Newsletter March 2012

Ernest Just Middle School

Maryland School Assessment

MSA Reading March 13, 14

MSA Math 20, 21

Volume 9, Issue 7

Administrator’s Message March is that time of year when the signs of spring begin to appear. More

importantly, it is the time of year EEJMS students get the opportunity to show what

they know and they know a lot! This month our students will be taking the

Maryland State Assessment (MSA), which assesses Maryland content standards in

mathematics, reading, and science. Our students’ scores will show how well they

have learned the reading, mathematics, and science skills specified in the State

Curriculum. The teachers and administrators of EEJMS are excited to see the

growth that our students have made during the school year. As our partners, we ask

that you make sure your child/children:

• Sleep well the night before each test

• Eat a good breakfast the morning of each test

• Attend school everyday

• BE ON TIME TO SCHOOL!

Thank you for your continued support of everything we do at Ernest Everett Just

Middle School.

Educationally Yours,

Secoya Muschett, Assistant Principal

Congratulations to those students who earned an honor roll certificate. The awards assembly was held on February 21. Every quarter, parents and

students of honor roll students are invited to participate in the ceremony.

Save the Date

March 7

March 13, 14

March 20, 21

March 30 – April 9

Touchbase. Parents & teachers conference from 4:30 – 7:30.

MSA Reading

MSA Mathematics

Spring Break

1

Honor Roll Ceremony

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Counselors’ Corner

It is the middle of the school year. This means that it is time to look at our students’ progress from the first half of the year and do a mid-year check-up. Just as when we go to the doctor’s office for a physical or take our car to the shop for designated maintenance, there is a list of services that need to be reviewed or examined. In our school, there is a list of items that should be reviewed before we become too entrenched in the second semester. Look over the list with your child and have him/her give a grade for each category. After the review, implement a plan that would address areas that need improvement and build on areas when strengths abound.

Mid-Year Check Up

As you talk with your child, promote the positive and share ideas and suggestions on ways one can be more successful. If possible share personal experiences. Our goal here is not to berate but to encourage each young person to see and utilize his/her potential to be an even better student.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if after our physical, the doctor said that we were in perfect health, or the service technician said our car runs like a brand new model? Unfortunately, that is not usually the case; we often leave with advice on what we could work on or do better. With students in their midyear checkup, there are usually a few areas that can be tweaked.

Mid-Year Checklist

Targeted Area

Grade Yourself + or -

Am I listening in class and taking notes? Do I participate in class discussions/problem solving?

Do I complete all home and classwork assignments in a timely manner?

Am I on time and prepared with materials? Am I current on all projects assigned? Do I use my agenda book? Is my attitude positive and cooperative? Do I ask questions when needing assistance? Do I talk with my parents about problems? Do I ask about tutoring? Am I involved in a school activity? Have I updated my goals for the 2nd semester?

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Our annual STEM Fair took place on February 8 and 9, 2012. Participants did an outstanding job.

Congratulations to our 1st Place Winners (as seen in the photo).

The Science Department would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the staff members, students, parents, and judges who helped create a spectacular experience for our students.

Qualifying students will participate in the Prince George’s County Science Fair.

Science Department

STEM Fair Winners

Judging for the 64th annual PGCPS Science

Fair will be held Saturday, March 17,

2012.

In the photo: Front Row (left-right): Jasmyn Logan, Janay Wesley-Seymour, Eunece Invento, Dolores Robinson, Kaila Colley, Nneka Umoh, Telicia Farmer Back Row (left-right): Cameron Wilcher, Adrienne Kueberuwa, Trenson Terry, DeVaughn Byram-Riche, Alexis Braswell, Ife Olaseinde, Zoe McMillian, Shelby Brewington 1st Place Winners not pictured: Benjamin Walker, Kristina Jenkins, Robert Smith, Cameron White, Carlito Gutrich, Queendalyne Ofabu, Katia Burns, Arielle Jackson, Mozell Gant, Samuel Harrison, Sabrina Alfaro

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Hello Ernest Just Middle School Math Scholars! The countdown has begun… MSA Math is March 20 and 21! We need to increase our scores by at least 10 points per student. Are you up for the challenge? Visit www.mdk12.org and practice the Problem of the Week in order to see similar problems that will be on the MSA. Also visit www.firstinmath.com in order to build your basic math skills. Saturday Math Academy is really making a great impression on our students, parents, and neighboring communities. Teachers are really starting to see an improvement from

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each and every student! Keep up the fantastic work, students. MATH COUNTS has been rescheduled for April 26th. Parent volunteers are needed. If you are interested please email Mrs. Lloyd margaret.lloyd@pgcps.org or Mrs. Salalila felonila.salalila@pgcps.org. Math Quarter 3 Projects will be distributed in March. The projects are as follows: Math 8 - Discount Shopping Spree Math 7 - Central Tendency Travel Survey

Mathematics Department

The RELA Department has recently incorporated Literature Circles into classroom learning. As stated in the curriculum, Literature Circles are a very powerful, small-group structure for reading and discussing fiction or non-fiction texts at all grade levels, across the curriculum. Literature circles elegantly combine two very important educational ideas: collaborative learning and independent reading. This structure helps our students make connections with personal experience, visualize the scene, people, and events, make inferences and determine importance in reading. Literature circles are conducted by first introducing a concept, selecting a novel, forming circle groups, discussing and modeling roles, preparing and engaging in discussion. Students take an active role in this process as the teacher becomes an evaluator. The title varies based on

classes and grade level.

Reading English Language Arts Department

Seventh grader Keturah Holmes explained that she enjoyed taking part in the literature circles because “It’s not just reading a book to read it, we are reading to really understand it.”

Her classmate Gregory Simmons explained he enjoyed Literature Circles because it “gives you a chance to collaborate about how you feel. I like ‘The Pact’ because it inspires me.”

Eighth grader, Robert Anderson stated, “The literature circles has increased my interest in books and encouraged me to read more because my friends are involved.”

Newsletter March 2012

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Community Spanish Classes

Sponsored by Ms. Glenn!

No RSVP necessary. Sessions are open to

parents, students, siblings, teachers, and will be held from 6:30

- 7:30 in room 301:

January 24

February 21

March 13

April 17

See you there!

Nurses Call the Shots!

Recently there have been multiple outbreaks of the NOROVIRUS on cruise ships causing cancellations of cruises and thorough cleaning of the ships. In the month of February alone, there have been reported outbreaks of the highly contagious virus in Wisconsin nursing homes and elementary schools, Princeton University, colleges in New Jersey and elementary schools in Michigan. According to a recent local NBC News report, a Prince William County Virginia elementary school just confirmed the presence of the NOROVIRUS. A number of teachers and students complained of vomiting and diarrhea. The school was temporarily closed and the building had to be completely disinfected with bleach.

The NOROVIRUS is a group of related viruses that cause gastroenteritis, inflammation of the stomach and intestines, formally called the “stomach flu”. The virus obtained its name from the original strain of the Norwalk Virus which caused an outbreak in a school in Norwalk, Ohio in 1968. Over 80% of the NOROVIRUS outbreaks normally occur between the months of November and April, however it can occur throughout the year. The virus is easily spread most commonly through touching surfaces contaminated with the virus. It can cause death in compromised patients due to excessive loss of electrolytes from vomiting and diarrhea. The virus is contagious up to 3 days after a person begins to feel better!

Symptoms of the NOROVIRUS include the following:

• Very sick with nausea and vomiting

• Severe stomach cramps

• Watery, non-bloody diarrhea • Low grade fever (99 to 100

degrees F.)

• Chills

• Headaches

• Muscle aches • General tiredness

Other names for the NOROVIRUS:

• Viral gastroenteritis: Inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by the virus and not bacteria.

• Acute gastroenteritis: Sudden onset of viral symptoms

• Non-bacterial gastroenteritis: Not caused by a bacterial source

• Stomach flu

• Calicivirus: Family name of the virus

How to Prevent the Spread of the NOROVIRUS:

• Always wash your hands especially before eating or

handling food and after bathroom use.

• Use antibacterial wipes or hand sanitizer if hand washing is not possible.

• Wipe down desk surfaces and keypads with anti-microbial solutions before and after students who appear ill.

• Stay home if you are experiencing any flu like symptoms, to include vomiting, diarrhea and fever.

The Norovirus

Mrs. Carolyn Winbush, R.N. School Nurse

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The Web 2.0 tools' spotlights for this month are resources for teachers. The following websites are some of the best on the net. Each one is free – test them out before trying with your students. Enjoy!

Engagement    Students  using  these  tools  will  engage  in  gaining  knowledge  of  the  subjects  they  are  studying  instead  of  being  passive  listeners.    

1. CogDooRoo - 50 Web Tools To Create a Story - Alan Levine's wikispace for digital storytelling - 50

web tools you can use to tell a story

2. Comic Creator - Interactive Comic Strip Creator – ReadWriteThink(IRA/NCTE site)

3. Delivr - online digital postcards (image access denied at school)

4. DigitalStoryteller - web-based, online tool from University of Virginia

5. FreePlayMusic - copyright free resources for students’ digital stories

6. MyPlicks - create a music video with myplicks.com

7. Nicenet - Internet Classroom Assistant – create an online course site - no advertising!

8. Noodle Tools - develop search strategies and cite information correctly

9. NoteStar - create online research notes & organize

10. Online Certificate Maker - Online Certificate Maker – templates for printing games, activities

11. Our Story - Collaborative Timeline With Pictures - save stories, photos, and videos on a collaborative

timeline, export Widget code

12. Photoshop Tutorials - great tutorials created by Mary Bertram's daughter - Thanks, Mary, for sharing!

13. Photoshow.com - upload some pics, add some music, create a quick & easy photovideo online

14. Printing Press - create brochures, newspaper, booklet, flyer with this easy template from

ReadWriteThink (IRA/NCTE site)

15. ProjectBasedLearning - create rubrics/checklists for PBL projects (from 4teachers.org)

 

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TECHNOLOGY Web 2.0 Tools Spotlight

Newsletter March 2012