August 2015 - Baltimore County Public Schools

OLD COURT
MIDDLE SCHOOL
4627 OLD COURT RD.
PIKESVILLE, MD.
21208
410-887-0742
The Lion’s Paw
V O L U M E
INSIDE THIS
ISSUE:
Principal’s
Letter
1
Department
Chair Messages
2-4
2015-2016 Bus
List
5
School Supply
List
6
Library Minute,
Calendar of
Events
7
Parent
University,
Meal Prices and
Breakfast Menu
8
School Uniform
Guidelines and
Dress Code
Requirements
9
Internet
Information,
BCPS One-card
10
PTA News and
Announcements
Back
Cover
Visit our website for
more information:
oldcourtms.bcps.org
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Principal’s Letter
Greetings Old Court Middle School Families,
It is my sincere hope that you are enjoyed this summer! During this time, my team and I have been diligently
preparing to ensure we are ready to provide a relevant and rigorous instructional program for the 2015-2016
school year. I am proud to announce that the BCPS Board of Education approved our school to have a Health
Sciences Magnet program for the 2016-2017 school year. I have made some staffing changes to bring people
on our team who are aligned to the new vision for the school. Our new vision is “Doing what it takes…one
team, one goal, unlimited success”. We all have to be committed to “do what it takes” to support our
children to excel academically.
Please join me in welcoming our new Assistant Principal, Mr. Lawrence “Bo” Duval, our new math
department chair, Mr. Chadwick Zamarron, and our new magnet coordinator, Ms. Lashawn Brown. We also
welcome our new full time social worker, Ms. Melissa Perlin and new psychologist, Ms. Sonya Richardson.
Mr. Ernest Shoffner, our new Dean of students, will monitor our behavior management program and will be
an excellent resource for our students and the community. We congratulate Ms. Hoke who was promoted to
our Social Studies chair position, Ms. Haywood and Mr. Mack who were promoted to team leaders, and Ms.
Solomon who will serve as our GT facilitator/team leader.
Additionally, we recruited additional teachers who believe in a “growth mindset” when working with our
students. I invite you to come out during Back to School night on Wednesday, Sept. 2 nd from 4-6pm to meet
our new team members.
I have also included different kind of enrichment programs this year that support our shift to Health Sciences
to expose our students to the medical field. Our forensics club will be open to all students this year and we are
building partnerships with medical organizations in the area. If you work in the medical field or have
connections to people who would like to partner with us, please contact our magnet coordinator, Ms.
Lashawn Brown, at 410-887-0742.
Our new vision will expose them to professions that build on math and science concepts. This new vision will
require we all shift our mindsets to prepare our students with the skills that will help them enroll into
post-secondary institutions to have an opportunity to enter medical field professions.
Fast Facts
Per Forbes magazine, if you want to ride a crest of increasing employment over the next 10 years, get into
health care, personal care, social assistance, or construction. That's the advice you can glean from a
report issued by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics today.
Of the top 20 fastest growing occupations predicted for 2012-2022, 12 are in the healthcare field according
to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics (published Jan, 2014).
In each of the occupations below, Baltimore County ranks 1 st in the number of jobs available in the state of
Maryland. (Maryland Workforce Exchange, May 2015)
Larger companies in the Greater Baltimore region to find jobs related to Health and Bioscience include:
Johns Hopkins Medical
MedStar Health*
University of
Lifebridge Health
System*
Maryland Baltimore
Systems*
Biopark
St. Joseph’s Medical
BD Diagnostic Systems
Stella Marris
Quest Diagnostic
Center*
University of Maryland
Greater Baltimore
Sheppard Pratt
Baltimore VA Medical
Medical Center*
Medical Center*
Healthcare*
Center*
*current partnership/internship relationship with BCPS
Respectfully Yours,
Kyria Joseph
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Ms. Bass’ Language Arts Lowdown
We hope that everyone had an exciting and refreshing summer. It’s back to school time and we are going to have a great
academic year! We are planning lessons that will give students opportunities for researching, writing, and collaboration.
The Reading curriculum provides an integrated course that emphasizes an accelerated and enriched program for reading,
writing, speaking, and listening. The curriculum will introduce, reinforce, and synthesize content skills in research, spelling/
vocabulary, composing, and technology.
The English Language Arts curriculum is a comprehensive program that is grounded in the standards for literary analysis,
composition, grammar usage and mechanics. Students will explore these concepts by reading major works of literature,
composing a variety of compositions, researching information about various topics, studying appropriate language skills, and
utilizing technology for both information gathering and product production and presentation.
The hallmark of both the Reading and English Language Arts program is to provide the opportunity for students to demonstrate
competence in their studies through a variety of creative processes and products.
Math Minute
Hello Old Court Middle School Family:
The Old Court Middle School (OCMS) Math Department is extremely excited and honored to be able to work with your
child(ren) this school year.
MATH THIS YEAR:
Common Core is continuing to make its way into our classrooms. The way we taught students in the past simply does not
prepare them for the higher demands of college and careers today and in the future. In mathematics, this means three major
changes. Teachers will concentrate on teaching a more focused set of major math concepts and skills. This will allow students
time to master important ideas and skills in a more organized way throughout the year and from one grade to the next. It will
also call for teachers to use rich and challenging math content and to engage students in solving real-world problems in order
to inspire greater interest in mathematics.
MATH EVENTS:
Please remember, MSA and HSA are no longer used to assess our math students during the spring. Continuing in the place of
these test we will administering both MAP (fall & winter) and PARCC (spring) testing.
In the past our Algebra I students have taken the HSA to gain their high school math credit. They will no longer have this
chance, and now will take an Algebra specific PARCC test.
We look forward to working with you this academic school year.
Educationally yours,
The Old Court Middle School Math Department
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Ms. Lagomarsino’s Special Education Scene
Welcome back to the new 2015-16 school year! The Special Education Department of Old Court Middle School
believes all children are talented and unique with a great potential to fulfill! Furthermore, we believe learning is a
lifelong quest and facilitating the development of students’ literacies, in mathematics, languages, and the arts and
sciences, so they can fully benefit from learning opportunities throughout life, is our mission. Our department seeks to
involve parents fully with our educational team, within the nurturing yet challenging learning atmosphere of OCMS, to
assist children to develop their talents, skills, and love of learning, so they will be ready for high school and beyond,
when that time approaches. Our staff is highly trained, qualified, and motivated to do their best daily for your children!
Please call on us for any of your questions and concerns. We look forward to working with you on behalf of your child.
Please contact us if you have any questions:
Ms. Laura Lagomarsino
Department Chairperson
llagomarsino@bcps.org
Ms. Bridget Meadows
IEP Chairperson
bmeadows2@bcps.org
Mr. Johnson’s Science Scoop
Mighty Science Team
Science Everywhere!!
Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches, reptiles, Aquaria, Robotics Club, Forensic Science Club, Medical Health Science,
hands-on science experiments, technology challenges and the ever popular Spring STEAM Fair. This is a snapshot of
what you will observe this year from the talented and dedicated members of the Old Court Middle School Science team.
The OCMS science team will be engaging students with learner centered activities that apply the Next Generation Science Standards to enhance student engagement and academic achievement in science. The science team has added two
new members to our family that will play a vital role in helping students reach academic success. I would like to introduce Ms. Taresha McBride and Mrs. Lashawn Brown. Ms. McBride comes to us from Woodlawn High School and she
has a wealth of experience teaching higher level science courses and preparing students for science at the university level. Ms. McBride will be joining our science team as the 8th Grade General and Gifted and Talented instructor. Mrs.
Brown comes to us from New Town High School where she was the coordinator of Project Lead The Way Biomedical
Science Program. She has prepared many students to pursue majors in pre-medicine at the university level. Mrs. Brown
will be our medical health sciences magnet resource teacher. Finally, the OCMS Science team applauds our Principal
Mrs. Joseph for having the vision to develop our Medical Health Sciences Magnet. This Magnet Program will provide
many opportunities for students to learn the content associated with health care professionals.
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Ms. Hoke’s Social Studies Synopsis
The Social Studies and World Language Department is looking forward to a wonderful new year. Teachers have been hard at
work planning lessons that transport our students through history and the life changing experience of learning a new language. Highlights for our department this year include a World Language Day, National History Day and participation in the
OCMS STEM Fair, as well as monthly cultural exhibits and presentations honoring our country’s rich cultural heritage and diversity. We also look forward to welcoming our incoming 6th graders to OCMS and saying hello again to our returning students
as they start a new year as 7th and 8th graders.
Dr. Gray’s Music Notes
Greetings & Welcome Back!
On behalf of Mr. Doscher and me, we would like to welcome our new grade 6th
students as well as our returning 7th & 8th grades students to another exciting year at
Old Court Middle School, also known as OCMS!
We look forward to working with all of you in developing, refining and retuning your
musical skills and talents. Our major musical events are as follows:
December – Annual Winter Concert
March/April –BCPS Music Adjudications
May – Annual Spring Concert
In addition to the above events, we are proud to announce the beginning of the OCMS
Gospel Choir!!!! Stay tuned for more details!
If you have any questions concerning our instrumental or vocal programs or course
offerings, please feel free to contact Mr. Doscher (Instrumental Director) @
tdoscher@bcps.org; or Dr. Gray (Vocal Director) @ wgray@bcps.org.
Enjoy the rest of the summer and see you bright an early on Monday August 24th!
Dr. Winston R. Gray, Department Chair/ Vocal Director
Mr. Tim Doscher, Instrumental Director
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OLD COURT MIDDLE SCHOOL
2015-16 Bus List
Bus # 207: PAINTERS MILL
AM
PM
Bus # 255: ALLENSWOOD
Messina Way @ Club House
7:35
2:50
McDonogh Rd
7:25 3:03
Lakeside Blvd. @ Meadow Hill
7:45
2:55
McDonogh Rd
7:25 3:03
Samuel Owings @ Lakeside Blvd
7:48
2:57
Church Lane @ Anne Hathaway Dr.
7:30 2:56
Samuel Owings @ Lyons Mill Rd
7:50
2:58
Old Court Rd. @ Church
Painters Mill @ Owings Park
7:53
3:00
Church
Painters Mill @ Owings Choice
7:54
3:00
Brenbrook @ Church
7:32
Painters Mill @ Leigh Choice
7:55
3:01
Allenswood @ Unmarked Ct.
7:36 3:00
Painters Mill @ Marlove Oaks
7:55
3:01
Allenswood @ Springdell Ct.
7:38 2:59
Allenswood @ Hendon Rd
7:39
Bus # 212: DOVEDALE
AM
PM
AM
PM
2:52
2:54
Allenswood @ Cherrybrook Rd
3:01
John Wesley Way @ Gaither House
7:30 2:55
Woodspring Rd @ Woodspring Ct
7:40 2:57
Liberty Rd @ Dunhill Village Circle
7:32 3:00
Kilburn @ Allenswood
7:47 2:50
Liberty Rd @ Rockdale Terrace
7:38 3:00
Liberty Rd @ Florida
7:39 3:02
Bus # 5102: RIVERSTONE/BROOKSIDE OAKS
Liberty Rd @ Eitemiller
7:39 3:03
Wynfield @ Aynesley
7:40
2:52
Liberty Rd @ Cliffmar
7:41
Lyonswood @ Lancashire
7:42
2:54
Valley Hill Dr @ Courtleigh Rd
7:43
Riverstone @ Clubhouse
7:43
2:48
Elmcroft @ Dovedale
7:46 3:10
Forest Oaks Rd @ Sihler Oaks Way
7:51
2:59
Brownhill @ Allenswood
7:46 3:10
Amber Oaks Way @ Brookside Oaks
7:53
3:02
Shire Oaks Way @ Brookside Oaks
7:55
3:05
Bus # 213: STREAMWOOD/MARY RIDGE
PM
Springdell @ Brittney Witt
AM
7:35
Winands Rd @ Brad Jacobs Ct
7:40
3:01
Hawksbury @ Streamwood
3:01
Hawksbury
Winands Rd @ Dutch Mill
Bus # 5105: WASHINGTON
AM
AM
7:30
PM
PM
2:50
2:51
Mary Ridge @ Vivisn Vale
7:42
3:04
Streamwood
7:32
Mary Ridge @ Ensenado
7:43
3:05
Scotts Hill @ Smoketree (2nd entrance)
7:35
2:54
Mary Ridge @ Elwell
7:44
3:05
Flagtree @ Scotts Hill
7:37
2:55
Mary Ridge @ Opp. Spyce Mill Ct.
7:44
3:06
Milford Mill Rd. @ Wildor Ave
7:40
2:58
Mary Ridge @ Thyme Ct.
7:45
3:07
Old Milford Mill @ Woodgate
7:42
2:58
Mary Ridge @ Adrianne Ct.
7:45
3:07
Milford Mill
Winands Rd @ Joie Ct
7:48
3:08
Milford Mill Rd. @ Douglass
7:43
3:00
Winands Rd @ Horatio
7:48
3:09
Coronado @ Washington
7:45
3:02
Winands Rd @ Valley Forge
7:49
3:09
Brevort @ Washington
7:47
3:04
Winands Rd @ Oakland Park
2:59
3:09
Streamwood @ Hawksbury
7:51
2:56
Bus # 5163: NEMO
Streamwood @ Windridge
7:53
2:57
Winands Rd @ Paige View
7:25
2:50
Streamwood @ Setonhurst
7:55
2:58
Whispering Meadow
7:26
2:51
Winlee @ Winands Rd
7:28
2:52
Bus # 236: LAKESIDE/PITTSFIELD
AM
PM
AM
PM
Selina @ Nemo
7:29
2:53
Pittsfield @ Greenshire
7:40 2:45
Nemo @ Roxanne
7:30
2:54
Pittsfield @ Wellhaven Circle (1st entrance)
7:40 2:48
Sigrid @ Sadie
7:30
2:55
Pittsfield @ Greenspring Valley
7:42 2:50
Sadie @ Meadow Heights
7:31
2:58
Greenspring Valley @ Hamlet Drive
7:44 2:52
Meadow Heights @ Nemo
7:32
2:59
Lakeside @ Chase Mill (2nd entrance)
7:50 2:57
Brenbrook @ Middlebrook Ct
7:33
3:00
Lakeside @ Thistledown
7:53 3:03
Maplebrook Rd.
7:34
3:01
Lakeside @ Appleford
7:54 3:04
Bus # 5165: FOXFIELD
AM
PM
McDonogh Rd @ Foxfield
7:40
2:50
Star Circle
Stoneridge Cir
7:42
7:45
2:51
2:59
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School Supply List
The following supplies are required for each student in all grades.
Supplies should have students’ names on them (use a black permanent marker).
Students should bring supplies to homeroom on the first day of school. Individual teachers may request
that students purchase some additional supplies.
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2 three-inch loose-leaf binders with D-rings (or slant D-rings)
5 marble composition notebooks
1 pencil case (that fastens into the binder) for each of the notebooks listed above
2-3 packages of wide-ruled loose leaf paper
3 packs of #2 pencils with erasers
2 packages of pens with standard blue or black ink
Washable markers
1 set of highlighters
1 set of colored pencils
1 ruler with both metric (centimeter) and standard (inch)
1 package of reinforcements
1 package of sheet protectors
1 USB/Flash drive
1 protractor (for use at home)
“To catch the reader's attention, place an
interesting sentence or quote from the story
here.”
Students may need these additional supplies:
 1 pair of school scissors
 1 package of white 3x5 index cards
 1-2 folders (2 pocket and 2 pocket with prongs)
Physical Education Uniforms
Students will need to purchase an Old Court gym uniform if they do not already have one. (See enclosed
form for more information.) Sixth grade students will be able to purchase uniforms on August 19th at sixth
grade orientation.
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Library Minute
Welcome to another school year at OCMS! The library offers books,
digital resources, computer help, and much more to the OCMS
community. Ms. Stellmann is back and ready to tackle research questions, technology issues,
and many other subjects of concern! Students, big things are coming to the OCMS library
this year! Keep an eye out for the new reading nook which will be in place by the end of first
quarter. Also, nonfiction is now easier to maneuver thanks to the visual reminders throughout
the library.
Library helpers assist Ms. Stellmann during selected lunch periods for community service
hours. For more information on Strive for 25 and library helpers, or for the associated forms,
see Ms. Stellmann during the first two weeks of school.
Books, even OCMS’ ebooks, are checked out for a period of three weeks. Overdue notices
go out quarterly. Parents/guardians, if you want to see if your child owes library book(s),
please email Ms. Stellmann, estellmann@bcps.org
Calendar of Events
August 19 5-7 PM
September 23
Sixth Grade Orientation
Yom Kippur– schools closed
August 24
October 16
First day of school
September 3 5-7 PM
Professional DevelopmentSchools closed
Back to School Night
October 30
September 7
First Marking Period ends
Labor Day– schools closed
School closes 3 hours early
September 14
Rosh Hashanah– Schools closed
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Parent University
Baltimore County Public Schools launches Parent University
Visit the site for course registration and resources
The newly-launched Baltimore County Public Schools Parent University is looking for a few hundred
mothers, fathers, grandparents and guardians to register for spring workshops.
BCPS Parent University – found online at www.bcps.org/ParentU – offers in-person workshops and
online print and video resources to empower parents to advance their children’s academic progress, maintain family health and wellness and enrich personal growth. This new initiative was announced by Superintendent S. Dallas Dance at the Baltimore County Public Schools State of the Schools event on April 2.
“Our parents care so deeply about the academic progress of their children," said Dr. Dance. “The BCPS
Parent University empowers families to be even more effective supporters, advocates and role models for
our students and represents yet another way that Team BCPS is united in its commitment to success for
every child."
Parent University workshops are offered across the county and are led by BCPS staff as well as representatives from Team BCPS partners including government agencies, colleges and universities, nonprofits
and health institutions. All of the workshops BCPS offers are free, as are most of the workshops offered
by its partners; however, low-cost learning opportunities from partners will occasionally be promoted.
Advance registration is not always required.
For more details, to register and to see the complete workshop schedule, parents are encouraged to visit
www.bcps.org/ParentU. Additional workshops and print and video resources will continually be added.
Meal Prices and Breakfast Menu
MEAL PRICES 2015-2016
The breakfast and lunch prices will remain the same for the 2015-2016 school year. Breakfast will cost
$1.55 at secondary schools; reduced-price breakfast will cost $0.30 at elementary and secondary schools.
Lunch will cost $3.00 at secondary schools; reduced-price lunch will cost $0.40 at elementary and secondary schools.
The full 2014-2015 price list can be accessed at http://www.bcps.org/offices/ofns/pdf/Price-List.pdf.
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School Uniform Guidelines and Dress Code Requirements
The OCMS uniform policy is designed to:
-Promote a safe and orderly learning environment
-Promote an atmosphere of scholarship and cohesiveness
-Discourage inappropriate attire (ie- shirts with profane words and symbols, advertisements for smoking, alcohol, drugs, etc.)
The Policy:
-Students will wear the uniform every day
-Students must be in uniform for field trips, assemblies, and all after-school activities.
-Students not in uniform will receive a letter home to their parent/guardian requesting that they meet their child's grade level
Assistant Principal to discuss noncompliance.
*All students are encouraged to wear the following:
1. OCMS shirts with OCMS logo (tucked in):
 6th Grade-Red or White
 7th Grade- Gold or Royal Blue
 8th Grade- Ravens Purple or Hunter Green
2. KHAKI (Tan colored) bottoms:
Young Men: pants or knee length shorts pulled up to the waist and secured with a belt.
Young ladies: pants or knee length skirts, shorts, or skorts.
3. A belt
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Young men are expected to have their shirts tucked in at all times. Jeans and pants, skirts, skorts, or shorts with holes are
not permitted.
PURCHASING INFORMATION
 Main Street Embroidery 410-833-0414
www.marylandtowns.com/ocms
85 Main St., Reisterstown
NOT ALLOWED
· Jean, leather jackets, etc.
· Shirts without a collar or OCMS logo
· Any brand name logos- Polo, Aeropostle, Abercrombie, American Eagle, Nautica, etc.
· Shorts and skirts should be at or below fingertips
· No jeans of any kind
* Purses and book bags are to be stored in lockers during the school day.
Because they pose a potential safety hazard to our students, the following shoes are not permitted:
 Heelys (shoes with removable wheels in the heel)
 Flip Flops
 Shower Shoes
 Athletic Slippers
 House Slippers
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Internet Information
BCPS has partnered with Comcast on the initiative called Comcast Internet Essentials. If
a student is currently eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program
(NSLP) and lives in the Comcast service area, he or she will be eligible for $9.95
broadband service, a refurbished laptop or desktop computer for $149.99 plus tax, as
well as digital literacy training. This effort will make access to broadband Internet significantly more affordable and accessible for thousands of Baltimore County families. Over the past 3 years, Comcast’s Internet Essentials program has connected more
than 1.2 million low-income Americans to broadband Internet in their homes, many for
the very first time.
For more information, please visit https://apply.internetessentials.com/
BCPS One-card
To promote safety and security districtwide, Baltimore County Public Schools will implement
its One-card identification system at all BCPS schools and offices.
In addition to providing identification for students, teachers, administrators and other BCPS
employees, the One-card system will facilitate schoolhouse entrance, attendance logging,
library and media center exchanges, staff timekeeping and, ultimately, bus ridership.
“The One-card system is yet another step BCPS is taking to ensure the safety of all students
and staff," said BCPS Superintendent S. Dallas Dance. “School safety and security will
always be a priority for Team BCPS, and this system is a great example of the progress we
have made thus far."
New students will receive their One-cards beginning in the fall of the 2014-2015 school year.
The implementation of the One-card system, which accomplishes one of the key action items
listed in the school system’s five-year strategic plan, Blueprint 2.0, coincides with other
BCPS initiatives to enhance safety and security. Among such initiatives are the Raptor visitor
identification system, periodic police visits to elementary schools, a closed-circuit television
monitoring system for elementary schools, and the expanded placement of student resource
officers (SROs) in all middle and high schools.
PTA News and Announcements
Old Court Middle School
4627 Old Court Rd.
Pikesville, MD. 21208