The Bulletin The Rockin’ Bull News Volume 1, Issue 3 Parents/Friends of HMS: Please consider helping Howard’s MFL (Math Fantasy League). This is a friendly competition among our Intensive Math students (non-proficient) and their staff coaches. The objectives of the league are to raise the scores of our lowest quartile in math (our biggest weakness in the last year’s school grading) and to help instill a love of learning in our at risk students. MFL needs help!!!! The students and staff have bought into the league and now to continue their mission (and help make it even better) they need you! They are asking for donations (everything helps) for the MFL. The easiest way for you to make a difference for the students is through the Find It Fund It grant program (established by the Public Education Foundation). Just go to http:// www.finditfunditflorida.com/marion/ and click on the Howard Middle MFL grant link. This will allow you to make a financial contribution of any amount! You can also consider supporting us by directly donating $% gift cards (McDonalds or little Caesars) to HMS. Donations should be directed to League Commissioner Hensel. Thank you in advance for helping us promotes Howard pride and supports our students/staff/school! VFW CONTEST WINNERS Howard Middle School would like to congratulate the following students for submitting an essay to the 2015 VFW essay competition. The following students that placed in the competition are as follows: 8th Grade Winners: First Place-Gillian Bednar Second Place- Ligna Patitdar Third Place- Priscilla Garcia 6th Grade Winners: First Place: Katie Knight Second Place: Laurel Greenwalt Third Place: Connor Priess A total of seven students were there for the competition, and we are very proud of all who participated and represented Howard in the VFW Essay Competition. Homework By River Thompson Homework is something as students, we all know and dread. The solution to the problem is unknown, though many students find the solution lies within simply not doing it. This "solution" is very ineffective in resourcefulness, for it lowers your grade if you do not do the assigned work at all. A zero will be entered in your grades and because homework is typically 10-20 percent of your grade, students assume, "Oh, It's nothing. I can bring my grade up afterwards." However, after a couple of zeroes in the homework category, your grade can drop quite a bit. If that occurs, it will not be as simple to bring back up and not only does not completing your homework drop your grades in the homework category, it can lead to more. Homework is review to help students remember and get better at what they're learning. If you never do your homework and/or do not study your work, than you may do poorly on some classwork or even tests. This all results in low grades, which is something you definitely do not want. As a responsible student, take in these key points and begin or continue to do homework because, it's the smarter and more effective way to keep up your grades and learn. HENSEL’S HEADLINES Parents: Now that the first semester report cards have been printed, I encourage you to review your child’s progress with him/her. If you see a decline or have any concerns, please contact your student’s teacher(s). You may even want to set up a conference via our guidance department– 671-7229. Sincerely, Robert A. Hensel Principal, HMS MCPS Controlled Open Enrollment (COE) The number of seats available of Controlled Open Enrollment (COE) varies according to the percentage of a school’s enrollment as it was recorded on the Day 80 member count relative to a school’s total capacity. (brick and mortar, plus portable seats.) If the school is not listed below, it means that their percentage of enrollment exceeds 90% of their school’s total capacity (brick and mortar, plus portable seats.) and that the school will not accept transfers in based upon controlled open enrollment.In the event that a school receives more COE requests for placement than it has seats available, a random selection process will be used to determine which requests will be approved and which will be denied. Magnet schools and Magnet programs will proceed according to their deadlines and the protocols already in place. Elementary Schools open to Controlled Open Enrollment in 2015-2016: Anthony, Belleview, Belleview-Santos, East Marion, Eighth Street, Emerald Shores, Evergreen, Fort McCoy, Harbour View, Legacy, Maplewood, Marion Oaks, Reddick-Collier, Sparr, Stanton-Weirsdale, Sunrise and Ward-Highlands Middle Schools open to Controlled Open Enrollment in 2015-2016: Belleview, Dunnellon, Fort King, Horizon Academy, Howard and North Marion High Schools open to Controlled Open Enrollment in 20152016 Dunnellon, Forest, Lake Weir, North Marion and Vanguard New Ukulele Club! The ukulele club is for people who like and want to learn how to play the ukulele. The club will meet in Mr. Bondank’s room every Tuesday after school. The first meeting was held on January 27th. For more information, contact Mr. Bondank! 6th Grade Disney Field Trip Math Tutoring In the morning between 8:15 and 9:10, Ms. Bucha hosts math tutoring in her classroom. All are welcome but students many only come if math help is needed, as this is for tutoring only. At 9:10, students may go to the library or band, but otherwise must stay in her classroom. There may be some days she may not be available to host tutoring, and you can locate the list of dates that tutoring will not happen either on her door or on her website. Please do not just drop the student off in the morning, for if all passes are taken for the day, the student may not stay at school, unless they are enrolled in extended day. Youth Achievers Youth Achievers is held in Coach Snellings classroom in the mornings. Youth Achievers is a program at school that allows children to come in the morning and receive help with homework, studying, and other school things. If you get to school around 8:15, go to Youth Achievers because it makes learning fun. Extra Information Begins- 8:15, Ends- 9:15 Extra schoolwork practice Location: The gym, in Coach Snelling's classroom The 6th Grade Field Trip to the Magic Kingdom on April 23rd is full! There is a wait list, in the event that a student drops off the trip, but there is no guarantee that the waitlisted students will be able to attend. To secure a place on the waitlist, students should bring their payment to Ms. Rosky in Building 16, room 6. Waitlisted students who have paid but do not attend will receive a full refund. Filed Trip Guidelines Please be aware that in order to attend the grade level field trips to Disney World (6th Grade), Busch Gardens (7th Grade) and Universal Studios (8th Grade), students MUST have received no referrals that have resulted in either OSS or five (5) cumulative days of ISS. Students must also have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 to attend. Please be aware that students may be removed from the trip if these standards are not met, and that the student may or may not receive a refund, depending on when they may be removed. ! SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY REPORTS NOW AVAILABLE YEARBOOKS ON SALE! Yearbooks are $35 MARION COUNTY – Looking for data and information on your child’s school? Maybe you are moving to Parent Hours: Mondays before 9:00am. Please check in the front office. Student Hours: Monday, Wednesday & Friday From 9:15-9:30, Bldg. 16, room 6 Marion County and want to know the “best” school for your child. There is plenty of information available in the SPAR, or School Public Accountability Report, required every year by federal and state laws. These documents must If you are interested in Yearbook Advertising There are still spaces available! be made available for public inspection, and SPARs for the last school year are now complete and ready for review. Yearbook Ads, both business and personal Must be turned in by February 27, 2015 SPAR reports cover every public school in Marion County, including charter and alternative schools. These reports contain additional information about Adequate Yearly Please email Ms. Rosky for information nancy.rosky@marion.k12.fl.us Progress (AYP) as required by federal “No Child Left Behind” (NCLB) legislation. The SPAR report points out progress on state, national, and local indicators from the 2013-2014 school year Connect2Compete including October membership; kindergarten readiness; federal and five-year graduation rates; high school dropout rate; FCAT results for reading, math, and science; End–of-Course (EOC) assessments for biology and algebra; English Language Learner (ELLs) scores; teachers and staff; highlyqualified teachers; and school grades. Annual Measurable Objectives information explaining what schools must do to High-speed Internet service is no longer a luxury good. It has become an essential tool for succeeding in school. Teachers are increasingly incorporating digital tools in the classroom to enhance learning, assigning online homework, and using email to communicate with parents and post grades online. meet targets in reading and math for all students is also in- If you have a child receiving free school meals and cluded. Additional detailed information on Florida’s annual have not had Cox Internet service for 90 days, you may be reporting is available at http://schoolgrades.fldoe.org. eligible for low-cost, high-speed Internet service for $9.95 a SPARs can be viewed in each school’s front office, the Grants and Federal Programs Office of Marion County Public Schools (306 NW 7th Ave., Ocala), and at the district’s Public Relations Office (420-A SE Alvarez Ave., Ocala). Documents are also available online at http://doeweb-prd.doe.state.fl.us/eds/nclbspar/year1314/ main1314.cfm. month! Visit www.connect2compete.org/cox or call toll free 1-855-222-3252 for more information. The above information has been posted to the homepage of our website for your students, parents, and you to reference. http:// www.marion.k12.fl.us/schools/hms/index.cfm Advanced Drama Performance The advanced drama students will be having their first student night on Thursday (1/29). The plays being performed are written, directed, and performed by HMS students. Admission is free for everyone. The show begins at 6 PM in the café, and the students would love for you to attend.