Volume 8, Issue 1 August/September 2011€¦ · Paw Prints 1 8/25 6th Grade Orientation/Class...

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Paw Prints 1 8/25 6th Grade Orientation/Class Schedule Pick-up, 9:00-11:00 AM, Auditorium 8/25 7th/8th Grade Class Schedule Pick-up, 1:00-3:00 PM, House Offices 8/26 7th/8th Grade Class Schedule Pick-up, 1:00-3:00 PM, House Offices 8/29 First Day of School 9/6 TJHSST Info Night, 7:00 PM, Auditorium 9/8 Academy of Science Info Night, 7:00 PM, Auditorium 9/8 PTA Meeting, 7:00 PM, Library 9/13 PTA Fundraiser Kick-off 9/14 6th Grade Back-to-School Night, 7:00 PM, Auditorium 9/21 7th/8th Grade Back-to-School Night, 7:00 PM, Auditorium 9/22 Club Expo through Resource Classes 9/22 BMX Bike Show (PTA Fundraiser) Volume 8, Issue 1 August/September 2011 Dear Mercer Parents, On behalf of the Mercer faculty I wish to welcome you to the start of the 2011-2012 school year! This will certainly prove to be the best year in Mercer history as we prepare to meet our 722 students on August 29 th . In this great year of new beginnings, I wish the new staff and students of J. Michael Lunsford Middle School all the best in their inaugural year. I wish also to welcome Mr. John Gabriel as the new Principal of John Champe High School. Mr. Gabriel will be a fixture at Mercer throughout this year as we prepare the Mercer students to start what will prove to be the flagship high school in Loudoun County. I wish to welcome the following staff to the Mountain Lion family: Meghan Neterer- Math; Sarah Smith – Civics; Erin Scanlon – Language Arts; Lisa Maylott – Special Education; Jennifer Reeder – Math; Sarah Plymate – Art; Marjorie Olorunniwo – French; Stephanie Worthley—SPED; and, Laura Dorsey – German. Without a doubt, these teachers will prove to be great additions to the finest group of professionals in Loudoun County. Our staff returned to work on August 17 th and, on August 18 th began our work to revisit and revise our School Improvement Plan. We explored survey data as well as student achievement data in order to set clear measurable goals for the 2011-2012 school year. On August 25 th we will host our 6 th grade orientation. Please check our website for details. On the 26 th , 7 th and 8 th graders may come in 12:00-3:00 PM to get their schedules and informally tour the building. Parents may join me on either day 2:30-3:00 PM for an informal coffee in the Library. You may use this opportunity to ask any lingering questions or just chat. On August 29 th , school starts at 8:40 AM! On September 14 th we will host our 6 th grade Back to School Night and on the 21 st our 7 th and 8 th grade Back to School Night. Both events begin at 7:00 PM. As mentioned, our School Improvement Plan has been revised to further include measurable outcomes in all areas. Through our Professional Learning Communities, teachers will continue to explore instructional strategies and assessment tools to improve student learning. Our staff will utilize a uniform, standards- based approach toward assessment and clear measurement of student mastery. Teachers will take time to communicate this thoroughly at Back to School Night as well as through their early communications with you. In addition, our School Improvement Plan includes climate goals to further student service as well as promote the social growth and experiences of our students. We are committed to providing a rich learning experience for your student. It is my true honor to be the Principal of Mercer Middle School and I look forward to our year together. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call or email me at [email protected] . Go Mountain Lions! Bullying Information “About 5 million U.S. users on Facebook are younger than 10; 2.5 million subscribers are 11 or 12 years old: that’s a lot of freedom on the Internet for children who can’t ride in the front seat of a car.” “Here’s what social media does for the adolescent brain: It takes painful questions like ‘what do you think of me’ and takes advantage of that vulnerability to the Nth degree by creating a public, tangible platform where kids can see that painful question being answered,” according to Rachel Simmons, an expert on youth and social media. Source: The Washington Post Business Section, June 12, 2011

Transcript of Volume 8, Issue 1 August/September 2011€¦ · Paw Prints 1 8/25 6th Grade Orientation/Class...

Page 1: Volume 8, Issue 1 August/September 2011€¦ · Paw Prints 1 8/25 6th Grade Orientation/Class Schedule Pick-up, 9:00-11:00 AM, Auditorium J 8/25 7th/8th Grade Class Schedule Pick-up,

Paw Prints 1

8/25 6th Grade Orientation/Class Schedule Pick-up, 9:00-11:00 AM, Auditorium

8/25 7th/8th Grade Class Schedule Pick-up, 1:00-3:00 PM, House Offices

8/26 7th/8th Grade Class Schedule Pick-up, 1:00-3:00 PM, House Offices

8/29 First Day of School

9/6 TJHSST Info Night, 7:00 PM, Auditorium

9/8 Academy of Science Info Night, 7:00 PM, Auditorium

9/8 PTA Meeting, 7:00 PM, Library

9/13 PTA Fundraiser Kick-off

9/14 6th Grade Back-to-School Night, 7:00 PM, Auditorium

9/21 7th/8th Grade Back-to-School Night, 7:00 PM, Auditorium

9/22 Club Expo through Resource Classes

9/22 BMX Bike Show (PTA Fundraiser)

Volume 8, Issue 1 August/September 2011

Dear Mercer Parents,

On behalf of the Mercer faculty I wish to welcome you to the start of the 2011-2012 school year! This will certainly prove to be the best year in Mercer history as we prepare to meet our 722 students on August 29th. In this great year of new beginnings, I wish the new staff and students of J. Michael Lunsford Middle School all the best in their inaugural year. I wish also to welcome Mr. John Gabriel as the new Principal of John Champe High School. Mr. Gabriel will be a fixture at Mercer throughout this year as we prepare the Mercer students to start what will prove to be the flagship high school in Loudoun County.

I wish to welcome the following staff to the Mountain Lion family: Meghan Neterer- Math; Sarah Smith – Civics; Erin Scanlon – Language Arts; Lisa Maylott – Special Education; Jennifer Reeder – Math; Sarah Plymate – Art; Marjorie Olorunniwo – French; Stephanie Worthley—SPED; and, Laura Dorsey – German. Without a doubt, these teachers will prove to be great additions to the finest group of professionals in Loudoun County.

Our staff returned to work on August 17th and, on August 18th began our work to revisit and revise our School Improvement Plan. We explored survey data as well as student achievement data in order to set clear measurable goals for the 2011-2012 school year.

On August 25th we will host our 6th grade orientation. Please check our website for details. On the 26th, 7th and 8th graders may come in 12:00-3:00 PM to get their schedules and informally tour the building. Parents may join me on either day 2:30-3:00 PM for an informal coffee in the Library. You may use this opportunity to ask any lingering questions or just chat.

On August 29th, school starts at 8:40 AM!

On September 14th we will host our 6th grade Back to School Night and on the 21st our 7th and 8th grade Back to School Night. Both events begin at 7:00 PM.

As mentioned, our School Improvement Plan has been revised to further include measurable outcomes in all areas. Through our Professional Learning Communities, teachers will continue to explore instructional strategies and assessment tools to improve student learning. Our staff will utilize a uniform, standards-based approach toward assessment and clear measurement of student mastery. Teachers will take time to communicate this thoroughly at Back to School Night as well as through their early communications with you.

In addition, our School Improvement Plan includes climate goals to further student service as well as promote the social growth and experiences of our students.

We are committed to providing a rich learning experience for your student. It is my true honor to be the Principal of Mercer Middle School and I look forward to our year together. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call or email me at [email protected].

Go Mountain Lions!

Bullying Information

“About 5 million U.S. users on Facebook are younger than 10; 2.5 million subscribers are 11 or 12 years old: that’s a lot of freedom on the Internet for children who can’t ride in the front seat of a car.”

“Here’s what social media does for the adolescent brain: It takes painful questions like ‘what do you think of me’ and takes advantage of that vulnerability to the Nth degree by creating a public, tangible platform where kids can see that painful question being answered,” according to Rachel Simmons, an expert on youth and social media.

Source: The Washington Post Business Section, June 12, 2011

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Mercer Middle School PTA

Upcoming Events

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������ ���� ��� ������� �!"�#�$ ���%��!�����#�������� �&������� ����� ��������'��( ��� �������$ ��)������*�+��

The Mercer PTA would like to

thank Kravitz

Orthodontics for our

School Agendas and

Dairy Queen for our

6th grade/ new student Ice Cream

Social!!

Welcome! Welcome, Mercer families! The PTA is excited about our “new” small school this year! Working together, we can make a wonderful experience for our students, parents and staff. We’ll be offering some new programs this year, have must-see guest speakers at the meetings, and will work very hard to support the students as they transition into our brand-new feeder school, John Champe High School. �

Guest Speaker Mr. John Gabriel, Principal,

John Champe High School Our first PTA General Membership meeting is Thursday, September 8th at 7:00 PM in the Mercer Library. Mr. Gabriel will be speaking/answering questions about the new High School, and Mr. Duellman will speak about the staffing changes and the new assessment-based grading system at Mercer. We will also approve last year’s audit and this year’s proposed budget, both found in this newsletter.

Join, Vote & Win an iHome! Join the PTA ($7.50/per person for two members, or $10 for one member), vote on legislation and send in your membership envelope and ballot (sent home in the Welcome Packets and on the PTA website) to school by September 30th, and your name will be entered into a raffle to win an iHome clock/station for ipods or iphones! Legislation includes voting on increased PE requirements (daily PE), the “King’s Dominion Law” and the PTA’s position on full-time Virtual Schools. Please see the PTA website to read the legislation rationale. NEW THIS YEAR: FREE Quick Book/Directory for members! Please return Opt-Out form sent home, also on PTA website and in this newsletter.

Got Arts? Win $100 Your student can win $100 if the National PTA selects their Reflections Theme idea for the 2013-2014 school year! Reflections is a nationwide arts program where students complete a sentence or “Theme” (this year, “Diversity Means…”) through their own choice of dance, film, literature, photography, musical composition and visual arts. Also, encourage your child to enter the Reflections Program at Mercer where they will receive recognition at the local level, and could possibly move on to the state and national level! Visit the Reflections page of our website for more information.

Win the Trophy for Mercer! The school with the most volunteers + runners/walkers for the Stone Ridge 5K Race for Education brings home a beautiful trophy and an extra $500 for their school! This year it will be held on SUNDAY, October 16th at 9:00 AM. To register, send in your registration form (sent home in the Welcome Packets and in this newsletter) or visit www.stoneridgeva5k.org. We need flaggers, packet stuffers, preregistration/packet pick up volunteers and more! Please contact Sally Fuller at [email protected] to volunteer for Mercer. We need 15 volunteers to qualify for race funds.

Vacancy! The Mercer PTA needs a Corresponding Secretary, Odyssey of the Mind Coaches, a Girls On The Run Chair, and a PAWS (Pops Are Welcome at School) Chair. Please contact [email protected] to learn more.

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PTA Website (Cl ick on ‘PTA’ under Quick Links): http: / /cmsweb1. loudoun.k12.va.us /mercer /s ite /default .asp Stay in the loop and save so me trees! S ign up for e-alerts: https://webinter.lcps.org/Pim/ParentUpdateNew.aspx

Principa l : John Duel lman John.Duel [email protected] President : Karen Goodwin [email protected] m

1 s t VP : Heather Hakins H.Hakins@ver izon.net

2 n d VP: Calise Lee [email protected] Treasurer : Linda Foresha Mercer [email protected]

Recording Secre tary: Sophia Brundick [email protected] m Corresponding Secreta ry: TBD

Executive Committee

Standing Committee Chairs Parent Involvement: Jill Burdick – Volunteers [email protected]

TBD - PAWS (Pops Are Welcome at School) Christa Geno - SEAC Rep [email protected] Tina Stanley – LEAP Rep [email protected] TBD – MSAAC Rep

Reflections: Carrie Fuentes [email protected] Odyssey of the Mind: Charita Vellanki [email protected]

Membership: Cynthia Decker [email protected] Jill Burdick [email protected]

Hospitality: Brenda McGrath – Teacher Welcome Breakfast [email protected] Cynthia Decker – Teacher Appreciation Week [email protected] Bev Tate – Teacher Appreciation Week [email protected]

Diversity: Cynthia Decker – Multicultural Night [email protected] Aimee McKinney – Multicultural Night [email protected]

Health & Wellness: TBD – Girls on the Run Communications: Dana Pastro – Newsletter & website [email protected]

Ways & Means: Loree Thompson – Spirit Wear [email protected] Calise Lee – Fall Fundraiser [email protected] Sally Fuller – Stone Ridge 5k Race for Education [email protected] Heather Hakins - Night at the Den, Band Sign-Ups [email protected] Linda Cassar – Night at the Den, Spaghetti Dinner [email protected] Calise Lee – Night at the Den, Art Gallery [email protected] Cynthia Decker – Night at the Den, Silent Auction [email protected] Bev Tate – Night at the Den, 3-on-3 Basketball [email protected] TBD – Night at the Den, Coffee/Jazz/Poetry House TBD – Night at the Den, Movie/Games

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PTA Treasurer

Welcome Back Mercer Parents, Teachers, and Students! My name is Linda Foresha and I am the current Treasurer of the Mercer PTA. I look forward to serving you this year. Please feel free to contact me anytime at [email protected] with any questions you may have regarding the PTA funds. I will do my best to have the information available to PTA members via online when possible. In the next few pages you’ll find the Mercer PTA budget information for 2011-2012. Please look through and make note of any questions you may have. September 8th at 7:00 PM in the Mercer Library is our first PTA meeting. We will be looking to get a vote of approval for the budget from our PTA members, so don’t forget to join the PTA. As you look at the budget, you will see that it is not balanced and that we are OVER budget by $9,967. We do have Carry Forward from Prior Year of $15,138.80 If we need to tap into these funds fully, the budgeted carryover for next year will be $5,171.80. This puts us in a tight squeeze for this year. If our fundraisers fall short of our projections or some of the line items come in over budget, we will not be able to add any new requests for this school year. As we stand, we will need to freeze any new requests that are not currently in the budget until the completion of our first fundraiser in the fall. At that point in time, depending on the outcome, we will review the budget again and make adjustments if necessary. All PTA members will be welcome to participate and have input to the budgeting process at that time. Also, our audit report (also found in this newsletter) for last year was completed successfully. The PTA will have the information available at the meeting for review. We will also be holding a vote for approval at the September 8th meeting, so we may submit the information to VA PTA. This will allow us to remain a unit in good standing. Thank you and I look forward to a great school year! Linda Foresha Mercer PTA Treasurer [email protected]

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PTA Audit Report 2010-2011

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PTA Proposed Budget

Up for approval by the general membership at the September 8 meeting:

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PTA Membership

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PTA PLP Ballot

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PTA Quick Book

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What’s in the Lion’s Den?

Did you know that Mercer has a well-stocked school supply store? From Art Class sketch pads to USB flash drives, this could be your answer for some last-minute shopping! Save gas and shop here! The store is located in the first hallway on the right-hand side as you enter the building. Your student may make purchases between 8:10 and 8:30 every morning, with or without this order form. Official Student Agendas are available from the House Secretaries for $5, if lost. Various instrument reeds are also available in the Lion’s Den.

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Annual 5K Race for Education

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Flagger-KEY ROLE! (7:45-10:30 AM on Sun) Race day setup (6-8:30 AM on Sun) Water Tables (Scouts/Groups only) Hospitality (8:45-9:30 AM on Sun)Floater/misc (7-8:45 AM on Sun) 1K Fun Run Helpers (8:15 – 9:00 on Sun)Photographers Race day registration (7-9 AM on Sun) Volunteer check-in (7-9AM on Sun) Cleanup (10-12 PM on Sun) Poster Distribution (ASAP!) Pre-Race Errand Runners PreRegistration (circle one): Fri 4-7:30 Sat 11-4 Packet Stuffing (Fri 10 until done)

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Odyssey of the Mind

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Mercer PTA Volunteering

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Mercer PTA Volunteering (continued)

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Mercer Spirit Wear

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Parent Management Information System (PIMS)

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News from the House Secretaries

New this year! As a reminder, Loudoun County Public Schools does not provide medical or accident insurance for students injured while participating in school activities. Enrollment forms outlining benefit options and rates are available through your House Secretary or at www.k-12admin.cbinsure.com. Likewise, LCPS doesn’t provide coverage for personal property (I-Pods, I-Pads, cell phones, etc) brought to school. If you’re interested in supplementing your Homeowners Policy for these items, please visit www.studentinsurancepartners.com for more information.

Student Rights and Responsibilities Now Online

The Student Rights and Responsibilities for 2011-2012 for Loudoun County Public Schools will be available to all parents and students at www.LCPS.org on the Home Page under “Quick Links”. Parents and students are encouraged to read the information on the web site and must sign the “Signature Form” that will be sent home on the first day of school. High school parents will also receive an optional “Release of Directory Information to Military Recruiters” Opt-Out Form. If you need access to a computer or to the internet in order to read the document, we invite you to visit our school’s media center/Library and read the information online. Please contact your child's grade level dean to arrange for a time. Internet access is also available at all Loudoun County public libraries. If you cannot access the information and need a printed copy, please notify the school and a copy will be sent to you.

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Bloom Log onto http://www.shopbloom.com/Savings/ShoppingIsABreeeze.aspx. Enroll in the Shopping is a Breeze program and follow the instructions. These easy instructions will guide you through the process of registering your card for Mercer Middle School. Our school code: 01574.

www.shopbloom.com

Click on “A Sample of Savings”

Click on “Shopping is a Breeze”

Click on “Support a Worthy Cause”

Retail Contributors

An easy way to help the schools, just register your grocery shopping discount cards so a percentage of your grocery bill comes back to Mercer directly from the store. Be sure to re-register your cards for the new school year.

A+ Bonus Bucks The A+ Bonus Bucks for Students program at Giant is in progress. If you have not already, please designate Mercer Middle School (you must re-designate each school year). This can easily be done via www.giantfood.com. Our “A+” Giant school ID is 04583. Through this program a percentage of all purchases at Giant will be donated to our school.

www.giantfood.com/home

Click on “A+ Bonus Bucks”

Choose “Designate School”

Take Charge of Education The Take Charge of Education program at Target runs year round, so your purchases are always earning donations. To learn more, go to www.target.com. Mercer’s school code is: 121159.

www.target.com

Scroll to bottom of page, click on “Community”

Click on “Take Charge of Education”

Click on “Find or Designate your School”

VIC Card—Harris Teeter The Harris Teeter Together in Education program helps our schools earn funds for supplemental educational materials. Designate your VIC card by logging onto www.harristeeter.com. Click on “Community,” then “Together in Education” to link or re-link your card. Your card must be re-linked each year. Our school code: 5954. Through this program, a percentage of all purchases will be donated to the school.

www.harristeeter.com

Click on “Community”

Click on “Together in Education”

Click on “Link your VIC card to your school now”

Mercer Parent Liaison-Khristie Greiner

A Parent Liaison is a person who works to bridge the communication between school and home by helping parents get the information, help and support they need to ensure their child's academic success at school. How can I help you? • Provide you with a tour of our school • Discuss ways to get involved at school • Answer questions about school rules and regulations • Facilitate parent-school communications • Arrange for interpreter services • Provide assistance in accessing housing, medical, food and other services

I can be reached via email: [email protected].

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Counselor’s Corner

Welcome Back! It will be an exciting few days as we welcome the students back to school. The counselors will visit classes to introduce themselves and the guidance services that will be available to students throughout the school year. Ms. Miles will be visiting eighth grade classes to present information about the application process for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) and the LCPS Academy of Science (AOS). Future guidance lessons will address bully prevention, high school course selection and a college search. Guidance lessons in seventh grade will focus on the identification and prevention of bullying and sexual harassment. Career guidance will help students identify areas of interest and possible careers. Early in the second semester, students will begin the process of choosing eighth grade courses. Sixth grade guidance focuses on bully prevention, learning styles and middle school transition issues.

Academy of Science - Important Dates Thursday, September 8, 2011, 7:00 PM: Parent/Student Information Night, Mercer Middle School Auditorium Saturday, September 19, 2011, 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon: Parent/student information session and Open House at the Academy of Science Monday, September 19, 2011: Absolute deadline to submit Part One of the AOS application for the 2011-12 admission process. No applications will be accepted after this date. Saturday, October 15, 2011: PSAT administered at Dominion High School for all AOS applicants. Upon completion of PSAT testing students will complete the writing prompt portion of the AOS application. Monday, October 17, 2011: Part II of AOS application posted on AOS Website. Friday, December 16, 2011: Absolute deadline to submit Part Two of the AOS application for the 2011-2012 admission process. No applications will be accepted after this date.

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology – Important Dates Tuesday, September 6, 7:00 PM: Parent/Student Information Night, Mercer Middle School Auditorium Detailed information regarding the 2011-2012 admissions process will be available on the TJ website (www.tjhsst.edu) by Friday, September 9, 2011. Please visit our web page under Guidance to keep up to date with TJHSST, AOS and upcoming events for parents and students.

Contact Information To contact your child’s guidance counselor you may call 703-957-4340 or email at the addresses below. We are looking forward to a great year with your students at Mercer Middle! Sixth Grade Seventh Grade Eighth Grade Megan Casterline Kevin Weeren Heidi Miles [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

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MERCER MIDDLE SCHOOL, 42149 Greenstone Drive, Aldie, VA 20105

Anyone Needing Assistance for Public Program

If, due to a disability, you need assistance to enable you to participate meaningfully in any of the listed meetings or events at Mercer Middle School, please contact Assistant Principal, Jeffrey Hofmann, at (703) 957-4340 at least five workings days prior to the event.

HOME OF THE MOUNTAIN LIONS

MERCER MIDDLE SCHOOL

ADMINISTRATION John Duellman, Principal, [email protected] Jeffrey Hofmann, Assistant Principal, [email protected] Carrie Simms, Assistant Principal, [email protected] Megan Casterline, 6th Grade Guidance Counselor, [email protected] Kevin Weeren, 7th Grade Guidance Counselor, [email protected] Heidi Miles, 8th Grade Guidance Counselor, [email protected] Nick Cottone, 7th/8th Grade Dean, [email protected] Shena Ivory, 6th Grade Dean, [email protected] Claire Girard, 7th/8th Grade Secretary, [email protected], 703-957-4347 Teresa Sisk, 6th Grade Secretary, [email protected], 703-957-4346 Diane Sammarco-Bookkeeper Phone (703) 957-4340 Fax (703) 444-8068 Absentee Line ( 703) 957-4342 Jennifer Colman-Clinic (703) 957-4343 www.lcps.org