Mulberry Middle School News Letter December 2015

Mulberry Middle School News Letter
December 2015
8 Tips for Busy Families to Reclaim the Holidays
1. Decide what’s really important to you and just say No to everything else.
2. Prioritize Connecting with your Family.
3. If you go on vacation, be sure it recharges and reconnects your family.
4. Create traditions that make merry, make meaning, and bring your family closer.
5. Live the spirit of the season by giving to others.
6. Take time as a family for reflection.
7. Reject commercialism.
8. Cultivate enough-ness.
Student Spotlight
Kaitlyn Hair participated in the Polk All County Honor Chorus, representing Mulberry Middle
School amongst the top middle school students in our county.
Meyah Pitts was accepted into the 2016 All State Middle School Concert Chorus after completing
three rigorous auditions. In January she will travel to Tampa to rehearse and perform in the top
middle school mixed ensemble in Florida.
Ms Malott has 8 students that were selected for the All County Band! That is a personal record for
her and the second most in the county.
Mercy Roberts (first chair!!!!)
Ashley Hendrix
Sariah Rey
James Ko
Emily Kiefer
Sarabeth Surber
Micah Kirkham
Christopher Laneau
Sarabeth Surber will also perform in the All State Middle School Honor Band on January 15 at the
Tampa Convention Center.
Happenings at MMS
Our Winter Chorus Concert will be on Tuesday,
December 15th at 7:00 pm at Mulberry High
School. The concert is free and will get you into
the holiday spirit before Winter Break.
Winter Band Concerts will be on Dec. 4th
(advanced band) and Dec. 8th (beginning band) at
Mulberry High School at 7:00.
Title I information: The Title I Parent Information
Notebook is available at the front desk. It contains the
SlP, PlP, SPAR report, and valuable information for
parents. You have a right to know about the school.
This is a good way to learn what we are all about.
MMS Students will be participating in the Harrison School of the Arts Square Foot Invitational in December. Ten 8th graders' work was selected to be in their gallery.
Also, Mulberry Cultural Center will have a display including MMS students’ work!
The staff at Mulberry Middle School wants to wish you a safe and joyous holiday
season. We will see everyone back next year on Monday January 4, 2016.
Teacher Feature
Mrs. Heidi E. Carabba—In my class, we will be starting on Expedition 5 and reading about natural disasters. The skill focus will be main idea and summarizing. Remember students should be reading nightly for 30
minutes. As a result of their reading, they should take a total of 4 AR quizzes in this quarter. They should also be
working on Vocab Journey. If we acquire new vocabulary then our reading level will naturally increase.
Mr. Shweil, Mrs. Testerman, and Mrs. Edelson—6th grade math students will be receiving a holiday
review assignment which is intended to ensure they are equipped for the upcoming semester exam. Not only is this
assignment a grade, it is to help ensure their success this semester.
If textbook access is needed to help with the review assignment, the students may access their textbook online as follows:
http://my.hrw.com and use their school username@mypolkschools.net for their textbook username and their school
computer password as their textbook password.
Homework needs to be taken seriously as the homework helps with retaining the information for when it is later needed not only for assessment purposes but for real life application.
Before school help is still available through Mr. Combs, Mr. Sula and Mrs. Edelson; and afterschool tutoring continues
on Tuesdays and Thursdays with Mr. Shweil and Mrs. Testerman.
Mr. Nelson—Students, don’t forget to complete your Winter Break packet! Remember that if you do a little bit
each night, it’s only 1-2 problems a day!
Marcia Anderson—Everyone is invited to visit the Mulberry Cultural Center (between City Hall and Mc Donald's)
to see the new building and art display from local schools. MMs is well represented. The Center will even be offering
art lessons soon, we hear!
Kimberly Birmingham—In my science class, students will continue to work on earth science. We will be
working on landforms, weathering and erosion, as well as finishing up severe weather.
2nd Quarter MMS Reading Goal
October 29, 2015 – January 22, 2016
MMS School-wide GOAL: Each student must read 2 fiction novels and 1 non-fiction book within their ZPD/
Lexile reading range. They must also take the AR test and score 80% or higher for each book read.
Students who meet their AR goal will receive $100 Panther Bucks. They can earn $50
Panther Bucks for each additional book read (within their ZPD/Lexile level) with a score of 80% or
higher on the AR test. Panther Bucks can be spent for school supplies, snacks and other miscellaneous items
that are on sale at the AR Store which is held following each grading period.
Math Tutoring:
Tutoring is available every week for 6th grade math through geometry. Check with your student's math
teacher for information. Do not wait till it is too late and the end of the year testing catches the students
unprepared. Help us fill in those gaps of learning.
Sports
Basketball-JV 5:30/varsity 7:30
12-7 SWMS @ MMS
12-14 CLMS @ MMS
Girls Volleyball JV 6:30/varsity 7:30
12-1 SHMS @ MMS
12-8 SWMS @ MMS
12-15 CLMS @ MMS
Dates to remember
12-4
12-8
12-11
12-15
12-18
Band Concert—Advanced band (7:00 MHS)
Band Concert—Beginning band (7:00 MHS)
Interim Reports, Snowball Dance (7PM-10PM)
Chorus Concert (7:00 MHS)
Last day of school before holiday break