October 2012

Erie Middle School Tiger Community, I hope everyones school year is off to great start. We have had a lot of activities at Erie Middle School to get the year started well. The new science labs look wonderful! On October 12, there will be a lot of movement: our sixth grade Science classes will move into their new rooms in the sixth grade wing; Mrs. Flynns classes will move from the stage to room C105 in the eighth grade hallway; Mr. Tylers orchestra classes will move to the stage. The 6th grade computer lab will be completed at this time as well. During Parent/Teacher Conferences, please feel free to look at these new rooms. Thank you for your patience during this renovation project. PTO and SAC (Student Accountability Committee)/Renovation Update had their first meetings on September 10th. PTO discussed how parents may assist in keeping and making Erie Middle School a great place of learning for the students. SAC is looking at the school goals for accreditation for the upcoming school year. During our SAC meetings I will be giving an update on our renovation project. If you are interested in joining either of these two organizations, we will be meeting the first Monday of each month. SAC starts at 6 PM in the Cafetorium and PTO starts at 7 PM in the Library. In October, we need to move the SAC/Renovation meeting to Tuesday October 2nd at 6 PM. The magazine fundraiser was very successful. The students showed a high level of participation and raised over $11,000 for our school. Congratulations to the following top-selling classes: Mrs. Gruen and Mrs. Saless 6th grade Advisory classes, Mrs. Jensen 7th grade period 1, and Mrs. Lienert and Mr. Ballinger 8th grade Period 1. Thank you to everyone who participated. We are in the middle of October count. The school district gets funds from the state according to our student count. It is very important that we have strong attendance during the two week window of September 24-October 8 so that our student count is as accurate as possible. Parent teacher conferences are coming up on October 8th, 9th, and 11th from 3:15 to 7:30 pm. Please contact teachers if you would like to set up a meeting time to discuss your childs progress. The Erie Middle School book fair will be going on at this time as well. We look forward to seeing you! Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns. 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
District Policy: All parents/visitors entering the building must bring in identification and sign in at the Main Office.

Be an EMS ALL STAR Come to the BOOK FAIR!

Come check out the book fair, October 5th 11th. It will be open 8 am 3:30 pm every day and until 7:30 pm on the 8th, 9th & 11th for conferences. Stop by, pick up a great book and support our EMS library!

LATE START/PLC DAYS: October 3 November 7 December 5 JanuaryNO LATE START February 6 March 6 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.

Students, make sure to check out our display case and see your EMS staff All Stars! Staff members will be watching for All Star Readers in the next few weeks. They will be passing out reading tickets for special prize drawings each day of the fair, so make sure you have a book to read.

Parents, stop by and see us before or after your conferences. Pick up a book for yourself or visit our teacher wish lists. Our students really appreciate the variety of books available in their classrooms. Gift certificates may also be purchased for your teacher. Please see the included attachment.

Online and EStoria purchase options are available. All online orders will be shipped to the school and distributed to your student. Please use the following link to our book fair website. You need to order through this site for our library to get credit. http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/eriemiddleschool1

Thank you for supporting our library! If you have any questions or would like to volunteer, please contact Penny Monroe at Monroe_penny@svvsd.org.

Teacher Donation Gift Certificate

Help our teachers build classroom libraries To: _______________________________________________________________________

From: _____________________________________________________________________
(Circle amount)

$5

$10

$15

Other ______________

Please send cash or a check made out to EMS for the amount of your donation. Bring it to the book fair during conferences or give it to Penny Monroe in the library. For credit card donations, please visit the book fair.

Thank you!
ATTN CASHIERS: This certificate is for teacher wish list donations only. It may not be used by students for personal use. Please verify money amount and list all gift certificates on the log before distributing to the teacher. Date rcvd: _________________ Cashier initials: __________________

The Yearbook staff is currently selling yearbooks for our early bird price of $20.00. You can buy them through the EMS website (scroll down to the 'Yearbook' tab) or through forms kept in the library here at school. The price will go up in December. Keep in mind, we sold every single yearbook available last year, so if your student wants one, now's the time to buy. Thank you, Brian McDonald EMS Yearbook Sponsor

Important Dates:
October 1 - Art Club - 3:10-4:15 pm October 1 - Boys Basketball Practice - 3:15 - 4:45 pm October 1 - Cross Country Practice - 3:15 - 4:15 pm October 1 - Tiger Lily Select Womens Choir - 3:15 - 4:00 pm October 1 - PTO Meeting - 7:00 pm October 2 - Academic Assistance - 3:05 - 4:05 pm October 2 - Student Council - 3:10 - 3:45 pm October 2 - Boys Basketball Practice - 3:15 - 4:45 pm October 2 - Cross Country Practice - 3:15 - 4:15 pm October 2 - SAC & Renovation Update Meeting - 6:00 pm - All parents invited October 3 - LATE START/PLC Day - School starts at 10:30 am October 3 - Boys Basketball Practice - 3:15 - 4:45 pm October 3 - Cross Country Practice - 3:15 - 4:15 pm October 4 - Cross Country Meet @ Sandstone Ranch - 3:00 pm October 4 - Academic Assistance - 3:05 - 4:05 pm October 4 - FCS Cooking Lab - 4:05 - 5:00 pm October 4 - Good Movie/Better Book - 3:05 - 4:30 pm October 4 - Boys Basketball Practice - 3:15 - 4:45 pm October 5 - FCS Bake Sale - 7:30 - 8:00 am & 3:00 - 3:15 pm October 5 - Book Fair Open - 8:00 am - 3:00 pm October 5 - Boys Basketball Practice - 3:15 - 4:45 pm October 8 - Book Fair Open - 8:00 am - 7:30 pm October 8 - Parent/Teacher Conferences - 3:15 - 7:15 pm October 9 - Picture Retakes - 7:30 am - 10:30 am October 9 - Book Fair Open - 8:00 - 7:30 pm October 9 - Parent/Teacher Conferences - 3:15 - 7:15 pm October 10 - Book Fair Open - 8:00 am - 3:30 pm October 10 - Boys Basketball Practice - 3:15 - 4:45 pm October 11 - Last day of Quarter 1 October 11 - Book Fair Open - 8:00 - 7:30 pm October 11 - Parent/Teacher Conferences - 3:15 - 7:15 pm October 12 - No School October 15 - First day of Quarter 2 October 15 - Art Club - 3:10 - 4:15 pm October 16 - Academic Assistance - 3:05 - 4:05 pm October 16 - Student Council - 3:10 - 3:45 pm October 16 - Boys Basketball Practice - 3:15 - 4:45 pm October 17 - Boys Basketball Game at Sunset Middle School - 3:30 pm October 18 - Academic Assistance - 3:05 - 4:05 pm October 18 - Good Movie/Better Book - 3:05 - 4:30 pm October 18 - Boys Basketball Practice - 3:15 - 4:45 pm

Important Dates Continued:

October 18 - FCS Cooking Lab - 3:05 - 5:00 pm October 19 - FCS Bake Sale - 7:30 - 8:00 am & 3:00 - 3:15 pm October 19 - Boys Basketball Practice - 3:15 - 4:45 pm October 22 - Boys Basketball Practice - 3:15 - 4:45 pm October 22 - Tiger Lily Select Womens Choir - 3:15 - 4:00 pm October 23 - Academic Assistance - 3:05 - 4:05 pm October 23 - Student Council - 3:10 - 3:45 pm October 23 - Boys Basketball Practice - 3:15 - 4:45 pm October 23 - 8th Grade Band Concert - 7:00 pm (Erie MIDDLE School Cafetorium) October 24 - MESA Meeting - 3:15 - 4:45 pm - West Portable (Williams Classroom) October 24 - Boys Basketball Game at HOME against Mead Middle School - 3:30 pm October 24 - District Middle School Honor Choir Auditions - 3:15 - ?? October 25 - Quarter 1 grades sent home with students October 25 - Academic Assistance - 3:05 - 4:05 pm October 25 - Boys Basketball Practice - 3:15 - 4:45 pm October 25 - NJHS Meeting - 3:15 - 4:00 (Cafetorium) October 26 - Boys Basketball Practice - 3:15 - 4:45 pm October 29 - Art Club - 3:10 - 4:15 pm October 29 - Boys Basketball Practice - 3:15 - 4:45 pm October 29 - Tiger Lily Select Womens Choir - 3:15 - 4:00 pm October 30 - 6th Grade Fact-a-thon Launch - 9:45 am - 10:45 am October 30 - Academic Assistance - 3:05 - 4:05 pm October 30 - Student Council - 3:10 - 3:45 pm October 30 - Boys Basketball Practice - 3:15 - 4:45 pm October 31 - Boys Basketball Game at Altona Middle School - 3:30 pm

Looking for Parent Volunteers

EMS is looking for parent volunteers to help with the score book and score board/clock for our home athletic events. If this is something you are interested in helping with, please contact Staci Hoople at hoople_stacica@svvsd.org.

6th Grade
Emily Hogan is a wonderful student who always shows a passion for learning. She makes great connections to the real world and she helps get great discussions started. Her quality of work is top notch and Erie Middle School is proud to have her. Congrats Emily! Aidan Hoskinson is a wonderful example of what ROAR look like. He is respect to staff, teachers, and fellow students. He is organized by turning in his homework and keeping track of it in his binder. Aidan achieves by doing his best in core classes and electives. He builds relationships because he is kind to his peers and people he meets in the hallway. Way to go Aidan!

7th Grade
In seventh grade, our Girl of the Month is kind to others and tries her best: Ellie Callahan. If you know Ellie, you know that she always has a bright smile for you, and kindness to extend. Great job, Ellie! Keep up the great attitude and cheerful presence! Our seventh grade Boy of the Month is Hunter Owens. Hunter is focused on his work and always ROARS in class. Hunter contributes by raising his hand, and looks for ways to improve his writing. Hunter helps out often and is respectful to others. Way to ROAR, Hunter!

8th Grade
Tayla Hatler has started off this year well! She has shown a strong work ethic, contributes in class, and has impressed her teachers and other students. Tayla is willing to take on a challenge and take the extra steps needed to go above and beyond expectations. Way to go, Tayla! Keep up the great work! Alec Benge has consistently demonstrated excellence in the classroom. His diligence, attention to detail, and strong work ethic are recognized by his classmates, and appreciated by his teachers. He is polite, attentive, and always ready to lend a hand to others. We thoroughly enjoy having Alec as a student here at Erie Middle; great job, Alec!

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

SVVSD Gifted/Talented Information

Each year, schools in St. Vrain Valley School District complete a process to identify students who demonstrate exceptional ability or performance in one or more academic areas and may, therefore, qualify for Gifted/Talented educational services. These students usually perform at least two years above grade level in their strength area(s) and require additional academic challenges in order to support their continued educational growth and progress. In addition, they usually demonstrate characteristics of unique creativity and high motivation in their strength areas.

The search for gifted/talented students begins with an opportunity for parents and/or teachers to refer students for review. Once referrals are received, a team of educators reviews student CSAP data, standardized test scores, rating scales and other school data to determine student eligibility.

If you believe that your child qualifies and would benefit from district Gifted/Talented services, please pick up a nomination form from your school office, or contact your schools Gifted/Talented resource teacher or liaiso: Amy Simms (simms_amy@svvsd.org). If you would prefer to complete this nomination online, please go to tinyurl.com/SVVSDGTNomination -Amy Simms Erie Middle School 8th Grade English Gifted and Talented

The nextPTO meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 1st at 7:00 pm. Everyone is invited to attend. All PTO meetings will be held in the Erie Middle School Library.

I dont have any homework tonight. Sound Familiar? Many middle school students say this to their parents in hopes of spending their evening playing video games or talking on the phone.

Recent studies have shown that childrens success in school depends as much on their parents as on their teachers. As a parent you are their most important teacher. As they grow your children constantly look up to you as a role model and for guidance. Your role as a teacher should never end especially when they enter school.

Some parents have made this rule: Theres no such thing as no homework. If there truly isnt an assignment from school, these parents create one. Some parents ask their student to do some research on a topic of interest. Then, have him or her report back one thing they have learned. Others ask their student to read or journal for an hour before commencing with play time. Parents have found that when their student understands that they mean business, their student often remembers that he or she does have some homework after all. Parent tips to help their students: -Help your student develop goals -Be available to aid them when they need your help -Advise them and give them your support -Praise your children when they have done something well -Help them visualize success and acknowledge their progress

Counseling News
During the week of Oct 20th is Red Ribbon week. This is a great time for students and parents to pledge themselves to a drug/ alcohol/tobacco free life style. Red Ribbon Celebration brings millions of people together to raise awareness regarding the need for alcohol, tobacco and other drug and violence prevention, early intervention, and treatment services. It is the largest, most visible prevention awareness campaign observed annually in the United States.

The counseling office is open from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m, daily.

On Sunday, September 23rd, 7th and 8th grade National Junior Honor Society members volunteered to clean a two-mile stretch of road in Erie. Mrs. Jensen would like to thank all of the kids who picked up an amazing collection of trach, and the supportive parent volunteers who helped keep us safe. Students: Alec Benge, Ryin Brett, Jesi Buckley, Josh Cobb, Dylan Hackett, Emma Hassman, Tayla Hatler, Chris Jensen, Lauren Jensen, Maddie Keeth, Jim Martinez, Kelsi McDonald, Ian Meadows, Christian Palumbo, Matthew Pastor, Ryan Peng, Heather Raimo, Gretchen Riedel, Hannah Whittaker, Alex Ailey, Cameron Allen, Sam Beaudry, Ella Britt, Cambell Bynum, Peyton Bynum, Kyle Couper, McKayla Daniels, Kayla Davis, Dane Desai, Jeffrey Farineau, Jenna Gregg, Samantha Harris, Hollie Hoobler, Carrisa Josselyn, Kara Kovets, Houston Lair, Max Laychak, Sage Marten, Alex Mathis, Fischer Moore, Hunter Owens, Emily Pearson, Jade Phillips, Joy Sangroula, Hunter Strayer, Constantin van Doorn, Hannah Williams, Treyton Williams and Garrett Wilson. Parent Volunteers: Teri Benge, Joel Buckley, Justin Whittaker, Becca Britt, Andrea van Doorn, Darby Moore, Debbie Harris, Danielle Josselyn, Stephen Josselyn and Donna Pearson. The next road clean up with be on a Saturday in May 2013. If you know of any volunteer opportunities for the Nation Junior Honor Society group, please contact Traci Jensen at jensen_traci@svvsd.org.

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month & Day of the Dead with your family & children!!

Hispanic Heritage Month:

Did you know the Colorado arts community is celebrating this special month? Check out the link with some video!: http://www.9news.com/life/community/events/hispanicheritage/default.aspx Did you know are legislators are celebrating this special month? Check out the link: http://www.vivacolorado.com/noticias/ci_21564764/sen-michael-bennet-celebrates-hispanic-heritage-month? source=pkg Did you know the Broncos are celebrating this special month? Check out the link: http://blog.denverbroncos.com/denverbroncos/nfl-celebrates-hispanic-heritage-month/

Day of the Dead/Da de los Muertos, Longmont

Volunteer Sugar Skull Making Day Sunday, October 14, 1 to 4:30 pm Free admission Drop in to help make sugar skulls for the October 27 event! Groups of 8 or more, please call 303-651-8723 ahead of time. This is a really fun activity!!
Da de los Muertos Family Celebration

Saturday, October 27, 10 am to 5 pm Free admission Live entertainment, sugar skull decorating, traditional food, community altars, new exhibit displays, paper flower making, Da de los Muertos face painting, and Lady Catrina. Come dressed in your finest calaca (skeleton) apparel! A FANTASTIC EVENT!

EXHIBIT OPENINGS: Thursday, October 4, 7-9 pm

Opening Fiesta for La Ofrenda de los Muertos: Honoring the Days of the Dead. Honored guests: Sr. Consul General Andres Chao Ebergenyi, Consulate of Mexico at Denver, and Dennis Coombs, Mayor of Longmont. Admission $5, Free to Friends members

ianciola Spanish Erie Middle School

We will be starting a new Free Money contest on Monday, October 1st through Friday, October 26th. Every student that brings in one item to be recycled will be entered into a drawing for a free scoop of ice cream from Snowcap Creamery. We have a total of 10 certificates for ice cream. Also, EVERY student that participates in this contest will get a ROAR coupon that will be able to be used at our ROAR store. Items we will be collecting include: cell phones, ink cartridges, laptops, iPods, PDAs, video games & consoles, scientific and graphing calculators, digital cameras, DVDs, GPS, iPads/tablets/eReaders. Please bring your items with your name and 1st Period teacher or Advisory teachers name on it. Parents,

Several of you asked me for information regarding websites for Free Money:

Check out all of the following:

http://www.boxtops4education.com/ (overall website with list of products, school progress, etc) 2ways2earn.com (Safeway) btfe.com/hero btfe.com/clickandearn (watch 30 second videos for free box tops) btfe.com/bonus (sweepstakes) CFKtoday.com Let's earn that $25,000 bonus!!!

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