BEEN ’S BRIEFING

Tiger Talk

On Monday, September 15, 2015, the Nevada Department of Education (NDE) issued a press release related to the publishing of the Nevada School Performance Framework (NSPF) reports. Due to the 2014-2015 school year being a test norming year for the Smarter Balance Academic test (SBAC), the Nevada Department of Education and the Nevada Legislature agreed to freeze the Star ratings from the previous year. This means that Carson Valley Middle School (CVMS) maintains the 5-Star School rating with an overall score of 80. This star designation places CVMS in the top tier of all of the Nevada schools to include elementary, middle, and high schools.

Because the 2014-2015 school year was a norming year for the SBAC assessment, we do not have data to share regarding the outcome of this standardized test. However, we can celebrate some of the big milestones that have occurred since last year.

The change from a 7-8-9 middle school to a 6-7-8 middle school has been rewarding and chal-lenging at the same time. We have gone to great lengths to address the concerns and apprehen-sion related to this change. Though some excellent things have come from the unique scheduling, pure team concepts, and increased elective opportunities during this school year, we are continu-ally learning from these new experiences and student population to add improvements going for-ward.

A new and improved climate and culture initiative is in full swing here this year. CVMS participates in a Positive Behavior Initiative and Support (PBIS) grant this year. This school climate initiative ties together many of the activities and we already had in place. A recent example of a school climate activity includes our recent pumpkin run. Thank you for everyone that had participated as this was a major undertaking with many moving parts. This activity went swimmingly well. The Pumpkin Run, October 29, 2015, was a combination fundraiser, athletic event, field day, and re-ward activity. Students cheered one another on over the course of this grade level activity. Without the help of the many parent volunteers, leadership students, and local vendors working together this activity would not have gone as well. Than you again everyone. Look for additional infor-mation related to this event in the next newsletter. Nice job everyone.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday. Travel save, be happy, study hard.

Volume 8 Issue 3

C a r s o n V a l l e y M i d d l e S c h o o l

November 2015

Contact Info

1477 Hwy 395

Gardnerville, NV 89410

Phone: 782-2265

CVMS Web address:

www.dcsd.k12.nv.us/cvms

District Web address:

www.dcsd.k12.nv.us

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Box Tops 2

Basketball 2

NJHS 2

Counselors Corner

Nurse’s Notes

3

4

Student of the Month 4

Music Dept

Safety

5

5

Scholastic

Yearbook

6

6

PUMPKIN RUN

What a success that was! A complete success and a fun day all around. We could not have had

our success without the myriad of help we received. Thank you to the parent volunteers, to all the

donors, Wal-Mart, Tumbleweeds, CV Swim Center, GE, our fabulous staff and of course our won-

derful students that made it happen! We reached our goal and then some and our Tiger Stripes

Rewards program that supports student recognition and activities is now funded. Please allow us

approximately three weeks for prize distribution.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Volume 8 Issue 3 Page 2

NJHS - FOOD/BLOOD DRIVE

BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION

The results are in and we have raised over $500.00 just from you cutting out Box Tops! Thank you so much for your support. Later

on in the spring we will promote another competition but this time Mr. Sharpe’s 1st period class took the win for 8th grade, Stockton’s

1st period class for the 7th grade, and Mr. Carter’s 1st period class for the 6th grade. They will all be enjoying a pancake breakfast.

We want to extend a big thank you to our official Box Tops school coordinator, Lisa Potts.

We will continue to collect box tops so please keep bringing them in! Just clip Box Top coupons from favorite products and send them

to our school. It’s that easy!! Shop at your favorite online stores through the Box Tops Marketplace (btfe.com/marketplace), and up

to 8% of your qualifying purchase will automatically be donated to our school with no additional cost to you!

Sign up to support our school at the Box Tops website (www.btfe.com). You’ll get updates on our school’s Box Tops earnings, money-

saving coupons, family– pleasing recipes, chances to win Bonus Box Tops for our school, and the latest

Box Tops news!

Thank you for supporting our school! Go Tigers!!

Game Schedule

Nov 3 Away game @ Eagle Valley

Nov 5 Home game vs Carson

Nov 10 Away game @ STMS

Nov 12 Away game @ PWL

Nov 17 Away game @ Alder Creek

Nov 19 Home game vs Eagle Valley

Nov 23 Away game @ Carson

Dec 1 Home game vs PWL

Dec 2 Home game vs STMS

Dec 5 Tah-Neva Tournament TBA

Win a pie party for your class while helping the hungry!

National Junior Honor Society will be hosting its annual food drive to benefit the Carson Valley Community Food Clos-

et. The food drive begins Wednesday, November 4th, and ends Wednesday, November 18th. Food donations will be collected during first period classes. All types of nonperishable foods are welcome! The first period class that brings

in the most food items will win a pie party complete with hot chocolate and all the toppings, compliments of NJHS. Last year we collected over 1800 lbs. of food. Please help us reach our goal of collecting 2000 lbs. this year!

The greatest gift during the holidays is the gift of life. Please consider donating blood at the CVMS Fall Blood Drive sponsored by NJHS. United Blood Services will have their Bloodmobile parked in front of CVMS on Saturday, Novem-

ber 14th, from 10:30am to 2:00pm. To schedule an appointment, please email Mrs. Falk-

ner: mfalkner@dcsd.k12.nv.us ~ Thank you for your support!

6th/7th Grade

Kasen Boggs

Dominic Costarella

Matthew Goff

Donovan Gransbery

Dakota Jones

Hardy Leiknes

Jon-Paul McNamara

Harrison Morris

Isak Pina

Ryan Rechs

Luke Rodina

Isaac Shaver

Bodie Stein

Chris Thacker

Rex Wedin

8th Grade

Camden Brown

Logic Chernago

Luke Cochran

Trent Dallaire

Lucas Guerrazzi

Noah Guuariglia

Juvi Hothi

Gage Hoyle

Danny Longre

Abner Lowe

Wyatt Pratt

Nick Ryan

Justin Stevens

Girls Volleyball tryouts will be held:

8th- Dec 7-8

6th/7th- Dec 9-10

Volume 8 Issue 3 Page 3

Counselor’s Corner The first semester is speeding by at a rapid pace! There are a mere 6 weeks left to work on those grades. Progress reports will be

coming out the week of November 9. Please check these with your students and if you have any concerns contact their teachers and/

or counselor! On October 17th we held our first Saturday School for students who needed some extra help in their academic clas-

ses. The next date will be November 14th and the last for this semester will be held on December 5th. This is a great opportunity

for students to get extra help from teachers and to improve their grades. If you have any questions about Saturday School, please

call the counseling office at extension 2308.

Our 8th grade students have been working on a special project for Veterans Day in their English and US History classes. Please

drive by the school sometime between November 11 and November 16 to see their work.

STAY INVOLVED TO BOOST YOUR MIDDLE SCHOOLER’S SUCCESS

Many parents wonder if their involvement in school really makes a difference once their kids reach adolescence. The answer is YES!

Study after study shows that parents have an enormous effect on their kids’ ultimate success in school – even during the middle

school years.

Years of research have proven that students whose parents are continuously involved in their education have: 1) Better grades and

test scores; 2) Higher graduation rates; 3) Lower levels of drug and alcohol abuse; and 4) Stronger self-esteem. What does this all

mean? It means that staying involved in your middle schooler’s education won’t just help them today – it’ll help them tomorrow and

the rest of their life.

To play an active role in your child’s education: 1) Show an interest in what they are learning. Ask them what they did in class today

and make sure you really listen to their answer; 2) Set realistic expectations. Your child is more likely to believe in themselves if they

know you believe in them also. So set the bar high and cheer them on as they strive to reach it. 3) Be a role model. Inspire your

child to work hard by displaying perseverance yourself.

HELP YOUR STUDENT STAY ORGANIZED

Responsibility for staying on top of several classes (each with a different teacher) as well as extracurricular activities is a big chal-

lenge in middle school. To make organization easier for your student, give them these tools:

Sticky Notes: Have your child place small sticky notes on the spines of books and binders in their locker to identify what they

should bring home for homework.

To-do lists: Have your child write down everything they need to complete for the following day, week, month, etc.

Calendar: Write all due dates for assignments and test dates on a calendar. Everyone check it often.

Schedules: Show your child how to make and follow a schedule every day that includes school time, school work, extra-

curricular activities, and relaxation.

Volume 8 Issue 3 Page 4

7th Grade

Student of the Month

Donovan Gransbery

Taylor Corbitt

Citizen of the Month

Amanda Bertucci

Dan Hallin

Most Improved

Miguel Padilla

Clinton Cullers

6th Grade

Student of the Month

Ryan Henman

Zachary Batchelder

Citizen of the Month

Elliana Purvance Luce

Lucas Slater

Most Improved

Damian Flores

Cassandra Colon

8th Grade

Student of the Month

Hailey Christensen

Hailey James

Citizen of the Month

Madison Jonk

Henry Madera

Most Improved

Andrew Sentell

Kirsi Whear

OCTOBER STUDENTS OF THE MONTH

NURSE’S NOTES

7th Grade Health Screenings

State mandated health screenings will be con-ducted in November. All 7th grade students will receive vision, hearing, and scoliosis screening. If your student wears glasses or contact lenses, it is important that you have your student bring or wear them for this screening. If a concern with your child is not-ed, you will be notified by mail. Research shows that school wellness screenings play an important role in promoting your child’s health. Medical issues that can impact a stu-dent’s ability to learn are often identified in the school setting. If you do NOT wish to have your child screened, please contact the school nurse by phone or email kthielen@dcsd.k12.nv.us as soon as possible.

Requests for Medication Administration

All parental requests for the school nurse to administer medication to your child must be in writing according to the Douglas County School District Policy using the Student Health Services Medication Assistance Request form. You may find this form on the CVMS web site under “Student Health Services.” All over-the-counter medications must be provided in a small, original labeled container and must not expire prior to the end of the school year. Medications provided in a baggie or en-velope will not be accepted. Please follow the instructions on the form for prescription medi-cations.

Healthy Learning Environment

Douglas County School District Health Services has provided the following guidelines for parents/guardians to as-sist us in keeping the spread of com-municable diseases to a minimum and thereby providing a healthy learning environment for all students. Please do not send your child to school if they are experiencing:

1 – Fever of 100 or higher, currently or within the last 24 hours.

2 – More than 6 loose stools/diarrhea in a 24 hour period.

3 – Two or more episodes of vomiting in the previous 24 hours.

4 – Suspicious skin lesions or rashes not currently being treated. Lesions/sores must be covered with some type of bandage throughout the school day.

5 – Untreated conjunctivitis.

6 – Other signs and symptoms of possi-ble severe illness.

There are many communicable diseases that do not fall under the above guide-lines. If your child comes to school with a cold, please send them with a water bottle, tissues, and review the following common courtesies with your student:

1 – Cover your cough or sneeze.

2 – Blow your nose often to de-crease any distracting sniffles and mucous causing coughs.

3 – Wash your hands often. Espe-cially after handling soiled tissues.

4 – Do not share food/drink with others.

5 – Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and soothe your sore throat.

Also, to assist your child’s recovery, please provide your child with nu-tritious meals and plenty of rest.

If your child’s health prevents him or her from participating in Physical Education, please send a note to their teacher excusing them from participation for 1 – 3 days. If your child’s health prevents them from participating longer than 3 days, a doctor’s note is required. Your child will be expected to participate fully unless the teacher has a note.

Volume 8 Issue 3 Page 5

Safety and Thefts Parents and students, unfortunately

unauthorized items continue to come

up missing at school; cell phones,

iPods, etc. While no one likes a thief,

if these items are brought to school it

is at your own risk. So if you bring

these unauthorized items to school

locking them in your personal hall lock-

er or your personal PE locker is recom-

mended. The large community bin in

the PE locker room is for backpacks

and is not as secure as one of your

personal lockers. We also recommend

that student do not share the combina-

tions to their personal lockers. We will

not search for items that should not be

on campus.

CVMS Searches

With that being stated above, CVMS

has the right to search any individual

that comes onto our campus when we

have a Reasonable Suspicion that the

individual may be in possession of an

unauthorized item.

After School Activities

Students need to leave campus at the

end of the school day unless they are

staying for a supervised event and/or

tutoring.

Electronic Items

We recommend that these items are

left at home. If a student elects to

bring one of these items to school,

they are not allowed to be on, or be

used, or be visible during the hours

of 7:45AM-2:06PM, or during tutoring

and After-School Detention. Addition-

ally, a parent will be required to pick

up the item each time it is confiscated.

1st incident – 3 days of Lunch De-

tention

2nd incident – 1 day of In-School

Suspension

3rd incident (and subsequent inci-

dents) – 3 days of Out-of-School

Suspension

Hallway Access

Students are not allowed inside the

halls (A, B, C) of the school until 7:30

AM. Prior to the 7:30 AM bell the stu-

dents can go to the Multi-purpose

room or the gym.

Hats/Head Gear

Hats and head gear are not allowed

to be worn inside the buildings at

CVMS. A parent will be required to

pick up the item each time it is con-

fiscated. If a student repeatedly

violates this rule Progressive Disci-

pline will be used.

Closed Campus

CVMS is a closed campus. Once the

student arrives on campus they are

not allowed to leave until they leave

to go home. Students are not al-

lowed to go to the store off campus

during the school day or while they

are under the supervision of the

school.

Tutoring

CVMS has after-school tutoring from

2:15-2:50PM on Tuesdays and

Thursdays, with transportation. If

you arrange for after-school tutoring

on other days you will need to pro-

vide your own transportation.

Note: There has been an adopted change, 12/14/2010, in the DCSD’s Administrative Regulation 523(a) to include designer drugs. To view the full regulation go to: http://dcsd.k12.nv.us/filedb/file992.pdf “Possession, use, distribution, or intent to distribute, and/or being under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, including by not limited to, inhalants, designer drugs*, controlled substances (or a substance purported to be a controlled substance or mimic the effect of a controlled substance), prescription drugs, unless the student has been prescribed the prescription drug by a physician and in accordance with Board Policy 508, or inappropriate use of an over-the counter (OTC) drugs, The definition of possession, as used here, includes all aforementioned substances as well as drug paraphernalia containing drugs on the person of a student, in any school locker, or any clothing, purse, backpack, automobile, or any other…”

Coming Soon! Our first concert of the year will be on Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 6pm in the CVMS Multi-Purpose Room. This FREE concert will showcase our World Drums ensemble, all 3 CVMS bands, as well as the CVMS choir. All groups have grown in number this year and you’re sure to know at least a few students in the performance! Put the date on your calendar now… You won’t want to miss it!

Honor Band and Honor Choir Auditions are coming soon! If you are hoping to audition this year, keep practicing! All auditions need to be recorded here at school no later than Thursday, Nov. 19. There are MANY who are planning on auditioning, so we’ll start record-ing auditions as early as tutoring on Tuesday, Nov. 10. Watch for sign-up sheets very soon!

Music Notes

Page 6

Non-Discrimination Policy The Douglas County School District Board of Trustees supports equal edu-

cational opportunity for students free from discrimination based upon

race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin

(Board Policy No. 103). This concept of equal opportunity serves as a guide

for staff in making decisions relating to school facilities; and selection of

educational materials, equipment, curriculum, and regulations affecting

students. In support of this policy and in compliance with the require-

ments of federal law, no student will be required to attend mandatory

meetings solely based on the student’s race, color, religion, sex, sexual

orientation, disability, or national origin.

Yearbooks are currently on sale for $40, but prices will rise Tuesday, December 1st! Buy your copy soon because by May, the price will be $10 more. Last year, we sold out early.

The yearbook staff is currently looking for photos of fall and winter sports. If you have any ACTION shots of Girls Basketball, Boys Basketball, Girls Volleyball, or any extracurricular sports (such as Pop Warner), please e-mail them to csmyth@dcsd.k12.nv.us so we can in-clude them in the book.

Scholastic Middle School Bookfair

Volunteers Needed! Scholastic Book Fair is coming to CVMS- Decem-ber 4th-11th. Parent help needed! Please call or email Ms. Betcher at 782-2265 x2365/ mbetch-er@dcsd.k12.nv.us

Carson Valley Middle School 1477 Hwy 395 Gardnerville, NV 89410

Yearbook