Viewpoint

8^th Grade Science MSA: The Science Maryland School Assessment (MSA) is administered to 8^th grade students and covers 6^th – 8^th grade science achievement. This test provides educators, parents, and the public valuable information about student, school, school system, and state performance.

Mount View’s 8^th graders will be taking the test over four days April 26^th, April 27^th, April 28^thand April 29^th. The test is computerized and will be administered in the main computer lab at Mount View and a computer lab at Marriott’s Ridge High School. This week, students received a label for their agenda book that gives their testing dates, time (AM or PM) and testing location. In science classes, students will be reviewing 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grade science to better prepare for the comprehensive test. We suggest that students eat breakfast and get a full night sleep before their testing sessions. Thank you for your support as the 8^th graders take Science MSA.

8^th Grade Activities

As our 8^th graders begin to wrap up their middle school career, we like to show appreciation for excellence both academically and behaviorally. We have planned multiple end-of-the-year activities to celebrate the eighth grade class as they venture into high school. With the beautiful weather and extended school year, we want to encourage continued and appropriate behaviors. As we want all 8^th graders to enjoy the activities planned for the end-of-the-year, we want to remind them that the activities are a privilege, and any behaviors that disrupt the learning environment could affect these activities. We do not anticipate any negative behaviors, and we look forward to continued success as we bring to a close the school year.

Student Recognition

Our Voice: Congratulations to Timothy Beschner, Troy Hensh and Makenzie Hockensmith. Their artwork will be published in the 2010 Howard County Middle School Literary and Art Magazine, Our Voice. A special reception honoring all the students will be held on June 3^rd.

The Maryland PTA Reflections Program recognized the following students at the state level: Maddie Rodrigue received the Award of Excellence for Dance Choreography. Byrnn Morales received the Award of Merit for Dance Choreography. Maddie and Brynn will be honored at an Awards Ceremony on May 1^st. Congratulations!

Congratulations to Jonathan Dryja on qualifying for 2010 Carson Scholar Recognition. He was honored with a scholarship award and a letter from the Carson family celebrating exemplary academic achievements and community service.

Spring Spiritwear

SPRING SPIRITWEAR: Polka dot pajamas, baseball caps, pack-n-go pullovers, cool ringer Ts, capris and the awesome newly designed "artistic" t-shirt and hoodie! Deadline is May 3^rd. Click here to view items, download order form OR order online with a credit card! Receive a 20% off coupon to the Woodstock Snowball Stand for EACH item ordered! Delivery is expected by May 14^th.

MVMS Scholarship Donations

As we begin to plan for our end of the year activities, it is our desire that all students are able to participate, regardless of their ability to pay. For this reason, MVMS will be accepting donations for a scholarship fund. MVMS families or community members who wish to contribute should send donations into the front office, attention Karyn Littlejohn.

P.L.E.D.G.E.

The Howard County Department of Police is conducting a summer program aimed at helping rising ninth grade students succeed in high school. The P.L.E.D.G.E. program is five days in length and teaches the participants leadership, communication skills, teamwork, and decision-making abilities that will help them when they enter high school.

The leadership camp is staffed by School Resource Officers, who work with students in the high schools throughout the year. The program targets graduating eighth grade students who will be freshman at Howard County high schools this fall. This program is designed to specifically educate eighth grade students who have not had serious contact with law enforcement, disruptive behavioral issues or multiple suspensions.

The P.L.E.D.G.E. Leadership Camp will be conducted June 28^th-July 2^nd at a county high school. The location will be announced in late May. Each day there will be activities, group outings, and meals provided to your student, at no cost to you. If you have a child who will be a freshman at a Howard County high school in the 2010-2011 school year and you would like more information about this program, please contact:

Howard County Department of Police

Youth Division

Sergeant Don Becraft

410-313-2207

Between the hours of 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Environmental Club

Trees, Trees, Trees ! (Ready to Plant A Tree? The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is challenging Maryland schools to plant as many trees as possible during the month of April. Let’s put Mount View on the map and get recognized for participating in this state-wide challenge. If you buy and plant a tree during the month of April, please register it at http://mdimap.towson.edu/TreePlanting/Register.aspx. Planting a tree cleans our air, provides habitat for our wildlife, and just plain looks good ! Please add a tree to your landscape this month and encourage your neighbors to do the same. Our goal is to have 100 trees registered by the Mount View community. Coupons are even available to receive $25 off of a native tree worth $50 or more. (Coupon available at http://www.trees.maryland.gov/school.asp). April 22^nd is Earth Day, and planting a tree is a great way to celebrate. We hope that you’ll help us achieve our goal. We only have until April 30^th to make this happen. Club Sponsor : Susan Mako

School Supply Kit Fundraiser

Take the Hassle Out of Summer Shopping - Order Next Year’s School Supplies Now! MVMS PTA is sponsoring a School Supply Kit Fundraiser. Order your supplies for next year and they will be delivered to your child’s Falcon Time room the first day of school next year! Order forms will be sent home or you go to the homepage to re-print. The costs are as follows:

6^th Grade: $40

7^th Grade $40

8^th Grade $38

Please return your order form and payment no later than May 14^th. Make checks payable to: MVMS PTA or ORDER SECURELY ONLINE WITH A CREDIT CARD:

1. Go to www.epipacks.com

2. Enter your School ID MOU062

3. Following the directions to complete your order

Questions? Contact Lisa Coster, lbcoster@verizon.net or 410-442-3736.

Community News

Summer Programs Catalog 2010 is now available. You can pick up a catalog outside MVMS front office or student services office.

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.

Behold, Inc. and Little Hands Cookie Co. present After School Baking and Cooking Classes. Aprons, chef hats, baking supplies and ingredients are supplied. What a tasty way to apply Math and Reading skills. Classes are held on Monday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings from 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM. Call for details, 410-521-BAKE(2253) or www.littlehandscookie.com. Flyers are available outside the front office.

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.

Columbia Association will hold Save the Planet Day on Saturday, April 24^th from noon – 3:00 PM at the Town Center Lakefront. Enjoy vendor booths, food and music by teen bands Victory by Revenge at noon, the Getaways at 1:00 PM and Color the Coast at 2:00 PM. Free shredding will be available from noon – 2:00 PM. There will be games and crafts for kids to enjoy. Recycle denim to be converted into insulation for Habitat for Humanity. Cell phones, iPods, Mp3 players and ink cartridges may also be recycled. Money earned for these items will go to Soldier’s Angels, a non-profit that supports the military here and abroad. There will be a special guest appearance by meteorologist Sandra Shaw of WBAL-TV. The event is sponsored by Subaru, Aurora Energy Inc., Commuter Solutions and the Columbia Association Teen Advisory Committee. For more information, call 410-715-5523.

Do you have a child with a special need? Do you need childcare? LOCATE: Child Care can help you find childcare that meets your family’s needs. LOCATE: Child Care is a free service available to parents made possible through funding from the Maryland State Department of Education. LOCATE has a

complete database of all regulated child care in Maryland. For more information contact LOCATE: Child Care, Special Needs Enhanced Service at 1-800-999-0120 or specialneeds@mdchildcare.org.

The Stressless Tests® Summer Study Skills Camps are open for registration. Now a five day course with a lighter touch and more games for summer, classes help students who don't test well, despite doing well in class, who are easily distracted and frequently bored, and/or who have never learned to study. They may be doing advanced work or they may be struggling. Camp sessions meet for five days, Monday - Friday. Choose one of the dates for Middle School meeting from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM August 2^nd – 6^th at Centennial HS, or August 9^th – 13^th or August 16^th- 20^th at the University of Phoenix building in Columbia. All students receive What's My Style? Test and Study Secrets by Betty Caldwell. The sliding scale fee ranges from $145 to $170, depending on the take-home materials selected. To register, go to www.Stresslesstests.org. For more information, contact Betty Caldwell at 410 740-4659, or Bcaldwell@comcast.net. High School classes are also available.

Discover your Artistic Side with Howard County Recreation and Park

Drawing for Teens for 11 – 17 year olds with Cher Compton at River Hill HS (RP4701.701)

Fridays, April 30^th - May 21^st 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM $55 + $10 material fee

Award Winning Professional artist and instructor Cher Compton will teach your student

techniques to enhance their drawing skills. Students will be drawing with charcoal and will work

from still life subjects.

Watercolor Painting for 11 – 17 year olds with Carol Zika at Ellicott Mills (MSRP4702.701)

Saturday’s May 1^st - May 22^nd 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM $64 + $15 material fee

Come and go with the flow with this fluid medium. Learn to mix colors and how to make

watercolors work. Using large and small brushes, explore various techniques such as brush

control, wash, wet-into-wet and dry brush.

For additional information, please contact Holly Harden at 410-313-4625. To register, call 410-313-7275 or visit http://activenet12.active.com/howardcounty and search for the course number listed above.

Week of April 26th

8th Grade News