.
She says that Coach Elder has helped her much. “I’m having a lot of fun.”
Note: Volleyball season starts March 6 and goes thru April 17.
December 2013 Redlines
Go RED!
APMS SPORTS CORNER
BOYS AND GIRLS BASKETBALL
Basketball season is starting at APMS for both boys and girls.
Girls play the first game at 5:30 pm, with the boys’ game following ten minutes after the completion of that first game.
The first game Dec. 5 is away at Sebring. The home game
schedule is:
Monday, Dec. 9
Hardee
Monday, Dec. 16
DeSoto
Thurs., Jan. 16
Lake Placid
Monday, Jan. 27
Hill-Gustat
Thurs., Jan. 30
Sebring
Admission is $4 for adults and high school students, and $2
for school age children. Home games are at the APMS gym.
RUN BENEFITS
AVON PARK
SCHOOLS
The 2nd Annual Jingle Bell Run will be held Friday, December 13 at 6 pm at Union Church, 106 Butler Ave. in
Avon Park. Sponsored by the Jarrett Family Foundation, all
proceeds will benefit the five Avon Park schools as they partner together to develop leadership skills in the children of
our community. The run has a 5K Run/Walk and a 1 Mile
Fun Run. Final deadline for registering for the race is December 12. This is a fun holiday family event that benefits our
schools. NJHS and SGA members will be in attendance to
volunteer. Thank you to the Jarrett Family for all that they
do to support Avon Park Schools!
CHEERING FOR APMS
BASKETBALL TEAMS
ANNOUNCED
Congratulations to the following
players:
BOYS
Jyquan Rooks
Luis Velez
Isaiah Golden
Montrae Braswell
James Beck
Jason Duff
Jalen Wheelock
Jose Sanchez-Cabrera
J’Vonne Graham
Johnny Perry
Rolando Garcia
Trey Kidd
COACHES
Head Coach - Lee Elder
Assistant Coach - Chad Wright
GIRLS
Kiara Griffin
Alisha Walker
Nahiomy Medina
Jacaria Dennis
Joshlyn King
Layla Taylor
Kelda Phillips
Sina Rojas
Paris Martel
Tajenay Vassel
Johneisha Rowe
Whitney Spurlock
Cassandra Sneider
COACHES
Head Coach - Kevin Dewberry
Assistant Coach - Shannon Kelly
HAT DAY $1
MOST
FRIDAYS
IN DECEMBER
December 2013 Redlines
Go RED!
Reaching for Excellence Daily
S
!
APM LATES
TU
A
R
Teacher of the Year
ONG
C
APMS UPCOMING
EVENTS
RONDA STUNKARD
Non-Instructional Employee of the Year
YVONNE GONZALEZ
Looking for a holiday gift?
APMS School Shirts are only $10.
Available in three colors in the front office.
DECEMBER
2
Avon Park Christmas Parade
2-11 SGA Food Drive - bring in
canned goods
6
BOXTOPS due
9
Basketball Game 5:30 pm
Christmas on Main Street
10
APMS/APHS Choir Concert
First Baptist Church 7 pm
11-13 APMS Science Fair
12
APMS/APHS Band Concert
SFSC Auditorium 7 pm
12
APMS Science Fair Judging/
Awards 7pm
13
Jingle Bell Run 6 pm
16
Basketball Game 5:30 pm
PTO Staff Christmas Lunch
17
Tropicana Speech 6th Grade
19
Early Release 1 pm
Dec 20-Jan 6 WINTER BREAK
JANUARY
7
Back to School
10
BOXTOPS Due
13
SAC Meeting 5:30 pm
PTO Meeting 6:30 pm
13-17 Celebrate Literacy Week
16
Basketball Game 5:30 pm
17
End of 2nd 9 weeks
Early Release 1 pm
20
No School - MLK Holiday
21-22 District Science Fair at APMS
24
Science Fair Awards 6pm
27
Basketball Game 5:30 pm
27-30 District Science Fair APMS
30
Parent Night & Report Card
Pick-up 5pm Commons
PTO Pizza Night
JUST
READ
FLORIDA!
Contributing photographer Mrs. Simpson
January 13-17
December 2013 Redlines