John Poole Middle School Timberwolf News & Notes December 5, 2014

Purpose, R espect, I ntegrity, D edication, E ffort

The Principal’s Pen Good Afternoon Timberwolf Families, I hope you had a restful and relaxing Thanksgiving holiday. The long weekend (and car ride to visit relatives) gave me a great deal of time to reflect on those things that I am grateful and thankful for. One of the items that I reflected on was how lucky I am to be serving such a welcoming and supportive community. As I enter my 6th month as principal of John Poole Middle School I wake up each morning excited to come and work with the staff, students, and parents here at JPMS. Thank you for welcoming me into your community and I am looking forward to working closely with all of you over the next days, months, and years! It is hard to believe that we are half way through the second marking period and less than three weeks away from winter break! With interim progress reports being posted on Edline on the 11th it is important that you support your children in staying focused on the task at hand and the work they need to do to continue their academic growth and development. I encourage you to get online, check out Edline and then sit with your children and work with them to set goals for their performance. If you need help or support, or you have questions about your child’s progress please feel free to give us a call so we can work on that together. I wish you and your families the best this month. Have a healthy, happy, and relaxing winter break!

Upcoming Dates December 5-6

Drama Production

11 18

Interims Mailed Winter Concert (7:00 p.m.)

19

8th Grade Field Trip (Newseum)

24 25

Holiday, Christmas Eve Holiday, Christmas Day

26-31

Winter Break

January 1

Holiday, New Year’s Day

2

Winter Break

7

8th Grade Class Picture

7 8

Geography Bee Finals Exams—Review Day

9-16

Exams

Contact Us Mailing Address: 17014 Tom Fox Avenue

Poolesville, MD 20837 Main Office: 301-972-7979 Counseling Office:

301-972-7980 Principal:

Respectfully,

Mr. Robert Sinclair Jr.

[email protected] Assistant Principal:

Mr. Robert Sinclair Jr, Principal

The Timberwolf community experiences joy in learning, celebrates excellence, and values positive relationships.

Mrs. Donna Lemon Donna_F_L [email protected]

Hallway Heroes Hallway Heroes are students we honor for demonstrating exemplary PRIDE behaviors as they move from class to class, helping to keep our hallways safe and comfortable for everyone. The students recognized below consistently demonstrate Purpose, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Effort everywhere they go at JPMS. They are Hallway Heroes and we are proud to celebrate their high expectations and their Timberwolf PRIDE! William Batres

Chloe Boyle

Emily Emmons

Garrett Fultz

Jordan Rendzio

Finn Ryan

Calling All Writers! Students have the opportunity to submit work to two writing contests right now: the SoMIRAC Young Author’s Contest and the Celebrating Diversity Contest. Information about these contests have been distributed through English classes. We’ve had a lot of success getting student work from JPMS published and we’d like to continue this tradition, so please encourage your children to enter the contests! If you need additional information on either contest, contact Mrs. Lindsay at [email protected]

New Season of Homework Hotline Live! Homework Hotline Live (HHL) is back for its 29th season, offering students in grades K–12 free homework assistance from MCPS teachers. Students can contact HHL teachers from 4–6 p.m. on the phone or 4–9 p.m. online on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and 6–9 p.m. online on Mondays. Students can ask questions by: Making a phone call to 301-279-3234

Visiting the HHL website (AskHHL.org)

Sending a text message to 724-427-5445

Sending an email ([email protected])

Posting a message to Facebook (facebook.com/AskHHL)

Send a Kik message to AskHHL

Posting to Instagram (AskHHL) Homework Hotline Live! can be viewed on MCPS-TV (Comcast 34, Verizon 36, RCN 89) and on the Web at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/itv/hhl/.

Leaders of the Pack

At JPMS, we focus every day on helping our students to be as successful as possible, both academically and personally. Part of that focus is instilling the core values of Timberwolf PRIDE: Purpose, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Effort, because we believe these qualities will support all students being the successful learners they want to be today and becoming the positive, contributing members of our community they can be all their lives. Each month, the staff recognizes five students in each grade who are leaders and role models because they routinely demonstrate the components of Timberwolf PRIDE. We celebrate them at a ceremony on the first Friday of each month where they receive a certificate and are served a breakfast treat. Their pictures are proudly posted on a bulletin board in the front hall during the month in which they are being honored. Congratulations to our November winners!

6th Grade Purpose – Melany Martinez Respect – Justin Sheehi Integrity – Sam Hicks Dedication – Charlotte Vogel Effort – Anthony Witt 7th Grade Purpose – Kenna Krueger Respect – Juan Barron Integrity – Christopher Mantz Dedication – Jessica Convers Effort – Keegan Morrison

8th Grade Purpose – Harrison Johnson Respect – DJ Bevley Integrity – Jimmy Kavanagh Dedication – Sam Varona Effort – Alli Haddaway

Physical Education Athletics The boy’s and girl’s JPMS Basketball teams first game takes place next week on Wednesday, December 10. Come out and support the girls who play Clemente at home. Wish our boys luck as they head to Clemente for their first game.

Game time is 2:40 pm in the main gym. The games are over by 4:00 pm so you can take the activity bus home. Come out and support your Timberwolves on Wednesday the 10th !!

JPMS Basketball Schedule December 16 — JPMS vs. Kingsview MS — Boys-home, Girls-away January 8 — JPMS vs. Baker MS — Boys-away, Girls-home January 21 — JPMS vs. Neelsville MS — Boys-home, Girls-away January 28 — JPMS vs. King MS — Boys-away, Girls-home February 3 — JPMS vs. Rocky Hill MS — Boys-home, Girls-away

Counseling News

HERO Club is HERE! What is HERO club? It is an after school club at JPMS that creates leaders, takes action, makes a difference and inspires others. How does it do this? Through fun and different activities that address: current teen topics like cell phone use, social media, cyber-bullying, how to stop rumors and gossip and more. HERO club is a nationally known organization. JPMS students will get a chance to work with PHS students in activities and even create activities of their own for our school.

Don’t miss this great opportunity! It is a great chance for you to Make a Difference and Inspire Change! The First HERO Club met on Thursday, December 4th in Room 300. Make plans to join them on Thursday afterschool now!

For more information see Mrs. Arnold or Mrs. Eisenberg.

On November 10th, the John Poole Middle School Student Government Association held their executive board elections. JPMS students voted for the candidates who exemplified the work ethic, leadership, and PRIDE that make JPMS a great place to learn. The SGA is proud to announce the following winners:

SGA President:

Darian Berger

SGA Vice President:

Bryce Davis

SGA Treasurer:

Julianna Hitchcock

SGA Secretary:

Roshawna Marshall

Congratulations to all the candidates and we look forward to great school year.

Picture left to right: SGA Advisor Edward Mattingly, SGA Treasurer Julianna Hitchcock, SGA President Darian Berger, SGA Vice President Bryce Davis, and SGA Secretary Roshawna Marshall

On November 21, the JPMS SGA held the annual National Mix It Up Day Lunch. This year the SGA organized and hosted a Jeopardy Trivia game in the media center. In order to allow students the opportunity to meet and work with different students, groups were selected randomly. Students were asked trivia questions over a variety of topics including movies, video games, and sports. JPMS students displayed their fantastic knowledge and PRIDE during the event and made all the students feel valued and welcome.

December Artists of the Month Each month the John Poole Middle School Art Department highlights the great work being done by our artists! Artwork is posted throughout the building and highlighted at the main entrance as our staff, students, parents, and visitors enter our building. Here is some of the artwork being featured throughout the building

Adrianna King Pop Icon Sculpture, Grade 7 Colin Hemingway Pop Icon Sculpture, Grade 7 Caroline Field Pop Icon Sculpture, Grade 7

Ethan Gaddis Mimbres Plate, Grade 8 (left) Sarah Mullikin Mimbres Plate, Grade 8 (right)

Jacob Kasten

Holly Cross

Art Nouveau Scratchboard, Grade 7

Art Nouveau Scratchboard, Grade 7

Jackson Peek Rescue Collage, Grade 6 (left) Maddie Montemuro Pastel Portrait, Grade 6 (right)

Cheyenne Bowen Surreal Collage, Grade 7 Marcus Antolli Surreal Collage, Grade 7

Aly Gotlewski Surreal Collage, Grade 7 (left) Justin Hurbanek Rescue Collage, Grade 6 (right)

T. J. Kovacs Pastel Portrait, Grade 6

December After School Activities Calendar

Mr. Sinclair’s Parent Advisory Council (PAC) Throughout the school year Mr. Sinclair will be providing monthly opportunities for community members to come and meet with him to discuss JPMS, how things are going, any concerns you may have, share any thoughts, suggestions or concerns. These will be opportunities that may be structured around specific topics, but will be formatted to promote an open dialogue. We will be providing a variety of opportunities and times for parents to participate. The listing of meeting dates for the first semester is below and you can RSVP by visiting the RSVP form or by calling Ms. Umberger.

Meeting Date

Time

Location

Topic(s)

RSVP Method RSVP Form

December 9

8:30 - 9:30 a.m.

Main Office Conference Room

Open Floor

Or Call Ms. Umberger 301-972-7979

JPMS Spirit Wear

Check out our new Online Store Use the discount code GJX5wOhk to get $10.00 off your first purchase

Friday Academic Support (FAS) Friday Academic Support (FAS) is a program that is designed to provide students who are struggling academically with a structured environment for them to complete missing assignments in an effort to improve their grades. Students who have below a 2.0 marking period average and one or more D or E due to missing assignments will be considered for inclusion in this program. FAS will run on selected Fridays throughout the school year from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. Students who are participating in FAS will remain at school after dismissal on those Fridays and will need to be picked up at 4:30 p.m. from the JPMS front entrance. The dates of FAS are listed in the table below.

Students who are selected to attend the program will receive a letter on the Tuesday of the week of FAS and will have the opportunity to turn in the missing work over the next two days. Students who still qualify for FAS at noon on Thursday of FAS week will receive a follow up phone call that evening to confirm their need to attend the program. FAS Date

(2:30 – 4:30 pm)

Invitation Letters Sent Home

Confirmation Call Sent Home

12/19

12/16

12/18

2/6

2/3

2/5

3/13

3/10

3/12

4/24

4/21

4/23

5/22

5/19

5/21

The Timberwolf community experiences joy in learning celebrates excellence and values positive relationships.

2014 – 2015 John Poole Middle School Contact Information We are hoping that this resource will provide you with assistance in being a productive advocate for your child’s education. If you have concerns or questions about your child in a specific class, please start by contacting your child’s teacher or with the staff member you have concerns with. If you are unable to come to a satisfactory resolution, please contact the head of the team or department. If the issue is still not resolved, please contact the appropriate administrator. It is expected that any staff member who is contacted by phone or email and is not available return that contact within 24 hours. Please contact one of the administrators if you have not heard back from a staff member in 24 working hours. Important Phone Numbers: Attendance: 301 – 972 – 7979 Cafeteria: 301 – 407 – 1037

Building Services: Counseling Office:

301 – 407 – 1038 301 – 972 – 7980

Fax Number:

301 – 972 – 7982

Financial Office:

301 – 407 – 1028

Health Room:

301 – 407 – 1029

Main Office:

301 – 972 – 7979

Grade Level Counselor (Call Counseling Office): Our counselors are available to assist you with a variety of issues. If you have concerns about your child’s schedule, their academic performance, their social/emotional development, learning difficulties, other developmental or social issues please feel free to contact the grade level counselor. Counselors can also assist you with setting up parent meetings with some or all of your child’s teachers. In many cases where you have concerns and/or questions the counselor is a great place to start. Registrar:

Carolyn (Diane) Kitts

( [email protected] )

6 th Grade Counselor:

Margaret (Peg) Arnold

([email protected] )

7 th Grade Counselor:

Janice Eisenberg

( [email protected] )

8th Grade Counselor:

Margaret (Peg) Arnold

([email protected] )

Super Team Leader (Call Main Office Number): The Super Team leader is available to work with you on concerns about the grade level activities or your child’s performance across many or all of their classes and can assist you if you have concerns about your child’s progress or learning abilities.

Super Team Leader:

Brian Grotenhuis

( [email protected] )

Department Resource Teachers (Call Main Office Number): The department resource teachers are available to assist you with content specific issues. They can assist you with questions regarding issues such as course offerings, curriculum objectives, instruction and delivery of curriculum content, and enrichment and differentiation opportunities. Department resource teachers are also available to assist you with questions regarding grading and reporting. Arts/Electives:

Brian Grotenhuis

( [email protected] )

English/Reading:

Jane Lindsay

( [email protected] )

Mathematics:

Mike McKay

( [email protected] )

Science:

Margaret (Peggy) Callaghan

( [email protected] )

School Administrators (Call Main Office Number): The school administrators are available to assist you when you have an issue or concern that you have not been successful in resolving with the other staff members, as well as with issues of a serious nature that need to be reported to or shared with the school administration. Principal:

Robert Sinclair

( [email protected] )

Assistant Principal:

Donna Lemon ( [email protected] )