Glenridge - May 2013

For the Parents, Staff, Students & Community of Glenridge Middle School To download a PDF version of this newsletter, go to http://academypublishing.com/schools/glenridge/glenridge.php

P rincipal ’ s M essage Dear Parents and Community Members,

Where has the year gone? I cannot believe that we are entering the final months.

Our students did an outstanding job during the FCAT weeks and I know their hard work will show again in our school grade. Although we have accomplished much in the past eight months there is still a bit more to go! Many of our students will face the Algebra and Geometry End of Course exams at the start of May. Please help keep the momentum going, even if the weather screams for a vacation!

Track season is underway and we have an incredible team this year. We host two home track meets on April 17th and April 24th at 4pm and the final meet of the year, Track Fest, will take place May 17th and 18th at Showalter Field. Best of Luck Lions!

This spring’s concert season will be just dynamite! Drama and Chorus have worked together again this year to produce “Thoroughly Modern Millie.”

Performances will be May 10th and 11th in our MPR starting at 7pm. Orchestra will host their annual spring concert May 21st at 7pm in the GMS MPR. The Band concert will be May 23rd at 7pm in the GMS gym. The Chorus will be presenting their concert May 29th at 7pm in the WPHS auditorium. We hope you will join us for these performances and celebrate the musical talent of our students.

It is amazing to work in a community that has such great support for our school! I want to thank parents and community members for their time with SAC, PTSA, our IB Foundation, Closet of Care, Partners in Education, Teach-In, field trips, and the list goes on. We greatly appreciate your time and support of our campus goals and look forward to working with you in the future.

Our students will soon be facing a new set of educational standards, known as the Common Core State Standards. They will also be facing a new exam, known as the Next Generation Assessment. These standards are part of a state-led effort to develop one set of standards that all states will teach. This means that students moving from one state t another will be held to the same standards in Language Arts and Math. The standards are aligned with college and career expectations, and have been benchmarked internationally. We will begin integrating the Common Core State Standards into our instruction next school year. More information can be found at www.corestandards.org. You can find a “parent roadmap” link for grade level information about Math and Language Arts standards on our school website under “News and Announcements.

The purpose of Glenridge Parents, please look for information regarding summer school and summer activities through our After School Zone (YMCA).

Middle Beginning June 20, 2013, our campus will be open Monday through Thursday from 7:30AM until 5:30PM and closed every Friday. This shorter work week will remain in effect until August 7, 2013. The school will be completely closed for the week School is to of July 1st. Information will be forthcoming in regards to summer school, summer assignments, and summer activities. deliver quality Summer school will again take place only four days a week from June 12 – July 17. Should you have any questions about instruction in the promotion/retention policy, please contact your child’s guidance counselor. a professional learning community Although the last day of school is June 5th, I challenge our students to continue reading that ensures all “Lion’s Pride” and participating in community service throughout the summer. I wish you a great May 2013 students learning end to the school year and an enjoyable summer break.

Issue #3 and achieving in a safe, supportive school environment.

We invite you to give your input in our instructional program. If you continued on next page... have any suggestions that will help our Ma y 20 faculty improve instruction or services, please 2900 Upper Park Road 13 • feel free to send them to your principal, Heather Orlando, FL 32814 Volume 14 • Issue 3 Hilton at 407-623-1415.

Published Five Times Per Year

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@ Y our L ibrary

The end of the school year is almost here—it can’t be so! But it is. It has been a great year in the library; and one reason is our new clerk, Mary Inman. She has been a wonderful addition, supporting not only myself but all the students as well. Circulation figures have increased, telling us that kids are probably reading more (at least they’re checking more books out) and conversations with students about books tell me that they are curious about authors and reading new titles. It has been a rewarding year and I have enjoyed the “challenge” of making new books always available and suggesting books to students.

Since it is nearing the end of the year there are also some important things to remember about books you have at home. First, all library books must be returned no later than May 24. Also, library fines have been a concern this year. Despite written notices given to students there are a lot of “financial obligations” to be taken care of before school lets out. Please ask your children if they have any fines to pay so that you won’t find a surprise notice attached to a report card this summer.

Textbooks will need to be returned of course too. It’s time to gather them up, clean them if necessary, and get them ready. Teachers will tell their classes when they can begin returning them to the media center. They need to be returned to the media center, NOT the teacher.

Summer reading lists will go home for each grade level in May and will also be available on the Glenridge website. Please support your child’s learning by encouraging all forms of reading over the summer. Gains made during the school year are easily lost without continued practice during the brief summer months. Some kids need to think of reading like practicing a sport skill; to improve at a sport requires time and a willingness to practice. We can make the comparison to musical instruments or even dieting! And kids need parents to coach them and cheer them on as they read—so read with them!

To help everyone this summer, we will again have open hours for checking out books, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday through Thursday. It might be messy with inventory and textbooks all over the place but you are welcome just the same! Feel free to call me at 407.623.1415 x2251, or email me at Janice.cook@ocps.net. Thanks for reading, Mrs. Cook, Media Specialist

R eading D epartment

The Reading Department recently completed the spring administration of the Florida Assessment for Instruction in Reading or FAIR. The FAIR is a web based assessment (administered 3 times a year) consisting of a reading comprehension, fluency (MAZE) and word analysis (spelling) component. In contrast with other types of standardized assessments, the FAIR adapts to the reading ability of the student. As a result, we can accurately evaluate the student’s proficiency with the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards. The state of Florida requires that each student in an intensive reading class is FAIR tested and the subsequent results are used to progress monitor and as a predictor of FCAT success. The overall FAIR data suggests that the kids have made amazing strides in developing their reading skills and hopefully this is reflected in their performance on the FCAT. If you would like a copy of your student’s FAIR results, please contact me or your child’s reading teacher.

What happens now? Although we do not know when the FCAT results will be returned to us, we will prepare to take the Scholastic Reading Inventory(SRI) at the end of this month. This will help us to continue to provide the best instruction for our middle schoolers. Intensive reading instruction will continue as we prepare our students for entry into the next grade level. You can help by encouraging your student to read independently, as this continues to be one of the best strategies for success in reading.

If you have about the FAIR, please contact: Geoff Kessler GMS Reading Coach, at 407-623-1415 extension 2291 or email geoffrey.kessler@ocps.net.

G oing

to

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S ummer C amp ?

The Nurse Practitioners at Glenridge and Winter Park can help if you need a physical for your summer camp!

If your child needs a physical exam prior to registering for any camps, please call us to schedule an appointment.

We can see any Winter Park Consortium student and their siblings. Our services are always free of charge.

Student Health Center at Glenridge Middle 407-623-1413 ext. 2256 Student Health Center at Winter Park High 407-622-3200 ext. 6182437

S ave

the date !

When: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 16 Where: Glenridge Middle School Multipurpose Room What: 8th Grade Ceremony to Award IB Certificates

Parents of 8th graders are invited to attend the ceremony, which will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the MPR. To be eligible to attend, 8th graders must have completed community service and received an IB grade of 3 or higher on the 8th grade Culminating Event, a project that responds to this year’s question: “Why is recycling important and how can we help?” This even is by invitation only.

Judy Lister/CRT/IB Coordinator WE ARE AN IBMYP SCHOOL!

G lenridge S ummer C amp Z one

Looking for a middle school summer day camp for your child? Something to prevent summer boredom with weekly field trips and activities that support learning? These questions can be answered with the Central Florida YMCA-sponsored day camp provided on the Glenridge campus. The program starts on Monday, June 10 and ends Thursday, July 18. It is a Monday through Thursday program (closed Fridays) and closed the holiday week of July 4th. The day camp is open to all rising 6th graders and exiting 8th graders. Regular hours are from 9 am to 4 pm (doors open at 8 am) and extended time supervision is available until 6 pm for an extra fee.

There is a non-refundable registration fee of $10, and the weekly cost per student is $45. The extended time charge is $15 per week. Field trips are included in this rate and lunches and snacks are also provided through the school system at no additional cost. A discounted rate of $35 per week is offered to those students who qualified for the free or reduced lunch program during the school year.

Registration forms are available in the school front office during school hours, or after school in the gym office, which is the “hub” for all YMCA school activities. If you have any questions, please call Alfred Brown or Janice Cook at 407.623.1415x2267.

B efore S chool P rogram

and

A fter S chool Z one N otes

If your child participates in the BSP or ASZ programs, please be aware of these notes. The after school program for this year ends on Thursday, May 23; with additional closings on May 10 and May 17. There will be no after school supervision after May 23 so you need to make sure your son or daughter has other arrangements made to go home directly after school.

The before school program will continue operating through the last day of the school year.

We thank our students and parents for another successful year with both of these alternative programs on our campus and hope that they have helped our families with their needs.

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Congratulations to the GMS Symphonic Band for their straight Superior ratings at the recent Music Performance Assessment. This means that they received the highest rating possible from all four judges, on both their prepared program and their sightreading music.

All GMS band students will be performing at the Spring Band Concert on Thursday evening, May 23, in the GMS gym. (This is a required event for all band students, as announced at the beginning of the school year.) Students report to the cafeteria, dressed and ready to play, by 6:00pm, and the concert starts at 6:30pm. The concert will end by 7:30pm. General admission is free, and reserved seats will be available for a donation, with proceeds going to our PTSA. A detailed memo will be sent home two weeks before the concert. For questions about reserved seating, please email Stacey Rodrigues at staysirod@aol.com. For other questions about the concert, please email Brian Sullivan at brian.sullivan@aol.com.

C hoir

The GMS Choir program has had a very productive spring. They have performed at their annual Music Performance Assessments and did beautifully. I am very proud of their ability to take leadership with their music on a daily basis and outside of school.

SPRING SHOWCASE CONCERT

Please join us for our final Spring Showcase Concert on Wednesday, May 29 at 7:00P.M. at Winter Park High School Auditorium. This concert will be a blend of pop music and musical numbers.

Parents, please remember that your students will be turning in their uniforms this night, so it’s important to bring an extra set of clothes. Also, please make sure your student is at the mandatory rehearsal on Thursday, May 23 from 4:00-6:00 P.M. at GMS.

CHOIR PROGRAM WRAP UP

Auditions for GLenridge Singers and Show Choir will be taking place the last three weeks of school.

In order to audition for these groups, your student must have been in choir at least one year here at GMS. Exact dates and times coming soon. Also, the Show Choir and Boys’ Chorus will be taking their annual elementary school tour.

INTERESTED IN CHOIR?

If your child is interested in being part of the GMS Choir program, it’s not too late. Any student is welcome to join and will learn the fundamentals to music reading, vocal technique, and musicianship.

All are welcome and encouraged to sing all the time in a safe and exploring environment where expressing the individual is the main focus. No previous experience is required! If your child is interested in signing up for choir next year, please e-mail Mr. Begale at matthew.begale@ocps.net or call him at 407-623-1415X2277

Team News

B and N ews

5 Q uarterly N ews F rom T he I nnovators THIS QUARTER IN SOCIAL STUDIES

Our 6th graders will begin our discovery of Rome and its journey from Republic to Empire learning about everything from Rome’s geographical features, foundation, power as a republic, civilization, and finally its decline. Then it’s on to Greece were we learn about the Ancient Greeks and the rise of their civilization, the city-state rivals of Sparta and Athens, Persia, war and the eventual decline of the all powerful empire. Next we move on to the geography, culture, and the contributions Greek thinkers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. We will wrap up our year with the journey of the culture and civilization of the early Americas as well as learn about the different religions around the world!

Updates on upcoming projects, reports, quizzes, and tests will be posted in our weekly newsletter.

Our 7th graders will continue to learn about the role the United States plays as we learn about International Relations and how countries are interdependent on each other and the benefits of global interdependence. Students will be challenged with the task of recognizing a global need and researching ideas on how to address those needs while learning about other teens that are accepting the challenge and are impacting change around the world. We will then move on to our own home state and learn about Florida geography, state, and local government. As we wrap up the year and prepare for our end of year exam, we will learn about economics and the role money plays in our lives and review previously covered units in preparation for the cumulative test.

THIS QUARTER IN SCIENCE

Hello again Innovators and families! Can you believe it is almost time for summer vacation?!?

Although we are nearing the end of the school year, there is still a lot of hard work we need to do before we are rewarded with our much needed break!

This quarter in 7th Grade Earth Space Science, we will continue our studies on the Earth. We will wrap up the year with a unit on Weather and Climate. Students will be prepared by the end of the year to be able to track and explain exactly what is happening with those pesky hurricanes and summer thunder storms we encounter frequently to their families!

In 6th Grade Life Science this quarter we will be learning about the living world on a macro level.

Currently we are studying about Darwin and the supporting ideas that led him to propose the theory of evolution. Upon completion of our unit on Life Over Time, we will move into our last unit of the year, which covers Ecology.

With only a few weeks left to go, let’s make this last quarter a great one!

THIS QUARTER IN LANGUAGE ARTS

This is shaping up to be our best 9 weeks yet!

In 6th grade Language Arts we will be diving into our Poetry Portfolio presentations and working with figurative language in poetry and fiction. I’m excited to say we will begin book discussion circles, and I’m looking forward to reading our first class novel aloud in 1st and 3rd periods. The novel title will be announced in class.

In 7th grade Language Arts we will be discussing the last novel we read: Chasing Lincoln’s Killer. At home students will read Death Catchers, preparing for our in-depth analysis of plot, mood, tone, characterization, and conflict in fiction. We will also begin our in class novel, The Giver. I am looking forward to beginning Socratic circles, book talks, and analyzing theme, conflict, tone, and plot with our students. We will also take a closer look at poetry and mythology in Western Literature.

THIS QUARTER IN MATH

Now that FCAT season is over, our Innovator Math students will be completing the grade level curriculum and beginning the next grade level material in preparation for Advanced and Honors classes next year. Our 6th grade students will learn about area of composite figures, measurement unit conversions, statistics, and integers. Our 7th grade students will learn about volume of composite figures, derived unit conversions, angle relationships, and the Pythagorean Theorem. Over the summer, please check out the GMS website for additional practice assignments due the first week of school in preparation for next year.

Jacqueline Joseph, 6th/7th Grade Mathematics Teacher, 407-623-1415 x 4283

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Team News C heetah T eam

The Cheetah Team would like to take this opportunity to thank all the students and parents for a terrific year! Congratulations, once again, to our outstanding students – we really appreciate the hard work and good conduct exhibited by our Renaissance students! We look forward to Evening of Excellence on May 31. In other team news: ·· Congratulations to our Extra Terrific students – these students are recognized at a special presentation.

February – Sterling Anderson and Anastasia Sims-Chin

March – Connor Callahan and Jessica Clay

April – Jessica Gangle and David Johnston

As the end of the school year approaches, we look forward to sleeping late and long vacations, but Math students can hopefully find time to squeeze in some basic skills practice over the summer so they will be “ready to go” next year in 7th grade IB Math, IB Advanced Math, IB Honors Math or Honors Algebra. Use your old quizzes/assignments from this year to help you remember important skills such as decimals, fractions and percents.

Mr. Harasyn’s science class will be studying evolution, fossils, ecosystems, symbiotic relationships, photosynthesis, respiration, the carbon cycle, predator-prey relationships and food webs, and human sexuality during the 4th 9 weeks. There will be a couple of lab activities within these units, including some edible labs and the infamous Frog Dissection lab, which is always a student favorite! We will also be finally able to use the student tablets as part of our regular daily lessons and for further learning at home. We are extremely excited for this opportunity. As we try to finish the school year strong, it is vital that each student comes to class prepared to learn and participate. In order to do this, each child needs to bring pencils, paper, and a handheld sharpener.

In Mrs. Olson’s history class we are wrapping up the year with the study of Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire. Once again, students will be working on an individual creative project. This has been a year of learning about geography, history, current events, and our role in what is going on in the world. It is my hope that students will take all they have learned and become knowledgeable citizens; involved and concerned about the state of the world.

In Language A, we began quarter four with a review of reading application and literary analysis skills. After testing, students will continue to work on poetry portfolios and then we will move into novel study. Students will develop a persuasive ad campaign related to the issues dealt with in class novels. For home reading, students will have their choice from a list of twenty enrichment projects.

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Team News T iger T eam

Math with Ms. Powell—For the remainder of the year, Ms. Powell’s classes will be working steadily to learn as many math concepts as time will allow to prepare everyone for the upcoming 7th grade. In the IB classes, we will focus on algebra concepts, function tables, and graphing linear equations. In the IB Honors classes, we will focus on extended algebra learning and even take a look at the algebra book for some advanced practice. I’m excited to see how much everyone has progressed this year and I look forward to a successful end of the year.

It has been quite a semester for Mr. Childs’ Life Science classes. Already we have explored the Human Body, and examined how genetic traits are passed from parents to their offspring. Students tested to see how traits were passed on—like whether or not they had attached earlobes, could curl their tongue, or if they were able to taste a chemical called PTC. In April, classes are doing weekly labs in order to demonstrate to Mr. Childs that they are capable of following directions for science. If the classes are able to do this they will earn the privilege of doing a dissection in May! Parents if you are able to donate a box of tissues, a roll of paper towels, or hand sanitizer, that would be greatly appreciated!

Please send these in with your child.

World History with Ms. Cruz— During the 4th marking period, Tiger Team students are learning about Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome.

They are investigating how the Greeks honored their gods and goddesses. They are also working on comparing and contrasting Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.

A comparison of the women of Ancient Rome to American women today will prove to be a very enlightening topic.

In addition, we will continue to discuss Rome’s contributions to our society, and we will work on analyzing the geography of Greece and Rome.

In Ms. Ruiz’s class this year, students have displayed their knowledge, creativity, and uniqueness through many learning activities in the world of Language Arts. Let’s not let that light bulb flicker out just yet—we’ve got to continue to shine during summertime. Over the summer months, students should continue to read and write to keep their skills sharp. Students will soon receive the list of the required Summer Reading books for seventh grade along with the required assignments, and they should read at least 20 minutes daily. Parents, please help your child by creating a comfortable and positive reading environment in your home. Provide a variety of reading materials, such as magazines, novels, newspapers, and comic books.

Why not make reading a family activity with everyone reading for 20 minutes? Then draw a picture of your favorite scene or perform a short skit in response to the reading. Don’t forget to share your thoughts with each other—that’s the fun part! You could even start a family book club by reading the same book and meeting weekly for book talks. Reading is a journey; enjoy the trip!

Congratulations to the following students who were selected by the Tiger teachers this year as Extra Terrific Students and Students of the Month!

Extra Terrific Students Megan Bui Ben Lincourt Carly Mulligan Jaden Young Creed Hawver Lauren Hughes Gabi Genis Donald Hill Ciara Bailiff Blake Robinson Carolina Morales Owen Moore Students of the Month Taylor Bishop Paulina Castro Sterling Swope Alondra Roig Jahida Figueroa Ian Colon Autumn Little-Phillips Angel Munoz Gaines Cash Macey Diaz Noah Smith Laura Leigh Cash Jennicha Howell Orlando Santiago Hayley Champion Ryan Hobbs

G lenridge M iddle S chool

Non Profit Organization US Postage PAID Permit #885 Orlando, FL

Glenridge Middle School Orange County Public Schools P.O. Box 271 Orlando, FL 32802-0271

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Team News P anther T eam

In Language A, we began quarter four with a review of reading application and literary analysis skills. After testing, students will continue to work on poetry portfolios and then we will move into novel study. Students will develop a persuasive ad campaign related to the issues dealt with in class novels.

For home reading, students will have their choice from a list of twenty enrichment projects.

Ms. Stutin’s science classes concluded their study of animal adaptations and fossils. We used an interactive program called Science Court to help us learn about fossils. Ms. Stutin’s honor classes will be participating in Physics Quest. Physics Quest is a set of four experiments designed to engage students in scientific inquiry. Students will learn about fluid motion. Why do Brazil nuts always rise to the top and the toy in the cereal box is always at the bottom?

Why does ketchup flow faster when you hit the bottle? Why are smoke rings always in a circle? This program is a contest and the winners will be announced in the beginning of June. http://www.physicscentral.com/experiment/physicsquest/index.cfm.

Next it is on to our environmental unit. The students will be holding debates against each other. They will debate several environmental topics such as cutting down the rainforest, hunting whales, keeping animals in zoos, building on our wetlands, and more.

In IB math classes, students will use the MobyMath program to find and fix any missing curriculum skills. The Honors IB math classes will focus on deeper algebra concepts.

In Ancient World History we will be exploring Greece (which will include a project) for the next few weeks before finishing our year in Rome.

These are always fun and interesting units to cover. The question has been asked more than once, “Are we going to still do work after FCAT is over?”

The answer is, “Of course we are!” We will work up until the last day of school so that you get your money’s worth. Please remain focused and put forth maximum effort until then.