Pine Grove Middle School
 
Principal's Message:  Mrs. Sandra G. Reid

Spring has sprung!!!!!! We at Pine Grove have sprung into action, as well, preparing for major upcoming events that will impact both you and your child. The Maryland State Assessment is fast-approaching. We return from Spring Break on March 31st and testing begins the next day, April 1st. This important statewide exam in reading and mathematics is used, in a large degree, to:

·        measure student achievement

·        determine a child’s instructional program in certain middle and high school classes

·        ascertain if a child is in need of 90-minute acceleration programs such as Language! and Algebraic Thinking

·        indicate potential future success on the High School Assessment - a prerequisite for graduation 

Our goal is to see that all students score proficient, at the very least. At Pine Grove Middle, teachers and students are focused on preparing students to meet with success on the MSA. We have made a concerted effort to institute a school-wide MSA Moment program, in conjunction with the established Voluntary Curriculum, to assure that students- across all disciplines- are exposed to prototype questions, vocabulary enrichment, and test-taking skills practice.  

As a parent/guardian, there is much that you can also do to support your child’s overall achievement and this important assessment:

  • encourage your child to maintain a positive outlook relating to their academics
  • set high expectations for the quality of student work
  • set aside specific time in the evening to review class notes
  • assist students in cultivating consistent study habits
  • practice math facts, engage in vocabulary development, and encourage recreational reading

During testing (a complete schedule has been attached for your review) the following is necessary:

  • ensure that your child receives enough rest by going to bed on time or even earlier than usual
  • direct your child to eat a solid breakfast each and every morning – research tells us that this facilitates problem-solving skills and attention spans
  • encourage timelines to school so that your child arrives relaxed
  • avoid any non-essential doctor/dentist appointments and vacations
  • oversee that your child is organized and is prepared with all necessary materials and equipment

School Attire

Also, with the onset of spring, it is important to remind students that there is a dress code in effect at Pine Grove Middle School. We encourage students to wear appropriate clothing that is comfortable and will not prove to be a distraction to others.  

DRESS CODE

Students are expected to wear appropriate attire. The following are not considered appropriate: hats, bandannas, halters or bare midriffs, low-cut tops, short-shorts or skirts. Skirts worn without appropriate leg coverage must be the length of the wearer’s arm (to bottom of finger-tip when arm is at side). Pants are to be worn appropriately at waist; pants should not be excessively long so as to pose a safety concern for self or others. Clothing/accessories with references to sex, profanity, drugs, alcohol, violence, or tobacco are not permitted. Clothing/accessories may not convey messages that express hate, racial slurs, or sexual harassment. All students should wear shoes that allow for safe movement while in school. NO undergarments may be visible at any time. The final say on inappropriate dress will be determined by the administration. 

Telecommunications             

There has been a rash of misplaced and/or stolen cell phones and electronic devices.

Please remind your child that cell phones are not permitted anywhere in the building.  If your child has one, it should be in their locker and they must be turned off.  If at any time a cell phone is found on a student, it will be confiscated and parents will have to come to school to retrieve it. If these phones are found on a student during the administration of the MSA, other testing, or during instructional time, further consequences can and will be in effect. Ipod’s and electronic games and devices are in high demand. As such, these items should stay at home to avoid potential loss. The school cannot be responsible for any items that are lost or stolen. Thanks for your attention to this important matter.  

Quote of the Month

Virtually every issue that we deal with in education…be it human services, gang problems, or drugs, we find STRONG FAMILIES the ultimate solution.

Van Goethe 

Pine Grove Middle teachers and staff appreciate your cooperation and support as we work together for your child’s optimal performance.

PTSA News: Mary Colacioppo

Our last meeting was held on Thursday, March 13.  However, we were unable to conduct any business in that we did not have enough board members in attendance to meet a quorum. We are requesting that all board members (including committee chairs) please be in attendance at the April 10th meeting so that we can conduct the necessary PTSA business.
 
We are currently taking nominations for next year's Board of Directors. Many of our current board members will not have a child at PGMS next year and, therefore, will not be serving on the board.  Please consider taking a position. We are in need of all positions. If you, or someone you know, would like to be a candidate, send a note in a sealed envelope addressed to "PGMS PTSA Nominating Committee."

Congratulations to those students who received their awards at the PTA Reflections Awards Ceremony on March 9th. Good luck to those whose entries moved on to the state level.
 
Enjoy and rest up during the Spring break. MSA testing will soon be here. 

CHAPERONES NEEDED!  If you are able to chaperone the Grade 8 Lock-In on April 25th, please contact Tom Bosley at 443-324-8032. 

The final Teen Center for all grades will be held on April 11.  Volunteer training will be held at 6:15 p.m. that evening.  The Teen Center on May 9th will be the Spring Fling for eighth graders only.  Questions, please call Tom Bosley at the above number.

For a copy of our students A/B Day Schedule, click HERE

Dropping off Students
Health Suite News
Activities

DROPPING OFF YOUR STUDENT IN THE MORNING…

In order to make our morning drop-off safe and efficient, we are asking for your assistance with the following:

  • Two or three cars may drop off in the drop zone at a time (do not drop off in any other areas on the school property).
  • The speed limit is 15 mph on school property.
  • If you are running late or don’t have time to complete the parking lot loop (no U-turns allowed), consider an Old Harford Road drop off in a safe area.
  • Please follow the directions of the teachers who serve as crossing guards.

Thank you for understanding that these measures are designed for the safety of all

of our children.

COUNSELING CORNER

Mrs. Curtis will return to work on

March 20th.  This means that Ms. Regan will be leaving us.  We would like to thank her for all of her hard work and dedication to our students. Seventh grade families may now contact Mrs. Curtis directly, as she will resume her role as the seventh grade school counselor. Please note that Mrs. Curtis' email address is adevaney@bcps.org. Please join us in wishing Ms. Regan well as she continues her career as a school counselor. 

Aquaculture Club Needs Help!   

Hopefully you have seen the beautiful fish that are now residents in the fish tanks at the front of the school!  The Aquaculture Club, thanks to a grant from Wal-Mart, was able to clean up the fish tanks and purchase new fish and supplies.  However, the tanks are still in need of some extra help.  We still need tank decorations.  If you have old tank decorations that you no longer need, the Aquaculture Club can put them to good use!  Please bring any tank supplies to Ms. Sorandes in room 34.

 

 

Black Saga

The Black Saga Competition is an exciting learning program for students and it complements social studies curricula by helping students reflect on the histories of people who settled in this country. For twelve years, thousands of elementary and middle school students have enjoyed the award-winning competition. The Black Saga Competition is sponsored by Coppin State University, Maryland Geographic Alliance, and the Maryland State Department of Education.                  

 

Beginning this year, Pine Grove Middle School will sponsor a team.  Dr. Charles M. Christian, the author of Black Saga: The African American Experience, and the founder and director of the Black Saga Competition, will help us implement the competition in our school. Students who study for the competition increase their knowledge of history, geography, economics, and cultures.

INCLEMENT WEATHER PROCEDURES

In the event of inclement weather, please be sure to listen to your radio or watch your television for late openings or closings.  You may also access the Baltimore County Public Schools’ website at www.bcps.org for this information.  We ask that you not call the school for this information.  Thank you for your cooperation.

 

 

Millions of Americans suffer from seasonal allergies. Often called “hay fever”, a runny nose, watery itchy eyes, sneezing, and coughing are caused by irritation from air-borne pollens and mold spores. Additionally, headaches, nausea, and fatigue can be experienced. These allergens enter the body through the eyes, nose, and mouth and trigger an allergic reaction. Spring allergy season (early March) begins with the warmer weather and budding trees. Late spring brings forth additional pollen as flowers burst with color. Summer gives us some reprieve, however, in Baltimore; the ragweed season begins in mid-August.  

If you or your child suffers from seasonal allergies, now is the time to contact your primary care provider and consult about the proper management of this chronic health concern. Medications for allergy- related illnesses are very limited in the health suite.  

In the next issue, you will note additional tips for allergy management, but now is the time to start your medicine! 

A request for follow-up information for those students who failed vision and/or hearing screening has been given to applicable students.  Parents, please let Ms. Ferguson know the status of your child’s follow-up care by March 31st.  

Have a safe and healthy SPRING BREAK!

Recycling at Pine Grove

The last collection day for aluminum can recycling will be Friday, May 30, 2008. 

Student Service Learning (SSL) hours will be tallied and printed on the last quarter’s report card. 

College Fair 2008

The Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) and the Baltimore County Public Schools are excited to announce COLLEGE FAIR 2008.  This event will be held on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at CCBC Essex, 7201 Rossville Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland, Building D (Athletic and Wellness Center), 6p.m. – 8p.m.; and Thursday, March 13, 2008 at CCBC Catonsville, 800 South Rolling Road, Baltimore, Maryland, Building L (Athletic and Wellness Center), 6p.m. – 8p.m.

COLLEGE FAIR 2008 provides an outstanding marketplace for students and parents to talk to more than 100 admission recruiters from Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia.  There will be two information sessions available during the fair – “Tips in Choosing a College” and “Financial Aid”.

For further information, see our Guidance page.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IT’S NOT EASY BEING GREEN!

Earth Day is right around the corner, April 22nd.  Pine Grove’s Earth Day theme is “It’s Not Easy Being Green!”  Pine Grove students have the opportunity to show their support for the environment and earn Student Service Learning (SSL) hours.  Here’s what you do.  Before April 22nd, maybe during spring break, find a blank white t-shirt.  You can buy a new one or reuse an older white t-shirt by turning it inside out.  Use markers or paints to write slogans and/ or draw pictures to show ways YOU can help the Earth.  On April 22nd, wear your shirt to school all day.  Your science teacher will record your name to earn 7 SSL hours for advocating the welfare of the environment.  Students, keep your ears open during the morning announcements and in classes for ideas and information about helping the planet.  If you have any questions, please contact Michele Wolbert, the paper recycling sponsor at mwolbert@bcps.org. 

MATH HOMEWORK HELP

Tune in to The Education Channel, Comcast Cable Channel 73 to watch Math Homework Helpers.  The show airs on Wednesdays from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.                             

Report Cards

Students will receive their report cards on February 11th. Please be sure to review it with your child and acknowledge receipt of it to the school. Parent-Teacher Conference Night is scheduled for March 5th beginning at 3:10 p.m. More information about this night is forthcoming.

 

Teen Centers            

Four of these very popular events have been scheduled for the year. Our upcoming Teen Centers will be held on April 11th and May 9th. 

      

News from the Big Cougars (Eighth Grade)

The eighth graders have some wonderful activities this spring.  The events and dates are as follows:

 

Lock-In           April 25, 7-11 PM 

Volunteers needed!

 

Sports Day     June 6

 

Honors Breakfast  June 10 and June 11

 

Please think RESPECT and RESPONSIBILITY as office referrals and academics will be factored into student eligibility to these events as stated in the letter sent home on February 29th.  Hopefully, everyone has signed and returned these letters to their homeroom teacher.

 

Honors Breakfast 2008

Eighth graders will have an awards celebration in June of this school year. The awards assembly is called the Honors Breakfast, and it celebrates the accomplishments of all eighth graders. Awards will be given for academics, cooperation, effort, Presidential, perfect attendance, student service learning, special areas, and sports.

 

The administration and eighth grade teachers encourage all students to set high goals in as many of the awarded areas as possible and to work hard toward achieving these goals. 

 

Awards Criteria

Awards will be given to students who meet the criteria as follows:

 

  • Presidential …. 3.5 grade point average and perfect attendance
  • Student Service Learning……… 125 plus hours in 6-8th grade
  • Special Area…Art, Music, Physical Education, Technology Education and Family Studies
  • Team Effort …. To be determined by grade team
  • Most Improved …. To be determined by grade team/content

Reading in the Science Classroom and Beyond 

Baltimore County’s Science curriculum is supported by Pearson Prentice Hall's Science Explorer textbooks.  From time to time, we use Science Explorer texts in class to supplement lessons; however, the handouts and lab investigations used in our Science classrooms contain all of the readings and notes students need to be successful on assignments. Each unit that we cover in Science, references a separate text or texts in the Science Explorer series; however, Baltimore County’s curriculum imbeds much of the appropriate reading text within the handouts so that you the parent can follow along with our daily curriculum.

 

Parents can also purchase the CD-ROM of each text title which is called StudentExpress with interactive Text CD-ROM for $16.97 per title per CD-ROM plus shipping and handling.

 

School Supplies

Grade 6 teachers have suggested the following preliminary supply list.  Individual teachers may request additional supplies at the beginning of the school year.  The list includes: 

  •  Backpack - No rolling backpacks (as they will not fit into the locker)

  •  Agenda book – will be provided to the students initially; used to record homework

  •  Large three-ring binder with subject dividers for all subject

  • Two pens with blue or black ink (erasable ink is helpful) and an ongoing supply of #2 pencils with erasers

  • Two red marking pens or pencils

  • Two highlighters

  • Lined notebook paper – at least 50 sheets initially (to be replenished throughout the year)

  • Two black marble composition books (sewn binding will hold up best)

  • A duo-tang folder to be used for language arts portfolio

  • For occasional use--scissors, glue stick, colored pencils

  • A ruler with English and metric scale

  • Two boxes of tissues (to be kept in the classroom)

  • One small three-ring binder to be used for science

  • A basic scientific calculator with fraction key labeled with student name in permanent marker          

  • Pencil pouch – best with 3-holes to fit into binder

  • Colored pencil- 12 pack- standard

  • Two packs of Post its

  • USB flash drive labeled with students name in permanent ink (for school use only)

Also helpful for a successful year will be a happy smile, a willing attitude, and open lines of communication.  Students should see their teacher or school counselor immediately if  they are having any problems.  We will be happy to help as much as possible, but students need to let us know that they need our help.

 
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Sandra G. Reid, Principal

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John Bowman, 7th Grade Administrator

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Phone: 887-5270 Fax: 668-5237

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