May 2015 - Old Court Middle - Baltimore County Public Schools

4627 Old Court Rd.
The Lion’s Paw
Pikesville, MD. 21208
V O L U M E
OLD COURT
MIDDLE SCHOOL
5 ,
I S S U E
3
M A Y
2 0 1 5
A Message from Ms. Joseph
INSIDE
THIS
ISSUE:
Principal’s
Message
1
Department
Chair Messages
2-3
School Drop Off
Procedures
2
The
3
Counselor’s Cor-
Greetings Old Court Middle School Families,
It is hard to believe that we are in the fourth quarter of the school year. During this year we have
been working on transitioning our instruction to a learner centered environment to increase student
engagement and increase student achievement. We are also adjusting to the PARCC assessments
and providing more opportunities to utilize technology enhanced instruction.
We celebrate all students who earned honor roll for the 3rd quarter and we have planned a special
event for them in June. Each Honor Roll student will receive a certificate. We will also recognize
our "most improved" students.
Library Minute,
Calendar of
Events,
Reminders
4
Our students celebrated Financial Literacy month with Operation Baltimore, planted several trees
on school grounds and started a garden with our partnership with 4-H, and hosted a STEAM fair in
May. Our vocal music and band students earned a “1”, which is the equivalent of an “A” at adjudication. Way to go!
Quarter 1I
Honor Roll
5
We hosted the first Northwest Middle School track and field competition with Milford Mill High
School on Saturday, April 18th. Thank you to all the families who supported this event and helped
to volunteer. A special thank you to our PTA executive board for your support for all of our school
events throughout the school.
PARCC Updates 6
PTA News and
Announcements
Back
Cover
Our 8th graders are preparing for their transition to 9th grade. The 8th grade closing ceremony will
be held on June 10th at 6pm. It will be located at Randallstown High School. Please refer to the 8th
grade contract for more detailed information.
We will begin interviews for 7th graders for our 8th grade AVID program. Please contact Ms.
White at rwhite2@bcps.org for more information.
Visit our website for more
information about uniforms,
registration/residency and
other school policies:
http://oldcourtms.bcps.org
All 6th graders will need immunization shots prior to entering the 7th grade. Please contact our
school nurse, Ms. Jett at cjett@bcps.org for details. A letter was mailed home.
Teacher appreciation week is May 4th-May 8th. Please consider writing a note or sending an email
of appreciation to our staff who work with our children. Remember to include our support staff
such as our counselors, paraeducators, student assistants, and front office staff. We work as a team
to provide a nurturing environment for our students.
I appreciate your support throughout the school year and look forward to seeing you soon!
Respectfully,
Kyria Joseph
Follow me on Twitter @oldcourtms
VOLUME
5,
ISSUE
3
PAGE
2
Ms. Bass’ Language Arts Lowdown
It’s springtime! Springtime is the flourishing stage of development. Spring is the season for growth and
rejuvenation. The school year is coming to an end and this is the time that students need to spring into
action. Students should continue to work hard and put forth their best efforts. Students should stay
abreast of their grades and attend coach classes if needed. Teachers are working hard and planning
lessons that will benefit students as they transition to their next level of education. We have completed
round one of PARCC assessments and are gearing up for round two End of the Year PARCC
assessments. It is important for students to always put forth their best efforts during testing because it is
a measurement of their academic knowledge and growth. Students have completed MAP testing for the
fall and winter. Student’s MAP scores will be assessed in order to provide instructional support and
gauge where our students are academically. So, let us spring into action and head for our new academic
endeavors!
SCHOOL DROP-OFF PROCEDURES
What Parents Can Do to Help
In an effort to ensure the safety of your children, we are reminding parents/guardians of the school’s
drop-off
procedures. Please adhere to the following guidelines:
 Parents/Guardians should only drop off students in the designated drop-off zone (look for green
and white Student Drop Off Zone sign by parking lot)
 Be prepared to drop off your child. Take care of signatures, lunch money, etc. before arrival at
the
 drop-off zone
 Avoid going into the bus lane – no cars may enter between the hours of 7:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. and
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (look for times posted on Buses Only sign)
 Avoid discharging students at the school entrance as this impedes the flow of traffic and is dangerous for our bus drivers
 If you need to enter the building, park in the school’s parking lot. Avoid parking in any spaces
that are designated for staff members
 Once discharged, students are to walk up to the main entrance of the school and then go to their
 designated grade level area
PAGE
Ms. Harris’ Social Studies Scene
4
For sixth grade, the fourth quarter starts with a study of Chinese history. We will study the
earliest civilizations of China through the first several decades of the People’s Republic and China from a wide
range of viewpoints, taking up political, economic, social, religious, philosophical, and artistic developments,
looking at China's development through various dynastic regimes, up through the height of the Qing Dynasty in
the late 18th century to Mao Zedong. After our study of China we will turn our attention to Japan, where we will
study the dramatic story of transformation from feudal to modern Japan. Key themes include the legacy of the
Tokugawa period, the transformations of the Meiji Restoration, the creation of state-sponsored nationalism,
pre-war society and culture, and Japan’s twentieth-century political, military, and economic struggles.
To conclude the year, the 7th grade will participate in an in-depth study of Europe. Within our study of the classics
we will pause to examine Greek and Roman history, mythology, culture and pivotal battles that are still focal
points at military universities and colleges alike. Students will draw parallels between Greek life and Roman
culture, the lasting impact comes thousands of years later, as we still reference people, events and their notable
achievements. Turning our attention to the modern world we will dabble in the history of the Middle Ages, World
War I, and World War II.
8th Grade is completing Unit V, which deals with nationalism, Manifest Destiny and Westward Expansion.
Specifically, we are looking at the California Gold Rush and Manifest Destiny. We will begin looking at a "A
Nation Divided", a work that deals with the events that led up to and caused the American Civil War.
Congratulations to Nyla Shipman and Anya Jackson, our History Day representatives.
Nurse’s Notes and The Counselor’s Corner
6th graders are required to have 2 vaccines before entry into 7th grade: TDAP AND MCV.
The Counselor’s Corner
Tips for Parents
Middle school is a time of change, and most students will go through several stages and lots of ups and downs.
Here are some tips below to help you guide and advise your middle school student.
1. At the beginning of each quarter, help your child set realistic academic goals.
2. Encourage your child to get involved in school activities.
3. Attend parent conferences and check your school’s website for information and updates.
4. Know the dates that interim grades and report cards come out. If you don’t see a report card, call the school
and request a copy. Check your child’s grades often on BCPS One.
5. One big challenge for middle school students is being organized. Make sure they have a system for recording
6.
assignments and taking notes.
7. Work with your school. We are here to help your child get the best education possible.
8. Make sure your child is not spending too much time online, on the phone, or watching TV. Set limits.
9. Talk to your child about what’s going on and be a good listener.
10. Whenever possible, help your child figure out how to take care of problems on his/her own.
Make school a top priority. Nothing is more important to your child’s future than education.
EDUCATION = OPPORTUNITIES
Adapted from Woodburn Press Booklets
THE
LION’S
PAW
VOLUME
5,
ISSUE
3
Library Minute
PAGE
4
Greetings from the library!
Ms. Stellmann is running an overdue book drive from April 27-May 27. If the minimum of 50 overdue books are
turned in, she will hold a drawing for an iPod Shuffle. Each overdue book turned in equals one entry. Students–
keep an eye on the chart by the library for progress updates!
Overdue and missing book notices go out approximately once a quarter. Please ask your child if they owe any
book(s) or fines.
If you have any questions, please see Ms. Stellmann or email her at the following address:
estellmann@bcps.org
Calendar of Events
5/4-6/1– End of Year PARCC administration– (see page 7/6-7/31– Summer School
6 or website for more detailed information)
5/15– PTA Color Run
5/20, 7 PM– OCMS Spring Concert- $3 donation
5/25– Memorial Day– all schools and offices closed
6/10, 6 PM– 8th grade closing ceremonies
Randallstown High School (3 tickets per child)
6/18– Data recording– All schools and offices closing
three hours early
6/19– Last day of school– All schools and offices
Closing three hours early
Announcements






Parents, please remember that if you opted out of telecommunications for your child, you opted out your child
being photographed, he/she cannot be in the yearbook or be photographed by anyone on school grounds. If
you have any questions, please email Ms. Stellmann, estellmann@bcps.org
Students are encouraged to come to school in uniform. The uniform consists of khaki bottoms and a
grade-level-colored polo with the OCMS logo on it.
All hoodies must be grade-level colored. No jean jackets, leather jackets, vests, coats, etc. allowed.
Purses and backpacks must be stored in lockers at the beginning of the day.
All visitors to Old Court and anyone picking up a student are required to check in and present their
government-issued id (driver’s license, id card) to be scanned in the front office. If you have your id scanned,
you will be asked to show your id only on future visits when you check in. You will also be asked to check out
with the office staff upon leaving the school.
Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) has entered into an agreement with Microsoft to participate in the
Microsoft Office 365 Student Advantage Program. The program will give students and their family members
access to as many as five copies of the Microsoft Office 365 suite for personal computers, tablets, iPads,
Phones, and Android devices, all free of charge. For more information, visit the OCMS website.
The Microsoft Office 365 suite contains all of the most widely used Office functions – Word, Excel,
PowerPoint, and Publisher software tools.
THE
LION’S
PAW
Grade 6
Osinakachi D. Amaefule 3.63
Grace F. Bankole 3.29
Jamier B. Barnes 3.56
Veronica M. Bell 3.56
Gabriel C. Ben-Yehudah 3.71
Michael A. Biddle 3.29
Amerah A. Brooks 3.22
Kendyl DeRamus 3.67
Kennedy R. Donaldson 3.78
Ngum M. Fofou 3.33
Althea M. Gonzales 3.89
N'Dia E. Gruning 4.00
Carissa Gulab 3.89
Ashley Jumbo 3.44
Jasleen Kaur 3.67
Chaya T. Kent 3.56
Samuel E. Kumordzie 3.56
Sydney A. Kumordzie 3.11
Jayden G. Matthews 3.44
Milan A. McClain 3.67
Chelsea C. Myers 3.89
Ferdinand A. Nyivih 3.67
Jason A. Palmer 3.44
Deion C. Richardson 3.33
Macaiah L. Robinson 3.33
Najah A. Seifullah 3.00
Madison A. Seldon 3.63
Tiye K. Smith 3.75
Maurice T. Thomas 3.56
Tamara G. Toney 3.22
Jaydon A. Toussaint 3.29
Emily Vela-Ramirez 3.75
Adaja I. Vereen-Crawford 3.17
Da'Lonna T. Wells 3.33
Nailah E. Wilkerson 3.89
Darielle M. Young 3.00
Grade 7
Re'Niya N. Avery 3.44
Pakeeza M. Awan 3.57
Nountenin Barry 3.33
Nisayiah S. Bennett 3.22
Da'Yonnah T. Bouldin 3.50
Nia A. Brown 3.44
Jeffrey E. Brown 3.43
Miles A. Carpenter 3.71
Kayla I. Donaldson 3.67
Esmeralda Escamilla 3.78
Nyla K. Gruning 3.89
Ahryanna M. Hayes 3.67
Jordan N. Hill 3.33
Wesley Hylton 3.43
Sandrine E. Jackatey 3.78
A'nya U. Jackson 3.89
Myia Jacobs 3.78
Yolanda P. Jacobs-Chapman 3.78
Harrison S. Jones 3.89
Jaylin M. Love 3.29
Gena N. Malloy-Jones 3.89
JaunPaul R. Marshall 3.22
David L. Nguyen 3.89
Maya O. Nyivih 3.13
Daniel E. Ocampo 3.22
Alanna B. Phillips 3.56
Mikai L. Phipps 3.33
Harpreet Singh 3.56
Mackenzie L. Taylor 3.25
Faith M. Wells 3.56
Aaron S. White-Mitchell 3.17
Grade 8
Habeebu A. Adenuga 4.00
Oluwanifemi U. Agbede 3.33
Nana A. Amponsah 3.57
Olivia I. Bozich 3.38
Jamal S. Bullock 3.13
Jazmin Y. Bullock 3.75
Jada N. Campbell 3.75
Elliott R. Carr 3.00
Isreal R. Colbert 3.14
Kayla A. Cook 3.44
Jasmine A. Davis 3.25
Breshae N. Dixon 3.33
Christina N. Emelogu 3.44
Bidemi P. Falarunu Adinlewa 3.88
Dashawn F. Francis 3.38
Cameron J. Gill 3.14
Ke'naya A. Green 3.00
Denia R. Gulledge 3.75
India L. Hendricks 3.25
A'leaha D. Holmes 3.44
Ayotimofe J. Idowu 3.89
Nyree F. Jackson 3.11
Micheayl D. James 3.50
Richard N. James 3.50
Carmen A. Jenkins 3.67
Jaquan C. Jones 3.44
Wayne W. Lee 3.29
Te'andre M. Lightfoot 3.33
Malachi J. Love 3.80
Nathan J. Manuel 3.38
Darryle N. Mensah 3.67
Keith J. Mills 3.38
Bukola A. Molake 3.22
Jaylen D. Moran 3.67
Rebeka K. Nyambati 3.56
Francis O. Ogbonna 3.57
Modesola S. Olaniyi 4.00
Ghaliam A. Ouedraogo 3.56
Oluwatoyosi M. Owolabi 3.67
Taylor S. Partlow 3.67
Alexis C. Paschall 3.25
Daimyo N. Price 3.56
Dominick A. Pyles-Cuff 3.33
Rekha R. Ravulapalli 3.22
Taijah A. Roberts 3.89
Raegan A. Satterwhite 3.44
Karanjit Singh 3.44
William E. Smith 3.22
Tyler C. Spears 3.14
Cherish D. Stubbs 4.00
Munachi E. Udom 3.67
Shaniya M. Washington 3.33
Rilynn B. White 3.89
Jasmine M. Wilson 3.50
Khatira N. Witherspoon 3.44
Taveonna A. Wood 3.29
End of Year PARCC Testing Update for Parents
May 4th – June 1st will be a very exciting time for our students and teachers.
Our school will be participating in the End of Year Partnership for Assessment
of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC). The following is the schedule
for the test administration:
Grade 6 English Language Arts ~ May 4
Grade 7 English Language Arts ~ May 5
Grade 8 English Language Arts ~ May 6
Grades 7/8 Algebra 1 ~ May 11
*Grade 6 Mathematics ~ May 12 and May 13
*Grade 7 Mathematics ~ May 14 and May 15
*Grade 8 Mathematics ~ May 18 and May 19
Parents/Guardians can help during assessments by doing the following:
Post the testing schedule in your home as a reminder
Schedule any appointments for your child on non-testing days. We ask that
you not schedule any vacations during testing and refrain from picking your
child up from school early on testing days
Ensure your child attends every day and arrives on time (by 8:00 AM)
Make sure your child gets plenty of rest the night before testing and eats a
healthy breakfast on the morning of testing
Encourage your child to put forth his/her best effort, to continue working until
a task is completed, to read and follow all directions carefully, and to write/
type all of his/her responses carefully.
Pikesville, MD. 21208
4627 Old Court Road
Old Court Middle School
PTA Announcements
The PTA is looking for new members. Dues are $10 per year, payable in cash or with a credit
card. If you are interested in joining, please email us at thenweocmspta@gmail.com. The PTA
has a new website. Check it out! http://thenewocmspta.wix.com/ocms-pta
Upcoming Events
 Color run– May 15 at OCMS. Pledge sheets are due May 8.