inside this issue - wams pto · 2015. 5. 22. · dr. heineman and ms. shadis presented what rising...
TRANSCRIPT
Important Dates May
5/22: SCHOOL CLOSED-In Service Day for Staff
5/25: SCHOOL CLOSED-Memorial Day 5/26: 6th Grade MAP Testing; 6th Grade Field Trip/Ellis
Island-Gold Team 5/27: 6th Grade MAP Testing; 6th Grade Field Trip/Ellis
Island-Green Team
5/27: 6th Grade MAP Testing; 8th Grade NJASK Science Testing
5/28: 6th Grade MAP Testing; 6th Grade Field Trip/Ellis Island-Blue Team; 8th Grade NJASK Science Testing
5/29: 7th Grade Field Day
5/30: Music Dept-Hershey Park Trip
June
6/1: 7th Grade Field Day; 8th Grade MAP Testing
6/2: 8th Gr. MAP Testing; Band Concert-RHS PAC (7 PM) 6/3: 7th Gr. MAP Testing; PTO Volunteer Brunch-
Cafeteria Annex (9-10:30 AM); PTO Informational Meet-ing-Auditorium (10:50-11:15 AM)
6/3: PTO Informational Mtg-Auditorium (10:30-11 AM) 6/4: 7th Gr. MAP Testing
6/5: Locks of Love Drive-WAMS Gym (10 AM-3 PM)
6/8: BOE Meeting-WAMS Auditorium (7 PM) 6/10: WAMS Choral Concert-RHS PAC (7 PM)
6/11: WAMS Orchestra Concert-RHS PAC (7 PM) 6/15: BOE Meeting-RHS PAC (7 PM)
6/16: 8th Grade Dance-RHS (7-9 PM)
6/17: EARLY DISMISSAL/8th Gr. Graduation-RHS PAC 6/18: EARLY DISMISSAL-Last Day of School
2014 - 2015 PTO, District & DynaCal Calendars Click here for the entire PTO calendar. (5/19/15) Click here for the district calendar. (12/16/13) Click here for the DynaCal Calendar (All Bernards Township
Schools’ Events).
Visit www.wamspto.com for more information. Submissions to the Viking Voice Quarterly may be sent via email to
Heather Wenzel at [email protected].
Welcome to the Viking Voice Quarterly, a publication of the WAMS PTO, issued after the marking period ends to celebrate the events and happenings at William Annin Middle School.
For information on upcoming events, please refer to the current week’s Viking Voice Express on the WAMS PTO home page.
PTO Board & Mission Statement 2
PTO General Meetings Summaries 3-4
Annual Turkey Trot & 5K Health Walk 5
Staff Appreciation Holiday Luncheon 6
Toys of Kindness 7
Year Round Appreciation 8
Sensitivity Training 9
WAMS Athletic Organization Highlights 10-11
Student Recognition
2nd Marking Period 12-14
3rd Marking Period 15-17
Inside this issue:
2
PTO NEWS & INFORMATION
The WAMS PTO Board meets monthly to discuss current and future PTO events. The members work diligently to make the best decisions possible with PTO funds while supporting the PTO’s mission:
2014-2015 PTO BOARD President (Co-President) Monique M cHenry Secretary Christine Ziegler Treasurer Barb McCabe VP of Communications Heather Wenzel VP of Fundraising Sophia Hu VP of Programs Ged Ong VP of Volunteers Maria Sblendorio
Please visit our home page regularly to stay current on all the latest events and information at William Annin Middle School. The news bubbles are fre-quently updated with pertinent announcements. Be sure to sign up to receive the WAMS Friday Folder which includes our weekly newsletter, the Viking Voice Express (VVE). Our web site also contains Resources such as forms, FAQ’s and important links; as well as ways to get involved and how to support our school.
3
Second Marking Period
PTO NEWS & INFORMATION
GENERAL PTO MEETINGS Each General PTO meeting covers PTO news and events and includes a WAMS update from Principal Karen Hudock. As part of PTO news, a Board of Education member, a WAMS AO Representative, and a District Curriculum Committee member provide a general status. Highlights from the special topics presented at our first two meetings are below. Click on the meeting date to read the full minutes. Archived Meeting Minutes and a list of future dates and topics may be found on the PTO web site.
Wednesday, January 14, 2015 Topic: 8th Grade Transition to Ridge High School
Our special guest speakers were: Mr. Frank Howlett, Principal, Ridge High School; Dr. Brian Heineman, Director of Curriculum & Instruction; and Ms. Jillian Shadis, District Supervisor of School Counseling. Principal Howlett, a former math and chemistry teacher originally from Omaha, NE, gave great advice to parents not only from his high school principal’s perspective, but also shared from his personal parenting experience. Topics covered included: growing up in today’s world, what makes middle school kids tick, parental advice, and substance abuse. Mr. Howlett’s most notable quote, “Parent the child you have, not the one you want.” Dr. Heineman and Ms. Shadis presented what rising 8th grade parents can expect on Academic Planning Night, and what to consider when helping your child with course selection. The presentation was followed by a Q&A from the audience. Many thanks to Mr. Howlett, Dr. Heineman, and Ms. Shadis for your time and sound advice.
4
Second & Third Marking Periods
PTO NEWS & INFORMATION
GENERAL PTO MEETINGS Continued…
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Topics: 8th Grade Washington, DC, Trip & Mathematics Scheduling Process
Special thanks to Trip Advisors: Jennifer Chmura, Dave Petersen, and Jennifer Richardella, for providing an overview of the details of the 8th Grade Washington, DC ,Trip. The Trip Advisors informed parents how the trip would be structured and what students should pack. The March 26-27 trip was very successful...even the weather cooperated!
Much appreciation to Ms. Kristin Wolff, Supervisor of Mathematics, and Ms. Tara Bowman, WAMS mathematics teacher, for their presenta-tion on the mathematics scheduling process for 6th through 8th grades. Their insight helped us understand how to make the best deci-sions for our children as they continue their education at WAMS and plan for high school.
Thursday, April 2, 2015 Topic: “Helping Your Child Manage the Academic & Social Pressures of Middle School” “What happens to the teen brain?” “What is our role as parents?” “What do you do when things get serious?” These are some of the questions covered by special guest speaker, Lauren Murriello, MA LPC, founder of the Well Being Therapy Centers in Montville and Short Hills. Ms. Murriello’s passion is teens and their healthy development. Her in-formative presentation took us into the world of teens and how parents can help them navigate this season of life with healthy coping skills, behavior modification, and solid family relationships.
5
First Marking Period
PTO HAPPENINGS
More than 200 people registered for our annual WAMS Turkey Trot & 5K Health Walk and kicked off their holidays on a healthy note on Sunday, November 23. Congratulations to all the middle school Turkey Trot winners! The top finishers were: Age 11 Age 12 Age 13 Jackson Barna Tira Alvarez April Garrett Ella Blank Sebastian Gould Sonali Pai Ashley Espinosa Kate King Amanda Passman Ethan Heineman Brandon Mark Kelly King Samantha Wong Aidan McCabe Thank you to all our WAMS families who participated and donated items for the Somerset County Food Bank. We are most thankful for our volunteers, without whose help this day could not have run as smooth! Special thanks to Maria Sblendorio and Ged Ong for all your support in getting the word out! --Rachna Garg & Jane Zhang, Turkey Trot Co-Chairs
TURKEY TROT & 5K HEALTH WALK
6
First Marking Period
PTO HAPPENINGS
The PTO provided a luncheon for the entire WAMS staff of close to 200 people over the course of three lunch periods on December 9, 2014. Veneto Trattoria once again provided exceptional entrees. Special thanks to Joe at Veneto Trattoria for supporting our school with favorable pricing, delicious meals, and for accommodating our snow date. Our incredible WAMS parents provided amazing appetizers and delectable desserts to compliment and round-out a full meal experience. Thanks to everyone who baked, prepared, and ensured that enough food was provided: Nancy Barth, Laura Begg, Lisa Bortner, Elizabeth Chaudhary, Stefanie Feigenwinter, Elda Feldman, Kristina Folkart, Kendra Freeman, Maggie Gould, Karen Gray, Ashu Gupta, Rae Horowitz, Lucy Iselborn, Maria Kavouras, Anita Keller, Kendra Killeen, Linda Loges, Jackie Mandel, Alyson McCauley, Kathleen McCluskey, Kelly Mertz, Larissa Milligan, Alicia Molnar, Karen O’Brian, Joy O’Gwen, Heather Olivo, Liz Pan, Valorie Parisi, Suzette Petronella, Rosanne Pignio, Adele Pilato, Julie Portas, Christine Reilly, Mausumi Roy, Deb Sahadi, Leslie Scherzer, Maria Shapiro, Gayle Shimoun, Debbie Smith, Kim Starkes, Katie Straub, Nancy Truettner, Katie Van Cleef, Teri Weniger, Elise West, Jenny Woo, and Mary Youngberg. Much appreciation to the volunteers who helped set-up, serve, and clean-up after the luncheon: Jennifer Bozzo, Elizabeth Chaudhary, Ashu Gupta, Alicia Martine, Alyson McCauley, Monique McHenry, Alicia Molnar, Karen O’Brian, Heather Olivo,Ged Ong, Adele Pilato, and Kim Starkes. Our sincere thanks to Mrs. Hudock, Mrs. Poles, Mrs. Beck, and to the WAMS cafeteria and custodial staffs for their help in making the luncheon go smoothly. --Bridget Jaeger & Cristi Vilade Staff Appreciation Holiday Luncheon Co-Chairs
STAFF APPRECIATION HOLIDAY LUNCHEON
7
First Marking Period
PTO HAPPENINGS
Thank you to all the WAMS families who generously participated in Gifts of Kindness! Partnering with the Somerset Hills YMCA, WAMS families donated more than 200 toys to needy children in our area. Students selected gift-tags that were labeled with a toy item during their lunch periods in mid-November. The response was overwhelming and as a result, many children’s holidays shone a little brighter this year. --Teri Handabaka, Robin Prince & Jen Staples, Gifts of Kindness Co-Chairs
TOYS OF KINDNESS
8
PTO HAPPENINGS
The WAMS PTO Board would like to acknowledge the following individuals
who tirelessly worked behind-the-scenes throughout the school year to make
our school the best it can be every day!
Tina Del Giorno, Coffee Service - Thank you for ensuring our staff and
teachers were fueled and ready to face the day’s challenges by maintaining the
main office coffee service every week!
Linda Fagan & Maura McEnroe, Curriculum - Thank you for the time you
put in to attending the district curriculum meetings, for representing the
WAMS parent community, and for filling us in at our general meetings!
Heather Olivo, Refreshments - Thank you for an awesome job coordinating
all the ingredients that go into turning out tasty treats and more at many of
our school events!
Stacey Mahdavian & Roseanne Pigno, Spiritwear - Thank you for
introducing us to online shopping! We applaud all of your efforts to streamline
the spiritwear process! We know it was no easy task, especially for a school of
our size, and we truly appreciate all your time, effort, and research that went
into this undertaking.
YEAR ROUND APPRECIATION
9
PTO HAPPENINGS
WAMS would like to thank the Bernards Parents for Exceptional Children (PEC) for
their generous donation of the sensitivity workshops and mentor programs that
enable our 6th graders to learn how to include others and recognize abilities rather
than disabilities.
More than 3,000 children in the Bernards Township school district have experienced
the PEC sensitivity workshops where 3rd and 6th grade students “experience” what
it’s like to have physical as well as hidden disabilities, such as cerebral palsy or
dyslexia, in order to embrace those who may learn or act differently than they do.
The PEC mentor program, currently in its 8th year, allows students in grades 5 to 12
to work one-on-one with students with special needs at recreational and sporting
programs. These students act as role models and help with homework and social
interactions.
Funding for the mentor program and sensitivity workshops comes directly from the
PEC, a volunteer organization, and from the generosity of its supporters and sponsor
contributors who lend financial support.
The mission of the Bernards PEC is to provide the support
that families, educators, and community organizers need to
help individuals with disabilities reach their full potential.
The PEC also strives to create an environment of
understanding and acceptance for persons with disabilities
within the community.
6TH GRADE SENSITIVITY TRAINING
11
WAMS AO
Be sure to join our Facebook group, WAMS Athletic Organization, and “Like” us for update-to-date information.
Thank you for supporting sports at WAMS by sending in your Box Tops!
12
Second Marking Period
STUDENT RECOGNITION
Congratulations on Outstanding
Performance
2014-2015 School Year
Each marking period, the 8th grade teachers recognize a group of students as student stars. Students are chosen for their good moral character, contributions to the school, concern for others, cooperative spirit, respect for school and others, and sense of responsibility. These
students demonstrate the attributes that contribute to a successful school community.
8TH GRADE STUDENT STARS
Blue Team
Max (Anish) Bagga Divya Banerjee Zachary Dobson Maya Mukadam Luke Rich Bella Trucco
Gold Team
Sarah Arrigo Jack Browne Stephanie Davidson Varun Gongireddy Curtis Lyons Kiera Murphy
Green Team
Caroline Brady John Fiocco Kishan Gandham Isabela Garcia Arianna Minassian Colin Schwab
13
Second Marking Period
STUDENT RECOGNITION
Congratulations on Outstanding
Performance
2014-2015 School Year
7TH GRADE VIKING VIP’s
Blue Team
Dominic Aquillo Erin Long Stephen Reilly Jana El Sawwah
The 7th grade teams honor students who exemplify Viking Values every marking period. Each team of teachers nominated and voted on students based on the Viking Values. The four values
are: Courage, Respect, Integrity and Responsibility. Students who win the VIP award display the courage to do the right thing when no one is watching, treat others with respect, demonstrate
responsibility, and act with integrity. This award recognizes the actions of the true VIP’s at WAMS. The 7th grade teachers are proud of these students and their accomplishments, and
recognize their efforts at making our community a better place.
Gold Team
Arohi Dandawate Katelyn King Shreyeas Menon Simar Singh
Green Team
Jarrett Early Jai Loonker Caroline McEnroe Sarah Quinn
14
Second Marking Period
STUDENT RECOGNITION
Congratulations on Outstanding
Performance
2014-2015 School Year
6TH GRADE MOST VALUABLE VIKING
Blue Team
Emma Ceasar Michael Mezzo Jack Prentice Brett Richman Melanie Torales
The Most Valuable Viking (MVV) is a program designed to recognize students who have consist-ently demonstrated a positive and cooperative attitude in their school community by demon-
strating one (or more) of the four Viking Values: Respect, Responsibility, Integrity and Courage. While many students demonstrate good character each and every day, these student’s efforts and
actions went above and beyond, earning them this outstanding award.
Gold Team
Christian Allora Kate Mercer Chloe Petitt Pasha Saidi Katie Vollmar
Green Team
Daphne Arthur Logan Jaeger Katie Maratea Katie Pinto Andrew White
15
Third Marking Period
STUDENT RECOGNITION
Congratulations on Outstanding
Performance
2014-2015 School Year
Each marking period, the 8th grade teachers recognize a group of students as student stars. Students are chosen for their good moral character, contributions to the school, concern for others, cooperative spirit, respect for school and others, and sense of responsibility. These
students demonstrate the attributes that contribute to a successful school community.
8TH GRADE STUDENT STARS
Blue Team
Caitlin Aloisio Brian Fullagar Kia Jarrett Ryan Kemp David Lavy Sydnee Shapiro
Gold Team
Rebecca Krest Molly Marazita Michael Ricciardelli Andrew Saylan Amber Vigeant Michael Zima
Green Team
Chris Crapanzano Emily Daniels Wesley Hudkins Jake Parish Tory Sanderson Ken Sugathan
16
Third Marking Period
STUDENT RECOGNITION
Congratulations on Outstanding
Performance
2014-2015 School Year
7TH GRADE VIKING VIP’s
Blue Team
Ty Ebeling Haylee Ficuciello Wenhan Jia Aspen Swart
The 7th grade teams honor students who exemplify Viking Values every marking period. Each team of teachers nominated and voted on students based on the Viking Values. The four values
are: Courage, Respect, Integrity and Responsibility. Students who win the VIP award display the courage to do the right thing when no one is watching, treat others with respect, demonstrate
responsibility, and act with integrity. This award recognizes the actions of the true VIP’s at WAMS. The 7th grade teachers are proud of these students and their accomplishments, and
recognize their efforts at making our community a better place.
Gold Team
Fernando Borrell Marina Chiafullo Marcus Fabiunke Meghan Jin
Green Team
Selin Ciner Clark Kokenge Allison Martine Joseph Toscano
17
Third Marking Period
STUDENT RECOGNITION
Congratulations on Outstanding
Performance
2014-2015 School Year
6TH GRADE MOST VALUABLE VIKING
Blue Team
Alex Babigian Christina Cucolo Divya Krishnan Zoe McGowan Dylan Saini
The Most Valuable Viking (MVV) is a program designed to recognize students who have consist-ently demonstrated a positive and cooperative attitude in their school community by demon-
strating one (or more) of the four Viking Values: Respect, Responsibility, Integrity and Courage. While many students demonstrate good character each and every day, these student’s efforts and
actions went above and beyond, earning them this outstanding award.
Gold Team
Quinn Bunsa Lauren Feldman Elizabeth Mahoney Aidan McCabe Rohan Rao
Green Team
Emma Albee Matt Balzarotti Simone Devoe-Caccavo Joshua Lee Katya Shchukin