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Parkville Middle School & Center of Technology
8711 Avondale Road, Baltimore, MD 21234
410-887-5250 http://parkvillems.bcps.org/
Dear Parents:
Principal’s Message
We have had a great first quarter and as we begin the second quarter
please keep in mind the following events/dates for the month of
November:
Distribution of 1st Quarter Report Cards – Thursday, November 13
American Education Week – November 17 – 21
Thanksgiving Holiday – Thursday and Friday, November 27 – 28
Magnet Application Due Date – Tuesday, November 25
Although you are welcome to visit your child’s classrooms at any
time during American Education week, our special visitation days are
Tuesday, November 18th for grade 6, Wednesday, November 19th for
grade 7, and Thursday, November 20th for grade 8. Throughout the
week, PTSA will offer a hospitality table with refreshments, music
presentations, and student guides. We hope your visit will be
informative and enlightening.
I hope that many of our eighth grade parents had the opportunity to
visit the various open houses for our school system’s magnet high
school programs. If you have any questions concerning the high
school magnet application process, please do not hesitate to contact
Ms. Major in our Guidance Department at (410) 887-5252.
Information regarding the application process can be found on the
county website at www.bcps.org under Office of Magnet Programs.
Finally, please keep in mind that all applications must be postmarked
or hand-delivered to:
High School Magnet Application
Office of Magnet Programs
Jefferson Building—4th Floor
105 Chesapeake Avenue
Towson, MD 21204
It is strongly recommended that applicants use certified mail to
ensure confirmation of submission.
I am continually looking for ways to hear from and interact with
parents. My goal is to help our students, who are your children,
succeed academically and feel comfortable and safe in school.
Thursday, November 6 was our first Parent Advisory Meeting where
we discussed Emergency Drills and Planning. We will hold our next
meeting January 4th at 6 p.m. in the library.
On behalf of the faculty and staff of Parkville Middle School and
Center of Technology, have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday.
Sincerely,
Erin Trivas, Principal
etrivas@bcps.org
November, 2014
Calendar 
Nov 2 Daylight Savings Ends
Nov 3 ½ day Professional Development Day
All schools close 3 hours early
Nov 4 Election Day Schools & Offices Closed
Nov 6 Parent Advisory Meeting 6:00 PM
Nov 6 PTSA Meeting 7:00 PM
Nov 7 8th Grade Field Trip to Philadelphia
Nov 10 Student Council Food Drive Begins
Nov 11 Veteran’s Day
Nov 13 Distribution of Report Cards
Nov 14 Parkville’s Got Talent
Nov 14 Mass Communications Field Trip
Nov 17– 21 American Education Week
Nov 27-28 Thanksgiving Holiday
Schools & Offices Closed
BCPS Magnet High Schools
Application Deadline
The application deadline for
all BCPS Magnet Programs for the 2015-2016
school year is November 25, 2014. Your
application must be postmarked by this date or it
will not be accepted. Questions about magnet
school applications should be directed to the
Magnet Office, 410-887-4127.
News for 8th Graders...
8th grade field trip to Philadelphia
is Friday, November 7th.
Students to return at the school
at 4:30 pm. for pick-up.
- page 2 -
American Education Week Begins Monday, November 17th
Tuesday, November 18th is designated for 6th Grade
Wednesday, November 19th is designated for 7th Grade
Thursday, November 20th is designated for8th Grade
To avoid the lines, please pre-register with the front office so that
we may have an ID badge waiting for you!
If you have already had your ID scanned, you may call, stop by the
front office or send in a note with your child and advise which day
you plan to attend. A registration form will also be coming home
soon with your child.
If you have not had your ID scanned, please stop by between the
hours of 7:30 AM and 3:30 PM so that we may pre-register you.
All Visitors MUST sign-in and wear their badge
while in the Building.
We Look Forward to Your Visit!
- page 3 -
News from the Math Department...
The first quarter of Math is already over! Time is flying by as our students continue
to move forward with the curriculum.
In Math 6, students are working with fraction
concepts such as least common multiple, greatest
common factor, and division of fractions. This will
end their 1st Unit. Afterwards, they will begin
studying ratios, a foundational concept for
Pre-Algebra and Algebra.
Our Pre-Algebra 7 students are moving on to percent
proportions and real world problems involving discounts, tax,
etc.
Students in Math 8 are studying similar figures
through Similarity Theorems and dilations. After this
unit, they will begin their focus on linear equations.
Our 7th and 8th graders in Algebra 1 are in the middle
of a unit on Linear Equations. Students are able to
fine the rate of change given a variety of models, and
can graph linear equations using standard form and
slope intercept form.
Finally, our Geometry students are
working with logical reasoning and the
beginning of Geometric Proofs. The
next unit is an exploration of parallel
and perpendicular Lines.
- page 4 -
News from the Language Arts Department…
Currently most of our sixth graders are reading the novel
The Cay by Theodore Taylor. The novel occurs during the
early 1940’s so students have learned some basic background
information on WWII and segregation. As the story
progresses there have been lively class discussions on issues
of respect, racial bias, relationships, and survival. The next
Performance Based Assessment (PBA # 2) will be directly related to the theme of this
novel. Literary elements that have been the focus of instruction have included theme,
foreshadowing, pronoun usage, and dialect.
The seventh grade students have just completed their first PBA (performance-based
assessment). In this PBA, the students imitated Ben Carson’s writing style. The
students wrote about a time in their lives when they experienced a conflict. The
students are currently researching information about Australia, where Dr. Carson spent
some of his time in training. The next PBA will be a comparison of a written speech to
a spoken speech, given by Dr. Carson. Students will be analyzing both mediums to
determine which is more effective.
The students will finish reading Gifted Hands by the end of the quarter. Their next
major reading will be “A Raisin in the Sun.”
Eighth grade students are currently working on theme development using the novel
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. Students are completing a variety of lessons on theme,
6th Grade News...
Quarter 1 Incentive: “IPods and Ice Cream” 11/3 Mod 2
“I Didn't Miss a Minute of School” Bingo 11/6 Mod 1
“Student of the Month”
11/7 Lunch
Art Department News:
Congratulations to 8th grade artist, Phuong-Dinh Nguyen.
Her work will be included at an exhibit for the
National Association for Gifted Children Convention
in Baltimore.
- page 5 -
What’s Happening in Science?
6th grade: Students in standard science are nearing the end of their Chemistry Skills
studies. Next up: Energy, Electricity, and Magnetism! Meanwhile, the students in Mrs.
Harrison’s GT Science class are continuing to work on their roller coaster project, which
involves determining the relationship between potential energy and kinetic energy and
incorporates mathematical formulas in order to calculate energy amounts. The goal is for
students to design a roller coaster that is both fast and safe!
7th grade: Seventh grade students continue to learn about the body. Students have
dissected chicken wings and have identified all the tissues involved. They have also
learned about body organs and body systems. Students have been learning about many
aspects of their own bodies, all while having fun!
8th grade: Students in standard science are nearing the end of their Hydrosphere and
Atmosphere studies. Next up: Chemistry! The students in GT science are also
transitioning - from Ecology to Environmental Chemistry studies. It’s time to gear up for
the lab!
*Got glue? The science department is still collecting glue sticks
for use with the students’ interactive notebooks.
Each student was requested on the school’s
summer supply list to bring in 4 glue sticks.
It’s not too late!
Parkville Middle School’s 2nd Annual...
PARKVILLE’S GOT TALENT - SHOW
Date: November 14th from 6:00—8:00 PM
In the Auditorium
Admission is $2.00 per person
or $1.00 with Donation for Food Drive
Refreshments will be Sold
in the Lobby Before, During and After the Show!
- page 6 -
The Student Council will be Sponsoring
Parkville Middle’s Annual Canned Food Drive!
The Drive will Run From
Monday, Nov. 10th—thru Wednesday, Nov. 26th
The Homeroom with the Most Participation
will Earn a Pizza Lunch with Drinks and Snacks
courtesy of the Student Council.
Please join us for Spirit Night at
Ledo Pizza in White Marsh!!!
Dine in or Carry out!
Date: December 03, 2014
Time: 5:00—9:00 PM
Be sure to mention you are there in support of
Parkvile Midde School — PTSA!
- page 3 -
BCPS One is a portal that provides anytime/anywhere parent access to student
grades and assignments. If you haven’t created a BCPS One account yet, please
contact Sue England via email, cengland@bcps.org, for your verification access code.
This code will allow you to create and activate your account.
Check out information developed just for parents on the BCPS One Web page
that can be found on the BCPS.org website.
The BCPS Department of School Safety and Security planned and developed a system for implementation of a
One-card student identification system. All students at Parkville Middle School have been issued their One-card
and are required to visibly wear the badge at all times during all school activities, unless it is a safety issue.
In order for us to adhere to all procedures, the following guidelines have been put in place when a student has f
orgotten/lost their BCPS ID Badge.
1st Offense: Students who forget their ID badge will be provided with a temporary badge to wear.
2nd Offense: Students will be provided a temporary badge to wear and a letter will be sent home.
3+ Offenses: Students will be provided a temporary badge for a fee of $1.00 and a letter will be sent home.
(Repeat offenses may also include lunch or after school detention for insubordination.)
Lost badges must be replaced for a fee of $5.00.
Please feel free to call us regarding any questions you may have about the established One-card identification system. Thank you so much for your support and cooperation in this endeavor.
Erin O’Toole-Trivas
Principal
-page 5-
The Parent Teacher Student Association meets the first Tuesday of each month in the Library.
PTSA is a place to voice your opinions and concerns, to help plan and implement fundraisers, and to
assist in school wide programs and events. Some of the programs include American Education Week
and Teacher Appreciation Day. In addition, it provides you with an opportunity to hear from school
administrators first hand and discuss the programs and developments that impact the school
building.
Membership:
We currently have 308 members. That is 100 more than we had all of last year! It’s not too late to
join. The membership form can be found on the PMS website under the PTSA tab. Remember,
anyone can join – both parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings and especially your student – for
they are the “S” in PTSA. As always, thanks for supporting our incredible students!
Events: American Education Week begins Nov. 17-21 If you would like to donate store bought
baked goods or bottled water, please contact Gigi Causey, Gigicauseyrealtor.com
Fundraising:
Thank you to all those students, parent, and teacher who participated in the Fall fundraiser. Pick up
information will be posted on the PMS-Facebook Page and on the PMS Website under the PTSA
tab. Also, this year, the PTSA is offering an "opt out" option on all fundraisers. The "opt out" form
can be found on the PMS website and enables 100% of your donation to go directly to the PTSA. No
amount it too small AND students who bring in an "opt-out" form are eligible to receive the
same incentives that participating students receive.
The next meetings are Tuesday, November 6th , and December 4th at 7:00 p.m.
We would love to see you there.!
President, Diane Frager
Vice President, Gigi Causey
Secretary, Denise Rosario
Treasurer, Lisa Boeren
dfrager@comcast.net
Maryland Fun Facts
Maryland is often referred to America in Miniature.
Maryland possesses a variety of topography within its borders,
contributing to its nickname America in Miniature. It ranges
from sandy dunes dotted with seagrass in the east, to low marshlands teeming
with wildlife and large bald cypress near the Chesapeake Bay, to gently rolling
hills of oak forests in the Piedmont Region, and pine groves in the mountains to
the west.
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Baltimore County Public Schools’
elementary and middle school art
students are invited to come together
for a day of “quality time” with family,
friends, teachers and some great works
of art.
600 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
Come any time between 10 a.m. — 4 p.m.
Free Admission
Transportation information: Parking lot at the corner of Centre and Cathedral Streets or free and metered onstreet parking in the neighborhood; also located near MTA bus lines 3, 11, 31, 61, 64 and the Centre Street
Light Rail stop.
All backpacks, large bags, baby backpack carriers, and umbrellas need to be checked at the free coat
check in the lobby. Food and drinks are not allowed in the galleries.