Viewpoint

Mount View Middle School is forming a partnership with Turf Valley Resort. Our first partnership activity will be a family night at Turf Valley on April 19^th from 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM. Turf Valley will give 20% back to the Mount View Band and Orchestra from diners who identify themselves as being with MVMS. The 20% proceeds will help fund the New York City field trip in June. Make your reservation today!

7th Grade News

The 7^th grade life science students will be participating in an exciting hands-on program sponsored by the Carnegie Institution for Science called Project BioEYES. During the program, the students will be studying the behavior, development and genetics of live Zebrafish! During the week of March 29^th – April 1^st, BioEYES will be in Periods 3 and 4 science classes, and during the week of April 12^th – 16^th, BioEYES will be in Periods 7, 8 and 9 science classes. For additional information please visit the website at http://www.bioeyes.org.

Young Scholars Program for 7th Graders

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Young Scholars Program: The Young Scholars Program is designed to nurture exceptional students. Students can apply for the program in 7^th grade, enter the program in 8^th grade, and continue through high school. The program provides personalized, generous scholarship experience. The Foundation works closely with Scholars and their families to construct a tailored educational program that includes, but is not limited to, support for summer programs, distance learning courses, and music and art instruction. Each year, the Foundation selects approximately 50 students.

Eligible 7^th grade students must be a U.S. resident, plan to attend a U.S. high school, enter the 8^th grade in the fall of 2010, earn all A’s or mostly A’s in school and demonstrate financial need. In addition, students must have demonstrated excellence in academic endeavors and extracurricular activities and a strong will to succeed. For Young Scholars entering the program, the average family income is approximately $25,000, and over more than 90 percent have incomes under $60,000. Young Scholars Program applications are available at http://www.jkcf.org/scholarships/young-scholars-program/ and the application deadline is April 26^th. After high school, Young Scholars are also eligible to apply for continued undergraduate and graduate support from the Foundation – ten or more years of assistance total for educational pursuits. For additional information about the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Young Scholars Program, please contact the Regional Talent Center at Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth at 410-735-6270 or by electronic mail at jkc@jhu.edu.

Take Your Child to Work Day

Take Your Child to Work Day is on Thursday, April 22^nd. We want to ensure a productive and educational day for all students. Students who are participating in "Take Your Child to Work Day" will be required to make up the work missed in school. If you plan to have your child participate in "Take Your Child to Work Day", please download the form (Form) and return it to your child’s Falcon Time teacher or Front Office by Monday, April 19^th.

Early Dismissals

For early dismissals, notes are recommended stating the time of dismissal (not the appointment time), and should be given to Mrs. Leaf in the Student Services office before 7:40 AM. The student’s name and dismissal time will be submitted in the daily attendance and listed on the MVMS television. Teachers will dismiss the student at the stated dismissal time. Please allow your child 2-3 minutes to come to the front office. Parents MUST sign out and pick up your child in the front office. When the child returns he/she may sign in the return time.

Students arriving after 7:40 AM MUST sign in the front office.

Parking Lot

Students are to be picked up at the designated Student Pick Up / Drop Off. For safety reasons, the lower parking lot is not for pick up and drop off.

Mount View Google Calendar

With our new Google calendar (http://www.mountviewmiddleschool.org/calendar.php), you can stay informed by synching school events to your own Google calendar. Add the events by clicking on the Google Calendar in the bottom right hand corner of the school calendar. Google will automatically ask you for your login information and add the events to your personal calendar. If you have any questions email timothy_guy@hcpss.org.

Keyboarding Class

Help improve your student’s typing speed and form by registering for our new after school keyboarding class. Students will be using Mavis Beacon’s software to complete a 12-session program.

Days: Tuesday and Wednesday

Dates: April 13^th – May 19^th

Time: 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM (Students will need to be picked up at 3:30 PM)

Where: MVMS Main Computer Lab

Mount

Cost: FREE

No Slots Left!!!

Community News

Marriotts Ridge High School - Boosters Summer Camps: Registration is now OPEN -- “Early Bird” Rate thru May 15, 2010 (10% discount). Sponsored by: MRHS Boosters Club - Instructed by: MRHS Staff. Visit the MRHS Boosters website for details on Summer Camps -- Registration forms and online purchases (via Visa/MasterCard) at http://www.mrhs-boosters.com/summercamps. For more information contact: summercamps@mrhs-boosters.com.

Bark for Life: Join the fun at the First Annual Bark for Life: an American Cancer Society fundraiser at Western Regional Park on Saturday, April 17^th from 9:00 AM-1:00 PM. There will contests: shortest tail, largest dog, costumes, etc., games, and either a 1K or 2K walking route. For more information go to: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=24983&pg=entry and click on "Bark for Life" on the left side of the page. Registration will be taken the day of the event. This event is sponsored by the Marriotts Ridge High School Relay for Life team.

HCC Summer 2010 Startalk Language Program: Learn one of three languages: Arabic, Chinese or Hindi June 28^th - July 29^th, Monday – Thursday, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM at Howard Community College Campus. Earn 4 academic credits & 1 credit for high school graduation (with prior approval of principal). For more information, contact cberman@howardcc.edu or call Cheryl Berman, 410-772-4861.

Application deadline is March 31^st. Check out the website at the link below: http://www.howardcc.edu/admissions/apply/hsinfo/EarlyEntrance/startalk.html

Registration for Howard County Recreation and Parks Teen Programs is now OPEN! Howard County Recreation and Parks is currently offering a variety of classes for your teenager (ages 11-17) such as Babysitting Fundamentals, Teen Cuisine, Brazilian Dance, Teen Actors’ Workshop, Get a Job, Introduction to Piano and much more! These programs are offered at convenient locations throughout the county. For more detailed information about specific programs and classes, please see pages 54-57 of the Spring Guide online at http://www.howardcountymd.gov/rap/rapdocs/2010_SpgSum_Guide.pdf. For the most up-to-date information about a program or to register your teen please visit: http://activenet.active.com/howardcounty.

Candlelight Concerts Society, Inc. will present the Ariel String Quartet at 8:00 PM on Saturday, April 3^rd at Smith Theatre, Howard Community College, in Columbia. Students ages 9 – 17 receive one free ticket when accompanied by a paying adult. For details and tickets, call 410-997-2324.

The College Savings Plans of MD is hosting a series of events throughout the State to build awareness around the last opportunity to enroll at this year’s prices for the Prepaid College Trust. College Savings Plans of Maryland will be at Howard Community College, DH (Duncan Hall) Room 229 in Columbia, on Thursday, April 1^st from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Have a question about the only two Section 529 plans that offer a Maryland State income deduction? Here’s your opportunity to meet with a representative and have all of your questions answered. We’ll be there to even help you enroll in the Prepaid College Trust on the spot! It’s never too early or too late to learn ways to start saving for your child’s college expenses.

The Supreme Sports Club Youth Program will hold RecTime in the Arena, from April 5^th-9^th , during Spring Break. The program is for students ages 6 – 14. Participants can enjoy basketball, swimming, wallyball, G-rated movies and more. Register on March 31^st from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM and get one free day with a paid registration of any of the days during Spring Break week. For more information, call 410-381-5355 or email sscarena@columbiaassociation.com.

The Columbia Figure Skating Club will present Music Festival On Ice on Saturday, March 27^th at 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM and on Sunday March 28^th at 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM. The show will take place at the Columbia Ice Rink in the Oakland Mills Village Center. The cast of almost a hundred skaters, from beginners to national and international level competitors, promises a must-see "ice-spectacular" performance, as they bring alive Cirque Du Soleil, Thriller, Grease, Carmen, Alvin and the Chipmunks and many more. Tickets $10.00 for open seating / 2 and under FREE. Advance tickets recommended. For more information, call 410-813-4026.

The Horizon Councils and The Rotary Clubs of Howard County will hold Soup’r Sundae, a family-friendly fundraiser for Grassroots, Howard County’s only emergency shelter, on Sunday, March 28^th from noon – 2:00 PM. The event will take place at Spear Center, General Growth Properties Building (formerly the Rouse Co. building) in Columbia. All you can eat soup, bread and ice cream will be available from great local restaurants. Children will enjoy music, arts and crafts. Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Tickets may be purchased at the door, from Rotary Club members or contact cathyvsmith@verizon.net .

Reserve Your Space for Summer at the Y! Summer at the Y means a summer of fun! And the Y knows summer fun because we literally invented summer camp! Campers go on field trips, make new friends, learn new skills, and build strong character along the way. This summer, the Y is offering more choices and more fun, but still at affordable prices! Choose from day camps, teen camps, special needs camps, overnight camps, and half-day camp extras like drama, art, cooking, Mad Science and more! Save up to $100! Sign-up for three or more weeks of Y camp by April 18^th and pay no registration fee plus get $10 off each week! (Certain restrictions apply). For details or to register, go to: www.ymaryland.org