the monteleone marlin messengermonteleonejunior.stpsb.org/lmjh_newsletter_october_2011.pdf · dear...

Dear Parents and Guardians, It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to Monteleone Jr. High School for the 2011-2012 school year. We are thoroughly enjoying the work you have done in preparing wonderful students for this year of junior high school. Our school theme for the year, “The Heat is On” exemplifies our commitment to excellence for your child so that success is achievable at the highest levels possible. You received information of the new state laws governing school at-

tendance in the beginning of the year packets sent out on the first day of attendance. Repercus-sions for the student and family for excessive unexcused absences and tardiness to school can in-clude recommendation to the 22nd Judicial Truancy Court, monetary fines, community service work, and retention in the current grade among other consequences. Please address the importance of school attendance with your child. We recently hosted our first PTA sponsored “All Pro Dad’s “ meeting with great suc-cess. We had 84 members in attendance. We welcome new members to join us for breakfast at 7:30 in the school cafeteria on Wednesday, Oct. 19. All students are invited to attend with a dad or significant person in their lives. It’s a great way to connect with your child and to let them know that you care. Breakfast is free of charge and there is always a drawing for a great prize. We hope to see many more men in attendance with their children in October. If you have not yet joined PTA or found a way to get involved in our school, please read further or call the school for PTA contact information. Our school website is a great way to assure that you know what is going on here at Mon-teleone. We suggest you log on often and keep us as one of your “favorite “ locations. Addition-ally, all parents should have a login to STI home to find updated grade information for their child. If we can assist you with any of this information, just give us a call at the school. We are looking forward to a wonderful year of exciting activities and great work. Please check the school web site and STI home on a regular basis so that you are knowledgeable of the activities in your child’s school. If we can assist you in any way, please call the school. Sincerely, Donna Addison Principal

A Message from Our Principal, Donna Addison

Important Dates: October Oct 18 FB vs St. Tammany Oct 19 All Pro Dads Oct 25 FB vs Pitcher Oct 28 Picture Retakes November Nov 5 Crescent City Fall Classic Nov 10 Interims go home Nov 16-18 Boys Soccer Tryouts Nov 21-25 Thanksgiving Holidays Nov 29 Reflections Deadline December Dec 9 Holiday Dance Dec 16 Safety Poster Dead line Dec 16 End of 2nd Nine Weeks Dec 19-Jan 2 Winter Break January Jan 3 School Resumes

The Monteleone Marlin Messenger 63000 Blue Marlin Drive Mandeville, LA 70448 School Hours: 8:45am—3:46pm Phone: (985) 951-8088 Fax: (985) 951-8083 Volume 7, Issue 1 October 2011

PTSA Newsletter

Welcome to LMJH PTSA for the 2011 – 2012 school year. Virna and I want to thank all those volunteers who have stepped up and filled open spots on the board as an officer or a committee chair. Thank you so much. We got off to a slow start due to so few board members but we are up and running now! Don’t forget to sign up to be a member of the PTSA. For only $5.00 you can become a member and help support out PTSA. We are really close to reaching our goal! LMJH PTSA are signing up students also to be members and they will be rewarded later in the school year for being a member of the PTSA. Please refer to the school website for important dates and events coming up. I do want to let you know that we will be publishing the PTSA newsletter quarterly so please refer to the school and PTSA website in between these publications. We are In the process of setting up restaurant nights with some local restaurants. So far we have Usual Suspects scheduled for the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month. Please mark your calendar to plan and pick up some food on those days. A part of the profits go back to our PTSA, just mention LMJH! We will let you know the other res-taurants as we get them set up. Thank you all for supporting the LMJH PTSA, and ultimately LMJH students, teachers, and staff. Kim Villars Kim Villars – Co President Virna Bays – Co President 985-502-1988 504-388-3718 kdvillars@ yahoo.com babvlb@ charter.net

A Message from your PTSA Co-Presidents, Kim Villars and Virna Bays

The Monteleone Marlin Messenger

The Monteleone Junior High Positive Behavior Intervention and Support

(PBIS) Committee has been hard at work during the first nine weeks assessing existing initiatives and creating new ones. Students have earned bucketfuls of Marlin Cards and received prizes at the classroom level as well as the weekly school-wide drawings.

Current initiatives include the Marlin Cards, rewards for perfect attendance, “Marlins on the Wall” for the monthly attendance competition, and the “target behav-ior” competition between grades. Students also strive for the coveted “Marlin of the Month” distinction each month.

The target behavior for October is a repeat of the September objective to reduce or eliminate lunch de-tentions. Congratulations to the 8th grade for winning the September competition!

One of the new initiatives this year rewards faculty members for a variety of things, from attending school events to perfect attendance each month and quarter. Faculty members receive Faculty Appreciation Coupons which can be redeemed for such things as a free lunch or free duty.

The PBIS committee meets every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month in the library. All LMJH stake-holders are invited to attend or give input to the committee at any time. For more information about the LMJH program visit the PBIS Corner on the school website.

Parents, Are you disappointed with your son or daughter's 1st 9 weeks report card?! Don’t worry. It’s not too late to make a difference. Take a look at ONE REASON why your son or daughter may have lower grades than expected. Students are faced with many changes when they make the transition from middle school to junior high. One very noticeable difference is the way grades are calculated. In middle school, grades are based on LETTER grades only. In junior high, how-ever, grades are based on the NUMBER grade – as in, the number of points the student earned. This makes a huge difference when calculating the average. For example: MIDDLE SCHOOL JUNIOR HIGH – with a 0/F JUNIOR HIGH – with a 60/F Assignment #1 : A Assignment #1: 100/100 Assignment #1: 100/100 Assignment #2: F Assignment #2: 0/100 Assignment #2: 60/100 Average = C Average = 50/100 Average = 80/100

As you can see in the MIDDLE SCHOOL example, an A and an F average together for a C. Regardless whether the F is a “0” F or a “60” F, the average would still be a C. In the JUNIOR HIGH example, the difference between a “0” F and a “60” F is huge! The example shows two F’s – a 0/F and a 60/F. Although 60 is still failing, look at the difference 60 points made in the student’s average.

In my experience, the # 1 reason students’ grades go down is missed assignments. Just one zero on an assignment can drastically lower a student’s average in that class. Every time I see a student who is failing, I can guarantee that the student is either not completing assignments or not turning them in. If I had to choose one goal for students to improve their grades, I would say NO MISSED ASSIGNMENTS! Grades will certainly improve.

Turn in all homework assignments. Take all tests. Remember to make up ALL missed assignments (when absent).

Tasha Alvendia, M.Ed., LPC, LMFT National Certified School Counselor

Counselor’s Corner by Ms. Tasha Alvendia


Congratulations to the 2011-2012 District Champ Volleyball Team!!!

B. Bergeron A. Bernard

R. Koshak— Varsity Captain J. Wilson

C. Golden T. Armand D. Loup

S. Kugler—JV Captain V.Caruso

K. Gunther M. Leger D. Curtis B. Caruso

C. Ainsworth B. Monk

B. Blackshear S. Rogowski

A. Vath

The try-outs for the Boys' Soccer Team will be November 16th through the 18th, on the back field. Each player must have a current physical signed by a physician, SHIN GUARDS with socks to cover, and a water bottle. Try-outs will begin as soon as school is over and end at 5:15 p.m. Those selected will be posted on Monteleone's web site under boys' soccer. The numbers the players were assigned during try-outs will be posted, NO NAMES, so players remember your numbers. There will be a work day December 3 for players and parents with a parent/kid game to follow. More information as the date approaches will be posted on the web page. We will also have a fund raiser within 2 to 3 weeks after the team is formed. Coach Cathy Rouquette Coach Julie Vander Molen


Nathan F QB/DB 2 Thomas M RB/LB 33 Connor O WR/DB 3 Blayne H WR/DB 40 Logan B WR/DB 4 Kavondre W RB/DE 44 Evan P QB/DB 5 Jason W OL/LB 50 Cody D WR/DB 6 Jason L OL/LB 51 Rafe S QB/DB 7 Corey P OL/DL 52 Landon G WR/DB 8 Philip A OL/DL 54 Sean J WR/DB 9 Tyler V OL/DL 55 Zach Z WR/DB 10 Ryan D OL/DL 56 Tyreak C WR/DB 11 Jeffrey H OL/DL 56 Stephen C WR/DB 12 Luke T OL/DL 58 Jonathan R WR/DB 13 Thomas S OL/DL 60 Taylor C WR/DB 14 Cody C OL/LB 62 Randy R RB/LB 15 James J OL/DL 64 Malik R WR/DB 16 Dylan C OL/DL 66 Leelond O WR/DB 17 Brandon S OL/DL 70 Greyson B WR/DB 18 Sam V OL/DL 71 Jonah I WR/DB 18 Nick R OL/DL 72 Brendan D WR/DB 19 Dane Z OL/DL 75 Jacob H RB/DB 19 Aaron W OL/DL 77 Desmond Z RB/LB 20 Collin M TE/DE 80 Nic M RB/LB 20 Jonnathan H WR/DB 81 Garrett S WR/DB 21 Jeffrey G TE/DE 85 Richard H RB/DB 22 Javi S OL/DL 90 Kody L RB/LB 24 Dallas M TE/DE 99 Andrew S WR/DB 25

Head Coach: Doug Harper Assistant Coaches: Brian Williams Chris Womack Craig Camus Managers: Alex M Lawrence H Joshua M


2011-2012 LMJH Cheerleading Squad Standing: Colleen B., Bayley L., Bailee W., Avery C., Alexis G. (captain), Loreal M., Anna Kathryn T., Christen C., Ally R.

Kneeling: Kristin K., Alexis R., Sarah M., Taylor C., Ashton C., Camryn C. and Emily P. (captain) Sponsors: Stephanie Kell & Rachelle Kelley

Cheerleading is back in business! We will attend state com-petition on December 3rd in Lake Charles. We would like to welcome our new assistant coach, Ms. Rachelle Kelley, who teaches ELA.

2011-2012 LMJH Darlin Marlins Top Row: Caroline M., Skye J., Lauren P., Kaitlyn G., Catherine N., Sherran M.., Morgan L.

3rd Row: Alli M., Brianda R., Leanne J. 2nd Row: Megan L., Emmy W., Alexis., Tiffany H., Taylor W.

Bottom Row: Captains Breigh B. and Katherine H.

The Darlin Marlins will attend State Competition in January. Their sponsors are Ms. Katie Yarborough, Ms. Kendra Thompson and Ms. Gail Blalock.


CRESCENT CITY FALL CLASSIC Saturday, 8:30 am, November 5, 2011

A 5 Km (3.1 Mile) Event Runners & Walkers � earn your school a $3,000 Grant!

Crescent City Fitness Foundation (CCFF) is happy to announce the availability of a cash Grant of $3,000. Coach Westcott is eager to win this year and is promoting Fitness and Health at Monteleone and throughout our school community. Please con-sider registering and join TEAM MONTELEONE for a healthy and fun day in New Orleans!!!! CCFF, a non-profit organization licensed to produce the Crescent City Classic series of road race events, encourages you and your children to participate in the Crescent City “Fall” Classic race, scheduled for 8:30 AM, Saturday, November 5, 2011 in City Park. Participation, not winning, is the focus of this event, but race winners will be presented with very unique awards. CCFF's goal is to promote community fitness and school spirit by bringing together faculty, students, alumni, families and friends of your school for a day of activity and friendly competition. It is a fantastic way to encourage not only our students to get out and move but their families and friends as well. The cash Health and Fitness Challenge Grant is awarded to the school that registers the most people (students, faculty, family, and friends) to participate in the race. With only a minimum level of participation, all schools will qualify to receive a set of Crescent City Classic Posters, a $150 value. The winner of the cash Grant will actually receive a prize package worth almost $4,000!!!!! All registered persons participating in the event are eligible to receive the free commemorative race shirt, free post race refreshments and any of the random prizes that will be given away on race day. COURSE: The 5 Km (3.1 Mile) loop course of City Park starts and finishes by Tad Gormley Stadium. No pets, skates or strollers are allowed on this certified course. ENTRY FEES: (Special Group Rate) $15.00 thru October 29 (includes the T-shirt) Turn into Coach Westcott!!!! Checks payable to: "Crescent City Fall Classic"

8th Grade Students of the month: Katherine H.., Jason W. 7th Grade Students of the Month: Kaitlyn G., Nicholas B. Support Staff of the Month: Janet Clark Teacher of the Month: Rachelle Kelley Volunteer of the Month: Virna Bays Booster Backers: Letiche Albers and Missy LeBlanc


Please help MONTELEONE JUNIOR HIGH Win this year's Crescent City Fitness Foundation

Health and Fitness Challenge Grant NOVEMBER 5, 2011 @ 8:30AM ______________ 101

Assigned Race # School/Group CRESCENT CITY FALL CLASSIC, 5 Km

(Please Print)

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Name (First Name then Last Name)

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Address (Street and Apt. Number -or- PO Box Number)

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ City State U.S. Zipcode

_ _ / _ _ / _ _ Age: _ _ Sex: MALE FEMALE Date of Birth (as of race day)

_ _ _ / _ _ _ - _ _ _ _ Circle Shirt Size: M L XL Area Code Telephone Number

Race Entry Fee: ____________

Race Entry Fee, if paid by October 29: $15.00, Race Entry Fee on Race Day: $25.00

Total Amount Enclosed: $ _____________

Make checks payable to: Crescent City FALL Classic

And return to: _________________________________

Waiver: I know that a road race is a potentially hazardous activity that could cause injury or death. I attest and verify that I am medi-cally able and properly trained to enter this event. I assume all risks associated with participating in this event including, but not lim-ited to, falls, contact with other participants, the effects of weather including high temperatures/humidity, traffic and the conditions of the roads and bridges. In consideration for accepting this entry, the undersigned, intending to be legally bound, hereby, for myself, my heirs, executors and administrators waive any and all rights for damages I may have against the City of New Orleans, City Park, City Park Improvement Association, Friends of City Park, Crescent City Fitness, Inc. and the Crescent City Fitness Foundation, Inc. even though that liability may arise out of negligence or carelessness. I understand all entries are final, with no refunds, and that race organizers reserve the right in the event of an emergency or local or national disaster to cancel the race or to change the day and/or time to a later date and that in the event of cancellation there is no re-fund of entry fees. Further, I hereby grant full permission to all of the foregoing to use any photograph, videotape, motion pictures, recordings or any other record of my participation in this event for any legitimate purpose.

Entrant Signature ____________________________________Date _________ (Parent or legal guardian's signature, if under 18) LOCATION:CITY PARK � FINISH LINE : TAD GORMELY STADIUM


LMJH PTSA Mini-Grant Program The LMJH PTSA offers small grants to aid special programs proposed by teachers, staff, and students. This Mini-Grant pro-gram is being initiated to serve as many Monteleone Junior High School students as possible. The funding available is lim-ited; mini-grants will not be able to cover great expenses initially and will be awarded based on the PTSA’s ability to fund the request as well as on the justification for the grant. A truly justifiable request may be rejected solely because the PTSA can-not at this time afford to support it.

The PTSA Mini-Grant program encourages grant applications from many segments of the Monteleone Junior High School community. You are welcome to apply if you are a:

• teacher • administrator • staff member

For more information or if you need an application for a mini-grant, please contact the mini-grant coordinators for the 2011-2012 school year: Stacey Neill at jsmc985@ yahoo.com or Carolyn Bertucci at bertuccics@ bellsouth.net. Applications were emailed to the faculty, staff and administration. Extra copies are available in the office as well. Deadline to apply will be Friday, December 16, 2011. Please keep in mind that the PTSA hopes to benefit as many students as possible with each mini-grant.

What a Mini-Grant Can Fund

To help the LMJH community, mini-grants fund: • supplies • publications, such as books, magazines, newspapers • instructional CDs, videos, and software • electrical or electronic equipment • construction materials for small projects • leadership support

On September 15 Monteleone Junior High held its first "All Pro Dads" meet-ing. The guests enjoyed breakfast and heard an inspirational speech about over-coming the obstacle of fear. The next meeting will be Oct. 19 at 7:30 a.m. in the LMJH cafeteria. Shown are All Pro Dad Coordinator Gary Fayard along with stu-dent Hurshel C. and dad Michael Koch, raffle winners of a football autographed by former L.S.U. coach Jerry Stovall.


"Diversity means..." is the theme for Reflections for 2011 - 2012. The Reflections Program provides opportunities for students to express themselves and to receive positive recognition for their artis-tic efforts. Students are encouraged to create and submit works of art in six areas: dance chore-ography, film production, literature, musical composition, photography, and the visual arts. The deadline for submitting Reflections entries is Tuesday, November 29, 2011. There is a link to the Reflections guidelines for all of the disciplines below. Entry forms are available in Student Services and also via the below link. "At work, at play, let safety lead the way." is the theme for the Safety Poster contest. The deadline for submitting Safety Poster entries is Friday, December 16, 2011, and entry forms are available in Student Services. A link to the Safety Poster guidelines and entry form is also listed below. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Virna Bays at 504-388-3718 or [email protected]

hhtp//www.sttammanydistrictpta.com/12_Children_s_recognitions_and_awards__2011-2012___FINAL_interactive.pdf

Password for PDF file: Means

QUERIDOS PADRES ( Dear Parents) Spanish level I students have learned some basics like the alphabet, numbers, colors, days, months, etc. We’ve been singing some songs and doing a rap. Besides verbal practice inside, we’ve done

some games outside on two occasions. We have been to the computer lab to review Chapter I, and to do research on sports, music, or art in an Hispanic country. At some point we may do alphabet volleyball. Some parents have volunteered to help with crafts. Spanish level II has reviewed a “bridge” chapter, and are now doing phone conversations, stem changer verbs, and reflexive verbs. This week we will do dialogs with reflexives. Some parents plan to visit the class to share about bilingual skills in the workplace. A nurse and a fireman have been to some classes to talk about Spanish skills in their employment. We have been to the Lab to do research on careers and sports, music, and art in Hispanic countries. Both levels celebrated Sept 16, the Mexican Independence Day, with small fiestas. We plan to have a very good year. Saludos de Senora Sutton

NOTICIAS ESPANOLAS


Thanks to the following businesses for supporting

Monteleone Junior High PTSA!

Honey Dippers, LLC

NOLA Computer Services

Coastal Systems, LLC

T & L Siding

Northshore Engraving & Gifts


Join the PTSA !

If you have not already joined the LMJH PTSA, it is not too late. Please fill out the following form and send it to school with your check made payable to LMJH PTSA. Remember, PTSA is for everyone… Parents, Grandparents, Friends and Family. Remember that students should join the PTSA too! Businesses can also join at a corporate rate of $25, which includes 5 membership cards and a free business card size advertisement in our next school newsletter. If you have any questions, please contact Kim Villars at 985-502-1988 or [email protected]. <------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Student’s Name ________________________________ 1st Hour Teacher __________________ Member Name _________________________________ Relationship ______________________ Member Name _________________________________ Relationship ______________________ _________ # of LMJH PTSA Memberships x $5.00 = _____________ Amt. Enclosed

*********************************************************** Business Name ________________________________ Contact person ______________________ Address _______________________________________________________________________ E-mail address ______________________________________ Phone # ____________________ _______ # of LMJH PTSA Corporate Memberships x $25.00 = ________ Amt. Enclosed

(Attach business card to this form & send with payment)

Become a newsletter sponsor!

For more information on sponsorship, please email Anne Hernandez at

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