May 2016 - Academy Publishing, Inc.

Issue 4
May 2016
For the Parents, Staff & Community
of Tuskawilla Middle School
Home of the Golden Falcons!
Principal’s Letter
Dear Tuskawilla Parents and Students,
The school year is winding down, and we are preparing for the next school year. The 20152016 has been an incredible year filled with many success stories for our students. Our
band, chorus, and orchestra programs all received numerous Superior ratings at regional
performance competitions. The Junior Thespians, in their first ever competition, came back
with all Superior and Excellent awards. Our track, volleyball, cross country, and basketball
teams touted strong wins and state-level competitors. The art department supported several
students to earn top awards in several art contests as well as representations of beautiful
displays at county art shows. Tuskawilla’s Odyssey of the Mind teams also performed strong
at the regional competition. As you can see, Tuskawilla supports the “Three A’s”: Academics,
Arts, and Athletics. To that end, we can all be very proud of our teachers and our students for
earning an A for the 15th year in a row!
I want to welcome our new 6th graders and their parents to Tuskawilla. We also look forward
to our 7th graders returning to us as our new 8th grade class! We look forward to meeting
you on August 8th, 9:00 AM -12:00 PM, at our Open House and Schedule Pick Up day. That
day will give you the opportunity to walk your schedule and meet your teachers. The first day
of school for students is August 10th.
Finally, for our departing 8th grade students, I know you are going to do amazing things in
the upcoming year, and I am so proud of what you have already accomplished. Remember to
always stay focused on your goals and to reach for your dreams. Continue to make Tuskawilla
Middle School proud of you. Your teachers and I will miss you, but we know you are ready for
the challenges of high school and that you will take the Tuskawilla SPIRIT with you!
As summer time approaches, I wanted to share with you that starting June 10th our office
hours will be 8:30 am--4:30 pm and all SCPS schools will be closed on Fridays during the
summer.
Warm Regards,
Kate Eglof
Mission Statement
The mission of the Seminole County Public Schools is to ensure that all Early
Childhood Program and PreK - Grade 12 students acquire the knowledge, skills, and
attitudes to be productive citizens in our great country and in the global economy.
1801 Tuskawilla Road
Oviedo, FL 32765
Main Phone Number
407-746-8550
Fax Number
407-746-8526
Office Hours
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
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Parents-Stay Connected!
FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM and REMIND
Tuskawilla has a NEW Facebook page. To follow Tuskawilla
Middle School on Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/
TuskawillaMiddleSchool. “Like us” to keep up-to-date on the
latest events at our school!
Follow us on INSTAGRAM @TWMSFalcons
instagram.com/twmsfalcons
Remind 101 is an additional tool of communication between school
and parent. Remind 101 allows you to receive text messages from
the school for quick updates and announcements. We respect
the busy schedules you have and sometimes a simple text is all
you need to stay connected. To receive messages via text, text @
tuskaw to 407-477-5523. Or to receive messages via email, send
an email to tuskaw@mail.remind.com.
ECAMPUS
SCPS provides the opportunity for you to observe your student
within the district’s Learning Management System known as
eCampus. Remember, Observers can view the course content
but cannot participate in the course.
To observe a student, you must know the student’s eCampus
username and password. The student must be enrolled in the
course and must accept the course invitation before you can sign
up to observe the student. If you receive an invalid username or
password message during the signup process and the student’s
credentials are correct, check with the student to verify that he
or she has received and accepted the course invitation. These
steps must be completed through the web version of Canvas. The
observer signup process cannot be done through the mobile app.
Go to the following link:
https://scps.instructure.com/
Once there, choose the “Parents sign up here” link, and fill in
the appropriate information regarding yourself and your student.
Once completed, visit https://scps.instructure.com/login/canvas
from your computer to login with your personal e-mail and
password.
The PTSA is currently filling positions for the 2016-2017 school
year. If interested in becoming a member please contact the
PTSA for further information.
PTSA SCHOOL STORE
Couldn’t get to the store to pick-up school supplies? The
School Store is open from 8:45-9:15 every day. It is located
on the 1st floor of Building 5. We have a variety of school
supplies, from pencils and notebooks to flash drives and Trifolds! We also have snacks, water, and Tuskawilla t-shirts
and sweatshirts available for purchase. We have a bin of
clearance T-shirts from last year for $10 each, while they last.
Stop by and see us!
PTSA MEMBERSHIP
If you have not done so already, please consider joining
Tuskawilla’s PTSA. Membership is only $5.00 per family.
Forms are located in the front office. For PTSA information,
check us out on Facebook! Facebook.com/TuskawillaPTSA
Dear Parent or Guardian of
Incoming 7Th Grade Students:
As you know, the Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis) Vaccine is a
required immunization in the State of Florida for your child to enter the 7th
and we would like to invite your child to participate in our Tdap in School
Vaccination Program. We encourage all families to see their primary care
physician for this immunization as soon as possible and provide the official
680 form of documentation to your school. However, if you have not or are
not planning to see your primary care physician for this vaccination, we
strongly encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to receive the
Tdap Vaccination at your school. A Tdap consent form is available on the SCPS homepage, TWMS webpage
or in the front office. On the reverse side of the consent form is the Center
for Disease Control (CDC) Vaccine Information Statement with information
about the Tdap Vaccine. The Tdap vaccination clinics will occur at TWMS
on THURSDAY, MAY 12th from 1:00-3:45 PM. Visit our webpage or see our
Facebook link for more information.
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PTSA
This year’s 8th Grade Dance theme is A Night at the Grammys. The dance will be held Friday,
May 13th 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. @ the Tuskawilla Middle School Cafeteria. There will be a DJ, dancing,
door prizes, dinner, photo booth and lots of fun with your friends and classmates! Tickets are $15
and can be purchased during all lunch hours, starting April 18th. We accept cash or money orders.
Permission slip must be completed and returned when you purchase your tickets.
Important Information About
A Night at the Grammys
HELP WANTED Parents, we need help decorating and setting up Wednesday – Friday, May 11th-13th.
We also need help with cleanup after the dance. If you would like to volunteer, please email Lisa
Dreasher at lisa.dreasher@gmail.com.
•
Only Tuskawilla Middle School 8th graders are allowed to attend the dance.
•
All music played by the DJ is appropriate for students.
•
Appropriate “dressy” attire is required.
•
Girls: Dress code appropriate length dresses. No strapless dresses or dresses showing middrifts allowed. Spaghetti straps are allowed.
•
Boys: Pants fastened at the waist and collared shirts.
•
Cameras are permitted and encouraged.
•
Appropriate behavior is expected. Students may not leave early unless a parent comes to the
cafeteria door to sign them out.
•
Any student who receives an ISS or OSS referral after April 30th will not be allowed to attend the
dance – NO EXCEPTIONS – NO REFUNDS.
•
No limos allowed.
May 5th- 6th: Algebra EOC
May 11th: Civics EOC
May 18th: SPIRIT Olympics (Field Day)
May 19th: TWMS Awards Night, Lake Howell High School at 6:30PM
May 24th: Early Release, Dismissal at 1:50PM
May 25th: Early Release, Dismissal at 1:50PM
May 26th: Early Release, Dismissal at 1:50PM
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LANGUAGE ARTS
6th Grade Language Arts
As FSA testing winds to a close, sixth graders are elbow-deep in poetry. We are identifying examples
of figurative and connotative language, and using poetry exemplars as inspiration for our own poems.
We will soon participate in Open Mic—a celebration of student-written poetry.
For the remainder of the year, students will be strengthening their text analysis skills as pre-seventh
grade. Students will continue studying fiction by determining how authors develop various points of
view. Of course, we will continue using text-based evidence to support our answers.
7th Grade Language Arts
Classes are beginning to analyze poetry and create a collection of original poems in preparation
for an open-mic presentation of their work. We will also continue reading from the classroom novel
selections. Students should be reading nightly at home to meet their reading goals for class. This
nightly reading provides students an excellent opportunity to build their reading fluency and
vocabulary knowledge. We will also review concepts from throughout the year in preparation for
final exams at the end of the year.
8th Grade Language Arts
We are very proud to announce that four of our Language Arts teachers have been identified by the
state of Florida as being among the most statistically-significantly positive in the state: Dr. Kathy
Terry, Mrs. Rebecca Van Nuys, Ms. Heather Orlando and Mrs. Suzanne Kluegel. We are very pleased
to have these dedicated teachers as part of our Tuskawilla family.
By the end of the first week in May, all 8th graders will have completed the following: FSA Writing,
FCAT Science, FSA Reading, FSA Math and/or EOC exams. Language Arts teachers and students
worked all year on understanding the standards for these all-important tests leaving our last two
units of the year to be based on poetry and a drama. Students will be writing original poetry based
on the themes of our last major text The Diary of Anne Frank (drama) and will be participating in a
poetry slam in early May.
Students are finishing their current novel by April 29. They will then choose one last novel to read
before the end of the school year. The students enjoyed having a voice in selecting their reading
material, and we want to present the same opportunity for students next year. Therefore, if your
child has lost one of the books, please send in $15 so that we can replace the book for next year’s
8th graders.
We encourage you to check the website of the high school your child will attend to determine if there
is a required summer assignment in any of their freshmen high school courses. Tuskawilla wishes
parents and 8th grade students all the best as you embark on the high school years.
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SCIENCE
6th Grade Earth Space Science
Sixth grade is finishing up a fantastic year by entering into the great unknown, Space! Exploring our solar
system, learning about our planets, moons and other objects. Students are excited to start the project
models of their rendition of a solar system or planet. The objective, to be creative but realistic. Then well
take a closer look at our Earth, Moon, and Sun system. Finally ending the year with the sun and stars. 7th Grade Life Science
This spring seventh grade science students will continue their exploration of the world around
them. The fourth quarter reviews large concepts such as adaptation, biodiversity, biological
competition, symbiotic relationships, energy pyramids and population densities.
The latter portion of the quarter will focus on the non-living factors of an ecosystem including
humidity, temperature, precipitation, wind, and air quality. All of these factors (living and non-living)
play an important role in keeping the earth habitable for the many species on our planet. Students
will discover how changes in the environment can alter or even destroy the delicate balances
maintained in the ecosystems all around them.
8th Grade Physical Science
Congratulations to all our 8th grade science students for all their hard work and determination as they
took on the challenge of the Science FCAT. As we reach the home stretch, students will conclude
by tying all the chemistry concepts together. Students will explore the Law of Conservation of Mass
by investigating physical and chemical changes in terms of properties of matter before and after a
chemical reaction. We won’t be blowing things up but there will be some ohhs and ahhs! SOCIAL STUDIES
6th Grade World History
As the year comes to a close for our rising 7th graders, they worked on a wonderful unit on the rise
and fall of the Roman Empire. After using primary and secondary sources, they wrote an essay
indicating their top three reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire. We are now entering the Anno
Domini portion of our timeline and will be working on the last 2 units regarding the rise of Christianity
in Rome and ending the year in a unit about the Americas. 7th Grade Civics
The End of Course Exam for 7th Grade Civics is on May 11th. Students are currently working on their study
guides in class. Please mark your calendar to ensure that students are prepared for this very important
test. Five Boost Camps for the Civics EOC will be available for the students after school on Monday, May 2,
Tuesday, May 3, Thursday, May 4, Monday, May 9 and Tuesday, May 10 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.
8th Grade American History
In these last few weeks of 8th grade, students are investigating the causes and outcomes of the Civil War.
Students have discovered the devastation this war left on the country as they fought American against
American, brother against brother, and for the freedom and equality as written in the Constitution.
Eighth grade Pre-AP students presented and defended their findings in this year’s National History
Day project themed “Explore, Encounter and Exchange.” Several individual and group projects went
on to compete at the county level on February 20th. One project, “America’s First Road Trip: The
Lewis and Clark Expedition,” created by Laura Powalisz, Steele Mycroft, Skylar Mycroft and Kathryn
Stehle took first place at county and are headed to Tallahassee to compete at the State level. We
wish them the best of luck.
Falcon Flyer
May 2016 • Issue #4
Published Five Times A Year
Tuskawilla Middle School
1801 Tuskawilla Road
Oviedo, FL 32765
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MATH
6th Grade
Since our return from spring break, the 6th graders were preparing for the FSA testing that occurred in midApril. In class, students reviewed all standards from this school year through organized peer practices,
online assessments and fun collaborative games. With testing now completed, our sights are set on 7th
grade and focusing on upcoming skills and topics needed for a successful 2016 - 2017 school year. 7th Grade
7th Grade standard students are FSA math testing on April 25 and 26th. After the FSA we will be
focusing on preparing for 8th grade Pre- Algebra by looking at a unit on Expressions and Equations.
7th Advanced students have completely finished all 7th grade standards and are focusing on preparing
for their math FSA on April 25th and 26th. The remainder of the year will be spent learning 8th grade
standards applying geometry and exponential skills to best prepare the students for Algebra 1. 8th Grade
8th grade pre-algebra students are completing their work with statistics. After our FSA math testing
on April 27 & 28, students will return to our algebra standards to help prepare for the transition to
high school algebra. Algebra 1 Students are moving towards the finish line with only two modules left and then the EOC Exam
on May 5 (no calculator) and May 6 (may use calculator). The reference sheet has only conversion
facts -- NO FORMULAS AT ALL -- so they need to review all the formulas and formats we used this year! The last three weeks of school will be spent reviewing for the last nine weeks exam on Modules 17,
18, and 19, the exam itself, and then polishing algebra skills and getting ready for Geometry next year!
Geometry Students test for EOC Exam on May 9 (no calculator) and May 10 (may use calculator). Their
reference sheet doesn’t have much more on it than the Algebra reference sheet has; in fact, it has
more Algebra formulas than Geometry formulas! After the EOC Exam, it will time to review for the last
nine weeks exam, and start reviewing any Algebra skills that may have a little rust on them BEFORE
going on to high school as “Math Juniors” taking Algebra 2.
Extra Curricular Activities
Art
2-D Up Close Art Project. Students selected an animal, fruit, and flower and created their masterpiece using
chalk pastels.
Congratulations to 2-D Art Students Olivia Hudson and Tyana Nino for receiving third place in the World
Plumbing Day Poster Contest sponsored by Modern Plumbing Industries. These students not only
received individual monetary prizes but, also earned money for their school. Art Show! Select work from 60 students from Tuskawilla Middle School’s 2-D and 3-D classes was on display at
Seminole Towne Center Mall 4/18/2016-4/24/2016.
Congratulations to Emily Chhu and Gillian Geddes for winning awards of merit at this year’s 2016 Scaea spring
art show!
Band
The Symphonic Band received a Superior rating at their District Music Performance Assessment!
Congratulations to all the students for their hard work and dedication! The band’s Spring Concert will be held
at Lake Howell High School on Thursday, May 12th at 7:00 pm. Hope to see you there!
Chorus
Three chorus groups attended MPA (Music Performance Assessments) on March 12 at Hagerty High School. All groups did very well with Treble Chorus earning an overall Excellent rating, and the Advanced Treble and
Male Chorus both earning straight Superior ratings. Congratulation on truly outstanding performances!
•
•
Spring Concert: Male, Treble, and Advanced Treble Chorus: Tuesday, April 26, 7pm @ Lake Howell High School.
Spring Concert: General Chorus (6th graders): Thursday, May 5 , 7pm @ Tuskawilla Cafeteria
Congratulations to the Male and Advanced Treble Chorus students. After submitting an audition video to the
Performing Arts Team at Disney, they have been selected to perform at Disney Springs on Tuesday, May 24. In addition to their performance, they will be given complimentary passes for Epcot for the remainder of the
day. Tuskawilla has held this honor for over 20 years and we are proud to continue this rewarding tradition.
Cheerleading
Congratulations to TWMS Cheerleading
team! They placed 2nd in the Middle School
Small Division at the Florida Cheer and Dance
Association competition held at UCF on Saturday,
April 23rd! We are looking forward to another
competitive TWMS cheer team next year!
Read to Lead
Tuskawilla is proud of their Read to
Lead team. They read Skink, No
Surrender and Counting By Seven and
participated in the Read to Lead Bowl on March
6, at the ESC.
Odyssey of the Mind
Two teams competed at the Magic Center
Regional Odyssey of the Mind competition in
February. Each team successfully solved their
long term problems and finished in fourth place!
Congrats!
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Non-Profit Organization
US Postage PAID
Orlando, FL
Permit # 2346
Tuskawilla Middle School
1801 Tuskawilla Road
Oviedo, FL 32765
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Tuskawilla Spirit Corner
Tuskawilla is a PBS school. (Positive Behavior Support) This
is a systems approach for establishing the social culture and
individualized behavioral supports needed for schools to be
effective learning environments for all students.
February
March
ASL
Pottery
This year, Tuskawilla students were greeted with a new school
wide set of positive behavior expectations under the acronym:
SPIRIT. As part of our commitment to rewarding students with
positive behavior we continue celebrating Students of the Month
for each curricular area.
Congratulations to February’s
Students of the Month:
Abigail Mendoza
Davide Georgian
Laila Robles
Manny Collazo
Nicole Cervone
Angie Manco
Colton Wiltshire
Angelina Lopez
Michelle Tran
Kayla Connelly
Jadah Lindo
Reece Riggs
Daniel Gonzalez
Kristlynn Hunt
Donivan Howard
Grant McColl
Jayson Vasquez
Congratulations to the
students of the month
for March:
Amba Ganesh
Marie Aviles
Brendan Youmans
Stephen Pizzo
Eleana Herrara
Anna Weiss
Angelica Troyer
Shayna Wood
Steele Mycroft
Brianna Renner
Blessing Velez
Dylan Crespo
Moira Clure
Lillith Palermo-Whitely
Every Wednesday as part of our SPIRIT Positive Behavior System, students
who have followed the SPIRIT expectations have earned the privilege to
attend their chosen SPIRIT activity. Activities range from American Sign
Language to JROTC to Pottery. Currently we are running 48 different
activities! We love SPIRIT WEDNESDAYS!