April 2013

Erie Middle School Tiger Community,

TCAP Assessments have concluded for the 2012 -2013 school year!! The students worked very hard during the assessment period. We are very confident they did well on the TCAPs. Thanks to the students for their outstanding effort, thanks to parents for making sure their students were well rested and sending us such wonderful students, and thanks to the teachers who had our students very well prepared to take the TCAP tests. We would also like to send out a special thank you to all the parents and PTO for contributing snacks and juices and water for the students during testing. The renovation project is moving along nicely. With all of the great weather, the workers have been able to stay on schedule. Our next renovation meeting will be Monday, April 8th at 6:00 in our library. Please stop by to see the progress and gather information on the renovation. The fourth quarter is a busy time: field trips are planned at each grade level, there are upcoming concerts, and there are many after school activities like track, MESA and NJHS that are in full swing. We will keep the website and weekly announcements up to date with these events. With only 7 weeks of school left after Spring Break, I am challenging the teachers and students to finish strong. We have had a great first three quarters of the school year; now we need to finish strong making it an outstanding school year. I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable Spring Break. As always, if you have questions, concerns, or thoughts, please dont hesitate to call me.

Sincerely Todd Bissell EMS Principal

Todd Bissell - Principal Staci HoopleAssistant Principal Pat Atwood - Secretary Kimberly JacobsCounselor Genaro VillarealCounselor Website http://.ems.svvsd.org Email: last name_first name@svvsd.org Office Hours 7:00 - 3:30 pm
All visitors now need to be buzzed into the building by a school staff member. The camera and door bell are located to the right of the main doors. All visitors will still be required to check in at the front office and show identification. This new system will allow all of the outside doors to be locked during the school day.

NJHS 3-ON-3 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

WHAT: DOUBLE ELIMINATION HALF COURT 3-ON-3 TOURNAMENT WHO: FOR ALL 6TH, 7TH AND 8TH GRADERS AND TEACHERS

LATE START/PLC DAYS: April 10 May 21 School will start at 10:30 with doors opening at 10:20. Busses will run 2 1/2 hours later than normal.

WHEN: FRIDAY, APRIL 12TH, 6:00 TO 9:00 WHERE: EMS WEE GYM WHY: HAVE FUN WHILE RAISING MONEY FOR BREAST CANCER RESEARCH THE COST IS $5 PER TEAM (4 PLAYERS) AND $1 ADMISSION. TEAM SIGN UP SHEETS CAN BE FOUND IN THE MAIN OFFICE. EACH PERSON IN ATTENDANCE WILL GET A RAFFLE TICKET TO SHOOT A FREE THROW FOR PRIZES. COME ENJOY A NIGHT OF GOOD CLEAN FUN AND CHEER ON YOUR FAVORITE TEAM.

Important Dates:
April 1 - April 5 - Spring Break April 8 - Art Club - 3:10 - 4:15 pm April 8 - Tiger Lily Select Womens Choir - 3:15 - 4:00 pm April 8 - Track Meet at Home - 3:30 pm April 8 - School Accountability Committee Meeting/ Building Renovation Update - 6:00 pm Library April 8 - PTO Meeting - 7:00 pm - Library April 9 - MESA Fieldtrip - Wings over the Rockies Museum April 9 - Academic Assistance - 3:05 - 4:05 pm April 9 - Student Council - 3:15 - 3:45 pm (Room A105 - Ms. deWittes room) April 9 - Track Practice - 3:15 - 4:45 pm April 10 - Late Start Day - School starts at 10:30 am April 10 - Renaissance Assemblies for quarter 3 April 10 - Odyssey of the Mind Practice - 3:00 - 4:30 pm April 10 - MESA Meeting - 3:15 - 4:45 pm April 10 - Track Meet at Sunset Middle School - 3:30 pm April 11 - Academic Assistance - 3:05 - 4:05 pm April 11 - NJHS Meeting - 3:15 - 4:00 pm April 11 - Track Practice - 3:15 - 4:45 pm April 11 - Odyssey of the Mind Practice - 5:45 - 7:30 pm April 12 - Touch Rugby - 3:15 - 4:15 pm April 12 - Track Practice - 3:15 - 4:15 pm - Optional April 15 - Track Practice - 3:15 - 4:45 pm April 16 - SCHOOL DANCE - 3:00 - 4:45 pm April 16 - Academic Assistance - 3:05 - 4:05 pm April 16 - Track Practice - 3:15 - 4:45 pm April 17 - Odyssey of the Mind Practice - 3:00 - 4:30 pm April 17 - Outdoor Education Chaperone Meeting - 3:30 - 4:30 pm April 17 - Track Meet at Longs Peak Middle School - 3:30 pm April 18 - Gene Yang, Author visit to EMS April 18 - FACS Cooking Lab - 3:05 - 4:30 pm April 18 - Parent/Teacher Conferences - 3:15 - 7:15 pm April 19 - FACS Bake Sale - before and after school April 19 - 6th Grade District Track Meet at Lyons Middle/Senior High - 3:30 pm April 19 - Touch Rugby - 3:15 - 4:15 pm April 22 - Volunteer Appreciation - 2:30 - 3:30 pm - EMS Library April 22 - Art Club - 3:10 - 4:15 pm April 22 - Tiger Lily Select Womens Choir - 3:15 - 4:00 pm April 22 - Track Practice - 3:15 - 4:45 pm April 23 - Academic Assistance - 3:05 - 4:05 pm April 23 - Student Council - 3:10 - 3:45 pm April 23 - Track Meet at Frederick High School - 3:30 pm

Important Dates:
April 24 - 6th grade leaves for Outdoor Education trip April 24 - Track Practice - 3:15 - 4:45 pm April 25 - Academic Assistance - 3:05 - 4:05 pm April 25 - Track Practice - 3:15 - 4:45 pm April 26 - Track Practice - 3:15 - 4:15 pm April 26 - Touch Rugby - 3:15 - 4:15 pm April 27 - District Track Meet at Longmont High School April 29 - Art Club - 3:10 - 4:15 pm April 29 - Tiger Lily Select Womens Choir - 3:15 - 4:00 pm April 30 - Academic Assistance - 3:05 - 4:05 pm April 30 - Student Council - 3:10 - 3:45 pm April 30 - NJHS Induction - 6:30 pm May 1 - Late Start Day - School starts at 10:30 am May 1 - Orchestra Concert - 7:00 pm - EMS Cafetorium

Wanted a few good men and women to support Erie Middle School. We are looking for a couple of individuals willing to serve on the next PTO. We need a couple of Board Members and a Free Money coordinator. If you would be interested in serving or want more details in what the position encompasses, please contact Jennifer White at jenwhite522@hotmail.com or 720-4348538. Thank you!

There are ways for your student to peacefully settle conflicts without fighting, without running away, and without going against their feelings or beliefs. 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.

Counseling News
The Erie Middle School Renaissance program will host an assembly on April 10th to acknowledge our students accomplishments for 3rd quarter.

Bring all of your recycled items to the EMS Counseling Office from April 1 April 30th. This year we have collected almost $1500 in FREE MONEY from recycled items and box tops. This money has been used to go towards teacher grants for their classrooms. Thank you for your continued support. Sherry R. - Free Money Coordinator

Do you know a child who would love the opportunity to play a sport, participate in the arts or go to camp?
Activities 4 All is dedicated to giving every child a chance to play sports and participate in youth activities. Our mission is to encourage kids in Erie, CO to play youth sports or participate in activities by removing the barrier of registration fees and equipment costs. We provide support for families in need by providing financial assistance to cover these costs. Applications are available for children kindergarten through high school on our website at http://www.a4aerie.org/

6th Grade
Avery Fabre's smile brightens up the classroom each and every day. She is very kind and considerate. She is very focused on her school work and excels in helping others. She is a wonderful example to for everyone to follow. Keep up the good work Avery! The 6th grade teachers think Cody Buckley is a perfect candidate for Student of the Month. Not only does he produce maximum effort on his work in his classes - he goes out of his way to be kind and thoughtful towards others and Erie Middle School. It is not unusual to see Cody coming in early to class and getting things ready for his classmates. If he sees trash on the ground he will quickly pick it up and throw it away. We think that Cody's quiet leadership is a big plus for all of Erie Middle School!

7th Grade
The 7th Grade Girl Student of the Month is Alison Rudy. Alison is kind, considerate, and actively tries her best in all her classes. Alison has a unique perspective on the world, and offers her insights during discussions. She is also a gifted writer, clearly and creatively communicating her thoughts and ideas. Although new to EMS this year, Alison has integrated into the Erie community easily, and is a friend to all. Keep up the great work, Alison! The 7th Grade Student of the Month is Calvin Maryland. Calvin always adds unique perspectives to class discussions. He strives to be thorough in anything he attempts and has a good sense of humor. Way to go Calvin.

8th Grade
Madelyn Keeth has consistently demonstrated excellence in and out of the classroom. Her diligence, attention to detail, and strong work ethic are recognized by her classmates, and appreciated by her teachers. Maddie is polite, attentive, and always ready to lend a hand to others. We thoroughly enjoy and appreciate having Maddie as a student here at Erie Middle. Way to go Maddie! Noah Da Cunha is always polite and has a smile and a good attitude. His consideration and kindness have been noticed by his teachers and classmates and are a pleasant contribution to his classes. Thanks Noah!

Each of these students have been honored with a free pizza for lunch on the last Friday of the month. Please congratulate these students if you see them!

Lunch Secondary - $2.75 Reduced: Grades K-2 - No Charge / Grades 4-12 - $.40 Individual Milk, Juice, or Water (for sack lunches) - $.50 each