For the Parents, Staff, and Community of Indian Trails Middle School

MISSION STATEMENTThe mission of the Indian Trails Middle School (ITMS) Community is to provide all students a safe, supportive environment where academic excellence is encouraged, individual strengths

and talents are fostered, and respect for the rights of others prevail.

December 2016

400 E. Lake Mary BoulevardSanford, FL 32773

Issue 3

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PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGEDear ITMS Families,

The second nine weeks is well under way and we continue to be grateful for the support of our parents and community. We have had a field trip to the UCF STEM day, our Teach-In day, a popular PTSA Social, our track and volleyball teams, band and chorus performances and oh so many other student events! By the way, thank you for coming out to the MUDWALK 5K to support the Environmental Studies Center, ITMS won the trophy for the most participants!

Please make sure you join us on our FAMILY Science Night, (Dec 14th 6:00pm), the Daytona Museum of Arts and Science Center will be here with a planetarium and 16 stations of STEM activities free for your entire family. You will also be able to check out some of our science fair projects. This will be a special evening to “Invent Your Future”.

Our teachers continue to focus daily on the curriculum and on preparing quality lessons. Please remember to monitor your child’s progress by routinely checking their planner and Skyward. This continues to be a very important time for our teachers and parents to work together to support your child.

I hope you had an enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday with your family and friends. I continue to be very appreciative of our professional staff, our supportive families and each Indian Trails student. Our faculty and staff wish each and every one our families a safe and Happy Holiday!

When we work together...We Succeed togetherGO Trailblazers!!! GO Green!!!

Dr. Lesley SileoPrincipal

Indian Trails Middle School415 Tuskawilla Road

Winter Springs, FL 32708Phone: 407-320-4350

Fax: 407-320-4399

http://www.indiantrails.scps.k12.fl.us/

FIVE STAR SCHOOL

A+ SCHOOL

School Events: 407-320-4356Guidance Office: 407-320-4354.

Office Hours8:20 a.m. - 4:20 p.m.Attendance Hours

9:20 a.m. - 3:55 p.m.

MMMMM

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFFDr. Lesley Sileo

Principal

Mrs. LaudaniAssistant Principal

Dr. NealAssistant Principal

Mrs. GaudioSchool Administration Manager

Mr. RishDean

ATTENTION PARENTS OF 6TH GRADERS An additional immunization is required by the Florida Department of Health and the Department of Education for all students entering 7th grade next school year. A Tdap Booster (adult strength tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) is required before your child can begin the school year 2017-2018. Formal documentation is mandated and you must present your child’s school with a completed Florida Certificate of Immunization Form DH680 with an updated Part A signed by your child’s healthcare provider before he/she can receive a schedule or enter school on the first day of classes in August 2017. If your child has received a Td booster (tetanus, diphtheria vaccination with no pertussis) within the past 5 years, his/her healthcare provider needs to determine if he/she can receive the now required Tdap vaccine. If it cannot be given prior to the start of school, then you must submit the Florida Certificate of Immunization DH680 immunization form with Part B completed by the healthcare provider with a valid expiration date as to when your child can receive the required updated immunization. Please submit the blue DH680 immunization form with Part A or B completed to your child’s school as soon as possible. Your child’s healthcare provider or the Seminole County Health Department (407-665-3410) can provide the Tdap booster.

IMPORTANT DATESDecember 21 End of SemesterJanuary 9 Classes ResumeJanuary 16 No School, MLK, Jr. DayFebruary 20 No School, Presidents Day

TESTING DATES December 1-18 End of Course (EOC) ExamsDecember 1-18 Winter EOC for Algebra 1, Geometry, CivicsJanuary 12-16 District Writing FPMAJanuary 26 State National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) 8thMarch 2-12 FSA Writing (6th-8th)April 13-May 8 FSA ELA & Math (6th-8th)

HIGH SCHOOL REGISTRATION SCHEDULE INFORMATION January Magnet HS acceptance letters will be mailed by Choice DepartmentJanuary 18th Registration at ITMS for rising OHS freshmanJanuary 30th Registration at ITMS for rising WSHS freshmanJanuary/February Parent Curriculum Night at OHS for rising OHS freshmen or parent night at WSHS for rising WSHS freshmen - TBD

MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSE SELECTION INFORMATION February 6 6th Grade Course Registration for 2017-18February 10 7th Grade Course Registration for 2017-18

5TH GRADE ARTICULATION INFORMATION January 23 5th Grade Campus Visit at ITMSJanuary 26 5th Grade Parent Night at ITMSFebruary 3 Registration Cards are due back to elementary counselors

GUIDANCE22

Smoke SignalsDecember 2016

Published Five Times Per YearSeminole County Public Schools

400 E. Lake Mary BoulevardSanford, FL 32773

Issue #3

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REMIND For updated information on important dates and registration, follow us on Remind. Text @itmsc to 81010.

SECOND SEMESTER SCHEDULES When students return to school from winter break on Monday, January 9, 2017, the 3rd quarter/2nd semester will begin. Students will report to their 1st semester 1st period classes on that day and will receive copies of their new schedules.

ATTENDANCE INFORMATION School policy requires that your child turn in a written excuse within 3 days of his/her return to school after an absence. Absences are recorded as unexcused until the student brings in a note. After a student has accumulated 10 unexcused absences in 90 calendar days, the principal or designee will make an attendance referral to the social worker to schedule a meeting and a doctor’s note is required to excuse further absences. If you plan an extended absence in advance for your child, please send a note stating the dates and reason for the absence to our principal, Dr. Sileo, as early as possible for her approval. Any work provided is due when the student returns to school. Vacations and personal family time are not excused absences per SCPS Policy. Please refer to the student planner for more information about make-up assignments and assessments. The attendance policy in its entirety can be viewed on the SCPS’s web site at www.scps.k12.fl.us.

GRADE POINT AVERAGE - PROMOTION Each 9-week/quarter report card shows your child’s grade point average (GPA) for that quarter. If your child’s GPA is below 2.0 or he/she has a failing grade in a core academic class (language arts math, science, or social studies), he/she may be retained at the end of the school year. According to the Pupil Progression Plan, middle school students must earn a yearly 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale and are required to pass all core academic courses to be promoted at the end of the year. All courses taken in a school year, including courses taken for high school credit, shall be included in the calculation of the yearly GPA. If you have questions about your child’s GPA, please contact the guidance department at 407-320-4445 to speak with your child’s counselor.

PERSONAL HYGIENE Please encourage your growing child to be careful about his/her personal hygiene. Please make sure that your child is clean and wears appropriate deodorant during their middle school years.

UPSTANDERS This fall ITMS has invited two presenters to come to our campus and speak to our students. Mr. Halligan visited our 7th graders to discuss the effects of bullying and depression had on his son. He shared a moving story that left students feeling they could do more to help others who are being bullied. We call these students UPSTANDERS! In addition, Mr. Marc Mero will be visiting our 6th graders on November 28th. Marc shares his captivating journey and inspires people to examine their life choices. Listeners feel a greater sense of appreciation toward their relationships and are empowered to make a difference in their personal life, school, and community.

FOOD PANTRY ITMS would like to thank all our families and Mikki V’s for the donations to our food pantry. PTSA was able to donate turkeys to our families in need during the Thanksgiving Holiday. You can still help our families by donating to our pantry. Please drop off any non-perishable items to our front office.

GUIDANCE

SpaAlmond Tree

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SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL NEWS

At our October SAC meeting, the School Improvement Plan was discussed. This plan is designed to provide a strategic focus to our efforts to provide quality instruction to our students. Our goal for the 2016-2017 school year is, “”Through enrichment, intervention, utilization of research-based practices, and continuous analysis of individual student progress, the administrators and teachers at Indian Trails Middle School will work to ensure a minimum of one year of growth (ALG-annual learning gain) for one year of instruction for all students in ELA (English Language Arts), Math, and Science.” Our Professional Development and instructional efforts this year will be geared toward helping us to achieve this goal for all students. The SAC Committee also approved $1280 to cover the cost of substitute teachers while our core subject area teachers get the opportunity to plan together and observe one another in order to differentiate instruction for the various learners in the classroom. The next two SAC meetings are scheduled for November 15 and December 13 in the ITMS Media Center, beginning at 4:45 p.m. Meetings are open to the public.

IMPORTANT DATESDecember 14th

Family Science Night 6:00 PM

February 3STEM Day

World History students are continuing to expand their knowledge of the ancient world. This quarter’s journey enabled students to examine and appreciate the culture and significant contributions of ancient India. From there we were off to ancient China where students, thinking like historians, learned about the Great Wall of China through documents from the DBQ Project. Students examined primary and secondary sources to answer the question: The Great Wall of China - Did the Benefits Outweigh the Costs? We will conclude this quarter with a study of the lasting contributions of ancient Israel.

Civics students have been analyzing the history leading to the creation of our government via Enlightenment thinkers, and how these great minds influenced the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. Students have also finished analyzing the three branches of government and how they interact with one another. Looking ahead to our next DBQ Project, we will determine how our Constitution helped guard us against tyranny – we expect to see some great progress as students reflect on the first DBQ Project in order to achieve maximum success on the final DBQ Project. We continue to encourage students to review all material throughout the year in order to feel prepared and confident on this year’s EOC exam.

United States History students have learned that after years of turmoil and conflict in the American colonies, our Founding Fathers were left with no choice other than to declare independence from Great Britain and create a government for the newly established United States of America. Our great nation’s first government under the Articles of Confederation, was short lived and replaced by the Constitution, which lists the rights, responsibilities, and laws of all citizens - tying together last year’s study of Civics and the American colonists desire to break free from the tyrannical actions of Great Britain.

Advanced and Pre-AP US History students have been actively researching, analyzing and interpreting their topic as it relates to the 2016 National History Day theme, Taking a Stand in History. Students should have perfected their thesis and are in the process of putting their project together via one of the five formats: documentary, exhibit, historical paper, performance, or a website. Final projects will be due January 12th, which is during the first week back after Winter Break. We cannot wait to see the final products! Students should be referring to eCampus for helpful hints, tips and deadlines from their teacher and http://www.nhd.org/ for additional information on the project and guidelines.

All students will be taking the Q2 SCPS Assessment during their scheduled Social Studies class on December 8th and 9th. The computer-based assessment covers the standards taught as part of the Q2 SCPS Instructional Plan and students will be held harmless for any material not yet covered, which counts for 10% of their overall grade. To prepare for the upcoming assessment, students should be reviewing nightly with their interactive notebook, textbook and other additional materials their teacher has provided.

SOCIAL STUDIES

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ATTENTION PARENTS OF 8TH GRADE STUDENTS

Save the date. The 8th grade field trip to Epcot is scheduled for Friday, March 17th. We will be leaving school at 8:00 a.m. and returning at 6:00 p.m. Please note that this is a teacher work day, so students will need to provide their own transportation. More information will be sent out after the winter break. Mrs. Hamilton.

BETA CLUB The Beta Club has been very busy preparing for the National Beta Club State Convention which is November 28-29; where Beta members will be showcasing their talents in a variety of areas. Beta members are also beginning to prepare for the Winter Springs Holiday Parade on Dec. 3. Some members will also be visiting, Eastbrooke Gardens, Alzheimer’s Center in Casselberry, on Dec 10c where they will have the opportunity to interact with some of the residents during a of their variety of activities. Dr. Joan Fenaughty

EXAM SCHEDULEDecember 8 & 9 – Social StudiesDecember 12 & 13 – Language ArtsDecember 14 & 15 – MathDecember 16 – 21 – Science

6TH GRADE Greetings, sixth grade Language Arts families! We have begun second quarter with a unit entitled “Bold Decisions.” Our short stories and informational texts this quarter focus on people who have gained personal success through hard work and the courage to take chances. The standards that we are working on are identifying text structures (is it chronological? cause and effect writing?), point of view, and as always, using evidence from our texts to back up our ideas. We continue to require our students to complete weekly Choice Boards (for standard and advanced classes) or Reading Inventories (for the Gifted classes) for home learning. This gives students practice in fluency, thinking as they read, recognizing correct punctuation and grammar, and comprehension. It also gives the students a chance to extend what they learn in class by elaborating their thoughts based on what they read independently. Be sure to use eCampus, Skyward, and Remind (email your child’s teacher if you are not familiar with these technology tools) to keep updated. Have a fantastic holiday season!

7TH GRADE After an exciting first quarter in which we analyzed the consequences of bold actions in literature and real life experiences, our 7th graders have started the 2nd quarter with a bang! We have been analyzing how the elements of literature-setting, characters, plot- interact to create a central theme. We had fun reading the creepy short story, “Three Skeleton Key” around Halloween time. Now we are finishing up our study of the classic radio play, Sorry, Wrong Number. We are analyzing the elements of the drama and comparing it to the same story being told in other mediums-a movie and the original radio play. During the second half of the quarter, we will focus on informational texts and how their structure contributes to their meaning. Students are still required to complete weekly homework assignments, and check eCampus regularly to stay connected with the class.

8TH GRADE During the first quarter, our Literature Studies followed Collection 4: Approaching Adulthood. We read many stories related to teenagers, and we analyzed argumentative writing that focused on When Do Kids Become Adults? With the new quarter now upon us, we have begun Collection 2: The Thrill of Horror. Our students are enjoying the horror genre as we read selections by Edgar Allan Poe, W.W. Jacobs, and more. Through our literature, we are learning how to determine a theme and central idea; analyze plot development, analyze the impact of word choice on the text’s meaning and tone; compare and contrast multiple texts, identify techniques used to create suspense, and analyze how the different text structures contribute to its meaning and style. Before the winter break, we will study Charles Dickens and read the timeless classic - A Christmas Carol. As we continue to prepare for the writing portion of the FSA, we are focusing on argumentative and explanatory writing. Additionally, all 8th grade students are expected to complete and turn in a home learning assignment each week for their Language Arts class. Depending on which Language Arts teacher your child has will determine the assignments and due date for each individual class. It is imperative that students read each evening for a minimum of 30 minutes to expand their vocabulary and assist with developing reading comprehension skills.

LANGUAGE ARTS

SAVE THE DATE – MARK YOUR CALENDARS – 5 ESSENTIALS SURVEY COMING IN JANUARY

Beginning January 24th, teachers, parents, and students across the district will once again have an opportunity to participate in the 5Essentials Survey. As a parent, this opportunity will allow you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness in a survey about your child’s school. The 5Essentials Survey will be conducted January 24 – February 24, 2017 Your participation in the parent portion of the survey will provide valuable information on our school and help to guide school improvement. Your identity and survey responses are kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child. The 5Essentials Survey will be administered online. On January 24th, parents will receive the link to the survey via Skyward Family. The survey link will also be available on the SCPS web site. Please mark your calendars and plan to participate in this opportunity to provide your input.

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6TH GRADE Welcome back Trailblazers! We have kicked off the year with studies of geometry, statistics and rational number concepts. Integrating hands on learning experiences of math libs, scavenger hunts, mini projects, and much more! We have been utilizing quizzes on eCampus as frequently as possible to replicate the FSA and 9 week exams that students will be taking in the upcoming months. We are excited to keep bringing meaningful, hands-on collaborative learning to the classroom!

7TH GRADE Students will be building on their previous geometry skills by learning about geometric drawings, cross sections, and scale factors. Afterwards, they will be using statistics to look at random samples and analyze data. Advanced students will explore working with three dimensional figures, including cylinders, cones, and spheres. They will follow up with a unit about experimental and theoretical probability, along with dependent, independent, and compound events.

8TH GRADE Pre-algebra students will be looking at properties of transformations, and angle-pair relationships in parallel lines and triangles. They will move on to working with right triangles by mastering the Pythagorean Theorem.

ALGEBRA Do you remember “rise over run?” Students in Algebra are busy building, graphing, and interpreting linear equations and inequalities in two variables. Before winter break next month, students will complete Unit 4 and will begin Unit 5. We are working hard to learn a lot before the End-of-Course Exam in May. Algebra 1 and Algebra 1 Honors are tough, and we appreciate the hard work we are seeing from students to become good problem-solvers! Please make sure that your child is taking all opportunities for test corrections on summative (unit) assessments in Mr. Whalen’s or Mrs. Spradling’s class. Students can practice at home with Algebra Nation and on the Khan Academy Mission, both accessed through the ePassport. Students each have their own, consumable Algebra Nation textbook that they can use at home. Your child just needs to ask his or her teacher in order to bring it out of the classroom.

HONORS GEOMETRY Geometry students started the quarter by learning about triangle similarity. They moved on to working with properties of polygons and quadrilaterals. They will continue into a unit working with right triangles and trigonometry.

CULINARY Students at ITMS have been cooking up a storm this semester! They have just finished their Knives Unit. Culinary I demonstrated their blossoming knife skills by making from scratch baked chicken nuggets and Culinary II made a Szechuan Chicken Dish that required many different steps. Mrs. Cheshire was so proud of her students finished products! During the month of December all culinary classes will be focused on baking terminology and recipes. Check out the ITMS Facebook page during the month of December to see what students have whipped up and for pictures of those sweet creations and winners from Mrs. Cheshire’s Golden Spatula Competition.

ICONNECT/IJOURNEY Whether in 7th grade or 8th grade, there will be an opportunity for students to learn important skills that will be helpful in high school, college, and future careers. iConnect and iJourney are blended courses: that means that part of the instruction will be led by the classroom teacher and part of the class will take place online in Canvas, the digital learning space available to SCPS teachers and students! In these fun courses, students will learn how to communicate using technology in different ways, collaborate with classmates to produce real-world applications, and create amazing portfolios that reflects who they are or who they want to be! If both courses in the series are completed while in middle school, and they pass a three-part test, students will earn a special IC3 Digital Literacy certificate, which is recognized by the Florida Department of Education and can be included on resumes! This is an opportunity to be “ahead of the pack” and to stand out as an innovative, technology-savvy student while becoming better prepared to continue on your high school path. iJourney - Do you know what path you want to take in life? Do you want the world to know about yourself and your talents? In iJourney, students will explore and discover their own path, learn to be a digital leader in today’s world, and experience career exploration through fun and meaningful activities including the creation of a digital portfolio! This blended course meets the state of Florida’s career education requirement for promotion to high school, will include a 4-year plan for high school connected to potential career paths, and will provide some of the information needed to earn the IC3 Digital Literacy certificate. iConnect - Expressing yourself through technology is vital to your future. In this course students will learn about various ways to communicate in today’s world through digital technology. Students in this course will learn technology terminology and skills through fun activities, learn how communication skills relate to trends in today’s world and how this will help you to become a future leader and entrepreneur. Students that pass this course in middle school will earn a .5 high school credit that will also satisfy the online learning graduation requirement for high school, and will provide some of the information needed to earn the IC3 Digital Literacy certificate.

ELECTIVESMATH

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ART Art 1 students are finishing working on their woven looms and will be finishing them up in the next couple weeks. 3-d classes are putting the final touches on their animal head sculptures and will start their pinwheels soon after. The advanced art students have impressed me with their collages and I am excited to see what amazing work they produce when we start printmaking in the coming weeks.

BAND Hello Band Families! We hope that you had a wonderful time at the concert in October! The students perform very well, and Mrs. Hancock and myself are so proud of the students! Our next concert is going to be in December. The concert band and Advanced band perform December 13 in the Winter Springs high school auditorium. The beginning band and the symphonic band have their concert on December 15 in the Winter Springs high school auditorium. The jazz band will perform at both concerts. Both concerts are at 6:30, and the dress is the same as the last one. Beginning band wears the band polo, black pants, black shoes. The other three bands wear a white tux shirt, black pants, and black shoes. In some exciting news, we had five students make the Florida all-state band. Lillian Estelow – clarinet, Jacob Rosen – alto saxophone, Danielle Monahan - trumpet, Rick Horne – trombone, and Michael Deger – euphonium. I am so proud of all of our students who auditioned. Everyone worked extremely hard, and should feel proud of what they accomplished. The five who made it will attend the all State conference in Tampa in January. They will rehearse with the all-state band, and put on a concert Saturday January 14. The concert will be held at the Tampa Bay convention center.

We cannot wait to see you at the concerts in December!Mr. Shafer - Band DirectorMrs. Hancock - Band Director

ELECTIVESITMS CHORUS It is amazing to think that we are already almost half way through the school year. We have been doing some really exciting things in the chorus world. We are actively preparing for our next concert, “Holidays Around the World,” which is on December 20 at 7:00pm in the Winter Springs High School Auditorium. Right after we come back from winter break, I will be joining five students as they head to the Florida Music Education Association’s All State Honor Choirs. Congratulations to them and everyone who auditioned for their hard work. I also want to take a moment to thank the ten students who represented ITMS at the SCPS All County Middle School Chorus on November 17. They spent the day together working with a great clinician and finished it off with a concert at Winter Springs High School. Please keep up to date with chorus grades and assignments in Skyward and eCampus and email Mr. Williamson if you have any questions or concerns. We hope to see you at our concert and that you have a very happy, healthy, and musical holiday season and new year! Broadway Blazers - Cast lists are posted, scripts are handed out, and we are on our way as we prepare for our presentation of Willy Wonka Jr. in February. We have truly been enjoying our time together as we learn more about the theatre world and how to prepare for a show like this. Our over 80 Broadway Blazers students will have a lot of work to do over the holiday breaks as they work to learn lines, memorize music, and prepare their character for rehearsals. Our full calendar is available online and if you have any questions please feel free to contact Mr. Williamson.

Be Well!Billy B Williamson, Chorus Director(407) 320 – 4318 | williabb@scps.k12.fl.us

Non Profit OrganizationUS Postage PAID

Mid-FL, FLPermit No.10002

School Board of Seminole CountyIndian Trails Middle School415 Tuskawilla RdWinter Springs, FL 32708

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We are so excited to announce that the Read to Lead Club will start right after winter break. The two books chosen for the 2017 Read to Lead Competition are: The Crossover and The Worst Class Trip Ever. Invitations will be going out at the end of this month. Stay tuned for more details…

EBOOKS ARE NOW AVAILABLE!!! 1. Download the Overdrive app on your device.2. Create a username/ password3. Add SCPS to your library. 4. Search for a title.5. Select the title of the book you wish to read.6. Check Out book using your Student ID and

Date of Birth

8TH GRADE PHYSICAL SCIENCE Students have concluded their study of energy with fascinating looks at roller coasters and the energy transformations that occur. We will be examining the energy of light and sound waves with hands-on-activities sure to engage your students. Wrapping up the year with the examination of heat and how it flows. All classes continue the use of their Interactive Notebooks to document their discoveries. Many of our students are using their investigative skills to research and experiment even more while completing projects for our ITMS Science Fair, scheduled for December 14th. SCIENCE ROCKS at ITMS!

7TH GRADE LIFE SCIENCE 7th Grade Life Science will be learning about Cell Processes and Genetics! From important processes such as Photosynthesis, Cellular Respiration, Cellular Division and Homeostasis, Mendel’s work (The Father of Heredity!) to Modern Genetics! Students will investigate how traits are passed down from one generation to the next, and why certain organisms may look different from others that share the same ‘genes’. We will also explore how all of this affects the individual, society and our ecosystems by talking about Biotechnology, and Heredity and Health.”

SCIENCEREADING