Quote of the Week for November 17, 2008 “If you accept the expectations ofothers, especially negative ones, then you never will change the outcome.” - Michael Jordan

Parent Survey

On average, how much time does your child spend on homework each night?
http://www.tigersurvey.com/survey.php?survey=8147
Click on the above link to vote! Results to follow next week!
(SEE THE END OF THE NEWSLETTER FOR LAST WEEK’S SURVEY RESULTS)

Enough Sleep?
Many 10- to 15-year-olds find it hard to get to sleep at night. Research isn’t definitive yet as to why, but it seems to have a lot to do with the changing hormones in a young adolescent’s body. It isn’t that they aren’t tired; it’s just that they can’t shut down their minds. They lie awake and worry, review unpleasant conversations, imagine “I’ll show them” scenarios, listen to songs over and over in their heads, and toss and turn.

This article is certainly appropriate for our school. Despite the fact that we begin our school day at 7:30a.m, there is a lot that you can do to maintain your child's sleep hygiene. Please click on the following link for the article from the National Middle School Association Family Connection. W:\Flyers\familyconnectionvol13.pdf

Principal’s Coffee Hour
Please join us on Friday, November 21st at 9:00 a.m. in the Middle School Library for our Principal’s Coffee Hour. Mr. Gately has prepared an informative program regarding the Middle School Standards Based Report Card. There will also be brief PTSA committee reports.

“Toys for Tots” and “The John Theissen Children’s Foundation”
The Middle School will be collecting toys for the “Toys for Tots” Program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve as well as “The John Theissen Children’s Foundation” starting November 10th through December 19th. The mission of the Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped, toys during November and December and to distribute those toys as holiday gifts while simultaneously providing a message of hope to needy youngsters. The John Theissen Children’s Foundation offers sick and needy children toys throughout the holiday season and fulfills patient’s (ages birth to 18 years old) wish lists throughout the year. Please drop off the toys in Ms. Bany’s office, Mr. Wiener’s office or in Mr. Kahn’s classroom, #210. Your generosity and kindness will help make someone else’s holiday a special one.

Canned Food Drive
The Middle School Community Service Classes will be collecting cans and non-perishable food during the week of November 17-21st for a non-profit organization known as RockCANRoll. The RockCANRoll volunteers distribute the items to local agencies and into the hands of children, seniors and families who live with hunger and poverty. Please drop off the cans and perishable items in the box located in Ms. Bany’s office. We greatly appreciate your support.

Middle School Yearbook Dedication Form
Parents, this is your only opportunity to make your child’s yearbook extra special. For only $10.00 you can place a dedication permanently printed in your yearbook. There is a maximum of 25 words. Space is very limited, therefore, it will be on a first come, first serve basis. The deadline to submit your dedication and payment is December 5th, 2008. Please click on the following link to view and print the form: Parent Letters/1stmailingdedication2008-2009.pdf

Jericho Middle School Parents Survey
“Results from last week’s poll”

Choice	Total	Percent
What song should we play next week?
“Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong	19	30%
“America” by Ray Charles	9	14%
“Respect” by Aretha Franklin	12	19%
“No One” by Alicia Keys	14	22%
Other	10	16%
Total Number of Choices	64

 

Staff Members of the Week

Meredith Pollack-Richman, Guidance Counselor Meredith Pollack- Richman has been a guidance counselor at Jericho Middle School for 7 years. She loves working with the members of her department and, of course, her students. When she is not at work Meredith likes to spend time with her cats and her family. She is also the new mom of a baby girl, Hailey, who is the highlight of her life

Helene Kriegstein, Mathematics Curriculum Associate Helene Kriegstein has been the Curriculum Associate for Mathematics, K-12 at Jericho for five years. She was a Mathematics teacher for 13 years in the Three Village, Plainedge, and Cold Spring Harbor School Districts before coming to Jericho. She is a doting aunt to her 18-month-old nephew Zachary who she lovingly calls “Lamb Chop.” She has amazing comic timing and can solve linear equations underwater. Ms. Kriegstein enjoys yoga, movies, reading, and traveling.

DATES TO REMEMBER

November 18 - SEPTA Meeting: Stress Reduction for High Stakes Testing with Kids having Special Needs –
Speaker: Dr. Glenn Pollack

November 19 - Middle School Report Cards Emailed

November 19 - Middle School Winter Concert I, Chorus/Orchestra will be performing in the Auditorium at 7:30 p.m.

November 20 - Board of Education Meeting – Middle School Library – 7:30 p.m.

November 21 - Middle School PTSA Meeting and Principal’s Coffee Hour-MS Library-9:00 a.m

November 25 - Middle School Learning Center – Open House – 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

November 25 - Parent/Teacher Conferences 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

November 26 - Parent/Teacher Conferences 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon

November 26 - Middle School Athletic Teams Practice – No After School Clubs All Schools

November 27-28 - Schools Closed