The Eagle Ga zette - Snow Hill Middle School

Volume 4, Issue 4
The Eagle Gazette
SNOW HILL MIDDLE SCHOOL
January 2013
Principal’s News
Happy New Year!!! I would like to welcome everyone back
from your winter break. I hope that you had a relaxing and
enjoyable break. We have been having a wonderful school
year. We are quickly approaching the mid-point for the school
year.
We just completed our Teacher of the Year competition. I
would like to announce our 2013 Teacher of the Year, Mr.
Beau Williams. Mr. Williams is an eighth grade social studies
teacher. He is very excited to represent our school in Worcester
County’s Teacher of the Year Program.
Even though we have not experienced it so far, we are coming
in to the time of the year where we may have some inclement
weather. If you have not, make sure you update your contact
number for school messenger through completing the
appropriate form that can be retrieved through our front office.
This automated telephone system will contact you to inform
you of any delays or changes in the school day schedule as they
occur.
I would like to thank all of the parents that attended our Parent
Conference Night on Monday, January 7th. If you could not
make it, please contact your child’s teacher to schedule a
conference to get updated on your child’s progress. Again, I
hope you have a healthy and prosperous New Year! Thank you
for all of your support.
The mission of
Snow Hill Middle School,
in this small diverse
community, is to
provide a safe and
nurturing environment
with character
development and
challenging academic
programs through which
all students will reach
their fullest potential.
Dr. Aaron Dale
Principal
Fourth and fifth grade students
go outside for recess daily if
temperatures are 40 degrees or
above. Be sure to send
appropriate outerwear for your
child based on the
temperature!
Mr. Beau Williams
8th Grade Social Studies
Dates To Remember
9 Jan - Geography Bee (3:30 p.m. in Media Center)
15 Jan - Board of Education Meeting (BOE 12:30 p.m.)
16 Jan - WCPS Science Fair (WTHS 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.)
21 Jan - School Closed (Observance of MLK Day)
25 Jan - End of 2nd Marking Period
25 Jan - Half Day for Students
8th Grade Winter Ball
28 Jan - School Closed for Students (Professional Day)
1 Feb - Report Cards Issued
4 - 8 Feb - School Counseling Week
8 Feb - SGA Schoolwide Dance
11 Feb - SGA Fisher’s Popcorn Fundraiser Starts
13 Feb - WCPS Tech Fest
15 Feb - School Closed (Professional Day)
Last Day Early Bird Pricing SHMS Yearbook
18 Feb - School Closed
19 Feb - Board of Education Meeting (BOE 12:30 p.m.)
25 Feb - Mid-Term Reports Issued
26 Feb - SGA Fisher’s Popcorn Fundraiser Ends
SHMS After School Academies
Session II
January 7 - 10
MY-Say Online Magazine
Tweens and teens are coming into their own – their own perspectives, attitudes, views, frustrations, and ideas about sports,
music, family life, and school. But, where can Maryland middle schoolers express their thoughts through words and images in
an appropriate and educational format? Thanks to Maryland literacy experts and educators, middle school students will finally
have their say.
The State of Maryland International Reading Association Council (SoMIRAC); the Maryland Library Association (MLA);
principals and teachers; and children’s author Jennifer Keats Curtis have joined forces to develop MY-Say, an online
magazine designed to promote literacy, creativity, and expression by and among Maryland's middle school students. Ms.
Curtis will serve as the magazine’s editor.
This nonprofit venture gives aspiring writers, artists, and photographers the opportunity to be selected for assigned articles on
a wide range of topics, including health, sports, history, interesting people, and book reviews. With the help of parents and
teachers, middle schoolers may also query the editor to suggest story ideas, art, and images for publication.
“Stuck in the middle, 11- to 14 year-olds are often a forgotten crowd of writers and readers,” explains Leslie Sunderland,
SoMIRAC’s immediate Past President, “For the first time, they’ll have a just-for-them online space that harbors topics of
relevance and real interest. Their parents and teachers will have a trusted website to refer kids to for authentic, ageappropriate text and images that will serve them equally as educators. This is a win-win for kids and adults.”
Margaret Carty, Executive Director of MLA, agrees. "MY-Say provides an exciting and educational opportunity for
middle schoolers to interact with teachers, parents, librarians - in school and at their public library - and the publication's editor
to express themselves on a subject of particular interest to them. The excitement of seeing their work in print and knowing
that it is being read by many people, provides the satisfaction and pride of work well done. An important benefit to the
students is the research, writing, and editorial skills learned or improved. Working together, we can support this worthwhile
effort to further literacy for teens."
Sharon Morell, former principal of Severna Park Middle School and member of MY-Say Advisory Board, sees the website is
an opportunity for students around the state and hopes educators will embrace and support this collaborative effort to bolster
students’ skills. “MY-Say is an excellent, safe new vehicle for young adolescents to communicate through a variety of writing
styles and to enable all middle schoolers the opportunity to read peers’ works on topics that interest them,” says Morell.
MY-Say partners and board members will regularly meet and interact with Ms. Curtis to ensure that all content is of high
quality and appropriate for tweens and teens. Ms. Curtis will work directly with educators, parents, and students to brainstorm
topics, discuss sources, and edit materials.
MY-Say went live at www.MY-Say.org on December 12. In this first issue, student reporters, artists, and photographers from
Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Frederick, Howard, and Montgomery counties contributed poignant pieces on a nationally
ranked skimboarder, financial knowledge, interview with a well-known Maryland middle school author, and the real dish on an
in-school planetarium. Upcoming issues will feature musicians, sports, and student snapshots, as well as publication of all
SoMIRAC Young Author award winners.
Board members and the editor will regularly communicate about the online magazine and its contributors through emails with
educators and through social media. The Twitter handle is Jennifer K Curtis@MySaymag.
Middle school participants for the next issue are actively being sought. Contribution guidelines and details on the submission
process, including how to contact the editor, appear on the website, www.MY-Say.org.
The State of Maryland International Reading Association Council (SoMIRAC) has been promoting literacy in Maryland since
1962, the nonprofit SoMIRAC is comprised of over 3,000 members in 16 active local councils. Members strive to improve the
level of literacy in the state by: supporting the mission of the International Reading Association, disseminating best literacy
practices to educators and parents, advocating for literacy issues through legislation and collaborating with educational
institutions, professional organizations and businesses. Key initiatives include: the Family Literacy initiative; “Everyone
Reads;” and the Young Authors’ contest.
Founded in 1923, the Maryland Library Association (MLA) provides leadership for those who are committed to libraries by
providing opportunities for professional development and communication and by advocating principles and issues related to
librarianship and library service. Members are library staff and trustees, library school students, libraries, and friends of
libraries representing the full spectrum of librarianship in Maryland. The Association is a state member of the American Library
Association, with an elected chapter councilor serving on its governing board.
Veteran journalist and award-winning nature author Jennifer Keats Curtis is frequently found among students and teachers,
talking about literacy and conservation. In addition to the Animal Helpers series, Baby Owl’s Rescue, and Turtles In My
Sandbox for Sylvan Dell, other recent titles include Seahorses, Squirrel Rescue, Osprey Adventure and Saving Squeak: The
Otter Tale. She serves as editor of MY-Say.
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 4
Page 2
ASA
SHMS Golf Tournament
After School – Session III registrations will be
distributed January 7th. Be sure to complete
registrations early, and get necessary teacher initials
for specific classes. The registration window is from
January 7th – January 18th. Confirmations will be
distributed by January 25th.
SHMS will have our first annual Golf Tournament on Monday, April 1 st. We
are looking for businesses, community members and families to sponsor holes.
Hole sponsorship is only $50.00 and is a great way to advertise your business.
Attached to this newsletter is a Golf Tournament Registration Form. If you
would like to play in the Golf Tournament, please complete the form and
return the form and your registration fee of $60.00 to Dr. Cooper. There will
only be 100 players in the tournament, so be sure to save you spot.
2012-2013 Yearbook On Sale Now
The Snow Hill Middle School yearbook committee is pleased to announce this year’s yearbook, bursting with photos, student
portraits, activities, highlights, and of course, space for special autographs. The smiles and memories of your student’s year at
Snow Hill Middle School will be remembered forever in a yearbook.
Make sure your student doesn’t miss out on this opportunity! To order a yearbook(s) for your student(s), please complete
and return the Yearbook Order Form that was sent home before Christmas Break or see Mrs. Trotter for a new order form. We
will accept “Early Bird” yearbook orders through Friday, February 15th, specially priced at $26. After that time, the regular price of
the book will be $30. Yearbooks will be on sale until Wednesday, March 27th.
We all look forward to a wonderful year—and an equally wonderful yearbook!
Calling all photographers!
If you have snapshots of students and school activities that you want to be considered
for this year’s book, please upload them to community.lifetouch.com school code:
CZEJUW, e-mail the snapshot to Mrs. Trotter at [email protected]
with “Yearbook Photo” in the subject line, or send them to school in care of “The
Yearbook Committee”. Thank you!
Snow
SGA Happenings
Hill M
iddle S
chool
2012-2
013
December was a busy month for SGA. Students attended a regional conference at Stephen Decatur High School and
participated in anti-bullying activities, planning future service projects, and planning for the Overnight Leadership Conference.
During the December monthly SGA meeting holiday cards/door decorations were created and delivered to the Snow Hill
Nursing Home residents. A festive time was had by all.
Winners in the Kids Helping Kids Canned Food Drive were announced. The homeroom with the largest number of canned
goods collected was Mrs. Shockley and her 7th grade class. They are going to be rewarded with a pizza party. Second place
was Mrs. Funk's homeroom who enjoyed ice cream sandwiches before the Christmas break.
Upcoming SGA events and Dates:
January 10th-SGA Meeting
January 10th-January 29th Fisher's Popcorn Fundraiser
January 25th-8th Grade Snow Ball Dance
February 7th & 8th-SGA Regional Overnight Leadership Conference, O.C., Maryland
February 8th-School wide SGA dance
Semi
Semi--Formal Dinner Dance
Friday, January 25, 2013
6:00-9:00 p.m.
$10 per student
~SHMS Students ONLY ~
~By Invitation Only~
Page 3
6th Grade Student of the Month
December
Soc. Studies
Haley Cook
Aaliyah Arpon
Elijah Dykes
Chloe Scarborough
Rai’Asia Cousar
Zach Geesaman
ILA
Keegan Gould
Grayson Crosby
Zanab Iqbal
Debrina Rolley
Rebecca Rambo
Katie Baumann
Math
Ian Whisner
Tyereke Suggs
Jessica Wynne
Will Trader
Austin Taylor
Carley Rew
Science
Gabe Dennis
Emma Simpson
Justin Gentry
Tanesha Hudson
Mason Lores
Jake Gordon
THE EAGLE GAZETTE
Friends with Disabilities
Cedar Chapel students join sixth graders during their literature circle groups. As part of their Service
Learning, Understanding Friends with Disabilities, students are learning how to communicate with
students who have disabilities (like autism) in order to build a global acceptance and respect of all
individuals. Each sixth grader has their own buddy and visits their classroom every three weeks to
interact with their buddy. If you haven't heard your child talk about their buddy, ask them about it: You
will be amazed at what you find!
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 4
Page 4
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 4
Page 5
HOMEWORK HOTLINE
AND
INCLEMENT WEATHER
S N O W H I L L MI D D L E S C H O OL
522 Coulbourne Lane
Snow Hill, Maryland 21863
Phone: 410-632-5240
Fax: 410-632-5249
E-mail: [email protected]
www.SnowHillMiddleSchool.org
SHMS Eagles Beam with Pride
School website
www.SnowHillMiddleSchool.org
Receive your copy of The Eagle Gazette
by e-mail! Simply e-mail Mrs. Trotter
([email protected])
your name, student’s name, homeroom
and e-mail address where you would like us to
send The Eagle Gazette.
PBIS Super Eagles
Snow Hill Middle School Super Eagles for the months of
September through December are as follows:
September: Decklan Fischer, Aaliyah Arpon, Austin Taylor, and
Laurie Short.
October: William Trader, Chakyra Powell, Tayyab Ijaz, T’Nae
Fitch, Marysol Pereyra, Heather Merritt, Carley Rew, Elizabeth
Black, Chloe Scarborough, and Zach Gessaman.
November: Ben Jackson, Hailey Brown, Kristen Riddleberger,
Zanab Igbal, Bailey Lambertson, and Tabatha Bew.
December: Katie Bauman, Marley McCabe, William Wise, Jack
Blakelock, Zanab Iqbal, Brianna Odegaard, and Leslie Dixon.
Mrs. Dougherty’s
December
Students of the
Month
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 4
Snow Hill Middle School
410-632-5240
Worcester County Hotline
410-632-5399
Worcester County General
Extension 6629
Closing/Delays
Extension 6600
Grade 6
Extension 6615
Grade 7
Extension 6616
Grade 8
Extension 6617
SHMS General Information
Extension 6624
Cell phones must be
de-activated and kept in a book
bag, backpack, purse, or locker.
A.F.G.
SHMS Belief Statements
1.
Education is
the shared
responsibility of the child, families,
school, and community.
2.
Differentiated instruction is essential for the
success of our diverse population.
3.
Our school makes a positive difference in
children’s lives.
4.
Respect, compassion, safety, and rigorous
academic expectations promote an individual’s
self-worth and achievement.
5.
Character building and individual accountability
foster success.
6.
Students must evolve with
necessary for life-long learning.
Decklan Fischer
Ryan Casto
Raelin Hutchinson
technology
as
THE EAGLE GAZETTE