DUNDALK MIDDLE SCHOOL
Newsletter
³ Calendar ³
Sept. 19- After School Activities & buses begin Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday
Oct. 4 - Interims Distributed
Oct. 4 - Interim Conferences 3:00-6:00 PM
Oct. 5 - School Pictures
Oct. 18- Fall Fiesta for students 2-4 PM
Oct. 19 - MSTA Convention, Schools Closed
Oct. 22-Oct.26 - North Bay Trip for Grade 6
Principal’s Message
Welcome to our new DMS parents/guardians and welcome back to those of you who have a child returning to DMS.
During the first week of school, all students were introduced or reintroduced to the DMS behavioral expectations, “I am SR2” (I am Safe; I am Responsible; I am Respectful). The DMS expectations are designed to help students know, understand and practice those behaviors that will contribute to a safe learning environment at Dundalk Middle School. Throughout the first week, teachers identified and taught the expectations for student behavior in classrooms, hallways, the cafeteria, buses, etc. I encourage you to talk with your child about the DMS Behavior Matrix he/she helped to create to reinforce the expectations we have identified for students.
Most students have demonstrated responsibility by returning the completed and signed white and yellow emergency cards to the homeroom teacher. These cards are a very important verification document that we use throughout the school year; therefore, when any change occurs, please notify us to update the emergency card information.
We are looking forward to a productive year during which we will all work together as partners in our efforts to provide a quality education for our children. There are many ways that you can meet your responsibility as a partner in your child’s education. They include joining the PTSA, talking to your child about the school day, checking your child’s agenda book, supervising homework, checking notebook organization, replacing school supplies as needed, contacting teachers when you have a question or concern, and volunteering to help at school or with a specific PTSA committee or event. Parental encouragement and support of education are important contributions to student success. I encourage you to become actively involved in your child’s education!
We at Dundalk Middle School are committed to providing a quality educational program and a good middle school experience for each student. If you have any questions, concerns, ideas or praise, please call the school.
MARKET DAY
One of the PTA’s fundraising efforts is Market Day. These prepared food products are listed in the Market Day flyer that comes home with your child monthly. DMS receives 10% of the total sales. If you haven’t received one, they are also available on the counter in the school office. If you are computer savvy, you can also set up your own online account by accessing www.marketday.com. Please call Mrs. Bishop at 410-887-7018 if you have questions about the program. The pick-up for Market Day is at Dundalk Elementary School.
W
DMS
MISSION
The mission of Dundalk Middle is to teach, educate, and inspire students to become empowered, career/college-oriented high school students.
The parking lot on the corner of Yorkway and Dunmanway is the “Drop-Off Zone” for those students who arrive by car. In order to have this system work effectively, please be prepared to drop off your child quickly. Take care of signatures, lunch money, etc. before you arrive.
Our School Resource Officer, Officer Willett,7 will be evaluating the traffic pattern in this parking lot in order to determine if we are using that area in the safest way possible for our students and staff. Look for upcoming information from Mr. Shouldice and Officer Willet regarding this important area.
BCPS provides bus transportation for students who live more than one mile from the school. Our school bus drivers are dedicated BCPS employees who daily take on the challenge of providing safe transportation to and from school for our children. Many of the Baltimore County Public School buses have been equipped with video cameras. This technology is intended to enhance a safe and orderly environment while transporting students to and from school and school related activities by maximizing appropriate student behavior.
While on the school bus, students are expected to comply with all BCPS transportation regulations, including:
q Follow directions the first time they are given.
q Stay seated, facing forward at all times.
q Keep all parts of your body inside the bus.
q Keep hands, legs, arms, personal property and your voice to yourself.
q No eating, drinking or vulgar language at any time on the bus.
Safety Plans at DMS
Baltimore County Public Schools has required a Safe School Management Plan for each school. The goal of our plan is the safety of your children and the ability to account for all students and staff during an emergency. Our plan includes fire drills, crisis evacuation drills, “severe weather” drills, and lock-down drills. In the event of an emergency, we want you to have the following information:
§ If a “lock down” or “shelter in place” emergency occurs, no one will be allowed into or out of our building during the emergency. Once the emergency has passed, parents/guardians or designated individuals will be able to sign out children following regular dismissal procedures.
§ If we have evacuated the building, but have remained on school grounds, students will move to the area below the foot bridge behind the school. We will set up a command post, behind the school at the tennis courts on Yorkway.
§ If there is an event that requires us to evacuate our building and move to a temporary location, we will walk to Logan Elementary School. If we need to evacuate the area, school system buses will transport us to Dundalk High School. At the location we move to, a command post will be set up and all students will be released through the established procedure at the command post.
§ BCPS will use the media to inform parents/guardians of where they need to go to pick up their children.
All individuals who are picking up children must have identification! During an emergency parents/guardians may want the school to release children to family members, neighbors or friends other than those listed on the standard emergency card. We are asking every family to complete the “Additional Emergency Release List” form included in this newsletter and have your child return it to his/her homeroom teacher. This form will give us authorization to release your child to any of those individuals you have designated. These authorization forms will be placed in our “emergency tool box” and will be used only in case of emergencies.
The standard emergency card will be kept in the school office and used for day-to-day situations as we have in the past. Please make sure you keep us informed of any changes that need to be made on your child’s emergency card!
Attendance
In order to maintain good scholastic performance, students must attend school regularly. The State of Maryland sets the standards for attendance at 94% for satisfactory (absent no more than 11 days per school year) and 96% for excellent (absent no more than 7 days ). We are striving to raise the DMS attendance from unsatisfactory (93%) to excellent (96%).
All absences must be accounted for on the day the student returns. Students are required to present a note to their homeroom teacher upon their return to school. The note must include date(s) absent, reason for absence, and parent/guardian signature.
If a student is ill and absent for more than 5 days, he/she may be asked to present a doctor’s certificate. Absence notes and certificates are kept on file. Absences without notes (within 5 school days) will be coded as “unlawful.” Vacations should be avoided if possible, and according to BCPS policy, will be coded as “unlawful absences.” As stated in the BCPS Student Handbook, “Students absent for lawful reasons will be allowed to make up missed work whenever possible. This responsibility rests with the student!”
Substitutes Needed
Are you interested in a job that will provide lots of variety and many rewards? If so, consider becoming a Baltimore County substitute teacher. If you would like more information about substituting at Dundalk Middle School, call 410-887-7018. (Note: You will also need to call 410-887-0309 to make an appointment to be fingerprinted, a requirement for all.) Baltimore County substitute teachers.)
Soon, students will be bringing home information about the After-School Activities. The sessions begin on September 19. To participate, students return a permission form signed by a parent/guardian indicating the transportation arrangements. During the session, buses are provided on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons. Each bus makes several stops, allowing us to transport the children to their neighborhoods. (This will not necessarily be the same stop students use for their daily BCPS transportation.)
The school day officially begins at 8:15 AM and students are required to be in homeroom by that time. DMS opens its doors for students at 8:05 AM. Students eating breakfast should arrive by 8:00 AM and enter through the cafeteria entrance. We have made arrangements for teacher supervision of students who arrive between 7:50 AM and 8:05 AM. Students should not arrive prior to 7:50 AM unless they have made arrangements to work with a teacher. Students arriving before 8:05 AM are expected to wait outside (unless it is raining). Students should act responsibly and dress appropriately for the weather. If it is cold, students should wear a coat and possibly even a hat and gloves.
Lunch Information
Information concerning the Baltimore County Public School’s Nutrition Express Meal Card, as well as the prepayment plan, was sent home with each student the first week of school. Additionally, information concerning the free and reduced price meal program was sent home with all students. Many children are eligible to receive breakfast or lunch free or at greatly reduced prices. In order to determine whether or not your child can take advantage of this great cost savings, it is important that ALL families complete the eligibility for each year. Those who were enrolled last year need to complete a new application. Applications must be completed and returned to school by the end of September. Only one form needs to be completed for the entire family. If you have not completed the form yet or you have questions about this program please call our cafeteria manager, Mrs. Ledwell at 410-887-7414.
School Portrait Day
School Portraits will be taken on Friday, October 5.
Students will be given a payment envelope 2-3 days prior to picture day. Additional copies will be available in the school office. In the interest of safety, a check or money order is preferred. All students will be photographed for the yearbook and school records. Only those students with payment and a completed order form on picture day will receive a portrait package.
Our school has contracted Lifetouch as the photographer. A variety of portrait packages and several background choices will be offered. Lifetouch can provide additional information to you directly by calling 1-800-445-1189.
School Supplies
As we begin the school year, students come supplied with many new materials. However, pens run out of ink, pencils “get lost,” and paper gets used. Please check your child’s school supplies as part of your regular routine and replace any necessary materials so that your child will be prepared for all classes.
Student Handbook
During the opening days of school, administrators have begun meeting with all students to review the Baltimore County Public Schools’ Student Handbook. The BCPS Student Handbook contains information on “School/Community Responsibilities,” “Discipline Code,” and “Student’s Rights and Responsibilities.” Values of respect and responsibility were highlighted as administrators reviewed expectations, rules, procedures, and consequences for specific behaviors.
The DMS “Behavior Matrix” clearly sets the expectations for students by stating that “Dundalk Middle School students are SR2.” This statement means:
¨ I am Safe
¨ I am Responsible
¨ I am Respectful
Students had the opportunity to ask questions, and each student signed a form acknowledging receipt of the handbook and sexual harassment forms. Parents/guardians need to review the Baltimore County Public Schools’ Student Handbook and the behavior matrix with their children to help reinforce the expectations that contribute to making Dundalk Middle School a safe and productive learning environment. Additionally, each student is required to return the “Student Handbook Acknowledgement Form,” signed by a parent/guardian.
PTSA’s No Brainier Fundraising
Use www.Goodsearch.com instead of Google – DMS can get a 1 cent donation EACH time you log on…you will need to identify Dundalk Middle School as your charity. Use this and we get money!!
EVERY SMALL BIT HELPS!!
Giant – You must register every year with ID# 01489...use this and we get money!!
EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS!!
Target – Red Card ID# 01489…use this and we get money!!
EVERY TINY BIT HELPS!!
Box Tops – Send in the box tops to homerooms for collection…we get money!!!
EVERY PETITE BIT HELPS!!
Office Depot – IS# 70046013 or just mention Dundalk Middle School…We get money!!!
EVERY MICROSCOPIC BIT HELPS!!
Race to Recycle – Turn in you old cell phones to school (PTSA Homeroom boxes)…We get money!!
EVERY TRIVIAL BIT HELPS!!
Every time you shop, ask if the store gives back to schools …and then designate DUNDALK MIDDLE.
REMEMBER EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS
YOUR CHILD!!!
PBIS—Positive Behavior Interventions Strategies
PBIS is our school-wide behavior intervention program. The purpose of the program is to make students aware of the behaviors we expect of them in school. These are positive behaviors that contribute to a productive, safe school environment for all of our students and faculty. At the beginning of the year during a lesson presented to all homerooms, students had the opportunity to give their input about the types of behaviors that should be followed in all areas of the school—classrooms, lavatories, cafeteria, library. Their contributions were then compiled onto a behavior matrix that is posted throughout the school building as a reminder to students.
There are two pieces of the PBIS program that you will hear about consistently. One piece rewards the behaviors we want students to demonstrate. These positive behaviors are recognized by teachers through the use of our HOOTS. Hoots are quarter sheets of paper that students receive for demonstrating behavior that is appropriate. Teacher and staff members hand them to students for demonstrating the behaviors from our student behavior expectation statement, “Dundalk Middle students are SR2”—safe, responsible. and respectful. HOOTS can be used as “cash” for various incentives. We run the HOOT store at lunch where we sell some school supplies, candy, and small items, like dog tags, backpack carbines, etc. We run dances where students earn admittance through HOOTS. Students will have an opportunity to buy presents for the holidays with our Winter Wonderland HOOTS. Ask your child to see the HOOTS they have earned and to explain the types of behaviors they were demonstrating to earn them.
The second documentation system is called the Student Incident Report (SIR) and is used by teachers to document the classroom level interventions they make to improve the behavior of students. For example, an SIR would be used to document a seat change, a phone call home, or a student/teacher among other things. These are recorded and used to give us a clear understanding of a student and his or her behavior across classes. The information is often used as a starting point for discussing behavior (when parent conferences are scheduled).
North Bay
Grade 6 students will again have the opportunity to partake in this spectacular camping trip from October 22-26. NorthBay is an education center devoted to hands-on environmental science in the field. The experience combines exposure to exceptional leadership, character, and discovery in a high adventure setting. Students wishing to participate need only pay $25.00 for the cost of transportation. Be sure to complete and return all necessary paperwork when it comes home with your sixth grader. Don’t miss this great opportunity!
Library News
Our school library has a new online catalog that students may use to search for library books from any internet computer. It will soon allow students to search for web pages too. Students only need to follow these few steps to log-on:
1. 1. Log onto the internet.
2. 2. Type http://destiny.bcps.org/ in the address bar and press enter on the keyboard.
3. 3. Click on Dundalk Middle School.
4. 4. Click on the catalog tab and have fun searching.
Also, don’t forget to use the online databases Dundalk Middle has paid for when doing research. They can be found at http://www.bcps.org/offices/lis/feebased/index.html. The passwords are listed at http://www.bcps.org/offices/lis/feebased/handout.doc.
CCBC College Gateway Partnership
The College Gateway Partnership is a groundbreaking initiative that will give every eighth grader at DMS the opportunity for a daylong authentic college experience. Groups of 25 students and their teachers and counselors will be spend the day on each of the CCBC three campuses. Students will be engaged in classes created for them and taught by CCBC faculty and BCPS staff. Ms. Knight’s homeroom was the first to share this experience on September 12. While on campus, our students learned about college as a way for preparing for a career. Part of the lessons will address perceived obstacles to higher education and how those obstacles can be overcome. For more information about this program, please contact the BCPS Office of Communications at 410-887-5908 or communications@bcps.org.
Magnet School Program
Information
September 17-21 Magnet Program Brochures will be distributed to 8th grade students. These brochures will contain important information about magnet programs, admission criteria, and transportation. They also will contain an application. This information will also be available on the web by September 17, 2007 at www.bcps.org/offices/omp.
Please discuss this information with your child as you plan for the next phase of your child’s education.
Magnet School applications must be completed and mailed to the Office of Magnet Programs at 6901 Charles Street, Towson. MD 21204. ALL applications must be postmarked by the deadline date, November 30, 2007, in order to be processed. Certified mail with return receipt requested is STRONGLY recommended. Applications postmarked after the deadline date will not be processed.
Students will also be provided with information about Magnet Open House dates and school visits during the months of September, October and November. Discuss this information with your child and plan to attend the Open Houses for magnet programs of interest.
Important Dates:
October 6 and 13, 2007 High School Magnet Fairs
October 6, 2007 – Eastern Technical High School – 9:00AM – 12:00 PM
Participating Schools: Carver, Chesapeake, Eastern, Kenwood, Overlea, Parkville, Patapsco, Sollers Point, Sparrows Point, Towson
October 13, 2007 – Randallstown High School – 9:00 – 12:00 PM
Participating Schools: Carver, Kenwood, Lansdowne, Milford Mill, Randallstown, Western, Woodlawn
October – November 2007 – Magnet Open House Dates
November 30, 2007 – Magnet School Application Deadline
Take the time to talk with your child about the opportunities that magnet schools provide. More information about the BCPS magnet programs is available at www.bcps.org/offices/omp or by calling the Office of Magnet Programs at 410-887-4127.
FMA Live! strives to engage middle-school students in math and science through a live, ground-breaking stage show that travels cross-country demonstrating the amazing science in kids’ everyday lives. Featuring high-energy actors, music, video and demonstrations FMA Live! teaches Forces and Motion and the process of scientific inquiry in an innovative, entertaining, and memorable way.
DMS grade 7 students traveled to CCBC, Dundalk Campus, on Wednesday, September 12 to see this live performance. Don’t forget to ask them about this experience!
Many thanks to the Honeywell Corporation for making it all possible.
BCPS “Bad Checks” Policy
Baltimore County Public Schools has instituted a new policy for all checks written to its schools. Below is the policy as listed in the BCPS School Activity Funds Manual: “Issuers of dishonored checks presented to Baltimore County Public Schools will be given 10 days to submit full payment of the amount of the check plus actual bank charges incurred by BCPS by means of a money order, cashier’s check, or cash. If this payment is not received by the end of 10 days, the issuer will need to submit full payment of the amount of the check plus $35.00. If payment is not received at the end of the 20-day period, BCPS will turn over the dishonored check, and all other available information related to this check, to the State’s Attorney for criminal prosecution. If the dishonored check is turned over to the State’s Attorney for collection, schools will not accept restitution from the check issuer. The funds will be remitted to the school by the State’s Attorney’s Office.”
Nurse's Station
Health and learning go hand-in-hand. If you have any questions about the school health program, please call Ilene Clarkson, R.N., school nurse, during school hours at 410-887-7018. Also, any parents interested in volunteering in the health suite may call Mrs. Clarkson. To carry out the health program effectively, please note the following guidelines:
:Notify the nurse when your child is ill or absent for more than three consecutive days.
:Have your child report to the nurse upon returning to school after an extended absence
(more than 3 days).
:Please inform the nurse of any concerns pertaining to the physical or mental health of your child, including
if your child takes mediation for Attention Deficit.
:We discourage the administration of medication at school. However, if your physician decides it is necessary for your child to receive a prescription or over-the-counter medication during the school day, a doctor’s written order must be provided to the school nurse. Special forms for this are available in the health suite. The medication is to be sent to school in the original bottle with the current prescription label on the container. Parents can request two containers from the pharmacist, one for home use and another for school. Parents must give written notification from the physician of any change in dosage or time medicine is to be administered, along with a new prescription bottle of medicine, to the school nurse.
:If your child has any reason to be excused from physical education, for more than one week, a written note
from the doctor is required. Written release from the doctor is needed for your child to return to physical education.
Project Wisdom Morning Announcements
Project Wisdom is a collection of thought-provoking messages that are being broadcast over the PA system every day. These messages will help our school focus on character values, reminding students and staff to be respectful, trustworthy, courteous, and caring human beings. They encourage us to think about the choices we make and the consequences of those choices. The messages contain wisdom from cultures, races, and religions from around the globe—and individuals from all walks of life. Please start a conversation with your child about the topics they hear in these announcements.
If your child should need to be dismissed from school during the school day, the emergency cards you completed are an important verification document we use. Students will not be dismissed to leave with anyone other than the parent, guardian, or individual listed on the front of the emergency card (unless that person is identified in a note, which is signed by the parent/guardian). Additionally, the school requires a photo ID of any individual picking up students.
BULLYING
Bullying is a national concern as well as a local one. Dundalk Middle School is intent on being proactive in addressing bullying. Listed below are supports for students who feel they are being bullied:
¨ School counselors
¨ Peer mediation
¨ Speaking to teachers
¨ Student “What Happened” forms
¨ Bullying Forms
Please encourage your child to seek support from the school counselor or any adult in the school, if he or she feels bullied. Please also feel free to call the school counselor or any school administrator for information and support. We are proud of our students and the work they are doing in the classroom. We do not want the behavior of a few students to interfere with the learning of others.
Parents Count
In an effort to provide support and information to parents on how they can help their children succeed in school, the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education (MBRT) launched a “Parents Count” web page: www.mbrt.org/parents. One the first of each month, a new topic is introduced. Hundreds of employers and organizations communicate MBRT’s parent messages and promote “Parents Count” web page to their employees and members—representing several hundred thousand parents across the state.
“Parents Count” is part of MBRT’s Achievement Counts campaign, which is a statewide campaign created to demonstrate the important connection between achievement in school and success in the workplace. The campaign sends a powerful message to students that what they do in school counts and that what they do now will affect their futures. For more information, visit MBRT’s web site at www.mbrt.org.
TOPICS:
October Maryland Scholars Have It Made
November Math Matter More Than Ever
December Science Will Spell Success For Students
January Be What I Want To Be.com: A Place for Students to Fins Themselves
February Why Financial Literacy Counts
March Here Come Tomorrow's Careers: Will Your Child Be Ready
April Why Our Children Need To Be Students of Technology
May Globally Speaking: Will Your Child Have Tomorrow’s Foreign Language Skills?
June What’s Cool For Summer? Learning
(*Information taken from MBRT application.)
Faculty Email Addresses
Blimline, Debra A. dblimline@bcps.org
Bishop, Marcella A. mbishop@bcps.org
Blizzard, Jeffrey A. jblizzard@bcps.org
Bullock, Katherine A. kbullock@bcps.org
Burkindine, Michaela R. mburkindine@bcps.org
Cabezas, Candice T. ccabezas@bcps.org
Carr, Christie L. ccarr2@bcps.org
Cegielski, Donna L. dcegielski@bcps.org
Chard, Karen A. kchard@bcps.org
Clarkson, Ilene T. iclarkson@bcps.org
Dennison, Michael R. mdennison@bcps.org
Egorin, Mara L. megorin@bcps.org
Felter, Teresa L. tfelter2@bcps.org
Foot, Dana A. dfoot@bcps.org
Gibson, Sharon L. sgibson3@bcps.org
Hall, Eleanora C ehall@bcps.org
Hamel, Norma J. nhamel@bcps.org
Hartman, Diana L. dhartman2@bcps.org
Himes, Susan E. shimes@bcps.org
Ingle, David L. dingle@bcps.org
Johnson, Hayward N. hjohnson4@bcps.org
Joyce, Michael P. mjoyce@bcps.org
Kariuki, Elizabeth M. ebeatty@bcps.org
Kirkland, Robin T. rkirkland@bcps.org
Knight, Patricia E. pknight@bcps.org
Ledwell, Teresa P. tledwell@bcps.org
Liddic, Jacqueline jliddic@bcps.org
Lisane, Kishi W. klisane@bcps.org
Loss, Pamela J. ploss@bcps.org
MacCubbin, Claire S. cmaccubbin@bcps.org
Metzger, Joanie E. jmetzger@bcps.org
Meusel, Kelli kmeusel@bcps.org
Miles, Christine L. cmiles@bcps.org
Miller, David A. dmiller11@bcps.org
Moody, Mary E. mmoody@bcps.org
Mullin, Sara A. smullin@bcps.org
Murphy, Nancy C. nmurphy2@bcps.org
O'Toole-Trivas, Erin R. etrivas@bcps.org
Patron, Virginia G. vpatron@bcps.org
Phillips, Gwendolyn gphillips@bcps.org
Pincione, Constance L. cpincione@bcps.org
Quayhackx, Joanne M. jquayhackx@bcps.org
Roth, James K. jroth3@bcps.org
Sabol, Linda C. lsabol@bcps.org
Seniura, Judith jseniura@bcps.org
Shanks, Amanda L. ashanks@bcps.org
Shouldice, Paul T. pshouldice@bcps.org
Sipes, Kristin L. ksipes2@bcps.org
Smith, Keli ksmith16@bcps.org
Soto-Coleman, Naomy nsotocoleman@bcps.org
Sperling, Donna L. dsperling@bcps.org
Stone, Duncan B. dstone3@bcps.org
Sylvester, Jennifer L. jsylvester@bcps.org
Tarr, Sarah C. starr@bcps.org
Thomas, Patricia H. pthomas2@bcps.org
Willett, Craig N. cwillett@bcps.org
Williams, Brian M. bwilliams4@bcps.org
Wojcik, Christopher M. cwojcik@bcps.org