G R A N A D A M I D D L E S C H O O L

Matador Messenger - Editor Nick Damico - Editor Jennifer Tucker March 2010, V1 Issue 3 - Pg 2

Matador Messenger

A Word From Mr. Dorsey

Hello Matador Families!! Wow time flies when you are having fun!! We are halfway through our second trimester already!! Amazing! Things are really going well here at Granada.

With the new trimester comes some more change! We have started our new grading system of Academic grades and Scholarly Attributes to help the teachers focus and identify who is mastering the standards being thought. It will take some getting used to but I think in the long run this is going to be very beneficial to all.

Our new Fitness Center is almost done. We expect completion to happen by the end of February.

We want to thank PTA, Teachers, and students for our great Mc Donald’s night what a fun time!

March: We will have our spring pictures on March 10. Make sure you are dressed to impress and smile for your picture.

March 15-19 is Wacky Week sponsored by ASB. Look for the flyers with all the great activities planned. Spring conferences will start March 26th and run until April 1st. Teachers will be sending information soon and keep an eye on our website!

We are starting to really hone our skills as we make our push towards testing! Keep that great focus going and continue that great effort!

Athletics is continuing as our Sports teams our representing Granada well! Boys basketball and Girls soccer are playing hard! The effort and dedication of our student athletes is to be commended!

Have a great spring and if you are ever available to help, make sure you contact us and we can connect you with a teacher in need!!!Thanks for all you do Parents, Students, Teachers and friends!

“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing.”Abraham Lincoln

Go Matadors!!!!

http://twitter.com/gmsmatadors

Matador CountryStrive for Excellence, Leave No One Behind.

A Word From Mr. Dorsey - Principal

Hello Matador Families!! Wow time flies when you are having fun!! We are halfway through our second trimester...

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A word from Debbie and Damian Pacheco -

PTSA PresidentsThough we have already begun 2010, we would like to take some...

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McDonalds Night

Find out how Granada did with our McDonald’s Night FundraiserPage 2

March CalendarFind out what’s going on at Granada in MarchPage 3

Staff Spotlight

This month we invite you to get to know 2 of our awesome teachers.

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You Can Quote Me"The air is like a butterflyWith frail blue wings.The happy earth looks at the sky and sings."- Joyce Kilmer, Spring

“Spring is nature’s way of saying, “Let’s party!”-Robin Williams

September/October, 2009 V.1 Issue 1

G R A N A D A P T S A

Matador Messenger - Editor Nick Damico - Editor Jennifer Tucker March 2010, V1 Issue 3 - Pg 2

A Word from Damian and Debbie Pacheco

PTSA PresidentsThough we have already begun 2010, we would like to take some space here to reflect on all the great activities and work that Granada’s PTSA has done in the first half of the school year. Major activities that the PTSA has been involved with and supported include Granada’s Back to School Night, the school’s Nifty-Fifty Celebration, Red Ribbon Week, and Granada’s Winter Concert. PTSA parents have also donated volunteer hours, funds supporting Granada’s faculty in monthly Staff Appreciation days, the school’s Book Fair, and the Fresh and Easy Fundraiser. In addition to the countless volunteer hours, over $2,000 has been raised in the past three months that will directly benefit our kids through activities, supplies, and donations during Christmas for some of Granada’s less fortunate families. For example, over $700 has already gone directly to teachers to benefit their classrooms. Yet, we are not done! More fundraisers have been planned such as the McDonalds/Teachers night, and the sale of t-shirts so that we can also show our Matador pride. We hope to fund more great activities and supplies that will help Mr. Dorsey and the

faculty, strengthen our children’s education, and continue making Granada Middle School the great success that it is. Will you join us? PTSA meeting are held the first Thursday of every month and we need more parents and faculty who are willing to put the extra effort into their children’s education by volunteering, or sharing their talents in any way possible. We’ve had a great start to the school year, come join us make the second half even better!! Thank you all for your support!

YearbooksIt’s not too late to order your student’s yearbook! Order Your Great 2010 Granada Middle School Yearbook - Cash only at school or buy online @ http://www.myyear.com/

$45.00 +1.75 until 4/2 $50.00 +1.75 until the end of the school year

PTSA  VOLUNTEER  OPPORTUNITIES

Volunteers are needed to come in once a week to help out in the office with copies, laminating, etc. Please contact Kerri Picarella at picarella4@charter.net to schedule the date/time.

McDonald’s NightOn Wednesday night February 3rd Granada Middle School took over McDonald’s on Santa Gertrudes and Leffingwell. For three hours parents, students, teachers, and staff enjoyed French fries, chocolate sundaes, and cheeseburgers. There are a few thank you that we need to send out. The first thank you is to all the parents that took time out of their busy schedules to support Granada Middle School. There was a fantastic turnout! A special thank you to ASB for sending student representatives to help work the entire night and for creating ‘fry man’ to promote the event. Another special thank you needs to go out to the McDonald’s ownership team for allowing us to host a community event in their establishment. Also, the McDonald’s staff did a wonderful job of providing us with quality service on this very busy night. Granada PTSA collected over $850 dollars from this event. We look forward to working with McDonald’s again in the future.

G R A N A D A P T S A

Matador Messenger - Editor Nick Damico - Editor Jennifer Tucker March 2010, V1 Issue 3 - Pg. 3

This month the Granada PTSA would like to shine the spotlight on two of our awesome teachers.

Almeda Rodriguez-Mrs. Rodriguez has worked at Granada Middle School since 1986. She currently teaches 7th Grade Language Arts. She is also the yearbook coordinator. Mrs. Rodriguez served as part of the driving force behind the Nifty Fifty event in October. She has served on many committees throughout her time at Granada and she has been a part of the East Whittier community for many years.

Shana Owens- Mrs. Owens teaches 7th grade Language Arts. She has taught at Granada for the past 6 years. This year she took on the responsibility of being the 8th grade volleyball coach. She is also serving as a BTSA (Beginning Teacher Program) coach. In the past she has served on curriculum committees, as a summer school instructor and as ASB adviser. “What I love about teaching is how self rewarding it can be when a struggling student has mastered a concept.” Mrs. Owens also enjoys developing relationships with parents, students, and staff members. She says that she learns something new every year and that there is never a dull moment.

By Nick Domico

Matador CalendarMarch

3/4 - PTSA Meeting 6:30 p.m. Room 1

3/10 - Spring Pictures

3/15-19 - Wacky Week

3/19 - End of Trimester 2

3/26 - Parent Conf. minimum Day

3/29-4/2 - Parent Conferences

3/30 La Serna Future Frosh Night 6:30

Staff SpotlightIntroducing Almeda Rodriguez & Shana Owens

— By Nick Damico ! ! ! Photos by Mrs. Rodriguez