A Letter From the Principal

February, 2015
Stephen Decatur Middle School
Volume 11, Issue 6
A Letter From the Principal
Dear Parents:
Important Dates
January 30 Report Cards Issued
February 2 Builders Club Meeting
February 3 DBacks and Gator Students High School Scheduling Assembly
February 4 Terp and Dragon Students
High School Scheduling Assembly
February 6 School Dance
February 10 No After School Academy
February 11 SGA Meeting
February 16 School Closed for Presidents’ Day
February 20 History Day at SDMS
February 25 NJHS Induction Ceremony
February 26 Last Day of After School
Academy Session Two
February 26 Grade 8 Parents High
School Information Night 5 PM at
SDHS
March 9-13 PARCC Testing for Grade
7 Students
March 23-27 PARCC Testing for
Grade 8 Students
Last year due to inclement weather students only attended school twelve days in January. Fortunately, this year we have been able to attend school all of our scheduled days this month. Second
semester has just begun, the half way point in the school year. It is hard to believe but, eighth graders will begin the high school scheduling process next week. The ninth grade school counselor and
an administrator from Stephen Decatur High School will be making a presentation to our eighth
grade teams explaining the process, student options and answering individual questions about
scheduling. Later in the month parents are invited to Stephen Decatur High School to learn more
about the scheduling process and to have any questions you may have answered. That meeting is
scheduled for February 26 at 5:00pm in the high school auditorium.
Please note the important dates for this month. SGA is sponsoring a dance on Friday, February 6
from 7-9. History Day is the February 20 and National Junior Honor Society Induction Ceremony
is February 25 at 7:00pm.
In case you missed the announcement last month, we are proud to have Mr. Mundick, our instrumental music teacher, representing Stephen Decatur Middle in the Worcester County Teacher of the
Year Program in April. He has developed an outstanding instrumental music program here at the
middle school, offering concert band, jazz band, beginning band and marching band to students.
As always, please call, email or stop in if you have a question or concern. If you are not receiving
automated calls for cancellations, delays or other important announcements, call our front office so
that we may add your telephone number to the calling list. This is an efficient way for you to receive important information. Don’t forget to check your child’s academic progress regularly using
Power School, our student information system. Again, if you have lost or do not have your assigned password, please call the school so that we may assist you with that as well. We want to
work together with you, the parent, to make certain your child is making and getting the most from
the academic opportunities here at Stephen Decatur Middle School.
Sincerely,
Lynne Barton
JANUARY STUDENTS OF THE MONTH
Chameleon Team Briana Henry, Laura Meadows, Allison Johnston, Eric Gwin
Cobra Team Anna Putsch, Austin Miller, Lexi Orf, Tony Scafone
Iguana Team Claire Merritt, Amber Whittaker, Brendan Hartley, Kayla Janek
Gecko Team Brianna Wesche, Logan Seitz, Erin Trask, Lauren Kennard
Diamondback Team Lindsey Hutchins, Gavin Bunting, Ashton Fisher
Dragon Team Xan Johnston, Shaun Guernsey, Makayla Zajdel, Grace Schwendeman
Gator Team Matthew White, George Luzier, Reed Welton, Samantha Lokey
Terrapin Team Sarah Proctor, Gabrielle Suplee, Emily Malinowski, Remy Anderson, Shannon Lewis
Page 2
Volume 11, Issue 6
Attention Parents of Grade 8 Students!
In less then six months your 8th grader will officially be a High School student. Although this is a exciting
time it can also be a stressful time. In an attempt to help the students transition from middle school student
to high school student, many different opportunities will be offered in the upcoming months. The first of
which will take place on February 3 and 4. The SDHS 9th grade guidance counselor and Mrs. Cater will
visit with the students for an assembly to review the scheduling process and options for incoming 9th grade
students. At this time the students will receive a schedule sheet. Take some time to review this sheet and
the course catalog with your child. All schedule sheets are due back to SDMS no later than February 20.
Then on February 26, at 5:00 PM, SDHS will host a parent orientation/information night. This will take
place at the High School in the auditorium. We encourage all parents to attend this important meeting.
More opportunities will be provided as we get closer to the end of the school year. Should you have any
questions, please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Cress, the 8th grade guidance counselor.
What is PARCC?
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
February is the annual observance of Black History Month,
a time to recognize the achievements, contributions, and
culture of African Americans. In 1926, Dr. Carter Godwin
Woodson, an African American historian, writer, and
educator, established Negro History Week to honor the
contributions of African Americans. Often called the
“Father of Black History,” Woodson chose February for this
observance because the birthdays of abolitionist Frederick
Douglas and President Abraham Lincoln fall in this month.
During the early 1970s, the name of the celebration was
changed to Black History Week. It was expanded to Black
History Month in 1976.
The theme for the 2015
celebration is: A Century of Black Life, History, and Culture.
(www.educationworld.com)
PARCC is an acronym for
The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers. Tests are
administered in the Spring in the areas of
English Language Arts/Literacy and
Mathematics.
SDMS students will take the first round
of PARCC assessments in March. Grade
7 students will test the week of March 9
and Grade 8 students will test the week
of March 23.
If you would like more information
about PARCC or you would like to see a
sample test, visit these websites:
General Information on PARCC
www.parcconline.org
PARCC Practice Test
http://parcconline.org/practice-tests
Volume 11, Issue 6
After School Academy…
because learning does not stop at
the bell.
Session two of the After School
Academy is going strong with 214
students participating! The last day for
session two is Thursday, February
26th. The Academy will not be open
on February 10th due to a teacher
training meeting. Session Three will
begin on March 30. Registration forms
will be available March 9. If you have
any questions about the After School
Academy at SDMS, please contact Mrs.
Torpey.
SDHS Taco Night has been
scheduled for Wednesday,
February 11th 2:30-7:00 pm.
Page 3
Friday, February 6th
7:00-9:00
$7.00 pre-registration
or $10.00 at the door
This dance is sponsored by the
SGA.
The Builders Club worked very hard
during the month of January to create cards to support the "Valentine
for Veterans Program". This project
thanks the veterans for their sacrifices while letting them know that they
are appreciated and not forgotten.
The cards will be sent to Perry Point
Veterans Hospital, Charlotte Hall Veterans Hospital and the Baltimore VA
Medical Center. The next Builders
Club meeting will be held on
Monday February 2nd after
school till 4:30.
Spring Pictures!
Sounds funny for us to say that the spring pictures will be taken on February 19th with all these frigid temperatures! But nevertheless, spring
pictures will be taken on February 19th during the specials classes. As
in previous years all students will have their pictures taken. In a few
weeks the students will receive the picture packets for your review.
Should you not want to keep the pictures, please return the package
ASAP. If you would like to purchase some or all of the prints return
the money in the envelope provided. ALL PICTURES MUST BE EITHER RETURNED OR PAID FOR IN FULL. If you have any questions, please contact the guidance secretary, Ms. Vessey.
SAY CHEESE!
Stephen Decatur Middle School
9815 Seahawk Road
Berlin, MD 21811
Phone: 410-641-2846
Fax: 410-641-3274
www.worcesterk12.com
www.sdmsmiddle.com
Northern Schools Mission Statement
The mission of the Northern Schools, a diverse and growing community, is to
provide a rigorous, sequential, and balanced curriculum for all students to
become responsible lifelong learners. This will be accomplished through
instructional excellence in partnership with family and community in a safe,
caring, and well-maintained in environment. We will recognize the uniqueness of each student’s role as a productive citizen in an ever changing world.
Homework Hotline Numbers
The access number for the Homework Hotline is 410-632-5399. Codes for
each team and closings/delay are listed below.
Lynne Barton, Principal
Closings/Delays 6600
Marcus Shipley, Assistant Principal
Terrapin 6611
Theresa Torpey, Extended Day Administrator
D-Back 6613
Dragon 6614
Susan Porter, Curriculum Resource Teacher
Chameleon 6607
Gecko 6609
Cherie Townsend, Guidance Counselor, Gr. 7
Iguana 6608
Cobra 6610
Gator 6612
Stephanie Cress, Guidance Counselor, Gr. 8
Darlah Woodley, School Nurse
What are you doing this summer?
Sdms summer academy has been tentatively scheduled for june
22—july 17. more information and program details will be
shared as soon as possible.
The Worcester County Board of Education does not discriminate in admissions, access, treatment, or employment in
its programs and activities on the basis of race, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, marital status, color, gender identity and expression, national origin, creed, religion, age, ancestry, genetic information, or
physical or mental disability.