MPVAMS Greyhound ~ 9-15-16 Page 1

Meyerland Performing & Visual Arts Middle School

- Racing toward Success!

10410 Manhattan, Houston TX 77096-5202 Tel. 713-726-3616 Fax 713-726-3622

GREYHOUND NEWS September 15, 2016

PTO MEETING PLUS!

September 20th at 7 p.m.

Come & welcome John Marshall, Magnet Coordinator

First on the agenda, the PTO will be welcoming back our new (returning after several years) magnet coordinator, Mr.

John Marshall, at this 1st PTO meeting of the year. Come meet him and hear about the great plans he has for our magnet

program.

PTO business will follow.

The PTO meeting will start promptly after a Parent Learning Community (PLC) session by the MPVAMS counselors at 6

p.m.

~~~~~

Parent PLC (Professional Learning Community)

The counseling department at Meyerland Middle School is excited to share with you a series of informational sessions this

year through our Parent Professional Learning Community (PLC). We are partnering with Finnegan Counseling Agency

to provide parent education talks covering a variety of issues. These meetings will be held in conjunction with the PTO

meetings each month. The Meyerland Counseling Department will begin the session with school-based information and

will be followed by a professional counselor from Finnegan who will discuss various topics of interest.

The first Parent PLC will be held in the school library, Tuesday, September 20 from 6-7 p.m. followed by the PTO

meeting. The first topic will be on Technology and Social Media Safety. Ms. Lamb, Ms. Godwin and Ms. Freund will

share internet resources to help you help your child with homework from home as well as provide study tips to help keep

your child focused. A professional counselor will then share tips about how you can keep your kids safe when they use

technology and social media. Also, find out how to talk to your kids so they can make smart, safe social media choices.

This talk will cover cyber bullying, sexting and more. There will be a Q & A session afterwards. We look forward to

working with you throughout the year!

Regards,

Meyerland Middle School Counseling Department

(I attended a similar PLC last year at school. The chances for our students, who frequently know more about the

workings of their computers and phone than we adults do, to get into trouble via social media are infinite. There are vile

adult predators just waiting to take advantage. There are bullies who have zero sense of right or wrong, just the thrill of

the hunt and desire to humiliate. As parents, we must educate ourselves on what to look for, be wary of, and protect our

children. The above PLC is a must! Editor)

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HOME COMING NEWS!

October 10-14, 2016 has been approved as

Homecoming Week at Meyerland PVA MS. More details to follow regarding designated activity days for the week.

~~~~~

SWIM TEAM NEWS

7th & 8th Grade Swim Team Physical Education Class – Dryland Training Sep 12 – Sep 30 Physical Education Class – Swimming during PE begins Oct 3 After School Practice will be Mon, Tue, Wed from 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM beginning Nov 1st 7th & 8th Swim Team Parent Meeting Oct 26 at 6:00 PM in the Gym 6th Grade Stroke School Oct 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 from 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM Cost is $30 (Cash or Money Order). If you are interested email Coach Snook at dave.snook@houstonisd.org Space may be limited so act now!

~~~~~

VOLUNTEERS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

As your students take the next step to adulthood, don’t forget your volunteer help is still needed and appreciated in middle

school. There will be opportunities to chaperon field trips, off-campus performances by our many talented young artists

(You will never feel so proud as when non-MPVAMS audiences applaud our kids’ performances.), and on-campus dances

and events. You could help with landscaping, fundraising, teacher hospitality, Magnet Week events. How about simple

collating or photocopying? There are all sorts of opportunities to volunteer at MPVAMS. Your students will be proud

you are helping, even if they never say it out loud. It will be an example for them of how important you think education

is, which could be a splendid motivator.

Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS) is how HISD manages its volunteers. Interested parents can sign up for VIPS on line

by following the directions at http://www.houstonisd.org/Page/126421, bring in their drivers licenses to school, in this

case MPVAMS, and go through an HPD background check. This is for the safety of all. It takes 2-3 weeks for approvals

to come back. Please note: Volunteers must re-register and present their licenses every year they volunteer. The

MPVAMS VIPS Coordinator is Talina Woodard. For questions, contact her at twoodard@houstonisd.org.

We, the PTO Board, along with MPVAMS faculty and administrators look forward to your volunteer help. See you at

school!

~~~~~

OPEN HOUSE POSTSCRIPT

Parents, I hope you found our Open Houses to be as informative for you as they were gratifying for me to witness. Ideally

you met all of your students’ teachers and have a better handle on what to expect as the academic and fine arts year

unfolds. I was pleased to greet so many of you. Remember my door is always open.

Wenden Sanders, Principal

Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School

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Meyerland MS Instructor: Ms. Chelsea Clark

KICKSTART KIDS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to giving middle school students the tools and support necessary to resolve conflicts, avoid participating in gangs, choose a drug-free lifestyle, resist negative peer pressure, and remain in school until they graduate. Students in the program achieve a higher level of academic success and ultimately become more productive members of their communities.

KICKSTART KIDS Values Curriculum

KICKSTART KIDS DEMO TEAM The Karate Demonstration team performs synchronized, martial arts techniques to music. The team's primary purpose is to promote Kickstart Kids to the community. All members are charged with being role models to all students on campus. Earning a place on the team requires students to demonstrate not only strong physical skills but the best example of the values we teach.

2016-2017 MEYERLAND KICKSTART KIDS DEMO TEAM ROSTER We look forward to an exciting year! Congratulations to Beginner Demo Team: Mason Brown Cayla Sims Michael Smith Anna Roberts Ronen Wenderfer

Will Newman Nolan Harp Ethan Prak Xochitzin Lozano Noor Chien

Katelyn Guzman Lizzie Parker Michael Hoffpauir Jacob Gillam

Contratulations to the Intermediate Demo Team: Maya Chorn Katilynn Alex Chase Chavez Fatima Robledo Madison Long

Hunter Fraley Alissar Youssef Leon Burgher Sydney Bertrand Katilyn McElroy

Malachi Ramsaroop Clarke Sullivan Brian Ochoa

MPVAMS Greyhound ~ 9-15-16 Page 4

Title 1 Corner

Hello Greyhounds! I am Donna Bolden, your new Title 1 Coordinator for Meyerland Middle School and I am looking

forward to an exciting school year.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, the purpose of Title 1 funding is to ensure that all children have a fair and

equitable opportunity to achieve academic success. It also promotes parental involvement. We receive these funds based

upon the number of applicants we receive approved for free and reduced lunch. We encourage you to please submit your

lunch card applications. On September 26 at 4:00 pm in room 205, we will have our first PAC (Parent Advisory Council) meeting. I look forward

for parents as well as students to attend. We will be revising our School Parent Compact and I hope to see you there.

Donna Bolden, Title 1 Coordinator

Parents and Students, Did you know that HISD offers a tremendous amount of Digital Resources to all students and faculty? We have an incredible amount of information and resources right at our fingertips! To explore and utilize the digital resources, all you need to do is log in to the HUB. Once you log in to the HUB, select “Digital Resources.” Many of the resources that are great for research, such as those pictured, are listed under the Digital Resources umbrella under “Other.” Off Campus Student HUB Login:

1. Open a web browser and access the HUB at houstonisd.org/hub

2. When prompted with the Houston ISD Login Service Screen, enter:

Username: Student\S###### (###### is the student’s ID number.) Password: MMDDYYYY (The student’s 8-digit birthday. Ex: August 10, 2001 is 08102001) If you need help accessing the HUB or any of the digital resources, please contact Ms. Cooper at ccooper8@houstonisd.org You can also learn more by visiting the MPVAMS Library Digital Resources Webpage. Happy Learning! Celeste Cooper, MPVAMS Librarian

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Meyerland PVAMS Pet Pals

2016-2017

Meyerland PVAMS Pet Pals (MPVAMSPP) is a club at MPVAMS dedicated to education about and efforts to aid the

homeless pet population in our Westbury area. MPVAMSPP will work closely with local pet rescue groups, primarily

Westbury CARE (Compassionate Animal Rescue Efforts.) Students will learn about pet care, rescue efforts, TNR (trap,

neuter, release,) teamwork, community involvement, arts and crafts, and more.

Students involved in Pet Pals will:

-meet once a month at MPVAMS for expert presentations, idea sharing, and planning

-be invited to various pet adoption and fundraising events

-be challenged to present new models/ideas and guided in their efforts

-participate in fun arts and crafts designed to help rescue efforts

-learn about pet care, in general and rescue care, in particular

-be involved in community service

-help save the lives of animals

Our first informational meeting was held September 13th. Representatives from Westbury CARE (Compassionate

Animal Rescue Efforts) were present to answer questions. There was a nice turnout of students and families.

It’s never too late to join. For more information contact Ms. Berry in room 218 or via email

at LBERRY1@houstonisd.org

Ms. Berry, MPVAMSPP sponsor

~~~~~

Travel Club Trip Summer 2017

Grand Canyon and Las Vegas

This year the travel club will be going to visit the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas (plus surrounding area) over the summer.

The trip will take place over a week’s time and cost around $1,700. We will spend the first couple of days in Las Vegas

enjoying the incredible scenery of some of the more interesting casinos like the water display at the Bellagio. Some of the

things we will do include seeing at least 2 shows, spending a day at the Adventuredome amusement park, visiting the

Hoover Dam, and possibly exploring a little of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. At the Grand Canyon we

will explore the area via a 3-hour mule ride into the canyon, some good old fashioned hiking and a day on the river

including a stop at a sand bar with lunch. This is an all-inclusive trip that includes all meals, transportation, hotel

accommodations, and entrance fees/entertainment costs. Travelers will only need to bring money to purchase souvenirs if

desired. The date of the trip is yet to be determined (over the summer) and will be based on traveler input regarding the

best time to travel. Anyone interested in participating in the trip should contact Ms. Godwin in the counseling office

(123) or via email at dgodwin@houstonisd.org.

More details to come…

Happy travels,

Ms. Godwin and Ms. Marks

~~~~~

Early Dismissal is September 21 at 1:25 p.m.

Don’t forget to pick up your greyhound pups (students)!

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The Meyerland PVA MS 2017 yearbook is NOW ON SALE! Return this completed form (see next page) with payment (cash or money order) to Ms. Arsham's box in the main office or room 221. You may also order and pay online with your credit card and sign up for a payment plan at [http://www.jostensyearbooks.com!]www.jostensyearbooks.com!

BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIAL: Purchase personalization on your yearbook before Friday, October 28, 2016, and receive up to FOUR FREE ICONS!

MPVAMS Greyhound ~ 9-15-16 Page 7

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Counseling Team Needs Assessment Surveys Help

Parents and students, we need your help. Please complete the appropriate survey by September 22nd

.

Student: http://www.houstonisd.org//cms/module/selectsurvey/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=1606

Parent: http://www.houstonisd.org//cms/module/selectsurvey/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=1605

These can also be accessed from the Counselor’s page on the MPVAMS Website.

Thank you for taking the time to complete the survey.

Ms. Lamb

~~~~~

The After-Care Corner

I hope everyone is having a great school year. The After-Care Program (“ACP”) is off to a good start. Due to an increase

in enrollment, we have three teachers for the first hour of the afternoon.

The After-Care section of the PTO website is now up-to-date so you can go there to find the current enrollment form, as

well as more information about this program. You may also want to take a look at ACP articles and pictures from last

year.

So far the students seem happy and the teachers are enjoying spending time with them. When I asked a new student the

other day what she thought about the program, she said she enjoyed it and had a great time on her first day! Everyone was

friendly and welcoming.

I have asked my ACP parents to give me a testimonial to share in this newsletter. Mr. Jaime Lozano has this to say, “I

just want to say ‘Thank you’ for what you and your staff at Meyerland MS aftercare do every day for Morgan. She

always raves about how much she gets done with homework and snacks are awesome too! Being a single dad, this

program really helps me out and I just wanted y'all to know that I really appreciate all of your efforts!”

We have several ACP options available: 5 days per week through 1 day per week. There is also a drop-in option. Rates

and other information are available on the PTO website in the After-Care section. Payments may be made by check,

money order, cash or Chase QuickPaySM

and are due no later than the 5th school day of the month. If you join us mid-

month, the rate will be prorated.

If you are interested in participating in ACP, please contact me at jmhuff3@yahoo.com.

I look forward to seeing you!

Jan Huff

PTO After-Care Program coordinator

~~~~~

High school applications already? Say it isn’t so!

If you have an 8th grader, it is so!

HISD will be holding a School Choice Fair to help parents and students evaluate schools, as anticipated for the following

year, at Westbury High School on September 17, from 9 a.m. to noon. Schools from across HISD will be represented.

Parents of 8th graders looking toward 9

th grade placement, should attend if at all possible. Westbury HS is located at the

corner of Chimney Rock and Gasmer.

There is also information about HISD schools at http://hisdchoice.com/site.php. Magnet applications will be available

online September 30th. The deadline for magnet applications is December 9, 2016.

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On Sunday, November 13th, Joy Preble (author of the Anastasia Dreaming Series, the Sweet Dead Life series, Finding Paris, and It Wasn't Always Like This) will be presenting a Saturday workshop on characters and conflict.

This is an exceptional opportunity for our creative writing students and also other students who want (or need) to

develop their writing skills.

For more details visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mpva-2016-17-middle-school-creative-writing-workshops-tickets-27318140293?aff=utm_source%3Deb_email%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3Dnew_event_email&utm_term=eventurl_text

~~~~~

September 15 through October 7, 2016 September 17 HISD School Choice Fair @ Westbury High School – 9 a.m. to noon

18 Inprint Cool Brains! presents author Nathan Hale – 3-5 p.m.

19 Cheer Practice – 4 p.m.

7th grade Football – Meyerland vs Pin Oak @ Pin Oak – 5 p.m.

Meyerland Volleyball vs Pin Oak @ Meyerland – 5 p.m.

20 Advanced Dance: Houston Ballet “Learning from the Masters” – 11:05 a.m.

PTO Meeting - 7 p.m., will be preceded by PLC at 6 p.m. (see articles – page 1)

8th grade Football – Meyerland vs Pin Oak @ Butler Stadium – 7 p.m.

Cheer Opening Performance at football game – 7 p.m.

21 Early Dismissal – 1:25 p.m.

23 Cheer Practice/Parent Meeting – 4 p.m.

26 7th grade Football – Meyerland vs Pershing @ Meyerland – 5 p.m.

Meyerland Volleyball vs Lanier @ Lanier – 5 p.m.

26-27 Cheer Practice – 4 p.m.

28 Dance Ensemble: “No Bully Here”@ Miller Outdoor Theatre – 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Cheer Performance@8th grade football game

8th grade Football – Meyerland vs Pershing @ Butler Stadium – 7 p.m.

October

3 7th grade Football – Meyerland vs Lanier @ Lanier – 5 p.m.

Meyerland Volleyball vs West Briar @ Meyerland – 5 p.m.

4 8th grade Football – Meyerland vs Lanier @ Butler Stadium – 7 p.m.

4-5 Individual School Pictures – 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

6-7 Magnet Class Picture Day – 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Disclaimer: This calendar is accurate as of issue date. Additions and deletions are possible.

A complete calendar listing for all Meyerland Performing & Visual Arts Middle School

MPVAMS Greyhound ~ 9-15-16 Page 10

events can be found on the MPVAMS website at http://www.houstonisd.org/Page/78514.

Current dates are on the main page http://www.houstonisd.org/Domain/22311. Some

sporting events are also under the Athletics Department calendar. Events are also listed in

the MPVAMS Student Planner. When in doubt, call the school. ~~~~~

H-E-B and Box Tops for Education Hello Greyhound Families!

H-E-B has a program that we're excited to tell you about. It’s called Cash for Your Education, and it’s another great way to earn cash for our school through H-E-B and Box Tops for Education. They’re offering eBoxTops™, which are sent to our school electronically.

When you register on their website at http://cashforyoureducation.com, you’ll earn 10 eBoxTops for Meyerland PVA MS. Then when you refer a friend/teacher/family member, they too will earn 10 eBoxTops. Your referral will also get you an additional 5 eBoxTops ($.50 value) for our school. It’s a win-win situation! Once a registered user, you’ll have the following:

1. Access to special promotions throughout the year to earn even more cash for our school. 2. You will learn of specials that will be going on at your neighborhood H-E-B. 3. Ultimately, our school will be the winner when we earn cash from the Box Tops for Education program for

much needed school supplies, equipment, books, etc. Help Meyerland PVA MS earn FREE money and sign up today! To register and start earning, sign up at http://cashforyoureducation.com. *Until our school name is formally changed in their system, please select Johnston Middle School.* Thank you so much for supporting the Box Tops for Education program at Meyerland PVA MS!

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GOT BOX TOPS? Our Box Tops contest is currently underway! Every student who collects and submits at least 10 Box Tops will have a chance to have their name entered into a Box Tops drawing for a special prize. A drawing will be held for each of the houses (M, P, V, and A). To receive credit, you must provide your name, grade, and house with your packet(s) of 10 Box Tops. Without this information, you cannot be entered into the drawing. Box Tops may be dropped off in any of the Box Top collection bins located in the school library or in the purple mail box marked “Box Tops for Education” near the front office.

Collection contest runs August 29th–October 14th.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! ~~~~~

PTO BOARD POSITIONS CONTACT INFORMATION President: Jennifer Leach: jleach@johnstonmiddle.org

1st VP/Fundraising: Melanie Rosen rosenworks2@gmail.com

Neli Davalos nelidavalos@outlook.com

2nd

VP/MSA: Kristen Hueske meyerlandpvamspto@gmail.com

Secretary: Regina Puccio reginapuccio@sbcglobal.net

Treasurer: Subha Balasubramanian jmsptotreasurer@gmail.com

Committee/Chairs

Fundraising: Andrea Brooks Andreabrooks17@att.net

Box Tops/Randalls: Cynthia Chavez cynthiachavez9543@sbcglobal.net

Membership: Case Noles cnoles@johnstonmiddle.org

8th Grade Celebrations: Cynthia Chavez cynthiachavez9543@sbcglobal.net

Michelle Cohen mswc@swbell.net

Greyhound Bash: Victoria French

Hospitality: Bendi Saindon bwsaindon@gmail.com

Publicity/Advertising: Ellen Tagtmeier mpvamspublicity@comcast.net

Uniform shirt sales: Neli Davalos nelidavalos@outlook.com

SDMC: Nicole Lewis nrlewis71@earthlink.net

Megan Hersh mnhersh@hotmail.com

Magnet Awareness: Melanie Rosen rosenworks2@gmail.com

After-Care: Jan Huff jmhuff3@sbcglobal.net

Landscaping/beautification: Wendy Caldwell jms1caldwell@gmail.com

Title I Parent Liaison: April Armwood

School Store: Vacant

MPVAMS Greyhound ~ 9-15-16 Page 12

Car pool security: Vacant

PTO IT: Syriac George Mathews ptompvams@gmail.com

Greyhound Newsletter: Barbara Haverkamp jmsnewskamp@hotmail.com

Teacher Liaison: Celeste Cooper, Librarian CCOOPER8@houstonisd.org

New this year, PTO liasons for magnet & other areas Choir: Michelle Cohen mswc@swbell.net

Art: Ellen Tagtmeier etagtmeier@comcast.net

Theater: Donna Lax-Edison

Broadcast: Donna Lax-Edison

Piano: Vacant

Band: Megan Hersh mnhersh@hotmail.com

Creative writing:

Dance: Vacant

Guitar: Nicole Lewis nrlewis71@earthlink.net

Mariachi: Vacant

Orchestra: Victoria ?

KickStart: Cynthia Chavez cynthiachavez9543@sbcglobal.net

Sports Liaison: Vacant

Cheerleader: Belva Punch

Spanish Translator: Vacant

The Greyhound News is produced twice monthly (1st and 15

th) by the PTO and e-mailed to parents and faculty and/or

posted at the website. To submit articles, please e-mail them seven days in advance of issue posting to Principal Wenden

Sanders at wsander1@houstonisd.org, or PTO President Jennifer Leach at jleach@johnstonmiddle.org, or Greyhound

Newsletter Editor Barbara Haverkamp at jmsnewskamp@hotmail.com. Johnston Middle School is located at 10410

Mahattan Dr., Houston, TX 77096.

Parents and students: It is essential that students enrolled at MPVAMS be at school on

time, 8:00 a.m., and prepared for class every day. Being present and punctual are

important now and will continue to be important in the business world and life in general.

Build these habits now! ~~~~~

ELAR = English Language Arts and Reading

~~~~~

ARIA = Academic Readiness Intervention Acceleration