October 19, 2007

From the Principal ...

A message about Core+

As your principal, I plan to share information with you throughout the year about teaching and learning in a safe and nurturing environment. When asked about my goals for Mount View Middle School, I hope you will come to see that my goals are integrated with school goals, which include parent goals. We all want our children to learn. As an educational leader in this school community, one of my responsibilities is to ensure we stay on that path.

Over the past weeks, I have received many emails about Core+. For your clarification, I have included in this newsletter the Core+ excerpt from the report made to the Board of Education about middle school scheduling. Core+ is in simplest terms a 45 minute time period in our schedule that provides various learning opportunities. Think of your child's schedule: reading, English, math, social studies, science, and the related arts to include physical education, health, fine arts (Art/Music), and technology education (Tech Ed/FACS). Some students are taking a modified related arts load because they have elected to enroll in World Language. Some students are taking a performing music class (Band/Orchestra) and participate in both sectional and full rehearsals. Some students are taking GT seminars or participating in GT research. Some students are receiving intervention programs in reading, math, and study skills. If you haven't found your student in one of these classes offered during period 5 or period 7, then your student is enrolled in Core+ as his/her enrichment class.

As the BOE report indicates, this time period is to be used for "instruction in middle school curriculum." We have developed a program that will allow students in this class to rotate to their CORE content teachers. [Please note that due to staffing, there are slight variations between grade levels.] For example, your child will be scheduled one day during the week to meet with his/her math teacher. On that day, the class will work on math skills that have been identified as a focus for mastery. Areas that students always struggle with are math facts, fractions, decimals, and word problems. On another day, your child may be scheduled with his/her English teacher or reading teacher or science teacher or social studies teacher for equally valuable skill and concept enrichment. Students will also have the opportunity for weekly tutorial for catch-up and extra help, but please recognize that as they go through their individual rotation, they see their teachers regularly throughout the week for that extra help. Also, embedded in the Core+ class are objectives for positive asset development and advisory activities, which are noted as essential in Breaking Ranks in the Middle.

Many of us face change with some degree of caution. We do need to make decisions based on sound educational foundations and practices and student learning needs. As a school community, we also need to focus together on continuous school improvement. So let's face change as our opportunity to be better when it comes to our students and their learning. The direction from the HCPSS Department of Education is the journey from good to great. I hope we share this vision and take the bold steps necessary to be greater so that our children's opportunities for success are the greatest!

Sincerely,

Kathryn S. McKinley
Principal

Report

BOARD OF EDUCATION OF HOWARD COUNTY

Board Agenda Item

TITLE: Middle School Scheduling Recommendations DATE: February 26, 2004

RECOMMENDATION/FUTURE DIRECTION:

The parameters contained in the report should be implemented fully in all middle schools in the 2005-2006 school year.

[The Middle School Scheduling Recommendations report included the following explanation for Core+:]

Core +
Academic enrichment opportunities have existed in middle school schedules and have served a variety of purposes. These purposes have included both acceleration and enrichment opportunities and are important aspects of the middle school program. Variations are evident, however, in the time allocated for enrichment, the curriculum resources used for enrichment, and the grading of enrichment.
Core+ is a renaming of the time designated for academic enrichment opportunities in the schools and a clarification for how this time is to be used. A consistent identification for enrichment during the school day will eliminate confusion among middle schools. Also, by identifying the time as Core+, we are clarifying that the time is intended for instruction in the middle school curriculum. Band, orchestra, chorus, and the Gifted and Talented Programs are all supported by HCPSS curriculum as enrichment opportunities. In addition, each of the five core courses is supported with essential curriculum, which can be enhanced to include acceleration and enrichment activities and resources. Core+ is not intended to be a course separate from the essential curriculum, but should be an integrated extension of the essential curriculum. (See Attachment #5 for sample schedules that illustrate how Core+ can be implemented.) The purpose of Core+ is to support, accelerate, and extend the essential curriculum content objectives.

Reminders

Tardy procedures include that all students who enter the building after 7:40 AM are required to have a note and a parent sign-in. (MVMS Attendance Policy)

Early Dismissals require a note to be taken to Student Services (Guidance) Office in the morning. Student's name and the dismissal time will be printed on the daily attendance bulletin and displayed on the MVMS News Ticker that runs on the classroom televisions. To reduce the amount of interruptions into the classroom, students will report to the front office at the early dismissal time.

Red Ribbon Week: October 22nd - 26th

Door Decorating Contest: For all Falcon Times, please encourage students as well as the teachers, to bring in materials (colored paper, stickers, ribbon, etc.) to decorate their Falcon Time teachers door. One winning class from each grade will be announced Friday, October 26th and will receive a prize.

Song/Poem Contest: Get creative! Write a song, poem, or even a rap to show your spirit about being drug and alcohol free! Start submitting your entry with your first and last name, Falcon Time teacher, and grade to Mrs. Parson's room. Winners will be announced Thursday, October 25th, and the winner will have the choice to even perform their piece on MVTV the following day! (All entries must remain school appropriate, or will be disqualified)

Memory Book

8th graders who would like to have their baby photo included in this year's Memory Book need to bring in a photo by Wednesday, October 31st. We need a current photo too (or we can take a photo in school). Both photos should be about 4x6 in size and excellent quality.

Teacher Notes

From Mrs. Quinn, GT Resource Teacher:
Check out Mrs. Quinn's website to learn about the GT Program. The information is available on the MVMS website under "FACULTY". A schedule of the instructional seminars is posted.

Invitation For All 6th Graders

Be among the first to see the much anticipated Bee Movie starring Jerry Seinfeld in the movie theater at Columbia Mall on Friday, November 2nd, (School is closed due to a Professional Day).

The movie theater does not post movie times until the week before but we are planning on attending a start time between 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM. We will post the exact time in the ViewPoint as soon as possible.

The admission price will include a small popcorn, drink and piece of candy. Because the PTA is subsidizing this event, the reduced cost is only $10.00 per student (The regular price of admission plus snack is $12.00). In order to receive the discount, you must return the permission slip and a $10 check to Front Office by Friday, October 26th. NO WALK-INS. Please make checks payable to MVMS PTA. Please do not send cash!

Parents are responsible for transportation. Please arrive on time so that we may all sit together.

If you have any questions, contact Susan Kelly at mdkellys@verizon.net or Suki Nam at sukinam@comcast.net.

DOWNLOAD Permission Slip

Community News

Technology Classes: Interested in improving your technology prowess? Whether you're a novice or an expert you'll find something that may wet your appetite with the courses that we offer at Marriotts Ridge. These courses are open to all students, faculty and the community at no cost. If you're an adult I just need your name, phone and email address. For more information and permission slips go to: www.marriottsridge.net/TechOpp.php

Jukebox 3 Rocks MRHS: Jukebox 3, a musical variety show, rocks the Marriotts Ridge High School Theater. A Marriotts Ridge High School tradition Jukebox 3 showcases the talented students in the fine arts programs at MRHS. Conceived and produced by a student committee the show is full of contemporary choreography, stylish singing, and a band that will knock your socks off. Come join us for songs from every era. There is something for everyone from a Sinatra hit to a Black Eyed Pea favorite. Jukebox 3 performs October 18th, 19th and 20th a 7:00 PM. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $10.00.

The Candlelight Concert Society, Inc. is sponsoring the Amedeo Modigliani String Quartet at 7:30 PM on Saturday, October 27th at Smith Theatre, Howard Community College in Columbia. Middle and High School students receive one FREE ticket when accompanied by a paying adult at the door.

The Howard Huskies have several openings in their REC/Developmental program for ages 14 - 17. Have fun while learning and playing hockey. For more information, go to www.HowardHuskies.org.

Department of Recreation and Parks, Glenwood Community Center

Fall Special Events include Kidz Night Out, Scarecrow Making, Howl-oween Party, Scary Movie Night, Holiday Vendor Fair, Gingerbread house Making, Family New Year's Event. For more information call 410-313-4840. Flyers are available in the MVMS front office. Harvest 5K Harrier Trail Run - November 3rd at Rock Branch Park. Start time is 9:30 AM, 8:00 AM for registration or register online www.co.ho.md.us/rap. Pick up a flyer and registration in the MVMS front office.

Members of the community are welcome to attend School Health Council meetings:

The Horizon Councils, Howard County Library and HC DrugFree will present a free workshop and dinner program "straight talk on DRUGS," where pre-teens and parents talk about alcohol and drugs. The program's focus is on improving communication between parents and middle school students around the topic of drug use. Parents receive information on current drug trends, signs and symptoms of drug use and approaches to keeping their children drug-free. Students discuss ways to avoid alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, and talk about positive alternatives to drug use. The event will take place on the following dates:

Call to register at the respective Library branches. For more information, contact Laura Smit, Executive Director, HC DrugFree, 410-799-4879, email hcdrugfree@yahoo.com or www.hcdrugfree.org.

Calendar

Oct. 19
School Closed for Students ? MSTA Convention

Oct. 22-26
Red Ribbon Week

Oct. 29 ? Nov.1
Spirit Team Coat Drive Week

Oct. 31
Spirit Day - Wear Orange and Black

After School Activities for Week of October 22nd:

Flag Football: Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Net Games: Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday, 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Student Government: Tuesday, 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

SEE THE COMPLETE
MOUNT VIEW CALENDAR