Ellis G. Arnall Middle School Home of the Knights The Knightly News 700 Lora Smith Road, Newnan, Georgia 30265 - (770) 254-2765 www.cowetaschools.org/ams February/March 2015 Authentic Engagement - Motivated Teachers - Successful Students Principally speaking… Dear Parents, COWETA As our first progress report in our second semester is right around the corner, it is a great time for students to reflect on their academic standing. When we issued report cards in January, we also provided students a log-in for Infinite Campus. They are able to log in and check their academic standing and if they have any outstanding work that needs to be turned in to their teacher. Through personal conversations, morning announcements and advisement sessions, we have been discussing the importance of each nine week period and sharing strategies that fellow students have used to be successful. Students should use his or her agenda EVERY day. Being proactive and recording homework assignments and testing dates will help your student develop important time management skills. A quote from Coach John Wooden, “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.” Students should complete their class work and homework assignments AND turn it in on or before the due date. Don’t put it off. Ask someone to help review for a test or quiz. Quizlet is a great way to study vocabulary. Review their goals for maintaining or improving their grades. Success can be found in steps 1-3 if done consistently. If you don’t understand something, talk to your teacher and set up a tutoring session. Our goal is for your students to be successful with their short term and long term goals. Establishing the habit of using these suggested strategies and student portal is a great way to contribute to their success. COUNTY’S SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER OF THE YEAR! S.R.O. Gordon Congratulations to our School Resource Officer, Corporal Donna Gordon, on being selected School Resource Office of the Year for Coweta County by her peers. Please join us in welcoming Ms. Karyann Rinkiewicz, the newest member of our Arnall staff. Ms. Rinkiewicz teaches 7th grade social studies. Dr. Jan Franks, Principal Volume 20, Issue 3 The Knightly News Page 2 GEOGRAPHY BEE Congratulations to 8th grader, Billy Guilot, our 2015 Geography Bee Champion for A.M.S. Fellow 8th grader, Luis Rivera, was 1st runner up and 6th grader, Beau Lewis, placed 3rd. 2015 Knight Life Yearbook Order your yearbook from the link on the AMS website or order online at www.jostens.com. If you choose to order in person, you may bring your payment to Ms. Leigh Ann Rhodes. Please include the name of the student and homeroom teacher on the memo line of your check. The basic price of the yearbook is $45.00. Personalization/name stamping of yearbooks is extra and ends February 13th. This deadline will not be extended, and payment needs to be made before the cover will be stamped. Order early to guarantee your copy. When they’re delivered in May, they will be sold on a first come basis. We will not be able to order additional copies once they sell out. Thank you for your support of the 2015 AMS yearbook, Knight Life! Ms. Leigh Ann Rhodes leighann.rhodes@cowetaschools.org Congratulations to our Arnall Spelling Bee champion 8th grader Tevyn Fudge (right) and to first runner-up, 6th grader Ashna Patel (left). This is Tevyn’s 3rd year as Arnall’s Spelling Bee champion. He was also the 3rd runner up at the Coweta County Spelling Bee at the Centre for Performing Arts on Jan. 12th! COINS FOR CUPCAKES Meals on Wheels of Coweta County invites the Arnall Knights to take part in the Sixth Annual Coins for Cupcakes Challenge during the month of February. Our Arnall Ambassadors will be collecting donations during lunch each day. The top homeroom will receive a cupcake party. Students, please remember to bring your coins to lunch each day! The middle school that collects the highest dollar value in coins over a two-week period will win a trophy and a cupcake party. The overall winning middle school will receive a plaque and a banner to hang in their school. The Coins for Cupcakes event and the winning school and classrooms will be featured in The Newnan-Times Herald. Students will learn that helping others can be fun and rewarding, and students, parents, and grandparents will have the opportunity to help older adults who desperately need home delivered meals. The waiting list for Meals on Wheels grows longer each day – nearly one-third of the persons who qualify for Meals on Wheels cannot be served because of lack of money and volunteers. Please help the Council on Aging serve these much needed meals by participating in Coins for Cupcakes. The Knightly News Page 3 DIVERSITY PROGRAM DIVERSITY: A CENTURY OF LIFE, HISTORY & CULTURE Since February, 2002, Arnall Middle School has been proud to present its Annual Diversity Program; this year’s theme is “Diversity: A Century of Life, History, & Culture”. The program is held during African American History Month each year and is scheduled for Friday, February 27, at 8:45 a.m., in the school’s gymnasium. The goal of the Diversity Program is to provide an opportunity to reflect and celebrate our cultural uniqueness, but more importantly, recognize how we connect, one with the other, no matter the cultural differences. Students from all grade levels and various cultures will participate in the program. We are honored that the Arnall Middle School Chorus under the direction of Robin White, will be a feature. We will hear from a phenomenal speaker, Christian Lawson, a 9th grader at Atlanta Adventist Academy who has met challenges in his life, however, perseveres. A reception for our participants and guests, prepared by parents and staff, will be held immediately following the program. Please join the Arnall Middle School family as we celebrate our diversity! ARNALL’S GOT TALENT Congratulations to ALL of the performers in the talent show held on January 26 at the Centre for Performing and Visual Arts. You did a spectacular job! Pictured above are the winners of the 2015 Arnall’s Got Talent Show. Left to Right: 1st place – Sophie Han for her vocal solo of Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys 2nd place – Jalen Friday for his vocal solo of When I Was Your Man by Bruno Mars 3rd place – Jeff Sangster & Andrew Gaillard for their instrumental medley of AC/DC songs. Valentine’s Day Message “We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color.”-Maya Angelou GEORGIA ALL-STATE BAND Congratulations to 8th graders, Allie Byrd and Sam Pfliger and 7th grader, Paul Park. These three outstanding students will perform and represent Arnall Middle School in Athens, GA for the 2015 Georgia All-State Band on February 26-28. We sincerely hope that you will celebrate Valentine’s Day on Saturday, February 14th. Please do not send floral, candy, toy or balloon deliveries to the school on Friday the 13th. We will not make any deliveries to the students during the school day. Students are not allowed to transport glass vases or helium balloons on the buses. Page 4 The Knightly News February 2 2-6 2 2 2 2 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 6-7 6-7 6 9 9 9 9 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 11 11 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 13 13 8th grade yearbook ad deadline Severe Weather Preparedness Week Academic Bowl competition @ Carrollton Jr. High Drama Club, 3:30-5:00 Basketball—Evans @ Arnall, 4:45 Jr. Law Enforcement Academy, 6:30-8:00 Chorus Discount Card Kick-off Select Chorus, 3:30-4:45 Basketball—Arnall @ SRMS, 4:45 Northgate cheerleader parent meeting, 6:30 7th percussion rehearsal only, 3:30-4:30 Scoliosis screening for 6th & 8th graders 7th band brass & bass clarinets rehearsal, 3:30-4:30 Art Club, 3:30-4:30 6th grade Honor Chorus, 3:30-4:45 6th district Honor Band at Flat Rock M.S. 6th Statewide Honor Chorus at UGA Tifton Campus Basketball - Madras @ Arnall, 4:45 8th percussion rehearsal, 3:30-4:30 Drama Club, 3:30-5:00 Basketball - girls tournament at SRMS Basketball - boys tournament at Madras Heartbeat Club, 3:30-4:30 All-State Chorus hotel balance due, $140 Chorus Discount Card turn in date Beta Club, 3:30-4:30 8th grade full band rehearsal, 3:30-5:00 Basketball - girls basketball semi-finals @ SRMS Basketball - boys basketball semi-finals @ SRMS Select Chorus, 3:30-4:45 7th grade percussion rehearsal, 3:30-4:30 Progress reports issued 7th full band rehearsal, 3:30-5:00 Arnall Ambassadors, 3:30-4:45 Knight Writers, 3:30-4:30 Art Club, 3:30-4:30 Basketball championship games Jr. Law Enforcement Academy, 6:30-8:00 p.m. Pajama Day for Special Olympics—$1.00 Last day for yearbook name-stamping 16-20 Mid-winter break 23 8th band percussion rehearsal, 3:30-4:30 23 Drama Club, 3:30-5:00 23 Academic Bowl, 3:30-4:30 23 Special Ed. Parent Workshop at Central/Werz, 5:30-6:30 24 Academic Bowl, 7:15-8:00 a.m. 24 Chorus discount card sales turn in day 24 Heartbeat Club, 3:30-4:30 24 8th grade full band rehearsal, 3:30-5:00 25 Select Chorus, 3:30-4:45 26-28 All-State Band trip to Athens 26 7th & 8th combined choruses rehearsal, 3:30-4:45 26 Knight Writers, 3:30-4:30 26 Northgate Parent Night, 6:15 p.m. 27 Diversity Program, 8:45 a.m. 27 Track & Field—1st day of tryouts 28 Science Olympiad Region Tournament at Northgate MARCH 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 5-7 5 5 6 7 7 8 9 10 10 10 10 10 11 11 11 12 12 12 12 12 13 16 16 16 17 17 18 18 19 20 23-27 23 23 23 24 24 24 24 25 25 26 26 31 8th percussion rehearsal, 3:30-4:30 Academic Bowl practice, 3:30-4:30 Drama Club, 3:30-5:00 Chorus pre-festival @ Centre, 6:30-9:00 Academic Bowl championship at ECMS 8th grade full band rehearsal, 3:30-5:00 7th grade percussion rehearsal, 3:30-4:30 All-State Chorus to Athens Art Club, 3:30-4:30 7th grade full band, 3:30-5:00 Collegiate Hat Day for Coins for Cupcakes, $1.00 7th grade full band rhearsal, 10:00-12 noon 8th grade full band rehearsal, 1:00-3:00 Daylight Saving Time begins 7th grade full band rehearsal, 3:30-5:00 School Council meeting, 7:30 a.m. 9 weeks exams - ELA 8th grade full band rehearsal, 3:30-5:00 Heartbeat Club, 3:30-4:30 Beta Club, 3:30-4:30 9 weeks exams - science 7th Band - large performance eval., 10:30 @ Centre Select Chorus, 3:30-4:45 9 weeks exams - math 8th Band - large performance eval., 10:30 @ Centre 6th grade chorus rehearsal, 3:30-4:45 Knight Writers, 3:30-4:30 Track meet at ECMS 9 weeks exams - SS 9 weeks exams - connections Drama Club, 3:30-5:00 Special Ed. parent workshop, 5:30 p.m. @ Central/Werz FEA, 3:30-4:30 Track meet at ECMS, 4:30 Select Chorus, 3:30-4:45 7th & 8th grade chorus combined rehearsal, 3:30-4:45 Art Club, 3:30-4:30 Spring Dance, 4:00-6:00 Book Fair Spring Pictures Drama Club, 3:30-5:00 Georgia Milestone parent info meeting, 4:30 & 6:00 pm Report cards issued Georgia Milestone parent info meeting, 8:30, 10:30, 12:30, 2:30 & 4:30 Heartbeat Club, 3:30-4:30 Grovenstein field events at ECMS, 4:30 Select Chorus, 3:30-4:45 Grovenstein running events at ECMS, 4:30 Arnall Ambassadors, 3:30-4:45 Knight Writers, 3:30-4:30 Track meet at ECMS, 4:30 Looking ahead to April and May… Spring Break …………………... April 6-10 Georgia Milestone Testing…..April 20-24 8th Grade Semi-Formal ……...May 1 Honors Day ………………….. …..May 14 8th GA Milestone Re-test……..May 20-21 Page 5 The Knightly News Science Fair Winners from our First Name Last Name Place Category list Mya Mollner 1st Animal Sciences Science Fair on January 8th Our first place winners attended the Coweta Co. Science and Engineering Fair on January 30th at the Centre. Trenton McDaniel 2nd Animal Sciences Tia Ingram 3rd Animal Sciences Ethan Jordan HM Animal Sciences Erin Denton HM Animal Sciences Amelia Hennum 1st Behavioral & Social Sciences Carly Krauth 2nd Behavioral & Social Sciences Zaire Simmons 3rd Behavioral & Social Sciences Garrett Liles HM Behavioral & Social Sciences Courtney Carrington HM Behavioral & Social Sciences Saqita Noor HM Behavioral & Social Sciences Michael Roth 1st Biochemistry Hannah Ross 1st Biochemistry Maya Wright 2nd Biochemistry Madison Arsenault 2nd Biochemistry Tyler Wolfe 1st Cellular and Molecular Biology Keelan Grooms 2nd Cellular and Molecular Biology Hudson Bryan 3rd Cellular and Molecular Biology Javon Smith 3rd Cellular and Molecular Biology Skylar Sheha HM Cellular and Molecular Biology Ashna Patel 1st Chemistry Elise Harris 2nd Chemistry Taylor Caprio 3rd Chemistry Julia Hauser HM Chemistry Sam Waldron 1st Engineering: Electrical & Mechanical Liam Dailey 2nd Engineering: Electrical & Mechanical Elmer Berganza 3rd Engineering: Electrical & Mechanical Tevyn Fudge 1st Engineering: Materials & Bioengineering Ethan Bryant 1st Engineering: Materials & Bioengineering David Balboa 3rd Engineering: Materials & Bioengineering Drew Carson 3rd Engineering: Materials & Bioengineering Catherine Ahn HM Engineering: Materials & Bioengineering Hannah Helm 1st Environmental Management Malcolm Jordan 1st Environmental Sciences Paul Park 2nd Environmental Sciences Nytasja Sanders 3rd Environmental Sciences Jordan Gardenour 3rd Environmental Sciences Jalen Whisby HM Environmental Sciences Austin Reed HM Environmental Sciences SPRING DANCE Please allow your students to stay after school for the Spring Dance on March 20 from 4 : 0 0 - 6 : 0 0 . Students planning to attend must stay after school and purchase tickets between 3:30 and 4:00. They may not leave and return. Admission is $5.00 and concessions are available for a minimal charge. Spring Pictures March 23rd Continued on page 6 Page 6 The Knightly News GEORGIA PARENT SURVEY Science Fair Winners continued from page 5 The Georgia Parent Survey for the 2014-2015 school year is available for parents to take online. The survey will be open through February 27, 2015. First Name Last Name Place Category List Emma Elizabeth Samia ace Trustin Ballew Seitz Akbar Pruitt Brown 1st 1st 2nd 3rd 1st Medicine & Health Sciences Medicine & Health Sciences Medicine & Health Sciences Medicine & Health Sciences Microbiology Katie Alexis Ashlee Gyeongtae Birch Matthew Revoir Estrada Guy Moon Robinson Allen 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 2nd 3rd Microbiology Microbiology Physics & Astronomy Physics & Astronomy Physics & Astronomy Physics & Astronomy Elyse Madison Jake Lindsay Mavery Behrens Maiden Bronzi Eggen Grattan 1st 2nd 1st 1st 2nd Plant Sciences Plant Sciences Computer Science Earth and Planetary Sciences Earth and Planetary Sciences All Coweta parents are invited to participate. You can complete the survey for your child’s school using a personal computer, smartphone or iPad. The survey includes 20 questions about your child’s school, and should take no more than 5 to 10 minutes to complete. The survey can be found on the Georgia Department of Education’s website, at http://apps.gadoe.org/ schoolclimate/parents.nsf/ Survey.xsp. For greater convenience, go to the Coweta County School System’s website at www.cowetaschools.org, and click on the Georgia Parent Survey link. Ready for Cell Phones, Social Media, etc.: At What Age? At what age should our kids be allowed to have their own cell phones? When is it appropriate for them to begin using social media? The overly simplistic answer: Not before their early to middle teenage years. Few kids have the maturity to handle the pressures of these privileges prior to adolescence. “Maturity” is the key word. Since the stakes are so high, I encourage parents to take the following survey to see whether their kids might be ready. Rate your answers from 1 to 5 for all the statements below. Total your score at the end. 1---------------2---------------3---------------4---------------5 Not at all Absolutely 1. My child is respectful and fun to be around most of the time. 2. My child typically makes good decisions when he or she isn’t being watched. 3. My child takes responsibility for his or her poor decisions without blaming others. 4. My child believes that using technology is a privilege…not an entitlement or “right.” 5. My child understands that not everybody online is their “friend.” 6. My child completes chores and other responsibilities without needing to be nagged. 7. My child isn’t hooked on drama or gossip. 8. When I ask my child to turn off the TV, video game, etc. they do so without arguing. 9. My child handles conflict, teasing and other social trials without “falling apart.” 10. My child understands the risks of sharing too much information online. Obviously, the higher the score, the more confident you can be that your child possesses the basic maturity required to handle technology responsibly. If in doubt, err on the side of caution. Thanks for reading! Our goal is to help as many families as possible. by Dr. Charles Fay (www.loveandlogic.com)