Smart’s Mill Middle School www.lcps.org/smarts Page 1

November

2010

Eric Stewart, Principal Brion Bell, Assistant Principal

David Shaffer, Assistant Principal

850 North King Street Leesburg, VA 20176

Website: www.lcps.org/smarts

Main: 571-252-2030 Absentee: 571-252-2032

Fax: 571-252-2043

Important Dates…

Nov 1 - Teacher Work Day

Nov 2 - Teacher Work Day

Nov 10 - Report Cards Sent Home

Nov 11 – 8th

Grade Coffee (7:45 AM)

Nov 11 – ELL Dinner (7:00 to 8:30 PM)

Nov 12 – Pajama Day

Nov 12 – Family Fun Night (Starts at 6:00 PM)

Nov 15 - Bullying Assembly (from Camfel Productions)

Nov 16 - Counselors in Resource to follow up with Bullying assembly

Nov 17 - Counselors in Resource to follow up with Bullying assembly

Nov 17 – PTA Meeting and special guest (starts at 6 PM)

Nov 19 - Clubs and Candid Pictures

Nov 22 – 26 NO SCHOOL

Nov 29 – Cornerstone Awards (6th

Grade – starts at 7 PM)

Nov 30 - Cornerstone Awards (7th

Grade – starts at 7 PM)

Dec 1 - Cornerstone Awards (8th

Grade – starts at 7 PM)

Dec 3 – International Night! (6 PM)

Dec 6 - Band 6 Concert (7 PM)

Dec 7 - Chorus 6 Concert (7 PM)

Dec 8 - Band 8 Concert (7 PM)

Dec 10 – Teacher Appreciation Cookie Exchange!

SMMS Administration

Secretary…….…………Kellie Goossens Secretary……………………..Jill Burkhard Bookkeeper………..…Kathleen Giangi Parent Liaison…….……Melina Leisure Nurse………………………………Patti Gloe House A (8th Grade) Dean…………………..Patricia O’Connell Counselor…………………..Amy Kolcum Secretary…………………….Gina Veschi House B (7th Grade) Dean…………………….Kathleen Luckett Counselor……………….….John Laycock Secretary……………..………Vicki Smith House C (6th Grade) Dean……………………..Kate Splendore Counselor………………….Maria O’Brien Secretary……………………….…Tina Wall

We no longer send a paper copy of the newsletter home with every student. Please check out our website each month or request one mailed home. Thanks for saving paper.

TWENTY-THREE STUDENTS MADE ALL-DISTRICT CHORUS!

RYAN CAMBETES, ANTHONY STROUBE, PRESTON FOLSOM, KYLE KUHN, JAMES SMITH, GABRIEL CASHEN, ALEX

FLORIMBIO, SABRINA BEVERLEY, RACHEL ANDREWS, AMANDA LEE, ABBY SMITH, LAURA SLOTHOUBER, ERIN KELLY, LUISA SANTOS, ANNA BAROODY, DAYANA PORTILLO-HERNANDEZ, MICHAELA OGEDEGBE, DEENA SBITANY, RAIYA AL-

NSOUR, KENDALL RICHARDSON, KATIE MONK, HOPE KIRCHER, AND EMILY MADDOX!!!!

Smart’s Mill Middle School www.lcps.org/smarts Page 2

If due to a disability, you need assistance to enable you to participate meaningfully in any meeting or event at Smart’ Mill, please contact David Shaffer at 571-252-2030 at least five working days prior to that event.

School Hours

School hours are 8:40 a.m. to 3:28 p.m. The building will be open for students at 8:20 a.m. The Main Office hours are 8:10 a.m. to 4:40 p.m.

Tardies and Late Arrivals All Students must be in their classroom by 8:40 a.m. bell. Any student arriving to class after the 8:40 a.m. bell will be considered “tardy” and must sign in at the Main Office and receive a “tardy” pass. A parent/guardian should accompany their student to the Office or send a note with the student when arriving late to school.

Attendance When your child is absent, please call the attendance line at 571-252-2032 to notify the school. For your convenience, this is a 24-hour answering machine. An absence will be unexcused if the school does not receive a note or a phone message from the parent or guardian.

Early Dismissal Please send a note in with your child the morning of an appointment. The student’s house secretary will write a pass to excuse the student at the appropriate time.

Visitor and Volunteer Sign-in All visitors need to stop by the Main Office upon arrival. All visitors are also required to fill out and wear a visitor’s name tag while at SMMS. Please be prepared to show a valid ID.

Moving? New phone number? If you are moving and your child will be attending another school, please notify your child’s counselor as soon as possible. If you have moved and are still within our attendance zone, please remember to stop by the school to fill out a change of address form. We will need to see proof of your new residence. This proof can be a lease, deed, settlement papers or mortgage statement. To change a work or home telephone number, parents/guardians need to contact the attendance secretary at 571-252-2030 or on-line at www.loudoun.k12.va.us/smarts

School Work Requests

When a student misses 3 or more days of school, the parent/guardian may request missed school work from their child’s counselor or house secretary. The class work will be available for pick up on the following day. Please do not request class work on the Absentee Line.

SMMS Grading Scale

98-100 A+ 93-97 A 90-92 A- 87-89 B+ 83-86 B 80-82 B- 77-79 C+

73-76 C 70-72 C- 67-69 D+ 63-66 D 60-62 D- 0-59 F

Interim & 9-Week Marking Period Dates

Interim Date Marking Period Ends

Report Cards Sent Home

Oct. 5&6 Oct. 29 Nov. 10

Dec. 15 & 16 Jan. 21 Feb. 2

March 2 & 3 April 1 April 13

May 17 & 18 June 16 June 22 (mailed)

Smart’s Mill Middle School www.lcps.org/smarts Page 3

This year, SMMS newsletters are available on-line,

at the school website, or by e-mail only!

Please send your e-mail address to wendi.walker@lcps.org to receive this monthly newsletter by e-mail

To ensure the safety of all students, and SMMS staff, please follow the safety

procedures set up in the SMMS parking lot when dropping off or picking up students. Follow the safety cones through the parking lot and wait in line to drop-off or pick-up at the side entrance to the building. With everyone’s patience and cooperation, we’ll continue to keep a safe environment for our students and staff.

Club Connection

Why not join a Club at Smarts Mill? There’s something for everyone! It’s a great

opportunity to enjoy after school time exploring a new interest or taking part in an

intramural sport. Activity buses are available for transportation home. Visit our website

http://www.lcps.org/smarts for more information about all clubs, extracurricular

activities & transportation. Permission slips can be found in each House near the Dean’s

office.

Some Current Clubs & Extracurricular Activities at SMMS:

Anime, Art, Basketball, Book Club, Chess, Ecology, Golf, Jazz Band, Literary Magazine, Maverick Select Ensemble, Photography, Spring Musical (Mulan), Odyssey of the Mind, Running Club, Sign Language, Soccer Intramurals, Student Leadership Council, Walking, and World Geography & Culture

Smart’s Mill Middle School www.lcps.org/smarts Page 4

Dear Ms. Milligan,

Looking back on my middle school experience I realized that I was so lost in finding myself, but time after time in

Language Arts, I was myself. You gave me motivation to use my noggin and introduced a productive work ethic in me.

Another teaching quality that made you an awesome teacher is the undeniable love and care you show towards your

students. That's exactly what I feel is the perfect environment for kids being taught and you modeled that for us. I

appreciate the English you taught me and the life lessons. I hope you spread more of your teaching wealth.

--a former SMMS student Congratulations to Amanda Lim for making Junior Regional Orchestra as a 1st Violin! Amanda was one of many 7th – 9th graders who auditioned for this ensemble. She will perform with various other students from around the region in the Northern Virginia Junior Regional Orchestra, to be held November 6 at Tuscarora High School.

THANK YOU to the 45 Chaperones who generously Gave their time to attend the 6th grade field trip!

Ms. Bruce,

Please know that your

communication about the

upcoming History events in

my son’s class is greatly

appreciated! This is so

helpful in order to provide

support at home. My son is

very much enjoying your

class.

- a 7th

grade parent

What a great night for our kids! Thanks so much to my co-chair --Lee

McDermott who coordinated all the concessions and to the 22

amazing parents for coming out tonight past our bed times and making

it all go off without a hitch.

We had a great turn out of around 150 kids who all had a really nice evening! It was a pleasure meeting all of you and I can honestly say SMMS is a lovely family to be a part of ! See you at the next event! Carolyn Mullen

Mr. Stewart,

The 8th Grade Band did a great job performing with the Tuscarora Band. We had close to 40 Smart

Mill Middle School students participate. I think all the students had a good time and enjoyed the

evening.

I did want to mention that Mrs. Phillips (Smart's Mill Parent Volunteer) was a great help and she does

not have a student with the 8th grade band. Mrs. Phillips stayed with the Smart's Mill Band members

during the half time show and stayed with me until all the Band students had rides home, (Volunteers

like Mrs. Phillips, really help to give Smart's Mill that true family feeling and tradition). Mrs. Wiley

came to support the band and wish them good luck for their performance. Thank You for allowing

the Band to perform and for all your support of the Music program.

George

Smart’s Mill Middle School www.lcps.org/smarts Page 5

Congratulations to the Character Counts! Winners for the 1st quarter. Character Counts! is a nationwide program that emphasizes positive character traits among students in our schools.

8TH GRADE 7TH GRADE 6TH GRADE

Anderson, Noah Baxter, Chad Ambrose, Hannah

Axt, Dillon Blaylock, Dalaynte Armstrong, Elliott

Bowser, Isaac Brasselle, Anson Bhatthal, Talbir

Chesser, Maggie Carey, Anastasia Boissiere,Anissa

Coleman, Ben Choinski, Fallon Carll, Derek

Cundiff, Abigail Claros, Wendy Carroll, Ally

Downs, Saxon Cruz, Jorge Chapin, Noah

Giuliano, Nick Dowling, Danielle Chavez, Vanessa

He, Kevin Dyson, Sabrina Chitwood, Brady

Kwaw Fuah, Yvonne Folsom, Preston Cochran, Brenna

Manadjian, Harout Gould, Sandy Cunningham, Colin

Moten, Michael Grizzle, Rachel Dorado Balcazar, Michelle

Moy, Ruby Herdman, Gage Downs, Autumn

Regner, Kaley Hernandez, Miguel Ergun, Erin

Reimers, Noah Hoskins, Sarina Estrella Obregon, Fernando

Romutis, Shannon Irvine, John Fenton, Evan

Russell, Madison Kim, Sung Hea Fletcher, Abigail

Russell, Meagan Kircher Hope Gose, Christian

Samios, Jenny Krauss, Megan Hammler, John

Sampath, Surya Lague, Adam Jones, Liam

Sestak, Lauren Larrick, Ally Lapid, Serene

Sieber, Curtis Lazorchak, M.E. Lewis, Meredith

Stocks, Chad McGee, Jared Meeks, Emily

Villacorta, Estefany Moore, Timothy Messina, Joy

Allen, Chris Morales, Avery Perez, Andy

Ayala, Chris Moreno, Jessica Runholt, Collin

Batres, Christian Nibbelink, Rachael Sanchez, Bryan

Cox, Mason Orellana-Hernandez, Nelson Scott, Kayleigh

El-Fiky, Emmel Patel, Niket Sheehan, Madison

Hernandez, Saul Polen, Caleb Smart, Robert

Kreiter, Michaela Powers, Gwennie Soldano, Shad

McHugh, Michaela Randolph, Sarah Strykul, Samantha

Rodrigues, Jonathan Ruiz, Giovanni Tebyanian, Rumteen

Smith, Sloane Shaw, Anna Thompson, Kyla

Shi, Swanny Tousignant, Christopher

Simpson, Curtis Towner, Paris

Smith, Kyle Villeda, Jonathan

Stocks, Mary Valencia, Jonathan

Wehman, Grace

Whittleton, Abigail

Williams, Jack

Smart’s Mill Middle School www.lcps.org/smarts Page 6

The primary responsibility for proper attire and grooming of students rests with the

parent of each student. However, the school has the responsibility to see that

students do not present a health or safety risk to themselves or other students. Also,

the attire and grooming of students should not prevent them from performing regular

required school activities, and should not cause a disruption of the orderly

functioning of school and the learning environment. Remember, the more casual the attire, the more casual the

attitude toward school. With this in mind, the following rules will be in effect at Smarts Mill:

(a) Shirts, sweaters and blouses must cover the midriff and chest area. Shirt straps must be at least two inches

in width.

(b) See-through and swim attire are inappropriate and may not be worn to school.

(c) All shorts and skirts should be a decent length. Shorts and skirt lengths need to touch at least to fingertips

when arms and fingertips are down.

(d) Underwear exposed or worn as outerwear is unacceptable; no pajamas will be permitted.

(e) Clothing must fit appropriately. Clothing that is skin tight, low cut, or dragging on the ground is not

appropriate.

(f) All students are required to place all jackets, coats, backpacks, etc., in their locker. They may keep a

sweater or sweatshirt in their locker to use in classrooms that are too cool.

(g) Clothing that degrades any person’s gender, culture, religion and/or occupation is unacceptable.

(h) Clothing that depicts or promotes pornography, alcohol, drugs, tobacco, violence or gang activities is

unacceptable.

(i) Gang-related articles/ dress such as bandanas, wallet chains, headbands, rolled up pants, or jewelry are

unacceptable.

(j) Hats or head coverings may not be worn in the building, unless special permission is granted by an

administrator.

(k) Hair color and make-up that is viewed by the administration as a disruption to the school environment is

unacceptable.

(l) Any part of the student’s appearance that is viewed by the administration as a disruption to the school

environment is unacceptable.

Students not complying with these rules will be required to cover the non-complying clothing, change clothes, or call home for a change of clothes.

Smart’s Mill Middle School www.lcps.org/smarts Page 7

LOUDOUN COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH

STUDENT ASSISTANCE AND ASSESSMENT

PRESENTS:

Evening Parent Seminars 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

November 4, 2010 Unhealthy Teen Behaviors-

Self-Harm, Eating disorders, Substance abuse

December 2, 2010 Moody Teens- What’s Typical, What’s Not?

Moodiness versus teenage depression

Loudoun County Mental Health Center 102 Heritage Way N.E. #302

Leesburg, VA. 20175 703-771-5100 RSVP to Kim Hager LPC- Space is limited.