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The Falcon Flyer Aylen Junior High School Newsletter October 18, 2019

Home of the Falcons We are Aylen STRONG! P a g e | 1

From the Principal The season of autumn is well underway, the days are growing shorter and the weather is getting a bit colder. Most students have settled in and are starting to find their academic rhythm.

On Monday, October 21 all students will be sent home with their first Interim Progress Report (IPR). This IPR is an indicator of your child’s current academic progress. Please take some time and discuss this IPR with your child. You also can regularly check your student’s progress on Schoology.

Please reach out to your child’s teachers, if you have any questions or concerns.

We have Student Led Conferences taking place on Thursday, October 24. After your child has shared their conference plan with you, you are welcome to stop by and see their other teachers that day.

We have a lot of exciting events and activities happening in the next couple of months and we are looking forward to an amazing year.

Sincerely,

Kevin Mensonides

Aylen Junior High School Principal

Upcoming Events October

18 Booster Club Bingo Night, 6:30 - 8 pm 22 Donuts for Dads, 6:45 – 7:45 am 22 AVID Field Trip, 8th & 9th grade 24 Early Release, 11:45 am 24 Student-Led Conferences, 12:15-3:00 & 4:00-7:00 pm 25 Early Release, 11:45 am 28 Breast Cancer Awareness Week 29 9th Graders taking PSAT Test 29 Fall Concert, gym, 7:00 pm 30 AVID Field Trip, 7th grade 31 Pink Out Day – Students encouraged to wear Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness November

5 Election Day 7 Harvest Fall Dance, 2:15 – 4:15 8 Early Release, 11:45 am 8 Veterans Day Assembly, 8:00 – 8:45 am 11 Veterans Day, No School 12 Booster Club Meeting, 6:00 pm 15 FAN Night XIX, 6:00 – 9:00 pm 18-26 Fill the Bus Food Drive 19 IPR grades published 20 AVID Family Night, 6 pm 25 Pick Up Holiday Wreaths 27-29 Thanksgiving break, No School

PSAT Testing On Tuesday, October 29 Aylen ninth grade students will take the PSAT assessment. It is important that students report to school on time that day. The PSAT is a great practice test for students to help them prepare for the SAT. Students scores will be made available later this year and will give them some good indicators on their academic preparedness as they transition to a high school campus next fall.

Principal: Kevin Mensonides Assistant Principal: Teresa Clifton


Home of the Falcons We are Aylen STRONG! P a g e | 2

On Tuesday, November 6, Aylen will host the Donuts for Dads Social. Get your “Dad & Me” picture taken for only $3.00 – each 5x7 photo comes in a folder frame.

This event will be held in the Aylen Commons from 6:40 -7:40 am.

SECOND STEP Students in the Puyallup School District in grades K-9 have been engaged in specially designed program called Second Step. This Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) program provides support by giving students the tools to excel in and out of the classroom. Aylen students have been engaging in Second Step lessons during Flight Time with their teachers. Students are learning valuable skills that help them navigate their way through school as well as their community. Topic units include Mindsets and Goals, Values and Friendships, Thoughts, Emotions and Decisions and Dealing with Peer Conflicts. Students engage in age-appropriate games, activities, discussions and media to set them up on a path of lifelong success. For more information you can visit www.secondstep.org .

STUDENT LED CONFERENCES

All Aylen students were given invitations to bring home to parents for Student Led Conferences that will take place on Thursday, October 24, 2019 at Aylen Junior High School. Students and parents may attend either between 12:15 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. or between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Conferences only take about 20 minutes.

Your son/daughter will be sharing academic information and progress, work samples, assessment results, and their goals and reflections with you during these conferences in a student-led format. Conferences will take place in your child’s Flight Time classroom.

Please complete the bottom portion of the invitation and send it back to school with your student by Tuesday, October 22. They can return the form to their Flight Time teacher.

We look forward to seeing you at Student Led Conferences on October 24.

http://www.secondstep.org/


Home of the Falcons We are Aylen STRONG! P a g e |3

Representatives from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society recently presented Aylen Junior High School Principal Kevin Mensonides with a plaque recognizing Aylen Junior High School as the 5th Highest Fundraising School in the States of Washington and Alaska. Last year the Aylen community pulled together to raise $5,885.

Thank you to all of those who helped contribute to this worthy cause. Aylen will hold our annual Cash for Cancer drive again in February of 2020.

Hello Falcon Families! Fast approaching, we have our first concert at Aylen Junior High School this year on October 29 at 7 PM in the Aylen Gym. The Concert Orchestra, Intermediate Band, and Concert Band will be performing pieces that the students and teachers have been working diligently on since the start of the school year. Orchestra students should be arriving to Aylen at 6:15 PM and band students should be arriving to Aylen at 6:30 to warm up and get ready for the concert. A reminder to families that this is an extremely exciting night for your students, and they would love to see you there!

During Student Led Conferences, the Aylen Booster Club will be selling Plush Pippin Pies for only $10. These delicious pies can be taken home for the upcoming holidays. The Booster Club will also be selling Holiday wreaths and green. These purchased items will be available for pick up at Aylen on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving – just in time to decorate the house.



DRAMA CLUB

Learn and talk about all things theatre, build theatre-related skills, and potentially put on a show. We meet every Wednesday in Room 108 from 2:20 to 4:15. Advisors: Phil Kidd [email protected] and Jaclyn Wernofsky [email protected]

CALLING ALL ART FANS ART CLUB

Art Club has begun and is open to anyone with a love for art whether you are in art class currently or not. We will be meeting every Tuesday from 2:20-3:20 in Room 137. Please arrange a way for your

student to get home if they plan on joining. If you have any questions, email or talk to Mrs. Warring! [email protected]

HOMEWORK CLUB

If you need some help or a quiet place to work, come to the Homework Club on any Tuesday or Thursday. We meet from 2:20 to 4:15 in the Aylen Library.

Get assistance from Aylen teachers Mr. Phillip Kidd [email protected] or Mrs. Ashley Kondowe [email protected]

VOLUNTEER SERVICE CLUB

Volunteer Service Club is for students who would like to help Aylen in a big way by helping with putting up banners and posters in the hallway, decorating for dances and events, and making Aylen a brighter and happier place. You also will be putting hours towards a letter in community service. If you have questions, contact Mr. Mendoza ([email protected]). We will meet on Mondays right after school until 4 pm in Portables 3 and 4.

Our first meeting is on November 4

mailto:[email protected]













MO TIME CLUB

More time to work on Microsoft Office certifications. This club is for all Aylen Students looking for more opportunities to work on their certification in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and other programs. This is a good opportunity for 7th and 9th graders to get extra helped for their MO1 class or work ahead. Eighth graders can finish up their certifications they started last year or start a new certification. Advisor: Mr. Hill [email protected] Days: Mondays Starts: Oct. 28 Location: Room 140 Time: 2:25 - 4:15 We will cancel on days when there is no activity bus.

GAME CLUB

Our club is to help students blow off a little bit of steam after school and get together with friends and play some games together. From board games, to cards, to even heads up seven up, if you know how to play we have the players. Wednesday is our Tentative meeting day, and November 6 (after football season) is our Tentative start date. We will meet in room 139/141 right after school until 4pm. Mr. Mendoza ([email protected]) and Mr. Anderson ([email protected])

FALCON WEIGHT ROOM CLUB

-Advisor: Mr. Poulin – [email protected] -What days we meet: Tues./Thurs. 6:30-7:15am (starting Oct. 22) We will not meet on October 24. -Gym door opens at 6:20 and are locked at 6:30 – do NOT be late . Students allowed into locker room at 7:15 (not before). -Come dressed for activity. -Students will engage in weight lifting exercises with caution. Typical Aylen PE rules apply.













CHAMBER CHOIR AUDITIONS Monday & Tuesday October 21 & 22 after school till 3:15. We need 3-4 singers for each voice part. Please be prepared to sing

• warm ups • a part of your choir • the Star-Spangled Banner

We will have multiple performance opportunities, and we will sing at concerts and assemblies. Rehearsals: Tuesdays and Wednesdays 2:15-3:15. More details will follow upon acceptance into Chamber Choir. Chamber Choir will be dismissed at 3:15, not 4:15, as the director is unavailable after 3:15. Students may ride or walk home immediately upon dismissal.

Students may remain on campus until the activity bus arrives only if they choose to join another club after choir. Students may not remain on campus unsupervised.

Goal: Focused preparation for AP Human Geography Exam Advisor: Mr. Miller [email protected]

Dates: Every Wednesday Room 154

Time 2:15-3:25pm

Open to 7th, 8th, and 9th Grades. Starts at 2:25pm and ends at 4:25pm. All Aylen Students are invited to attend. Open to all ability levels. Bring a friend and make it twice as fun!

Dates: October 16, 22, 28, 30 & November 4, 5, 6 All students must be picked up at 4:25pm or take the activity bus. (No activity bus on Fridays) If you have any questions, see Mr. Miller in room 154. [email protected]

CHAMBER




WALK-A-THON WRAP UP Thank you to our Aylen families for your help in making our Walk-A-Thon a success this year. While we didn’t

quite meet our overall goal, we did well and will be able to use this money for so many things around our school. Our grand total for this year was $6,889.25! The money raised goes directly back to the students, into our ASB funds. ASB funds are used for the fun extra things we offer here at Aylen, such as: sports, intramurals, clubs (art club, drama club, board game club, etc), dances,

spirit assemblies, FAN nights, and so much more.

Annual “Great Shake Out” Day at Aylen The International Shake Out Day is held annually on the third Thursday of October to prepare for how to respond in an earthquake. This year, it was held on Thursday, Oct. 17 @ 10:17 A.M. at Aylen. During the earthquake drill, our students and staff practiced how to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On”. Endorsed by emergency officials and first responders, the safe response to an earthquake is to:

DROP where you are, onto your hands and knees. This position protects you from being knocked down and also allows you to stay low and crawl to shelter if nearby.

COVER your head and neck with one arm and hand

• If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it for shelter

• If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall (away from windows)

• Stay on your knees; bend over to protect vital organs

HOLD ON until shaking stops

• Under shelter: hold on to it with one hand; be ready to move with your shelter if it shifts

• No shelter: hold on to your head and neck with both arms and hands.



Veterans Day at Aylen

Friday, Nov. 8th at 8:00 A.M. in the Gymnasium

Falcon Families ~ Our Veterans Day assembly is a celebration of our local veterans, and we would like to include you! We take time to put together a very serious and educational assembly for our students, and these assemblies are about showing appreciation for those who have served. Please consider joining us, especially if you have a veteran in the family. Veterans, we encourage you to come in uniform. Also, families, if you would like to honor a veteran in our slideshow during the assembly, please send Mrs. Clifton the following:

• Veteran’s Name

• Military Branch

• Name of Aylen student and their relation to the veteran. Example: “Grand-father of Teresa Clifton”

• Include a picture (in uniform if possible)

• Send to [email protected]

Technology Reminders! Just a reminder to everyone that all students should bring their laptops to school each day FULLY CHARGED. If students encounter problems, try:

-Restart the computer (select Restart, do not just turn it off/on)

-Log off, then login again.

-Make sure you are connected and using the correct wireless network at school (PSD Secure).

-Make sure you have Aylen printers installed by clicking on the Printix icon

under the at the bottom, and adding/choosing the AJH-LRC4240.

If problems persist after school hours, the PSD EdTec Help Desk line at 253-841-8600, option 5, is open until 4:00 on school days.



AVID Tutors Needed

· Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is an elementary through postsecondary college readiness system designed to increase schoolwide learning and performance.

· Tutors facilitate tutorials of small groups of AVID junior high and high school students at various school locations throughout the school district. These collaborative tutorials lead to increased student participation and success.

· Tutorials and tutors play a vital role in AVID elective classes by:

*Promoting skill building; *Building strong peer groups;

*Promoting academic success across content areas; *Providing a safe space to bring complex questions, receive guidance, and take academic risks.

· Tutors serve as both a resource and role model for AVID students, academically and collaboratively. · Candidates must be current college students or college graduates. No experience required. · Paid training and materials are provided. · Hours will range from a minimum of 3 hours to a maximum of 5 hours, twice a week during the school year. · Hourly rate of pay is $13.50. · Applicants will be contacted to schedule interviews.

ATTENTION PARENTS

Aylen is receiving donations of food from a local community partner to distribute to students who may benefit. If you are interested in your student receiving a free weekend food bag, please contact Todd Halling ([email protected]) at 253-435-2184 or André St. Hilaire ([email protected]) at 253-435-6833. Food bags will be available for your student to pick up on Fridays after school, in the office.







Being On-Time to School Falcon Families,

It is super important to be to school on time. This helps lessen classroom disruptions and therefore, increases student learning. Please help your student get to school before 7:45. Each family has different strategies for that to happen. We encourage you to find strategies that are effective in helping your student learn to be punctual—a great life skill. Usually, it just takes leaving the house 5-10 minutes earlier to avoid being late to school. The closer it gets to 7:40, the more crowded the drop-off area gets. Below is the policy that was shared with all students during the Aylen Behavior Expectation Presentations by building administrators in their math classroom. They also did a Scavenger Hunt during Flight Time to become even more familiar with our expectations and school policy. FIRST PERIOD TARDY/LATE TO SCHOOL

Students have 24 hours (by 9:00 A.M.) to get a guardian to excuse the tardy. This can be done in the form of a phone call to 253-841-8723-option 1, a guardian note, or an email to [email protected]

If a guardian excuse is not received by 9:00 A.M the next day, the student either

• serves 10-minute community service during lunch OR (they choose)

• serves 30-minute lunch detention Community service = courtyard garbage pick-up, commons garbage pick-up, wiping tables, putting up chairs, etc.

EXCESSIVE 1ST PERIOD TARDY INTERVENTIONS

Counselor Intervention

Parents notified

Parent/student conference with admin/counselors Barriers to attendance form completed by parent and student

Attendance/Tardy contract

Thank you for your support in getting your student to school on-time every day! Mrs. Clifton

Assistant Principal




On Tuesday, October 22, Aylen will host the Donuts for Dads Social. All Dads, Grandfathers, and father figures are welcome to attend with their student.

Get your “Dad & Me” picture taken for only $3.00 – each 5x7 photo comes in a folder frame.

This event will be held in the Aylen Commons from 6:45 -7:45 am. No cost to attend, however, donations are gladly accepted.

The Booster Club is having their annual Bingo night on Friday, October 18 from 6:30 – 8 pm. The prizes include gift cards, gift baskets, and other fabulous prizes! Pizza and concessions will be available for purchase so bring your appetite.

Don’t miss this evening of FUN!!

Puyallup School District provides equal opportunities in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Students and staff are protected against sexual harassment by anyone in any school program or activity, including on the school campus, on the school bus, or off-campus, such as a school-sponsored field trip.

Questions or complaints of alleged discrimination or harassment may be directed to: • ADA/Human Resources Compliance Coordinator: Amie Brandmire ~ (253) 841-8666, [email protected]; • Chief Equity and Achievement Officer: Gerald Denman ~ 253) 840-8966, [email protected]; •Title IX Coordinator, Jim Meyerhoff ~ (253) 841-8785, [email protected]; •Section 504 Coordinator, Gerald Denman ~ (253) 840-8966, [email protected]. All individuals may be reached at this address: Puyallup School District 302 2nd Street SE Puyallup, WA 98372

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