1. Art and Diseño

SPARTAN
Stafford Middle School Newsletter
News
February 2015
SCA is selling
They will be delivered
Valentine Lollipops
to homerooms on
for 50¢ from Feb 9-12
FEBRUARY 13!
WORD OF THE MONTH:
PRE-ORDER YEARBOOKS
NOW FOR JUNE DELIVERY!
Online payments accepted
through the SMS website.
Cost: $30 with name imprint
or $25 without
RESPECTFUL
RESPONSIBLE
Mark J. Smith
Principal
[email protected]
PRODUCTIVE
-
“The Spartan Way”
Jeffery Howard
Assistant Principal
[email protected]
STAFFORD MIDDLE SCHOOL
101 Spartan Drive, Stafford, VA 22554 ● Phone: 540-658-6210 ● Fax: 540-658-6204
MRS. CASTILLEJA’S CLASS...
February will be a month of reading really great short
stories in English! Students will practice their reading
skills while using plots, conflict resolution, characterization, theme, and
tone. We’ll continue with our word
study of Latin suffixes, prefixes, and
roots, take a closer look at verbs,
and practice our writing skills.
In history, students will carry on with
our study of the Great War and have some fun with
the Roaring 20s and all that jazz! Then, all the excitement of the Roaring 20s will come to a crashing halt
as we learn about Black Tuesday and the Stock Market Crash. We’ll spiral into the Great Depression.
MRS. GESLOCK’S
CLASS...
In English we continue to
analyze nonfiction. After
we finish reviewing nonfiction text features and text
structures, we will begin summarizing and discussing author's purpose. We will also help to improve
our writing by learning about subject-verb agreement and possessives. We continue to visit the library every two weeks. During this time, the librarian presents a lesson and then allows students to
check out books. I-pads are also available for those
students who choose to take Accelerated Reader
Tests.
MRS. MUSSO'S CLASS...
Mrs. Musso's science students are
learning about energy! Different
forms of energy, how energy transfers among different objects, fossil
fuels, and renewable energy sources.
MRS. LEYVA
6TH GRADE US HISTORY...
As we embark on the second semester, history classes will
study the Spanish American War and
World War I. As we explore the changing
role of the United States from the end of
the nineteenth
century through the first two decades
of the twentieth, we will investigate
how the United States became a
world power and the building of the
Panama Canal.
MRS. FREDETTE & MS. SFREDDO’S CLASSES...
I
n civics Mrs. Fredette's and
Ms. Sfreddo's classes will
begin studying the American
political process. During this unit,
they will learn about the two main
political parties, third parties and
the high cost of running for office. They will learn how to register to vote as well as the voting
process and the effect the media
has on it. And they will learn
about presidential elections including the Electoral College.
526
Thank you for all you do for your
children. We have an outstanding group of students this year. Some of
them may need to be supplied with additional paper and pencils as
we get ready for second semester.
MRS. GUYTON’S CLASSES...
S
CLASS NEWS
eventh grade English students will continue to
work hard as the second semester begins. In
class, discussions about literature and grammar
will continue to take place. Students will strive to improve the quality of their writing by utilizing figurative
language. In addition, new academic words of the week will be
discussed and will become part of
students’ continually growing vocabulary.
MRS. BRITTA SHAVER’S CLASSES...
Third Quarter English Highlights:
 We will continue our study of Roots and Affixes, as
well as, Academic Words of the Week.
 We will be reading, analyzing and responding
to poetry.
 We will be focusing on word choice , elaboration and
mechanics in our writing in preparation of our Writing
SOL.
MS. SORIANO & MRS. GARNDER’S CLASSES...
8th Grade World
Geography
Second Semester
Wish List:
TISSUES & HAND
SE!
SANITIZER, PLEA
FLU SEASON
IS UPON US
N
ow that our first semester has come to
a close, Geography students will be
trekking forward with their regional curriculum! What better way to escape the
cold, windy, and sometimes snowy days of February than by learning all about Latin America
and the Caribbean?! Our Latin America Unit will
wrap up right around President's Day (weather
permitting), and we will be traveling to Europe for
the remainder of February and into the first
weeks of March.
Please double check with your student that they
have enough pencils, erasers, and loose leaf
paper to get them through the remainder of the
school year. This seems to be the time of year
where their stockpiles begin to run low. As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns!
MR. WEBSTER’S CLASSES...
Students in Mr. Webster's
English classes will be
going into full on writing
mode in February. The
students will be practicing
and continuing to work on
the writing process,
as they prepare for the writing SOL in March.
MS. BRANCOLINI & MS. D’IMPERIO’S CLASSES...
Science 8 students will be finishing up their chemistry
unit by balancing equations. The third quarter will be
devoted to physics, where students will learn about speed,
force, simple machines and Newton's Laws of Motion.
NEWS FROM THE INSTRUCTIONAL
TECHNOLOGY WORLD...
The Stylus-Stafford Middle School's Digital Literary Art Magazine is always looking for submissions. Students may visit The Stylus page on
School Fusion for
more information on
how to
submit
Stafford Middle School’s
their work.
Digital Literary Art Magazine
Literary art
may be in the form of poetry, short story, short fiction,
art, and music. Be sure to ask Mr. Kramer or Ms. Dobson for more information.
Ms. Sullivan’s Classes
6
th
grade-It's the start of a new semester! This month we start on
patterns and pre-algebra. The
students are learning about Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences and using them to continue number and picture
patterns. Later in the month is a big step
into the world of Algebra. The kids will
learn how to solve one-step equations
using math properties (rules). For a little
extra practice, students can log on to First
in Math at home and build their math
skills.
7
th
gradeMath 7
and Math
7 Extended has jumped
right into writing
verbal expressions and algebraic equations. This is a sure indicator that we have
started the unit on Patterns, Functions, and
Algebra. Patterns focus on recognizing numeric and geometric patterns and writing
rules to fit tables of numbers. Functions
are a particular type of relationships resulting in sets of ordered pairs that have patterns/rules and can be used to make predictions. Ordered pairs that graph but have
no patterns or follow no rules are relationships, but cannot be used to make predictions. All students will be taught how to
graph functions, use appropriate vocabulary to describe algebraic equations as well
as graph algebraic equations. Student
work will be evaluated on the process
(showing steps and naming properties) as
well as the final answers. Students need to
have a supply of pencils and graph paper
for this unit.
8
th
grade- Students are starting to
work on the Pythagorean Theorem
and move into our Geometry unit.
In this unit we will explore 3D
shapes and finding the volume and surface
area for each. Students will be given a formula sheet and will
need to know how to
apply them.
Algebra- Students
are learning how to
graph linear functions
and well as linear inequalities. We will work
on solving equations with 2 variables and
graphing the solution.
Geometry- Students are moving into chapters 7 and 8
where we will
revisit triangles
and explore
new properties
using similar
figures and
parallel lines.
Let’s have some fun! See if you can figure out the puzzle...
Can you place the numbers 1 - 12 in the squares below so that the sum of each side of the triangle is 36? You may only use each number once. I filled in some numbers for you already.
Taken from: http://luminouslearning.com/blogs/luminous-learning/13149509-weekly-logic-puzzle
INTRAMURAL BASKETBALL
January 13—March 19
6:45 AM-7:35 AM
Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday mornings
Please see Mrs. Mason for more information.
INTRAMURAL INDOOR SOCCER, FLOOR HOCKEY, & VOLLEYBALL
Begins February 24—Tuesdays & Thursdays
For details, please see Mr. Villiott
DATE
LOCATION
OPPONENT
Thursday, Feb. 19
HOME
AG Wright
Tuesday, Feb. 24
AWAY
HH Poole
Thursday, Feb. 26
HOME
Gayle MS
Tuesday, March 3
AWAY
Dixon Smith
Thursday, March 5
AWAY
Drew
Tuesday, March 10
AWAY
Shirley Heim
Thursday, March 12
HOME
Rodney Thompson
TEAM PHOTOS– Monday, February 23
COUNSELING NEWS...
FEBRUARY SCHOOL
COUNSELING NEWS
High School Course Program of
Studies Catalog and students will
be guided through the booklet in
order to highlight important courses for 9th grade registration. Durational School Counseling the lesson, each student will
ing Week 2015 will be
receive a high school registration
celebrated from Feb. 2sheet and each section of the
6. National School
form will be discussed with stuCounseling Week highlights the
dents and questions will be adtremendous impact school coundressed. The last part of the
selors can have in helping stuclassroom lesson will address the
dents achieve school success
completion of a four-year high
and plan for a
school acacareer. School
demic and
counselors work
career
every day to
plan. This
support stuplan repredents’ academic
sents an
success, peroutline of
sonal and social
tentative
well-being, and
courses for
career developthe remainment needs. The SMS Counselder of the student’s high school
ing Department would like to
career. At the end of the registrathank our families, faculty, and
tion process, each student will
administration for being supportmeet with a counselor to individuive of the counseling office. We
ally review and finalize the child’s
couldn't do our jobs without you!!
9th grade selections. All 8th
Grade students will be given a
This month Mrs. Alunni will begin
letter to bring home that explains
working with our 8th grade stuthe process in more detail. If you
dents on the 9th Grade registrahave any questions, please call
tion process. The process will
the SMS Counseling Office to set
begin with a classroom guidance
up an appointment or to simply
lesson which will include a dishave questions answered over
cussion of required and elective
the telephone. Thank you!
courses, high school graduation
requirements, and the High
School Program of Studies. Each
8th Grade student will receive the
N
IMPORTANT UPCOMING 8TH GRADE PARENT/STUDENT
INFORMATION NIGHTS
Stafford County Public Schools
Rising 9th Grade
Transition Night:
Brooke Point Freshman Orientation Night: Wednesday, February 11, 6:30-8:00PM
(Snow Date: February 18)
Colonial Forge Freshman Orientation Night: Wednesday, February 11, 6:30-8:00PM
North Stafford HS Freshman Orientation Night: Wednesday, February 11, 6:30-8:00PM
Mountain View HS Freshman Orientation Night: Wednesday, February 11, 6:30-8:00PM
Stafford HS Freshman Orientation Night: Wednesday, February 11, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30PM
Signature Programs Information Sessions:
*International Baccalaureate (IB) on February 4, 2015, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Brooke Point
High School and on February 5, 2015, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Mountain View High School
*Information programs on APPX (Advanced Placement Programs of Excellence), CTE (Career
and Technical Education), and JROTC programs will be held during the Rising 9th Grade Transition Night on February 11, 2015, and will be offered at each high school where the program is
available.
Information Session for 8th Grade Students:
On February 5th at 1:50 pm, Ms. Purnell, Advance Placement Program of Excellence (APPX) Coordinator, will visit SMS. Information regarding the APPX Program will be provided to 8th Grade
students interested in finding out more about the program. If you are interested in attending,
please sign up the counseling office before February 5th.
All instructional programs are being reviewed for availability and information included above is subject to change. Please monitor our school websites or contact
your school counselor for any updates and changes
NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY
We have exciting news! Our school is participating in the
Tyson Project A+™ program, a fund-raising program
sponsored by Tyson Foods, Inc. Through this program,
we can raise up to $12,000 for our school this year! The
money can go towards supplies, building improvements,
school programs, or anything else we choose. It’s an easy
way to raise much needed funds by sending Tyson Project A+ labels from products you
probably already buy.
Here’s how it works: Just clip and collect Tyson Project
A+ labels from participating Tyson® product packages
and send them to school with your child. We’ll collect the
labels and send them to Tyson Foods, and Tyson Foods
will send our school a check. Each label is worth 24¢.
If you have any questions about the program, please contact Ms. Mangione at [email protected].
You can also find details online at ProjectAPlus.tyson.com
We hope you’ll join us in collecting Tyson Project A+ labels this year and spread the word to your friends and relatives. It’s such an easy way to raise much needed funds
for our school!
We also want to thank you for sending in the General Mills
Box Tops. So far this year we have collected $382.90
worth of Box Tops. Keep those Box Tops coming as we
are gearing up for our next homeroom competition.
This year NJHS sponsored two food drives to support the
Salvation Army Thanksgiving Food Drive and the American Legion Christmas Food Drive. Thanks to your generous donations, SMS donated approximately $1000 in food
items.
February in the Library….
I
t is all about the research and reading.
8th grade students are beginning their research projects. They
have identified careers that interest them, and they will begin
researching education requirements, including high school and
college/trade school, current and future demand, salary ranges,
etc. Karen Alunni, Director of Counseling, is collaborating with
the research project.
7th grade students will be focusing on evaluating resources and how to properly cite different
resources to avoid plagiarism.
6th grade students will continue to look at different information resources and practice basic research skills.
Café Books is underway! 17% of our 7th
and 8th grade population is participating!
Our February meetings are February 2 and
13. Students participating are already asking
for another book to read and/or the sequel
to the one they have just read.
Battle of the Books is underway. Each
meeting will now focus on practice questions.
Liz Featherstone, Librarian
All-District Chorus
February 13-14
All Day at MHS
All-District Band
February 20-21
All Day at NSHS
February is National Dental Health Month!
S
hare these healthy dental reminders with your family:
Brush your teeth twice a day with a tooth paste that contains fluoride. A good time to brush is after
breakfast and before bed, and don’t forget to change your tooth brush regularly, and after an illness.
Children over 8 years of age should be able to start flossing teeth on their own. Floss teeth daily.
Eating lots of snacks with sugar may cause cavities, so limit sugary snacks.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a dental exam every 6 months for prevention
and maintenance of good oral hygiene and care.
Protect your teeth by wearing a mouth guard when playing sports.
Sometimes a recommendation is
made for braces. This can be a
hard decision for some families
as this can be a costly endeavor,
but a needed one. There is an organization that may assist with braces called Smiles change Lives (SCL).
This organization serves children who:







Are 10-18 years of age
Have no more than four (4) baby teeth
Have good dental hygiene
Have no unfilled cavities
Are not wearing braces currently
Meet the SCL financial guidelines (www.smileschangelives.org/financial)
Are willing to follow SCL Program rules and make the required financial contribution.
HOW TO APPLY:
Visit www.smileschangelives.org/apply
Click download Application
Print the application
Fully complete all portions of the application
Mail the completed application, along with all required
document to:
Smiles Change Lives
2405 Grand Blvd, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64108
Take care of your teeth and keep smiling!!
If you are in need of a dental provider and would like a list of local providers please call and the school
nurse can give you a list.
Another successful Science Fair was held on January 28, 2015! We had over 60 students participate this
year. The competition was tough. All of our participants did a great job and we are proud of you all. Congratulations to our winners and those who will be moving on to the Regional Fair in March.
HERE ARE OUR WINNERS:
8th Grade:
1st Andrew R.
(tie) Lauren B./Kassidy M.
2nd Andrew S.
(tie) Alex P.
3rd
(tie)
Josh M.
Kyron T./Orion H.
4th
(tie)
Kurt B.
Emma T.
Honorable Mention:
Emaan H.
7th Grade:
1st Kyle G.
2nd Lily H.
3rd
Bailey G.
4th
Luke S.
Honorable Mention:
Anna P.
Elizabeth H./Victoria C.
William R.
6th Grade:
1st Kyle M.
(tie) Alexa Y.
2nd Srirat R.
(tie) Alyson F.
3rd
(tie)
Great job everyone!
Courtney M.
Alex C.
If you are interested in joining the Spartan
Art Club, there will be a meeting Wednesday, February 4 after school. Please
see Mr. Loving for information and permission forms. You do not need to be an art
student to join, all are welcome!
February 2015
Sunday
1
Monday
2 8th Grade
Café Books
11-11:25 am
7th Grade
Café Books
11:50-12:10 pm
Tuesday
3
Report
Cards
Distributed
Wednesday
4
International
Baccalaureate (IB) @
BPHS
6:30-8:30 pm
Thursday
5 Advanced
Placement
Programs for
Excellence
(APPX)
Coordinator @
SMS 1:50 pm
Friday
Saturday
6
7
13 Beat
Melanoma
Bingo Benefit
for Mrs.
Khodjibaev
6:30-8:30 pm
Café Books
14
Intramural Basketball T,W, Th 6:45-7:35 am
8
9
10
11 Rising
9th Grade
Transition
Night–
BPHS,CFHS,
NSHS, MVHS
6:30-8 pm
12
Parent
Conferences
3:30-6:30 pm
All-District Chorus @ MHS
Intramural Basketball T,W, Th 6:45-7:35 am
15
16
17
18
NO SCHOOL
Presidents Day
19
Girls
Basketball @
HOME 3:45 pm
20
All-District
Band
Concert
Time TBA
Intramural Basketball T,W, Th 6:45-7:35 am
22
23
Girls
Basketball
Team Photos
24 Girls
Basketball
@ HH Poole
3:45 pm
25
Intramural
Indoor
Soccer,
Hockey &
Volleyball
26 Girls
Basketball
HOME VS
Gayle 3:45 pm
21
All-District Band @ NSHS
27
28
6
7
TSA STEM
Competition
at Mt
Vernon HS
Intramural
Indoor Soccer,
Hockey & Volleyball
For info, see
Mr. Villiott
For info, see
Mr. Villiott
Intramural Basketball T,W, Th 6:45-7:35 am
1
2
3
4
5