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From the Principal’s Desk MEAP Testing in October MEAP testing will occur for all students during the weeks of October 7, 14, and 21. Please find information regarding the MEAP testing schedule on the Parcells website. Student Pick-up and Drop-off Areas We have designated two spots where we ask all students to be picked up and dropped off. The two approved areas are along Mack Avenue in front of the school or in the back parking lot off of Sunningdale. We ask that you not attempt to park in the drop off zone or use the school parking lot for drop-off or pick-up unless a stu-dent has special needs or is injured. The Woods Police are on the lookout for illegal parking, unsafe driving, and other violations, so please respect our requests and obey all posted signs. It’s all about the safety of our students. Thank you. Walking Routes Please note that when students are walking and riding bikes to school that they must obey all crossing sig-nals, cross only in designated crosswalks, and respect privately owned driveways, brick walls, and fences on their way to and from school. Parcells prides itself on being a good neighbor in the community. Please remind your child about safe and respectful pedestrian behavior as you discuss your approved routes to and from school. Thank you. NJHS Fall 2013 Congratulations to our 7th and 8th grade students who were be inducted into the Charles A. Parcells Chapter of National Junior Honor Society. The induction ceremony for the 41 new members will take place on Wednesday, October 9th at 6:00 PM in the Parcells auditorium. Conduct and Work Habits Students earn a letter grade for academic classes and a number grade for conduct and work habits on every report card. Please review expectations with your child and discuss the importance of good citizenship. In addition, teachers review the necessary qualifications for a student to earn recognition for outstanding citizen-ship at our end of the year Awards Assembly. Magazine Fundraiser The annual Parcells magazine sale kicked off in late September. Proceeds from sales continue to assist Pierce teachers in purchasing materials and equipment that enrich our students’ classroom experiences. Eighth graders who participate can use 30% of the proceeds from their total sales to defray the cost of the 8th grade Washington DC field trip. Thank you for your generosity and continued support of this all school fund-raiser. The last day of sales returns is Tuesday, October 8th. Parcells Website Do you have questions about the Parcells school calendar, staff e-mail addresses and voice mail numbers? Are you searching for teacher web pages and the weekly homework calendar? You can find us at www.gpschools.org/parcells. Please let us know if there is any helpful information we can add to assist you or your child. Pinnacle Electronic Grade Book Please be aware that many of our full time teachers have over 140 students in their combined classes each school day. In many cases, it may take a few days or longer to correct and record grades for each student on quizzes, tests, and reports. Also keep in mind that our students have been participating in MEAP review activi-ties in September and three weeks of MEAP testing in October. Teachers may not have a large number of assessments or dates on the first report card marking period that ends on Friday, November 1. 8th Grade Washington D.C. Trip Parcells 8th grade students will once again have the opportunity to visit Washington D.C. on April 30 to May 2, 2014. There is plenty of time left to enroll in the trip and register your child through WorldStrides. Please see the Parcells web site for information regarding the trip itinerary, important travel times and how to register for the trip. Sincerely, Dr. Cathryn Armstrong
GROSSE POINTE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM
Parcells Newsletter
Each and Every Child, Each and Every Day
Important Dates in October
Oct 7- Late Start Monday
@ 9:05 AM
Oct 8 – Oct 16 MEAP testing
Oct 8-11 Adjusted schedule for
MEAP testing
Oct 9 - NJHS Induction 6:30 PM
Oct 14 - Late Start Monday
@ 9:05 AM
Oct 15 –16 MEAP testing
Oct 15-16 Adjusted schedule for
MEAP testing
Oct 21 - Late Start Monday
@ 9:05 AM
Oct 23 - Photo retakes after
school beginning at 3:20. Please
have your student bring the
unwanted photos back with
them. Last chance to have
student photos taken if they
haven’t done so yet.
Oct 30 - After school make up
testing day due to Halloween
Oct 31– Happy Halloween
**After school homework help is
available weekly on Mon. Wed.
and Thurs. from 3:25-4:25 in the
library.
**After school math help is
available weekly on Mon., Tues.
and Thurs. from 3:25-4:25 in
room B2.
**After school test make up day
is every Thursday from 3:25-4:25
in room 100.
**Please check the Parcells website calendar for updates and further event information. www.gpschools.org/parcells
October 2013 http://gpschools.schoolwires.net/gpparcells
From the Assistant Principal’s Desk Panther Parents, Please remind your student that cell phone and electronic devices shall not be used during the instructional day. We ask that your student both turn off and put away their devices when released to P3 or 1st period at the start of the school day. Students may choose to place their devices in their locked locker, book bag or pocket. Electronic devic-es shall not be visible. If a staff member notices an electronic device, they may choose to give a warning and re-quest that student put the device away. However, if the cell phone is on and/or being used, we will collect the device and safely secure it in the front office. The device will be returned to the student when they have served a detention (first offense). We understand the need to stay in communication with your student and realize things may arise during the school day. If you are looking to communicate with your student at the beginning, end or the middle of the school day, please call the front office and we will post your students name on the message board. If your student needs to con-tact you during the school day, they may ask to use a school phone to contact you. Our goal at Parcells is to keep distractions away from the learning environment. Although electronic devices can be used as great tools for learning, they can also become disrupting to the school day. For additional information, please review the GPPSS code of conduct which is located online.
PTO Corner
Do you shop at Kroger? If so, you probably have a free Kroger Rewards card that saves you money at the register. Did you know that you can now link your card to Parcells to help earn money for the school? A percentage of each Kroger shopping trip is contributed to Parcells every time your card is scanned at any Michigan Kroger. Depending on the number of participants enrolled and the amount of their purchases, local schools earn between $500 and $5,000/year through this program. Signing up is easy. Just go to: http://www.kroger.com/mykroger/Pages/community_rewards.aspx
2013-2014 PTO Meeting Dates– All Meetings are held in the school library beginning at 7 PM
Friend Parcells PTO on Facebook to keep up with the latest Parcells news!
You’ll be asked to enter your 12 digit Kroger Rewards program number and to select “Parcells Middle School” (or 91050) as your school. Each year, participants must re-enroll in the program. The next enrollment period started on 4/1/12 but you can enroll anytime before April 30 of 2013. On 5/1/12, funds will begin accumulating in the Parcells’ account and will continue to accumulate until 4/30/13. Reward checks are sent to the school every quarter. Funds are used by the PTO to help pay for after school clubs and activities. To encourage enrollment, the PTO will be randomly giving away a $25 Kroger gift certificate to an enrolled participant every quarter. Please consider signing up to help support our KIDS!
October 21, 2013
November 18, 2013
DECEMBER/JANUARY* January 6, 2014
*This is a combined meeting for December AND January. There is no December PTO meeting.
FEBRUARY 10, 2014 (2nd Monday due to mid winter break)
March 17, 2014
April 14, 2014 (2nd Monday due to Spring Break)
MAY 22, 2014 (Honors Night Program)
JUNE 9, 2014 (if needed)
*There is NO PTO MEETING on May 19th. The PTO meets in May on Honors Night-May 22nd
The Counselors’ Corner September 2013
NBA Activity during P3 on Wednesday September 11th: What is Bullying? Students will be learning about
what is bullying. Students will also be reading scenarios in groups to practice identifying situations that
are bullying vs. situations that are normal student conflict.
6th Grade Friendship Lessons
During the month of September and October, counselors will be visiting Narrative English classes to give a
classroom lesson on friendship. This is a great opportunity to meet the 6th graders and talk about one of
the best and sometimes hardest aspects of entering middle school – making new friends. Please ask your
student to share this lesson with you at home!
Needs Assessment
In order to continue to match our counseling program to fit the needs of all our students, students com-
pleted a Needs Assessment during P3. Students were able to complete this assessment anonymously.
Based on the information gathered, we will coordinate support/resources to address student needs.
October 2013
NBA Activity during P3 on Tuesday October 1st. Our students will be participating in a ONE Parcells pic-
ture. ONE Parcells is our school theme and unites us as one community. This program is founded on
our core values: respect, tolerance and responsibility.
Stand Up to Bullying
October 25th is National Stand Up to Bullying Day. Students will all be viewing a video announcement
during WPBC as well as have an opportunity to sign a pledge to Stand Up to Bullying during lunches.
We will kick off our NBA (No Bullying Allowed) annual campaign – Just Press Pause! Students will
learn more about this throughout the year.
MSCA Conference
Both counselors will be attending the Michigan School Counselor Association annual conference in
Grand Rapids on Sunday November 3rd and Monday November 4th.
To find out more, check out the Counseling website and join us on facebook to be the first to hear what’s new in
the counseling offices.
Please feel free to contact your student’s counselor with any questions or concerns!
Jennifer Sherman (A-K) Carla Palffy (L-Z)
(313) 432-4618 (313) 432-4620
[email protected] [email protected]
Peer 2 Peer A BIG bravo to the Peer 2 Peer students that represented Parcells at the Raise the Roof fundraiser for Full Circle on September 27th! Parcells Peer 2 Peer will be participating in the Developmental Disabilities Awareness Fun Fitness Walk on October 12, 2013 at Patterson Park. Please see Mrs. McEveney, Ms. Brown or Ms. Amos for more details, sign-up sheet and a pledge sheet. You do not have to be in Peer to Peer to join our team! ALL students are welcome to attend. Let’s repeat our win for BIGGEST team!
English News
Reading more is the best way to improve your reading ability! We recommend a minimum of 20 minutes per day. It can be difficult to fit in 20 minutes with the demands of homework, sports, and other commit-ments. We understand! However, there is always time to read. Take a look at the list of ways to fit in read-ing to your daily schedule. Improved test scores as just one of the many benefits that stretch far and wide. It is never too late to make reading part of your daily routine. Pick up a book today!
SOCIAL STUDIES UPDATE
All students will be taking the MEAP test for Math, Reading, and Writing. Sixth graders will be taking the Social Studies MEAP. There will be an adjusted schedule we will be following during the testing time in October. 6th GRADE: Students have been reviewing content and skills learned in 5th grade for the MEAP. They will focus on learning and practicing Geography Skills during the first quarter which will include work with maps and the 5 Themes of Geography. 7TH GRADE: Students started the year with a quick review of map skills and the 5 Themes of Geography. Hon-ors students did research and worked in the computer lab to create travel brochures for a state in our country. The next units of study will include learning about population, culture, and forms of governments.
8th GRADE: Students will be studying Colonial America, the American Revolution, and the Birth of our Nation.
Life Skills Department Life Management 7/8-- I want to take a minute to thank each and every Life Management parent and student for their hard work preparing for our mock interview activity. Walking through the class and observing the mock interviews taking place has got to be, hands-down, the proudest moment of my teaching career. It was so apparent that the students were well prepared, and that they took the activity seriously. Students and par-ents should be commended for their professionalism, attention to detail, and their positive attitudes. Again, thank you so much for your effort! Life Skills 7/8—Students have just completed their first unit on Personal Growth and Development. We should all remember each day those wonderful things that make us special and unique! We are heading into our second unit on child development, and Egg Babies will be arriving before you know it! Each egg baby will require a sturdy basket, a bottle, clothing or a diaper, toys or books, and a blanket. Now would be a great time to start looking around your house and gathering these items up! Thank you for your help. Miss Sobotka
Speech Pathology
As district speech pathologists, we sometimes divide our time between schools. We do the same for parent-teacher conferences and therefore, we wanted to let you know when we will be at Parcells for parent-teacher conferences.
JoEllen Cumpata: 11/26 from 5:00-7:30 Donna VanJaarsveld: 11/21 from 5:00-7:30 and 11/26 from 1:00-3:30 and 5:00-7:30
If you need to schedule another time, please contact Mrs. Cumpata at [email protected] and Mrs. VanJaarsveld at [email protected]. Thank you and welcome back! JoEllen Cumpata and Donna VanJaarsveld Speech Language Pathologists
Math Happenings
All students at Parcells have taken the math NWEA test in the past two weeks. The NWEA is a computerized, adaptive test that ranks students compared to national norms. Next up is the Michigan MEAP in mid-October. Your student will need a calculator for part of the MEAP test. While they should have calculators every day for use in math and/or science, it’s especially important that they have a calculator for MEAP testing. Please remember to check the Parcells homework calendar and use Pinnacle to keep track of your student’s progress. If your student is struggling, remember that there is a Math Homework Help Room in B2 on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays after school. The Holt textbook website is also a great tutoring resource for 6th and 7th graders. Go to my.hrw.com and use username Parcells1 with password u9e7v.
Seventh Hour Math Help Does your student need help with math homework? Seventh Hour (after school) Math Help has begun. When: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday Time: 3:25 – 4:25 PM Where: B-2 (Academic Assistance Room in the basement) Your student can ask questions, get individual help and get his/her homework done!
Data from the Science Department:
Speaking of Data……science students at all levels are working diligently on graphing, data analysis and interpretation, charts & tables, sequential note-taking and learning the new language of science. 6th graders are beginning their hydrosphere unit which will encompass study of the Great Lakes, its ecosystems, STEM activities and good stewardship of our environment. 7th graders - After brushing up on their basic science skills, seventh graders are learning to measure and categorize matter. They are discovering the differences between mixtures, elements and com-pounds and will tackle states of matter and the periodic table next. 8th graders have finished their graphing and metric system review and are now picking up speed as we move through our forces and motion unit. We are exploring how concepts like acceleration, inertia, and gravity affect movement through real-world applications and hands-on labs.
Megan L. is a student at North and is sponsoring a project to help the children of Cameroon West Africa. Megan is heading up a drive to collect gently used soccer gear for the children of that country, so playing the sport of their National Pastime can be more of a real experience. There is a large plastic bin located outside the office, near the clinic, for drop off of ANY kind of soccer equip-ment. Please go through the basement, the garage, wherever your unused soccer equipment may be, and PLEASE consider supporting Megan, by donating to this very worthy cause.
Girls Volleyball Schedule October 2-Volleyball Match 4:00 vs. Jefferson Away 8th grade match follows October 7-Volleyball Match 4:00 vs. Brownell Away 8th grade match follows October 9-Volleyball Match 4:30 vs. South Lake Home 8th grade match follows October 14-Volleyball Match 4:00 vs. Kennedy Away 8th grade match follows October 16-Volleyball Match 4:00 vs. Pierce Away 8th grade match follows October 21-Volleyball Match 4:00 vs. Jefferson Home 8th grade match follows October 23- Volleyball Match 4:00 vs. Brownell Home 8th grade match follows October 25-Volleyball Match 4:00 vs. South Lake Away 8th grade match follows October 28- Volleyball Match 4:00 vs. Warren Woods Away 8th grade match follows
Student Council News We would like to congratulate all students who applied for student council this year, we were blown away by the wonderful ideas to get stu-dents involved at Parcells! Student Council will meet every other Thursday in room 221B. E-mail will serve as our primary form of communication between meetings, we encourage all members to check school e-mail daily. Our next meeting is October 3rd. MAGAZINE SALE--Our magazine sale is in full
swing, please consider purchasing magazines to
support our Parcells Student Council, this is our
biggest fundraiser of the year! The sale ends
October 8th. We have lots of wonderful ideas and
the only way to make them happen is to raise
enough money during the magazine sale. In ad-
dition, all 8th grade students will earn money to-
wards their Washington D.C. class trip. Thank
you for your help!
Check out Parcells Website under the Activities heading for information on clubs and activities.
