Middle School Schedules

Middle school schedules can continue to be picked up this week in the office. Payments for lockers and a planner may also be made at this time. The locker fee (hallway and PE) is $10.00. Planners are $5.00. Students (3rd, 5th-8th) will be required to use the planner to organize their assignments. Parents please hold your child accountable by reviewing the planner each day.

Picking up and reviewing your schedule prior to the first day of school gives you a chance to ask questions and request changes. The first day goes a lot smoother for the students as well as the teachers-not to mention also for me! Scheduling is a nightmare that takes countless hours:-)! I want to ensure that everyone has a great beginning!

Mrs. Summerville

Back-to-School Orientation

Tuesday, August 4th is the Back-to-School Orientation from 5:30 p.m - 7:30 p.m. We will have a general assembly in the gymnasium from 5:30 - 6:00. This will be followed by breakout sessions to meet your child's teacher and discuss grade level expectations.

I anticipate that our parking lot will be full to capacity. However, you may park at Davis Hill Middle School as well as in the back of the school. The gate will be open for additional parking space. I have asked my husband to supervise that area:-).

Instead of light refreshments, PTA will be providing food items to purchase at a minimal cost. I think the plan is to have hot dogs, pizza, chips, and drinks. Please plan to stop by the cafeteria between your sessions to have dinner with your ASFL family. Also, PTA will be taking memberships, so please remember to bring $6.00 to join. We need your support!

Approximately fifteen volunteers are also needed to assist in the cafeteria with serving the food. Please review your child's grade level session so you don't volunteer during this scheduled time.

• 5 individuals from 6:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
• 5 individuals from 6:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• 5 individuals from 7:00 - 7:30 p.m.

Middle school students are invited to stay from 7:30 - 8:30 to meet new friends at the Social/Mixer in the gymnasium. SGA will be selling concessions so the students may want to bring a few dollars. DJ Darius will be celebrating with us!

I look forward to seeing you Tuesday, August 4th!

Mrs. Summerville

Reminders for the Week of 5-11-09

Tomorrow, May 13th is Elementary Field Day. All the boys and girls, elementary and middle school students, may wear casual attire. Also, Friday is Middle School Field day. Again, all the boys and girls may wear casual attire. There is no charge.

Saturday, May 16th from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. is the Gently Used Uniform Sale. Donations will also be accepted. Please send me an e-mail or leave me a voice message if you plan to participate in this activity.

Lastly, Tuesday, May 19th is the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon from 11-12 in the Media Center. Please RSVP via e-mail or a voice message by Monday, May 18th.

Make-up Days and Upcoming Activities

Dear Parents,

It has been decided that the student make-up days will be May 26 and 27. These are full school days. If you had already made prior plans, please provide me written documentation of those plans and the absence will be excused.

Below is the schedule of upcoming events:

May 13 – Elementary Field Day

May 15 – Casual for a Cause Day; Middle School Field Day

May 16 – Gently Used Uniform Sale 9:00 -12:00 ( Please let me know if you are interested in participating in this activity. Tables will be set up in the gym. Parents will be responsible for their table, i.e. pricing of clothes, etc.) Uniform donations will also be accepted during this time.

May 18 – 20 7th Graders to 4-H Camp

Awards Ceremonies:
May 20 K-1 9:00 a.m.
2-3 1:30 p.m.

May 21 4-5 9:00 a.m.
6-7 1:30 p.m.

May 22 8th 9:00 a.m.

May 22 Casual for a Cause Day; ½ Day for Students

May 26 Full Day for Students

May 27 Full Day for Students



Thanks,
Tammy Summerville

Calendar of Events for the Week of 5-4-09

Monday, May 4th

• Teacher Appreciation Week - thank a teacher this week!
• DIBELS testing
• 1st Grade to Nashville Zoo
• Meeting with new kindergarten students and parents at 6:00 p.m. in media center

Tuesday, May 5th

• DIBELS testing
• 2nd Grade Field Trip to Botantical Gardens
• 3rd Grade Field Trip to Maple Hill Cemetery
• 4th Grade Field Trip to UAH Drinking Water Festival

Wednesday, May 6th

• Progress reports go home
• DIBELS testing
• Teacher Appreciation Luncheon from 11:00 - 12:00 - Parent volunteers needed to cover classes!

Thursday, May 7th

• DIBELS testing

Friday, May 8th

• Middle School Field Day in the afternoon
• No Casual Day for Students

Saturday, May 9th

• Gently Used Uniform Sale moved to next Saturday, May 16th

School Will Re-open on May 4, 2009

All HCS schools will re-open on May 4, 2009 at their regularly scheduled time. Also, all planned activities will occur as scheduled.

School Closing

All Huntsville City, Madison City, and Madison County schools are closed Thursday and Friday. HCS will re-open on Monday, May 4.

I will keep you posted on any further updates.

Monies for Individual and Class Pictures

Monies for individual and class pictures are due Friday, April 17th.

Ident-A-Kid Program

Information regarding the Ident-A-Kid ID card will be sent home tomorrow. The cost of the ID is $7.00. Students who purchase an ID card will have an opportunity to win a bicycle. The student's name will be entered into the drawing.

Casual for a Cause Day

Tomorrow is Casual for a Cause Day. The boys and girls may wear casual attire. They do not have to pay $1.00.

The skating field trip is scheduled for tomorrow. Students in grades 6-8 will depart at 8:30 a.m. and return at 11:30 a.m. Students in grades 3-5 will depart at 11:30 a.m. and return at 2:15 p.m. The cost is $6.00. This includes skate rental, a slice of pizza, and a coke.

Severe Weather!

Due to the severe weather this afternoon, extended day and all after school activities are cancelled. Please plan to pick up your child at 3:10 today.

HCS Promotion Policy

I want to make sure all the parents understand HCS's Promotion Policy that I have listed below. Please review your child's report card to ensure that he/she has met the standards for promotion thus far. I will be contacting the parents of students who are candidates for retention, based on HCS Promotion Policy.

According to HCS Policy, students in grades 1-5 must pass math and reading as well as either science or social studies. If a student fails a subject for two consecutive years, that student must attend summer school.

Students in middle school, grades 6-8, must pass three of the four basic skill subjects (English/reading, math, science, and social studies) in order to be promoted to the next grade. Students who fail two of the basic subjects may be promoted to the next grade provided they attend summer school. If a student fails a subject for two consecutive years, that student must attend summer school. Students must enroll in, and successfully complete, the subject(s) recommended by the school.

No student in grades 1-8 will be socially promoted until after he/she has spent two years in the same grade. The student's record will be marked "promoted with deficiencies" and he/she will be provided an appropriate remedial program.

I hope this information is beneficial. Please contact me if you have any additional questions.

First Day of Testing!

The first day of testing was a huge success! The boys and girls did an awesome job of focusing and working really hard. We only had 6 students who didn't participate in this session. Thanks to all the parents for making sure your child was well-rested, ate a good breakfast, and arrived on time. This is so..........important! I appreciate your continued support! Your boys and girls are so precious! I enjoy every moment that you share them with us!

Spring Class Pictures Are Here!

Spring Class Pictures are here! The cost of the picture is $8.00. Please return the money in the envelope provided. Make checks payable to Bill Miller Photography. The deadline to purchase the class picture is Friday, April 10.

The individual Spring pictures should arrive in the next couple of weeks. A proof will be sent home to preview prior to purchase. I understand that there will be several backgrounds to choose from.

Letter about Successful Testing Tips

I e-mailed a letter regarding successful testing tips to all parents who have provided me with an e-mail address. A copy of this information will also be sent home Monday with students in grades 3-8.

Report Cards

Report cards will come home tomorrow, Friday March 27th. Please make sure you ask your child for his/her report card. I will be posting the HCS policy on promotion. Please read the policy, review the report card, and have a discussion with your child, if applicable. I will also be reviewing all of the report cards to note any possible retentions. You will receive notification from me and the teacher, if your child is a candidate for retention.

Permission Slip for Skating Party (Grades 3-8)

Permission slips for the April 10th skating party will come home on Monday, March 30. Please ask your child for this information. The cost is $6.00.

Parent Volunteers Needed to Assist with Spring Pictures

Parents,

Spring pictures are scheduled for Wednesday, March 25th and I desperately need some parents to assist with escorting the students to/from the gym, making sure hair is ok, clothes are straight, etc. Please send me an e-mail if you can assist between the hours of 8:30 - 11:30.

Thanks,
Tammy Summerville

Spring Pictures - Class and Individual

Parents,
Wednesday, March 25 is Spring Picture day. The boys and girls may wear casual attire to have their picture taken. They do not have to pay $1.00 today. Class and individual pictures will be taken. If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to e-mail me at tsummerville@hsv.k12.al.us.

Take Your Child to Work - April 23, 2009

April 23, 2009 has been designated as "Take Your Child to Work" day. Parents should send a letter to Mrs. Summerville stating that your child will be participating in this activity. An official letter from your employer would be helpful. This is an excused absence. If you have any additional questions, please e-mail me at tsummerville@hsv.k12.al.us.

Casual for a Cause and Skate Party

Friday, April 10, 2009 is the next Casual for a Cause Day. The boys and girls may wear their casual attire. Students in grades 3-8 who had perfect attendance during the standardized testing may participate in the skate party at Roller Time. The cost is $6.00.

Calendar of Events for the Week of 3-23-09

Monday, 23

• Last week for Pennies for Patients Fundraiser

Tuesday, 24

• Tuesday Tryouts; Morning Session at 7:15 a.m.; Afternoon Session at 3:15 p.m. These sessions are for students who need academic interventions as indicated on progress reports, report cards, and standardized test data.
• Chuck E. Cheese's Night 3:00 p.m. -9:00 p.m.

Wednesday, 25

• Spring Holiday Pictures; Class and Individuals

Thursday, 26

• Select Middle School Students - Beta Club Induction Ceremony @ 5:00 p.m.

Friday, 27

• ACTE Technology Competition @ VBCC
• Lee High School Magnet students will make presentation to our 8th graders; 8:30 in gym
• Chemistry Troupe to Jones Valley @ 12:00 p.m.
• Report Cards Go Home
• Elementary Kite Day during P.E. classes

Parent Tips to Help Prepare Your Student for Standardized Testing

All parents want to see their student(s) perform well in school. Parents play an important part in helping their children give their best performance on a test. The ideas presented below may serve as a guideline for parents when helping their student(s) prepare for testing.

What your student is learning on a daily basis builds the foundation for being able to demonstrate high achievement on tests.

During the weeks leading up to the TEST begin to talk to your student about the importance of giving their best effort during testing. The following thoughts will help you in preparing your child for being ready to give the test his or her all.

The night before:

• Help your child get to bed on time. Research shows that being well-rested helps students do better.
• Help children resolve immediate arguments before going to bed.
• Keep your routine as normal as possible. Upsetting natural routines may make children feel insecure.
• Mention the test to show you're interested, but don't dwell on it.
• Plan ahead to avoid conflicts on the morning of the test.

The morning of the test:

• Get up early to avoid rushing. Be sure to have your child at school on time.
• Have your child eat a good breakfast but not a heavy one. Research shows that students do better if they have breakfast before they take tests.
• Have your child dress in something comfortable.
• Be positive about the test. Acknowledge that tests can be hard and that they're designed so that no one will know all of the answers. Explain that doing your best is what counts. The important thing is to make your child comfortable and confident about the test.

After the test:

• Talk to your child about his or her feelings about the test, making sure you acknowledge the effort such a task requires.
• Discuss what was easy and what was hard; discuss what your child learned from the test.
• Discuss what changes your child would make if he or she were to retake the test.
• Explain that performance on a test is not a condition for you to love your child. You love your child just for the person he or she is.

2009 Spring Testing Schedule

March 31

ARMT Part 2 Reading Subtest

April 1

ARMT Part 2 Math Subtest

April 2

SAT-10 Reading Vocabulary and Comprehension

April 3

Make-up Day for ARMT/SAT-10

April 6

SAT-10 Word Study for Grade 3 Only; SAT-10 Language for Grades 3-8

April 7

SAT-10 Math Procedures and Problem Solving for Grades 3-8

April 8

SAT-10 Science, Social Studies, OLSAT

April 9

Make-up Test

April 10

Make-up Test