back pocket - montgomery county public schools€¦ · instrumental and vocal music. last year, ......
TRANSCRIPT
A Thought for Today:
“Winter is begun here, now, I suppose. It blew part of the hair off the dog yesterday & got the rest this morning.”
– Mark Twain, in a letter written in 1892
Holiday Treats Abound! Last weekend we were treated to the drama club’s production “Voices
from the Titanic” and this week has featured the JPMS music department’s as well as the Poolesville Youth Symphony Orchestra’s Winter Concerts. Our All-Purpose Room (APR) has been a happening place lately!
I am always impressed by how many students are able to take the stage for one of these events. Once the Titanic had gone down and the fates of the play’s characters were being revealed, our student actors filled the stage from corner to corner. Dee Turner, who sponsors the Phantom Players, always looks for shows that will accommodate a lot of kids, and there is never a shortage of students ready to perform. It’s great to give them all a place in the spotlight.
Our music program is growing under the direction of Heather Sprague, who teaches both instrumental and vocal music. Last year, we had no chorus program, and Ms. Sprague had only three band classes. Now, with the addition of Chorus as a class, we are up to four music offerings, and next year I hope to expand to five classes by adding a strings class for orchestra students.
It has been a while since John Poole has been able to support a full-time music teacher (5 classes), but when I heard the beautiful voices of our Chorus students at the concert and appreciated how great our band students sounded, I renewed my conviction that it’s a worthy goal to bring a complete range of music classes back to our kids.
The APR was filled for both performances of “Voices from the Titanic” and it was standing room only at Wednesday night’s concert. Thanks for being such enthusiastic supporters of our students’
creative efforts!
Very soon after winter break we will begin the process of course selection and scheduling for next year. I hope you will talk seriously with your child about music as an elective. Everyone can sing – even a tone-deaf, rhythm-challenged, talent-free person like me! And playing an instrument can lead to a lifetime of wonderful experiences as an informed listener and/or performer.
I’m hoping next year’s Winter Concert is so big we outgrow the APR and have to move to another venue!
John Poole’s
BACK POCKET December 10, 2010
6th Grade: Amber Bratcher, Alona Carr, and DJ Bricker
7th Grade: Marina Callear, Gavin Hockenbery, and Frank Quaranta
8th Grade: Joey Cartwright, Kay Peden, and Eric Lee
Hello, students and parents. This is the SGA: Diana Firstova, your president; Benton Anthony, your vice president; Nancy Morgan, your secretary; and Abigail Nalesnik, your treasurer. Every week in the Back Pocket we will be writing tips on how to be successful in school. So, be on the look-out.
Just because the conditions are perfect for snow, don't get caught up in all the famous rituals (ice cube out the window, PJ's inside-out, spoon under the pillow, etc.) Remember to do that homework. Chances are it won’t snow and you'll end up with a big 0 under homework, which can really bring a grade down. So do the homework - it makes sense spending the snow day outside instead of inside finishing your homework!!
– Your SGA
MONTGOMERY COUNTY JUNIOR COUNCILS (MCJC) EVENT
GIFT WRAPPING FUNDRAISER SUPPORT SPECIAL OLYMPICS OF MARYLAND
LOCATION : White Flint Mall – Borders Books
December 18, 2010 9:00 am. – 10:00 p.m.
MCJC is collecting donations for the Special Olympics of Maryland. Students who
want to assist with the fundraiser can contact [email protected]
Hallway Heroes Hallway Heroes are students we honor for demonstrating
exemplary PRIDE behaviors as they move from class to class, helping to keep our hallways safe and comfortable for everyone.
The students recognized below consistently demonstrate Purpose, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Effort everywhere they go at JPMS. They are Hallway Heroes, and we are proud to celebrate their high expectations and their Timberwolf PRIDE.
Student Art Work Inspired by Walter Wick
Walter Wick is a celebrated photographer and author of many books, including a series of children’s books called Can You See What I See? These books are full of photographic
picture puzzles in which objects are hidden in plain sight by surrounding them with a wide variety of interesting distracters.
Inspired by these delightful books, Mrs. Heaton’s art classes created picture puzzles of their own, choosing all sorts of complicated subjects from pirate ships to county fairs in which to embed their “hidden” details. Seven of the pictures I especially liked are currently hanging in my office art gallery. Pictured above are the creations of Arcadia Graham, Andrew Kocur, Michael Kuhn, Lauren Lightcap, Rebecca Murphy, Samantha Williams and Trey Willis. Thanks, Mrs. Howard, for taking the picture! I hope you will stop in to get a look at the real thing the next time you are in the office.
Other excellent Can You See What I See projects are on display in the showcase by the art room at the head of the 100 hall. It’s a pleasure to see how talented our kids are!
8 – 10 Poolesville Falcons Advance to Maryland Youth Football Semi-Finals Congratulations to this team of young men from Poolesville Elementary, Monocacy Elementary
and John Poole Middle School who beat the Havre De Grace Warriors last Saturday 12-0 to advance to the semi-final round of the Maryland Youth Football Championship.
JPMS players include Jacob Brightful and Myles Davis (who each scored a touchdown against Havre de Grace), Cole Carmack, Jordan Belski, Zaquan Gaither, Keegan Hemingway and Joe Brashear.
This Sunday, December 12, the Falcons play the Olney Bears at 3:30pm at Cedar Lane (5300 Cedar Lane, Columbia.) The winning team will continue on to the state championship at Bel Air High School, facing either the Jarrettsville Ravens or West Howard County Warhawks on December 18.
Go Falcons!
Check the Back Pack for Net Cetera. Next week, JPMS counselors Mrs. Arnold and Mrs. Hardy will be speaking with students on
Tuesday, Thursday and Friday about cyber safety and cyber-bullying – harassment, intimidation or other bullying activities that occur online.
This topic is extremely important since technology is so much a part of our children’s lives, but most of us are unsure about how to deal with the subject. After all this kind of communication didn’t even exist when we were growing up! That’s why the counselors are supporting families at home as well as students here at school.
When the lessons are delivered next week in PE or health classes, Mrs. Arnold and Mrs. Hardy will provide kids with a handout containing tips and good advice for staying cyber-safe. They will also give students a pamphlet to bring home to you. It’s called Net Cetera, and it’s full of information to help you become more cyber-savvy and to support you as you set expectations for your family.
Ask your son or daughter about the cyber safety presentation next week, and be sure to look at the student handout as well as Net Cetera. It’s important for us all to be informed!
Speaking of our dynamic counselor, you may want to follow this link to a show on MCPS TV the features our own Mrs. Arnold talking about the importance of providing structured time for kids:
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/itv/OurSchoolsToday/. She has great insight on what it takes to help our kids be responsible and safe.
Where’s My Interim Report? Beginning with the interims that went out today, parents with active
Edline accounts will receive only an electronic interim report posted on Edline on the following dates:
Quarter 2: December 10, 2010
Quarter 3: March 11, 2011
Quarter 4: May 9, 2011
Interims will be posted at 4:00 PM.
Parents of students without active Edline accounts will continue to receive interim reports by US mail. Paper interims will be mailed on the same days the electronic versions are posted to Edline.
Need help getting your Edline account activated? Just give us a call at 301-972-7979 and we’ll be glad to get you up and running!
A Great New Resource for Special Ed A new website especially for parents of students who require (or might require) special education
services has opened on the MCPS site. It provides information about identification of students for special ed services; what services are offered; what the various acronyms and specialized terms mean; who to contact at MCPS for help with special ed questions; your rights in the special education processes; and much more.
Whether your child is already receiving services or you are wondering if special education would be an appropriate step for your child, visit
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/specialed/parents/ to learn more!
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We would like to thank Melanie Dahlen for making the Magnet Prep classes another
success for our 8th graders; Anne Donavan and her staff appreciation volunteers for the
wonderful meals for the JPMS staff; Lori Kocur for managing our PTA membership; and
Eileen Foy for creating our school directories that will be distributed soon. Thanks also
goes out to our 6th, 7th and 8th grade parent leaders and all the volunteers who helped
make the Honor Roll assemblies complete with snacks and drinks.
PTA Meeting
Please mark your calendars for our January PTA Cluster meeting on Tuesday, January
11th at 7:00 P.M. in the Media Center. Patricia Sullivan of Recovery Allies and the
Gaithersburg Kolmac Clinic, will present a program on Youth Addiction. She is trying to
bring attention to the growing drug problem among young adults in Montgomery County.
Patricia has worked for over 25 years in the addiction field and co-vice chairs the
Montgomery County Alcohol and other Drug Advisory Council. She has also testified on
addiction issues in Annapolis. Please try to attend this informative meeting!
FUNDRAISER
John Poole Middle School is holding a Fundraiser event with Five Below stores in
Gaithersburg and Germantown on the following weekends: December 10th, 11th, 12th, and December 17th, 18th and 19th. John Poole Middle School will receive 10% of each sale, when the Five Below flyer is presented at the register. Additional details are found on the flyer that will be sent home in your child’s backpack on Friday and/or the JPMS website http://montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/schools/poolems/news/NewFiveBelow.pdf
If there are any questions, please contact [email protected]
PTSA NEWS
Every Child
One Voice
John Poole
Middle School
A message from your PTSA president Dear JPMS families: It is never too late to join John Poole Middle School’s PTSA. Please contact Lori Kocur for membership information or to register as a JPMS Parent
Volunteer. It’s as easy as that! Show your kids how much you care and how important their school experience is to you – register to volunteer today!
Sincerely,
Sharon Armstrong
Sharon Armstrong – President, [email protected]
Marilyn Soltis - Vice President, [email protected]
Suzanna Zapata – Secretary, [email protected]
Sue Van Meter – Treasurer, [email protected]
How to Receive MCPS Emergency Information
MCPS QuickNotes Receive emergency announcements, as well as other school news and information, via email through MCPS QuickNotes. Sign up at www.mcpsquicknotes.org. Information is available in six languages.
Alert MCPS Alert MCPS provides information about major changes in school system operations via
text messages delivered to devices you register, such as cell phones, smart phones, and pagers. Signing up for Alert MCPS is free, but check with your wireless provider about charges associated with text messages. Messages are provided in English and Spanish. Parents and staff can also sign up to receive messages for specific MCPS schools. This service would be used for situations that affect one or a small number of schools, such as a power outage. Sign up at http://alert.montgomerycountymd.gov/.
Twitter A Twitter account allows you to follow MCPS updates, including emergency messages, on your computer, cell phone, or mobile device. Go to http://twitter.com/mcps to follow MCPS or to create an account.
MCPS Website Changes in school operations due to weather conditions or other emergencies are
posted on the MCPS website at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org. Messages are posted in English and Spanish.
Recorded Information Line To hear a recorded message about changes in school operations
in English and Spanish, call 301-279-3673.
MCPS TV Emergency messages, news about MCPS, coverage of Board of Education meetings, and
more, are provided on Comcast Cable Ch. 34, Verizon Ch. 36, and RCN Ch. 89. For more info, visit www.mcpstv.org.
TV and Radio: Local Stations Tune in to local TV and radio stations for news about changes in school operations due to weather conditions or other emergencies.
Make sure that your school has your current contact information (e-mail address and home, work, and cell phone numbers),
so that you can be reached in an emergency.
NOTE: MCPS will no longer post closing messages on School’s Out (www.schoolsout.com)
Montgomery County Public Schools Department of Public Information & Web Services/Office of Communications - 301-279-3853.
Leo Club Coat Drive The recent bitter cold has been especially tough on kids
who have outgrown last year’s coat but can’t afford a new one. If you are fortunate enough to have been able to replace a coat that is no longer needed but still in good condition, or if you just need some space in a crowded closet, please donate gently used winter outerwear to the Leo Club Coat drive.
There are boxes in the halls at JPMS – one is right in the front lobby – where you can drop off your donation. All winter gear, including hats, scarves, gloves and mittens will be passed on to folks who need it.
Thanks!
Don’t Let Rec Extra Disappear Without a Fight!
I’ve been running this warning for several weeks now, so it might be something you’re tempted to skip over. PLEASE DON’T!
It’s December – the last month for which we have funding for the outstanding options
available to our students through Rec Extra. All of these programs are in danger of being
cut! RecExtra could disappear in January, 2011. Won’t you raise your voice in support of
this wonderful resource?
JPMS Activities that RecExtra is providing include: boxing training, cooking, sewing,
exercise classes (zumba), scrapbooking, babysitting lessons, soccer clinics, and drama
support.
Classes are offered to expose the students to new skills, engaging activities and to
offer an opportunity for our students to give back to their community. If you value the
programs here at JPMS, it’s time to let our County Council know what RecExtra means to
our community.
Send emails to the council members listed below. Remind them that we have no other
community activities for students locally; that RecExtra provides a safe haven for
students with no one at home after school; and that academic support including
homework help is in jeopardy, too.
http://nancyfloreen.blogspot.com/
The clubs that are scheduled through December have this month to go, but after
January 1 we cannot be certain. Thanks for your help!
Yearbooks
Buy yours today! To purchase a yearbook please visit the JPMS website and look under the News section for the link. Buy the yearbooks today while supplies last! If you have any questions please contact Kelly Aulls at [email protected]
Time to Register for PAA Baseball/Softball
Poolesville Athletic Association (PAA) is currently registering boys and girls, ages 4-12, for the upcoming Spring Baseball season. Softball is being offered for girls 6-9. We hope you will join us this season for what has been a building block in our community. Forms can be found at www.poolesvillesports.org under Baseball/Softball.
Holiday Shopping Made Easy!
Students in the MCPS Automotive Body/Technology programs and Network Operations programs will be selling used cars and computers from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 11 at Gaithersburg HS. These cars and computers are refurbished and tested by the students as part of their classroom and lab studies.
For information on the cars, call Mike Snyder at 301-929-2164 or visit www.autocareers.org.
For information on the computers, call John Brewer at 301-929-6975 or visit www.itfcareers.org. Dell Pentium 4 personal computers, blank hard disk drive, no operating system, priced at $69 plus MD sales tax; with Microsoft Windows XP Home installed, priced at $159 plus MD sales tax. Each computer includes 1GB RAM, CD ROM drive, floppy disk drive, color monitor, keyboard, mouse, network interface card (for network or high-speed internet connection), and eight USB ports. Sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Cash or check with valid ID only –no credit cards accepted. Limited quantity of 15-inch flat panel LCD displays available for additional $25 plus MD sales tax; sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
Proceeds will benefit the Montgomery County Students Automotive Trades and Information Technology Foundations. Thank you for supporting the efforts of the Automotive Technology and Network Operations students. See you at the sale on December 11!
Leo Club Gift Wrapping Fundraiser
Need some extra time as we head into the holidays? John Poole Middle School Leo’s Club will be offering a gift wrapping fundraiser. Bring us your gifts to wrap for you!! Bring your own wrapping paper or use ours. We will wrap and label your gifts after school in Room 101 on December 14 and 16, from 2:30 – 4:00. Donations are appreciated to help us fund upcoming service projects. Contact Mrs. Auel for more information: [email protected]
Cluster Choral Concert
Next Monday, December 20, is our Cluster Choral Concert at Poolesville High School. You can hear our terrific chorus if you missed the concert this week and you can enjoy watching the growth of our talented kids from elementary school through to the sophisticated performances of our high school students. What a nice way to celebrate this festive season, and what a good way to enjoy some family time. Won’t you join us?
Give the gift of reading this holiday – books make great gifts!
Announcing –
Homework Club will be held every Wednesday in the Media Center. Drama rehearsal will be held on December 14 and 21.
The Leo Club has lots of great activities coming up. Our next activity is a coat, hats, gloves, mittens and scarves collection. The collection bins are in the front lobby, near the doors to the buses and the gym lobby. Please help us help others!
Registration is open for Knitting club. We will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays, January 4 - 20. Forms are available in the front office or on the JPMS website.
December 10 Interims Mailed December 16 Girls play King at JPMS (2:40 p.m.) December 16 Boys play King at King (3:00 p.m.) December 20 Poolesville Cluster Choral Concert at PHS (7:00 p.m.) December 24 Holiday – Christmas December 27-30 Winter Break December 31 Holiday, New Year’s Eve
Winter Concert– December 14, 7:00 p.m. at PHS
Save the Date!
Important events you won’t want to miss!
PHS NEWS
Go Falcons!
After- School Activities RecExtra is sponsored by the Montgomery County Department of Recreation and is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Please call a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist at 240-777-4925 or 240-777- 6974 TTY to request accommodations no later than two weeks prior to the activity.
RecExtra has returned to JPMS with exciting programs for all students. Drama Club, Boxing, and whatever else are just a few of the opportunities already on the schedule. If your child has a particular interest, his or her feedback is very important. Please contact Mrs. Crutchfield at 301-972-7979 or winessa_r_crutchfield @mcpsmd.org.
The PHS Booster Club will work this Saturday, December 11, from 1:00 – 5:00 PM on several painting and cleaning projects around the gym, gym lobby and concession stand.
Paint and other supplies are provided – all you have to bring is the spirit and the muscle! For more information go to the PHS Booster Club site at http://phsboosterclub.wordpress.com
Alumni Day is December 23!
And Ask for…
Principal - Mrs. Boucher Assistant Principal - Ms. Lemon Technology & Arts IRT & Grade 6 Team Leader - Mr. Grotenhuis English IRT - Mrs. Lindsay Social Studies IRT & Co-coordinator of Testing - Mr. Whalen Math IRT & Grade 7 Team Leader - Mr. McKay Science IRT & Grade 8 Team Leader - Mrs. Callaghan Counseling - (Ms. Kitts, Secretary) Mrs. Arnold - Mrs. Hardy
Call
John Poole!
Main Office 301-972-7979
Counseling 301-972-7980
Cafeteria 301-407-1037
Health Room 301-407-1029
Boys Varsity Basketball
Friday, December 10 7:00 p.m. Blake vs. PHS at Blake
Wednesday, December 15 7:00 p.m. Walter Johnson vs. PHS at Walter Johnson
Friday, December 17 7:00 p.m. Magruder vs. PHS at PHS
Girls Varsity Basketball
Friday, December 10 7:00 p.m. Blake vs. PHS at PHS
Wednesday, December 15 7:00 p.m. Walter Johnson vs. PHS at PHS
Friday, December 17 7:00 p.m. Magruder vs. PHS at Magruder
Boys Variety Wrestling Tuesday, December 14 6:00 p.m. Damascus vs. PHS at PHS Saturday, December 18 10:00 a.m. Clarksburg and Roosevelt at Roosevelt H.S. Tuesday, December 21 6:00 p.m. Seneca Valley vs. PHS at Seneca Valley H.S. Thursday, December 23 3:30 p.m. Wootton vs. PHS at PHS
Our Vision: The Timberwolf community experiences joy in learning,
celebrates excellence, and values positive relationships.
Our Mission: At John Poole Middle School, our mission is to:
promote joy in learning through motivation and engagement
celebrate excellence by acknowledging achievement
foster a shared responsibility for academic and social success
value positive relationships, thereby promoting a respectful and supportive learning environment
JPMS
Timberwolves
live with
P urpose
R espect
I ntegrity
D edication
E ffort