Dear Parents and Students,

I hope this newsletter finds you all

enjoying the last weeks of summer! At

Pyle, we have been planning for a great

2016-2017 school year. To help you

prepare for the upcoming year, this

newsletter is packed with information,

helpful tips and details about upcoming

events that may interest you.

One of the most important activities we

perform to prepare for a new school year

is developing the school improvement

plan. This work is a collaborative process

performed during the summer by our

Instructional Leadership Team (ILT),

which consists of administrators, team

leaders, resource teachers and parents. We

would like to thank parents Deb Goldman

and Warren Goodell for their help in the

review and planning of this year’s school

improvement plan.

Supporting our students’ academic and

social-emotional development is our focus

at Pyle. Our students’ involvement in

school and kindness to each other is what

makes Pyle such a unique place. Middle

school is a time of great transition for our

students. We want to make sure that those

transitions are met with support and

guidance from our staff. Our staff actively

works to maintain a respectful and

supportive school culture, and our

students rise to the occasion.

Please put the following dates on your

calendar. First, August 25 is Sixth Grade

and New Student Mini-day, which gives

sixth graders and new students an

opportunity to walk around the building

and meet their teachers. The school buses

will operate that morning and at the end

of the mini day. The program starts at

8:15 a.m. and ends at 12 p.m. This is an

important program, but students who are

unable to attend will participate in many

orientation and team building activities

during the first two weeks of school.

From educational activities to real estate,

school and community are inescapably

intertwined. The Pyle community does it

right, putting it all together in remarkable

continuity and impact. We should not take

this great good fortune for granted.

Two Pyle Middle School volunteer

organizations work their tails off to be

sure Pyle offers outstanding opportunities

for our sons and daughters: The Pyle

PTSA and the Pyle Educational

Foundation. Your support of both will

help leverage our ability to serve you and

your children.

The Pyle PTSA is comprised of the most

skilled, experienced and committed

volunteers I have ever had the pleasure of

knowing. They are reflective of our

community and committed to Pyle. We

could always use your help, however, so

don’t hesitate to get involved.

Principally Speaking …

Pyle Phyle is the joint newsletter of the PTSA & School Administration

SAVE THE DATE

Principal’s Coffee for

New Pyle Parents

August 25, 8:30-9:30 a.m.

Mock Half Day

August 25, 8:15 a.m.-12

p.m.

Sixth Grader and New

Student Picnic

August 28, 5-7 p.m.

First day of school

August 29

Back to School Night

September 8, 7 p.m.

August 2016

Principal’s Letter

PTSA Pres. Letter

PTSA Board

From English/ ESOL/

Reading Department

Pyle Education

Foundation

Bus Route Info

Supplies List

For Students

Bell Times

Homerooms

Volunteer at Pyle

For Parents

Join Pylenet

Join the PTSA

Directory Info

Extra Curricular Fees

Privacy Rights

Cafeteria Info

Pyle Directory Form

Reminders

PTSA President’s Message …

Cont’d page 2

Cont’d page 3

1 & 2

1 & 3

2

3

4

5

5

5

6

7 & 8

8

9

9

10

11 & 12

13

14

15

16

17

The Annual Principal’s Coffee for parents new to Pyle will be held from 8:30-

9:30 a.m. on August 25. The Annual New Student/Sixth Grade Back to

School Picnic is Sunday, August 28 from 5-7 p.m. on the blacktop. Thursday,

September 8 is Back to School Night. During that evening, you will be able to

meet teachers, learn about our programs, see friends and neighbors and chat

with administrators. We love seeing parents and welcome your involvement.

Here at Pyle we are all looking forward to the start of another great year! Our

parent community is very supportive of our work and that, combined with the

dedication of our teachers and other staff members, is what makes Pyle a

special place to learn and grow. I hope that you will join the PTSA and get

involved in its work when you can. The PTSA is a huge boost to the

performance of our students and to the environment at Pyle, which enables

our students to thrive. I look forward to seeing you at a school event soon!

Sincerely,

Chris Nardi

weg@wegoodell.net

monique.kadnar@verizon.net

pyle.treasurer@gmail.com

marjie.heberlee@verizon.net

yeagescowan@gmail.com

susan.eagle@yahoo.com

ljsorkin@verizon.net

karenroman1@gmail.com

Jason@jksartori.com

mbeaw@verizon.net

mleon51@yahoo.com

rjclkr@me.com

Llondon8213@yahoo.com

goldmandeb@gmail.com

chenokj@gmail.com

lmandell22@gmail.com

Publication of the Thomas W. Pyle

Middle School Administration &

the Pyle PTSA

Thomas W. Pyle Middle School

6311 Wilson Lane

Bethesda, MD 20817

301-320-6540

www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org

/ schools/pylems/

Principal:

Mr. Chris Nardi

Assistant Principals:

Mr. Scott Gitchell

Mrs. Lauretta Beckett

Assistant School Administrator:

Ms. Kristinae OLaughin

Important Phone Numbers:

Main Office: 301-320-6540

School Fax: 301-320-6647

Counseling: 301-320-6550

Special Education Office:

301-320-7046

Transportation: 301-469-1140

Attendance: PyleCommunications@mcpsmd.org

Pyle Phyle Editor: Karin Meadows

Designer: Ann Morgan Jacobi

Warren E. Goodell

Monique Kadnar

Orhan Mekic

Marjie Heberlee

Yeages Cowan

Susan Eagle

Lisa Sorkin

Karen Roman

Jason Sartori

Ellen Wright

Margaret Bandesky

Laura Roulier

Lisa London

Deborah Goldman

Jill Chenok

Lisa Mandell

Principally Speaking cont’d

President

Executive Vice President

Treasurer

Recording Secretary

Corresponding Secretary

VP, Volunteers

VP, Volunteers

VP, Membership

VP, Membership

VP, Programs

VP, Programs

VP, Social Media

Cluster Representative

Cluster Representative

MCCPTA Delegate

MCCPTA Delegate

The 2016-2017 PTSA Board

Don’t Forget:

- Join PyleNet

- Join the PTSA

- Bell Times

- Check Bus Routes

online

- Have a Great

Year!!!

Page 2

mailto:weg@wegoodell.netmailto:monique.kadnar@verizon.netmailto:pyle.treasurer@gmail.commailto:marjie.heberlee@verizon.netmailto:yeagescowan@gmail.commailto:susan.eagle@yahoo.commailto:ljsorkin@verizon.netmailto:karenroman1@gmail.commailto:Jason@jksartori.commailto:mbeaw@verizon.netmailto:mleon51@yahoo.commailto:rjclkr@me.commailto:Llondon8213@yahoo.commailto:goldmandeb@gmail.commailto:chenokj@gmail.commailto:lmandell22@gmail.commailto:PyleCommunications@mcpsmd.org

The PTSA mission is to support and enhance Pyle’s ability to prepare our kids for the future. We value community

involvement with the school, parental involvement in the education of their child, and appreciation for Pyle’s hard

working teachers, staff and administration. We have many programs that reflect our mission and are always looking to

develop more. If you see a need not addressed, speak up!

Special themes for the 2016-2017 year:

- Celebrating and supporting Pyle’s designation as a National School of Character

- Working with school and county officials on moving Pyle’s expansion plans forward

- Enhancing parent-to-parent communication and support

- Addressing concerns regarding cyber citizenship and Internet security

- Expanding understanding and practice of mindfulness as a critical life skill

We are committed to helping you, your child, our school and our community. Get involved. It will make a very real

difference to us all.

Warren Goodell

PTSA President

PTSA President’s Message cont’d

From the English/ESOL/Reading Department:

Welcome to Pyle! We look forward to working with all of our students and

parents this year. The English curriculum offers a variety of reading selections,

students write narrative, informative and argument pieces and they will also give

oral presentations. Our classroom teaching continues to include strategies that

support Common Core Standards and we feel our students are being prepared for

21st century learning.

Comings: Welcome to Mrs. Lorraine McMillen, the newest member of our 6th

grade Digital Literacy team. She joins from Baker Middle School. Joining the

English department is 8th grade teacher Catherine Odey, who previously taught at

Rocky Hill Middle School.

Goings: We said goodbye to Mrs. Polly Samsock, who moved to Rosa Parks

Middle School to be closer to home and to Ms. Maria Cosio, who has joined the

staff of Julius West Middle School. Mrs. Rachel Lunsford has departed Pyle to

teach world studies at Takoma Park Middle School.

The end of summer is approaching. For information on summer reading

requirements, click on the “Summer Studies” tab at the top of the Pyle website.

Summer reading assignments are organized by grade level. English teachers

expect the assigned notes or assignment to be brought to class the first week of

school. The assignment depends on which grade students are entering. Students

may return to English teachers books borrowed from Pyle for summer reading

upon the completion of the assignment. (That may mean at the end of September.)

We hope you have had an enjoyable summer and we look forward to working

together in the coming year.

Page 3

The Pyle Education Foundation, Enhancing Your Student’s Pyle Experience

Welcome to the 2016-2017 school year!

Everyone on the Pyle Education Foundation board is looking forward to a year of new and exciting programs

and enhancements for Pyle students. Our board is made up of Pyle parents, just like you. Current members

include Jami Axelrod, Wendy Kuhn, Kim Levin, Matthew McGuire, Sarah Najafi, Beth Redlich, Rachel Svec

and Principal Chris Nardi.

We hope to continue our work from last year, which included the following:

1. Mindfulness instruction by Minds, Inc. for staff and students

2. Shakespeare in the Classroom

3. Thirty-two new laptops and a portable cart

4. Choral risers

5. Thirty-five new microscopes

6. Fifteen new sewing machines

7. Drama and technology training

8. Two teachers to attend Educator's Initiative from North Carolina Outward Bound

9. Three teachers to attend Association of Middle Level Educators conference in Columbus, Ohio

10. Conference attendance for instrumental music teacher

11. Conference attendance for choral teacher

12. Clinics for both choral and orchestra students

13. Support of TAG mindfulness program

14. Twenty new yoga mats and cart for monthly yoga for students

15. Planners for rising Whitman freshmen

16. Co-funded Pyle App

As you can see, the Foundation strives to touch every aspect of student life at Pyle.

We ask that every Pyle family make a donation to the Foundation so that together we can support our students

and teachers. The suggested amount is $100 -$150 per child, but ANY amount is welcomed and appreciated.

Donating is easy. You can either mail us a check made out to The Pyle Education Foundation (P.O. Box 387,

Cabin John, MD 20818) or make a donation via PayPal or Pay4SchoolStuff.com. To pay electronically, visit

the Foundation page on the main Pyle Website. You will find our page listed on the left side of the main page.

Please keep an eye out for announcements of our Fall Fundraising Campaign, Spring Cocktail Parties and

Ledo’s Pizza Nights.

Best,

Mary Zambri

President

Pyle Education Foundation

Page 4

BACK TO SCHOOL EVENTS AND ADVICE FOR STUDENTS

Just a little bit of advance advice to help make the first days of school stress free.

Student Mock Half Day

The Student Mock Half Day for students new to Pyle will be Thursday, August 25 from 8:15

a.m. to noon. Bus transportation is provided for scheduled bus students. No pre-registration

for this orientation session is required. Sixth grade students and any seventh or eighth grade

students new to Pyle should attend if possible. Sixth grade students will receive their team

assignments and class schedules, and will rotate through all classes and meet their teachers.

Back to School Picnic

The new school year gets a terrific kick off with this gathering on Sunday, August 28 from 5 –

7 p.m. See some old friends or make some new ones.

First Day of School

The first day of school is Monday, August 29. Students are allowed to enter the building at

8:05 a.m. The first bell rings at 8:15 a.m. For the first day, students should bring: a binder

filled with paper and dividers, two pencils, a scientific calculator and be prepared for actual

schoolwork. Before the first day, remember to: Double-check your Bus Schedule get a good

night’s sleep and eat breakfast! Write down your bus route number so you can locate your bus

after school online at:

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/schools/pylems/news/AMPMBus2

017.pdf

Look up your Homeroom Teacher and Room Number in this newsletter and WRITE IT

DOWN in your BINDER. Report to your Homeroom first thing! You will also find teachers

and room numbers on lists posted around the school. During Homeroom, students will receive

a copy of their class schedule. At the end of the day, you may want to make one copy for your

binder and one to keep at home.

Back to School Reading and Math Packets: If your Back to School Reading required

specific notes or reports, bring them with you. Bring completed math packets, too!

Student Number: Make note of your Student Number. This number is used as an identifier

throughout the year, so keep it handy.

Lunch: The first few weeks of school, students are required to eat lunch at an assigned table

in order to adjust to the newness of school and get to know fellow classmates, as well as learn

the rules of the cafeteria.

Cafeteria Account: Information will be distributed in Homeroom. Memorize your PIN

number for your lunch account. If you’re a new student, bring cash for the first day’s lunch,

and sometime during the first week bring a check made out to “Pyle Middle School Cafeteria”

with your student number and name on the memo line. You can deposit money in your

cafeteria account during lunch. Remember, the cafeteria lines can be long the first week. You

may want to plan on bringing a bag lunch until the routine settles down. If you were a student

in an MCPS school and had money in a cafeteria account at the end of last year, your Pyle

account will have those funds available for use the first day of school.

Locker: Memorize your locker location and number and learn the combination. Don’t stress if

you can’t open your locker the first few days. You can ask for help from teachers and other

students.

Don’t fret if you are a little late to class: Teachers understand you are getting to know the

school and your schedule. If you happen to get lost, teachers will be standing outside

classrooms to help guide you to the right place!

Suggested Supply List

2016-17

Flash drive to

transport electronic

files from school to

home. Please label

your flash drive

with your name and

grade

Three-inch, three-

ring binder

Notebook dividers

for seven subjects

Spiral notebook,

standard lined

#2 pencils

Erasers

Pens

Optional: a

standard backpack,

rolling backpacks

DO NOT FIT

INTO PYLE

LOCKERS

Do not purchase a

graphing calculator

until you meet your

teacher.

All students will

receive a Pyle

Planbook during the

first week of school.

If you have ANY

financial difficulty

purchasing supplies or

with any other cost

related to Pyle please

contact the school

office or your child’s

counselor for

assistance.

Page 5

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/schools/pylems/news/AMPMBus2017.pdfhttp://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/schools/pylems/news/AMPMBus2017.pdf

2016 – 2017 Bell Times

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Sixth Grade Homerooms 2016 – 2017

Seventh Grade Homerooms 2016 - 2017

Homeroom # Last Name Room Teacher

1 Abdulkader – Bandilla 39 Ms. Carter

2 Barutta – Byrne 40 Mr. DeBuchananne

3 Cain – Cohen-Dumani 41 Mr. Schmidt

4 Colback – Di Laconi 42 Ms. Parker

5 Diagena - Fienberg 43 Ms. Nations

6 Fisch – Greenleaf 44 Ms. Goozh

7 Greenwald – Hirt 127 Ms. Gyau

8 Holland – Kamel 128 Ms. Hayes

9 Karamanoglu – Kuhn 129 Ms. Stewart

10 Kullback – Malaya 130 Ms. Cox

11 MacDevitt – Memon 131 Ms. Saguil

12 Mendenhal – Mulligan 133 Ms. O’ Connor

13 Muratnazaprov – Permana 139 Mr. Forney

14 Peters -Rock 141 Ms. Woehrle

15 Rogge – Schlossman 143 Ms. Woodward

16 Schmiedigen – Solovyov 145 Mr. Nanetti

17 Sonne – Van Der Horst 151 Ms. Delacroix

18 Van Lowe – Weinstein 152 Ms. Dynda

19 Weisz - Zhag 153 Ms. McMillen

Homeroom # Last Name Room Teacher

21 Abey – Barnes 112 Ms. Peters

22 Barsky – Burton 110 Ms. Barrett

23 Cantor – Cook 114 Ms. Gianfrancesco

24 Corbeh – Donner 204 Mr. Enderle

25 Donohue – Feverstein 205 Mr. Lun

26 Fields – Greenan 208 Ms. Taylor

27 Gunther – Hoscheit 211 Ms. Larracuente

28 Hsu -Keller 213 Ms. Sloan

29 Kelly – Larin 215 Mr. Gorham

30 Lauwers -Maehle 217 Ms. Beatty

31 Maier – Merchant 218 Ms. Harrell

32 Mermelstein – O 227 Ms. Baroff

33 Ocana – Posin 228 Mr. Munson

34 Price – Rivera 229 Mr. Pykosh

35 Roberts – Sharp 230 Ms. Evans

36 Shavitz – Sowells 231 Ms. Phillips

37 Spencer – Till 233 Ms. Kaufman

38 Toth – Welminster 235 Ms. Betz

39 Weinberg - Zmola 237 Ms. Stablein

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Eight Grade Homerooms 2016 - 2017

Volunteer at Pyle

Looking to get involved at Pyle, but aren’t sure how?

Do you want to volunteer a few hours a week or a few hours a month? Are you looking for a regular commitment or a

one-time event? Whatever your answers, there are many ways for you to get involved at Pyle. Throughout the year,

there will be numerous opportunities to join a committee or lend a helping hand at events and programs.

Stayed tuned for Pyle-Net messages in the next few weeks with more

information on how you can volunteer at Pyle and support your child’s

education.

Thank you in advance for your support!

Susan Eagle and Lisa Sorkin, Co-VPs Volunteers

susan.eagle@yahoo.com and ljsorkin@verizon.net

Homeroom # Last Name Room Teacher

41 Aaserud – Beilke 111 Mr. McCeney

42 Belli – Brueggemayer 115 Ms. DeMino

43 Burdick – Cooper 116 Mr. Chon

44 Costenco – Dulany 121 Ms. Johnson

45 Eagle – Fong 123 Mr. Tilkens

46 Fowler – Gonzalez-Alvarez 210 Ms. Yates

47 Goodell – Henninger 216 Ms. Penichet

48 Herr – Kemp 238 Ms. Byington

49 Kende - Lanz 239 Ms. Odey

50 Lapidus – Lindstrom 240 Mr. Maurer

51 Lohr – Maury 241 Mr. Caswell

52 McAdoo – Morgan 242 Ms. Wheelhouse/Ms. Parsons

53 Moscarella – Peake 243 Ms. Zhou

54 Pechilis – Ritter 244 Mr. Polley

55 Roberts – Savard 245 Mr. Peake

56 Schaner – Solomon 248 Ms. Green

57 Sonne – Taillandier 250 Mr. Prunier

58 Tang – Warner 251 Mr. Coleman

59 Waterman – Zitko 253 Ms. McSkeane

Page 8

For Parents: Important Information to Know

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if my child is going to miss school or has missed school?

- Email your student’s name, grade and reason for absence to pylecommunications@mcps.md.org on the day your child is going to be absent

- A doctor’s note is required when a student is absent for five days or longer

What do I do if my child is getting picked up early?

- If a student needs to leave school early, a note signed by a parent/guardian should be brought to the Attendance Secretary at the beginning of the school day. The note should include the student’s full name,

grade, parent’s/ guardian’s home, office, or cell phone number, the date, time, and reason for early dismissal.

The student will get a pass to leave class

- Before leaving school, students must sign out in the Main Office. Students may not leave school grounds without permission

- Parents/guardians or their designee must come into the Main Office to meet the child. A student without a note will be released only to the parent/guardian or emergency contact listed on the Emergency Information Card.

Please try to avoid making appointments for your child during the school day, especially on testing days

What if the school closes due to bad weather or another issue?

- In the event of delayed opening, schools will open two hours late and buses will run accordingly - If there is an early dismissal school will close 2 ½ hours early and buses will run accordingly

Does my child have an assigned school counselor?

- Yes, school counselors are assigned according to grade and team - As students progress through Pyle, their counselors progress with them - Counselor grade and team assignments can be found in the school directory or by contacting the counseling

office at (301) 320-6550

When and how should a parent contact a teacher?

- Anytime a parent has a question or concern about a class it is best to contact the individual teacher first. Teacher email addresses can be found on the Pyle website under Staff Directory

Who are the team leaders and what do they do?

- Each grade at Pyle is divided into three teams, each with its own team leader - Most students take classes only from teachers on their assigned teams, although cross scheduling occurs due to

scheduling needs or in the case of certain classes such as electives

How do I join PyleNet?

- Send an email to joinpylenet@gmail.com and include your full name, phone number and student’s name and grade

Get the latest news … get PyleNet! Pyle utilizes an online listserv to distribute information quickly to parents, administrators and staff. To subscribe to

this group, send an email to:

joinpylenet@gmail.com

Include your:

- Full Name - Pyle Student(s) and grade

- Your phone number

Visit the PyleNet group’s website: groups.yahoo.com/group/pylenet

Need help? Email the moderator, Yeages Cowan, at yeagescowan@gmail.com

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mailto:joinpylenet@gmail.com

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PYLE NEW STUDENT DIRECTORY FORM

ONLY COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM IF:

You are NOT from Bannockburn, Bradley Hills, Burning Tree, Carderock Springs, or Wood Acres elementary schools, or

You were NOT included in last year’s Pyle Directory, or

Your EMAIL has changed from how it was listed in last year’s Pyle Directory.

PRINT NEATLY AND INCLUDE ONLY INFORMATION YOU WANT PRINTED IN THE DIRECTORY. Student(s):

Last Name: First Name: Grade:

Last Name: First Name: Grade:

Home Address:

Home Phone:

Mother/Guardian:

Last Name: First Name:

Email Address: (Please provide email so we can contact you to verify your information.)

Father/Guardian:

Last Name: First Name:

Email Address: (Please provide email so we can contact you to verify your information.)

CHECK HERE IF YOU WANT TO WITHHOLD ALL INFORMATION FROM THE DIRECTORY:

DO NOT include ANY personal information in the Directory.

Note: Even if you check the box, please provide a current EMAIL ADDRESS so we can contact you to verify your information before the directory is published.

NOTE: Pyle families must join the PTSA to receive a printed copy of our directory and to gain access to the online directory. Please join today! Our annual membership dues are $40. You can find our membership form in the “Pyle Phyle,” on the Pyle website (http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/pylems/ptsa/), and in the front office. Thank you for your support!

Return this form to the Pyle Main Office by SEPTEMBER 9, 2016.

Page 16

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/pylems/ptsa/

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES:

Thurs., August 25 Mock Half Day for new students — 8:15-Noon

Sun., August 28 6th Grade & New Students to Pyle Picnic — 5-7pm

Mon., August 29 FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

Mon., September 5 Labor Day — No School

Thurs., September 8 Back to School Night — 7pm

Mon., September 12 No School

Fri., September 30 Early Release for All Students

For Future Important Dates, visit Pyle’s website at

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/pylems/

August 2016

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