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Les l ie Ke l ly , Pr inc ipa lBecca Yann i , Ass i s tant Pr inc ipa l
Walnut Springs Middle School Newsletter Apri l 4 , 2013
Upcoming Events
April 10 District Middle School Invention Convention April 12 8th Grade Mock Trial April 18 Early Release April 23 – 26 OAA testing, snack donations & water donations needed April 26 Spring Dance/Carnival May 2 PTSA, 4:30 pm May 3 8th Grade Party, 7 – 9 pm May 6 – 11 Teacher Appreciation Week May 17 District Middle School Chess Tournament May 21 Evening of Excellence, 7 pm
Message from the Principal On April 23rd our students will begin taking their Ohio Achievement Assessments (OAA). Below you will see the testing schedule. We will begin testing at 8:10 in the morning each testing day. It is very important that all of our students be present and on time for each OAA. Grade Monday
4/22 Tuesday
4/23 Wednesday 4/24 Thursday
4/25 Friday 4/26
6th Reading Math 7th Reading Math 8th Reading Math Science Your child can take practice OAA tests and get immediate feedback on the Ohio Department of Education Website. This is a terrific way to help students review for the upcoming assessments. To access this site do the following: • Type www.ode.state.oh.us in your browser. • Under the blue families title - click on state wide testing website • Click Grades 3-8 OAA • Click Practice for Test •Intramurals 4
Contents
Message from the Principal 1
Upcoming Events 1
PTSA News & Talent Show 2
News from Guidance Office 3
Lunch Charges 5
Pennies for Patients 6
6th Gr Immunization 7
Summer School 8
Boys Volleyball 8
School Nurse 9
Wetlands Volunteer Day 10
Dream Dinners fundraiser 12
Click Students • Either sign in/create an account/or click take a practice test without logging in • Select the subject area and grade level • Select a year (questions are pulled from previous OAA assessments) • Take test Throughout this school year teachers and students have been preparing for this opportunity to demonstrate all they have taught and learned. Please help us to ensure that your child does his/her best on this assessment by making sure they get an adequate amount of sleep each night and eat a nutritious breakfast each morning. The official “Take Your Please let us know if you have any questions regarding the OAA or the testing schedule. Child to Work Day” is April 25th, and while we believe that the philosophy of this event is appropriate, we are asking that if you plan on taking your child to your workplace that you do so during the summer months or a non-testing day. Thank you for sharing your children with us,
Mrs. Kelly
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CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!
A big congratulations goes out to Matthew Doel for placing fourth in the State Geography Bee. We are so proud of Mathew’s dedication and commitment to excellence.
Way to go!
PTSA News Parent/Teacher/Student Association
Talent Show The annual Walnut Springs Talent Show will be held the evening of May 22, 2013 at Westerville North. Parents, teachers and students are all encouraged to join in on the fun! Auditions will be held after Spring Break. Stay tuned to the announcements for more information. Volunteer Opportunities With the end of the year quickly approaching here are some upcoming events/ volunteer opportunities to add to the calendar before it gets too full; additional information will be provided at a later date OAA’s- April 23-26 - Donations will be needed to provide students with healthy snacks and water during testing PTSA Spring Dance/ Carnival- April 26 7 – 9 pm Many parent volunteers needed! Please contact Deborah Hinkle at [email protected] if you're able to help out with this fun event!! 8th Grade Party- May 3 7p-9p Parent planning meeting April 4 in Cafeteria at 7 pm Teacher Appreciation Week- May 6-11 Donations to be determined
Walnut Springs Middle School 888 E. Walnut Street Westerville, Ohio 43081 Phone: (614) 797-6700 Fax: (614) 797-6701
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News from the Guidance Office OAA Test Week This year's Ohio Achievement Assessments (OAA) will be given the week of April 22nd-26th. A modified schedule will be followed each morning of testing. The OAA will be given as follows: • The Reading assessment will be given on Tuesday, April 23rd, for all grades (6-8.) • The Math assessment will be on Thursday, April 25th, for all grades (6-8.) • The Science Assessment will be on Friday, April 26th, for 8th grade only. • Make-ups will begin on Wednesday, April 24th, (regular bell schedule) through Thursday,
May 9th, for students who are absent and any brand new students who arrive during testing.
Parents can help by: • Scheduling (or rescheduling) any doctor, dentist, etc., appointments either in the
afternoon on testing days, during make-ups, or after their student has completed all testing.
• Making sure their student gets plenty of rest the night before and eats a good breakfast each morning of the assessments.
If parents have any general questions or concerns regarding the OAA, they should contact their child's grade-level counselor. Any specific questions regarding reading, math, or science can be directed to that particular teacher. (For more information regarding statewide testing, please go to the Ohio Department of Education's website at www.ode.state.oh.us.) RECOGNIZING STUDENT EXCELLENCE Save the date! Our annual WSMS Evening of Excellence to honor our outstanding students for things like 3.5-3.99 or 4.0 GPA for the year, perfect attendance, etc., will be on Tuesday, May 21st, at WSMS at 7:00 PM. As we have done in the past, we will be using students' 4th quarter Interim grades in PowerSchool on April 19th to determine as best as possible a student's final GPA for the year. Invitations for our Evening of Excellence will be delivered in home room no later than the week of May 13th. Please continue encouraging your student(s) to keep their grades up this last quarter.
!WSMS Newsletter
INTRA-MURAL/LUNCH-TIME SPORTS ON A SHOESTRING Intramural Soccer Because of OHSAA rules, our 6th graders have to wait until 7th grade to participate in any school sports, so our 6th grade counselor, Mr. Markle, organized intra-mural basketball during 6th grade lunch this past fall/winter. Next up for our 6th graders is intra-mural indoor soccer. Students have already formed teams of 4-7 players, been told the rules (slightly different for indoor vs outdoor), and are anxious to start playing in the gym (on ACE days only) this week during lunch. If parents have questions and/or would like to help referee (from about 11:15-11:45 AM) on ACE days, please contact Mr. Markle at (614) 797-6715 or [email protected]. Even if you can't make it every ACE day at that time, "part-time" help is always appreciated. :) Basketball Hoop/Backboard/Pole needed for school grounds If anyone has a new or used basketball hoop, backboard, and/or metal pole they would be willing to donate to Walnut Springs, we would greatly appreciate it. We have room on our outdoor basketball courts for four basketball hoops, but only have three right now. We would even accept the portable kind of hoop and backboard that has a base and adjustable height. Another option is if you only have the hoop and backboard, we'll take that and try to find a metal pole somewhere or from someone else. Any questions, ideas, donations, etc., please contact our 6th grade counselor, Mr. Markle, at 797-6715 or [email protected]. Donations of indoor/outdoor games, equipment Spring is here! That means it's time for some spring cleaning or cleaning out the garage. If anyone has any new or (gently) used indoor or outdoor games, equipment, etc., you'd like to donate to WSMS, again please contact Mr. Markle or any staff member at the school. For example, if you have any extra, 1 1/4 or 1 1/2 inch white PVC pipe and or netting (like deer netting) that you don't know what to do with, Mr. Markle would like to make some practice soccer goals for outside at Walnut Springs. (I know that may sound like a strange request, but as the saying goes, "One man's trash is another man's treasure." No literal trash/garbage though, please. :)
Coming Soon! Labels for Education competition Start saving your labels
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WESTERVILLE CITY SCHOOLS: Food Service Department
Jenna McDevitt, Director Wanda Myers, Secretary
614/797-5993 office www.wcsoh.org
LUNCH CHARGE PROCEDURES: LOST OR FORGOTTEN LUNCH MONEY – Westerville City Schools Food Service Department recognizes that occasiona lly elementary students may forget their lunch money. The District is dedicated to maintaining a balance of providing st udents with nutritious meals and recognizes the importance of good nutrition to learning- - while still being able to meet the requirement to retain fiscal responsibility within the Food Service Fund. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROCEDURE The school food service department has no funding available to provide lunc h money for students who have used up, lost , or forgotten their lunch money. Students will be allowed to call a parent to ask them to bring lunch money. Your child may be sent to the building principal’s office if there is an alternate arrangement developed by the building fo r these instances (please check with your child’s school for their procedure). Last, students may receive a meal on cr edit one time for elementary students, but repayment must be made the next day; and will not be allowed to charge again until current charges have been paid. Notices are sent home to elementary students when a student account balanc e is below $5.00. MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL PROCEDURE Upper classman, are not permitted to go “negative” and or charge meals. Cashiers will verbally remind students they need to bring money. No notice will be sent home. ONLINE PAYMENT OPTION We encourage prepayment on lunch accounts for two (2) reasons:
1. Lunch Lines move more quickly 2. Alleviates the problem of “forgotten lunch money.”
Unfortunately, repayment for borrowed lunch money and non-sufficient funds for returned checks does not come e asily and as a result, we have had to institute this guideline. Our program is se lf-funded and unpaid charges add up quick ly due to the size of our district. If you don’t want to use this option, please note that we continue to accept checks. Thank you.
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PENNIES FOR PATIENTS FUNDRAISER
Did you know? • Leukemia is the most common form of pediatric cancer, accounting for nearly 30% of cases. • In one school day, 65 children will learn they have cancer. • 1 in 330 children in Ohio will develop cancer by age 19. • Last year 12,500 infants, children and teens were diagnosed with cancer. • Every 5 minutes someone in the US learns they have leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma
To help fight cancer in children, Walnut Springs has joined the ranks of Genoa Middle School and Heritage Middle School by participating in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Pennies for Patients cancer education campaign and fundraiser. During the weeks of April 8 through April 29, students are encouraged to bring in spare change and other donations to pool with their classmates. Fun competitions, raffles, and prizes are planned so be on the lookout for further information! This campaign is so important! By raising just $500 our school can help a family to pay for medications, doctors, or other treatment expenses. We would LOVE for this campaign to be a huge success in the fight against cancer. Please SHARE our online fundraising information on your Facebook Page or Twitter Account, with family and friends, neighbors or business associates. It is fast and easy to donate by credit card! Donations as little as $5 will go a long way toward helping the Walnut Springs Wolves to MAKE LEUKEMIA DISAPPEAR! The direct link to our school is: http://coh.sy2013.llsevent.org/ng/index.cfm/af26546/regPages/pledge/WALNUTSPRINGSMIDDLESCHOOL/ If this link fails you may access our school donation page by following the directions below:
1. Go to www.schoolandyouth.org/coh 2. Click the “Find a School Near You” link on the left of the page. 3. Click on “Central Ohio” 4. Walnut Springs is listed in alphabetical order!
NEWSFLASH!!!!
ATTENTION 6TH GRADE PARENTS ~ NEW IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS FOR
2013-2014 SCHOOL YEAR The State of Ohio is REQUIRING an additional Tdap booster BEFORE your child starts 7th grade. Please Prepare Now: • Check your child’s immunization record. • Last Tdap booster must be given on or after 8-14-2008 IN ORDER TO BE CURRENT. • If not current, plan a doctor or clinic visit before the start of school in the fall (8-14-2013) • As soon as your child is current, provide the date of the Tdap to the School Nurse. Student Name Date of Tdap
(vaccination)
Parent Signature
Where to Get it Be sure to take your child’s immunization record with you to the clinic
Columbus Public Health
http://publichealth.columbus.gov/immunizations.aspx
Franklin County Public Health http://www.myfcph.org/imm.php
Delaware General Health District
http://www.delawarehealth.org/c_immunize.htm
CVS Minute Clinic http://www.minuteclinic.com/services/vaccination/
Walgreens Take Care Clinic
http://takecarehealth.com/what-we-treat.aspx
Kroger Little Clinic http://www.thelittleclinic.com/Dot_TreatmentPricingA.asp?categor
y=103
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Summer School It's time to start thinking about summer! Westerville City Schools offer academic programming that ranges from intervention to enrichment. Information can be found on the district's website – deadline to register is May 29 http://www.westerville.k12.oh.us/administrativeDepartment.aspx?aid=117. Link to the summer school registration packet http://www.westerville.k12.oh.us/docs/Final%20Summer%20School%20Brochure%202013.pdf Middle School Intervention Middle School intervention registration deadline is May 29th. See your student's guidance counselor with questions
Westerville Middle School Boys Volleyball Club The Middle School Boys volleyball season is about to begin. All of the game info is
on our website: http://westervilleignitevolleyball.weebly.com/. Fundraiser info can be found at: http://campaign.customink.com/ignite
!
News from the School Nurse
Decorative Lenses
Decorative lenses have become a fashion trend with some individuals. There are serious risks involved with wearing them, however. Individuals should become well informed before deciding to purchase and wear them. Following is part of an article from the FDA:
Before buying decorative lenses, here’s what you should know:
• They are not cosmetics or over-the-counter merchandise. They are medical devices regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Places that advertise them as cosmetics or sell them without a prescription are breaking the law.
• They are not “one size fits all.” An eye doctor (ophthalmologist or optometrist) must measure each eye to properly fit the lenses and evaluate how your eye responds to contact lens wear. A poor fit can cause serious eye damage, including
o scratches on the cornea (the clear dome of tissue over the iris - the part of the eye that gives you your eye color)
o corneal infection (an ulcer on the cornea) o conjunctivitis (pink eye) o decreased vision o blindness
• Places that sell decorative lenses without a prescription may give you few or no instructions on how to clean and care for your lenses.
Failure to use the proper solution to keep contact lenses clean and moist can lead to infections, says Bernard Lepri, O.D., M.S., M.Ed., an optometrist at FDA. “Bacterial infections can be extremely rapid, result in corneal ulcers, and cause blindness—sometimes within as little as 24 hours if not diagnosed and treated promptly.”
“The problem isn’t with the decorative contacts themselves,” adds Lepri. “It’s the way people use them improperly—without a valid prescription, without the involvement of a qualified eye care professional, or without appropriate follow-up care.”
If you would like to read the entire article go to www.fda/gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm275069.htm
Highlands Park Wetland Planting Days – including our annual Wetland Workshop On Saturday, May 11, 2013
On April 20, 2013, we will have a wetland planting event at Highlands Park (located at the corner of Spring Rd. and E. Walnut St.). Wear old clothes and shoes you won’t mind getting dirty. If you have them, bring shovels, buckets and work gloves. We will be installing approximately 5,000 wetland plugs during each event, so bring your family and friends!
Our WETLANDS WORKSHOP will be at the same location on Saturday, May 11, 2013: We will have our traditional workshop from 10am to 12 noon, then at 12:30 (after a short lunch break), we will have an additional planting of the remaining plugs described above until 3:30pm. Contact Jenny with questions at [email protected].
http://www.environmentalconsultingohio.com/news.php
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WHEN? Saturday, April 20th 9:00am-2:00pm. Rain Date April 27th. Saturday, May 11th 10:00am-3:00pm. WHERE? At the NEW & IMPROVED WETLANDS at Highlands Park (Located at the corner of Spring Road and Walnut Street in Westerville) WEAR? Old clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting dirty. If you have them, bring shovels, buckets, and gloves.
WHAT? We will be installing approximately 5,000 wetland plugs during each event, so bring your family and friends! FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Jenny Adkins at MAD Scientist & Associates [email protected]
614-818-9156
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PTSA partnering with Dream Dinners We have partnered with Dream Dinners at Cherri Park Square for a month long fundraiser and Dream Dinners is donating 15% of all proceeds from our families who attend regular sessions ANY DAY IN APRIL! It’s easy! Just schedule your session on-line http://bit.ly/NorthDreamDinners or call 614-890-8880. Feel free to invite friends to support us in this fundraiser, just have them pre-register. MAKE SURE TO ADD THAT YOU ARE WITH WALNUT SPRINGS IN THE SPECIAL COMMENTS/DIRECTIONS SECTION. On the day you schedule, come to the store and assemble your dinner. It's that simple. They will also have samples and beverages to enjoy before or after your session. Any questions: contact Treasurer Jody McLain at [email protected] 31 Cherri Park Square Westerville, OH 43081 614-890-8880 Directions: Take exit 29 (Rt 3) north from I-270 on the NE side of Columbus. We’re 1 mile north on your left in Cherri Park Square Shopping Center! **The Order Intro Special is not included in the fundraiser.*** What is Dream Dinners? Dream Dinners is an innovative concept in meal preparation that eliminates stress by taking away that nagging question of - what am I going to make for dinner tonight? It removes all menu planning, shopping, prep-work and clean-up by moving the meal assembly process out of people's kitchens and into specially equipped stores. Dream Dinners' guests preview a changing monthly menu online at dreamdinners.com and select their dinners from a menu featuring up to 17 items (depending on location) such as Steak Gorgonzola, Penne with Chicken and Peanut Sauce and Firehouse Three Cheese Pasta with Meatballs. The guest can elect to assemble 3-serving or 6-serving dinners, in any combination that works best for their families. (The minimum order per session is 36-servings.) Our guests then register to attend a meal assembly session at the nearest Dream Dinners store location, and pay for their session online. When it's time for their session, guests bring boxes or coolers with them to the Dream Dinners store, where our friendly and knowledgeable staff greet them and explain the process. At the store, guests rotate through refrigerated recipe stations, scooping prepped ingredients into the provided baking pans or gallon-sized, zip-top bags, which they label with the appropriate cooking instructions. After assembling their dinners, guests take the uncooked dinners home and freeze them. Each week, three meals are taken from the freezer and placed in the refrigerator to be enjoyed during the upcoming week. Our guests find that Dream Dinners enables them to provide their families with nutritious, wholesome, home-cooked dinners with less stress and more time to enjoy their families. We hope you will give Dream Dinners a try!
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