Phone: 281-237-8000

Fax: 281-644-1660

09/25/17

The Paw Print McMeans Junior High 21000 Westheimer Parkway Katy, TX 77450

Monday, September 25

1st day of the 2nd 6 Weeks grading

period

4:00-5:00 pm CAT meeting, LGI

5:00-8:00 pm 7th FB vs. MCJH,

MCHS

Tuesday, September 26

5:00-8:00 pm 8th FB vs. MCJH,

MCHS

Wednesday, September 27

1:50-2:30 pm Destination Imagina-

tion Student Interest meeting,

Room 117

5:00-5:30 pm Bond Presentation,

Cafeteria

6:00-7:30 pm Back to School Night

Thursday, September 28

1:00-1:45 pm 7th grade Author

Visit-M.A. Larson, LGI

4:30-7:00 pm 7th VB vs. CJH

(away), CJH Gym

4:30-7:00 pm 8th VB vs. CJH

(home), Competition gym

Friday, September 29

1:50-2:30 pm NJHS Officer Elec-

tions, LGI

6:00-7:30 pm Choir Fall Concert,

Cafeteria

Weekly deadline for the Paw

Print is Wednesdays at noon.

Email articles to:

lynettemalidon@katyisd.org

Visit the MMJH web site at:

http://kisdwebs.katyisd.org/

campuses/mmjh

Additional parking will be available

in the Equestrian Center parking lot

adjacent to MMJH.

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September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This is why you

see our McMeans campus decorated with gold ribbons. McMeans

supports childhood cancer awareness and will be observing it with

“Go Gold Tuesday” on September 26th! All McMeans students and fac-

ulty are invited to wear gold to honor survivors and remember those

who have passed away. Dress in gold from head to toe, wear gold

socks, sport a gold tie, or pin on a simple gold ribbon. However you

choose to “Go Gold,” please join us Tuesday in showing your support

for the worldwide effort to create awareness of childhood cancer. The

faculty will also be wearing gold ribbons to show their support. The

gold ribbon is the international symbol for childhood cancer aware-

ness, representing how precious children are. In addition, the 8th

grade football team will show their support by wearing gold and deco-

rating the stadium in gold.

Blake Gray, a McMeans 8th grader, is a cancer survivor who will be

sharing information during the week along with the McMeans counselors. Blake’s sister, Taylor, is a

6th grader at MMJH. In the United States, cancer is the number 1 killer of children by disease. On aver-

age, one in every four elementary schools has a child with cancer, and the average high school has two

students who have or have had cancer. Each day 46 children in the United States are diagnosed with

cancer. Currently, one in every 330 Americans develops cancer during childhood or adolescence be-

fore the age of 20. Childhood cancer occurs randomly and spares no ethnic group, socioeconomic

class or geographic region. Please educate yourself and others about childhood cancer.

Newcomers Center School Supply Drive

The Newcomers Center is a program to help students that are new to the country. Please donate

school supplies that will help our students be successful in the classroom. Drop supplies off in the blue

bin in the front of the school or in the cafeteria that says Newcomer Center School Supply Donations.

Pencils Highlighters

Pens Tissues

Tape Colored Pencils

Glue Hand Sanitizer

Paper

Notebooks

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Katy ISD Education Foundation Harvey Relief Fundraiser

The Katy ISD Education Foundation has launched a unique fundraiser that will provide support for Katy ISD staff, students and their families adversely impacted by flooding in their homes as a result of Hurricane

Harvey.

The funds will be administered by the Katy ISD Education Foundation.

Every Katy ISD campus will be given the opportunity to designate staff and students in need of support.

Any donation you can make regardless of size will help us help our Katy ISD family.

Please share this opportunity on social media and email to help spread the word.

The Education Foundation’s mission is to provide extraordinary classroom experiences for Katy ISD teach-ers and students. In this case, the extraordinary will, in fact, be the ordinary - needed funds that directly

help Katy ISD students, staff, and their families rebuild their homes and lives.

Donate and share today! http://tinyurl.com/katyisdfamilies

Katy ISD Education Foundation

www.katyisdeducationfoundation.org

foundation@katyisd.org

Quote of the Week

“A friend is a gift you give yourself.” ~Robert Louis Stevenson

Character Trait for September: Friendship

Friendship– Using your words and actions to show others you care. Animal-Dolphin Color-Purple

Page 4 The Paw Print

Student iPad Checkout

Katy ISD is excited to provide the opportunity for our students to take home a digital device for learning.

A student can check out an iPad to use for a school assignment for a one week period, excluding the

Winter and Spring Breaks. If a student needs WiFi access, a “Hot Spot” is also available for checkout for

a five day period. The student’s parent or legal guardian must first meet with the assistant principal to

review the KISD Student/Parent Equipment Use Agreement and sign it along with the student. This docu-

ment will be kept on file for the current school year. The student will be instructed on proper use and

care of the borrowed equipment. Please call the school at 281-237-8000 to set up an appointment.

Katy ISD se complace en ofrecer la oportunidad para que nuestros estudiantes puedan llevar a casa un

dispositivo digital para el aprendizaje. Un estudiante puede sacar un iPad para utilizar para una tarea de

escuela por un período de una semana, excepto el invierno y vacaciones de primavera. Si un estudiante

necesita acceso a Internet WiFi, un "punto caliente" (Hot Spot) también está disponible para pedirse du-

rante un período de cinco días. El padre o tutor legal del estudiante debe reunirse primero con el Sub

Director para revisar el acuerdo de uso de equipo de padres y alumnos KISD y firmarlo junto con el estu-

diante. Este documento se mantendrá en archivo para el año escolar actual . Los estudiantes serán in-

struidos sobre el uso correcto y cuidado del equipo prestado. Por favor llame a la escuela en el 281-

237-8000 para programar una cita.

Sleep Improves Students’ School Performance

Experts agree: Most middle schoolers aren't getting the

sleep they need in order to do their best in school. One

study found that 85% of adolescents get fewer than eight

and a half hours of sleep each night. Students this age

should be getting nine to 10 hours.

When kids don’t get enough sleep, their academic perfor-

mance suffers. They have difficulty remembering material

and concentrating in school.

And it’s not just the amount of sleep that matters. Researchers say that consistency and quality of

sleep matter, too.

To make sure your child gets the sleep he needs:

Set a reasonable time that results in at least nine hours of sleep each night. Be consistent through-

out the week.

Establish a bedtime routine that helps him relax and fall asleep. He could read or take a hot bath.

Set a screen time curfew. Studies show that watching TV or using electronics 90 minutes before

bedtime delays sleep.

Source: J.F. Dewald and others, “The influence of sleep quality, sleep duration and sleepiness on school performance in children and

adolescents: A meta-analytic review,” Sleep Medicine Reviews, Elsevier.

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MMJH is looking for Destination Imagination Teams!

Do you have a child who thrives on challenging activities? Does your

child enjoy really baffling games and puzzles? Learning new skills? Writing or performing? Building me-

chanical and technical things? Working in a group? Generating lots of ideas?

Destination ImagiNation can give your child the opportunity to hone these skills while providing reward-

ing outlet for his/her creativity! Join DI this year at MMJH!

MMJH Students: Attend our MMJH DI student interest meeting on

Wednesday, September 27, during advisory in room 117, Mr. Jow

Parents/Guardians: Attend our MMJH DI parent/guardian interest meeting on

Tuesday, October 3, at 6:30 p.m. in the cafeteria with Mr. Jow.

What is Destination Imagination (DI)?

Destination ImagiNation -- part of the world's largest creative problem solving organization – is an

extracurricular, school-sponsored program that fosters creativity, team-based problem solving and

life skills for students in kindergarten through college. The goal of Destination ImagiNation is to culti-

vate the creative problem-solving process and make it a part of a student's everyday life.

Teams work together to solve open-ended Challenges, using their imaginations and Creative Prob-

lem Solving Tools. Teams of up to 7 students prepare and participate in both a Team Challenge and

Instant Challenge at a regional competition in March. The solution to the Team Challenge is devel-

oped over a 3-6 month period. The team designs and creates, without adult assistance, all props,

costumes and other artistic and/or technical elements necessary to bring the presentation to life.

Instant Challenges are designed to teach students how to think quickly, creatively and strategically.

At tournaments, the team is given an Instant Challenge they have not seen before. For example, a

team may be asked to create a skit about a mouse's happiest day, make up a story using a given set

of items, manipulate materials to build a structure, or develop a non-verbal communication system

with their team members in order to complete a given task. Team members have a few minutes to

think and develop their strategy and a brief period of time to respond to the challenge.

Both the Team Challenges and Instant Challenges provide and promote opportunities to develop life-

long skills that are essential in our ever-changing world.

What is required of a Destination ImagiNation® parent?

This program must have the support of all team parents. While adults cannot help solve the team's

solution or offer ideas, parents are needed to be team managers, tournament officials and tourna-

ment volunteers. Parents must help their student get to all team meetings. Parents are integral in

making this program possible. Team managers hold practice/prep sessions at their homes or at

school (prearranged with the school sponsors).

(continued on the next page)

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(continued from page 5)

What does it take to form a team?

A minimum of five students to a maximum of seven students per team.

A parent, teacher, or dedicated supporter over 18 years of age to be a Team Manager. The Team

Manager helps the students stay on schedule and gather materials and also guides them through

the problem-solving process.

Time outside of school - approximately two hours/week, gradually increasing as tournament time

approaches.

Is Team Manager training available?

Yes, absolutely! Training is ESSENTIAL for new Team Managers and sessions are offered twice

each season! No special skills are required to be a Team Manager other than your willingness to

work with a great group of creative kids! Each year, sadly, we have students who want to partici-

pate but can't because we just don't have enough Team Managers. Please give serious considera-

tion to managing a team.

What are this year’s challenges?

There are 6 challenges to choose from: Technical, Scientific, Structural, Fine Arts, Improvisational,

and Service Learning/Project Outreach. In addition, all teams compete in an

Instant Challenge round.

To see more about each challenge, check out this link:

https://www.destinationimagination.org/wp-content/uploads/17-18-

Challenge-Overview-Flyer-1.pdf

What is the time frame?

Team must be formed, named, and registered by October 27th.

Practice sessions continue weekly or biweekly until the regional tournament on Saturday, March 3rd

at Dulles High School. This is an all-day event.

Teams selected to go on to state will continue practicing and perform in Mansfield (between Fort

Worth and Dallas) from April 6-8.

Thank you for caring about creative problem solving and for taking an active interest in finding out

more about this program that teaches these life-skills to our children.

See you at the DI parent interest meeting!

For more information, contact Sam Jow at SamHJow@katyisd.org

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Author Visit

Author M.A. Larson will visit the 7th grade students at McMeans Junior High on

Thursday, September 28. He will share his experiences and talk about his PENNY-

ROYAL ACADEMY series.

All students have the opportunity to purchase a signed book that will be delivered

to the classroom. If you would like to place an order, please fill out the form below

and turn it in to the library with your payment. You can also place an online order

at http://www.bluewillowbookshop.com/m-larson-mcmeans-junior-high

Click “add to cart” to continue the purchasing process. Books will be delivered to

the school on the day of the event.

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Dear MMJH Parents/Guardians, September 2017

We are excited to again offer math students the opportunity to take the AMC 8 examination. The AMC8 is a con-

test for middle school students in grades 6, 7, and 8. The material covered on the test is the middle school math-

ematics curriculum. Topics include probability, estimation, percentages, spatial visualization, everyday applications

and reading and interpreting graphs. The AMC8 is 25 questions in length and is multiple-choice with no

penalty for guessing. The contest takes only 40 minutes. A student’s score is the number of problems

correctly answered.

Each year over 350,000 students from roughly 6,000 schools participate in the AMC contests. Of these, 10,000

students qualify each year to participate in the AIME scheduled for late March/early April. Of this group approxi-

mately 500 students will be invited to take the prestigious USAMO in early May. Other recognition opportunities for

participating in the contest include the following:

Certificate of Distinction is given to all students who receive a perfect score.

MMJH Plaque recognition is given to the student(s) with the highest score.

The top ten students will receive a Certificate for Outstanding Achievement at the MMJH Awards Ceremony.

The AMC8 contest is Tuesday, November 14, after school from 2:40 – 3:30. Students will need trans-

portation home after the test.

For AMC8 information, please go to Past practice problems can be found at:

If you would like to participate in the AMC8 contest, please complete the bottom of this page and re-

turn it to Mr. Jow in room 117 or your math teacher along with $5.00 for testing materials. Financial

scholarships are available. Please talk to your teacher or the sponsor.

Thank you,

Sam Jow AMC 8 Sponsor samhjow@katyisd.org

Please complete the bottom of the page and return it and $5.00 to Mr. Jow or your math teacher by

Friday, September 29. If paying by check, make payable to MMJH. There is no refund.

Due to test ordering deadlines, late registration will not be accepted.

*********************************************************************************

*

Name of student (please print): ______________________________ Student ID: ___________

Math teacher: Jow Meyer Rowe Greenwood Hoelscher

Sanchez Holda Keshavarzi Peacock Harper

Parent/Guardian Signature: ________________________________________________________________

How will student be getting home? ____________________ Phone Number: ______________________

http://www.maa.org/math-competitions/about-amc/faq

https://www.artofproblemsolving.com

/wiki/index.php?title=AMC_8_Proble

ms_and_Solutions

Page 9 The Paw Print

Join the MMJH PTA Today! Go to the MMJH website www.mcmeanspta.org and fill in the PTA membership form. Prepare to pay the membership

fee ($9 for individual, $18 for double memberships including printed directory) by cash, check (written to “MMJH PTA”),

or credit card (online on www.JoinPTA.org with added $1.50 vendor fee).

Send the filled in PTA membership form with payment to school addressed to “MMJH PTA”.

Already a PTA member? Fill in your directory information in this link. http://tinyurl.com/mmjhdirectory

Volunteer!

Would you like to Volunteer? Go to the McMeans PTA website www.mcmeanspta.org and click on the Volunteer Form button.

Questions? Contact Ruveida Feroze at mmjhvolunteers@gmail.com

Volunteer Opportunities

Spirit Merchandise Monthly Hospitality Events for Staff

School Store (Wednesday during Lunches) Workroom Support for Staff

Monster Mash Carnival 8th Grade Dance

8th Grade Picnic Merchant Rebates Bash

6th Grade International Festival 6th Grade Team Building

Food Frenzy Fridays No Place for Hate

Fine Arts Departments Support (Band, Choir, Orchestra & Theatre) Come When You Can!

MATHCOUNTS

The MATHCOUNTS Competition Series is a national pro-

gram that provides middle school students the oppor-

tunity to compete in live, in-person contests against and

alongside their peers. Please see mathcounts.org for

more details about this exciting way of building problem

solving skills in math.

Last year, the MMJH team finished 5th in the

competitive Houston region and 15th out of 77 campus-

es at state. Two students placed in the top 60 as indi-

viduals out of 279 state competitors.

The registration cost is $30 per student plus $250 per year for study materials subscription

that will be split across all parents. If students are selected for state, the MATHCOUNTS foundation

pays for all expenses for the state trip so there are no additional expenses.

If your child is interested in securing a spot for this school year, please email Sam Jow at sam-

hjow@katyisd.org

If more than six students express interest, there will be a qualifying test on Friday, September

29, in Room 117 after school. More details will follow.

Page 10 The Paw Print

PTA News

#BobcatStrong

PTA has set up a meaningful tool to help connect those who have suffered

loss due to the Harvey disaster with those who want to help and donate.

The basic idea is like a wedding-registry, via Amazon wish lists. If your home,

office, or storage was affected, please take advantage of making a list- you

have no idea how many people have contacted us and want to help directly.

As a PTA we cannot accept cash or gift cards to distribute, but we can help

make it a little easier (and anonymous if needed) for you to get some help

putting your home back together!

The details of this Harvey Relief help is explained in full on our Bobcat Harvey Relief web page.

6th grade Team Building Day- Description of the day/purpose & Parent volunteer sign-up link

BOX TOPS FOR SCHOOLS Remember to clip and send them with your kiddos! This is FREE MONEY for our

school! The collection box is now in the front office reception on the book-

shelves. Thanks!

Fall Individual Student Pictures

Date: October 6, 2017 during your student’s physical education class period

If students do not take physical education at MMJH, we will offer pictures during lunch.

Questions or concerns: please call the front office at 281.237.8000 and ask for Ms. Thomas.

Connect with Us-McMeans Junior High Join us on Facebook and Twitter!

Facebook: Our address is https://www.facebook.com/MMJHBobcats or search for

MMJH Bobcats-Katy, Texas

The school’s PTA is also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mmjhpta

and their website is www.mcmeanspta.org

Twitter: Please search for McMeans Junior High. The address should come up as McMeans

Junior High @mc_mcmeans

The school’s library is also on Twitter. Look for Bobcat Library @MMJHLibrary

Use #watchmmjhlead to post and view our school events!

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