Volume 10 Issue 5 May/June 2010

Lancaster Middle School Newsletter

MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Students, Parents and Guardians, A few reminders as we enter the last few weeks of the 2009 – 2010 school year.

� The last day of school instruction prior to final exams is Tuesday, June 15th.

� An exam schedule is included for your convenience to plan study time

and to be assured of daily dismissal times.

� Please review the dress code section on page 14 in the student planner making sure all attire is school appropriate.

On behalf of myself, Mr. Marchioli and the entire staff at L.M.S. have a safe

and fun-filled summer with family and friends.

AAAA NIGHT TO REMEMBER NIGHT TO REMEMBER NIGHT TO REMEMBER NIGHT TO REMEMBER

LANCASTER MIDDLE SCHOOLLANCASTER MIDDLE SCHOOLLANCASTER MIDDLE SCHOOLLANCASTER MIDDLE SCHOOL

8888THTHTHTH GRADE DINNER DANCE GRADE DINNER DANCE GRADE DINNER DANCE GRADE DINNER DANCE

Attention all 8th graders! The last dance before you move up to the High School will be on Friday, May 28th in the High School Cafeteria. Tickets will be on sale starting Tuesday, May 25th through Friday, May 28th, so make sure you have your student ID! Just as a reminder…this is a casual/semi-formal dance and dress must be school appropriate! There are no limos allowed and only 8th grade LMS stu-dents are allowed to attend. Make sure you join all of your friends for fun, food, music, and more fun! Dinner will be served at 6:30…Rob’s Catering will be supplying us with Chiavetta’s style chicken and homemade macaroni and cheese, so bring your appetite! And don’t forget to grab your DVD of the 8th grade slide show before you leave!

FEBRUARY MARCH

7 Red Molly Dunbar Joseph LaPiana 7 White Austin Crowe Ryan Lukowski 7 Blue Caroline Waringa Alec Sczepanski 7 Green Grace Nadig Luke Borkowski 8 Language Arts Heather Teichmann Jacob Godfrey 8 Math Justin Siwa Kirstin Heffler 8 Science Matthew Niewiemski Alex Kerl 8 Social Studies Mark McManus Dean Kostorowski Teen Leadership Kerry Young Health Ashton Wrobel Music Thomas Fritton Amanda McNally Art Erin Sciortino Alivia Gnagnarelli Citizenship Autumn Ashley Ethan Sawdye Alexander Juhasz Taylor Thormahlen Noah Zerkowski Phys Ed Nicolette Schiffmacher Christina Buscaglia Tech Ed Lindsey Burns Jordan Bauth Home & Careers Megan Hardy Kayley Babinger Hospitality & Tourism Foreign Language Ashley Alessandra Kyle Lederhouse

STUDENTS OF THE MONTHSTUDENTS OF THE MONTHSTUDENTS OF THE MONTHSTUDENTS OF THE MONTH

MAY 5 & 6 Spring concerts 7 pm 5 & 6 NYS Math assessments 7 School dance 7 – 9:30 pm 10 – 11 Wellness days 11 HSA meeting 7 pm 14 Mid quarter ends 24 – 6/3/10 8th grade science performance test 28 8th grade dinner dance @ LHS 6 – 9:30 pm 31 Memorial Day – No School JUNE 7 Spring concert 7 pm 7 Grade 8 science written assessment 9 7 & 8 grade academic awards assembly @ LMS 7 pm 11 Breakfast of Champions 14 & 15 8th grade NYS Social Studies assessments 15 Last day of instruction 16 – 21 See attached exam schedule

IMPORTANT DATESIMPORTANT DATESIMPORTANT DATESIMPORTANT DATES

LMS ROCKBAND TOURNAMENT

On March 18, 2010 Team Strutter beat Team Metric Gun in the championship game of the first ever Lancaster Middle School Rock-band tournament. Through the four day course, fourteen bands com-peted for the grand prize. On day one, the first seven bands played and on day two, the remaining seven took the stage. On day three, eight bands competed and the top three bands played on day four. Strutter took a surprising win against Metric Gun. All of the teams were required to have three or four members playing on the guitar, drums, bass, or microphone.

The members of the audience as well as the Super Dream Team (the six creators of the tour-

nament) were well involved and enthusiastic about the teams playing. Many bands tried their luck but could not stand up to some of the well-experienced players. After many attempts to even pass a song, many teams were eliminated from the tournament. Some bands didn’t take it as well as others. Day after day, the tournament got smaller and smaller and the talent of the teams began to shine.

The most surprising part of the tournament was Metric Gun’s defeat. From the start, Metric

Gun was scoring big points on high levels of the game, as the tournament progressed the audience predicted that they would be the champions; they predicted wrong. After the championship song started, Metric Gun had a rough start but they pulled through thanks to their bassist. Many atten-dees of this event still thought that they would win, but when the score came up, they didn’t quite match up to Strutter. Metric Gun was very disappointed as were some of their fans, but they showed a lot of respect and congratulated their winning opponents.

Overall, the tournament was a fun and exciting experience for anyone who took part in it, or even sat in the audience. Several teams tried their best, but only one took the grand prize. It was a won-derful time for any student, let alone the teachers who would peek in from the auditorium doors. And where will this take us? Who knows, there has even been some small talk of a second tourna-ment next year!

WINNER OF THE LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER GIFT BASKET

Congratulations to Ethan Sawdye for winning the gift basket in the Library Media Center. The Library Media Center celebrated School Library Month by holding a contest for a gift basket filled with fabulous prizes. Students who checked out a book in the month of April were eligible for the contest. Thank you to the faculty and staff who encouraged students to participate. Ethan's name was selected from 253 entries. Congratulations Ethan!

CCCCOMO PARK EASTER EGG HUNTOMO PARK EASTER EGG HUNTOMO PARK EASTER EGG HUNTOMO PARK EASTER EGG HUNT

The Como Park Easter Egg Hunt was a huge success! On Wednesday, March 31, 20 stu-dents from Student Council and Teen Lead-ership II walked to Como Park Elementary School to spend the afternoon with Mrs.Feness’s kindergarten class. We brought hand- made Easter baskets, candy, an Easter book and Easter eggs filled with the children’s “50 Nifty Words,” which are words the children are required to know by the end of the year. The kindergarteners were so excited to go outside and get some candy. The Easter egg hunt was very suc-cessful and not only did the kids have a ton of fun, we did too! We plan on doing many more activities with Mrs. Feness’s class!

HHHHATS 4 HAITIATS 4 HAITIATS 4 HAITIATS 4 HAITI

Six students from Teen Leadership II organized Hats 4 Haiti to help with their earthquake re-covery. Students who purchased $1 Hats-4-Haiti stickers were able to wear their hats on Friday, March 26th. Stickers were sold from March 22 until March 25, 2010. We raised $152.85 for the American Red Cross Foundation’s Relief Program to aid victims of the earthquake. The people in Haiti will be given food and needed supplies with the money that we raised for them, which makes us feel very proud.

VVVVETERANS’ HOSPITALETERANS’ HOSPITALETERANS’ HOSPITALETERANS’ HOSPITAL

On March 23, 2010, six students from Lancaster Middle School’s Teen Leadership II class went to the VA Hospital for a service project. They made cards of appreciation honoring their services. They spread joy through the halls of the hospital. They all had an amazing experience meeting and speaking with people who fought for our coun-try.

OPERATION FRYOPERATION FRYOPERATION FRYOPERATION FRY

On Friday, March 12, 2010, three of Ms. Blatner’s Teen Leadership II students went to the Holy Mother of the Rosary Cathedral. They donated baked goods and assisted with the bake sale earning more than $100. All three students also helped with the Fish Fry. Catherine Keller poured coffee and passed out desserts while Katie Sodaro and Kaitlyn Waclawek cleaned tables and served meals. After the day was done, they all felt like they really helped out and did their part.

Make This a Summer of Make This a Summer of Make This a Summer of Make This a Summer of

Relaxation and …Relaxation and …Relaxation and …Relaxation and …

READING!READING!READING!READING!

Lancaster Middle School

English Language Arts Department Maureen McDonnell Meyers, Department Chair

SUMMER MAY NOT BE HERE YET, BUT IT’SSUMMER MAY NOT BE HERE YET, BUT IT’SSUMMER MAY NOT BE HERE YET, BUT IT’SSUMMER MAY NOT BE HERE YET, BUT IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY TO READ! NEVER TOO EARLY TO READ! NEVER TOO EARLY TO READ! NEVER TOO EARLY TO READ!

Each student entering Grade 7 or Grade 8 must read at least two books over the summer.Each student entering Grade 7 or Grade 8 must read at least two books over the summer.Each student entering Grade 7 or Grade 8 must read at least two books over the summer.Each student entering Grade 7 or Grade 8 must read at least two books over the summer.

The attached list provides many popular suggestions. However, students (and parents) are

welcome to make other choices that suit their interests and reading ability. Parents, please

take an active role in your child’s reading choices; in fact, you might want to read along with

your son or daughter.

Our goal is to encourage reading throughout the lazy days of July and August.Our goal is to encourage reading throughout the lazy days of July and August.Our goal is to encourage reading throughout the lazy days of July and August.Our goal is to encourage reading throughout the lazy days of July and August.

Albom, Mitch – For One More Day Anderson, Laurie Halse – Speak, Prom Anderson, M.T. - Feed Avi - The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle,

Never Mind (with Rachel Vail) Bartoletti, Susan – The Boy Who Dared Bauer, Joan - Rules of the Road Bishop, Claire Hutchet – Twenty and Ten Bissinger, J.G. - Friday Night Lights Bloor, Edward -Tangerine Bowen, Fred - Full Court Fever, Golden Glove Boyne, John – The Boy in the Striped Pajamas Brashares, Ann - The Sisterhood of the Traveling

Pants series (4 books) Brooks, Bruce - Moves Make the Man Brouwer, Sigmund - “Sports Mysteries” series and “Short Cut Sports Mysteries” series

Brouwer, Susannah - Lightning on Ice Card, Orson Scott - Ender’s Game Cheripko, Jan - Imitate the Tiger

Chotjewitz, David – Half Human Christopher, Matt - The Kid Who Only Hit Hom-

ers Clements, Andrew - A Week in the Woods Cody, Elizabeth - Libby B. on the Brink of Cool Coffer, Eoin – the “Artemis Fowl” books Collier, James Lincoln Collier – The Empty Mirror Cooney, Caroline - The Face on the Milk

Carton series, Driver’s Ed, Flash Fire, Code Orange

Cormier, Robert - The Chocolate War, I Am the Cheese

Creech, Sharon - Replay Crutcher, Chris – Ironman, Staying Fat for Sarah

Byrns, Running Loose Curtis, Christopher Paul - Bud, Not Buddy DeFelice, Cynthia - Nowhere to Call Home Dessen, Sarah - This Lullaby, Just Listen and others

Deuker, Carl - On the Devil’s Court, Painting the Black

DiCamillo, Kate - Because of Winn-Dixie, Tale of Desperaux, The Tiger Rising

Dickinson, Peter - Eva Donnelly, Jennifer - A Northern Light Dowell, Frances O’Roark – The Language of Girls Duncan, Lois – Ransom, The Third Eye DuPrau, Jeanne - City of Ember, The People of

Sparks, The Prophet of Yonwood, The Diamond of Darkhold

Farmer, Nancy - The Ear, the Eye and the Arm, House of the Scorpion

Funke, Cornelia – Inkheart, Inkspell Gaiman, Neil and Dave McKean – The Graveyard

Book Gerber, Linda – Death by Latte Giff, Patricia Reilly - Pictures of Hollis Woods,

A House of Tailors Haddix, Margaret Peterson - Among the Hidden

series

Harrison, Lisl – the “Clique” novels

Hesse, Karen - Witness Hiaasen, Carl - Hoot Hinton, S.E. – Rumblefish; That Was Then, This

Is Now Hopkins, Cathy - Mates, Dates and Cosmic

Kisses Horowitz, Anthony – the “Alex Rider” series

Konigsburg, E.L. - A View from Saturday, The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place

Koss, Amy Goldman - The Cheat Korman, Gordon - No More Dead Dogs, Son of

the Mob, Schooled L’Engle, Madeline - A Wrinkle in Time and

sequels

Lewis, C.S. - The Chronicles of Narnia Lowenstein, Sallie – Sender Unknown Lynch, Chris – Ice Man Martin, Ann M. - Here Today, A Corner of the

Universe Matas, Carol - After the War Mazer, Harry - The Last Mission McDaniel, Lurlene - books about kids facing ill-

nesses

McDonald, Joyce - Swallowing Stones Mikaelsen, Ben - Red Midnight, Touching Spirit

Bear

Myers, Walter Dean - Fallen Angel, Monster, Slam!

Myron, Vicki – Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World

Nimmo, Jenny – the “Charlie Bone” books

Nolan, Han - Dancing on the Edge, Face in Every Window

O’Brien, Robert - Z for Zachariah Patterson, Katherine - Bridge to Terabithia,, Jacob Have I Loved Paulsen, Gary - any of the “Brian” books – ex-

cept Hatchet (read in class) Peck, Richard - A Long Way from Chicago,

A Year Down Yonder Philbrick, Rodman - Freak the Mighty Pierce, Tamora – The Will of the Empress Rennison, Louise - Angus, Thongs and Full

Frontal Snogging and sequels Riordan, Rick – The Lightning Thief Rowling, J.K. - “Harry Potter” series

Sachar, Louis – Small Steps Schmidt, Gary D. – The Wednesday Wars Schumacher, Julie – The Chain Letter Schusterman, Neal – Downsiders, The Shadow

Club, The Schwa Was Here Selznick, Brian – The Invention of Hugo Cabret Shan, Darren - Cirque du Freak series Shreve, Susan – Under the Watson’s Porch Spielgelman, Art - Maus and Maus II Spinelli, Jerry - Maniac Magee, Stargirl, Milk-

weed Swallow, Pamela Curtis – It Only Looks Easy Taylor, Mildred -The Land Tolan, Stephanie S. -Surviving the Applewaites Tolkien, J.R.R. - “Lord of the Rings” trilogy and

The Hobbit Van Draanen, Wendelin - Flipped Waite, Judy – Shopaholic Weeks, Sarah – So B. It

Weyn, Suzanne - The Bar Code Tattoo and The Bar Code Rebellion

Williams, Brian and Roderick Gordon – Tunnels and Deeper

Winerip, Michael – Adam Canfield of the Slash Wolff, Virginia Euwer - Make Lemonade, Bat 6 Woodson, Jacqueline - Feathers Yolen, Jane - Boots and the Seven Leaguers Zindel, Paul -The Gadget, A Begonia for Miss

Applebaum

LANCASTER MIDDLE SCHOOL

Counselor’s

Newsletter Working Together for School Success

Vol. III Issue #5

May/June

LMS Counselors

686-3247

Marla Varrone A-Ham

Denise Scheig Han-N

Tracy Rabey O-Z

A TIME FOR REFLECTION...

The end of the school year is a great time for you and your child to reflect on

successes. Did he or she stay more organized, become more independent, learn

their way around a new building, or get a good grade on a project? Have your

child list all his or her accomplishments. Remind your child of all the things he or

she worried about at the beginning of the year that have worked out success-

fully. Even the smallest achievements like resolving a conflict with a friend or

making a responsible decision should be recognized.

After that is complete, think about any disappointments or improvements still

needed for the next year. This will teach your child to set goals and make a plan

for achieving the goal. It also shows them that if they want to make a change,

it takes some effort. Be sure to save the goals for the following evaluation at

the end of the next year.

A strong finish If your middle grader has spring fever, she may suddenly realize she hasn’t prepared for upcoming exams. Let her know she can still give it her best shot. Suggest that she list the steps needed to get ready. Using her planner, she can schedule them for the time she has left.

Smoking Stinks Does your child want bad breath or yellow teeth? Probably not. Tell him that’s what he will get smoking, and you’ll give him two big reasons for saying “no” to cigarettes. While parents worry about future health issues, adolescents and pre-adolescents may be more afraid of what can happen right now.

“Great people are those who make others feel that they, too, can become great.”

-Mark Twain

Changing schedules Summer goes more smoothly if you start with a plan. Decide ahead of time what your child’s bed-time and curfew will be once school is out. Keep in mind that your child needs about 9 hours of sleep a night. You’ll have fewer struggles if every-one knows what to expect.

SUMMER FUN... School’s almost over. Now what? Help your child stay active and have fun with

these summertime ideas:

1) Check with your community center or community education for activities.

2) Is your child an animal lover? There might be an opportunity to volunteer at a

shelter, veterinarian office, or stable.

3) Look for programs at museums, zoos, and nature centers.

4) Camps and activities are available at the parks, YMCA, or 4-H center.

5) Suggest that your child do jobs around the house or neighborhood. For

example, mowing lawns, walking dogs, babysitting, or gardening.

6) Consider a study skills course, a keyboarding class, or taking up a hobby.

7) Attend festivals, fairs and local events. There also might be contests that

your child can enter.

8) Local theaters stage summer productions that they can participate in or

attend.

9) Play strategy games such as backgammon, checkers, and Monopoly together.

10) Plant a garden, read a book together, go hiking or enjoy the outdoors!

Have Fun and Enjoy Summer together!

Tips for Transitioning to High School The first year of high school can be a make or break year for kids. Parents can make all the difference in making the transition easier. ⇒ Attend Orientation-Learn about the school, meet the teachers and staff,

and ask questions. ⇒ Teach time management-This will help your teen handle all the classes,

projects and activities. ⇒ Encourage involvement– Students who do at least one after school activ-

ity have better attendance and grades. ⇒ Get involved yourself-Volunteering at school, even in a small way, shows

support for your child’s education. ⇒ Talk with other parents-When your teen says things like “no one else has

a curfew” you’ll know the truth. ⇒ Be connected-Know your child’s friends, interests and schoolwork. It will

give you topics to discuss when you eat dinner as a family. Don’t forget to plan fun things together with your teen.

Happy Summer!