BUZZThe

at PJHS

ADMINISTRATION

ISSUE 8APRIL 2017

Brent Swartzmiller, Principal

Don Christie, Assistant Principal

Dwight Fertig, Assistant Principal

Cindy Nutter, Dean

PERRYSBURG JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

550 E. South BoundaryPerrysburg, OH 43551

419-874-9193

LeTTer from THe PrinciPaLThe 2016-17 school year has already proven to be a great year. As I review the year, I have seen so many wonderful accomplishments from both students and staff. Our students have received recognition for achievement in the areas of academics, athletics and citizenship. Many more are receiving Jacket Way recognition. I attribute these accomplishments to our responsible students, supportive community and dedicated faculty and staff.

Amazingly, the end of the school year is almost here. The excitement of the summer is in the air and it is tempting for students to start shutting down; however, we need our students to finish the year strong. Our staff is working hard to ensure that your children continue to learn, but we need your help in emphasizing the importance of staying focused. Finishing the year with good grades helps our counselors and the high school counselors make the best decisions possible about students’ placement into various programs for next year.

Not only do our students have a lot to do in their classes these remaining weeks, but they also have a wide variety of activities in which we hope that they, and you, will participate. These events include the eighth grade recognition, track meets, and numerous music concerts. Please refer to our Daily Updates.

As we approach the end of this year, we wish our eighth grade students well as they move on to high school. They have bright futures ahead of them, and we appreciate all of their hard work as students at Perrysburg Junior High School. We know that they have the skills and habits that they need in order to be successful at the next level. At the same time, we look forward to the 2017-2018 school year.

Thank you for all of your support this year. We look forward to your continued involvement in your child’s education.

Respectfully,

Mr. Brent Swartzmiller, Principalbswartzmiller@perrysburgschools.net

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TecH aLerT: aTTenTion ParenTS & STUdenTSThere have been reports of students accessing other student’s accounts, both school and social accounts.

Pursuant to US Code Title 18; Part 1; Chapter 119 and the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986:

It is unlawful to access another individual’s account without authorization or authority and prohibits unauthorized viewing of someone else’s password-protected files. Felony charges related to such unlawful activity could include, but are not limited to: identity theft, invasion of privacy, computer fraud, wire fraud, and obstruction of justice. Misdemeanor charges can also be applied to this form of illegal activity.

Heavy fines, jail time, or both are possible consequences if convicted of a computer-based crime.

STUdenT coUnciL- moLding mindS and Serving oTHerSStudent Council is working hard to make a difference and get involved with the community. PJH Student council received grant money through the Perrysburg Schools Foundation to sponsor a Community Service Project. The project involves creating 3 “little free pantries” that will be designed and painted by AO students for Christ Episcopal Church in Huron, Ohio, Scottwood Community Garden in the Old West End, and the third one is to be determined. The pantries are free standing cabinets to be installed outdoors that will hold non-perishable items, toiletries, and school supplies. Volunteers in locations where the pantries are installed will help maintain the contents and the condition of the pantries.

Wooden Little Free Pantries

3The Buzz At PHJS

April 2017 • Issue 8Perrysburg Junior High School550 E. South BoundaryPerrysburg, OH 43551

girLS STem cLUB ParTnerS wiTH naSaThe GIRLS STEM club at PJH has been actively enjoying a partnership with NASA through the NASA Out of School Learning Network (NOSL). Mrs. Boros and Mrs. Krueger were trained in this fantastic program in the fall at the Challenger Learning Center in Oregon, Ohio and have been implementing it with the GIRLS STEM club this winter and will continue through the end of the school year.

The girls have:

Designed, created, and launched rockets, refining their designs to meet preset criteria for a successful launch.

Engaged with a retired NASA engineer and a retired rocket scientist from the US Department of Defense to discuss the latest from NASA and rocket design around the world.

Video conferenced with Roger Storm from NASA Glenn to learn about the history of the US astronaut suit and to consult with him in small groups in order to design a better astronaut suit for the future.

Participated in a lively discussion and question/answer session about the effects of space travel on humans with Tyler O’Brien, the Interactive Science Specialist Team Leader, from Challenger Learning Center.

The girls have greatly benefited from this partnership with NASA and are rapidly expanding their knowledge of space travel, rocket science, and engineering and looking the future to make a difference

through their own careers and experiences!

The NOSL Network focuses on the implemen-tation of evidence-based practices through a shared cross-center framework that includes these elements: 1) professional development practices; 2) delivery of place-based learning opportunities; 3) strategies for access to scien-tists and engineers; 4) connections to regional and national OST and partner-led learning net-works; 5) evaluation technical assistance, both internally to other NASA centers and externally to collaborating partners; and 6) standards-based lessons. (https://www.nasa.gov/education/nosl/about/index.html)Video Conferencing with Roger Storm of NASA Glenn

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making ceLLS come aLive!6th grade students in Mr. Beck’s, Mrs. Boros’, and Mrs. Bock’s science classes have enjoyed learning about cells in creative and exciting ways! Students began the unit by learning about the microscope and using it to view animal, plant, and bacteria cells. Next, they were introduced to and love singing, The Cell Rap, “Cells, cells, they’re made of organelles!” (check it out at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zafJKbMPA8) to help learn the parts of the cell. Learning about the cell organelles continued with making (and eating!) animal cell cookies and graham cracker plant cells. Osmosis was introduced by soaking gummy bears in water overnight and measuring their tremendous growth! Mitosis was acted out with partners around the room and practiced with games. Finally, students enjoyed “showing what they know” by summarizing the unit by creating cell projects - posters, 3D models and even cakes!

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cHeck-maTe…..!After an outstanding Fall Season (with over 60

PJH chess players!), we have now moved on to our Spring Season. Due to the amount of

students who signed up, we had to make a few changes to the schedule. 7th and 8th graders now meet on Tuesdays, while

6th graders now meet on Thursdays. Anyone can still join at any time! Come

play the game of Chess with your peers and teachers!

THe TrUTH, THe wHoLe TrUTH …... mock TriaL!

This year the PJH Mock Trial Team participated in the state showcase on March 30 at the Ohio Supreme Court Building in Columbus. We have 24 finalists who presented as two teams, Team 1776 and the Purple Coats. This year’s case was The British Crown v. Johnny Tremain and is based on the novel Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes. Each team consisted of two attorneys for the prosecution, two attorneys for the defense, three witnesses for each side and a bailiff/timekeeper. Each team appeared before judges to present their case. They will then be awarded distinctions based upon their performances. Individual awards will also be presented. This year our team has two returning award winners, Michael Rausch (Best Attorney) and Hanan Shjah (Best Witness x2). Good Luck to all 2017 Mock Trial Participants.

Proud supporters of Perrysburg Schools, and proud parents of Kate and George Stamos!

1770 South Reynolds RoadTole

CoyleFuneralHome.com

Joe Coyle

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coUnSeLorS’ cornerWow, we are already well into the 4th quarter! The school counselors have wrapped up groups for this school year. Groups help students to process their feelings in positive ways, learn coping skills and let them know that they are not alone. Thank you to parents, guardians, teachers, and staff for allowing students to participate in our groups!

Important dates and events during second semester:

April: Course registration forms were given to current 6th and 7th grade students during the week of March 21. School counselors will be meeting with students to confirm requests.

April 18 & 20: AIR testing - Math for grades 6, 7 & 8.

April 25 & 27: AIR testing - Social Studies for grade 6 and Science for grade 8.

Summer Camps via Penta Career Center:

VEX Camp will be June 12 - 14 (grades 7 - 12)

STEM Camp will be June 19-23 (grades 7-9, current grade)

**Registration will begin online April 3, 2017, for both camps: www.pentacareercenter.org. If you have any questions on the Penta camps, please contact: bmay@pentacc.org for STEM Camp OR rthomas@pentacc.org for VEX Camp.

Any questions, contact your School Counseling team,

Nicole Wagner, 6th Grade

Andrea Monheim, 7th Grade

Tom Przybylski, 8th Grade

we’re wiTHTHe Band..

The PJH Bands have been busy making music inside and outside our school during this winter season!

The PJH Pep Band finished their rousing 2016 – 2017 basketball season with a performance at a Perrysburg High School Varsity Boys basketball game vs. Napoleon for the NLL championship! This performance featured a combined PJH + PHS Pep Band, totaling over 160 students. This season the students also performed at 4 PJH Boys games, 4 PJH Girls games, and 2 pep assemblies. Go Jackets!

The 7th Grade Band, 8th Grade Band, and PJH Jazz Band gave a terrific performance at their annual Winter Concert on March 2nd. This concert featured difficult pieces for each ensemble, some of which were first time performances by the PJH Bands.

On Saturday, March 18th, the PJH Bands performed in the OMEA District 1 Solo and Ensemble Adjudicated Event at Sylvania Southview High School. Students performed as soloists or as members in small ensembles. This year the PJH Bands received 17 Superior ratings and 6 Excellent ratings. Congratulations to all of our students who participated. You did a wonderful job representing your band, school, and community!

The months ahead are quite busy for the PJH Bands… our remaining performances include Spring concerts, PJH Band on the Run 5K, OMEA District 1 Large Group Adjudicated Event, marching at Cedar Point, and the Perrysburg Memorial Day Parade. Go Jacket Bands!

FOR AGES

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PJH PreSenTSTHe LiTTLe

mermaidAfter four sold-out performances, the run of The Little Mermaid at Perrysburg Junior High School came to a close with one final standing ovation.

The 134 students that participated in the show spent months preparing under the musical direction of Katie Driscoll and Patrick Barrett and the choreography of Elise Hanson. Whereas most junior high schools perform abbreviated versions of musicals, PJH is proud to perform the full-length versions of shows, complete with a full orchestra.

This year’s production has been the largest musical undertaking the Junior High has done yet with an eye-popping set design, clever costume creations and the use of ZFX flying system for use of “aerial” choreography.

The production would not have been possible without the work of parent volunteers, support from the community, and the orchestra, comprised of students from PJH, PHS, as well as community musicians.

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PERRYSBURG PUBLIC SCHOOLS140 E. Indiana AvenuePerrysburg, OH 43551

Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. Postage Paid

Perrysburg, OHPermit #94

Current Resident or:

The Jackets Athletic Department concluded it’s winter seasons and have progressed to it’s spring track and field season.

The 8th grade boys basketball team finished their season with an overall record of 15-4 and defeated Anthony Wayne in the NLL Tournament Championship game to claim the league championship.

The 7th grade boys basketball team finished their season with an overall record of 18-1. The Jackets defeated Timberstone in the NLL Tournament Championship game to earn their NLL title.

The 8th grade girls basketball team played to an overall record of 11-6 and advanced to the semi-finals of the NLL Tournament.

The 7th grade girls basketball team ended their season with an overall record of 12-5 and advanced to the semi-finals of the NLL Tournament.

The Jacket wrestling team finished the year with an 8-0 record in league duals and won the NLL Tournament in January.

The Spring season brings about spring sports. Track and field have begun preparations for their season with over 170 athletes participating on this year’s team. Come on out and watch them run, jump, and throw. Volunteers are always needed to help with events.

See You There!!

aTHLeTic avenUe–wraPPing UP THe winTer SeaSonS