Erie Middle School, Pre AP Focus School: Todd Bissell, Principal Dr. Rachel Heide, Assistant Princip
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njtomlinsonErie Middle School, Pre AP Focus School: Todd Bissell, Principal Dr. Rachel Heide, Assistant Princip
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njtomlinsonErie Middle School, Pre AP Focus School Todd Bissell, Principal Dr.
Rachel Heide, Assistant Principal
APRIL 2014 NEWSLETTER
Erie Middle School Tiger Community, TCAP Assessments have concluded for the 2013-2014 school year. The students worked very hard during the assessment period. We are very confident they did very well on the TCAPs. Thanks to the students for their outstanding effort, thanks to parents for making sure their students were well rested and sending us such wonderful students, thanks to the teachers who had our students very well prepared to take the TCAP tests. Also special thanks to all the parents and PTO for contributing snacks and juices for the students during testing. A new state assessment, CMAS, will be given for Science in 8 th grade and Social Studies in 7th. This is an electronic assessment and the students will be using our computer labs to complete these assessments. 8th grade will participate on 4/17, 4/18, and 4/21, and the 7th grade on 4/22, 4/23, 4/25. The fourth quarter is a busy time. Field trips at each grade level are planned. There are upcoming concerts. Many after school activities like Track, MESA, Chess Club, to name a few. We will have NJHS inductions on April 26th. We will keep the website, Facebook, and Weekly Announcements up to date with these events. With only 7 weeks of school left after Spring Break, I am challenging the teachers and students to finish strong. We have had a great first three quarters of the school year. Now we need to finish strong making it an outstanding school year. I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable Spring Break. As always, if you have questions, concerns, etc. Please dont hesitate to call me. Sincerely
Todd Bissell EMS Principal
Picture courtesy of yearbook staffer Mollie Thomas
From the desk of the Assistant Principal
Back in August of 2010 the Colorado Department of Education adopted the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Here is a link with information about this adoption: http://www.cde.state.co.us/contentareas/ccss_in_the_colorado_standards Prior to this adoption the state used CSAP as a measure of how well students were doing on the state standards. With the adoption of the CCSS, CSAP made way for the transitional assessment (TCAP), which we just recently completed assessing here at EMS. As we move toward complete implementation of the CCSS, while also maintaining the unique elements within the Colorado State Standards, we will be transitioning to new ways of assessing our students mastery of the standards. During this month of April we will begin piloting a new testing system called Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS). For this years pilot CMAS will cover 7th grade Social Studies and 8th grade Science. These assessments will occur completely on the computer versus the traditional pencil and test booklet approach that both CSAP and TCAP have taken in the past. Students will be on the following testing schedule: 8th grade Science April 17th, 18th, and 21st 7th grade Social Studies April 22nd, 23rd, 25th
In order to help with accurate testing please ensure your students are well rested and present for each day of testing. Please feel free to contact the school at 303.828.3391 with any questions regarding this new assessment pilot.
Important Bus Pass Information for Parents of Students Riding the Bus As we near the end of the 2013-14 school year, I would like to thank you for encouraging your student/s to show up with their bus pass each and every day this past school year. Doing so has provided our students with a greater level of safety and security. As explained during initial roll out and distribution, students only receive one free bus pass. Therefore, your students bus passes must be safely stored over the summer months until the start of the new school year to avoid the cost of a replacement. Should your student require a replacement pass, please contact the Bus Pass coordinator by sending an email to [email protected] or calling 303-702-7540. The replacement cost for lost, stolen and/ or mutilated bus passes is $5.00 and shows up as fee under your students name in Infinite Campus. Sincerely, Randy McKie Director of Transportation
6th Grade Outdoor Education Trip YMCA of the Rockies April 30 - may 2
EMS Activity Calendar
Monday
31 SPRING BREAK 1 SPRING BREAK
Tuesday
April 2014
Wednesday
SPRING BREAK 2 3
Thursday
4 SPRING BREAK
Friday
SPRING BREAK
7 PTO Meeting 7:00 PM Library
8 Orange Day Track Practice 3;15-4:30 PM Academic Assistance 3:00-4:00 PM
9 Good Movie Better Book 3:10-4:30 PM Soul Sisters 3:15-4:15 PM Track Meet @ Sunset MS 3:30 PM
10 Orange Day NJHS - All Members 3:10-4:00 PM Track Practice 3:15-4:30 PM Tiger Lily Choir 3:15-4:00 PM 17 Track Practice 3:15-4:30 PM Tiger Lily Choir 3:05-4:15 PM
11 Art Club 3:05-4:15 PM Track Practice 3:15-4:30 PM NJHS Volleyball Tournament 5:30-8:30 PM 18 Orange Day Art Club 3:05 4:15 PM District Track Meet @ Lyons MS/HS 3:00 PM 25
14 Orange Day
15 Academic Assistance 3:00-4:00 PM Chess Club 3:05-4:00 PM Track Practice 3:15-4:30 PM
16 Orange Day Soul Sisters 3:15-4:15 PM Track Meet @ Longs Peak MS 3:30 PM 23 Good Movie Better Book 3:05-4:30 PM Track Practice 3:15-4:30 PM Outdoor Ed Parent Meeting 3:30 5:00 PM
21
22 Orange Day
24 Orange Day WEB Spring Play Day 3:00-5:00 PM Academic Assistance 3:00-4:00 pm Track Practice 3:15-4:30 PM Tiger Lily Choir 3:05-4:15 PM
Academic Assistance 3:00-4:00 PM Track Meet @ Frederick HS 3:30 PM
Art Club 3:04-4:15 PM Track Practice 3:15-4:30 PM
28 Orange Day
29 Academic Assistance 3:00-4:00 PM Chess Club 3:05-4:00 PM NJHS Inductions 6:00 PM
30 Orange Day 6th Outdoor Ed.Trip Starts 8:00 AM Soul Sisters 3:15-4:15 PM
NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY
How do I become a member of the National Junior Honor Society?
All 6th and 7th graders who have a cumulative GPA of a 3.5 for the first three quarters of the
year will receive an invite to apply to be in NJHS. Once the application is turned in, a list of all students is given to the teachers, administration and counselors to discuss possible members character, leadership and citizenship. After data is collected, a team of staff members review the comments and decide if an applicant has what it takes to be a member of the EMS chapter of National Junior Honor Society. .
National Junior Honor Society Induction Ceremony Tuesday, April 29th, 2014 6:00 PM Erie Middle School Cafetorium
NJHS VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT
NJHS will host a student volleyball tournament as a fundraiser from 5:308:30 PM Friday, April 11th. Student and teacher teams will be able to start signing up starting March 24th.
Proceeds go to : Humane Society
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
Cost: $1 per person to play and $1 admission, or you can donate any pet supply (food, litter, toys, snacks etc.) for free admission.
To all EMS parents and guardians,
Updated immunization forms are to be turned into the Health Clerk, who in turn updates our school records. By state law, each student is to receive the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination to attend school. If your student has received the Tdap shot, please bring in, fax in or email a copy to Nicole Meadows, the Health Clerk at [email protected]. Our fax number is 303-828-3817. Or if you wish to speak to Nicole she can be reached at 303-828-3391.
A reminder for 6th grade parent(s) and guardian(s): The Health Clerk is collecting medication forms and medications for Outdoor Ed. If you have not already turned in your form and medication, please do so ASAP. Outdoor Ed is April 30-May 2. Please contact Nicole Meadows using the above info if you have further questions. Thank you!
Sixth Grade
Seth Alexander started the school year as a new student but quickly rose to become a leader in all classes. Seth always participates and shows his best effort. He is polite and respectful, and all around a joy to have in class. Great job, Seth!
Michelle Karstensen is the April student of the month for 6th grade. Michelle is a true leader in the classroom, and always sets a positive example for students around her. Michelle demonstrates ROAR behavior at all times, and she always produces high quality work. Michelle is making the most of her education her at EMS. We are really proud that Michelle is an Erie Tiger!
Seventh Grade
Witt Unruh is the male student of the month for 7th grade. Witt is a renaissance man with being very active in school, sports and his community. He always gives 100%, comes to class prepared and ready to learn, volunteers often, he is a friend to all, and has near perfect attendance. Congratulations Witt!
Hannah Conley is our 7th grade student of the month. Hannah has grown in both academic skills and in maturity this year. Hannah is a friend to all and is kind and respectful to her teachers. She shows consistent effort in every subject, making sure she is turning things in and making up missing work. Way to shine, Hannah!
Each of these students have been honored with a free pizza for lunch on the last Friday of the month. Please congratulate these students if you see them!
Eighth Grade
Paris Branch is the epitome of rock star. She is a very hard worker who is always asking clarifying questions and not getting behind in her school work. She consistently strives to remain caught up with her school work. She also is very polite, thoughtful, insightful, a great friend to everyone and funny. go, Paris! These amazing qualities make her an easy choice for student of the month. Way to
In the classroom, Tahnee Xiong gets all of his work in, asks good questions, and puts thought and time into projects. He is a student who is on task, a positive influence on others behavior and is a leader when it comes to group work. Tahnee has a nice balance between being studious and social, and adds a positive and hard working energy to the classroom.
Each of these students have been honored with a free pizza for lunch on the last Friday of the month. Please congratulate these students if you see them!
COUNSELING CORNER
There are ways for your student to peacefully settle conflicts without fighting, without running away, and without going against their feelings or beliefs. Resolving conflicts peacefully helps keep your student safe, feeling good, and helps them learn respect for others. Following are some strategies your son or daughter can use to help them solve conflicts peacefully: First, calm down and decide whether there really is a significant problem, then think of solutions, weigh the results and choose a plan. When meeting with the other person to settle the problem, be a good listener. Avoid interruptions and ask questions after the other person has presented his or her side. Repeat what you have heard to make sure you understand what the problem seems to be. Present your side of the conflict. Then negotiate a solution. It is sometimes very helpful to have a third person who can be impartial to help brainstorm ideas and develop solutions. This is where your students school counselor can help.
The Erie Middle School Renaissance program will host an assembly on April 9th to acknowledge our students accomplishments for 3rd quarter.
Kimberly Jacobs
Genaro Villareal
Lunch is $2.75
