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 

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

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 

 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

 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

Have you heard the exciting news at MCMS?  Please stop by to visit our new portable computer lab in use, in classrooms! 

Thanks to the cooperative efforts of our school community, the dream of leasing a portable laptop lab is now a reality.  It’s hard to describe the excitement one feels when walking into a room filled with eager and engaged learners.  Imagine, 100% of the students, fully engaged and challenged while at work on their individual laptop.  The pride in ownership is also evident, as the kids fully understand the awesome results of their hard work.

Congratulations to our basketball teams for their incredible success this season and top finishes in the conference.  Our wrestling team also represented our school well.  Although all teams posted great records, these programs are about so much more than a winning season.  Thanks to the coaches and parents involved for your positive mentorship of our student athletes!

Soon we will be making plans for our transition into the 2007-08 school year.  The activity level continues to rise at MCMS as we move into the spring of the year.  Stay tuned for registration information.

 Thanks for your continued partnership,

Sincerely,

Sue Kreuser 

What a great time of year to reflect upon our accomplishments thus far!  Please take a moment to spend with your student(s) over the holiday break to discuss their progress and accomplishments at MCMS.  There is much to be proud of!  Our students are achieving in many ways.  Academic challenges take place daily.  The growth in our students’ physical, social, and emotional characteristics is equally as noteworthy as their intellectual growth.  As they continue to progress through the year, our students need your continued support and encouragement to do well.

Thanks to all of you who supported our PTO sponsored fundraisers.  The magazine sale and chocolate sale generated enough dollars to lease a portable computer lab.  Our goal is to have the twenty-four unit lab available for classroom use by the end of January. The fundraisers will be an annual event to support our computer lease, so any creative thoughts you have to expanding either sale are welcomed.

Thank you for your continued partnership.

Sincerely,

Sue Kreuser

Our first quarter of the 2006-07 school year is complete.  Where has the time gone?  Report cards are being sent home with students on Tuesday, November 7.  Along with the report card, you can expect our first family newsletter as well as EOG test data from last spring.

This is a great time to have a discussion with your student(s) about their goals for the year.  Reflections and discussions can take place on the previous year’s EOG data as well as current course grades.  Growth and achievement ought to be celebrated!  Areas for challenge should also be noted, with a plan in place for the remainder of the school year.

Test scores are not everything…however, they do mean something.  We’ll need your help at home to keep these scores in perspective and focus on every student doing their very best.

 Thanks to all of the parents and students who gave their time and effort on Saturday at our campus clean up day.  What a wonderful opportunity to give back to our school community and have some fun together.

Thank you for your continued partnership,

Sincerely,

Sue Kreuser

The purpose of this correspondence is to share accurate information regarding yesterday’s school closing.
 
It appears as though weekend storms damaged the building electrical connections.  Initially, the project to restore power was estimated to take one half hour.  During this time, we were completely without power.  The safest areas for our students were in naturally lit places.  Our students remained in these locations, closely supervised by grade level teaching staff. 
 
Once we were notified that the project would take the full day, central office staff and MCMS administration notified staff of our plans, which included:
 

• Homeroom teachers assisting every student to make a phone call to a parent, informing all of you of our situation
• Feeding all students – PB and J never tasted so good!
• A system of communication for parent pick up of students
• Dismissal of students at 11:00 AM

 
Simultaneously, the Carteret County Schools office notified the media and posted information on our school’s website.
 
In review of our day, our staff felt good about how we handled the emergency.  However, we always look for ways to improve and welcome your suggestions.  One area for improvement is the updating of our records, verifying we have accurate family information.  You can help us by completing the form given to your student and having your student return it to his/her homeroom teacher.
 
This is a great time for your family to talk about handling emergencies.  In a case like this, we expect the following from students:
 

• Follow the instructions of the adult in charge
• Remain calm
• DO NOT use personal cell phones, unless instructed to do so by a staff member

 
It is our priority to keep students and staff safe.  If you have suggestions for making improvements, please feel free to send them my way.
 
We appreciate your patience and know that this caused a great deal of inconvenience for many of your families.  Thank you for your support and understanding in a difficult situation.  You can be proud of our students and staff for their cooperative efforts during yesterday’s unpredicted events.
 
Sincerely,
Sue Kreuser
 
 

Thanks to all who participated in our open house this past week!  The event was a great success due to the combined efforts of everyone involved.  Thanks to all parents and guardians for prioritizing this evening of connecting with our teaching teams.  We know how busy families are these days and we appreciated the time you took with us.  Our intent was to give you a better understanding of the teams’ expectations as well as the content the subject matter.  From all accounts we are hearing that we accomplished our mission.  However, if you have suggestions for improving this event for the future, we would value your opinion.

 
Thanks to our staff for their diligent efforts in providing families with a brief, but inclusive presentation.  They have worked tirelessly since returning in August and their efforts can be seen on a daily basis as we have had a very smooth opening.

 
Thanks also to the Band Booster Club and Chuck Lindner for an awesome chicken dinner.  It was quite a production as over 1,000 chicken dinners made their way out of our building.

 
Congratulations to Ms. DeeDee Phillips as she is “Moving Up, Moving Out, and Moving On.”  Dee Dee has been named the assistant principal at Smyrna and Beaufort Middle School.  There are no words to describe the dedication and commitment that Ms. Phillips has given to our school and the band program. 

 
As you may be aware, Mr. David Fye has accepted the full time band directorship at MCMS and officially began his duties last week.  David’s expertise and experience at Newport Middle School as well as our school will offer a smooth transition for our students, while continuing the excellence of the program.

 
Ms. Sharon Voss will be joining out staff on a part time basis as soon as her replacement is named at Morehead City Primary School.  We are fortunate to have join our staff as she is a familiar face to many of our students due to her experience in participating in our summer band programs.

 
If you have questions or concerns as the school year continues, please give us a call.  Thank you for your continued partnership!

 
Sincerely,

 
Sue Kreuser