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New Principal At HMS | March of Dimes | End-of-Course Exams | FCAT Score are Available | Our Own Games | Principal Changes 2006-2007 | Important Dates | High School Credits Offered | Parent Resource Committee| School Climate Surveys | Test Taking Strategies |Math Counts | IB Students Chosen | Newsletter | Clubs Currently Meeting | Citation Machine | FCAT Explorer | SAC Meetings | Congratulations | Reading Counts | Lunch Prices 2005-6 | Interim Reports and Report Cards | United Way | National Junior Honor Society Officers Chosen | FCAT NRT | CSI | eLibrary | Brainchild | Box Tops For Education | Things we collect | Ms. McDonald's Art Page |

Kathy Collins is new to Marion County and becomes principal at Howard Middle. Currently, she's the principal of Monarch High School in Broward County, Florida. She's also a former assistant principal at two middle and two high schools there. Her Bachelors comes from Samford University, her Masters in Counselor Education from Florida International University, and her post-graduate work in Administration and Supervision from Nova Southeastern University.
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Howard Middle School's website has moved. The information and services provided by our current website will be carried over to the new website. Both sites will run simultaneous for the next few weeks. The home of our new website is at http://www.marion.k12.fl.us/schools/hms/ . Please add this web address to your favorites for future reference.
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Again this year, Marion County Schools will administer End-of-Course Exams in Language Arts and Mathematics. All middle schools will give the test in two parts. The first part will be given to students the week of April 17th and the second part will be given during the last 3 days of school. The total score for the 2 parts will count as 10% of the final grade. It is very important that our students give their best efforts on these end-of-course exams.
Next year, American History will have an end-of-course exam.
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Our chapter of the National Junior Honor Society raised close to $2500.00 to help babies. The students represented Howard well during WalkAmerica on Saturday and looked terrific in their new NJHS t-shirts. Everyone seemed to have a wonderful time contributing to a great cause.
Special thanks to Gloria Agosto, Margie Hunt, and Paula Stauss for joining us!
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FREE Parent/Educator Workshops
Sponsored by: Parent Information & Empowerment Institute
When: March 23, 2006 from 5 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.
Where: Belleview Middle School
Some of the Topics Include:
" Help Wanted: Parenting Skills Vital to the Most Challenging and Important Job Any of Us Could Ever Have"
" Transition 101: What Every Parent Needs to Know in Preparing Students for Life Beyond High School"
" Can You Zooley? Gifted Program Session on Thinking Skills"
" Diploma Options: Helping to Make the Right Choice"
Childcare will be provided. Dinner will be served. You must be pre-registered by March 15th to attend. Pick up a registration form in the front office or call 671-6832

Parent Representatives Named to the ESE Parent Advisory Committee
Vivian Culbertson (873-0861) and Heidi Lawson (694-7739) have been named as Howard's parent representatives to the ESE Parent Advisory Committee. They will serve as an information source and contact for the parents of Howard's 300 ESE students. ESE stands for "Exceptional Student Education" and encompasses students with physical and mental handicaps as well as the gifted. The Parent Advisory Committee's monthly meetings are open to all ESE parents. Guest speakers explain available services and parents frankly discuss their children's educational needs. Meeting dates for the remainder of the year are: March 14th, April 11th, May 9th. These meetings are held 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in Room #1 at the ESE Complex located adjacent to Hillcrest School (1517 SE 30th Ave). For more information, contact your parent representatives.

Making Wishes Come True!
New Parent Resource Committee Invites Parents to Get Involved!
A group of parents has organized a new Parent Resource Committee at Howard. This group is hard at work granting teachers' wishes. Their first teacher reception attracted over 40 teachers who submitted more than 100 wishes. Some wishes were simple -- paper, pencils, erasers, etc. Others, such as new equipment or books, may require a bit more effort. The committee invites all parents interested in helping our teachers to get involved! You never know -- you might have something lying around the house which is just what a teacher needs. The next teacher reception is planned for Wednesday, March 15th at 3:45 p.m. in the Media Center. Parents are asked to donate basic classroom supplies (paper, pencils, erasers, kleenex, hand sanitizer, etc.). Teachers who attend will be given the goodies provided. To receive a list of teachers' wishes, click the following link (HMS Teacher Wish List!) or contact:
Karla Wilson at 854-2322 ext. 1363 or 812-8001
Vivian Culbertson at 873-0861 or via e-mail: KellyCDVM@aol.com
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Each year as part of the School Improvement planning process, we are asked to survey both parents and staff about their perceived needs regarding our school. Just like last year, the district is providing Parent and Staff surveys for your use in an attempt to collect district-wide data about satisfaction with the Marion County Public Schools. The surveys are available at the following weblinks:

The parent survey is available online at:
Click here for the Parent Survey

Staff Surveys:
The Instructional Survey is available at:
Click here for the Instructional Staff survey

The Non-Instructional Survey is available at:
Click here for the Non-Instructional Staff survey
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Congratulations! The following students have been accepted to enter the IB Program at Vanguard High School. Alyssa Ball, Danielle Bierema, William Blaes, Dustin Borth, Hannah Deese, Karan Doshi, David Earnest, Kareem Fakhoury, Chelsea Fourakre, Kaitlyn Fuller, Karan Gaekwad. Henry Goedert, Christopher Hamil, Robert Herbert, Fablina Huq, Justin Kocak, Erik Korray, Alexander Landry, Michael Mahony, Garen Manoogian, Angelia Marrero, Katelynn Messer, Gavin Ramaswami, Melissa Ried, Emily Short, Sandra Sims, Rachel Tift, Jennifer Todd, Susan Vinson, Laura Wade, Alan Wise
They will represent Howard well.
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MathCOUNTS winners: HMS came in 35th out of 45 teams. The teams that did well introduced at the April 11th School Board meeting.

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More than 150 students signed up to participate in the 2006 Howard Middle School Spelling Bee! Because of this incredible interest, students were called into the cafeteria for a preliminary written spelling test of 40 words and a week later, 50 students participated in the HMS Spelling Bee. The word list was provided by the Orlando Sentinel and, after a spirited Bee, the following students were chosen to represent Howard Middle School in the Marion County Spelling Bee: Third Place: Avish Patel, Second Place: Rachel Wilson, and First Place: Annie McCall. All students did so well and we were very pleased with the excitement of the Spelling Bee.

We are having a very successful year and as you will notice ... many activities are occurring. With one quarter left, many are setting their sites on summer vacation, high school, and other fun filled events. Please see the important dates listed below and mark your calendars before you make additional plans. Also, please remind your student that the school year is not completed yet...
Let's finish the race with a positive note!
Thank you for your support.

C Saunders
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Important Dates:
Spring Break - March 27-31
Math Counts team competes in Orlando - March 30-31
Washington DC trip - April 3-7
7th Grade Honor Roll Reception at 9:45 am - April 4
Belleview High School Orientation at 1:45 pm - April 5
6th Grade Honor Roll Reception at 9:45 am - April 7
8th Grade Honor Roll Reception at 9:45 am - April 10
Early Release - April 12
IB Orientation in the Media Center at 9:45 am - April 12
Busch Gardens field trip- 7th Grade - April 14
End of Course Exams(Language Arts&Math ) - April 17-21
PTO meeting in the Media Center at 3:45 pm - April 19
SAC meeting in the Media Center at 6:00 pm - April 20
Video Production field trip - April 21
Interim Reports - April 21
5th grade orientation - Evergreen - April 24
5th grade orientation - Oakcrest - April 25
5th grade orientation - smaller feeders - April 26
Middle School Academic Competition - April 28
Early Release - May 3
Common End of Course Exams(Language Arts & Math) - May 15-18
Last Day of School - May 18
Awards Assembly at MTI - May 24
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MARION COUNTY - Thanks to higher-than-normal retirement rates, Marion County Superintendent of Schools Jim Yancey announces the appointments of two people to become school principals. These first-round announcements, made following a court-mandated open-application process, take effect July 1:
Lake Weir High - Cynthia Saunders replaces Rhodia Berry as principal. Saunders is a 16-year veteran of Marion County Public Schools and current principal at Howard Middle School. Berry transfers to the Title I Office to become director of Grants and Federal Programs for the district, replacing retiring Barbara Samuel.

West Port High - Jayne Ellspermann becomes the principal of the high school campus only. She formerly was principal of both West Port Middle and High, located on the same campus. She has 16 years experience with MCPS and moved to West Port in 2003.

Hammett Bowen Jr. Elementary, the district's newest school set to open this August, will be headed by Leanna Dixon, current principal at Saddlewood Elementary. Her appointment came earlier this year and is not influenced by upcoming retirements.

At the district level, Scott Hansen will be the Director of Technology Information Services, a position he's temporarily filled since last year. This change takes effect April 26.

Over the coming days, Yancey will announce additional principal appointments to fill positions resulting from retirements and transfers. These positions include Dunnellon High, Greenway Elementary, Ocala Springs Elementary, Romeo Elementary, Saddlewood Elementary, West Port Middle, and others to be determined.

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HMS P.I. students experienced accomplishment and victory in the 26th anniversary of "Our Own Games". Howard Middle School made an impressive showing at the Opening Ceremonies Shining Star Awards and each competitive event. We continue to celebrate the following accomplishments of the students and staff members from HMS.

Shining Star Award Winners:
Adult: Ms. Monique Gibson Given for demonstrating unselfish love and dedication to Physically Impaired students.
Howard Adults receiving nominations for this award:
Liz Crussell, Bill Benson, Ernie Jacobowitz

Student: Damien Kasten Given to student and family for demonstrating enthusiasm, perseverance and love of life.
Howard Students receiving nominations for this award:
Julia Fields, Ed Fordham, Valarie Pete

Competitive Event Ribbon Winners:
Sarah Beare - Wheelchair Slalom and Ramp Bowling ( Blue and Red Ribbons )
Shauni Darley - T- Ball and Football Throw ( Blue and Red Ribbons )
Julia Fields - Tennisball Throw and Gait Trainer Race ( Blue and Red Ribbons )
Ed Fordham - Wheelchair Slalom and Ramp Bowling ( Blue and Red Ribbons )
Randy Horvath - Basketball and Football Throw ( Red Ribbons )
Damien Kasten - Gait Trainer and Wheelchair Slalom ( Blue and red Ribbons )
Jacob Lewald - T-Ball and Tennisball Throw ( Red and Blue Ribbons )
Clayton Oates - T-Ball and Ramp Bowling ( Blue and Red Ribbons )
Alex Perez - Wheelchair Slalom and T-Ball ( Blue and Red Ribbons )
Valarie Pete - Basketball and Table Bowling ( Red and Blue Ribbons )
Brett Steward - Football Throw and Tennisball Throw ( Red and Blue Ribbons )
Marshall Zackery - Basketball and Running Race ( Blue Ribbons )

Our thanks to our own Lisa Brooks, OT and Patty Trama, PT who contributed to the planning, setting up, and administration of the ceremonies and events, along with others who volunteered their time and efforts that a good time might be had and shared by all.

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Howard Middle School will offer four courses for high school credit in the 2006 - 2007 school year. Currently, we offer Algebra I and Geometry Honors. Starting this fall, two more courses will be available for eighth grade students - English I Honors and Spanish I. Both courses will be very challenging and will require students have A/B final grades in their current language arts and Spanish classes. The English I Honors will require level 4 or 5 on the FCAT Sunshine State Standards tests and/or Stanines of 7,8,9 on the NRT. Full details will come home the week after Spring break to 7th grade magnet students. Students should discuss the opportunity with their parents and, if they're interested, complete and return the forms to Mrs. Wheelis by Friday, April 14, 2006.
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TEST TAKING STRATEGIES: The link below will download a list of resources that address test taking strategies. The links contained in the document will help your child be better prepared for the upcoming FCAT. The file is a .pdf file that requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. Click here to download test taking strategies!
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Reading Counts Book and Quiz List
Below are 2 links to the Reading Counts Book list from HMS. One of the links will produce a downloadable .pdf file and the other will open an HTML file in a new window. In either case, you will be able to view the more that 3400 books in our library with associated Reading Counts Quizzes. As we expect this list to grow, I will repost the list with additions as it becomes available.:

Reading Counts Book List: Click here for the downloadable .pdf version

Reading Counts Book List: Click here to open the list in a new window
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Through the efforts and contributions of the staff and students at Howard Middle School, our total contribution this year for the United Way is $8,070.13!
Thank you to each and every one of you.  Our community will benefit greatly. Cyndi Saunders
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On April 13th, our students were given a letter about FCAT scores for this year. The website (SEE BELOW) is available for parents to look at their student's individual FCAT scores. The letter that was sent today contains the unique login information for your student. Please keep this valuable information.
Click here for FCAT Scores
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CONGRATULATIONS:Congratulations to Margie Hunt and the Academic Team for placing first on Friday, April 28th, in the district competition. It was a three way tie until the end between Us , Osceola, and Ft King....Howard came out on top!

Congrats to Maureen Blaustein, Heather Ramirez, Janice Cooper-Davis and Jackie Shelton for being selected in the 10th edition of Who's Who Among America's Teachers. 2005-2006.

HMS art students won 39 ribbons in the Paddock Mall art show. Each middle school art teacher is allowed to have 30 2-D art pieces and 10 3-D art pieces judged. Some of the pieces won 2 ribbons. Those pieces were winners in overall big categories. We won 8 big overall ribbons. That means 31 of 40 pieces won a ribbon. HMS art students did really great in the art show.

One of our students, Lucas Saleh, is featured in the latest issue of Life in the Heart of Florida magazine regarding his community service projects.  KUDOS to Lucas and a special thanks to Ms Lynn Stock for the article.

CONGRATULATIONS: Howard Middle School won first place in the recent Math Counts Competition. Coaches Todd Larson and Pam Ernest will be taking the team to the state competition. Members of the team are Justin Urso, Justin Kocak, David Earnest,Shiwangi Mishra, Renato Souza, Alex and Zack Landry, Garen Manoogian, Gavin Ramaswami, and Matthew Ernest.

Congratulations Howard Middle for a job well done!!!!!   We have improved our school grade to a "B" this year, which is a tremendous effort....I feel great about the things we have in place for next year so that we can continue to improve.  We also made Provisional AYP, which is terrific.

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HOWARD MIDDLE SCHOOL -- CLUBS CURRENTLY MEETING
Academic Team (members only)            Tuesdays / Thursdays 3:40 - 4:40
Algebra I & Geometry Study Hall Daily (except Wed) 8:15 - 9:15
Art                                             Wednesdays 3:40 - 4:40
Basketball                                      Monday through Thursday 3:40 - 4:40
Chess                                           Fridays 8:15 - 9:15
Chorus                                  Mondays / Wednesdays 3:40 - 4:40
Journalism                                      Tuesdays / Thursdays 3:40 - 4:40
Keyboarding                                     Thursdays  8:15 - 9:15
Student Council                         Fridays 3:40 - 4:40
Tutoring                                        Mondays / Wednesdays 8:15 - 9:15
Yearbook (staff members only)           Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:00 - 8:45
Young Life                                      Fridays 8:15 - 9:15
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CHANGE: SAC meetings will be held on the 3rd Thursday of each month from 6:00- 7:00 in the Media Center. The next date is:
April 20, 2006
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National Junior Honor Society: The Faculty Council of the Howard Middle School chapter of National Junior Honor Society has just distributed invitations to the 150 7th and 8th graders who meet the initial criteria for membership of a 3.7 grade point average. Students who are interested in joining NJHS have been asked to complete an application describing their involvement in school-based activities, service activities, and leadership positions. The Faculty Council is looking for students who possess the combination of scholarship, character, leadership, and service that are the hallmarks of National Junior Honor Society and its high school equivalent, National Honor Society.
Throughout the year, the entire Howard chapter of NJHS will be involved in charitable activities. Walk America for the March of Dimes will be one such venture. As conditions of membership, students will also initiate service projects of their own. One per year is required of members. Our monthly meetings will focus on ways teens can be of service to the school and the community. We will have guest speakers from various local organizations to create awareness of how students might contribute their time and efforts. There are multitudes of needs right here on Howard's campus where members could jump-in and make a difference. Members who have shared interests may want to work together on a project. The options are endless!
Once the selection process is complete, an induction ceremony for students and their parents will welcome the first members of the Howard Middle School Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society!
Congratulations to the new National Junior Honor Society officers for the Howard Middle School chapter:
Justin Kocak and Jackie Rojas - Co-Presidents
Danielle Bierema - Vice President
Rachel Tift - Secretary
Gavin Ramaswami - Historian
For more information about NJHS, visit their website: Click here National Junior Honor Society
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The MC School Board approved the new meal prices to become effective July 1, 2005. This note is a reminder that the new prices will be charged on August 8, 2005, first day of school and continue through out the school year.

BREAKFAST
All grade levels $ 1.00
Teachers/ Staff $ 1.25

LUNCH
Elementary $ 1.60
Middle / High $ 1.75
Teachers / Staff $ 2.30
( Reduced student meal prices have not changed)
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Listed below are the tentative 2005-6 dates for interim reports and report cards. These dates are subject to change.
Color Code: Date Change, Completed, Upcoming
Interim reports-----Report Cards
September 13-------October 19
November 18------January 9
February 3---------March 17
April 21------------May - To Be Mailed Home
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Citation Machine is an interactive Web tool designed to assist teachers in modeling the proper use of information property (i.e., footnoting references). The primary goal of this tool is to make the proper crediting of information property so easy that it becomes a habit. Students and parents are welcome to use this as well. You merely...
1. Click the type of resource you wish to cite,
2. Complete the Web form that appears with information from your resource, and
3. Click Make Citations to generate standard MLA(Modern Language Association) & APA(American Psychological Association) citations.
Click here for Citation Machine
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CSI Comes to Howard Middle School
A successful application for a Challenge Grant Collaborative Curriculum Project, written by Jan Butterfield, will bring The Millennium Science Mystery Theater to the HMS stage next year. Grant funds will enhance the Millennium Program for gifted learners through the purchase of high-tech science equipment and supplies for forensics labs. Collaborations with experts in the fields of law enforcement and forensic sciences will further prepare students to synthesize real-world authenticity into their original stage production. At intermission, Millennium students will guide audience members through hands-on forensic evidence stations, thus challenging amateur sleuths to solve the mystery before the final act unfolds.
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FCAT NRT: In March 2005, Florida public school students in Grades 3 through 10 took a new version of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test Norm-Referenced Test (FCAT NRT). A new FCAT NRT was required due to the out-of-date norms of the previous FCAT NRT, the Stanford Achievement Test Series, Ninth Edition (Stanford 9 or SAT9). The Florida Department of Education selected the Stanford Achievement Test Series, Tenth Edition (Stanford 10 or SAT10), through a competitive bid process that considered both the technical qualities of the test and the cost. This document provides a summary of the differences between Stanford 9 and Stanford 10. Click here to download the pdf version of the entire document.
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eLibrary: Our school district now subscribes to eLibrary Curriculum Edition, the ultimate, easy to use, internet based reference resource for students and teachers-available from school or home 24/7. eLibrary Curriculum Edition meets a growing range of research and curricular demands. How will eLibrary CE help you and your students?
Search or browse more than 2,000 full-text magazines. You can print, save, or email for your own or student use.
Look up articles from 230 regional, U.S., and international newspapers- including the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal-all in full text.
Integrate technology and engaging digital content to support instruction in all subjects: Math, Science, Social Studies, Geography, Language Arts, etc.
Browse collections of articles and editor-selected websites by topics such as Business/Communication, Government, Technology, and Mathematics.
Students will find the answers they need from more than 2,000 full text and multimedia sources.
To use eLibrary Curriculum Edition Click here from home or school and type in: 01-7476 (user ID) bigchalk (password).
Ask your library media specialist for more information on this valuable reference resource.
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BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION: Howard earned $1,002.10 in Box Tops for the 2002-2003 school year and $996.32 during the 2003-2004 school year. We are in the top 12% of the schools in the entire country for money collected from Box Tops. Please continue to send your Box Tops to school!
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Things we collect: General Mills Box Tops, Campbell soup labels, empty printer cartridges, old cell phones and old eye glasses. Please help by sending these items to school.
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The Brainchild Corporation has a free online Math and Reading assessment tool. Assessment by grade level and by subject with diagnostics is tied to state tests. Find strengths and weaknesses. Then, go into an interactive learning mode directed towards the weaker areas. Print out scored assessments with feedback for correct and incorrect answers.
Click here for Brainchild
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Ms. McDonald, art teacher at HMS, has designed a web page to provide parents and students with information about her art classes and art club.  On this site, you will find pictures of fun projects completed by art students of all ages. Enjoy!
Ms. McDonald/Art
Follow this link to Ms. McDonald's art page:
Click here for Ms. McDonald's Art Page
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FCAT Explorer is a web-based FCAT practice site. The student sign-in is the student's last name+Ist initial. The student's password is 42+ the Ist 4 letters of the last name+ 4 digit birth date (mmdd). Students can log in to FCAT Explorer from any internet connected computer. You will need to have the Macromedia Flash 5 or higher plug-in to access the site. Click the System Requirements link at the bottom of the FCAT Explorer homepage. There is a system check you can run to verify system compatibility. Simply click the link below to launch FCAT Explorer in a new window.
Click here for FCAT Explorer
To get Flash Player click below.
Click here for Macromedia Flashplayer
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