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MARSTELLER MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME OF THE BULLDOGS
A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE FOR ALL
March is
Dear Marsteller Families
Our school year has gotten off to a great start and
our students are engaged in meaningful learning
experiences that support academic progress. The
Association of Middle Level Education discusses the
16 characteristics of a successful middle school:
o Educators value young adolescents and are
prepared to teach them
o Students and teachers are engaged in active,
purposeful learning
o Curriculum is challenging, exploratory,
integrative, and relevant
o Educators use multiple learning and
teaching approaches
o Varied and ongoing assessments advance
learning as well as measure it
o A shared vision developed by stakeholders
guides every decision
o Leaders are committed to and
knowledgeable about the age group
o Leaders demonstrate courage and
collaboration
o Organizational structures foster purposeful
learning and meaningful relationships
o The school environment is inviting, safe,
inclusive, and supportive of all
o Every student’s academic development is
guided by an adult advocate
o Comprehensive guidance and support
services meet the needs of young
adolescence
o Health and wellness are supported in
curricula, school-wide programs, and
related opportunities
o The school actively involves families in the
education of their children
o The school includes community and
business partners
Marsteller Middle School subscribes to these
important characteristics within the context of the
work we do each day. As a School to Watch we
are dedicated to academic excellence,
developmental responsiveness, social equity, and
the quality organizational structures that support
our commitment to student learning.
Have a wonderful school year!
Roberta Knetter, Ed.D.
14000 Sudley Manor Drive Bristow, VA 20136
Fall 2017 703.393.7608(p) 703.530.6327(f)
MARSTELLER MIDDLE SCHOOL “A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE FOR ALL”
MARSTELLER MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME OF THE BULLDOGS
WELCOME TEACHERS NEW TO MARSTELLER
Sara Correll – 8th grade Counselor Kathy Issa - French/Exploratory World Language Robin Kanefsky – Special Education Michele Leary – 6th grade LA/SS Kelly Nichols – 6th grade LA Ester Portillo – English Learners Programs Elizabeth Prevost – Special Education DJ Schooley – 8th grade Math Annie Washington - Special Education
SCHOOL COUNSELING NEWS
Explore Your High School Options, Check Out High School Specialty Programs
Eighth-grade students and their parents are invited to investigate the variety of specialty programs available
to students as high school options. View the PWCS Specialty Programs web page for more information:
https://www.pwcs.edu/academics___programs/specialty_programs
MARSTELLER MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME OF THE BULLDOGS
8th Grade Career Day is on Tuesday, November 21.
LIBRARY NEWS
Our book fair will take place from Fri, Oct 27 until Thurs, Nov 2.
Students that read at least 4 of the 10 VA Reader’s Choice Books are invited to the library for a celebration in
the spring.
The VA Readers Choice Middle School Books for the 2017-2018 school year are: Booked by Kwame Alexander The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin The War That Saved My Life by Bradley B. Kimberly Space Case by Stuart Gibbs House Arrest by K.A. Holt The Boys Who Challenged Hitler by Phillip Hoose Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson The Seventh Most Important Thing by Shelley Pearsall Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielsen We have several copies of each available in the library.
MARSTELLER MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME OF THE BULLDOGS
SCRIPPS NATIONAL SPELLING BEE
We are enrolled in the Scripps National Spelling Bee for the 2017-18 school year. The Spelling Bees will be
held in December: Dec 6 – 6th grade, Dec 7 – 7th grade, Dec 8th – 8th grade. The winners of each grade
level will compete at a later date. For more information please stop by the library or contact Kristy Gillespie:
Marsteller is hosting its first annual Color Run 5K on Saturday, November 4th at 8:30 AM. Participants will
receive a T-shirt, snack, and a color paint packet as a part of their registration. All abilities are welcome to
participate. Bring your siblings, parents, and friends to join in the fun! Look forward to running and getting
painted by your favorite members of the staff here at MMS.
MARSTELLER MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME OF THE BULLDOGS
CONCUSSION TRAINING
Face-to-face concussion training for the 2017-18 school year will be held
on January 9, and March 13. Please arrive between 6-6:15 PM to register.
The training will begin promptly at 6:30 PM. This training must be
attended by a student and one parent/guardian.
Parents and students who have already attended a face-to-face training
may take this year’s mandatory concussion training online, tap here for
the online training. Rising 6th grade and 9th grade students and students
new to PWCPS are not eligible for the Online training.
Tap or click here to go to the PWC page for more information on
mandatory concussion training.
ORDER A YEARBOOK
http://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1119769/Marsteller-
Middle-School/
IMPORTANT DATES
• • •
• Mon, Nov 6 – No School – Teacher Work day
• Tues, Nov 7 – No School – Teacher Work day
• Tues, Nov 7 - Touch Base – Teacher Conferences
• Fri, Nov 10 – No School – ALL Schools/Offices CLOSED - Veterans Day
• Wed, Nov 22 – Fri, Nov 24 – No School – ALL Schools/Offices CLOSED (Nov. 23/24)
• Fri, Dec 22 – Jan 1 – No School – Winter Break
• Mon, Jan 15 – No School – ALL Schools/Offices CLOSED – Martin Luther King Holiday
• For more info: Marsteller Middle School home page.
MARSTELLER MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME OF THE BULLDOGS
SPECIAL EDUCATION NEWS
Special Education: The special education staff works with identified students to support them academically
and socially. Each special education student is assigned a case manager (a special education teacher), who is
in regular contact with the student's parents. Every 4 and 1/2 weeks a progress report is sent to the student's
parents. We look forward to working with your child. Please call the special education staff with any questions.
SOCIAL STUDIES NEWS
In 8th grade Civics, students studied citizenship and the rights, responsibilities, and duties of citizens as well
as the traits of a good citizens. Students also produced posters and decorative cues showing off their newly
acquired knowledge. We are moving on to the study of foundational documents to our constitution and the
fundamental principles our country was created upon.
MARSTELLER MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME OF THE BULLDOGS
MATH NEWS
This year has started off with a bang! So far, we have had the opportunity to meet everyone at back to school night and students have been busy learning in class! Most classes have already taken their first math tests and students are accustomed to classroom routines. Teachers have also introduced their students to IXL, a program that allows students to answer math questions and see their mistakes if they miss a question. It is similar to the CAT styled SOL given in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. Students in sixth grade are now used to using lockers and switching classes and are busy learning about expressions and number sense. Students in 7th grade are learning about number sense while 7th extended students are learning about properties and expressions along with students in Pre-Algebra. Students in Pre-AP Algebra are learning about equations, and students in Geometry are learning about logic. Math club is also beginning their monthly meetings and learning about competitions they can compete in this year.
LANGUAGE ARTS NEWS
The only way to become a better reader, is to read! Encourage your child to read for a minimum of 15 minutes
per day. They can find great books in their school library or their teacher's classroom libraries. As in all things-
music, sports, and other talents, the way to improvement is practice. Studies also show students who read
outside of school perform better on tests and are good at connecting to other people since they learn to
connect with characters and can apply that to daily life. Get reading today!
MARSTELLER MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME OF THE BULLDOGS
SCIENCE NEWS Sixth grade science classes visited the Manassas Battlefield Park for their annual watershed experience field trip. Students learned about pollution and how it affects local streams and rivers that lead to the Chesapeake Bay, surveyed water quality by testing samples for dissolved chemicals, pH, and clarity. They also pulled insect larvae and other invertebrates from the stream to help determine the health of the stream. Seventh grade students in the math science program took a field trip to The Edge to work on teamwork and
problem-solving activities. Students are working on their studies of cell structure and cell processes.
Eighth grade math and science students will be taking a trip to iFLY Loudoun in November.
HEALTH AND PE NEWS The PE department has a new friend named Bacon. He will make appearances at sporting events, PE class, and around the building.
Request to follow him at: Twitter: MMS PE Piggie @pe_mms
Instagram: mms_pe_piggie
MARSTELLER MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME OF THE BULLDOGS
FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCE NEWS
FACS classes begin the quarter in the classroom lab. We explore topics involving financial literacy, clothing
care, and sewing. 7th grade also completes an “Egg Baby” project. Classes finish the quarter in the kitchen lab.
Food safety, knife safety, nutrition, spices, and weekly cooking projects make up the FACS kitchen curriculum.
SIGNET NEWS
The inquiry-based learning used in the SIGNET courses of study support increased levels of complexity, ensuring high-level learning, achievement and integrity for every student. The essential elements of the curriculum include study centers and individual and group work which fosters the curiosity of each student to become a life-long learner, problem solver and critical and independent thinker. The 6th Grade students will understand the meaning of giftedness is multi-faceted. Students will research the variety of perspectives and assumptions of giftedness and will realize that their gifted abilities can be used for the better of society. The 7th Grade students will be learning about survival techniques and will work collaboratively to resolve emergency situations. They will work with objects which will help with survival using interpersonal and rational problem-solving skills. Topics to be covered are: Subarctic survival, survival in the Cascade Mountains and desert survival.
MARSTELLER MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME OF THE BULLDOGS
The 8th Grade students will research a famous occurrence, scene or pop culture phenomenon which can be a historic, current or future event. They will construct a diorama by using Peeps for the characters of their chosen topic.
ART NEWS
Congratulations to the following students on having their artwork published in the 2017-2018 PWCS
Elementary and Middle School Calendar: Niya Manning, Jordan Swint, Morgyn Childs, Kaylie Kim (9th grade)
and Daria Kot (9th grade) whose artwork is on the cover!
The following students will have artwork on display at the Kelly Leadership Center through December:
Lauren Kelley, Morgyn Childs, Isabelle Samay and Lydney Pingol.
Eighth grade students who are interested in applying to Colgan High School’s Center for Fine and Performing
Arts are encouraged to attend their informational meeting and to look at the audition packet and portfolio
requirements, which is available online. Applications are due December 12 and auditions/portfolio reviews
will be scheduled for January.
MARSTELLER MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME OF THE BULLDOGS
CHORUS NEWS
The MMS Choral Dept. will kick off its concert season with the 8th grade Fall Concert on Thursday, October 12th at 7:00 PM here at Marsteller. Each of the four 8th Grade Choirs have learned several songs that they are excited to share with their audience. The Marsteller community is welcome and encouraged to attend. All County Chorus will take place October 20 and 21 at Forest Park HS. Marsteller will have 26 8th graders participate in this event. The concert will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday. The concert is free and open to the public. The MMS Music Dept. Fundraiser will begin October 10th and run through the 24th. We will once again sell Virginia Diner products. They specialize in peanut and other nut products of all kinds. This fund-raiser has become a staple in the Marsteller community because of the high-quality merchandise. The Band, Orchestra, and Chorus programs are all exclusively funded through this fund-raiser. The more successful it is, the more opportunities we can offer our students. Sheet music, instrument upkeep, and our choral accompanist are our greatest expenses. Please consider helping the Marsteller Middle School Music Department out! Donations are also appreciated.
NURSE NEWS
7th Grade Vision Screening held on October 18 &19, 2017
1 in 20 preschoolers and 1 in 4 school-aged children has a vision problem, and it is not always easy to detect.
Sometimes children have trouble seeing and don’t even realize they are seeing the world differently than others. Healthy
vision is important for learning and success in school. For most children, 80% of learning happens visually. Vision
problems can make it hard for children to read and learn, and unfortunately, many fall behind in school or show
behavioral problems. To make sure your child is vision ready for success in school, we scheduled vision screening for
students in 7th grade on Wednesday Oct. 18 and Thursday Oct. 19, 2017, during PE classes.
If your child does not pass the screening, the school nurse will send a letter home asking that you schedule a complete
eye exam for your child. If no concerns are detected, you will not receive a letter. If you have any questions or concerns
about the vision screening, please contact School Nurse, Janice Klein, at 703-393-7608.
MARSTELLER MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME OF THE BULLDOGS
Rights to Special Programs/Services This notice is intended to inform the community of a student’s right to a free, appropriate public education and the availability of programs and services, including a special education. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504) are federal laws that give the School Division certain responsibilities with respect to providing such educational programs to students with disabilities. Under the IDEA and Section 504, the School Division has the responsibility to actively and continuously identify, locate, and evaluate those children, infant to age 21, living in Prince William County who may be in need of special education and/or related services, or adaptations or accommodations to regular education services. These laws also require the School Division to: • Refer for possible evaluation any student of school age living in the School Division who a school staff member suspects may be disabled.
• Provide appropriate educational and school‐related opportunities to students with disabilities in an inclusive setting to the maximum extent appropriate.
• Provide notice of the availability of services and types and location of services to nearby private schools, pediatricians, and the Health Department.
• Provide parents/guardians of students with disabilities with notice of their rights annually, and prior to their student’s evaluation and placement, or any significant change in their student’s placement.
• Develop and implement procedural safeguards with respect to actions regarding the identification, evaluation, and placement of students with disabilities.
• Provide procedures for the reporting, investigation, and resolution of student complaints of discrimination or harassment based upon disability, which were revised by the School Division in April of 2016 and are contained in Regulation 738-1, “Complaint Procedures for Student Claims of Discrimination or Harassment.”
• Provide written notice of the School Division’s procedural safeguards to parents or guardians. If you suspect that your student may have a disability affecting your student’s development or academic performance,
or may have a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits a major life activity, please contact the Director of
Special Education at 703.791.7287 for further information.
