Dear Families,
It’s difficult to believe that we have begun our last quarter of the school year! As we move into spring, we begin a very busy time. The learning activities in our classrooms offer amazing opportunities for our kids. Additionally, spring activities are underway, including sports and other after school activities. Every day is filled with energy, enthusiasm and excitement at MCMS.
Within the next couple of weeks, we will be implementing the use of a variety of technology equipment that will enhance teaching and learning at MCMS. Teachers will be utilizing document cameras as well as interwrite tablets in their classroms. A new student response system, called “Quizdom” will be available as well. This device will allow staff members to see immediate responses from individual students. Trials with this technology equipment demonstrated high interest in students and staff alike. We are fortunate to also complete our third portable computer lab, which allows for grade level use. Our students have been respectful users of all of this technology equipment and certainly are reaping the benefits. We are grateful for community support from county commissioners as well as our PTO for their support of our technology-filled classrooms.
Although we have an entire quarter of the year remaining, we also have begun to make plans for next year. Next week, our current students will be registering for the 2008-09 school year. Transition programs have already taken place with the upcoming sixth graders as well as our ninth graders, preparing for WCHS.
EOG test preparation really takes place all year long, however the next few weeks will provide opportunties for students to review for the May exams. With the hard work and dedication of staff, students, and parents, we are sure to have favorable outcomes again this spring. Parents are encouraged to ask students about opportunities for test preparation sessions, including Academic Coaching options as well as after school options.
The 2008 summer novel has been chosen. We are encouraging all students, families, and staff members to read “The Lightning Thief.” This action-packed story is sure to please all! Stay tuned for more information on the sale of the book at MCMS in June.
We are looking forward to a strong finish! Thank you for your continued partnership!
Sincerely,
Sue Kreuser
Dear Families,
It’s winter, 2008, and we’re just heating up at MCMS! It’s been a great first half of the year! Although there have been many new exciting learning opportunities and programs at our school, I’d like to highlight just a few.
My Writing Web is a new web-based writing program that is being piloted in the sixth grade. The program components allow students to practice their writing skills and receive immediate feedback. Teachers have access to data that identify strength areas as well as areas that need emphasis.
Customtyping.com is a web-based program that we have been using with sixth grade band students. Our goal is to have the students learn keyboarding skills through independent work several times a week at school as well as at home.
Accelerated Math- this program allows us to assess students’ math abilities and provides information regarding gaps in their mathematical learning.
Math Facts is a program being used for a select group of students who have yet to gain confidence and skills in adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing.
As you will note, many of our newly implemented programs are web-based computer programs. As we continue to plan for the future of our students, we will continue to grow our technology supports. We appreciate our very active PTO, which continues to fund our leased portable computer lab. We also appreciate the support received by our School Board and county commissioners which have allocated the necessary funds to purchase a second portable computer lab.
This year, our entire building has adopted the Positive Behavior Support program, which is a nationally known program with a North Carolina initiative aimed at providing schools with a system of positive student behavior and responsibility. Although we are still monitoring the implementation and “tweaking” our procedures, we feel that our students are responding favorably to the system. The overall to the program is teaching the specific behaviors we want to see demonstrated in our classrooms. The behaviors include respect and responsibility.
Thank you for your continued partnership. If you have any questions or concerns, we welcome your involvement. Please contact individual teachers, counselors or administrators so that we may better serve your family.
Sincerely,
Sue Kreuser
September, 2007
Dear MCMS Families,
We have had an amazing start to our school year! This past week was filled with excitement as our hallways and classrooms reflected the buzz of five hundred students anticipating a new school year. Our staff worked diligently to be prepared for this return. Learning activities have taken place all week, while caring relationships have been established.
An area of emphasis for our teaching and learning at MCMS is the infusion of technology in the teaching and learning process. Observing first-time sixth graders using our portable computer lab this week was priceless! It’s almost magical to see students show such eagerness and excitement for learning!
The challenge that lies before us is to continue this energy level and excitement for the entire school year. We’ve got the key ingredients to do so: an amazing student body; incredibly supportive parents and community members; and an AWESOME staff!
Thank you for an amazing start. We look forward to your partnership!
Sincerely
Ms. Kreuser
Welcome to the 2007-08 school year!
We eagerly await the arrival of our student body! Our awesome staff has been working hard in preparation for five hundred students, soon to be entering our doors! Classrooms will be filled with academic challenges as well as fun-filled learning activities for all! Fall sports and other after-school programs will be in full swing before you know it.
We can’t wait to see you!
Mrs. Kreuser
June, 2007
Dear MCMS Families,
It’s been an awesome year at MCMS and we want you to know how much we appreciate your partnership in our school’s success! The year began with a kick off of magic in an all-school assembly, focusing on the importance of treating one another with respect and not accepting bully-like behavior. As academic teams of teachers and students formed together to create their identities, our athletic teams began their year of excellence. Additionally, our band continued to build upon the tradition of excellence as did our academic co-curricular teams such as quiz bowl and battle of the books. We completed the year with grade level celebrations as well as an all-school assembly that featured our student council officers, percussion ensemble, and live entertainment from an engaging group of eighth grade students. Our students have grown in so many ways! It’s a rewarding experience to see each and every one of them in their transformations. As we complete another school year, we reflect upon our challenges and successes, looking forward to a bright future. Our eighth grade students are well prepared to accept the challenges of high school and we are eager to welcome another great group of sixth graders next August. Our school improvement plan is the guiding force, supporting our vision. Although you can review it in its entirety on our web site, some of the key areas we will continue our emphasis include: · Increasing the relevance and rigor for all students · Challenging all students by differentiating instruction – taking students from where they’re at to as far as they can go! · Integration of technology across all content areas · Creating and inviting and safe learning environment We know the importance of continual learning throughout the summer months. We invite your family to join in our school’s first summer reading initiative by reading “Surviving the Applewhites” by Stephanie Tolan. This is an engaging story, which is sure to be enjoyed by students and adults. Stay tuned to our website for opportunities to discuss the book online throughout the summer months. Plans are in the works for school-related activities when we return in August. In addition to reading, we encourage our students to keep their skills sharp in the area of keyboarding, as well as math facts. Families who are interested in working on math problems throughout the summer may check out copies of “Buckle Down” books that are available through our office. Further learning activities will be taking place at our technology and summer math camps. Check out our web page for more information on these fun-filled learning opportunities! Some important dates to note include:
First week in August MCMS welcome back letter mailed to families, including teams
August 23 Schedule pick up day, including Life Touch photos taken (These are our yearbook photos); Sixth grade orientation
August 27 First day of school!
PTO sponsored QSP fundraiser kick off – save your subscriptions and renewals!
September 11- Open house with teaching teams
October PTO sponsored “World Finest Chocolate” sale
We welcome your involvement in our school. Please consider getting involved by joining our PTO or Parent Advisory. We also encourage your involvement in regular volunteer opportunities as well as special events. We will continue our excitement for teaching technology across the content areas, we will be kicking off our annual magazine fundraiser the first week of the school year. Our chocolate sales will beheld in October. We have expectations of raising over $10,000 to fund our leased portable computer lab. On behalf of our entire staff, I thank you for your continued partnership and wish you a safe and enjoyable summer!
Sincerely,
Sue Kreuser
