Issue 3 Volume 14
March 2013
D
ear Jackson Parents and Community, The second half of the school year has begun. From now until the end of the school year, many events will occur that will help determine the future of many of our students. The importance of daily academic performance during the remaining weeks and months cannot be over emphasized. As we move forward this fourth nine weeks, much of our focus is on preparing our students for the next level. One test is in the books and that was the FCAT Writes which was administered on February 28th. All 8th grade students participated in this test, while all 6th and 7th grade students also joined in a mock FCAT Writes test so that we could continue to gather data over the three years that our students attend Jackson. The FCAT
A Message from Mr. Ruiz
dates have been released for this year, following the same time frame as last year. The FCAT reading and math tests will be given to all students during the FCAT window of April 15th – 26th. 6th and 7th graders will take the reading portion of the test on the computer. Seventh graders will be tested in reading during the first week of the testing window, with the sixth graders following the week after. Also, during this time, all 8th graders will take the FCAT science test. It is extremely important for all students to get a good night’s rest the night before their tests and eat a good breakfast the morning of their tests. Since students will also be testing after lunch, we will continue to do our part and make sure all students eat lunch, as we do now. We will also provide a snack for all students during their testing time. Although FCAT is one test on one day, so to speak, it is the indicator that the State of Florida and the Federal Government use to determine our overall success as a school. We are confident that through your child’s classes, they have learned the Sunshine State Standards that are being assessed on the new FCAT 2.0. Therefore,
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our FCAT scores and our school grade will continue to prove our accomplishments. This year’s FCAT test will look as it did last year. There will continue to be more of a focus on higher level thinking skills and technical reading. Teachers have been doing a fantastic job of teaching students within these new parameters and students are learning the analytical skills that will prepare them for the 21st Century workplace. There will be a major change in the testing schedule on Wednesday, April 17th ,where students will remain in school until 4:00 in order for all students to have ample time to complete the FCAT Reading sessions. There will be no early Wednesday dismissal on this day. Early Wednesday dismissal will resume the following week, April 24th. Please note this change from our original communication with students and parents: OCPS has determined that ALL students will take their grade level FCAT. Earlier in the year, it was believed that students in algebra and geometry would only take their End Of Course exam (EOC). That decision has been reversed, and ...Continues on next page
Where Every Student, Every Day Strives For Success
Principal.............................Eddie Ruiz Assistant Principals...........Rojina Durant Mabel Rios 6th Grade Dean.................Danielle Alchin 7th Grade Dean.................Michael Wilson 8th Grade Dean.................Kenneth Kuczer School Hours Monday - Friday 9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Wednesday 9:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. School Phone Numbers Phone: (407) 249-6430 Fax: (407) 249-6438 Website: www.stonewalljackson.ocps.net
Principal’s Message continues... district-wide all students will take both tests. It is our collective belief that taking both tests will ultimately benefit our students. They will be able to see their progress on the FCAT, which tests their grade-level standards, in addition to taking their EOC, which is mandated to earn their high school credit for these courses. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call or email (email is the quickest way for a teacher to respond). We are committed to doing whatever it takes to ensure that all students learn! We appreciate your continued support. Sincerely, Eddie Ruiz
Current Partners in Education AXA Equitable John Coulombe 407-719-4194 City of Orlando All-Stars 407 -246-2179 Horace Mann Kamla Schiwlochan 407-951-8852 Jet Set Line Norxis Barboza 407-649-6599 L-3 Communications, Link Simulation &Training 407-382-1378 McDonald’s on Curry Ford Road/436 407-403-5558 Orlando Baptist Church 407-967-7784 Papa John’s Pizza 407 -275-7272 Visionary Vanguard Group 407-896-2066 Eagle’s Pizza 407-380-9911
SGA News A big thank you to Mr. Kuczer for being such a great team player and helping the 8th grade class raise money for the 8th grade banquet! The students really enjoyed watching their dean get pied in the face! Upcoming SGA Events • Basketball Pep Rally, April 12th, 2013 • SGA Informational Meeting, April 23rd, 2013 from 3-4pm in room 912 • 8th Grade Banquet- June 5th, 2013
Important Dates April 9th - SAC/PTSA/IB Parent Meetings-6:30-7:30 p.m. (Media Center) May 3rd - Progress Reports go home with students May 14th - PLC Meeting-6:00p.m. (Room 314 in the Media Center) May 14th - SAC/PTSA/IB Parent Meetings-6:30-7:30p.m. (Media Center) May 21st - 8th Grade Island of Adventure Field Trip May 29th - Mc Jackson Night at McDonald’s on 436/Curryford Road-5:00-7:00p.m. FCAT Dates: • FCAT Reading & Math (Grades 6-8) and FCAT Science (Grade 8): April 15-26 • Algebra I End of Course Exam: May 6-17 • Geometry End of Course Exam: May 13-24 • Civics End of Course Field Test (Grade 7): May 20-31
Literacy Week 2013 Students’ participated in various activities during the week of January 1417th that dealt with literacy and reading. During the JT Classes, students created bookmarks, posters, read, and viewed a video book talk created by students to support literacy and reading in the classrooms. Students’ and teachers’ read about 60,000 minutes on Wednesday to compete in the Million Minute Marathon Contest held at school.
Literacy Door/Poster Contest Winners
6th Grade= Mrs. Plata’s JT Class
7th Grade=Mrs. Kruslicky’s JT Class
8th Grade= Mr. Busey’s JT Class
Jackson Robotics Teams Earn Top Honors at Regionals and States The Jackson Robotics Teams just completed an awesome season. Two of our five teams earned the privilege to compete in the Regional Tournament in Cocoa Beach on February 9th. This puts these two teams in the top 30% of the 500 FLL robotics teams in the state. 28 teams from central and eastern Florida and the Bahamas competed at this tournament. Our Jackson teams earned two of the five first place trophies! Like a Block earned the 1st Place Project Trophy (for their outstanding research, innovative idea, and presentation). Super Sensors earned the 1st Place Core Values Trophy (for embodying the core values of FIRST robotics, including Gracious Professionalism and “Cooperation” and by their strong communication, effective problem solving, and excellent time management). Additionally, the Super Sensors received a bid to the state tournament held Sunday, March 3 at UCF. Only 48 of 500 teams in Florida qualify for the state tournament, placing the Super Sensors among the top 10% of teams in the state. In order to receive a bid, a team must receive one of the highest combined scores in the three areas of Project, Core Values and Technical (robot design and performance). The Super Sensors represented Jackson superbly at the State Championship Tournament. They had a very impressive score on the robot competition table of 315 points. They earned call backs in two of the three judging categories (Technical Judging and Core Values). We are so excited that they won the overall first place Core Values Trophy at the Tournament. The team received the top score (exemplary) in all elements of the scoring rubric for Core Values. Go Jackson!
6th Grade Art Students Paint the PBS Lounge
Mrs. Stanley and her students pose in front of the finished product. The PBS Lounge will be open at the end of Marc h for students’ who earn PRIDE PAWS and make a reservation to go to the lounge during JT/ Lunch time.
Science Olympiad News Jackson’s Science Olympiad Team competed in the Orlando Regional Science Olympiad competition on January 19th at Lake Nona Middle School. Jackson received the Third Place Overall Trophy!! Our team competed in 23 different science events, placing in Disease Detectives, Dynamic Planet, Forestry, Reach for the Stars, Meteorology, and Road Scholar. Team members include, Omar Abdelbary, Nyameye Adom, Archana Banda, Nikhil Banda, Giselle Fiestan, Lauren Forgey, Estevan Giraldo, Mathew Harmon, Khaled Itani, Sahil Kapadia, Lisa McMurtray, Hunter Muehlbauer, Julie Ng, Vrunda Patel, and Ami Smart. The team will be competing at the Florida Science Olympiad State competition at UCF on March 23. Wish us luck!
Ms. Betlow’s Science Classes Robotics News Super Sensors Members of the Super Sensors are: 8th graders Ashley Alonso, Nixza Gonzalez, Sarah Lane, Emily Levin, Saiyuri Naidu, and 6th graders Kriya Naidu and Elisabeth Guss. The Super Sensors are coached by Ms. Kretz. Nixza, Sarah, and Emily have dedicated themselves to Jackson Robotics for three years and each of them have qualified for the Regional Tournament all three years and the State Championships twice. Thank you so muc h to everyone who came out to support the team! Go Jackson! Thanks to Mrs. Conner for always being the leader!
The description of Cell City is: Cell City/Landform/Place tasked the 6th Gr. IB Students to relate the Cell wall, Cell membrane, Cytoplasm, Mitochondria, Chloroplast, Nucleus (contains the DNA), and Vacuole of a cell to an actual place. During presentations they related what they created to the cell in a fun, creative, colorful, 3D Project. Many groups had unique ideas and ways to relate their creation to the parts and functions of real cells.
Connect Ed. Message
Yearbook
Orlando After-School All-Stars summer camp registration will begin on March 18th, 2013. Registration will take place Monday through Friday from 4-6PM. Camp will begin on June 10 through August 1st. Camp will be held Monday through Thursday only (Closed July 1 through July 4th). Please contact Lorenzo White at 407-6804240 for further information.
Yearbooks are on Pre-Sale now for $25.00. There is only a limited amount this year. Get yours now before the price goes up! See Mrs. Grant or the front office for information.
Orlando After-School All-Stars Summer Camp Registration Monday-Friday 4-6PM Starting March 18
Band News
Mrs. Silva’s Science Class News Students used oreo cookies to learn the phases of the moon.
February 15th and 16th the Jackson Middle School band students did a fantastic job at Solo and Ensemble festival hosted at Maitland MS. We had 68 events which included 86 band students. 62 students earned Superior medals (the highest you can get), 22 earned Excellent Ratings, next best to Superior, and 2 received a Good Rating.
December Students of the Month Pasta for Pennies Mr. Conti’s JT Class collected $266 for the Pasta for Pennies contest. They were the winners of the Olive Garden Lunch. Congratulations to him and his students for an amazing job!
(Pictured below, not in order; not all present) Mario Peralta, Serena Seeger t, Pashen Williams, Roberto Laureano, Joseph Nieves, Tamela Allen, Sarah Wiegand, Kelly Zarembski, and Haley Prociak.
Jackson Middle School
JAG
Orange County Public Schools P.O. Box 271 Orlando, FL 32802-0271
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WIRE Where Every Student, Every Day Strives For Success
2012-2013 School Calendar Friday, October 19 ����������������������� Statewide Professional Day/Student Holiday/Teacher NonWorkday Thursday, October 25 ������������������� End of 1st Marking Period (47 days) Friday, October 26 ����������������������� Student Holiday/Teacher Workday Monday , October 29 ������������������� Begin 2nd Marking Period Mon. - Fri., November 19-23 ������ Thanksgiving Break (Nov 19-21: Student Holidays/Teacher Non Workdays; November 22-23: Student/Teacher Holidays) Two Weeks, Dec. 24 - Jan. 4 ������� Winter Break Monday, January 7 ����������������������� Students Return to School Thursday, January 17 ������������������� End of 2nd Marking Period (44 days) Friday, January 18 ������������������������ Student Holiday/Teacher Workday Prioritized Bad Weather Days 2012-2013 Monday, January 21 ��������������������� Holiday Priority Date Current Use Tuesday, January 22 ��������������������� Begin 2nd Semester/3rd Marking Period 1 October 19 Statewide Professional Day Monday, February 18 ������������������� Holiday 2 February 18 Student/Teacher Holiday Thursday, March 21 ����������������������� End of 3rd Marking Period (42 days) (Presidents Day) 3 November 19 Thanksgiving Break - Day 1 Friday, March 22 ��������������������������� Student Holiday/Teacher Workday 4 November 20 Thanksgiving Break - Day 2 Mon.-Fri., March 25-29 ���������������� Spring Break 5 March 29 Spring Break - Day 5 Monday, April 1 ����������������������������� Begin 4th Marking Period 6 March 28 Spring Break - Day 4 Monday, May 27 ��������������������������� Student/Teacher Holiday 7 March 27 Spring Break - Day 3 Wednesday, June 5 ����������������������� Last Day of School/End of 4th Marking Period 8 March 26 Spring Break - Day 2 (47 days) 9 March 25 Spring Break - Day 1 10 November 21 Thanksgiving Break - Day 3 Thur.-Fri., June 6-7 ������������������������� Post Planning