Newsletter - Bainbridge Island School District

WOODWARD MIDDLE
SCHOOL
MAY 2015
Smarter Balanced Assessments and Washington Measurement of
Student Progress (MSP) May 4-15, 28, 29
The Woodward staff members are dedicated to the task of helping your child master the skills that are
assessed by the new Smarter Balanced Assessments and the state MSP test in science. We want to give
them an opportunity to test under optimal conditions. Families also play an important role in helping
students be successful during these tests. We appreciate your support by ensuring that your child is
rested and in attendance during the entire testing period. Please help us by not scheduling any
appointments for your child during the testing time. While there will be time for “make-ups” the following
week we are able to provide optimal testing conditions during the regular testing schedule.
The state scores each test or portion of the test not completed as zero, which is reflected on the
student’s score and the school’s cumulative report. Released items, practice tests and other information
regarding these important assessment can be found at the following website: http://www.k12.wa.us/
assessment/StateTesting/
THANK YOU so much for your support and assistance as we do our best to provide our students with
the best opportunity to really “show what they know” on these important tests. Here’s to a GREAT
testing period! If you have questions about the tests, please call or email our testing coordinator, Patti
Beer. Testing window details:
May 4-8
ELA Smarter Balanced Testing in grades 7 & 8
May 11-15
Math Smarter Balanced Testing in grades 7 & 8
May 28-29
Science MSP testing in grade 8 only
On May 28, students will meet on a block schedule with periods 1/3/5. On May 29, students will follow a
similar schedule for periods 2/4/6. We will have this schedule posted on our web site. This will be of
particular importance to our part-time students.
THANK YOU PARENTS & COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS!!
UPCOMING
EVENTS
TESTING
May 4-15, 28, 29
TEACHER APPRECIATION
May 4-8
PTO MEETING
May 14 9:30 AM
SBC MEETING
May 20 3:30 PM
CULTURE FAIR
May 21
MEMORIAL DAY
May 25
NO SCHOOL
Woodward is one of the best middle schools in the state thanks to our fine volunteer force. Our talented
and caring volunteers make a positive difference in the lives and success of our students and staff.
Woodward volunteers generously put in countless hours of service to our school. There is no more worthy
INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT
endeavor than people giving of their time for the children of their community. On behalf of all of us at
FIELD TRIPS
Woodward, we thank and appreciate our fantastic volunteers. Woodward volunteers will be honored at our
June 11th PTO meeting with a brunch provided by our Woodward Staff. The meeting starts at 9:30 AM and May 28 and 29
is in the Woodward Staff Room. Please join us so we can say thanks in person!
TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK MAY 4-8
We will be recognizing teachers and other certificated employees for their contributions to the
education and development of our students. Please join in this celebration by sending a note or email to
teachers, counselors, or others who have made a difference in your child’s life. Thanks for helping us
celebrate our Woodward Staff! Our PTO will provide a luncheon for teachers on May 8 th.
THANKS TO WINDERMERE REAL ESTATE OF BAINBRIDGE ISLAND
We would like to thank Windermere of BI for their support in providing funding for our Homework Club
and our Read Naturally program. We have over 200 students taking advantage of this opportunity to
receive additional support in their learning. Community support is one of the reasons Woodward is able to
provide our students with an excellent education.
Mike Florian
Principal
PLAN AHEAD
8th GRADE BANQUET
June 6
6-10 PM
PTO/VOLUNTEER
APPRECIATION BRUNCH
June 11
BHS GRADUATION
June 13
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
June 17
HALF DAY
PTO NEWS
We are rapidly approaching the end of the school year and our students have planned their schedules for the next school
year. To help parents prepare for their students going to high school, we invite you to attend the May PTO general meeting
where Kristin Haizlip will be our guest speaker. She will have information to help you and your student transition to BHS.
Also, Kirsten Fitzgerald, PTSO co-president, will tell us about the BHS PTSO and how you can be involved there. We hope to
see you there. So much helpful information will be presented!
Bainbridge Schools Foundation will begin their spring fundraising soon. Please consider donating. BSF is able to fund items
with your donations that aren’t in the school budget or PTO budget. Your support is greatly appreciated.
8th Grade Banquet will be here before you know it! Volunteers can still get involved – contact Julie Davis or Karen Hall. If your
student has not purchased a ticket—do that soon! We want to have everyone there. Scholarships are available if needed.
We hope to see you on Thursday, May 14th at 9:30 in the teacher’s lounge for our PTO meeting! Don’t miss the transition to
high school topic!
Michele Blackford
WMS PTO President
Proposed Woodward Middle School PTO Board Slate for 2015-16
President: Lisa White
Immediate Past President: Michele Blackford
Treasurer: Sarah Barnes
Secretary: Carolyn Westphal
Volunteer Coordinator: Suzanne Fisher/Sandra Allen
Fallapalooza Fundraiser: Stephanie Aichele/Nicole Wingfield
Site Council: Brandi Bispham
Grants Coordinator: Beth Tomers
PTO Committee Chairs: Non Voting positions.
Escripts: Sherry Cibula
8th Grade Banquet 2015: Emily Teran
Teacher Luncheon: OPEN
Web Site Updating: Sandra Allen
Caring Fund Chair: OPEN
Wonderful Wildcats Chair: OPEN
We will be electing our new Board at our June 11th meeting. Anyone who is interested in filling the vacant positions
should contact me in advance and plan on attending the May PTO meeting. We have been lucky enough to have many
returning Board members continue to volunteer their time on behalf of the WMS students and staff but new
volunteers are always welcome. If you or anyone you know is interested in becoming involved in our Woodward
community or PTO, please do not hesitate to contact me.
PTO VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THE
2015-2016 SCHOOL YEAR!!
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
_____Fallapalooza (October)
_____Sweatshirt and picture distribution
_____Band Concerts
_____Health Screening
_____Tutoring
_____Book Fair
_____Staff Appreciation Luncheon
_____Geography Bee graders
_____Editors: Classroom and/or Culture Fair
_____Culture Fair Set Up
_____Eighth Grade Banquet
_____End of Year Class chaperone Picnic/BBQ
_____Welcoming Committee (welcome new parents to the island)
_____Registration (End of August)
_____Path Monitor
_____After School Dismissal Monitor (Daily 2:55-3:15 PM)
_____CALL ME ANYTIME
NAME___________________________________
PHONE #__________________________
EMAIL___
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STUDENT’S NAME________________________________________ GRADE (circle) 7
8
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EIGHTH GRADE BANQUET NEWS
Spring is in the air and the 8th grade Banquet is just around the corner! If you have not registered and paid for your
8th grader to attend the Banquet, please do so by May 10th. Our food committee needs to have a head count for the
dinner portion of the evening, and we can only spend what ticket sales generate! If you still haven’t purchased your
student’s ticket, please do so as soon as possible. Tickets may be purchased either online (see link on WMS and WMS
PTO websites), or by dropping your check for $55, with your child’s name on it, in the payment box at the attendance
window.
Please remember that scholarships are also available through the counselor’s office. Thanks to all parents who have
already purchased tickets! We also send a very warm thank you to the parents who have donated to this event while
purchasing tickets! Be advised that you only need a ticket for your student. Parents do not attend this event unless
they have volunteered in advance for a specific job that requires that they are in attendance the night of the Banquet.
Please contact Trish Franznick at trish@franznick.com with any questions.
BANQUET INVITATIONS: All registered students will be receiving an on-line printable
invitation. Please look for this in your email in mid-May. We will also be sending out specific
information about the evening, as well as a request for food preferences (vegetarian, food
allergies, etc.).
CHILDHOOD AND SLIDE SHOW PHOTOS: Margaret Hanacek and Janet Usellis and their committee are busy
creating the collage of childhood photos, which will be displayed in the Commons in mid-May. Katy and Ted Klinkenberg
are putting together a fabulous slideshow to be shown during the Banquet. Thanks to everyone for getting their photos
submitted!
SONG REQUESTS FOR DJ:
Students can now submit song requests for the night of the Banquet by putting them in the box sitting at Mrs. Mar’s
attendance window. Please let your child know that the box is there, so they can start requesting their favorite songs!
**Please note that while we will make our best effort to honor requests, we can’t guarantee that all songs requested will
be played at the Banquet.**
DRESS CODE: A reminder that the Banquet is not a formal dance, rather a dinner with entertainment and dancing
among friends. The attire for the evening is dressy, but not formal. For girls, skirts or dresses must be mid-thigh or
longer ---- at least to the fingertips. Dresses or tops should have a discreet neckline no lower than 4 inches (a hand’s
width) from the base of the neck. Straps on dresses may be spaghetti or halter style and strapless dresses are
acceptable if they meet the neckline requirement. Midriffs and undergarments must be covered at all times. For safety
reasons, shoes need to be worn at all times and as a result, we recommend that heels be no higher than 2 inches. If
your child does not think that they will be able to wear heels for the entire 4 hours, please have them bring an extra
pair of flats to change into. For boys, a nice shirt and pants are appropriate, suits and ties are optional. There will be a
check-in area for items such as coats, sweaters, purses, extra pair of comfortable shoes, cameras, etc.
Backpacks and large bags are not allowed.
A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL THE COMMITTEE CHAIRS AND PARENT VOLUNTEERS WHO HAVE
BEEN WORKING DILIGENTLY FOR MONTHS TO MAKE THIS BANQUET A MEMORABLE EVENT FOR
OUR 8TH GRADERS!
If you have any questions, please contact Julie Davis at davis-bi@msn.com or Karen Hall at kdnh@yahoo.com.
VOLUNTEER THANK YOU!!!
PLAN AHEAD!!
Woodward staff would like to invite all of our volunteers to a brunch during the
June 11th PTO meeting. This will be our small way to say thank you to all of you who give countless hours to our
staff, students, and school!!
Volunteers do not necessarily have the
time:
they just have the heart.
~Elizabeth Andrew
NEEDED: SITE BASE COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES
We are in need of a 7th grade SBC parent representative for the 2015-2016 school year. If you feel
this is a position you would like to hold please email your qualifications and information about yourself
to lwatson@bisd303.org.
CHAPERONES NEEDED
Chaperones are needed for the 7th grade science field trip on Tuesday, May 19 from 8 AM to
2 PM. Volunteers will supervise small groups of students as they visit Fay Bainbridge and
Restoration Point. The students will participate in a scavenger hunt to explore the geological
formation of the island. Much of the time will be spent on sandy and rocky beaches. If you
would like to volunteer please make sure you are on our approved Volunteer List. If not print
out the paperwork on-line and give to Beth Guy in the main office. along with your son/
daughter’s name, She will process the information. Please contact Scott Orness if you would
like to volunteer.
sorness@bisd303.org or 206.780.4539
STUDENTS OF THE MONTH
APRIL 2015
8th GRADE
Hannah Lee and Alex Loleas
7th GRADE
Jack Dutt and Emily Parks
Honorable Mention 8th Grade: Charlie Bullock, Natalia Clermont, Lucy
Hanacek, Kashmira Irani, Patrick Ledoux, Sara Mattes, Samantha Parr, and
Gabe Roth
Honorable Mention 7th Grade: Steven Albergeine, Jack Bennett, Kyra
Coupland, Maya Dorsey, Emily Guthrie, Parker Hutchinson, Zoe Magnuson,
Lucas Nalley, Madeline Sherry, Samantha Sherwood, Paige Tomer, Sofia
Trail, Hannah Wakefield, and Elliott Weyand
SUMMER READING
CNN has an article titled How to Keep Kids Reading Through the Summer. It includes practical suggestions along
with titles of recent books. The link to this article is:
http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/27/living/anna-quindlen-raising-readers/index.html?iref=allsearch
Print copies are available in the main office and in the library.
LIBRARY NEWS
The Fault in Our Stars is the Evergreen Teen Award 2015 winner! Thanks for participating in
our reading challenge. Next year’s list is out and on our website. Parents, if you haven’t read
these books, you’re missing out on some fun stories!
Please remind students to return textbooks when they are finished with them—some of the
novels get “lost” in bedrooms and backpacks. We hope Library materials will be used as much
as possible, but please return or renew when due. Summer checkouts will be allowed for
students in good standing.
The Library Update is still in progress. Thanks to those of you who donated to our Funds4Books campaign. We will
most likely be able to buy 60-70 new books. If you or your student has book recommendations, please contact Mr.
Patrick.
SAFETY REMINDER...
... to parents to NOT pick up or drop off your students at the North side of the school. We have school
buses coming and going during those times and it could be very dangerous. Thanks for your cooperation!
BUILDER’S CLUB
Builders Club members continue to make progress on their last major project of the year: pet blankets for
Winslow Animal Clinic. We are grateful to Ms Fulgham for her instruction and materials.
Builders Club members have completed several successful collection projects this year: UNICEF funds to
fight maternal and neonatal tetanus; warm socks stuffed with chocolates and jokes for the homeless; and a
large food drive for Helpline House. We are grateful to these students for giving up their sleep to come in
before school and WORK, and we are equally grateful to the parents who drove them. We know that these
altruistic and generous habits will last a lifetime
EARTH SCIENCE
In addition to picking up litter island wide on Earth Day, Woodward students boxed up and sent in over 1,000 foil
juice and expired water pouches to TerraCycle, and 300 dried up markers to Terracycle.
Our students continue to sort their compost, recycle, and trash at lunchtime, and with considerably less
resistance. We appreciate their efforts to reduce the methane produced when food decomposes anaerobically in
landfills. This quote is from the EPA website:
"Methane (CH4) is the second most prevalent greenhouse gas emitted in the United States from human activities. In
2013, CH4 accounted for about 10% of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions from human activities."
SCHOOL LUNCH
Bainbridge Island School District Food
& Nutrition Services
We have almost made it! The end of the school year is right around the corner. Food &
Nutrition Services is trying to clear up any debts before the end of the year. So please be
sure that your student has sufficient funds in their accounts for lunch. All remaining balances
in students’ accounts at the end of the school year will be carried over to next year.
No charging will be allowed beginning on June 1….
(Students may use their accounts but if their balance is less than the lunch amount, they will
not be able to charge the lunch.)
If you have any questions regarding students’ account, please contact your school food service
cashier or the Food & Nutrition Services office (206) 842–2908.
Thanks for buying school lunch, Food & Nutrition Services.