Warrior’s World From the Chief

Dear Parents and Guardians-

Spring has sprung, and the natives are restless! J This time of year always brings new

challenges for us. With May in sight, the students are ready for summer, but slow down

everyone! We still have testing to conquer. Remember, the LEAP writing portion for

Math and English will take place on March 19th with Phase 2 of both LEAP and iLEAP the

week of April 8-12. Now more than ever these tests are so important to measure how

much academic growth your child has had throughout the year. These scores will not

only be looked at by teachers and parents, but the state will also look to see how well

your child’s teacher is doing. I cannot impress upon students and parents how important

it is to be prepared, on time and present daily during the testing. We are looking forward

to a great outcome, as teachers and students alike have been working diligently all year

long.

On a bit of a different note, I would like to say a few words about the digital age in which

we live. Yes, it is amazing to have access to just about anything we need or want to know

on the World Wide Web, and I do not know how I could function without my cell phone

and e-mail. But there is a side to all of this technology that is not quite as neat and shiny.

This new technology also makes it very easy for cyber bullying and for children to see

things that we wish they would not be exposed to at such a young age. Please, monitor

your child’s activities online at home, including e-mails and text messages. Most students

at ASMS are not old enough to have a Facebook account, but so many do. Many students

have cell phones, and as a mom, I understand you wanting to be able to check on your

child. Please remember cell phones are not allowed on campus, and if seen or heard, we

will confiscate them. Please impress upon your children that Facebook and cell phones/

computers are not places to threaten or taunt another child. Once it becomes an issue of

cyber bullying, it becomes a police matter and is taken out of our hands. We have to use

the technology that we are given responsibly and remember to use it respectfully at

school as well as at home.

We wish you and your family peace and happiness during the Easter season. Thank you,

as always, for your help and support of our school.

Donna Forrest and Rhonda Meyers

March 2013

Upcoming Events

March 13th

Region VIII Social

Studies Fair-SLU

March 14th

Region VIII Science Fair-SLU

End of 9 weeks

March 15th

No School for Students

March 19th

LEAP Phase 1 (4th only-

Writing)

March 20th

Band Fest at FHS

March 21st

Perfect Attendance

Free Dress

March 22nd

Field Day and Easter

Parties

March 25th-April 1st

Easter Holidays

Abita Springs Middle School PT

A

72079 Maple St., Abita Springs, LA 70420 985-892-2070

There are many ways that you can get information about what is happening at the school and with the PTA.

The first is to call or email one of the Board members.

President Dan Curtis dcurtis0135@charter.net 985-373-2971

Vice President Jeff Ruth jruth@22global.com 985-966-5315

Secretary Jill Barringer jbarringer002@att.net 985-892-2070

Treasurer Janet Dufrene jnorth1007@aol.com 985-966-7371

We also have a link on the school’s website at http://abitaspringsmiddle.stpsb.org/. We have boxes in the of-

fice at school where you can drop off items for us to pick up. The PTA has gone technical and now has a Face-

book page at https://www.facebook.com/AbitaSpringsMiddleSchoolPta. Just “like” our page and you will get

updates directly to your news feed as they are posted. This is also a great way for you to give us suggestions,

feedback and questions. Please do not post student or teacher specific information on this site. Those ques-

tions should be sent to the teacher or administrators. Finally, we have an email address for the PTA at

asmspta@gmail.com. We welcome your feedback and questions .

PTA Gets Technical

Page 2

Hey everybody! If you didn’t get the “deets” yet, Hunter Safety Field Day is on March 10th. Can you believe it

is that close?? It will be located at the Covington 4H office from 12:30-6pm and if you are interested in at-

tending just call 985-875-2635 for more information. DON’T FORGET!!

The next 4H meeting is March 4th at 2:30pm. Be sure to bring in your

books. The books are due at the end of March so get to work on finishing

them!

Hey, all you people who are saying, “I wonder if I should join 4H?” Here

are some reasons why you should join. We do great activities that help

us learn about animals and agriculture and more! You should also know

that everybody has a chance of winning an office so GO FOR IT and try

your best, there’s no catch. If you want more information about all of the

fun things we do, just ask one of the members or officers from this year,

check our website that is linked from the school website or stop by and

ask Mrs. Morlier in the 6th grade hall. We can’t wait to see you!

4-H

Membership Levels

Parent/Dad: $5.00

Grandparent: $5.00

Student: $5.00

Corporate: $25

The Mission of the Parent Teacher Association®

PTA® serves as:

• A powerful voice for all children, • A relevant resource for families and communities, and • A strong advocate for the education and well-being of every child.

Science & Social Studies Fair Winners

First Place winners from our Science and Social Studies Fair are eligible to move on to the Region VIII Fair held at Southeastern Louisiana University, where their projects will be in competition with winners from other schools in St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, St. Helena, and Washington Parishes.

Science Fair Winners are pictured, L-R: Callie Dufrene, Jacob Bech, Cody Poret, Laken Adcox, Timothy Snow, Christian Bobo, and Trey Keylen.

Social Studies Winners are (L-R): Tyler Davis, Thomas Hamburger, Brian Clark, Peyton Hulin, Lilly Bellas, Konrad Barrack, and not shown: Jonathan Scholl and Jackson Heap.

Membership G0als

Unit Goal: 490 LA Goal: 225 Dads: 100 Grandparents:50 Corporate Sponsors:20

Unit Actual: 380 Students: 69 Dads:68 Grandparents:54 Corporate Sponsors:10

www.pta.org

Page 3

Page 4

Congratulations to an outstanding group of fifth grade students who were nominated for Abita Springs Middle School 2012-2013 Student of the Year. They are pictured here with Mrs. Forrest.

(L-R) Ashley Schilling, Amanda Phillips, Brayden Ibert, Maci Liberto,

Callie Dufrene, and Konrad Barach.

Students were nominated based on Academic Achievement, Activities, and Citizenship. The selection process was based on the students' portfolio containing evidence of these compo-nents and a writing sample, in addition to an interview. We are so proud of each of these remarkable students.

Congratulations, Ashley Schilling, on being selected Abita Springs Middle School 2012-2013 Student of the Year!

2013 Students of the Year

4th Grade students and teachers had a SUPER time at NFL Play 60. It was their own little piece of the Superbowl and an experience they won't soon forget!

Mrs. Barringer’s 4th grade class enjoys their

day at the NFL Play 60 Experience.

Classroom Spotlight– Mrs. Rivet Mrs. Rivet's 6th grade math students recently had a great time with a hands-on math project. They started with card-

board, and had to apply their knowledge of measurement, estimation, and adding and subtracting fractions and

mixed numbers to construct impressive birdhouses.

ASMS Spirit Cart Spirit Cart sales have started and the kids are loving it! Spirit Cart opens during lunch every Tuesday unless

weather prohibits it. We have been very busy and have been trying different things in order to allow all children

a chance to purchase something. We may limit the number of items a child can purchase at one time and ask

them to get back in line so that others will have a chance before the bell rings. There is a limited amount of time

for the kids to shop so we don’t want to miss out on anyone. Please bear with us as we give them a shopping ex-

perience while also teaching patience and respect for others. Thank you for your support. Please let us know if

you are interested in helping out by working the Spirit Cart with us.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------———-

ASMS Spirit Items Order Form

School Year 2012-2013

Parent's name:__________________________________ Phone # ____________________

Child's name:_________________________________________

(If you have more than one child at ASMS, please put the name of the child to whom you wish the order to be

delivered.)

Homeroom teacher: ____________________________________Grade (circle): 4th 5th 6th

Please return completed orders with payment to your child's homeroom or the school office in an envelope marked "Spirit Cart." Orders will be delivered to your child's homeroom on

Tuesdays by the Spirit Cart volunteers.

_____________FOR STAFF USE ONLY. PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE._____________

Cash Amt __________ OR Check Amt __________/Date_______________/Number__________

Item Description Quan-

tity

Price Total

ASMS shoelaces, pair navy w/white "ASMS", 36"

(5-6 pairs of holes)

X 2.00 =

ASMS logo keychain white/navy, vinyl w/metal ring, logo &

phone #

X 0.75 =

ASMS logo pencil

bag

clear/white, vinyl with zipper and binder

holes

X 1.00 =

ASMS logo sticker clear/white, 4" round

(not reversed/not a window cling)

X 1.00 =

ASMS lanyard navy w/white "ASMS" X 1.00 =

ASMS pencil navy/silver X 0.25 =

Total (Enclose payment with order. Make checks payable to ASMS PTA.) =

Corporate Sponsors

Amazing Views of the Smokies

1455 E. Parkway Gatlinburg, TN 37738

(865)436-3613

Northshore Auto & Truck Accessories

1856 Collins Blvd.

Covington, LA 70433

(985) 898-2211

Clayton Charbonnet, DDS Louisiana Orthodontic Specialists

61 Park Place Drive Covington, LA 70433

(985)867-3636

Dependable Siding Inc.

Mark Hosch, Owner

985-966-0628

New Construction, Repairs & Addi-tions

Vinyl Siding, Windows, Patio Covers, Gutters & Hardie Siding

Northshore Tire Repair & Service LLC

1990 Highway 190 West

Slidell, LA 70460

985-645-8747

Dale Wicker Construction

70204 8th Street Covington, LA 70433

(985)373-5862

(985)809-0818

Authentic Exterminating Inc.

P.O. Box 9102 Mandeville, LA 70470

(985)674-0634 (985)264-3776

Pest & Termite Service

Creative Arts of St. Tammany

70326 Highway 59

Abita Springs, LA 70420

(985) 590-3645

“Theater For Children by children

performed at The Swan”

www.dramaandmusic.com

Smoothie King

1600 N Highway 190 70456 Highway 21

Covington, LA 70433

(985)809-9722 (985)875-7793 www.smoothieking.com

Corporate Sponsors

Tutor Me Online Professional Tutoring Service

Martha Schubert, M.Ed. www.tutormeonline.org

Helping Your Child Succeed Is Our Number One Priority