February newsletter

Parents want their children to succeed, but their kids didn't come with an opera-

tion manual. It is up to us as school leaders to advise parents. After all, if we

don't, who will?

What Parents Can Do:

Attendance is a key to success. Get your child to school on time every day.

Read and tell stories to your child, even if it is a short excerpt from a newspaper

or magazine.

Engage your child in two-way conversation. How parents interact and converse

with children makes a huge difference in their acquisition of academic vocabu-

lary.

Show an interest in your child's education. Ask him or her how their day at

Mowat went.

Monitor homework. Ask to see your child's homework and go over it with them.

Praise effort and hard work, not ability and talent. If your child succeeds, his or

her success is due to Time and Effort. If your child does poorly, encourage him or

her to work harder. Ask your child if he or she needs extra help or tutor-

ing. Mowat offers free tutoring every Wednesday and Thursday afternoon in

Portable #1 from 3:30 to 4:30.

Send the message that education is a lifelong pursuit and

encourage your child to think about education and train-

ing after high school. Periodically ask your child the ques-

tion, "what do you want to do for a living when you grow

up?"

I hope these suggestions help.

Mowat Middle School F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 4 V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 6

Ed Sheffield

Principal

Cynthia Walker

Assistant Principal

Angela Reese

Administrative

Assistant

Elizabeth Swedlund

Administrative

Assistant

Mowat Guidance

767-4041

Crystal Wicker A-K

Nancy Smith L-Z

Office 850-767-4040

Fax 850-265-2179 Principal’s Corner by Ed Sheffield

Dates to Remember

PBS Reward Day– 2-14

Progress Reports- 2/28

FCAT Writes– 2/25-26

P A G E 2

“It is the supreme art

of the teacher to

awaken joy in creative

expression and

knowledge.”

Albert Einstein

Please be kind...some

noses are sensitive to

certain perfumes, co-

logne, and/or body

sprays. Remember to

keep to a minimum.

M O W A T M I D D L E S C H O O L

Go Mustangs! School Lunch

Breakfast: $1.50

Lunch:$2.50

For free and reduced meals contact

the school for an application. For

paying online go to

www.schoolpaymentsolutions.com

You will need your student’s 10-

digit school identification number.

Yearbooks are on sale for $50

Go to www.yearbookordercenter.com

to place your order. OR

Bring cash or check to Mrs. Vaughn in room 505.

Make checks payable to Mowat

Yearbook.

T-Shirt Days

February 14th

February 28th

Sign up online

http://www.bay.k12.fl.us/Parents/

ParentPortal.aspx

7th graders….Make

certain your shot

records are up to

date!

SGA

SGA is holding its annual

fundraising drive for the

Leukemia and Lymphoma

Society from now un-

til February 14th. All pro-

ceeds will be donat-

ed. Students are encour-

aged to bring change to

place in their sixth period

teacher's collection

box. The sixth period class

that collects the most do-

nations will win a pizza par-

ty for lunch on February

28th. Start looking for

some extra change and

bring it in to help us make

a difference!

http://www.yearbookordercenter.com

http://www.bay.k12.fl.us/Parents/ParentPortal.aspx

http://www.bay.k12.fl.us/Parents/ParentPortal.aspx

Beta Club will conduct its annual Candy

Gram for Valentine's Day. The grams will

be sold by members during lunches. These

will be distributed in a similar manner

on Feb. 14th.

P A G E 3 V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 6

PBS, Positive Behavior Supports, is in it’s third year at Mowat.

Each month, Mustangs learn a new character trait that exemplifies the acronym

RACE (Respect, Act responsibly, Care for others, Engaged). As Mustangs pre-

pare for high school and beyond, they are becoming responsible and building

character. Students are able to earn RACE tickets randomly when caught fol-

lowing school rules or being a good citizen. Caught Reading tickets are earned

by students caught reading during less structured time such as lunch or before

school. Weekly drawings are held for prizes such as $10 Itunes cards, restau-

rant gift cards, candy ,trinkets, etc. A selection of novels is available to those

names drawn for Caught Reading. If you would like to donate prizes or funds to

assist with this ongoing program, please contact Angela Reese, Administrative

Assistant, 767-4040.

Mowat will NOT BE ALLOWING

BLACK PANTS. Like always, bot-

toms must be khaki, denim (indigo

blue) or navy blue. If students wear

hoodies (tops with hoods that must

be pulled over their heads), they

MUST be either a Mowat hoodie or

plain navy blue, yellow or

white. Students will be required to

remove any non-dress code

hoodie. If your student gets cold in

the classroom now, or

as you are purchasing clothing for

the fall, be sure they have a jacket that

fastens in the front with a

zipper or buttons (must unzip all the

way, not partial zipper). If

your student has holes in his or her

pants, even the decorative

variety, they will be required to

change into another pair of

pants--which parents will be called to

bring--regardless of where the

holes are located.

There have been comments in the

News Herald that the dress code is

confusing, so I wanted to clarify

things for Mowat families. The only

change in our dress code is that

students no longer are required to

tuck in their shirts. They still have

to wear belts. They still

must wear a collared shirt in

Mowat colors: navy blue, yellow or

white, or Mowat spirit t-shirts. The

district dress code policy

allows for black pants at the discre-

tion of the principal; however,

Dress Code Mustang’s

RACE

Respect

Act Responsibly

Care for Others

Engaged

Class RotationClass RotationClass Rotation

Rotation 1: 1,2,3,4,5,6Rotation 1: 1,2,3,4,5,6Rotation 1: 1,2,3,4,5,6



What do you do when

the grass gets

high?

GO MOWAT!!!

!

Mustangs

RACE!

7th Grade

The seventh grade class is selling

Sonic discount cards from now un-

til February 28th. The card is $5,

and Mowat will be able to keep

EVERY bit of the $5! There are

great deals on the card which eas-

ily add up to more than

$5. Please see a seventh grade

student or contact me if you woul

like to purchase a card or

cards. They make great birthday

gifts or would be a nice treat to

give for an awesome report

card! The top seller in the seventh

grade will win $25 cash, and the

top selling class will win a pizza

party. Buy your Sonic cards to-

day! Denise Hinson

at [email protected]

PTO has been busy this year. We have had several fundraisers and

have funded several items including four sets of Sunshine State

Books for classrooms and Four sets of Scholastic magazines to be

used in classrooms as well.

We will be having a PaPa John's pizza fundraiser again

from February 11-13. Any online orders and phone orders earn

Mowat money. Just place your order during those dates and use the

code MOWAT to help us earn extra money.

Prevent Cyberbullying

*Be Aware of What Your Kids

are Doing Online

*Establish Rules about

Technology Use

*Understand School Rules

P A G E 4

Library Hours

The media center is open before school on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. It is open after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Students who stay after school to work in the media center must have a ride and be picked up by 4:30.

Mustang Sports

Schedule

V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 6 P A G E 5

Prevent Cyberbullying From: www.stopbullying.gov

Be Aware of What Your Kids are Doing Online

Talk with your kids about cyberbullying and other online issues regularly.

Know the sites your kids visit and their online activities. Ask where they’re going, what they’re doing, and who they’re doing it

with.

Tell your kids that as a responsible parent you may review their online communications if you think there is reason for concern.

Installing parental control filtering software or monitoring programs are one option for monitoring your child’s online behavior,

but do not rely solely on these tools.

Have a sense of what they do online and in texts. Learn about the sites they like. Try out the devices they use.

Ask for their passwords, but tell them you’ll only use them in case of emergency.

Ask to “friend” or “follow” your kids on social media sites or ask another trusted adult to do so.

Encourage your kids to tell you immediately if they, or someone they know, is being cyberbullied. Explain that you will not take

away their computers or cell phones if they confide in you about a problem they are having.

Establish Rules about Technology Use

Establish rules about appropriate use of computers, cell phones, and other technology. For example, be clear about what sites

they can visit and what they are permitted to do when they’re online. Show them how to be safe online.

Help them be smart about what they post or say. Tell them not to share anything that could hurt or embarrass themselves or oth-

ers. Once something is posted, it is out of their control whether someone else will forward it.

Encourage kids to think about who they want to see the information and pictures they post online. Should complete strangers see

it? Real friends only? Friends of friends? Think about how people who aren’t friends could use it.

Tell kids to keep their passwords safe and not share them with friends. Sharing passwords can compromise their control over

their online identities and activities.

Understand School Rules

Some schools have developed policies on uses of technology that may affect the child’s online behavior in and out of the class-

room. Ask the school if they have developed a policy.

Tues. Feb. 4 North Bay Haven v. Mowat Tues. Feb. 4 North Bay Haven v. Mowat

Thurs. Feb. 6 Mowat v. Breakfast Pt. Thurs. Feb. 6 Mowat v. Breakfast Pt.

Monday Feb.10 Mowat v. Surfside Monday Feb.10 Mowat v. Surfside

Tues. Feb. 11 Bay Haven v. Mowat Tues. Feb. 11 Bay Haven v. Mowat

Thurs. Feb. 13 Mowat v. Jinks Thurs. Feb. 13 Mowat v. Jinks

Tues. Feb. 18 Everitt v. Mowat Tues. Feb. 18 Everitt v. Mowat

Thurs. Feb. 20 Post Season Rnd 1 @ higher seed school Thurs. Feb. 20 Post Season Rnd 1 @ higher seed school

Feb. 21 & 26 Rnd 2&3 @ Jinks Sat. Feb. 22 Rnd 2&3 @ NBH @ Harders

Balloons or Flowers Delivered to School:

We know that , as parents, we like to let our children know that they are

very special. We encourage you to continue to recognize your chil-

dren on special occasions, but we ask that you consider whether

school is the appropriate place to do so.

Students are NOT allowed to receive flowers and balloons during

school hours due to disruptions they may cause in classrooms,

around school, and on the buses.

THESE ITEMS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AT SCHOOL!

BYOD

Bay District Schools is committed to aiding students and staff in cre-

ating a 21st century learning environment. Students and staff will

now be able to access our wireless network with their personal mo-

bile devices ( laptops, netbooks, tablets, smartphones, etc) during

the school day. With classroom teacher approval, stu-

dents may use their own devices to access the in-

ternet and collaborate with other students. Stu-

dents may NOT have their devices out between

classes, before school, or in the classroom without

teacher permission. All devices are the responsibility of the

student; the school will not be held responsible for lost or damaged

devices.

Menus, nutrition information,

and prices can be found @

http://chartwells.compass-usa.com/BDS/Pages/SiteMenus.aspx

P A G E 6

Mowat Juniorettes

Is sponsoring a BOX TOPS

for EDUCATION drive.

Bring in box tops to first period

classes now through February

22nd. The class with the most box

tops gets an ice cream social.

earns cash for our school!

Attendance Line before and after school: 850-767-4042

If your student is absent for ANY reason, you must contact the school.

Chick-fil-a sandwiches are now

on sale in the cafeteria for $3.75

as an a la carte item.

http://chartwells.compass-usa.com/BDS/Pages/SiteMenus.aspx

Parent Pick-up/ Parking Please be mindful of those picking up/dropping off students in front of the gym. If you are parked

in the traffic pattern, you are impeding progress of those whose students are already in the pick-

up zone. Parent parking is available in our sand lot in front of the gym.

Please utilize this area if you know your child may

be running a little late in the afternoon.

**Note: Teacher parking is the lot directly in front of the gym.

Please avoid pick up and drop

off in our bus loading zone.

V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 6 P A G E 7

8th Graders and 8th Grade Parents:

FCAT Writing 2.0 is Tuesday, February 25th. Please make sure your student has a quality night's sleep on

the 24th, eats a nutritious breakfast on the 25th, and is on time for school that day. We want all of our stu-

dents to be relaxed and prepared to do well.

Band Notes

Charms

Charms Office is the website we use to communicate everything regarding the Mowat Band Program.

*Please be sure to log in and update your contact info so that you receive all weekly updates and monthly

newsletter emails as well as special event notifications.

Charms works on any computer connected to the internet, from anywhere in the world!

https://www.charmsoffice.com/

Login: mowatmsband

Password: student id #

Volunteers

Thank you to all of the parents that have and continue to volunteer in our concession stand. Your time and

dedication is very much so appreciated!

Parent Volunteers are needed throughout the year! Come join us in our concession stand or chaperon an

event to help the Mowat Band program run more smoothly. Opportunities are available throughout the

year. You may sign up on www.charmsoffice.com anywhere there is a helping hand on the calendar. Be

sure you have also turned in a Bay District Schools Volunteer Form. Many hands make light work!

All County Honor Band

Congratulations to the following students for auditioning, being selected, preparing, and performing an incredible con-

cert with only 8 rehearsal hours on Friday, January 24th with the 2014 Bay County Middle School All County Honor

Band!

Alto Sax

2nd Pierce Eadie

4th Jessie Wingen

8th Lindsey Beauchamp

Contra Bass Clarinet

1st Emily Weathersby

Bass Clarinet

2nd Penny Swanson

Bari Sax

1st Cam Walker

Oboe

1st Joshua Owens

Bb Clarinet

10th Katie Platt

15th D'Ante McCollum

Flute

1st Charlotte Kiehn

5th Hailey Anderson

7th Kaitlyn Weaver

8th Rose Coburn

Percussion

3rd Zoe Honnen

4th Gabriel Gravogel

5th Cameron James

Tuba

2nd Aaron Edwards

3rd Justin Martin

Trombone

3rd Jake Hall

Trumpet

6th Geoffrey Gordon

MPA’s

The Florida Bandmasters Association, in conjunction with the Florida School Music Association, sponsors non-

competitive performance opportunities called Music Performance Assessments (MPA).

PURPOSE FOR BAND MUSIC PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENTS

To provide opportunities for students and directors to perform in an environment which provides critical evaluation

of its performance by noted experts in the field of band performance,

To provide the opportunity for students and directors to perform for their peers in a formal concert setting,

To provide a performance opportunity which will serve as a motivational goal for students and directors,

To provide an opportunity for students and directors to hear performances of their peers and learn from hearing

those performances, and to provide a goal which is so compelling that the preparation for attaining that goal be-

comes the vehicle for continued growth and to demonstrate students' abilities to apply musical fundamentals and

concepts in an ensemble performance setting.

February 3 FBA Rehearsal 3:30 – 5 PM

4 FBA Rehearsal 3:30 – 5 PM


7 Solo & Ensemble Music Performance Assessment in Graceville

8 FBA Essentials of Musicianship 8 AM – 12 Noon



Percussion Clinic @ Bozeman




22 FBA Essentials of Musicianship with Mr. Ventura 8 AM – 12 Noon




Wish List

Tissues; Clorox Wipes; Paper towels

Documents

February newsletter