AdministrationMrs. Debra Abbott, Principal

Dr. Craig Johnson, Assistant PrincipalMr. Danton Thomas, Assistant Principal

Mrs. Joyce MooreSchool Administration Manager (S.A.M.)

Mrs. Yaschika Mims, Dean of StudentsMr. Jesse Patrick, Dean of Students

Mrs. Vanessa Hernandez, Guidance CounselorMrs. Kimberly Longarzo, Guidance Counselor

Ms. Lisa Ramkissoon-Chiu, Guidance Counselor

Office Telephone407-320-7650

Volume XI • Issue 2

APRIL 2016

The mission of Greenwood Lakes Middle School is to prepare our students to be productive and responsible twenty first century citizens, by teaching and promoting personal development, critical thinking, proficiency in technology, and respect for diversity.

To download a PDF version of this newsletter, go tohttp://academypublishing.com/schools/greenwoodlakes/greenwoodlakes.php

‘Eagle Express’April 2016

Published Six Times Per YearGreenwood Lakes Middle School

601 Lake Park DriveLake Mary, FL 32746

Issue # 2

Mission Statement

400 E. Lake Mary BoulevardSanford, FL 32773

From the PrincipalDear Parents and Students, I would like begin by recognizing Ms. Schlottfeldt, recently named as the SCPS World Language Teacher of the Year and Ms. Garibaldi, recently named the Greater Sanford Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Month. In addition, kudos go out to Ms. Haynes, Mr. Colon, Mr. Smith and the Track team for their stellar performance at the District meet. The GLMS boys’ team brought home the district championship trophy, the grade 8 boys’ team placed first and the grade 8 girls’ team placed second in their grade level categories. . GLMS also recognizes Mrs. Reeves, Drama, Ms. Kinion, Band and Mr. Woodruff, Chorus for the excellent and superior ratings their students received at recent Performing Arts competitions. And let us not forget Ms. Kelly Lupis and the Unity Step Team for the trophies they brought home throughout the quarter. As we enter Quarter 4, the GLMS teachers, staff and students are in a sprint to the FSA finish line and are confident that they will cross that line prepared for success. In order to do so, all members of the GLMS family will focus on the GLMS SOAR Expectations as presented during the first semester. These expectations entail:• Showing respect• Owning Ones Behaviors• Acting Responsibly• Reaching for Ones Personal Best In order to maintain this momentum and remain focused, we will continue to provide all students with the support needed to be successful on the FSA, Science FCAT and End of Course Exams in Civics, Biology, Algebra and Geometry. I encourage you to join us by promoting this same focus at home. Please encourage your child to read nightly, complete all homework assignments and discuss the new information they have learned throughout the day. When all students and staff remain focused on the SOAR Expectations and support is provided by teachers, staff and family, learning prevails throughout campus. The testing schedule framework is listed below. Due to the use of computers for many of the tests and the need to administer tests over a period of time. It is recommended that you visit the GLMS website for specific dates. Testing Framework:April 5 - FCAT Science – Grade 8 onlyApril 11 – May 6: FSA ELA & Math grades 6, 7, 8 (computer based) Specific dates to be announcedMay 9 – May 18: EOC – Geometry, Algebra, Biology, Civics specific dates to be announced Please be reminded the best testing environment occurs on the day the test is first administered. Please help your child to arrive on time and to be ready to do his/her best. Also, please make sure your child receives a good night’s rest and a good breakfast, so they

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For the Parents, Staf & Community of

...continued from front pageFrom the Principal

are as adequately prepared as possible. Please keep in mind students will not be dismissed or admitted to classes that are involved in the testing periods, therefore, it is best not to schedule doctor, dentist or other appointments on these dates. Instruction will continue in all classes. Please make sure you review your child’s progress regularly. To be promoted to the next grade level, a student must have maintained a 2.0 GPA. 8th grade students who do not earn promotion to high school will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Students deemed eligible will be requested to attend a 6-week High School Transition Program. Details of this program will be provided to those students. All 6th and 7th grade students who do not meet the promotion requirements will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Students deemed eligible will be placed in the Academic Improvement Program for the 2016-17 year. Those who fall too far below the promotion requirements will be retained. If you have concerns about your child’s current progress, please contact the appropriate grade level guidance counselor On behalf of the entire GLMS staff, I thank you for your continued support. Please do not hesitate to contact us with questions, concerns and/or ideas.

Respectfully,Debra Abbott, Principal

We continue to beOne School with One Vision: Highly Effective Staff providing

Highly Effective Instruction to Highly Effective Students

8th Grade Dance Information

The 8th Grade dance will be Friday, May 13 at 6:00 in the GLMS gymnasium. Tickets will be sold in May (exact dates

TBA). Please consider making a food donation as follows: 8th grade girls – small bottles of water or 2-liter sodas, 8th grade boys – chips (individual serving bags only). Donations are being accepted now through the day of the dance and can be dropped at the front desk, attention Mrs. Moore. Thank you in advance for your support!

I N T E R N A T I O N A L

What are the Florida Standards and Florida Standards Assessments? The Florida Standards in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics were approved by the Florida State Board of Education (SBOE) in February 2014 and were fully implemented in grades K–12 in the 2014–2015 school year. All Florida schools teach the Florida Standards. The Florida Standards Assessments (FSA) provide parents and families, teachers, policy makers, and the general public with information regarding how well students are learning the Florida Standards.What FSA tests are administered? Grade Assessments6 ELA – Writing/Reading, Mathematics7 ELA – Writing/Reading, Mathematics8 ELA – Writing/Reading, Mathematics• In addition, the following FSA End-of-Course (EOC) Assessments

are administered to students enrolled in and completing an applicable course:

○ Algebra 1 End-of-Course Assessment ○ Geometry End-of-Course Assessment

Can my student practice taking the test? Prior to administering each computer-based assessment, test administrators conduct a practice test that contains sample test items to prepare students for the item types, tools, and online interface they will encounter during testing. Practice tests are available in the FSA Portal for students to practice on their own.Are all assessments administered on the computer? For the 2015–2016 school year, students in grades 4–7 will take the ELA Writing assessment on paper. Also, students whose individual education plans (IEPs) or Section 504 plans indicate a need for paper-based format will be provided a paper test. All other assessments are computer-based.

How can I support my student? Parents and families can promote student success by staying involved in their child’s education, offering positive support and feedback, and encouraging their child to relax and do his or her very best. By staying connected with their child’s school and teachers and taking advantage of online resources, such as school websites and portals, parents and families can stay informed and be equipped to meet the needs of their child at home.How will I know how my student performed on the assessment? Scores for the 2015–2016 assessments will be released in June 2016. Parents/families will receive a paper score report after scores are distributed to the districts. Districts will report scores to schools and students and will notify parents/families. Paper score reports will include an overall score for each subject of the test, an achievement level, a percentile rank for comparison to other similar students in Florida, and more specific content-area scores on the material assessed within each subject.What are the FSA End-of-Course Assessments? The FSA End-of-Course (EOC) Assessments are computer-based tests designed to measure student achievement of the specified standards for mathematics courses (Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2). Learn more about the NGSSS EOC Assessments.Can my virtual school student participate in the Florida Assessments? All public school students are required to take state assessments, including virtual public school students per section 1008.22, F.S. For more information about virtual public school students’ participation in statewide assessments, visit the Virtual Education FAQs.FOR MORE FSA INFORMATION OR TO EXPERIENCE A PRACTICE TEST, PLEASE VISIT WWW.FSASSESSMENTS.ORG

Testing

Dear Parents and Students, On behalf of the music department at GLMS, we would like to thank you all for your continued support for music and the arts at GLMS. We have some of the most hard-working students and parents who help us be successful in our performances and keeping our programs alive. Our students are making connections between many subject areas through music and we are very proud of them.For Band News…Please check Skyward messages regularly!Upcoming Dates:• March 29, 31 & April 2: Symphonic Band (Band III) MPA Rehearsals 4-5:30pm GLMS

Band Room• April 7-9: MPA Dates (Winter Spring HS)• May 9: Lake Mary Jazz Night (Lake Mary High School). Concert starts at 6pm• May 19 - Spring Concert (Lake Mary HS): Band Spring Concert for all bands. Concert

starts at 6pm• June 6-16: Band Camp! **Info may be found in the GLMS front office or

http://www.markhamwoodsband.org/bandcamp/**BAND CAMP• Open to ALL students. There will be a beginning and advanced level. If you would like to

learn how to play an instrument, please join us and join the band!• The camp will take place Monday-Thursday June 6-16. Registration begins May 1-30. Please

see the site for more details: http://www.markhamwoodsband.org/bandcamp/

Thank you for letting me teach your wonderfully musical students,Ms. Kinion

Art The second semester of exploring 2D art is now coming down to the last 9 weeks of the school year. With Spring Break fast approaching, the students are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. With that being said, GLMS is proud to say the art department is gaining speed, and plans to continue to evolve the program to introduce the students to more of the principles and elements of design. By year’s end, the 8th grade students will be ready for high school level art, and should fit right in with their peers. We are very excited to watch the student’s artistic growth, and look forward to what the rest of the year holds.

UNITY Step Team The UNITY Step Team has performed in multiple events throughout the year and continue to have a busy schedule until the end of the school year. The team placed first in the Seminole Step Show, made an appearance at the World Language Festival at Winter Springs High School, featured in Caribbean Life Magazine, Break the Stage National Step Competition and a highlighted performance at an Orlando Magic Game! You can see us perform at some of the boys/girls upcoming basketball games or at the GLMS Talent Show on April 1. Students are required to maintain a 2.0 GPA as well as maintain high standings behaviorally. Thank you to all those who have supported us!Kelly Lupis & The UNITY Step Team

Advertise in the Eagle Express!

This is a wonderful way for your company to get community recognition and exposure, and at the same time help support

your local schools!

A few spots are left!

We need you!Joyce Moore

Joyce_Moore@scps.k12.fl.us

Greenwood Lakes Middle School

Non-Profit OrganizationUS Postage Paid

Orlando, FLPermit # 2346

Greenwood Lakes Middle School601 Lake Park DriveLake Mary, FL 32746

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Attention Parents of 6th Graders!IMMUNIZATION INFORMATION

The Florida Department of Health and the Department of Education require all students entering 7th grade to have a Tdap booster (adult strength tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) vaccine. This vaccine can be obtained from your child’s health care provider. Required vaccines

are also available at the Florida Department of Health in Seminole County for students with Medicaid, without insurance or insurance does not cover vaccines, or who are unable to obtain them through a private provider. Appointments are required. Please

call 407-665-3700 to schedule. An administrative processing fee of $15 will apply. An updated Florida Certification of Immunization DH 680 Form must be presented to your child’s school before your child can receive a schedule or enter school on the first day of classes, August 10, 2016. Incomplete forms, immunization histories, billing receipts and notes from doctor’s offices will not be accepted. Forms should be turned in as soon as possible. Seminole County Public Schools in cooperation with the Department of Health is working to bring Healthy Schools, LLC to our campus the first week in May 2016. Once approved by the School Board, Healthy Schools will offer the Tdap vaccine to your child free of charge during the school day. A report will be generated closer to this date to identify those still in need of the vaccine. A parent consent form will be sent home for you to complete and send back to the school if you are interested.