News from Coleman Middle School PTSA

Coleman Middle School
1724 South Manhattan Avenue
Tampa, Florida 33629 (813) 872-5335
http://coleman.mysdhc.org

Coleman Chronicle

The Official Newsletter of Coleman Middle School

Issue 2

March 15, 2010

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Coleman PTSA

Principal's Message

Dear Students and Parents,

We are officially in the homestretch of the 2009-2010 school year. It is hard to believe that it is mid-March. The students and faculty did a wonderful job on FCAT. The students expressed confidence in their performance and comfort in the FCAT testing process. This nine weeks affords many opportunities for families to view their students' involvement in various school activities including: Math League, Battle of the Books, mime performances, music concerts, student talent show, flag football, and volleyball. It is always nice to see the students being involved in our school and creating memories, which will last a lifetime.

The 2010 Census is here. All of us will be receiving our mailings soon. A Census representative will be at Coleman's front office on Tuesdays (March 23, 30, and April 6) from 8:30 am - 10:00 am to assist with any questions regarding the 2010 Census forms. Please utilize this valuable resource. We want to make sure Florida and Hillsborough County is accurately represented in the 2010 Census.

A reminder about Student Drop Off/ Pick Up, that all car riders should be dropped off in the morning or picked up after school only in the designated area. The drop off / pick up zone is in front of the school on South Manhattan Avenue, directly in front of the school (main office entrance).

Please refrain from dropping off or picking up in the teachers parking lot located on the corner of Estrella Avenue and South Manhattan Avenue or near the baseball/track area. These areas are not supervised by faculty or staff.

Students should not be dropped off at school prior to 8:20 am, unless they are enrolled in the before school program. Before and After School Program enrollment information is located in the front office.

Student safety is our number one concern, and your cooperation would be greatly appreciated.

Please remember that parental, community, and business participation is sincerely encouraged at Coleman Middle School. By working together we can accomplish anything. Our goal is the success of every child. If you have any concerns, please call Coleman at 872-5335.

Your Partner in Education,
Mike Hoskinson
Principal

Curriculum News

We are beginning to make plans and preparations for the 2010 - 2011 school year. Next year we are moving to a 7 period day. The school day will not be extended. The classes will be 50 minutes each. We are very excited about the opportunities that a 7 period day will provide. The 6th graders will be able to take a full year of P.E.,as well as, the elective wheel. The 7th and 8th graders will take two electives and P.E. The 7 period day will also allow those that need to take an extra reading and/or math class the opportunity to still have an elective and/or P.E. The course verification reports will be distributed to each student through homeroom in April. This report will show all the courses that have been selected for your child and the electives they have chosen. We will make a parent notification call on the day they go out so you can look for them. This form does not need to be returned. If you have any questions or concerns please call or email Amy Lusk, Assistant Principal, Curriculum.

Upcoming Events

Coleman Golf Tournament
for Coleman's Track & Field

The Second Annual Coleman Golf Tournament and Auction will be next week,Thursday, March 25, 2010 at 1 p.m. at the scenic MacDill AFB Palm Bay South Golf Course and Club. The Golf Tournament and Auction was the brainchild of a group of Coleman and Mabry parents and civic-minded neighbors without children at the schools, who recognized that while we all benefit from the track and field, its upkeep and maintenance are the sole financial responsibility of Coleman. This tournament and auction is to assist Coleman with greatly needed fiscal resources to maintain the track and field facility. As a side benefit, it has fostered a heightened sense of community at Coleman. Spaces are going fast, so complete and return your registration ASAP!

The Tournament/Auction Committee needs you, too! There is a job for anyone who wants to help, from getting donations, sponsorships and teams, to set up and clean up on the big day and everything in between. To help in any capacity, or to register your team, please email Carrie Grimail or call her at 281-0616.

Coleman News

SAVE THE DATE!

Spring Family Supper

   Thursday, April 22, 2010
5 - 7 PM
   Coleman Cafeteria
Dine-In Only - $5 per meal
   Talent Show in the Gym - 7 PM

If you would like to volunteer to help, please email Pam Pitisci or Leigh Ann Quierolo.

Orchestra News

Our 8th grade Orchestra will perform at the annual Music Performance Festival on March 25th. The orchestra is critiqued based on established standards and a trophy is presented to groups receiving a superior rating.

Greek Week is coming! Greek Week is coming!

All AVID students will participate in a fun-filled week of food and games featuring the Greek Olympics with activities like the potato sack race, ultimate frisbee, kickball, and an incredible obstacle course. Greek Week ends with a College Cooking 101 Class and a theme party. This event will take place in April.

Back in the classroom, AVID students have focus with fun. (AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination.) Avid students have a chance to explore all those questions that students have about college and careers. Currently, AVID students are researching specific careers and exploring their perfect careers through a career resource inventory. Throughout this exploration process, Ms. Easler and the AVID tutors offer both group exercises and individual attention geared to each student. Avid students learn and practice academic study skills that can be used immediately, in high school and ultimately in college.

Coleman Students ...does this sound interesting to you? Coleman Parents...does this sound interesting to you? For more information, please contact Debbie Easler.

Grade Level News

6th Grade

6th grade math celebrated PI day last Friday after FCAT.

PI Day is March 14th, hence 3.14. Students were extremely excited and were enjoying their pies in math class.

Ms. Anderson and Ms. Whitton attended a workshop and learned new strategies to use with their classes. They are currently applying the SOAPSTONE technique to help understand informational articles. They will use this strategy later in their Springboard classes. Ms. Anderson's classes are reading mysteries and will be creating their book report in class on March 24th. Keep checking Edline daily for assignments to see if your student's planner entry matches. After short story element reviews, both classes wil be exploring the world of poetry.

Ms. Hamlyn's 6th grade reading class is enjoying Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key and working on characterization skills. Her 6th grade LA class will begin Stargirl soon as part of a Springboard unit. Eighth grade classes are finishing up persuasive writing techniques and will begin a Holocaust unit in which they will read Night by Elie Wiesel.

Mr. Gutierrez's students just completed a unit on infectious diseases. Students researched information on diseases and created web pages displaying the information they learned. Parents can view their student's and classmates' webpages on www.Glogster.com.

7th Grade

Now that FCAT is over, Mrs. Caskey and Ms. Macfarlane are reading The Outsiders with their students. Ms. Kahlert is starting a novel study on the Springboard novel, Tangerine. Next week, Ms. Macfarlane will be explaining the Heritage Project, which will be due a week after Spring Break.

Mrs Spratt's 7th grade geography class will be studying Ireland by reading about the history of St. Patrick and the 'Legend of Finn MacCool'. We will also study the history of Ireland as it applies to the 'Potato Blight' and the Irish peple being 'Forced to Flee'. [multi-media]

8th Grade

Our 8th grade teachers are looking foward to a wonderful final nine weeks with our students. Information about our Annual 8th Grade Field Trip to Islands of Adventure is set for May 18th. Look for the paperwork to be distributed soon. All parent permission paperwork must be signed and returned within the allotted time. Late paperwork will not be permitted.

Mrs. Wilkins' U.S. History students are just finishing their lessons on the Jefferson Era and the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The students had the opportunity to try their hands at map-making, drawing of animals and journaling as they traveled around the school. The students have been reading biographies and autobiographies of our Founding Fathers and should be completing their posters by March 19th.

The new novel for the fourth quarter is Day of Tears by Julius Lester. Mrs. Wilkins has ordered 25 copies at Barnes & Noble and 25 copies at Borders on Dale Mabry. Students will begin reading their new novel on March 29th. The final project of the year will be student created websites about the Civil War. It has been a terrific year and Mrs. Wilkins is looking forward to a wonderful fourth quarter.

Ms. Bauer and Mrs. Cook's 8th grade language arts classes are beginning a novel study of Night by Elie Wiesel.

Throughout the study, we will focus on conflict, point of view, irony, characterization, and theme. We encourage all parents to read the book with their child and discuss it together. The novel will be available to purchase in the language arts classroom and must be in class on Monday, March 22nd for a homework grade. Cost: $ 8.00 CASH ONLY! If you have any questions, please email your child's teacher -Nicole Bauer or
Teresa Cook.

Congratulations to Barrett LaVielle, Avery Gaxha, Summer Silveus, and Zach Thompson for placing in the National History Day Fair Regional Competition. All first and second place winners will be advancing to the state level competition in Tallahassee, Florida on May 2, 3, and 4th.

Mrs. Miller and Mr. Gill's Algebra Honors Classes are finished factoring in Chapter 5 and have moved on to algebraic fractions in Chapter 6. Factoring is still a huge skill that is necessary for Chapter 6, so please make sure students attend any and all help sessions they can, if needed! Help sessions are Monday after school with Mrs. Miller, Thursday mornings with Mr. Gill, and the morning of every test or quiz with Mr. Gill. Please continue to check Edline regularly for daily agendas, grades, and important class updates.

Mr. Gill's 8th Grade Math Class is about to start a Springboard unit on solving one-step, two-step, and multi-step equations. Please continue to check Edline regularly for daily agendas, grades, and important class updates.

Parents of Mr. Jones' Pre-Algebra Students: Please check your child's Curriculum Guide to see if your child has caught up on their lessons. If your child is not caught up, your child needs to attend the Help Sessions (Mondays @4:15pm-5:15pm and Thursdays @7:45am-8:45am) and log in at home to http://remote.icanlearn.com to complete their lessons before the due date which is indicated on the curriculum guide.

PTSA Updates

2010 - 2011 Slate of PTSA Executive Board
Laurie Barlow - President
Jennifer Wiezorek - 1st Vice President (Mini Grants)
Sally Harris - 2nd Vice President (Volunteers)
Sue Keel - 3rd Vice President (Fundraising)
Susan Thompson - Treasurer
Susan Tozian - Recording Secretary
Jim Baker - Corresponding Secretary

The names of the 2010-2011 slate of PSTA Executive Board were presented at the March 5th PTSA Board Meeting. The slate of officers will be voted on at our final General Membership Meeting on Tuesday, April 27th at 7:30 p.m. in the Coleman Cafeteria.

Thank You PTSA Nominating Committee

The PTSA Board thanks the 2010 Nominating Committee for their hard work and dedication in selecting the new slate of 2010-2011 PTSA Executive Committee Members. The Nominating Committee chaired by Lisa Andrews, included Melissa Ackles, Michelle Hogan, Pamela Jackson-Haney, and Misha Lowry.

The PTSA General Membership Meeting
Tuesday, April 27th - 7:30 p.m. - Cafeteria

Our final General Meeting's topic will be "Plant High School 101with Mrs. Gina Piloto, PHS Assistant Principal, Curriculum". 8th Grade students will be given an opportunity to write down questions in their homeroom classes that will be given to Mrs. Piloto to answer during the meeting. She will answer specific questions that our students have about: sports team try-outs, chorus, band, orchestra, exams, the difference between a weighted and an unweighted GPA, teachers, location of classrooms, guidance counselors, Student Services Office, Driver's Ed, P.E. requirements, dresscode, Gold and Black and other honors clubs, and Plant Homecoming/Panther Prowl/Pantherilla. We hope to have Plant students available after our meeting to represent clubs and sports to answer individual questions. If parents have specific questions to ask Mrs. Piloto, please email them to our Coleman PTSA - Plant High School Liaison, Nancy Hankin.

We were honored to have Mr. Rob Nelson, PHS Principal, speak at our January Membership Meeting about general requirements and his recommendations for the success of all Plant students. Coleman 6th, 7th and 8th graders enjoyed hearing about their future high school experiences. Our April 27th PTSA Meeting will address students' and parents' specific questions and concerns about Plant High School.

5th Grade Visitation Day

Fifth graders from Dale Mabry, Grady, Roosevelt and private schools will be visiting Coleman on Monday morning, May 10th, and their parents will visit from 12 - 1 p.m. Everyone will have an opportunity to tour the school and meet with Mr. Hoskinson, who will answer all of their questions about Coleman. Our PTSA Spirit Gear also will be available for parents to purchase for their rising 6th Grade Cobras. More information about schedules for 5th Grade Visitation Day will be in future issues of the Coleman Chronicle.

Sports

The first flag football and volleyball practices will be Thursday, March 18th - 4:30-5:30 p.m.

School Calendar

Important Upcoming Dates

Monday - Friday March 15 - 19

Make-Up FCAT TESTING

Wednesday, March 17

Boys' Flag Football and Girls' Volleyball Meeting
8:30 AM Gym
Student Council Meeting

8 - 8:45 AM Room 8

Thursday, March 18

Football and Volleyball Practice

4:30 - 5:30 PM Gymnasium & Field

Monday, March 22

Baby SAC Meeting

8 - 8:30 AM Room 5

Wednesday, March 24

PTSA Student Board Meeting

8 - 8:45 AM Library Media Center

Thursday, March 25

Cobra Council Breakfast

9 - 10 AM Teacher's Lounge

Coleman Community Golf Event

1 PM MacDill Air Force Base

Friday, March 26

End of Quarter # 3

School Advisory Council

8 - 9 AM Principal's Conference Room

Best Buddies

9 - 10 AM Cafeteria

Monday, March 29

Baby SAC Meeting

8 - 8:30 AM Room 5

Wednesday, March 31

Beta Club Meeting

8 - 8:45 AM Library Media Center
PTSA Student Membership Treats (Lunch)

Early Release - 2:15 p.m.

April
April 12 - 16

Spring Break

Thursday, April 22

Spring Family Supper - 5 - 7 p.m.
Coleman Talent Show - Gymnasium - 7 p.m.

Tuesday, April 27
Final PTSA General Membership Meeting - 7:30 p.m.

Monday, May 10
5th Grade Student and Parent Visitation
Mabry, Grady, Roosevelt and private schools
Morning - students
Noon - 1 PM - parents

Evening Seminar

"Your Space = My Space"
Fostering Responsible Social Networking Users

Coleman Middle School Library/ Media Center
Wednesday, March 31st
6:00 - 7:00 PM

Social networking has hit the business world and educational arena fast and furious. It has changed the way society keeps in constant communication with each other in addition to expressing each and ever move some one takes. With an understanding of what Facebook, MySpace, blogs, and Twitter are, hear how these social networking web sites can be helpful in education yet harmful if used incorrectly. With a focus on keeping today's students safe, hear how a parent/guardian can do their part in helping to combat cyber bullying and internet hate crimes. Learn what the responsibility is of a school in such matters and how Coleman Middle School is being proactive to foster a healthy online community of internet users. Ask your questions about Facebook, MySpace, blogs, and Twitter to expert users to gain a better understanding of how these tools relate themselves to your students everyday life, their learning, and social behavior. For more information, please email Corey Peloquin.

Please visit Coleman online to keep up to date on all school news and events!

In This Issue

E-Newsletter Sign-Up

Principal's Letter

Curriculum News

Golf Tournament

Spring Family Supper

Orchestra News

AVID Greek Week

6th Grade News

7th Grade News

8th Grade News

2010-11 PTSA Executive Board Slate

PTSA Nominating Committee

Next PTSA Membership Meeting

5th Grade Visitation

Sports

School Calendar

Technology Seminar

A Decade of Excellence with ten consecutive years of "A" performance in the Governor's A++ Accountability Plan.

Mike Hoskinson Principal

Amy Lusk
Assistant Principal, Curriculum

Toby Johnson Assistant Principal, Administration

Don't Forget!

End of Grading Period
March 26th

Early Release Day

March 31st