Principal’s Thoughts Dates of Interest:

PARCC EOY: May

MSA and HSA

MISA Science: 3/15 & 3/16

Spirit Days: 3/3, 3/17, 3/31,

4/28

PBIS Lessons: 3/27

Report Cards and Interims:

3rd Qtr. Ends 3/27

Report Cards mailed 4/5

Quarterly Award Ceremonies

3rd Qtr. 4/24

Other Events:

Talent Show 4/7

Orchestra Festival 3/13

Band Festival 3/17

Arts Night 3/30 5:30-7pm Buy One Get One Free Book

Fair 4/24-2/28

School Dance:

4/7 2:15-3:45

PTO Meeting:

3/8 6:30-7:30

Inside this issue:

Departments 4-15

Grade Levels 2-3

Guidance 16-17

Up & Coming 5

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Welcome to the Second Semester! What an outstanding first half of the year we have had at Pic-

cowaxen! Our students continue to represent well here in school and throughout the county, and their behavior

has been remarkable! How proud I am to be the principal of such a great school! This time last year, we were

getting back into the swing of things after several snow days. This year has been a TOTAL opposite. We have-

n’t had ANY snow days; as a matter of fact, this has been an exceptionally mild winter. While the students may

be a bit “bummed” about no snow days, they may be eager to know the last day of school for the 2016-17

school year will be June 8th rather than June 16th if there are no snow days!

County post-test assessments were administered from February 15th through March 3rd. These tests

will account for 10 percent of the students’ 3rd quarter grades. I am expecting our students to make impressive

gains from their pre-test scores to their post-test scores. Piccowaxen students’ gains last year on the post-tests

were noteworthy. This is a direct result of the quality teaching that our capable teachers do and their adherence

to the prescribed curriculum. 8th grade students will take the MISA (this test replaced the Science MSA that

was given in previous years) March 15th and 16th. The MISA is a test that measures your child’s knowledge of

science concepts taught in grades 6, 7, and 8.

Spring Break is Monday, April 10th through Monday, April 17th. Students and teachers will return to

school on Tuesday, April 18th. I wish all of you a well-deserved and restful Spring Break!

Piccowaxen’s students continue to represent the school in a positive light throughout the county. Our

school is a force to be reckoned with in CCPS!! At the Charles County Middle School Volleyball Tournament,

our 7th grade girls brought back the 2nd place trophy and our 7th grade boys were the 1st place winners. Both our

8th grade boys and our 8th grade girls placed impressively at 3rd place. Our Math Counts Team took 6th place in

the Tri-County Math Counts competition and will be moving on to compete in the state competition. Piccowax-

en was declared the overall winner at the Regional VEX Robotics Competition, and will go on to compete at the

state level in the near future. We also had a student to place 5th in the Charles County Chess Competition.

What a way to represent, Panthers!

PARCC testing begins later this year than it did last year. Instead of starting in April, PARCC testing

will begin on May 4th. The Charles County Public Schools curriculum has become increasingly more aligned

with the rigorous expectations of PARCC, and I’m proud to say that our teachers have been challenging our

students with interesting and rigorous lessons. Walking through the classrooms, one can see lots of collabora-

tion among the students, more students providing evidence to prove how they arrive at their answers, and an

increase in student grit to persevere through the difficult multi-step processes to arrive at the expected out-

Piccowaxen Middle School Volume 41, Issue 4

March/ April 2017

THE PAW Erin Kaple

Vice Principal

12834 Rock Point Road

Newburg, MD 20664

Wendell O. Martin

Principal

Our PLEDGE - By my words and actions, I pledge to be respectful, responsible, safe and proud, and remember, you can’t

hide that Picco Pride!

Our MOTTO - Strong Instruction, Strong Relationships, and Strong Classroom Management.

Our MISSION - Through the guidance of a dedicated, caring, and talented staff, Piccowaxen Middle School's mission is to

promote social, academic, and behavioral success for students and most importantly, instill a positive attitude toward life-

long learning.

Our VISION – To accelerate academic achievement through authentic experiences that provide students the opportunity to

explore and problem solve as well as opportunities to learn through cross curricular integrate curriculum. To provide a safe learning and work environment, and look for ways to build home-school-business-community partnerships. To value and promote high quality instruction through professional learning communities that are committed to improving instruction

to create opportunities for success in college and careers for ALL students.

Page 2 PAW

The 8th grade class and team members are starting to think about the end of year activities. Parents please keep in mind that the teach-ers are more than willing to meet you if you have any classroom concerns. Please con-tact our Guidance Department if you would like to set up a conference. Students please make sure you are within the guideline set forth by your team to attend the Kings Dominion field trip. Please make sure all debts, and lost books, novels, and any resources that are due to teachers have been turned in or you have made arrangements to compensate the school. Your team leaders will release the dates and all perti-nent information related to end of the year activities on April 15, 2017. Students, your 8th grade team want this year to be the most memorable year ever. We are proud of your participation and your continuous drive to make Success your only option…you are going to

Eighth Grade the next level.

Second Quarter Team Award Winners:

Compassion: Carly Carter, Kierra

Chisley

Best Participation: Joseph Cottle,

CJ Burke

On A Roll: Key’Naeya Dent, Alex

Raymond, Antoinette Knott

Academic: Abigail Sutherland,

Maddy Nicholl

Citizenship: Jayla Rosier, Haley Din-

dlebeck

Most Improved: AJ Baber, Trinity Absher

PAW Awards: Dylan Buchanan, Brooke

Walko, Blake Pesante

8th Grade students signing their 2017 class

wall

Principal’s Thoughts Continued comes. I am very proud of how the teachers and the students at Piccowaxen are tackling the challenges of rigor and actually having fun

doing it.

As the school year continues, please continue to encourage your sons/daughters to keep up the GREAT work in school and in

the community as well. As I’ve said in the past, the stellar behavior, the amazing work ethic, and the unyielding school spirit of the Pic-

cowaxen students is IMPRESSIVE! Thank YOU, parents for all of your support in helping Piccowaxen to continue to be a premier

school.

Wendell Martin

“Please use

Edline to

check on

assignments

and current

grades”

Page 3

The Sixth Grade Team is excited about leaving behind the cold weather of winter and journey toward spring for warmer weather. We are looking forward to putting the nose to the grind stone for learn-ing, especially with PARCC taking place during the spring time.

We continue to encourage parents to take an inventory of your student’s supplies. Pencils and note-book paper are becoming short in supply for many students. Also, binders have taken a lot of punish-ment in the first half of the year, so they may need to be replaced or visited by Dr. Duct-tape.

The team continues to encourage parents and students to use EDLINE, and contact the teachers any time that a question develops. If you have lost or mis-placed your password, please contact Guidance for help. This year has been very special and enjoyable with the sixth grade. They are a great group, and the team has held them to a very high standard. They are meeting this high standard each and every day in the classroom. Keep in mind their biggest hurdle is yet to come with the rest of the third quarter and the fourth quarter; when losing focus easily happens with sixth graders after a long year. Our “Lost and Found” is growing with jackets and other winter related items. Please ensure that your child’s name is on their jacket and other student belongings. It will save you in replacement costs!

Our Second Quarter Awards Ceremony was on February 13

th and the following students received

our team awards:

On A Roll: Connor Reighard, Lauren Kassem Citizenship: Ayanna Thomas, MaKenna Mo-reland, Josh Lindsey, David Webster Academic Excellence: Kate Bright, Taylor Schneider , Kylie Bradshaw, William Edwards

Most Improved: Jordan Kassem, Tru Glotfelty

Most Compassionate: Shyannah Cox, Madi-son Koontz, Pryncess Gray, Sky Hall Best Participation: Kyle Bittner, Gabe Din-nea, Haley Holcomb, Tyler Wood

PAW AWARDS

Respect: Za’Nyia Hicks, Mya Ma-haffey Responsibility: Kevin Spell, Mary McSorely

Pride: Allie Shutters, Ryleigh Goldsmith Safety: Chris Diaz, Skylar Belisle

6th Grade Team Leaders Mr. Keener & Ms. Sinclair

Sixth Grade

As the weather begins to warm up, it is important for the students to keep their locker or-ganized so that they are able to fit all of their binders, book bag and a jacket in their lock-er. Please encourage your stu-dent to bring home their bind-ers frequently to help them or-ganize their materials and to

bring home their extra clothes that may be left in their locker from the colder months. Also, please keep checking your student's agenda book for homework and teacher notes and Edline for up-dated grades. A field trip is planned for March 24th. All permission slips and money are due to Mrs. Keener or Mr. Ficalora by March 10th. Please contact either Team Leader with any questions.

Second Quarter Team Award Winners:

Pride: Erin Fawls, Eva Lyddane

Respect: Ryder Mattingly, Halie Young

Responsibility: Lauren Anderson, Lexi Reeder

Safety: Jacob Pahel, Tori Mattingly

Best Participation: Kiley Tewell, Madison

McClure

Leadership: Aniya Gross, Eric Valentine, Jr.

Perseverance: Molly Sharpe, Tess Murphy

Most Improved: Camila Rivera, Sarah Sharpe

Most Consistent: Austin McAlwee, Taylor Ven-

nemann

Student of the Quarter: Annabelle Moon, Pey-

ton Moreland

Seventh Grade

Page 4 PAW

If it is necessary to drop off items (lunches, homework, instruments, permission slips, keys, notes, etc.) for your child, please give the item to the office staff. We will call students down between classes so that we are not interrupting an entire class. Thank you.

When corresponding with school staff via email, please include your child's name in the subject area of any email. Your child's name in the subject area will help the staff from accidentally deleting your email as though it were spam.

Important Information about

E-Mails Parents, please keep in mind our pol-icy on work requests for students who are out sick. A student must be out 3 days before we can gather the work. Teachers are allowed 24 hours to get the work ready. It is inconven-ient to gather the work if the student will return the next day. In this case, the student may get the make up work when returning to classes.

Bus Passes Work Requests

Due to our enrollment, we can only issue bus passes for emergency situations.

Classroom Interruptions

The 2016-2017 EV3 Robotics teams “The Trashformers” (Steven

McPhee, Eric Valentine, Travis Jennings, and Chase Miller) and “The

Green Machine” (Madison Koontz, Will Edwards, Brady Keech and Jo-

ey Hastings) are getting ready for their competition on Saturday, April

8th. The students have been developing a robot and programs that

will compete in the Trash Trek challenge from the First Lego League.

The teams have also been developing a presentation on how to handle

the trash we make that will be judged by CSM. Be sure to wish both

teams luck as they prep and practice for their competition.

ROBOTICS

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Although a significant number of our seventh grade students have been doing extremely well in their academic

studies, our team has noticed an increase in the amount of incomplete and late assignments. Students have been

turning in work days and weeks past its due date without fear of consequences. For some, their grade has not

been motivation enough to have them complete and return their work on time. Please review each teacher's

grading practices as some have changed to reflect the team's concerns. Every teacher encourages you to moni-

tor your student’s agenda book and Edline account. If you do not have access to Edline, please contact our

school counselor’s office. They will be able to supply you with a new login. If you have concern regarding your

student’s grades, please contact your student’s teacher. If we all work together, students, parents and staff, our

students will succeed throughout the remainder of their seventh grade year.

Seventh Grade Continued

Page 5 Volume 41, Issue 4

Music Department News

Band & Orchestra We had 4 students make Tri-County Orchestra: Samantha Yorio, Tessa Everett, Alexander Raymond and Em-

ma Everett.

The 7th & 8th Grade Band students had a guest conductor, Mr. Finkbeiner work with them in early February.

The 7th & 8th Grade Orchestra students had a guest conductor, Ms. Van Petten work with them in early Feb-

ruary as well. The students and Ms. Fulkroad received a lot of helpful tips and tricks in order for us to per-

form our best at the District Festivals in March.

The Jazz Band performed at the 3rd Annual Westlake Jazz Festival on Friday, February 3. They were the only

middle school jazz band at the event. The students received a clinic after their performance by members of a

local jazz group.

Chorus: The Piccowaxen Chorus will be traveling to Kings Dominion on Saturday, May 20th, to participate in Music in

the Parks! Please remember that the first deposit of at least $35.00 is due no later than March 8th! The re-

maining balance of $40.00 is due no later than April 5th.

The 7th Grade Chorus and 8th Grade Chorus will go to North Point on March 14th for District Festival As-

sessment. 7th Grade will perform at 9:30am, and 8th Grade will perform at 11:30am. Please arrive at least 10

minutes prior to the performances if you would like to support us! The Spring Choral Concert will take place

on Thursday, May 11th, at 7:00pm in Piccowaxen's Gymnasium! Please invite your family and friends. Admis-

sion is free :)

Page 6 PAW

Second Quarter Honor Roll (2016-2017)

8th GRADE

Principal’s Honors – 4.0 GPA

Zander Barrow Joseph Cottle

Haley Dindlebeck Caileb Emery Tessa Everett

Kylee Flint Ryan Goldsmith Brianna Green

Kurstyn Hamilton Jordan Harris Sara Jarboe

Landon Jewell Jordan Kabala

Peyton Krahling Jeffrey Leonard Camryn Miller

Madelyn Nicholl Abigail Rogalski Brandon Rowe

Camden Sciascia Brennan Simpson Abigail Sutherland

Zen Taylor Taylor Wade

Brooke Walko Samantha Yorio

Highest Honors 3.5 - 3.99

(With No D's)

William Anderson Danielle Auth

Dylan Buchanan Christopher Burke

Jenna Burtch Mason Carney

Carly Carter Leah DeFalco

Caroline Edelen Jake Ellis

Amber Faasen Camryn Fryer Gavin Ganter Ella Gordon

Matthew Hale Riley Hayes Collin Hicks Omar Hill Jace Jett

Anthony Lennon Andrew Mehall

Cheyanne Milbrook Colby Murphy Laura O’Bier Virgil Padua

Blake Pesante Jade Petty

Alexander Raymond Sydney Robertson Matthew Romero

Jayla Rosier Zachary Swann

Kara Thompson Ashton White Kayla Windsor

High Honors 3.0 - 3.49

(With No F's)

John Crauthers Kendall DeLane Key’naeya Dent Michael Garino

Julianne Hayden Sean Heath

Jackson Hebb Tyler Hebb

Isabella Main Nicholas Marco Kailee Marshall

Kavina McDonald Christian Merchant

Joseph Plass Tyler Plourde

Wayne Raddatz Amanda Seideman

Julia Reese Sine Ross Spangler Skylar Therres

Morgan Thompson Charles Welch, Jr.

Page 7 Volume 41, Issue 4

7th GRADE

Principal’s Honors – 4.0 GPA

Joseph Arnold Leanne Berry

Daniel Berthiaume Carla Breckenridge

Erin Fawls Alexandria Ficalora

Ethan Kumbar Logan Mattingly Madison McClure

Makayla Metz Annabelle Moon

Turner Mudd Raegan Perry Alene Snyder

Eric Valentine, Jr. Natalie Wathen

Highest Honors 3.5 -

3.99 (With No D's)

John Andrews, III Connor Brennan

Madison Cole Caden Connolly Makayla Curtin Koda DeAtley

Emma Everett Emma French Jackson Gaskill Nyjae’ Harley Halee Kans James Long

Alex Mandley Kiley Marco Emily Moon

Peyton Moreland Ashley Morris Molly Mudd Maci Mulloy Jacob Pahel

Max Petricoin Emileigh Saunders

Carli Taylor Kiley Tewell Emily Turner

Taylor Vennemann Evan Williams Brody Yorio Halie Young

Megan Zalesak

High Honors 3.0 - 3.49

(With No F's)

Lauren Anderson Michael Anderson, Jr.

Chester Bowling, III Jonathan Bowling

Rylee Boyd Jack Breeden

Nicholas Buchanan Samantha Craig

Second Quarter Honor Roll, continued

Riess Danielson Baylee Dean

Adrianna Diana Macy Ellis

Morgan Gayon Aniya Gross

Tyler Hall Rana Holmes

Sabrina Hussein-Echeverria Ethan Koch

Ava Lyddane Ryder Mattingly

Tyler Mudd Jenna Murphy Kailyn Prattta Kylie Presley

Cole Rapczynski Julie Ray

Lexi Reeder Jabari Robertson Liyah Rowlands

Molly Sharpe Sarah Sharpe Jordan Stone

Cassidy Thomas Nicolas Underwood

Page 8 PAW

Second Quarter Honor Roll, continued

6th GRADE

Principal’s Honors – 4.0 GPA

Brianna Albrittain

Kylie Bradshaw Devon Bragunier

Kate Bright Shyannah Cox Nolan Dement Ginger Hayden Victoria Herrera Haley Holcomb

Brady Keech Hannah Kelley

Madison Koontz William Kriemelmeyer

Lauren Lovejoy Mya Mahaffey Steven McPhee Cayleigh Miskell

Makenna Moreland Liam Pierce

Madeleine Schmidt Taylor Schneider

Alexandra Shutters Selein Sloper Nathan Todd

Mackenzie Wheeler

Highest Honors 3.5 - 3.99

(With No D's)

Kaylee Altimus Skylar Belisle

Carl Benjamin Jenna Brown

Autumn Compton Gabriel Dinnea

William Edwards Liam Fawls

Ryleigh Goldsmith Joseph Hastings

Alexis Heath Emerson Herridge

Madison Jarboe Travis Jennings, Jr.

Kirra Johnson Lauren Kassem

Charles Lunsford Corinne Mahaffey Brendan McCabe Alana McGuigan Lochlan McGuire

Mary McSorley Elicia Mobley

Mia Ross Kevin Spell

High Honors 3.0 - 3.49

(With No F's)

Ryan Arnold Nathan Bowling

Jerry Denton Christopher Diaz

Aurora Donoho Brooklyn Exum Markus Faasen Kemani Farrar

Ivan Gao Caitlyn Gaskill Jarett Getgen Tru Glotfelty

Sky Hall Za’Nyia Hicks Camille Hill

Jordan Kassem Cameron Kimble

Kelsey Moyer Emma Proctor Olivia Quade

Connor Reighard Tao Taylor

Jeremiah Tompa Macey Walko Justin Ward

David Webster Tyler Wood

Cameron Wright Brianna Zust

School-wide Recycling Programs Piccowaxen participates in several recycling programs to raise money for our school. We collect box-tops, Campbell label’s, old cell phones, and ink cartridges (that fit in the palm of your hand), laptops, i-pods, cam-era’s, etc. Please send them in with your students or feel free to drop them by. We are currently doing a fundraiser with Mac Recycling Company. (The bin is placed in the front near the road.) We are collecting clothes, linens, belts, shoes, handbags, bookbags, lunchboxes, stuffed animals, etc. If you have any questions please contact Mrs. Long. Don’t forget to register your cards at Giant, Safeway, and Target.

Target: Visit www.target.com/tcoe. Every time you use your Target red card 1% of your purchase is donated

to Piccowaxen.

Safeway: Visit www.escrip.com Group # 500030592

Giant: Visit www.giant.com D#: 500030592

Page 9 Volume 41, Issue 4

6th Grade

Autumn Compton (Sinclair) Paul Thompson (Sinclair) Alana McGuigan (Rowland) Pryncess Gray (Eicholtz) Taylor Schneider (Turner) Madeleine Schmidt (Chisholm) Kylie Bradshaw (Kraus) Shyannah Cox (Colaizzi)

7th Grade

Emma Everett (Sinclair) Aniya Gross (Lilly) Liyah Rowlands (Lilly) Nick Miller (Marvin) Jourdain Thomas (Eicholtz) Tess Murphy (Truesdell) Ethan Kumbar (SKeener) Sarah Sharpe (SKeener) Logan Mattingly (SKeener)

Natalie Wathen (Chisholm) Alexis Cathcart (Kraus) Nicholas Buchanan (Kraus) Evan Williams (Coscia) Nyjae Harley (Coscia) Ethan Koch (Coscia)

8th Grade

Jaquez Butler (Eicholtz) Jayla Rosier (Farrell) Alex Raymond (Nelson) CJ Burke (Truesdell) Alex Raymond (Langston) Camryn Miller (Kraus) Callee Kramer (Kraus) Peyton Krahling (Kraus) Austin Wade (Fitzgerald) Ryan Goldsmith (Fitzgerald) Abigail Sutherland (Fitzgerald) Antionette Knott (Fitzgerald)

Panthers on the Prowl 2nd Quarter

Library Media News

The library has been a busy place, with students coming on a daily basis for classes and to check out new books. We have received a great selec-tion of new books this year in a wide variety of genres. Our annual Buy One Get One Free Scholastic Book Fair is coming to the library the week of April 24th so put it on your calendars to come see us for some great bar-gains!

Page 10 PAW

Art Department, Yearbook and Art Club Design with their projects. 8th

graders are learning how to cre-

ate Pop Op Sculptures and 2-

point perspective. 7th graders

have been creating self portraits

and working diligently on illumina-

tions. 6th graders just finishing

their tangled projects and are

about to start learning how to

gradate values.

~ CONGRATULATIONS to 6th

grader Kylie Bradshaw, 7th grad-

ers Erin Fawls & Eric Weaver, and

8th grader Camryn Miller as their

artworks were chosen to repre-

sent Piccowaxen Middle School

for the Youth Art Month Judged

Exhibit displayed at the Starkey

CONGRATULATIONS to Pic-

cowaxen's Winter Bookmark

Winners!!! They are:

6th grader Lawrence Butler, 7th

grader Emily Moon, 8th grader

Isabella Main, and Faculty mem-

ber Mrs. Keener. Their book-

marks are in circulation in the

Media Center. Make sure to get

one while they are still available.

The next bookmarks are Spring

themed and are due March 2nd

to Mrs. Smiroldo and Ms. Kraus.

Art Class:

~ All art students are creatively

working on learning their Ele-

ments of Art and Principles of

By: Kristi Nelson

Students are extremely busy at Piccowaxen. Third quarter interims have been distributed,

students have completed their post assessments, and PARCC assessments are right around

the corner. This is a great opportunity for you to sit down with your child to discuss their pro-

gress. This can be a stressful and overwhelming time for them. Help them set personal

goals and talk about time management skills. Continue to check Edline to monitor grades

and for homework assignments.

MATH Department

Building in La Plata. There will

be a reception and award cere-

mony for the exhibitors on

March 9th.

~ S.T.E.A.M. was coming out of

Mr. Colaizzi's and Ms. Kraus's

ears as we co-taught all 6th

grade students about Andy

Goldsworthy and other ephem-

eral earthworks artists. The

project teaches how art and

science work creatively togeth-

er. Projects are due March

17th. Please come to Pic-

cowaxen's Arts Night March

30th to see all final projects as

they will be on display in the

Media Center this spring.

Piccowaxen MathCounts Team By: Jill Matthews and Kristi Nelson

We would like to thank and congratulate both of the MathCounts teams. The 6th grade team,

William Edwards, Travis Jennings, and Brady Keech represented Picco with Pride. We can’t

wait to see what next year has in store for you all. The 8th grade team, William Anderson,

Andrew Mehall, Matthew Romero, and Brennan Simpson placed 6th at the tri-county competi-

tion. They qualified for the state competition which will be held on March 18 at Johns Hop-

kins University. Way to go!!

Page 11 Volume 41, Issue 4

ARTSONIA:

I am excited to be participating with Artsonia

to display your child’s artwork online this year!

Our school is a member of Artsonia.com, an online

student art museum. Artsonia manages school art

galleries in a safe and educational manner, devel-

ops students’ pride and self-esteem and involves

parents and relatives in student arts education.

This is a great opportunity for your child to cre-

ate an online portfolio and is a great opportunity

for an ongoing fundraiser for the Art Department

& Club. A percentage of all purchases will be do-

nated to our school’s art department & art club.

Contact Ms. Kraus if you have any questions or

concerns about Artsonia.

The kids LOVE creating art and uploading to Artsonia! You should check out their online port-folios. If you have not done so already please check your emails and grant permission. There are many special occasions and holidays coming up just around the corner, please take a moment and see what you can purchase with your child's artwork on it. All proceeds will be split between Piccowax-en Middle School's Art Department and Art Club.Thank you for your support!

GREAT NEWS!

Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are approaching so

this is a great time to start planning gift ideas.

There is no greater gift than a personalized one; a

gift made from the heart like an original piece of

artwork made by your child. The process is very

easy; you place the orders directly on the Art-

sonia website and your purchase is shipped direct-

ly to you. Go to Artsonia and check out the Pic-

cowaxen Artist's work.

You can personalize:

greeting cards, coffee mugs, art snap jewelry, t-

shirts, magnets, ornaments, get an art print, get

the art on a canvas, postcards, quilt blocks, mouse

pad, ceramic tile, cutting board, travel mug, key

chain, coaster set, luggage tag, wood wall plaque,

bookmark, apron/smock, tote bag, sketchbook, note-

book, portfolio book, keepsake tin, puzzle, phone

case, and slate desk tile.

Art Club:

I have lots of fun projects and plans for this year.

If you are interested in participating, see Ms. Kraus

or Guidance for a permission slip.

Club Meetings are as follows: (*Note to receive a

membership certificate at the end of the year you

must attend a minimum of 8 meetings).

Tentative Schedule: All meetings (unless noted) are

from 2:15 - 4:00pm in the Art room.

March 3, 17, 24, 31

April 7, 21, 28

May 5, 12, 19, 26

June 2 (last meeting)

Art Club & Stitchery Club:

We are still selling "Piccowaxen Family Cookbooks".

Each book includes 39 very yummy recipes all will

enjoy. They are $10.00 each. If you are interested

in purchasing one please see Ms. Chappelle, Ms.

Hauser, or Ms. Kraus. All proceeds will be divided

between the two clubs for materials for our crea-

tiveness.

Stitchery Club:

We just finished hand sewing adorable heart pillows

and now we are learning how to use sewing machines

by making pillow cases. Future project plans are un-

derway. If you have any interest or already know

how to sew, crochet, knit, etc. see Ms. Kraus (art

teacher), Ms. Hauser (cafe manager), or Ms. Chap-

pelle (school nurse) to join in on the fun! It is never

to late to join us, just make sure you turn in your

permission slip asap.

Club Meetings are as follows but are subject to

change pending projects:

Art Department, Yearbook and Art Club continued

Page 12 PAW

Stitchery Tentative Schedule: All meetings (unless noted) are from 2:15 - 4:00pm in the Art room.

March 1, 8, 15, 22

April 5, 19, 26

May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 (last meeting)

Yearbook:

The yearbook is COMPLETE and off to production! A HUGE THANK YOU to this year's yearbook staff

for all your hard work. I can not wait till June when they come in to see the final product! :-)

Yearbook Sales and Distribution FAQs 2016 - 2017

1. Can I still buy a yearbook?

Yes. Yearbooks will be sold throughout the school year until we run out. We encourage all to preorder

books before February 3, 2017.

2. How much do they cost?

3. How do I go about buying a yearbook?

You can place your order online at www.jostens.com/yearbooks to pay with a credit card. Or you complete

an order form in school and return with cash or check {made out to Piccowaxen Middle School} to Ms.

Kraus or the main office. Order forms are located outside the main office and in the counseling office.

4. Can I still buy a book once they arrive?

Yes, but you are not guaranteed a copy. Students who have not preordered will have to wait and give pay-

ment to Ms. Kraus during lunch times. When we run out, we will not order more.

5. When and where can students pick up their yearbooks?

If a student purchases a yearbook between Aug. 29, 2016 – Feb. 3, 2017 students will be invited to a Yearbook Signing Party during school. Date, Time, Location TBD. All students who purchase a yearbook between Feb. 4, 2017 – April 28, 2017 will receive their year-

books the day after the Yearbook Signing Party during lunch time. Date TBD, Time: lunch, and Location:

student cafeteria.

Final Sale purchases will start, IF any yearbooks remain, the day after all students who preordered a

yearbook receive their yearbook. Date TBD, Time lunch time, and Location: student cafeteria

Students MUST bring their signed Yearbook Signing Agreement to receive their yearbooks.

6. Can a student pick up a yearbook for someone else?

No. Books must be picked up by the student or the student’s parent/guardian.

7. How do I find out if I already paid for a yearbook?

Email Ms. Kraus (gkraus@ccboe.com) your student’s name and grade level.

Sale Type Time Period Sale Price Available for purchase

Regular Sale - 1st

come 1st serve

2/4/17 – 4/28/17 $37.00 + 6% tax = $39.22 Yearbook

Donate a Yearbook

Final Sale

(hand to hand)

June TBD, 2017 $40.00

Yearbook

Art Continued

Important Dates

-H.I.T.S. Fair (History, Industry, Technology, and Science) - March 18, 2017 at St. Charles High School

-8th grade MISA - March 13-17

6th grade students are studying Weather and Climate and will be studying Ecosystems during 4th quarter.

3rd Quarter - Students will be able to:

Collect data to provide evidence for how the motions and complex interactions of air masses results in changes in

weather conditions.

Develop and use a model to describe how unequal heating and rotation of the Earth cause patterns of atmospheric and

oceanic circulation that determine regional climates.

Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures over the past century.

7th grade students are studying Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems. They will be studying

Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems during 4th quarter.

3rd Quarter - Students will be able to:

Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for the role of photosynthesis in the cycling of matter and flow of energy into and out of organisms.

Develop a model to describe how food is rearranged through chemical reactions forming new molecules that support growth and/or release energy as this matter moves through an organism.

Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an ecosystem.

Develop a model to describe the cycling of matter and flow of energy among living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem.

Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosys-tem affect populations.

8th grade students are studying Forces and Interactions and will be studying Waves and Interactions dur-

ing 4th quarter.

3rd Quarter - Students will be able to:

Apply Newton’s Third Law to design a solution to a problem involving the motion of two colliding objects.

Plan an investigation to provide evidence that the change in an object’s motion depends on the sum of the forces on the

object and the mass of the object.

Ask questions about data to determine the factors that affect the strength of electric and magnetic forces.

Construct and present arguments using evidence to support the claim that gravitational interactions are attractive and

depend on the masses of interacting objects.

Conduct an investigation and evaluate the experimental design to provide evidence that fields exist between objects ex-

erting forces on each other even though the objects are not in contact.

As we continue the third quarter and begin the fourth quarter the Science department is very excited to engage eve-

ry student and excite them with new Science material. The Piccowaxen Science Fair was on January 25th, Kevin Spell and

Nathan Todd will head to St. Charles High School on March 18, 2017 to compete in the H.I.T.S. Fair, good luck! If you

have any questions or concerns regarding any of the material please contact the Science classroom teacher.

Page 13 Volume 41, Issue 4

Science Department Important Dates

-H.I.T.S. Fair (History, Industry, Technology, and Science) - March 18, 2017 at St. Charles High School

-8th grade MISA - March 13-17

6th grade students are studying Weather and Climate and will be studying Ecosystems during 4th quarter.

3rd Quarter - Students will be able to:

Collect data to provide evidence for how the motions and complex interactions of air masses results in changes in weath-

er conditions.

Develop and use a model to describe how unequal heating and rotation of the Earth cause patterns of atmospheric and

oceanic circulation that determine regional climates.

Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures over the past century.

7th grade students are studying Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems. They will be studying

Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems during 4th quarter.

3rd Quarter - Students will be able to:

Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for the role of photosynthesis in the cycling of matter and flow of energy into and out of organisms.

Develop a model to describe how food is rearranged through chemical reactions forming new molecules that support growth and/or release energy as this matter moves through an organism.

Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an ecosystem.

Develop a model to describe the cycling of matter and flow of energy among living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem.

Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosys-tem affect populations.

8th grade students are studying Forces and Interactions and will be studying Waves and Interactions during

4th quarter.

3rd Quarter - Students will be able to:

Apply Newton’s Third Law to design a solution to a problem involving the motion of two colliding objects.

Plan an investigation to provide evidence that the change in an object’s motion depends on the sum of the forces on the

object and the mass of the object.

Ask questions about data to determine the factors that affect the strength of electric and magnetic forces.

Construct and present arguments using evidence to support the claim that gravitational interactions are attractive and

depend on the masses of interacting objects.

Conduct an investigation and evaluate the experimental design to provide evidence that fields exist between objects ex-

erting forces on each other even though the objects are not in contact.

As we continue the third quarter and begin the fourth quarter the Science department is very excited to engage eve-

ry student and excite them with new Science material. The Piccowaxen Science Fair was on January 25th, Kevin Spell and

Nathan Todd will head to St. Charles High School on March 18, 2017 to compete in the H.I.T.S. Fair, good luck! If you

have any questions or concerns regarding any of the material, please contact the Science classroom teacher.

Page 14 PAW

2nd Quarter Perfect Attendance

8th GRADE

William Anderson

Zander Barrow

Jamel Brown

Joseph Cottle

Caileb Emery

Tessa Everett

Gavin Ganter

Ryan Goldsmith

Lacie Hardesty

Brianna Harley

Jordan Harris

Blake Higgs

Peyton Krahling

Anthony Lennon

Jeffrey Leonard

Bryce Lightbown

Kailee Marshall

Andrew Mehall

Christian Merchant

Cheyanne Milbrook

Madelyn Nicholl

Virgil Padua

Joseph Plass

Tyler Plourde

Alexander Raymond

Sydney Robertson

Julia Sine

Ross Spangler

Abigail Sutherland

Zen Taylor

Austin Wade

Charles Welch

Isaiah Whetzel

Samantha Yorio

7th GRADE

Michael Anderson

Joseph Arnold

Jonathan Bowling

Connor Brennan

Alexis Cathcart

Samantha Craig

Ryan Davis

Erin Fawls

Steven Garino

Jackson Gaskill

Na'Zyia Hicks

Zachary Kragh

Ethan Kumbar

Vincent Mandley

Austin McAlwee

Madison McClure

Emily Moon

Ashley Morris

Tyler Mudd

Maci Mulloy

Jerkiah Nelson

Jacob Pahel

Jabari Robertson

Emileigh Saunders

Kaidin Uber

Eric Valentine

Evan Williams

Brody Yorio

6th GRADE

Kaylee Altimus

Ryan Arnold

Olivia Baldwin

Sara Barnes

Skylar Belisle

Carl Benjamin

Devon Bragunier

Kate Bright

Jenna Brown

Shyannah Cox

Kanon Dent

Nathan Dieffenderffer

Aaron Eaton

William Edwards

Markus Faasen

Liam Fawls

Briana Fowler

Jarett Getgen

Za'Nyia Hicks

Travis Jennings

Jordan Kassem

Lauren Kassem

Brady Keech

Hannah Kelley

William Kriemelmeyer

Corinne Mahaffey

Steven McPhee

Cayleigh Miskell

Elicia Mobley

Makenna Moreland

Carley Nunnenkamp

Matthew Smallwood

Kevin Spell

Jackson Trice

Faruq Yopp

Lance Yorio

Page 15 Volume 41, Issue 4

Mrs. Keener: Blocks 2 & 4 ~ We are continuing to analyze Red Scarf Girl and the different beliefs that characters have which motivate their choices. Once the unit is complete, the stu-dents will be beginning a unit on Shakespeare. Block 3 ~ The students are con-tinuing to study Nelson Mandela and how his choices as a leader affected others. The students will complete the unit by conducting a research project on two great lead-ers.

Ms. Lilly: This quarter we are study-ing autobiographies, biographies, and memoirs. Our final projects are a compare/contrast paper of two famous individuals and a power point, which students create and share with their classmates. Stu-dents continue to improve their CUPS skills: capitalization, usage, punctuation, and spelling. Also we have started to study types of clauses and how to expand our sentences by using them. On a positive note, in the last 2-3 weeks, I have noticed serious im-provement in attitude, motivation, and performance from many of my

students. I am really proud of them. Please check Edline to see how your child is performing, and contact me with any questions.

Mrs. Buter & Ms. Langston: Mrs. Buter and Ms. Langston are excited about our 8

th grade pending

field trip to the Holocaust Museum. Our hope is that our students are able to make the connection be-tween what was taught in the classroom and what they will get to see when they visit the museum. Our 8

th grade students will contin-

ue to analyze informative and ex-planatory texts using the compare/contrast organizational structure. Students will develop effective ar-guments using logical reasoning, relevant evidence, and persuasive appeals for effect. 8

th grade Gifted students are cur-

rently studying the topics of Geno-

cide and Refugees. Students will

also participate in literary circles.

Students will read and analyze va-

riety of poems. Students will also

write short stories and continue to

write analytical essays.

Mrs. Turner On grade level classes are work-ing to complete Part 2 of their Stu-

Language Arts

dent Service Learning require-ment. All students need a final Argumentative letter and a com-pleted Reflection in order to re-ceive credit for this. The reflection will be completed this week. Final letters were due on 2/13/17. We are now reading expository texts on pets and will be using the information learned to write an expository essay. The students will also begin a novel study this quarter. Reminder: Students have homework Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday and are expected to turn it in on time. They are also responsible for reading and docu-menting 3 on level books per quarter. We welcome Alex Miller to our class! Alex joined us on 2/27/17 and we are happy he's here. Gifted classes are doing their nov-el study on The Giver. Please monitor your child's independent work so that they can meet their due dates. Students will be work-ing on their Student Service Learning requirement later in the quarter. Thank you for your support as always.

COMING SOON!

ARTS NIGHT Join us on Thursday, March 30th for a fun filled evening to enjoy the arts. Come and see the VEX Robotics

teams work their robots, hear the jazz band play a few numbers, browse the beautiful art work, enjoy a snack

or even try your hand at shooting a rocket. There will be lots to see and do! Watch for the flyers coming

home soon.

TALENT SHOW: Talent Show permission slips are due no later than Thursday, March 16th, to either Mrs. Eicholtz or Ms.

Fulkroad. Auditions will be held on Wednesday, March 22nd, from 2:15-4:00pm. If selected to participate in

the Talent Show, students must attend rehearsals on March 28th and April 6th from 2:15-4:00pm. The Tal-

ent Show will take place during school on Friday, April 7th.

Academics Please continue to be vigilant with respect to your child’s academics. At this time, each grade level team has met with students in danger of failing. It is our hope that we have zero students who need to repeat a grade level or be required to take summer school courses; however, summer school information will be shared with parents during 4th quarter if their child is still in danger of failing for the year. Middle school promotion rules are as follows: In order for a sixth, seventh, or eighth graders to be pro-moted, the student must:

1. Pass Language Arts/Reading and

2. Pass Math and

3. Meet one of the following: a. Pass Science and Social Studies and at least one Re-

lated Arts course or

b. Pass Science and at least two Related Arts classes or Pass Social Studies and at least two Related Arts classes. Students who fail a required core subject during the school year may attend summer school to achieve a pass-ing grade. 8th Grade students who fail a high school level course, (Spanish or Algebra 1) are allowed to take the course in summer school. If they do not, they will need to repeat that class in their 9th grade year. Please continue to encourage your students with their academics as the end of the school year is fast approach-ing. The completion of homework continues to be a con-cern. Please check your student’s agenda daily to ensure that your student is completing the assigned homework every night. If there are any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact your student’s teacher or school counselor.

Interims Students were issued their interim for marking period 3 on Monday, February 27th. Please be sure to review it and discuss with your child how he or she is doing in school. The third marking period ends on Monday, March 27th.

Counselor’s Corner

Page 16 PAW

Please feel free to contact the counseling office if you feel a need to schedule a parent/teacher conference with all of your child’s teachers due to poor academic performance. Contact teachers directly regarding as-signments that were not handed in or if you have any concerns with the grades assigned.

Classroom Guidance Lesson The Counseling Department continues to actively work with the health classes at all three grade levels. The sixth, seventh and eighth grade class recently fin-ished a unit on Stress Management (6th grade) and Suicide Prevention (7th & 8th grade). Each grade level was given tips and guidelines on how to deal with each topic that included warning signs, what to do and where to go for help. If you would like more infor-mation on the above topics, please visit out counseling office webpage which can be accessed through Pic-cowaxen’s homepage.

Job Shadow Day As in past years, Piccowaxen is very excited by the par-ticipation of our staff, students, and community as a whole for Job Shadow Day. Job Shadow Day took place on Thursday, February 2nd, with a few through-out the month of February. Piccowaxen had over 150 students participate in Job Shadow Day this year. Our students shadowed professionals in careers such as education, sales, cosmetology, real estate, government and many more. We hope students had a fun and edu-cational experience.

High School Transition The Counseling Department has been preparing our eighth grade class for their transition into high school. Schools zoned for McDonough received their 8th grade presentation from a representative from McDonough on December 15th, 2016. The course selection process began and ended in January for those students. Students zoned for La Plata will take a field trip to the high school on Thursday, March 9th. At that time they will receive a tour and a presentation on the course selection process. Their course selection sheets will be

sent home for review soon after the field trip. Your student’s core subject (Lang Arts/Reading, Math, Science and Soc. Studies) teachers will identify the re-quired course for next year. As parents/guardians, you are to assist your student with what elective to take. Please refer to the High School Program of Studies, SY2017/18 for course descriptions. The program of stud-ies can be found at http://www.ccboe.com/PDF/parentsandcomm/programofstudiesSY17-18Revised.pdf If you have any questions regarding your student’s transi-tion to 9th grade, please contact the counseling office.

North Point Applicants All applicants were interviewed on Wednesday, February 8th. This ends the process and now students must wait to hear if they have been selected to attend. North Point plans to make offers to selected students sometime in April.

Proofs of Domicile As 8th graders are beginning to transition into high school, it

is required for them to submit 2 acceptable proofs of domicile. Students who DO NOT submit 2 proofs of domi-cile WILL NOT be able to participate in the 8th grade Pro-motion Ceremony; however students will be promoted. Students will also NOT be registered for high school for the 2017/18 school year and parents will need to re-register at the zoned high school. The first 8th grade homebase class to submit 2 ACCEPTABLE proofs of domi-cile will be rewarded with a Pizza Party. Please see below: ACCEPTABLE List of Proofs of Domicile: Proofs must be current within 45 days, per message sent from CCPS, dated February 21, 2017.

Deed, mortgage statement/bill or settlement papers (with appropriate signatures)

Current signed verifiable lease or rental agreement (with signatures of both parties)

Current utility bill (complete with name and address)

Verification of Domicile form accompanied by two acceptable proofs of Domicile for the owner/ lessee of the property

Ratified purchase contract and letter with settlement date

Property tax bill for domicile (not assessment)

Most recent property insurance bill

Current pay check with name and address

Property title record

Current court document with name, date, and home address

Current government issued documents that in clude name, date, and home address such as documentation of benefits from Social Securi ty Administration

Written documentation of home visit by a pupil personnel worker

*Note - Any proof of Domicile, bill, or other document must be in its entirety with parent/guardian name and both the residence/service address as well as the mail-ing address, including city, state, and current date.

Make-up Work Students must be absent for three or more days before we will request make-up work from their teachers. When requesting make-up work for your student, please remember that the school policy is to give us at least 24 hours to collect the work. Also, if your student is sick on Monday and you know that he or she will be out for at least three days, you can request the make-up work on that Monday. If you have any questions, please give us a call at 301-934-1977 or by email at vbenton@ccboe.com, eherlinger@ccboe.com or ashaw@ccboe.com.

Thank you from the Counseling Office staff!!

Staff: Counselor – Val Benton (A-K) Counselor – Liz Herlinger (L-Z) Counseling Office Secretary – Amanda Shaw Student Data Technician – Christina Boswell

Counselor’s Corner, continued

Page 17 Volume 41, Issue 4

FOR YOUR INFORMATION NPHS JROTC will hold their annual Summer Leadership School (SLS) from 26-30 June

2017. SLS is an introductory JROTC program designed to give students a sampling of JROTC activities and a jump-start on the school year. The program is open to all in-coming high school students, but is highly recommended for students who are considering taking JROTC in the coming school year. A typical day will include light physical fitness, drill and ceremony, and classroom instruction on topics such as leadership fundamentals, goal setting, time manage-ment, and being a successful student. Field trips are also a big part of the program and will be scheduled throughout the week. The training will start each morning at 7:30 am and end at 4:00 pm. Optional swimming pool time or gym time will be available 4:00 to 6:00 pm. Instructors will be on-site for drop-off as early as 6:00 am each morning. The cost for SLS is $150.00 per cadet. This fee covers lunch and a snack each day, SLS t-shirt and hat, and field trip transportation. Transportation to and from NPHS is the responsibility of the parent/guardian. Space is limited (first-come-first-serve), so get your spot reserved as soon as possi-ble, no later than 26 May. Contact Lt Col Brown, North Point JROTC program, for registration forms and additional details (jdbrown@ccboe.com/301-934-7482).

PAW Page 18

Around Piccowaxen

8TH GRADE STUDENTS WHO PLAN TO

ATTEND LAPLATA HIGH SCHOOL

AND THEIR PARENTS

ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE

PTO Meeting

Devoted to questions about scheduling for the

2017-18 school year

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

La Plata High School

Sponsored by the PTO and the

Counseling Department

6:00 – 6:30 p.m. – Scheduling Overview

The Counseling Department will discuss the scheduling process and answer questions

regarding course selection.

6:30 – 7:00 p.m. – Building Tour

If you have any questions, please call Mrs. Savoy or Ms. Shareef in the Counseling

Office at La Plata High School (301) 934-1100 or (301) 753-1754.