Erie Middle School, Pre AP Focus School

Todd Bissell, Principal

Dr. Rachel Heide, Assistant Principal

MAY 2016 NEWSLETTER

Erie Tiger Parents/Guardians,

As the school year draws to a close I'd like to look back at our accomplishments as a School community. We
have had outstanding Band, Orchestra, and Choir concerts. We had an above average number of students
chosen to represent EMS at District Music programs and at the All State Choir performance. Our Art program
was well represented at the District Art Show winning several 1st Place awards. This was the first year EMS
participated in the National History Day and Lego Robotics program. Once again, our students had excellent
projects that were noted by the judges. The Erie Middle School Brain Bowl Team did well in their
competition. I'm very proud of our athletics this year. Our athletes represented EMS with Pride as they
demonstrated a great deal of improvement throughout their seasons. Dr. Heide won the Colorado Assistant
Principal of the year award. A huge thank you to staff who sponsored or coached our students and to the
parents who support all our programs at EMS.
We have several events in May as we wind down the school year. As a reminder our events include;
NJHS Induction 5/5 6:30 pm EMS
6th Grade Choir Concert 5/10 7:00pm Erie High
7th Choir Concert 5/12 6:00 pm Erie High

8th Choir Concert 5/12 7:30 pm Erie High

7th and 8th Band Concert 5/18 7:00pm EMS
Orchestra Concert 5/19 7:00 pm Erie High
8th Grade Luau 5/20 7:00 pm EMS Cafetorium
8th Grade Bridge to High School 5/24 7:00 pm Erie High Auditorium

The past seven years at Erie Middle School have been extremely enjoyable. We, as a school community, have
collaboratively worked together to meet many challenges. With the growth of our school, we underwent a
major renovation while keeping our academics at a high level. We have worked together to get iPads into
our
students hands to enhance and enrich classes through technology. We won national awards for our
yearbook and Tigers Who Code Club. The staff at EMS has been committed to our Mission and Vision to
empower students to attain higher growth academically and socially to become productive members of
society and
serve as leaders. The staff is committed to developing the whole child in a nurturing and safe
environment. It is all about the students at EMS.
I'd like to thank the students at EMS. They are creative, fun, and respectful. I'd like to thank the teachers for
their devotion to the students and all the support they have show over the years. Thank you parents and
guardians for sending us outstanding students to work with. Your support over the years is second to none.
I wish the EMS Community a wonderful summer and much success in the future.

http://bit.ly/parentltp2016

Elective Team Solo Award

All elective students and students of the month will have their picture posted on
our Student of the Month bulletin board in the Main Office. They will also enjoy
a one topping large pizza on Friday, May 20th at their designated lunch times.
Students, please stop by the Main Office to let us know what kind of pizza you
would like.

Mr. Wallace is committed to excellence in his teaching. His

Physical Education class activities have an interdisciplinary
approach. The students use the iPads in class for warm up
exercises as well as class projects. Mr. Wallace stresses
physical activity throughout the school to create a healthy
school environment. Mr. Wallace has leadership roles within
Erie Middle School. He is the Team Leader for the elective
team. He represents them very well at all meetings. Mr.
Wallace is also the AR for all the teachers at EMS and
supports them very well. Mr. Wallace has volunteered to
cover the 8th grade PARCC/CMAS Parent Refusal Room
which has been a huge help during testing. Mr. Wallace,
thank you for all you do for the students, staff, and parents of
EMS.

Mr. Townsend is committed to excellence in his teaching. He

works with the students in several different aspects of art
from drawing and painting, to 2D and 3D art as well as
Digital Graphic Arts. Mr. Townsend influxes Art History into
every class so students understand a timeline of the
progression of art, artists, and artistic time periods. Students
are engaged and participate in class. Student artwork is
evident throughout the building. Mr. Townsend and his
students represented EMS at the District Art Show extremely
well. Mr. Townsend is willing to assist EMS in any way he
can by covering classes, helping with after school activities,
and being there for all staff members. Mr. Townsend, thank
you for all you do for the students, staff, and parents of EMS.

Monday

Tuesday

100 Mile Club

7:00 AM

Tigers Who Code

3:00-5:00 pm

Erie High School

Dance Team Parent
Meeting
(Mandatory)
6:30 PM
EHS Library

Chess Club
3:10-4:00 PM

LATE START
10:30 AM
BUSES 2 1/2 HRS.
LATER

11

17
100 Mile Club
7:00 AM
EMS
Volunteer Open
House
3:45-3:30 PM
EMS Library

Student Council
3:15-4:00 PM

6th Grade Choir

Concert
7:00 PM
EHS
EHS Dance Team
Tryouts
4:00-6:30 pm
EHS Large Gym

16

Soul Sisters
3:15-4:15 PM

13
Academic Assistance
3:00-4:00 PM

Washington D.C.
Informational Meeting
5:30 pm
Cafetorium

EHS Dance Team

Tryouts
4:00-6:30 pm
EHS Large Gym

100 Mile Club

7:00 AM

Academic Assistance
3:00-4:00 PM

7th & 8th Grade

Band Concert
7:00PM
Erie MS Large Gym

19
Academic Assistance
3:00-4:00 PM
EMS Orchestra
Concert
7:00 PM
Erie High School
Administrator
Reception
3:30-5:00 PM
EMS Library

23

24 8th Grade
Bridge to High School
7:00-9:00 PM
Erie High School
Auditorium

25
LAST DAY OF
SCHOOL

100 Mile Club

7:00 AM

7th Grade Choir

Concert
6:00 PM
EHS
8th Grade
Choir
Concert
7:30 PM
EHS

Chess Club
3:00-5:00 PM

100 Mile Club

7:00 AM

National Jr. Honor

Society Induction
Ceremony
6:30-8:00 PM
Large Gym

EHS Dance Team

Tryouts
4:00-6:30 pm
EHS Large Gym

18

Friday

Academic Assistance
3:00-4:00 PM

12
100 Mile Club
7:00 AM

Academic Assistance
3:00-4:00 PM

PTO Meeting
6:30 PM
EMS Library

EHS Dance Team

Tryout Clinic
5:00-6:30 pm
($5.00)
EHS Small Gym

Chess Club
3:10-4:00 PM
100 Mile Club
7:00 AM

Thursday

Student Council
3:00-4:00 PM

Academic Assistance
3:00-4:00 PM
ARC BUCK-A-BAG
7TH GRADE
FUNDRAISER
2:30-5:00 PM
10 Tigers Who Code
3:00-5:00 PM

Wednesday

Art Club
3:15-4:30 PM
7th Grade
Field Trip
Denver Museum of
Nature and Science
9:00-2:15 PM

20
100 Mile Club
7:00 AM
Renaissance
Assembly
8:10 AM
Art Club
3:15-4:30 PM
8th Grade Luau
7:00-9:00 PM

From the Counseling Office

There are ways for your student to peacefully settle conflicts without Resolving
conflicts peacefully helps keep your student safe, feeling good, and helps them
learn respect for others.
Following are some strategies your son or daughter can use to help them solve
conflicts peacefully:

First, calm down and decide whether there really is a significant

problem, then think of solutions, weigh the results and choose a
plan.

When meeting with the other person to settle the problem, be a good
listener.
Avoid interruptions and ask questions after the other
person has presented his or her side. Repeat what you have heard
to make sure you understand what the problem seems to be. Present
your side of the conflict.
Then negotiate a solution. It is
sometimes very helpful to have a third person who can be
impartial to help brainstorm ideas and develop solutions. This is
where your students school counselor can help.

The Erie Middle School Renaissance program will host its final assembly on
Friday, May 20th to acknowledge our students accomplishments for 4 th quarter.

Current WEB leaders will have a final celebration with their 6th graders
Tuesday, May 10th, 3:15-5:15pm, to wrap up the year.

HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!

A note from the Health Clerks desk:

7th grade field trip:

On Friday, May 13, 7th grade students are taking a trip to the Denver Museum of
Nature and Science.
If your student self carries an inhaler, please remind them to bring it on the field trip.

Regarding immunizations:
1.) Please continue to turn in your students updated immunization records. Per state requirements
every student by the age 13-years and older is to receive the Tdap vaccination. Thank you!

2.) As the school year comes to an end, we will be notifying parents of needed immunizations for
their students.

Regarding medications at school:

To families of students who have medication(s) at school, according to district guidelines, we are
unable to store medication over the summer. Please stop by the school to pick up your student's
medication(s) as the school year wraps up. If you need to stop by after the school year ends, office
staff will be in the office until Wednesday, June 15, 2016. After that we will be disposing of the
medications in the Health Office.
We will start fresh in August. New paperwork for medication at school will need to be filled out,
signed and turned in as we start the school year. Students that currently have an Individual Health
Plan for asthma, food allergies, etc. at school will receive paperwork to be filled out over the summer. In August, when dropping off medication, please remember a parent or guardian needs to
bring it in and it must be in the original container (prescription or over the counter.)
Please see the Permission for Medication included in this newsletter to use for medications during
the 2016-17 school year.
If you have any questions, please contact Nicole Meadows or Felicia Sanchez, the Health
Clerks at 303-828-3391 or meadows_nicole@svvsd.org or sanchez_felicia@svvsd.org

All Erie Middle School Volunteers

Volunteer Appreciation
Open House
Monday, May 16th
2:45-3:30 PM
EMS Library