John Poole's BACK POCKET: March 16, 2009

John Poole’s BACK POCKET
March 16, 2009
MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Today, we began the first day of MSA testing. While each grade level is testing, regular instruction will continue. I
believe the students are well prepared and will do well. Please encourage them to try their best. The tips below are
proven and will help all students succeed. If you know your child has some test anxiety issues, it may help them relax.
Spring activities are now in full swing. It is important for young people to stay active in a wide range of
extracurricular activities; but as I told the students at the honor roll celebrations, the curricula will get harder as we move
toward the end of the year. It is important that we help them schedule their time, making sure that school is a priority and
yet still leave time for fun.
I want to invite everyone to the joint PTA meeting at Poolesville High School Tuesday night. Ms. Levine, principal,
and I will be presenting Dr. Weast’s updated strategic plan “The Seven Keys to College Readiness.” It is important that
you understand MCPS’s goals for all students. The information presented Tuesday will update and help clarify
our goals for the students of Montgomery County.
As always, thank you for your continued support of staff and students.
MSA Testing Schedule

The testing schedule is as follows:
• MSA Reading Test – March 16-17, Grade 6 and March 18-19, Grades 7 and 8 (7:35 – 10:00 a.m.)
• MSA Math Test – March 20&23, Grade 6 and March 24-25, Grades 7 and 8 (7:35 – 10:00 a.m.)
• Mod-MSA Reading – March 16-17 (all grades)
• Mod-MSA Math – March 18-19 (all grades)
Maryland School Assessment (MSA’s) Tips

MSA testing will begin on March 16th. This state assessment focuses on Reading (all grades) and Math (all grades).
The results of these assessments are important to the school and each individual student. Performance on this test is one
factor used in course placement. We have worked hard this year preparing students and feel confident they will do well.
Tips to share with your child for the MSA days!
General Tips
¾ Eat a good breakfast.
¾ Get a good night’s sleep.
¾ Answer the questions you find easiest first. Come back to the others later.
¾ Don’t spend more than a minute or two on any question.
¾ As you work on a section, keep track of how much time remains. (It’s a good idea to bring a reliable watch.)
¾ Answer every question. There is no penalty for guessing.
¾ Be careful to mark only one answer choice per question.
¾ Write in the test book in any way that will help you.
¾ Consider all answer choices before you choose one. Use the process of elimination to narrow your choices.
Reading Section Tips

¾ Read the passage carefully before you read the questions.
¾ Focus on the main ideas in the passage. Underline these. Don’t get lost in the details.
¾ Try to identify how ideas in the passage are connected.
¾ Refer back to the passage as you answer each question.
Mathematics Section Tips
¾ Work out the problem before looking at the answer choices. When done, choose the answer choice that matches
your answer. If none match, redo the problem.
¾ Don’t overly rely on your calculator. Some problems are best worked out manually. Some don’t even require
calculation.
¾ The questions focus much more on reasoning than on calculation. If you find yourself doing complicated
calculations, you’re probably on the wrong track.
¾ Make sure your answer choice makes sense. A calculation error can lead you to a wrong answer choice.
¾ Check your work.
Writing Section Tips

¾ Organization of your response is very important.
¾ Plan your response before you begin to write it.
¾ Stay with the topic throughout your response.
¾ Vary your sentence structure and word choices.
¾ Use specific examples wherever possible.
¾ Write legibly.
¾ If you have time, check your grammar, usage, punctuation, and spelling.
COUNSELING
Career Day
On April 23rd we will hold our annual 8th grade Career Day. Parents and community members come for the day to
share their occupations with us! We always look for a variety of careers to represent all walks of life. Our 8th graders
enjoy this experience when adults come and share their career experiences with them. If you are interested, or have a
friend or neighbor who would like to participate in this year’s Career Day, or if you have questions, please call the
counseling office at 301-972-7980. We will have college representatives and a session with high school students talking
about high school and how to prepare for this transition. We also depend on parent helpers to organize this day and help
with registration and hospitality. Thank you in advance!
During the month of May, the counselors will be meeting with the eighth graders to take an interest assessment and
research compatible careers. The program we use is www.bridges.com and is available from your home computer.
User name: 0091119
Password: poole
More career information and planning for your child’s future is available on the PTA website www.pta.org. Check this
out!
SSL News
If you have done any SSL hours over the past marking period, make sure you get your reflection hour forms into Mrs.
Arnold. Deadline for all SSL forms from January 2008 are due June 6, 2009. Don’t forget yours!
Kohl’s has a special award to those students who step out above and beyond. If you have students who should be
nominated for an outstanding job with a specific volunteer organization, check out this website
http://www.kohlscorporation.com/CommunityRelations/Community05A.htm. If you need supporting recommendations,
contact Mrs. Arnold, SSL coordinator at 301-972-7980.
Earn SSL Hours

LAND is sponsoring three local roadside clean-up events in Poolesville, Beallsville, Dickerson, and Barnesville. Their
goal is to clean the trash from alongside 15 miles of our community roadways during these three sessions. The events will
be held on Saturday, March 14, 21 and 28 from 1:00- 3:00 p.m. rain or shine. On March 14, the clean-up will take place
on Route 107 to Poolesville.
21st Annual Potomac River, Watershed Cleanup

April 4, 2009, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
This is a student service learning opportunity to help improve our environment. Once a year, there is a big effort to
clean up the Potomac River and its huge watershed area which encompasses some of West Virginia, Pennsylvania,
Maryland and the District of Columbia. The C&O Canal Association is sponsoring a number of sites along the Potomac
River within the C&O Canal NHP which include Carderock, Great Falls Tavern, Swains Lock, Violettes Lock and
Rileys Lock. If interested, please contact Jim Heins, coordinator of these sites at vip@candocanal.org
Celebrate Earth Day – April 2009
The Montgomery County Volunteer Center supports and celebrates Earth Day throughout the month of April.
Volunteers can make a difference by participating in projects with parks, nonprofit agencies, community groups, local
government, or in their neighborhood! Take advantage of this opportunity to serve with your school, family, neighbors,
businesses and/or friends to give back to the community while helping the environment at the same time.
8th Grade Trip to Hershey Park

John Poole Middle School’s eighth grade class will have an end-of-the-year trip on June 15, 2009, to Hershey Park.
Eighth graders and their teachers will travel to Hershey Park via “video” coach buses using Rill’s Bus Service for a great
day of fun and adventure. Information about the trip was given out February 27, 2009 in American History Classes.
Students need to return the permission slip/medical form to their American History teacher with a check for $65.00
payable to John Poole Middle School. Payment is due no later than March 20, 2009. Any outstanding financial
obligations need to be paid before March 20, 2009. The price includes transportation to Hershey Park and all rides and
admissions in the park. Buses will leave John Poole Middle School at 7:30AM and return at 7:30 PM.
Soccer Schedule
Home Games begin at 2:50 p.m.
Away Games begin at 3:15 p.m.
April 16 Girls vs. Kingsview at JPMS May 5 Boys vs. King at JPMS
Boys vs. Kingsview at Kingsview Girls vs. King at King
April 22 Boys vs. Neelsville at JPMS May 7 Girls vs. Rocky Hill at JPMS
Girls vs. Neelsville at Neelsville Boys vs. Rocky Hill at Rocky Hill
April 29 Girls vs. Clemente at JPMS May 13 Boys vs. Montgomery Village at JPMS
Boys vs. Clemente at Clemente Girls vs. MV at MV
Intramurals
Volleyball will be held on Wednesdays – March 4, 11, 18, 25; April 2, 15, 22, 29; May 6, 13, 20, 27 from 2:30-4:00 p.m.
in the Main Gym. Permission slips are located in the girls and boys locker room. Contact Mr. Stevens or Ms. Gerrie if
you have questions and for permission slips.
Girls’ Fitness Club will be held on Thursdays – March 5, 12, 19, 26; April 2, 16, 23; May 7, 14, 21, 28 from 2:30-4:00
p.m. in the Aux Gym and/or Outside. Permission slips are located in the girls and boys locker room. Contact Ms. Gerrie
for permission slips and if you have questions. Ms. Dominici is the sponsor of Girls’ Fitness Club.
Maryland Summer Centers Offer Exciting Programs for Students

The Maryland Summer Centers program offers unique instructional experiences for gifted and talented students and
gives them the opportunity to work in settings and with resources not available during the regular school year. Centers are
located throughout the state and offer one- to three-week residential and nonresidential programs with a focus on the arts,
sciences, mathematics, technology, creative writing, world languages and culture, engineering, law and government,
physics, and history. Activities are designed to encourage critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving while
challenging students academically. Tuition ranges from $150 to $750. Financial assistance is available.
The 2009 Maryland Summer Centers brochures and application forms are available from local gifted and talented
education coordinators, brochures, application forms, and the video featuring the Summer Centers may also be found on
the website of the Maryland State Department of Education at www.marylandpublicschools.org/summercenters.
Applications must be postmarked by Wednesday, April 15, except for Fine Arts Centers, which have earlier deadlines and
may require an audition.
If you would like a hard copy, contact the main office at 301-972-7979.
Youth Programs
Montgomery College Continuing Education Youth Programs is pleased to present the “New” Expanding Horizons
program for 2009 for gifted and talented students in grades 6, 7, and 8. This is a one-day enrichment program at
Montgomery College, Rockville Campus on Saturday, April 18, 2009 from 8:30 a.m. – 2:50 p.m.
You may obtain the brochure and registration form via our website, www.montgomerycollege.edu/youth. The
deadline for receiving registrations is Monday, April 13, 2009. If you have questions, please contact Ms. Sharon
Wolfgang at 240-567-7264.
After-School Dance
The SGA will be hosting an after-school dance on Friday, March 20th in the APR from 2:30–5:00 p.m. Tickets are
$3.00 and will go on sale Monday during lunch.
Italian Dinner Night

PHS Music Boosters is hosting "Italian Dinner Night" at the Baptist Church Social Hall, (across from the high school)
on Tuesday, March 24th from 6:00 -7:30 p.m. The Italian dinner buffet will cost $15 per person, with senior and family
discounts. Proceeds benefit PHS music programs.
For reservations email: phs1music@yahoo.com or call Stephanie at 301-349-4050. or Heidi at 240-388-5029
PTA News
JPMS and PHS PTA would like to invite you to a combined PTA meeting on Tuesday, March 17th at 7:00 pm in the
PHS Media Center. The topic is "Seven Keys to College Readiness." Please join us! It's never too early for college
information. This will count as our March Meeting; there will not be a JPMS PTA meeting on Tuesday, March 10th.
Hope to see you all at PHS, Tuesday, March 17th.
I would like to thank our current board members for their support and dedication to the PTA this school year. All
board positions will be available next year. We are accepting nominations for PTA President, Vice President, Treasurer,
and Secretary. If you are interested, please contact Melanie Dahlen at gmdahlen@comcast.net.
Calendar Items
March 16-27 -- MSA Testing

March 17 -- Combined (JPMS and PHS) PTA Meeting at PHS at 7:00 p.m. in the PHS Media Center
March 20 -- Spring Dance sponsored by SGA (2:30-5:00 p.m. in the APR)
March 27 -- Third Marking Period Ends
March 30 -- Professional Day (No School for Students)
March 31 -- Fourth Marking Period Begins
April 6-9 -- Spring Break
April 10, 13 -- Holiday, Good Friday and Easter
April 14 -- PTA Meeting
April 16 -- Report Cards Distributed
April 23 -- Career Day – 8th Grade
April 23 -- Take Your Child to Work Day
April 24 -- Honor Roll Celebrations (by grade)

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John Poole’s BACK POCKET

March 16, 2009

MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

MSA Testing Schedule

Maryland School Assessment (MSA’s) Tips

Reading Section Tips

Writing Section Tips

Earn SSL Hours

21st Annual Potomac River, Watershed Cleanup

8th Grade Trip to Hershey Park

Maryland Summer Centers Offer Exciting Programs for Students

Italian Dinner Night

March 16-27 -- MSA Testing

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