genoa middle school - Westerville City Schools

GENOA MIDDLE
SCHOOL
Volume XIV, No. 1
August, 2012
Dear Jaguar Family,
Welcome to the 2012-2013 school year at Genoa Middle School! I am quite honored and excited to begin my first year
here as principal. I very much look forward to meeting all of the families and getting to know the students at Genoa.
This is going to be a great year!
Please be sure to carefully read through this newsletter. It contains very important information and useful
strategies that will help you and your child(ren) have an enjoyable and academically productive year.
Important dates quickly approaching (see the enclosed calendar for additional events): Schedule Pick Up: August 8
(2–4pm & 6–8pm), August 9 (9am–12pm); details in newsletter; Students’ First Day of Classes: August 15; Open
House: August 23.
On the first day of classes, Wednesday, August 15th, new Jaguars are to report to the gymnasium on opening day,
while returning students should follow their schedules.
To best prepare for a successful year at Genoa, it is important all students understand the expectations of them as
they enter or continue on in middle school. Our primary focus is growing students academically in a safe learning
environment and helping them to become positive members of the community. So please talk to your child and
share your thoughts about what you expect from them. We are always here to assist you; do not hesitate to contact
a member of the main office team: Guidance Department – Tim Allen (8th grade), Kathy Kosinski (7th grade),
Patricia Pierpoint (6th grade), School Resource Officer, Sara Rath , Administration – Rodney Johnson, Assistant Principal, or me, Carrie Trusley.
There are many new faces joining the Genoa family this year: Jennifer Blair (music), Hui Lauren Dnan (Chinese),
Kelly Hoffman (special education), Katie Kikta (visual arts), Tim Lawrence (P.E.), and Duane McDonald (P.E.).
While you are at Genoa for Schedule Pick Up, consider becoming a member of our Parent Teacher Student
Association (PTSA). The PTSA is responsible for funding our many student reward programs and for supporting
numerous other student activities. We are very lucky to have such a wonderful and strong partnership with the
PTSA. In the past we have had more than 500 members and always hope to increase that number each year.
Volunteers are a welcome and essential part of our school community. If you are able to spare a few hours of your
time during the week as an office volunteer, greeter or assisting with various other activities, please complete and
return the form contained in the newsletter. The Genoa staff, students and PTSA truly appreciate all of the help that
our volunteers generously give.
We look forward to seeing you at Open House/Curriculum Night on August 23 where you will walk through your
child’s bell schedule and have the opportunity to meet his or her teachers.
Remember to sign up for weekly updates on your child’s
progress through PowerSchool. Using this resource is
an additional way to help maintain open communication
between home and school.
Carrie Trusley, Principal
Genoa Middle School
GENOA MIDDLE SCHOOL
5948 S. Old 3C Highway
Westerville, OH 43082-9251
Office Hours
7:30 AM-3:30 PM
Telephone
Fax
Attendance Office
614-797-6500
614-797-6501
614-797-6521
Save your Subscriptions!
Families and Friends...Here’s How You Can Help…
The Genoa Middle School PTSA will be holding a Magazine Subscription Fundraising Drive
next year to benefit our school. You can help the success of this program by simply saving
your magazine renewals for the Magazine Drive. New subscription orders and gift orders are
welcomed and will benefit our sale. Current subscriptions can be renewed during the Magazine Drive. Those renewals will begin to arrive when the current subscription expires. Friends
and Neighbors can support our Fundraiser by placing their orders and renewals through our
students, as well.
Your participation will make our sale a success. Thank you for your support!
P.S. If you must renew or order before then, go to our On-Line store at www.gaschoolstore.com
Our school code is # 960328
Are you interested in photography or graphic design? Would
you like to create pages for the 2012-2013 yearbook? We
need your help! We meet once a week after school. If interested, see Miss Stimer in room 164 or send an e-mail to
[email protected]. All are welcome! In addition, we are
always looking for parent volunteers to help the yearbook
staff. If interested, please contact Miss Stimer.

BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION
Clip box tops—Earn cash for our school!
Genoa Middle School participates in the Box Tops
for Education program. Our school earns cash for
each box top that is turned in. Please continue to
clip and save these box tops throughout the year.
We will have two collections, one in the Fall and
one in the Spring. Listen to the announcements or
visit the Genoa Middle School website under
“Announcements” for more info on collection dates
and prizes. Also visit boxtops4education.com for a
list of participating products and great ideas to earn
cash for Genoa MS. Thank you all in advance for
your participation in this program.
Westerville Parent Council invites you to
check them out!
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The Westerville Parent Council is a group of Westerville
School District parent organizations organized under the
Ohio PTA for the purpose of promoting conferences, communications, leadership development, and the coordination of
efforts of local parent organizations. You can learn more
about the WPC and their various programs by checking out
the website www.wcsoh.org and following the Quick Link
to the Parent Council page.
Schedule Pick Up
When:
Aug. 8
Aug. 9
2:00 - 4:00 p.m. and
6:00-8:00 p.m.
9:00 a.m-12:00 p.m.
Free/Reduced Lunch Program
The Westerville City School District offers a free/reduced
lunch program for families who may need assistance. If you
have participated in the past, you must renew your application to remain eligible. Applications are available on the District website under the Food Service Information tab or you
can pick up an application in the office. Please bring your
completed application with you to schedule pick up.
What to Bring:
All forms included with this newsletter completely
filled out including the emergency card
Check or cash for school fees. Please make check
payable to Westerville Board of Education
Checks or cash to purchase P.E. t-shirt, school spirit
apparel, PTSA membership
Beginning August 1, you can also use the EZ Pay
system on-line. Instructions on how to use the EZ
Pay system and the link to EZ Pay are on the Back to
School tab on the District's website, as well as under
the Parent & Guardians Portal and the Student Portal.
What you will do:
Schedule pick up will take place in the commons and you
may attend any session that fits with your schedule. You
will turn in the completed emergency card. Once that is
reviewed by the nurse, you will enter the commons and
have the opportunity to join the PTSA, purchase the required PE t-shirt and purchase any school spirit apparel
you may desire. The Student Code of Conduct card will
also be signed.
Once you complete the above items, you can proceed to
the schedule pick up line and receive your schedule,
locker number and locker combination and school computer login and password. Your school fees must be paid
at that time.
You have now COMPLETED schedule pick up! The building is open and you are encouraged to find your classrooms and try out your locker combinations.
Students new to the Westerville School District and who
have not attended Middle School 101 or Moving Up night
will have an opportunity to meet the administration of
Genoa at a brief informational gathering in the gymnasium at 7:00 p.m. on Aug. 8.
Welcome to Genoa and we look forward to a great year!
Transportation
Students who arrive at school via bus transportation will be able to obtain their bus information from
the District website under the Transportation tab. If you have
additional questions, please contact the transportation department at 614-797-5950.
School Pictures
School pictures will be taken on
Wednesday, August 22. Your student should be bringing
home an order form no later than Monday, August 20. Make
sure to complete it and have your student bring it with them
on picture day! Your student will also receive their school ID
on picture day. There is no charge for the initial ID, but there
is a $5.00 charge for replacement of an ID.
PowerSchool
Just a reminder that you are able to monitor your students progress throughout the school year by logging into PowerSchool
through the Parent Portal. You can view your students assignments and current grades as often as you like. You can also
sign up for e-mail notifications by clicking on the e-mail notification button. There are several options to choose from.
We Are Here to Help!
614-797-6500
Principal
Assistant Principal
Secretaries
Attendance Clerk
Counselors
Gr. 6
Gr. 7
Gr. 8
Nurse
Health Aide
School Resource Officer
Athletic Director
PTSA President
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Carrie Trusley
Rodney Johnson
Corinne Kelley
Dawn Miller
Anita Liao
Kathy Kosinski
Tim Allen
Patricia Pierpoint
Amy Loehnis
Joyce Speakes
Officer Sara Rath
Rob Kuhn
Amy Glorioso
2012-2013 Student Fees
The Westerville Board of Education has adopted a fee structure to offset the cost of
consumable materials and workbooks. Checks should be made payable to Westerville Board of Education. These fees are collected when the students pick up their
schedules. The fees are as follows:
6th Grade
General Fee
Class/School Activity Fee
Logbook
Total Fee
$41.00
5.00
5.00
$51.00
7th Grade
General Fee
Class/School Activity Fee
Art Fee
Logbook
Total Fee
$41.00
5.00
8.00
5.00
$59.00
8th Grade
General Fee
Class/School Activity Fee
Logbook
Plus (if applicable)
Art
Spanish Workbook
$36.00
5.00
5.00
8.00
17.00
Students eligible for the Federal Free Lunch Program are exempt from paying the required
fees, those eligible for the Federal Reduced Price Lunch Program need to pay one-half of the
total fee, however those students need to purchase a logbook ($5.00).
Genoa Athletics
Get District Information Quickly!
Want to stay informed? Considered registering for e-Communications from the District.
By registering, you can choose to receive
important information regarding building and
district newsletters, school closings, district
press releases, board reports and district announcements. Visit the District web-site and
follow the instructions under the eCommunications link.
The Genoa fall sports teams are in full
swing! Be sure to support the teams
that represent Genoa at contests
around central Ohio. Go Jags!!
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Westerville City Schools
Approximately fouryears ago, Westerville City Schools’ Board of Education appointed a
committee consisting of students, parents, teachers, and local business personnel to study
“community engagement” opportunities for our students. One of the committee’s
recommendations which the Board eagerly accepted was to encourage students to
participate in community service activities - activities that a person performs for the benefit
of his or her local community without pay; for example volunteering at community events
such as Westerville’s Fall Fest and Leadership Westerville’s Service Day, picking up trash at
a neighborhood park or playground, working at a community food bank such as Caring &
Sharing or Westerville’s Area Resource Ministry (W.A.R.M.), taking food to people who are
homebound and visiting with them, assisting an elderly neighbor with chores, helping at a
local animal shelter or beautifying our community by planting flowers or trees.
During this Fifth year of implementation (2012-13), the Board is requesting each
student in the district in grades 3-12 complete at least three (3) hours of
community service by May 10th. The actual activity performed will be up to the
student and parents.
Enter information on any/all community service activities used to fulfill the three hour
commitment, making sure to complete all sections of the form. Once finished, the form
should be returned to your student’s school as indicated:
Elementary students, grades 3 – 5, should return the form to their classroom teacher,
Middle school students, grades 6 – 8, should return the form to their guidance
counselor, and
High school students, grades 9 – 12, should return the form to their guidance
counselor.
******************************************************************************
Student Name: ___________________________________________________________
Grade Level: _____ Classroom/Homeroom Teacher_______________________________
Date
Site
# of
Hours
Student’s
Signature
Parent’s
Signature
Site Supervisor’s Signature &
Work Number
Why is this activity an example of community service?
___________________________________________________________________________
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ATTENDANCE NOTES
Should your student need to be absent from school, please call the attendance office to let us know. The
number is 614-797-6521 and is available 24 hours a day. When your student is late due to an appointment, please let the attendance office know and have your student bring in a note from the appointment.
Any student who must leave early for an appointment should bring a written request signed by the parent or guardian to the attendance office before school on the appointment day. A pass will be given to
the student to leave class at the appropriate time so they are waiting for you in the office. When coming to sign your student out, please be sure to bring in a picture ID.
Clinic Information
The State of Ohio is requiring an additional Tdap
(tetanus, diphtheria, and pertusis) booster for your
child to begin 7th grade. Please check your child’s immunization records. The last Tdap booster must have been given
on or after Aug. 25, 2005 in order to be current. Please provide the date of the Tdap to the nurse, Mrs. Loehnis as soon
as possible.
If your student requires administration of any medication
during the school day, the forms to authorize this are available on the District website. This includes the forms giving
permission for the student to carry an inhaler. Go to the Department tab and look in the Health Services section under
Programs and Services.
Genoa Middle School
Tone Schedule
Period
Start
End
Homeroom
1
2
3
8:10
8:15
9:13
10:11
8:15
9:09
10:07
11:05
Lunch A (8th Grade) 11:09 11:44
4
11:48 12:42
5
12:46 1:40
4
11:09 12:03
th
Lunch B (7 Grade) 12:07 12:42
5
12:46 1:40
4
11:09 12:03
5
12:07 1:01
th
Lunch C (6 Grade) 1:05 1:40
We will celebrate the academic achievements of the
current seventh and eighth grade students of Genoa
Middle School at the Evening of Excellence on
Tuesday, September 11, 2011.
The ceremony will be held in the gymnasium
beginning at 7:00 p.m.
6
6
1:44
2:40
Volunteers are an important part of Genoa Middle School. There are many opportunities that you may wish to sign up for.
_____
Office Volunteer/Greeter (assisting in the office/front hall visitor greeter)
_____ Copying (a few hours one day each week or every other week in the copy
room)
_____ Social Functions (Chaperoning, concession sales, game tables, open gym, 3
Friday evening events during the year)
_____ Hospitality (Food donations)
_____ Special Events (as other events are scheduled throughout the year)
_____ Other (Any area you have an interest in) ___________________________
_____ Business donations - I have a business or a business contact for donations
(i.e. door prizes for school parties, food for staff appreciation, etc.)
Please let us know how you can help by returning the form below to the office or by
mailing to Genoa Middle School, Attn: Dawn Miller!
Name __________________________________________________________
Phone Number _______________ (day) _____________________ (evening)
Mailing Address ___________________________________________________
E-mail address ____________________________________________________
Student’s Name ____________________________________ Grade ________
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Genoa Renaissance
Building a Community Together
Dates to Remember
Schedule Pick Up
Schedule Pick Up
Classes Begin
School Pictures
Curriculum Night
Labor Day, No School
Evening of Excellence
Early Release
Last Day of Classes, 1st 9 weeks
Early Release
PTSA/Teacher Dance
OEA/NEA Day, No School
Grade Card Distribution
Parent/Teacher Conferences (Evening)
Parent/Teacher Conferences, No School
Thanksgiving Break
Last Day of Classes, 2nd 9 weeks
Teacher Professional Day
Winter Break, No School
Classes Resume
Grade Card Distribution
Early Release
Martin Luther King Day, No school
Early Release
President’s Day, No school
Last Day of Classes, 3rd 9 weeks
Grade Card Distribution
Spring Break, No School
Early Release
Last Day of Classes
Teacher Professional Day
Grade Cards Mailed
August 8
August 9
August 15
August 22
August 23
Sept. 3
Sept. 11
Sept. 13
October 16
October 18
October 19
October 19
October 24
October 25
Oct. 25 & 26
Nov. 21-23
December 19
December 20
Dec. 21January 2
January 3
January 9
January 17
January 21
February 14
February 18
March 12
March 20
March 25-29
April 18
May 23
May 24
June 6
8
Renaissance is a program designed to empower
our students and educators to reenergize our
educational atmosphere, and to create and
seize new opportunities for success. It has
been implemented in all three high schools and
the four middle schools. The program consists
of students, teachers, and staff working together to recognize all of the positive things
going on at our school. We are entering our
third year. You may have seen the birthday
board in our main hallway, have had a student
bring home a coupon booklet for making the
honor roll, or noticed the large display on the
wall by the cafeteria recognizing students who
have made academic growth. These are just a
few of the things that together teachers and
students as Renaissance have begun around
our school. We are so pleased with the interest
from students and staff in the Renaissance program that we are eager to continue building
and expanding this year. If your son/daughter is
interested in joining Genoa Renaissance, have
them contact Miss Stimer or Mrs. Christoff. We
are always looking for new faces! In addition,
we are looking for parent volunteers. Please
contact Miss Stimer or Mrs. Christoff for more
information.
LEGACY
Leaders Engaging Globally as
Community Youth
Service Learning Group
The service learning group, LEGACY, is an
excellent way to get involved in your community. We work to make a difference in the
lives of others through various projects. The
group is very active around Genoa and the
Westerville community. Interested in finding
a way to earn your community service
hours? Join us! We are always looking for
new faces. All are welcome! If interested,
contact Miss Stimer at [email protected]
or swing by room 164.