Mesa Verde Middle School - Moorpark Unified School District

February/March 2013
Mesa Verde Middle School
N E W S L E T T E R
MIKE WINTERS, PRINCIPAL
BECKY HAYDEN, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
M essage from t he Pri n ci pa l :
OFFICE - (805) 378-6309
ATTENDANCE OFFICE
(805) 531-6620
Greetings Mesa Families!
Our top priority here at Mesa Verde is, and always will be, the safety of our students and
staff. We continually strive to create a safe and secure environment on campus through our
positive behavior and anti-bullying assemblies, as well as constantly reviewing and practicing our emergency procedures.
As a part of our ongoing efforts to promote a safe campus, we have been working closely
with our students and staff, the district office, and with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department to evaluate our emergency response procedures. This included doing a walkthorough of our campus and classrooms with the Sheriff’s Department to get input on what
we can do to best be prepared in a lockdown situation. We have shared their recommendations with the district, our staff, and with students and we will continue to practice our
emergency procedures.
Mesa Verde is a closed campus and all gates are locked promptly when the bell rings. It is
important that all parents and volunteers do their part by always checking-in through the
main office whenever visiting our school. All visitors must sign-in upon entering campus
and sign-out when leaving so we know exactly who is on site. Visitors are also required to
wear a visitor’s badge at all times. If you are coming on campus before or after school, we
still require that you check-in through the main office. We thank you for your assistance in
helping to keep Mesa Verde a safe and secure school!
Take care!
ATTENDANCE POLICY
PLEASE SEE THAT YOUR
STUDENTS ARRIVE TO
SCHOOL ON TIME, DAILY.
DETENTIONS WILL BE
GIVEN FOR UNEXCUSED
TARDIES.
PLEASE REMEMBER
– if your child is absent from
school for any reason, you need
to call the 24-hour attendance
number (805-531-6620) to
report it. It would be of great
help, if you would call the same
day your student is absent;
however, if that is not possible
it is necessary for you to call
within 48 hours. Any absence
not confirmed by a parent/
guardian will be considered
unexcused, and may result in
truancy.
you call in the absence. Just
call our 24-hr. attendance line
first thing in the morning to
pick up work for that afternoon. (Requests are made every
third day of absence thereafter.)
If your student has been absent ATTENDANCE LINE:
3 or more days in a row, you
(805) 531-6620
can request homework when
THEATRE ARTS PLAYBILL
MESA VERDE MIDDLE SCHOOL
The 8th Grade Theatre class will present its Winter Production, "LUCKY LUCKY HUDSON
AND THE 12TH STREET GANG" on Thursday, February 28, and Friday, March 1. Admission is $5.00 and the curtain rises at 7 pm.
Steve Jenkins, a teenager who loves to write crime stories, gets pulled into his own story. Lucky Hudson, his crime busting hero, pulls Steve right into the comic underworld of
nightclubs and back alleys. Come see the crime of the century be solved. between Steve
and Lucky. This play is great for all ages. Don't miss this great show!
SPELLING BEE
CONGRATULATIONS to 6th grader Zayne E., who was the winner of
the Mesa Verde Spelling Bee. He will be attending the county Spelling
Bee on March 2nd with Mr. Winters. The Mesa Verde runner-up was
6th grader, Kathryn H.
Ye a r b o o k I n f o
Yearbooks are still for sale for $28.00 through February 1st. Beginning February 2nd , yearbooks will be $33.00. They will remain that
price through the end of the school year. Please stop by the main
office to order your yearbook.
Dear Parents of 6th grade students:
Has your 6th grader had a Tdap immunization for Whooping Cough yet? We’d like you to know that there’s a new rule for
school.
For the 2013/2014 school year, a new law requires that all incoming 7 th graders get a whooping cough booster shot, called
Tdap, before entering school.
Contact your child’s doctor. If your 6th grade student hasn’t received Tdap yet, schedule an appointment today to protect
against this dangerous disease.
Bring your proof of the Tdap shot to the school health office ASAP. We would like to mark your student off our list before health office staff leaves for the summer!
No shots, No schedule! 7th grade students cannot start school without showing proof of the Tdap shot. Please don’t waitBring in your proof of Tdap today!
Limited exemptions may apply.
For more information, please call the school health office or visit ShotsForSchool.org.
DELIVERY POLICY
PAGE 3
Please keep in mind, we do not interrupt classroom time to make deliveries for forgotten
items such as money, lunches, homework, PE clothes, etc. If your student thinks you have
dropped a forgotten item off in the office, remind them to check in with us before school,
during passing period or at lunch. Please no balloons, flowers or special deliveries because
they will not be delivered to the classroom. (See pg. 6 in agenda book).
Health Screening
Hearing and vision screenings will be conducted on Feb. 12th and 13th, with retesting done on Feb 28h for vision and March 21st for hearing. This will be done
for all 8th graders and certain other selected students. If parents do not wish for
their student to be tested please submit your declination in writing, no later than
Feb 4th, to the school. Thank you!! Spinal screenings will take place on March
18th for 7th grade girls, during PE classes and March 19th for 8th grade boys, during PE classes.
NEWS FROM OUR PHYSICAL EDUCATION STAFF
A note from your physical education department: Parents, please help with your child’s success in being prepared for
class. Every student needs PE shorts, t-shirt, appropriate athletic shoes, and sweats for the cold weather. Sandals, UGG
boots, etc. are not appropriate for PE activities. Extra shoes for class should be kept in their lockers for those days they are
wearing other shoes. Thanks, Mesa Verde Physical Education teachers.
ANNUAL ROTARY TRACK MEET INFORMATION
The 13th Annual Rotary Middle School Track meet, will take place at the MHS Track on Friday, April 12, 2013.
This is a wonderful opportunity for your students to participate in some great physical activity and represent their
school, as well. More details to follow regarding sign-ups for this event, from our PE Department.
FEBRUARY AND MARCH ASB HAPPENINGS
For the February/March Newsletter:
Tolerance Tip for February: Diversity devours prejudice.
Tolerance Tip for March: Fairness foils injustice.
February is fun-filled and then spring will be spectacular for Student Leaders. Students and families will undoubtedly be
really generous, donating to Pennies for Patients, the Moorpark Food Pantry, and extra recycling during the month aptly
named “Have a Heart” month. Fantastic!
Leaders will soon host the Valentine's Dance on February 8h after school from 3:10 to 4:40. The cost will be $5, and students who bring in a $1.00 or more for Pennies for Patients will receive a $.50 coupon for food or drinks.
March is no less eventful. Leaders will be busy planning their last set of Friday Fundays, and we will have had the student
store open now for several weeks. Student Leaders went to a great Leadership Conference in the fall and will send Mr.
Lorch, and Mrs. Hayden to one for Leadership teachers in March. Mr. Lorch will present two sessions at this conference
with Mr. Kent from Chaparral and hopes to gather some great ideas from the other adults there.
So, the month is busy as usual, and then it’s already time for Spring Break. It will be April before you know it! The final
school-wide dance is set for April 26th; the theme is top secret, so it will be a surprise! Soon, a 7th grade committee will
begin planning the Promotion Dance. Where does the year go?
Family Fitness Night
All Moorpark Unified School District Families Welcome
At this FREE event
Friday, May 3, 2013
5:30 p.m.—7:30 p.m.
At MesaVerde Middle School
Walk, bike, scoot or drive to this event!
Car parking available at Moorpark Presbyterian
Bike parking available on site
MESA VERDE MIDDLE SCHOOL
NJHS HAPPENINGS
NJHS Travel Plans
As most of you are probably aware, each year the Mesa Verde NJHS travels to Catalina for a 3-day,
2-night trip. This year the trip is from May 15-17, 2013.
Important Deadlines:
March 8th, 2013: Deposit of $100 due to ensure 8th grade priority.
March 22th, 2013: Last day to turn-in $100 deposit for the trip.
April 19th, 2013: ALL PAPERWORK DUE! (Medical forms and Parent Permission Slips)
May 4th, 2013: Balance of $220 due.
An informational flyer went home with all members during our meeting on March 6 th. For additional
information, call Mrs. Swanson or email her at lswanson@mrpk.org
MOVIE NIGHT
NJHS is hosting a movie night on Friday, March 8th from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Mesa Verde MPR. Admission is free and concessions will be sold for $1. Students will
have an opportunity to vote for one of the following movies—
ParaNorman - PG
The Hunger Games- PG-13
The Amazing Spiderman- PG-13
The movie receiving the most votes will be announced prior to the event. For
additional information, call Mrs. Swanson or email her at lswanson@mrpk.org
Fundraiser
NJHS is sponsoring a school-wide See’s candy fundraiser to raise money for the
Renaissance program. The sale will take place during the month of February, to ensure that the chocolate arrives in time for Easter. Students will receive pre-order fliers in their B period classes which will have the important dates for the sale. For additional information, call Mrs. Swanson or email her at lswanson@mrpk.org
PAGE 5
STATE TESTING DATES
March 5, 2013
7th Grade Writing Test
The 7th grade State Writing Test will be administered to all 7th grade students on March 5th. Make-ups will be March 6th. This test
measures students’ writing against state performance expectations.
It is very important to have students present on regularly scheduled testing dates. Students who do not test with
their class, and have to be given “make-up” tests, usually do not perform as well as they otherwise would have.
It is critical to the reliability of the testing process for students to arrive at school on-time and well rested. Please
make sure that your child has a good breakfast and brings a healthy snack each day as well.
April 30th, May 1st & 2nd
Minimum Day Schedule
STAR Test- All Grades
There will be three minimum days for State Testing this year: April 30, May 1 & 2.
Students will be dismissed at 1:35 on these days.
May 3, 2013
8 Grade STAR History and Science Tests
th
8th grade students will take the STAR Science on May 2 and History test on May 3. On May 3, ALL students will be dismissed at
regular dismissal time (3:00)
Please talk with your student regarding the tests, and the student’s performance. It is important that students take the test seriously,
and that they know their parents expect them to always do their best. Make sure your student knows that the State of California has
raised the stakes; there are consequences for not doing their best. You do have great influence on your student’s attitude and approach to this testing process. These test results are used to qualify students for programs including but not limited to honors and
GATE.
These assessments will also be used in determining whether your student is meeting the required state and district grade-level standards, and whether your student will be recommended for intervention classes next school year.
Fitness Testing:
These assessments are administered to 7th grade students only. Fitness testing is mandated at certain grade levels by the state.
Students will take these tests in their physical education classes. You will be notified of your child’s performance on this test next fall.
PAGE 6
8TH GRADE NEWS!!
PAGE 7
Moorpark High School
Moorpark High School-9th Grade Registration - IMPORTANT!
Pre-registration for incoming 9th grade students will take place in the evening again this
year. Please be present at 6PM for presentation:
WEDNESDAY, FEB 6
THURSDAY, FEB 7
Last name A-L & SPED students
Mesa Verde MPR
Last name M-Z EL/AVID students
Mesa Verde MPR
MONDAY, FEB 11
Last name A-L & SPED students
Chaparral MPR
TUESDAY, FEB 12
Last name M-Z & EL/AVID students
Chaparral MPR
****If you are unable to make one of the dates there will be a make-up
evening on:
WEDNESDAY FEB 20
All Students
Moorpark High School Ed Center
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS SUNDAY, MARCH 10
PLEASE SET YOUR CLOCKS AHEAD ONE HOUR!
MESA VERDE MIDDLE SCHOOL
February Schedule of Events
February, 2013
SUN
MON
TUE
WED
6 & 7-Future 9th grade MHS RegistrationMVMS -MPR @ 6:00 p.m.
THU
8-Valentines Day Dance 3:10-4:00pm
MPR
FRI
SAT
1
2
8
9
18-Presidents’ Day-NO SCHOOL
16
20– 9th grade Registration Make-ups @
MHS
12-13- -Vision and Hearing Screening 8th
15– School Day Re-instated
3
4
10
5
11
6
12
7
13
14
15
21-PTSA meeting-7pm Teacher’s lounge
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
28 & March 1 -8th grade Theatre Arts
Production of “LUCKY, LUCKY HUDSON
AND THE 12TH STREET GANG”@ 7:00
24
25
26
27
28
March Schedule of Events
March, 2013
SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
1-Ventura County Honor Band ConcertBuena HS-Ventura
FRI
SAT
5–6 Elizabethan Feast MPR @ 6 pm
1
2
5– 7th grade Writing Assessment
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
6-7th grade Writing Assessment make up
7– District Winds Concert 6:30-8:30
(MHS PAC)
8-Trimester 2 ends
11– Mesa Verde MS Colorguard Club
3:30 –5:30 MPR
13-Music Department Spaghetti DinnerMPR/Quad 6:30 pm
14-PTSA meeting-teacher lounge-7pm
18-Spinal screening-7th grade girls
31
19-Spinal screening-8th grade boys
25– April 1st - Spring Recess-No School