May-June - ADA MERRITT K-8 CENTER-home frame page

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL… Festa Junina will take place this year on Friday, May 22, 2009. Please join us for the all-fun event!! The kindergarten and first grade students have prepared a Spring Show. It will take place on Once again Ms. Suzie Sponder and the Earth Day Committee put together an unforgettable experience for Earth Day on Friday, April 24, 2009. Thank you so much for your dedication and hard work! I want to thank Ms. Lourdes Fuller, Mr. Dervis Tena, Leslie Gonzalez, and Dr. Louis Dash for putting together another fantastic Spring Arts Festival. It was great to see our students’ artwork and musical talent showcased. The International Studies (IS) and International Education (IE) Program for first and second grades took place on Friday, May 1, 2009. The IS/IE Program for third through fifth grades took place on Wednesday, May 6, 2009. Both programs showcased the outstanding and quality work the students are doing in their IS/IE classes. I would like to highlight the IS/IE Teachers for their commitment to this program and, of course, Ms. Jackeline Sanchez-Jimenez, Lead Teacher. International Studies Program Teachers Ms. Adelina Arbones Ms. Betty Castro Ms. Lourdes Cobas Ms. Anxela Diz Mr. Yosvany Hernandez Mr. Jesus Madrigal Ms. Agueda Perez Ms. Jessica Rivera Ms. Liliana Troya-Lobaina International Education Program Teachers Ms. Caroline Cortezia Ms. Simone Garcia Ms. Carmen Spangenberg The IS/IE Program for sixth and seventh grade will take place on Monday, May Thank you so much to everyone who supported the “Kids Take Charge!” Event at Ada Merritt K-8 Center. The participating students were able to experience the “behind the scenes” of being Principal, Assistant Principal and Teacher. Once again, thank you for your support! Thank you to Ms. Suzie Sponder for coordinating Sparky’s Visit! We enjoyed meeting Author Rick Arruzza and his beloved Sparky, the Rescued Dog. On Thursday, June 4, 2009, the last day of school, students should not bring book bags or purses to school. Thank you for your support. The PTA will be hosting a Book Fair in the Media Center from May 4, 2009 to May 8, 2009. Please come by and support the PTA while expanding your child’s book collection. Below is the schedule for sixth and seventh grade final exams. Please note that the final exam is 10% of the final grade AND counts towards the grade point average for each student. Final Exam Schedule May 27, 2009 - Periods 2 and 4 May 28, 2009 – Periods 1 and 3 May 29, 2009 – Periods 6 and 8 June 1, 2009 – Periods 5 and 7 June 2, 2009 – Period 8 and Make-ups June 3, 2009- Period 7 and Make-ups The 2009 Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT) Writing scores were released on Thursday, April 30, 2009. The Ada Merritt K-8 Center parents, students and teachers should be proud! The comparisons are as follows: Ada Merritt K-8 Center2008Students scoring 3.5 or higher2009Students scoring 3.5 or higherPromptAverage2009Combined87%96%4.2Expository86%98%4.3Narrative84%93%4.22008Students scoring 4.0 or higher2009Students scoring 4.0 or higherCombined72%88%Expository68%95%Narrative74%82% In the past three years our fourth grade teachers have successfully increased the percentage of students making 3.5 or higher on the FCAT Writing Test. Fourth Grade Team: You are awesome!!! Miami-Dade County Public Schools is taking general precautions against the flu, following reports of Swine Flu in Mexico and several states in the United States. The school district is promoting frequent hand-washing among students and staff to maintain a high degree of personal hygiene, such as covering their mouth when they sneeze, etc. We also are making sure that all schools have the basic supplies necessary to help students and staff keep their hands clean. Parents can assist in this effort. If you or your child exhibit flu-like symptoms, including headache, tiredness, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, or diarrhea and vomiting, it’s very important that you stay at home, to prevent spreading the disease to others. Seek further medical assistance, if needed. On Wednesday, April 15, 2009, all sixth and seventh grade students participated in an Internet Safety workshop coordinated by Ms. Maud Clark, MYP Coordinator and resident technology expert, and presented by Ms. Josie Ashton, Victim Advocate, Office of the Attorney General. On Monday, April 20, 2009, all kindergarten through fifth grade students participated in the Faux Paw Internet Safety Training presented by Ms. Julie Weaver and Ms. Maud Clark. Thank you both for your expertise and for making students aware of the safe ways to use the Internet. The Thoedore Gibson Oratorical Competition took place at Citrus Grove Elementary on Wednesday, April 15, 2009. The students represented Ada Merritt K-8 Center wonderfully. Each one spoke extremely well, even better than they had rehearsed. We are so proud of them. Jasmine Messiah, 2nd grade Hannah Gelber, 3rd grade Khandis Merritt, 5th grade Once again, a student from Ada Merritt K-8 Center was a finalist. Congratulations to Khandis Merritt, Fifth Grader! Thank you to Ms. Cheryl Pinckney and Ms. Laura Cabrera, Theodore Gibson Oratorical Competition Sponsors. As you know, on April 16 and 17, 2009, the IBO made a special visit to Ada Merritt K-8 Center. The purpose of this visit was to evaluate Ada Merritt K-8 Center’s implementation of the PYP Programme. The reauthorization news will not be here until June or July. However, the entire school received high acclamations from the IB Team. They were impressed by the outstanding parent support of the programme, the inquiry that was evident in the classrooms, and the overall school culture. I would like to extend a special note of appreciation to Ms. Jackeline Sanchez-Jimenez, PYP Coordinator and Ms. Cheryl Pinckney, PYP Support Teacher, for their leadership and commitment to IB. Additionally, thank you so much to the PTA for their ongoing support. It is important to highlight Ms. Deanna Christensen and Ms. Amanda Kleidermacher for coordinating the luncheon. Thank you so much to the parents who were able to attend the parent lunch with the visitors on Thursday, April 16, 2009. Parents, this is a reminder that we will need two self-addressed envelopes to be sent to the school. As you know, we will need to send several documents including report cards at the end of the year. One 8 X 10 envelope and the other is a regular-sized self-addressed envelope. Thank you so much. The following seventh grade students participated in the Miami-Dade County Youth Fair and Exposition Creative Writing Contest. They were awarded second and third place for their entries. Jessica Perez Ian A. Martin Rebecca Bulnes Micaela Tenenbaum Madeleine Barker Thank you to their teacher, Mr. Robert Douglas, for working with the students to prepare their poems for submission. As most of you may already know, our beloved Trust Counselor, Ms. Elina B. Artigas passed away on Saturday, March 14, 2009. We will be having a Tree Planting Memorial Service on Monday, May 18, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. The sixth and seventh grade students will be invited. Additionally, we are extending an invitation to parents who may wish to attend. Thank you for your support. The following students who participate in the International Studies Program were nominated by there IS Teachers and received the Don Quijote de la Mancha Diploma on April 26, 2009 at the Manuel Artime Theatre. GradeStudentTeacherSecond GradeDiego R. Leon-PantinMrs. Castro Second GradeNicholas CarboneMrs. LobainaThird GradeDarriel JohnakinMr. HernandezThird GradeBianca GonzalezMs. PerezFourth GradeAlejandra GomezMs. RiveraFourth GradeJulian Perez-HernandezMs. DizFifth GradeOlivia HerreraMr. MadrigalFifth GradeJessica BarriosMrs. ArbonesSixth GradeSebastian PenaMs. PerezSeventh GradeAna V. ReyesMs. Perez Mr. Jesus Madrigal, IS Teacher was presented with the Don Miguel de Cervantes Diploma. Thank you to Ms. Agueda Perez for organizing this event. Parents, please be reminded that Ada Merritt K-8 Center’s uniform policy remains in effect. We need your support in ensuring that your child is in uniform daily, unless otherwise stated in the school calendar. As you know there are several items that have been placed in the Lost and Found area located near the entrance of the Cafeteria. If you have any lost items, please check this area. On Friday, April 15, 2009, all items will be picked up and donated. Thank you for your cooperation. The Awards Ceremony took place on Saturday, April 25, 2009, at the Miami Museum of Science. Jose Heijn, Fourth Grader and Isabelle Bolet, Fifth Grader represented Ada Merritt K-8 Center and both received Excellence Ribbons. The Ada Merritt K-8 Center Mathematics School Level Bowl took place on April 22, 2009. We would like to congratulate the finalists. Primary Team (Third Grade Only) Daniel Freedline Hanna Gelber Caroline Chade Adriano Cabrera Intermediate Team (Fourth and Fifth Grades) Clara Simons Jose Heijn Thomas Martinez Sophie Gelber These students will represent our school at the District Mathematics Bowl that will be taking place on Saturday, May 30, 2009. Thank you so much to Ms. Lourdes Cobas and Ms. Jessica Rivera, Mathematics Bowl Sponsors for their hard work and dedication to this program. Congratulations are in order to the AM K-8 Geography Team. Our team went tothe Geography Bee held at The Fireman¹s Memorial Building in West Miami-Dadeto compete against the brightest geography students from some 16 elementaryand K-8 schools in the county. The participants this year were: Patrick Barham Alexander Segarra Andrew Walker Melanie Wu Ian Escarra Our two alternate members were: Kailey Almonte Sophie Tenenbaum The AM K-8 Team made it through 3tough rounds and only missed 3 questions.Thank our student participants for a great job and ask them for the answersto the sample GeoBee questions when you see them in the Ada Merritt halls! Dr. Lydia Barza and Ms. Amanda Padierne, Geography Bee Team Leaders: Way to go!!!!! As of March 1, 2009, a link was placed on the Ada Merritt K-8 Center website for the Monthly Calendar and Principal’s Message. In order to accommodate those who do not have access to a computer there will be copies of the monthly calendar available in the Main Office. Parents, please visit our new website at adamerritt.dadeschools.net. The website includes updates, the school calendar, pictures and links to the most commonly visited websites. This is a reminder that as of March 1, 2009, flyers will be posted on two main bulletin boards; the bulletin board located near the elevator and the bulletin board in the Main Office. Remember, all communication needs to have approval from the school administration. Please do not post any announcements throughout the school on doors or walls. Thank you in advance for your support and cooperation. On Friday, May 8, 2009, Ms. Fuller, Mr. Tena, Ms. Cabrera, and Ms. O’Rourke will be presenting the Page at a Time Book they created. The Wolfsonian-FIU invites you to an exhibition of handmade books by fourth grade students of Ms. Lenita O’Rourke and Ms. Laura Cabrera at Ada Merritt K-8 Center. The exhibition will be on from May 7 through June 7, 2009. The Wolfsonian-FIU 1001 Washington Avenue Miami Beach, Florida 33139 Thank you to Ms. Fuller and Mr. Tena for leading this year-long project. With your guidance and mentoring, the students put together a beautiful project. The following students’ artwork was featured in Pancake 3. Open Platform/Pancake 3 launched itself in Miami-Dade back in April 2008, as a blank idea pad used as an art curriculum tool. All submitted ideas were documented and have been published in an investigation annual issue. All content is teacher directed. Thank you, Ms. Fuller for your guidance! Alain Guerrero Ana Victoria Reyes Antonio Arzola Claudia Diaz Katelyn Flood Katrina Sarmiento Rebecca Bulnes Yuly Lotta As you know, the sixth grade students participated in the Invention Convention on Wednesday, April 29, 2009. We are proud the hard work the students put into their exhibits. Thank you to Ms. Lourdes Cobas for a job well done!! The End of Year Student Awards’ Ceremonies are scheduled as follows: KindergartenFriday, May 22, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.First GradeWednesday, May 27, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.Second GradeThursday, May 28, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.Third GradeTuesday, June 3, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.Fourth GradeMonday, June 1, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.Fifth GradeFriday, May 29, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.Sixth & Seventh GradesWednesday, June 3, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. Trophies for Principal’s Honor Roll will be presented for students in first through seventh grades who have maintained Principal’s Honor Roll for the entire school year. Additionally, students in first through seventh grade who have maintained Perfect Attendance for the entire school year will receive a Perfect Attendance Medal. Certificates of Promotion will be presented to each student. The early 1980's marked the beginning of a monumental effort by Miami-Dade County to save Biscayne Bay. The Bay was suffering from pollution and the marine environment of the Bay was in steep decline. Baynanza was created as part of a larger effort to save the bay.Baynanza, now in its 27th year, is a celebration of Biscayne Bay and its importance as one of our most important ecological and economic systems. While Baynanza includes more than 40 great events spanning from March to April, the event that has become nearly synonymous with the celebration is the Biscayne Bay Cleanup Day. On April 19th, 2008, this event drew over 7,600 community volunteers out to the shores and islands of our Bay including several Ada Merritt K-8 Center students and staff. They collectively removed more than 38 tons of garbage from Biscayne Bay's shores, nearby islands, and two locations in the Miami River.Thank you to Ms. Maud Clark, MYP Coordinator and Ms. Diane Davis for promoting the event at Ada Merritt K-8 Center. Spread the word about the 12th annual Food Allergy Awareness Week (FAAW), May 10-16, 2009. This year help those with food allergies “Take Action, Prevent Reactions.” The Dial-a-Teacher Program is a free service provided by Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Please see the attached informational flyer. The school is collecting Box Tops for Education. Please check household product boxes for Box Tops. You can drop Box Tops off at the Main Office, Cafeteria (next to the pencil and stamp machine), or you can hand them to your child’s teacher. Attached is a worksheet titled, “How Many Box Tops Can You Catch?” We encourage you to identify any household products that may be part of the Box Tops for Education Program, cut out the and paste them on the sheet provided herein. We are encouraging all parents to participate and include your child in this effort. All Box Tops collected will be turned in for money and benefit the Ada Merritt K-8 Center PTA. Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) is committed to providing a safe teaching and learning environment for students, staff, and members of the community. On January 16, 2008, the School Board approved a newly revised Code of Student Conduct (COSC). The revised COSC identifies, recognizes, and rewards model student behavior within a framework of clearly established and enforceable rules and policies. It advocates a holistic approach to promoting and maintaining a safe learning environment and requires active participation from students, parents/guardians, and school staff. Students and parents/guardians can access the English, Spanish, and Haitian/Creole versions of the document on the M-DCPS Website located at: http://ehandbooks.dadeschools.net/policies/90/indes.htm or you may request a copy from your child’s school. Please ensure you have reviewed the Code of Student Conduct with your child. The Parent and Student Handbook was provided to all parents on the first week of the 2008-2009 school year. The Parent and Student Handbook outlines district and school policies on attendance, conduct, grading, arrival/dismissal, lunch, peanut/nut free policy and many more important topics. Parents, please remember to sign-in if you plan to be in school after 8:30 a.m. A Volunteer / Visitor’s Badge can be obtained from the Main Office. Please use the same procedure when visiting the park while physical education classes are in session. Please assist us in keeping our students safe. Please be reminded that if your child is absent from school; he/she must bring a written note, within three school days, explaining the absence(s) in order to be excused. The following are considered excused absences: student illness medical appointment death in family observance of a religious holiday or service when mandated for all members of a faith that such a holiday or service be observed school-sponsored event or activity previously approved other individual student absences approved by the principal Student tardies are being monitored. As a reminder, students must be in their seats BY 8:30 a.m. Any students arriving thereafter are considered tardy. Parents, we appreciate the great effort being made thus far to have students in school on time. Please continue supporting us as we encourage students to be on time to school everyday. If you do not provide a written note explaining the absence(s) it will be considered unexcused. Please review the attached letter regarding the Attendance Plan. Please note that parents will automatically receive a Connect Ed message once the student has three absences. Remember that there is no eating or drinking in the Media Center. We need to keep the computers clean and in working condition. It is important that we follow the Media Center rules so that the Media Center can be maintained in the best condition for our students. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Keep it neat, Stay in your seat! Don’t eat or touch, Your neighbor’s lunch! Check the table and floor, Before you walk out the door. It’s the cool scene, To keep our school clean! Parents, to promote balanced, caring, cooperative, and respectful citizenship, we have initiated the “Keep it Neat!” Campaign. During breakfast and lunch the students are encouraged to make sure they don’t drop wrappers, utensils, napkins or other items on the cafeteria floor. In addition, students are encouraged to talk with friends, read or just enjoy a quiet meal. Students may not walk around the cafeteria. Instead, they are to wait for their teacher during lunchtime to arrive before they throw their tray and/or other items away. Let’s be mindful that Ada Merritt K-8 Center is a peanut/nut free school. Please refrain from sending to school any peanut or nut containing products. In order to avoid accidental contact, I am urging all parents to discourage their children from sharing foods, utensils, and containers. Please assist us in respecting all crosswalks and speed limits around our school. Miami-Dade County ranks #1 in the State of Florida and 3rd in the nation for pedestrian injuries and fatalities. Our students will participate in the WalkSafe Program in our continued efforts to reduce the number of pedestrian injuries and fatalities. Parents, please keep in mind that the “walkers” dismissal area is for parents who stand and wait for their child’s class to be dismissed. The teacher acknowledges the parent(s) and the child then walks to where you are. Please note that if you want to have your child come to your car you must use the circular driveway located at the opposite side of the school (4th Street). We need your support and cooperation to ensure the safety of our students during arrival and dismissal. Additionally, please use caution when dropping off and picking up your child. For safety and convenience, we are recommending that you please use the circular driveway area. This is a reminder that students in kindergarten through third grade are to wait for their teachers by their classrooms until 8:20 a.m. fourth through seventh grade students are to wait for their teachers to pick them up in the cafeteria. Parents are not allowed in classrooms during the morning drop-off. Please understand that school must begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. and we need your support in maximizing instructional time. Accordingly, please ensure your child is in his or her classroom by 8:30 a.m. We ask that parents use the circular driveway. We respectfully request that you facilitate the unloading in an effort to expedite the process and ensure the safety of all students. Once again, your ongoing support is greatly appreciated. The purpose of the Student of the Month ceremony is to recognize students, kindergarten through seventh grade, who have demonstrated an effort to be an inquirer, knowledgeable, thinker, communicator, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-taker, balanced, and/or reflective. Students who show the International Baccalaureate (IB) Learner Profile attitudes may also be highlighted as Student of the Month. These attitudes include; appreciation, confidence, commitment, cooperation, curiosity, creativity, empathy, enthusiasm, independence, integrity, respect and tolerance. This month’s Student of the Month Celebration will take place on May 26, 2009, at 1:15 p.m. in the Cafeteria. Classes are available through our After-School Enrichment Program. Students do not have to be enrolled in the After-school Care Program to take advantage of these classes. Please take the time to review the classes, days, fees and times. An increasing number of students are not being picked-up according to the dismissal times listed below. This situation poses a safety problem. Please be advised that there is NO supervision of students after dismissal time. Effective immediately, you are informed of the following: Students left in school after dismissal and not participating in any supervised after school programs/activities, will be escorted to the After-school Care Office, Room 104. Parents will be assessed a fee of $10.00 per child for the day. Thank you for your support in this matter. Miami-Dade County Public Schools Department of Food & Nutrition serves breakfast at NO CHARGE to all students at all schools everyday. Ensure that your child is on time and ready to learn by having him/her enjoy this most important meal of the day. Breakfast is served from 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. Please note that the cost of lunch has changed for the 2008-2009 school year. The cost of lunch is now $2.50 for students and $3.00 for adults. Free/reduced students will now pay $0.40 for lunch. Elementary students in grades K-5 can charge up to five meals. Students will then receive notice that they have a negative lunch balance. When a negative balance for an elementary student reaches $11.25 (or $2.00 for free/reduced lunch), then that student will be offered an alternate meal, if they do not have lunch money. Please note that sixth and seventh grade students are no longer permitted to charge meals. Alternate meals are provided to those students who have a negative balance and do not have lunch money. Miami Dade County Public School’s Department of Food and Nutrition allows parents/guardians the convenience to pay on-line via the internet or by telephone for their child’s meals with a credit or debit card. The parent/guardians will create a lunch account on-line for the child and will be able to access the following: a. view the account balance b. schedule automatic payments. c. receive low-balance e-mail reminders d. view a report of daily spending and cafeteria purchases You may find all this information at https://paypams.com/HomePage.aspx.

May-June - ADA MERRITT K-8 CENTER-home frame page

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May-June - ADA MERRITT K-8 CENTER-home frame page