MPVAMS Greyhound ~ 11-15-16 Page 1
Meyerland Performing & Visual Arts Middle School
- Racing toward Success!
10410 Manhattan, Houston TX 77096-5202 Tel. 713-726-3616 Fax 713-726-3622
GREYHOUND NEWS November 15, 2016
BAND NEWS
Over 200 students in HISD auditioned on Saturday, October 29th for a spot in the All-City Band. Auditions included
performing major scales, the chromatic scale, and two prepared pieces in a blind audition. Students were ranked within
their own section and the top ranked students were selected to participate in the All-City Band Clinic and Concert in
January.
The Meyerland PVA Middle School Band had a great showing with ten students advancing and two students receiving
1st chair in their section! We are so proud of all of our students who auditioned, worked hard, and put forth their best
effort! We would like to congratulate these students for their accomplishments:
Camaryn Chatham: 4th chair French horn
Paige Fly: 7th chair clarinet
Alexia Gonzalez: 3rd chair flute
Ryan Homer: 10th chair trombone
Harrison Lee: 11th chair trumpet
Rodrigo Martinez: 4th chair euphonium
Cheyenne Moore: 10th chair flute
Katherine Stewart: 8th chair flute
Lawrence Turner: 1st chair percussion
Ronen Wenderfer: 1st chair French horn
Many of our students auditioned for a spot in the All-Region Band November 4th-5
th. The audition included students from
across Region 23 -- Houston ISD, Alief ISD and Katy ISD. Meyerland students earning positions on the All-Region Band
are:
Harrison Lee - 1st chair trumpet in Symphonic Band (and the highest ranked 7th grade trumpet overall!)
Alexia Gonzalez - 10th chair flute in Concert Band
Congratulations!
We are very proud of all of our students who auditioned.
Thank you for all of your support!
Matt Barnhart
Band Director
~~~~~
Early Dismissal is November 16 at 1:25 p.m.
Don’t forget to pick up your greyhound pups (students)!
MPVAMS Greyhound ~ 11-15-16 Page 2
November Fine Arts Performances
Theatre Production
Wednesday & Thursday, November 16 & 17 – 6:30 p.m.
Friday, November 18 – 7 p.m. All performances Black Box Theatre
Piano Honors Recital
Thursday, November 17 – 6:30 p.m. Auditorium
Winter Ensemble Concert
Thursday, December 1- 7 p.m.
Orchestra Pasta Dinner
Friday, December 2 – 5 p.m.
Winter Dance Concert
Friday, December 2 – 7 p.m.
Winter Non-Varsity Choir Concert
Tuesday & Thursday, December 6 & 8 - 7 p.m.
~~~~~
Creative Writing Video at Website
From troubadours to town criers to newspapers, radio, TV and now the internet, communication is key. To be able to
organize, to write, to present one’s thoughts is essential. To develop a story line, to entertain, to teach, to rule, writing is
of paramount importance. That is why it is great to have Creative Writing as part of the Meyerland Fine Arts Magnet.
Ever wonder what the Meyerland Creative Writing Program is about -- how it works, what students learn. This link,
http://www.houstonisd.org/Page/128854, goes to a video introduction of the new Meyerland Magnet Creative Writing
Program. It opens with Mark Dostert, head of Creative Writing, describing the program, followed by several students
reading their prose and ending with statements from the students about why they enjoy writing and what led them to the
Creative Writing Magnet Program. Watch and learn.
B. Haverkamp
MPVAMS Greyhound ~ 11-15-16 Page 3
PTO Meeting - November 15 – 7 p.m.
Topics: most anything pertaining to the betterment MPVSMS and its students. What’s on the horizon? Review of the
Greyhound Bash. The PTO meeting will be preceded by a…
Parent Professional Learning Community - 6 p.m.
Subject: substance use and abuse in teens – how to spot it and what to do. A difficult but necessary topic for today’s families. All are invited to attend.
~~~~~
The World’s Finest Chocolate fundraiser, held September 7 to October 1, was a success, but we do have quite a few
students who have not returned their money. Reminders were sent out November 9th asking students to return their
money by Tuesday, November 12th. At that point, students who still owe money will be meeting with their grade level
assistant principals. Anyone who still owes money will not be eligible for prizes.
Thank you to the many students and parents who made this sale a success.
Ms. Simmons ~~~~~
Yearbook News
Announcing the NEW Pet Page!
Does your student have a unique pet story, multiple pets, a unique pet, or just the best pet of all? Have your student send
us a picture of them with their pet(s) and a short write-up (2-4 sentences) telling us why they think their pet is the MPVA
Pet of the Year! By submitting a photo, students should understand that there is a good chance that it will be used on the
pet page, but not a guarantee.
All entries must be received no later than 11/20/16, 12:00PM.
All entries must include: student’s name, grade, pet’s name and breed.
All entries must be emailed to: [email protected]
The 2017 Yearbook Staff
~~~~~
Parents and students: It is essential that students enrolled at MPVAMS be at school on
time, 8:00 a.m., and prepared for class every day. Being present and punctual are
important now and will continue to be important in the business world and life in general.
Build these habits now!
MPVAMS Greyhound ~ 11-15-16 Page 4
Meyerland PVA Middle School 2016-17 Swim Team
Head Coach Assistant Coach
Dave Snook Lisa “Chili” Chilivetis
Student Swimmers
Tabari Bowser
Emily Bravo-Valdespino
Ambar Caldwell
Naiya Childs
Alina Coulter
Marco Crow
Natalia Crowson
Angelina Davalos
Sean Davis
Leann Dromgoole
Aiden Escamilla-Junkman
Emma Evans
Olivia Fisher
Eli Garcia
Marwan Ghonima
Sebastian Gomez
Nicole Gonzalez Tijerina
John Goodearl
Jackson Guite
Riley Gwin
Madison Hartzog
Kelly Hatch
Ana Heron
Asia Jones
Emily Kehoe
Elizabeth Kuznetsova
Wesley Lamb
McKenna Leach
Megan Lewis
Zariah Lloyd
Madeleine Magsamen-
Hillerbrand
Natalia Mancai
Solomon Marlin
Maurielle Moore
Maximillian Moser
Trinity Mosier
Madelyn Mountain
Fiona Murphy
Kaitlyn Nebgen
Abigail Nitsch
Valerie Phelps
Kyana Pichon
Elia Pieniazek
Marios-Vasilis Priftis
Seva Raman
Alexander Ritchie
Jonathan Rojas
Dylan Rueff
Alondra Ruiz
Aaron Soice
Katherine Stewart (Manager)
John Sullivan
Carson Tagtmeier
Owen Talley
Lillianne Tallman
Gracie Thomas
Gerson Vasquez
Rishi Venkateswaran
Swim Meet Schedule
Event Location Date Time
Home Team Visiting Team
** Lamar Intersquad Meet ** Lamar HS 10/31/16 4:30 PM
Westbriar Meyerland Westside HS 12/15/16 5:30 PM
HISD Jr. High Open House Meet Lamar HS 1/14/17 8:30 AM
Lanier Meyerland Lamar HS 1/18/17 6:00 PM
Pershing Meyerland Pershing MS 2/01/17 5:00 PM
HISD 7th
Grade District Meet Lamar HS 2/07/17 4:30 PM
HISD 8th
Grade District Meet Lamar HS 2/09/17 4:30 PM
MPVAMS Greyhound ~ 11-15-16 Page 5
MPVAMS Greyhound ~ 11-15-16 Page 6
Girls Basketball Season on Track! Basketball season has officially kicked off and we have started our practices. The girls practice is Monday-Thursday 6:40-7:45 a.m. Please see the attached game schedule. NOTE: The boys practice is Monday-Friday 3:30-5:00 p.m. When the girls play a home game the boys play an away game and vice versa. Last year’s 7th grade team was District Co-Champion with Pin Oak. We are looking forward to a successful season this year. We would like to see everyone in the community support our girls on game day. We hope to see everyone on game day. Thanks for all of your support. Coach Jackson
Meyerland Middle School 2016-2017 Girls Basketball Schedule
7th Grade will always play first
8th Grade will play immediately following 7th grade Home Team Visiting Team Place Date Time Pin Oak Meyerland Pin Oak 11/16 Wed 3:30/4:30 Meyerland Lawson Meyerland 11/21 Mon 5:30/6:30 Welch Meyerland Welch 11/28 Mon 5:30/6:30 Lanier Meyerland Lanier 12/5 Mon 5:30/6:30
PIN OAK MIDDLE SCHOOL TOURNAMENT AT PIN OAK DECEMBER 9-10 @ 4pm FRIDAY Meyerland Pershing Meyerland 12/12 Mon 5:30/6:30 West Briar Meyerland West Briar 1/11 Wed 5:30/6:30 Meyerland Rice Meyerland 1/18 Wed 5:30/6:30 Billy Reagan Meyerland Billy Reagan 1/25 Wed 3:30/4:30 Meyerland Thomas Meyerland 2/1 Wed 5:30/6:30 *All Games in bold are on EARLY DISMISSAL DAYS or Tournament Play Sherita Jackson, Head Coach Tristan Hardeman, Assistant Coach [email protected] [email protected]
~~~~~
High School for Performing and Visual Arts Middle School Workshops 2016
HSPVA’s Middle School Workshops provide opportunities for middle school students to participate in classes pertaining
to particular art areas. Each workshop is an excellent educational opportunity and provides an introduction to the HSPVA
campus and specific art areas.
For more information and to register, use attached links.
· Saturday, November 19 – Creative Writing Workshop - $65
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2016-hspva-creative-writing-middle-school-workshop-tickets-27026649436
· Saturday, December 3 – Theatre Workshop - $65 – [see page 8]
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2016-hspva-theatre-middle-school-workshop-tickets-27729432479
Middle School Workshops regularly sell out, so register as soon as possible!
MPVAMS Greyhound ~ 11-15-16 Page 7
Preparing for Picture Day - Oct. 24-26
Mr. Guinea lines up his guitar class
Yearbook staff --- “We’re ready for our close-up Mr. DeMille.”
~~~~~
Magnet Tours and Auditions
for the 2017-18 school year at MPVAMS 17 Magnet Tour @ 1:00 p.m. December 1 Magnet Tour @ 1:00 p.m. 3 School Choice Fair @ Sterling High School - 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon 5 Magnet Audition #3 for the 2017-2018 school year - 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. 7 Magnet Audition #4 for the 2017-2018 school year - 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. 8 Magnet Tour @ 1:00 p.m. 15 Magnet Tour @ 1:00 p.m. Questions? Contact John Marshall, M.Ed., Magnet Coordinator 713-726-3616 [email protected]
MPVAMS Greyhound ~ 11-15-16 Page 8
~~~~~
Meyerland Choir
Want to keep up with the Meyerland Choir? Please send an email to: [email protected] Please include
child’s grade and in which choir(s) they participate. The PTO Choir liaison will be sending out information pertinent to
choir students and families.
MPVAMS Greyhound ~ 11-15-16 Page 9
HISD Special Olympics Field Day
On November 10, 2016, students from Meyerland took part in the HISD Special Olympics middle school division.
Here are some photos of our students who participated in the Special Olympics. We’re so proud of our students!
Principal Sanders
~~~~~
Thank you for collecting Box Tops!
On behalf of the PTO, thank you to all the Greyhound families who clipped and turned in Box Tops in October. We are
excited to share that Meyerland Middle School submitted a total of 3,305 Box Tops!
Every Box Top you collect is worth 10¢ for our school.
To see more ways to earn cash for our school, go to btfe.com!
Please continue to save your Box Tops for the next collection in the Spring. Thank you for your support!
Up Next: Box Tops Drawing!
Cynthia Chavez - PTO Box Tops for Education Coordinator
MPVAMS Greyhound ~ 11-15-16 Page 10
Typical Friday Chick-fil-A sale sight
~~~~~
The After-Care Corner
The After-Care Program (“ACP”) at Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School is a PTO-sponsored program
– so all money goes right back to the PTO which benefits the school, as well as your children.
Part of the reason our program is successful is the dedication of the fine teachers involved in this program. John Green,
who teaches 6th grade science in House M, has this to say about the program:
“From a teacher’s perspective, ACP offers students a chance to get work completed (homework or caught up on missing
assignments) AND a chance to get tutored on content from class. I’ve enjoyed helping students with math, science, and
even history.
Outside of school work, I also see the value in giving students a chance to relax and wind down after 5 classes of
instruction. The students seem to enjoy making new friends or interacting with old friends. Some use the time to play
computer games, while others go outside to play soccer, basketball, or just to walk around. Others simply enjoy a
moment to rest their brains.
I have enjoyed watching the students develop from deer-in-the-headlights 6th graders to ready-for-high-school 8
th
graders. ACP can be a great place for 6th graders to interact and learn from 8
th graders.”
We have several ACP options available: 5 days per week through 1 day per week. There is also a drop-in option. Rates
are available on the PTO website in the After-Care section. Payments may be made by check, money order, cash or
Chase QuickPaySM
. If you haven’t checked out the After-Care section of the PTO website, be sure to do so. You will
find articles and pictures from last year, as well as additional information about the program.
If you are interested in participating in this program, please contact me at [email protected].
I look forward to seeing you!
Jan Huff, PTO After-Care Program coordinator
MPVAMS Greyhound ~ 11-15-16 Page 11
The Greyhound Bash Revisited Bwa-ha-ha-hoooo!
A warm thank you to all who participated in making the Greyhound Bash a success on October 29th. There were
activities all around the school – the courtyard, the gym, the cafeteria, and the hall. Bash cards had been/were purchased.
Bash cards were punched to buy baked goods, take part in games, bounce, to visit the Haunted Tunnel. Boo!
It was reported that a couple of students thought the Bash punch cards allowed them to punch other students. Nooooo! Wrong meaning of “punch”! Bwa-ha-ha-hoooo!
Thank you, volunteers, for building an amazing Haunted Tunnel. Thank you, student volunteers, for working the tunnel in
your ghoulish make-up and clothes. Your appearance and actions made all who dared to enter the tunnel properly queasy
and unsettled. Seems odd to say “good work”, but, none the less, good work, students! Thank you, PTO Organizers,
Parents, Teachers, and Staff, for running and manning booths and making a good time for all!
Scare you next Greyhound Bash! Bwa-ha-ha-hoooo!
B. Haverkamp
~~~~
PLC = Professional Learning Community
ARIA = Academic Readiness Intervention Acceleration
ELAR = English Language Arts and Reading
MPVAMS Greyhound ~ 11-15-16 Page 12
FINE ARTS FRIDAY at Hattie Mae White Building
HISD’s Fine Arts Friday program showcases the creative talents of students from across the district in its many
performing and visual arts programs throughout the school year. On Friday, November 11, 2016, Ms. Gonzalez’
advanced art students had the opportunity to show their talents at the administration building. Our students showed
Meyerland PVS MS to be top notch. Fine work, students, and thank you!
Christina Gonzalez
~~~~~
November 15 through December 9, 2016
November
15 Parent PLC – 6 p.m.
PTO Board Meeting – 7 p.m.
Orchestra to Menninger Clinic – 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
16 HISD Dance Professional Development – auditorium 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Early Dismissal – 1:25 p.m.
Boys Basketball – Meyerland vs Pin Oak – 3:30 p.m.
Black Box Theatre Performance – 6:30 to 8 p.m.
17 Cheer Practice Competition Kick Off – 4-6 p.m.
Piano Honors Recital (Intermediate/Advanced) in the auditorium – 6:30 p.m.
Black Box Theatre Performance – 6:30 to 8 p.m.
18 No Place for Hate to UH – 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Texas Music Educators Association Region Orchestra Clinic – 1 to 9 p.m.
All-Region Orchestra Rehearsal with clinician – 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Black Box Theatre Performance – 7 to 8:30 p.m.
19 Cheer Competition Practice – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
All-Region Orchestra Clinic/Concert – 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Philharmonic Concert at 4 p.m. & Symphony at 4:45 p.m.
21 Girls Basketball – Meyerland vs Lawson at Meyerland – 5:30 p.m.
23-25 Thanksgiving Break
28 Boys Basketball – Meyerland vs Welch at Meyerland – 5:30 p.m.
28-29 Cheer Competition Practice – 4 p.m.
28-Dec. 9 Student Council Fundraiser
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December
1 Winter Ensemble Concert – Auditorium – 7 to 8:30 p.m.
2 Orchestra Pasta Dinner Concert – Cafeteria – 5 to 9:30 p.m.
All-Region Band Clinic/Concert – 5 to 10 p.m.
Winter Dance Concert – Auditorium – 7 to 8:30 p.m.
3 All-Region Band Clinic/Concert – 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
5 Beginning Choir Concerts – Auditorium – 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Boys Basketball – Meyerland vs Lanier at Meyerland – 5:30 p.m.
6 Beginning Choir Concerts – Auditorium – 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Non-Varsity Choir Winter Concert – Auditorium – 7 to 8:30 p.m.
9 Meyerland Girls Basketball to attend Pin Oak Basketball Tournament – 4 p.m.
McKelvey Advanced Piano Field trip – 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Disclaimer: This calendar is accurate as of issue date. Additions and deletions are possible. A complete
calendar listing for all Meyerland Performing & Visual Arts Middle School events can be found on the
MPVAMS website at http://www.houstonisd.org/Page/78514. Current dates are on the main page
http://www.houstonisd.org/Domain/22311. Sporting events are also under the Athletics Department
calendar. Events are also listed in the MPVAMS Student Planner. When in doubt, call the school. ~~~~~
Support the PTO of Meyerland Performing & Visual Arts Middle School
Do you shop on Amazon? You can support the PTO whenever you shop!
Please note: Our Amazon Smile account is still set up as PTO of Johnston Middle School. It is taking time to change
over to Meyerland Performing & Visual Arts Middle School, but it will eventually be done.
It’s very simple:
Log onto smile.amazon.com
The regular Amazon home page will appear, but the logo in the upper left will say amazonsmile
At the top of the page, you will see the word Supporting with a default charity name.
Click Supporting and then select change your charity from the pull-down menu.
Another screen will come up which display the default charity, along with a box that says “or pick your own
charitable organization.”
Type in “Pto of Johnston Middle School” and a list of charities with similar names will appear.
Select “Pto of Johnston Middle School (Houston, tx)” (PTO really is “Pto”.)
You will be returned to the home page and Pto of Johnston Middle School should appear at the top of the screen.
You only have to do this once. After you’ve selected PTO, it should appear
at the top every time you enter amazonsmiles.com. If you forget and just go to
amazon.com, you will up a pop-up screen reminding you that you can support
the PTO at amazonsmiles.com. It will even give you a link, so that you can go
directly to the correct site. If you have amazon.com saved in your favorite, be
sure to change it to amazonsmiles.com and it will link you directly to you
PTO account. Amazon will donate 0.5% of purchase price to the
JMS/MPVAMS PTO.
Thanks and Happy Shopping!
~~~~~
Got Publicity News/Information/Photos about MPVAMS?
Please send information and photos about magnet area events/activities/field trips, etc., sports games/news/events for
MPVAMS teams, fundraising events, clubs, etc. to Ellen Tagtmeier and Michelle Cohen at
[email protected]. Thank you!
MPVAMS Greyhound ~ 11-15-16 Page 14
PTO Board Vacancies
The PTO Board has the following vacancies: Creative Writing Liaison, Dance Liaison and Sports Liaison.
If you have child in one of these magnet areas, please consider being the PTO liaison to assist your magnet area teacher
this year. If you can do so, please let Ellen Tagtmeier know at [email protected]. It’s a great way to be involved in
your child’s magnet area!
~~~~~
PTO BOARD POSITIONS CONTACT INFORMATION President: Jennifer Leach [email protected]
1st VP/Fundraising: Melanie Rosen [email protected]
Neli Davalos [email protected]
2nd
VP/MSA: Kristen Hueske [email protected]
Secretary: Regina Puccio [email protected]
Treasurer: Subha Balasubramanian [email protected]
Committee/Chairs
Fundraising: Andrea Brooks [email protected]
Box Tops/Randalls: Cynthia Chavez [email protected]
Membership: Case Noles [email protected]
8th Grade Celebrations: Cynthia Chavez [email protected]
Michelle Cohen [email protected]
Greyhound Bash: Jennifer Leach
Hospitality: Bendi Saindon [email protected]
Publicity/Advertising: Ellen Tagtmeier [email protected]
Uniform shirt sales: Neli Davalos [email protected]
SDMC: Nicole Lewis [email protected]
Megan Hersh [email protected]
Magnet Awareness: Melanie Rosen [email protected]
After-Care: Jan Huff [email protected]
Landscaping/beautification: Wendy Caldwell [email protected]
Title I Parent Liaison: April Armwood
School Store: Vacant
Car pool security: Vacant
PTO IT: Syriac George Mathews [email protected]
Greyhound Newsletter: Barbara Haverkamp [email protected]
Teacher Liaison: Celeste Cooper, Librarian [email protected]
PTO liasons for magnet & other areas Choir: Michelle Cohen [email protected]
Art: Ellen Tagtmeier [email protected]
Theater: Donna Lax-Edison
Broadcast: Donna Lax-Edison
Piano: Vacant
Band: Megan Hersh [email protected]
Creative writing:
Dance: Vacant
Guitar: Nicole Lewis [email protected]
Mariachi: Ellen Tagtmeier [email protected]
Orchestra: Victoria Mosier [email protected]
KickStart: Cynthia Chavez [email protected]
Sports Liaison: Vacant
Cheerleader: Belva Punch
Spanish Translator: Vacant
MPVAMS Greyhound ~ 11-15-16 Page 15
The Greyhound News is produced twice monthly (1
st and 15
th) by the PTO and e-mailed to parents and faculty and/or
posted at the website. To submit articles, please e-mail them seven days in advance of issue posting to Principal Wenden
Sanders at [email protected], or PTO President Jennifer Leach at [email protected], or Greyhound
Newsletter Editor Barbara Haverkamp at [email protected]. Johnston Middle School is located at 10410
Manhattan Dr., Houston, TX 77096.