FEBRUARY 2008
BUILDING ON OUR SUCCESS - VOTE TUESDAY, MARCH 4TH
The Miamisburg Board of Education has placed a 4.97 mill Bond Issue on the ballot this coming March 4, 2008 election day. This Bond Issue will address our growing student population needs grades PK -12. Passage of Issue 33 will eliminate our twenty-four temporary (modular) classrooms, provide a new elementary school, renovate Kinder, and provide a new middle school and an extensive renovation of the high school to accommodate 2,000 students. In addition, all schools will be renovated to provide a safer environment for all students. This Bond Issue will address our facility and growing academic needs in a comprehensive manner. If you are not registered to vote, please contact our local board of elections as soon as possible.
Ohio Achievement Testing
All Wantz Middle School students will be taking the OAT (Ohio Achievement Tests) the week of April 28th through May 1st. The results of these tests become part of their permanent record and provide data that is used for intervention as well as placement in math for the 2008 – 2009 school year. It is important that students get plenty of rest and eat a good breakfast so they can perform their best on test days. Try not to schedule appointments that keep your children from their regular testing session. Students normally perform better on tests when they take them on the scheduled test day. Make-up testing requires students to miss their regular classes. The Ohio Achievement Tests are based on the Ohio Academic Content Standards.
Test Schedule
7th Grade Tuesday, April 29 – Reading
Wednesday, April 30 - Math
Thursday, May 1 – Writing
8th Grade Monday, April 28 – Reading
Tuesday, April 29 - Math
Wednesday, April 30 – Science
Thursday, May 1 – Social Studies
To learn more about the Achievement Tests visit the Ohio Department of Education Website www.success.ode.state.oh.us
This Website will allow you to understand what is expected of students, allow you to access practice tests and provide you with information to interpret your child’s scores. We will receive the results during the summer and mail your child’s OAT results to your home.
SCHEDULING FOR MHS CLASSES
Eighth grade students will be meeting with representatives from Miamisburg High School on Friday, February 22nd during the school day. During that meeting they will receive scheduling materials. Please review this information with your student and plan to attend the evening parent meeting for incoming Freshmen on Wednesday, February 27th in the Miamisburg High School Commons. If your child’s last name begins with A through K your meeting will be from 6:00 to 6:45 that evening. If your child’s last name begins with L through Z, your meeting time is from 7:00 to 7:45 p.m. Please bring scheduling materials with you to this important meeting. The High School counselors and administrators are looking forward to meeting you and sharing classes that are available to freshmen.
BRAVO DAY
Our 7th grade students will be able to learn a little bit more about the importance of the Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets on February 27th by participating in our second annual BRAVO Day. BRAVO stands for Building Relationships that Actively Value Others. Students will begin their day by listening to the motivational father/son speaker team of Marlon Shackelford Sr. and Marlon Shackelford Jr. as they inspire students to “love themselves for the individuals they are” and show love to others by being respectful and kind. Students will then work in small groups to discuss the Assets Checklist and create a pictorial description of a particular asset that their group has been assigned. After lunch, the entire 7th grade student body will come back together for a time of sharing their group’s artwork and creatively engage in activities that will help promote a better understanding of the importance of the 40 Developmental Assets. The day will culminate with a magical motivational assembly with the “Magic of Stephen Knight”. Stephen will use his talents to incorporate illusions, fun, comedy, and audience participation to grab the students attention and deliver important life lessons including “showing kindness to others”. More information on the 40 Developmental Assets can be found at
www.search-institute.org/assets.
WINTER CONFERENCES
Check the conference schedule link on the Wantz Home Page. Please make sure to schedule a conference time. Your continued involvement in your child’s education remains important during the Middle School years.
TECHNOLOGY TRAPS
What they are - Personal information that is listed online in the form of screen names, profiles, web blogs, etc. Predators use this information to target children. Some students are creating and/or visiting web sites with inappropriate content. They are also using instant messaging to bully each other with inappropriate language and content often through a My Space or Xanga web-site.
What to look for: Many computers have an Internet history feature. Internet Explorer also has a history feature as well as a content blocking feature. The best defenses for inappropriate Internet usage are having the computer in a central location, monitoring usage, buddy lists, profiles, passwords and installing software that blocks sites & monitors Internet activity.
DRESS FOR SUCCESS
As the warmer weather approaches, we will be reminding students to dress appropriately for school. When students dress in comfortable clothes and shoes that are appropriate for movement from building to building in our school, they are “dressing for success” at Wantz Middle School. Clothing that is suggestive, uncomfortable, distracting/offensive to others will be considered a violation of our Student Code of Conduct. If you see your child dressed in a manner that might be considered inappropriate, review the Student Handbook before he/she leaves for school. Information pertaining to our dress code is located on page 3 of the student daily planner that also serves as a Student Handbook.
8TH GRADE - PSEO
Our 8th grade students will be meeting with personnel from Miamisburg High School to begin the scheduling process for the 2008 – 2009 school year. During that meeting on February 22nd they will receive an important packet of information. Included in the packet they receive will be a PSEO information folder.
Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) is a program for qualified high school students interested in taking college courses while still in high school. Students interested in this program must pick up an “intent to participate” form from the Wantz guidance office. This form must be signed by the parent and returned to the high school by March 24, 2008.. Both the student and parent/guardian must attend an informational meeting on Tuesday, April 8 at 7:00 in the morning. at the high school. Refer to the information your child received in February to view the program requirements. If you have any questions, call the freshman high school guidance counselor, Mrs. Susan Stromp at 866-0771.
DAILY ANNOUNCEMENTS
We would like to remind parents that each day Mrs. Brittain, our guidance secretary, emails our staff with the morning announcements for those teachers and students who are not housed in the main building. If you would like to receive the Wantz Middle School daily announcements via an automatic email each day, simply send an EMAIL to the following address:
mcs-wantz-list-subscribe@googlegroups.com .
We will also use this communication tool to inform parents of after school cancellations. Again, by sending an email to the address listed above, you will automatically be enrolled.
If you would like to stop receiving the announcements, use the same address and change the word “subscribe” to “unsubscribe”.
To view our weekly bulletin that includes club activities, sports and weekly events, visit the school web-site at www.miamisburgcityschools.org and click on schools under the header, then click on Wantz in the left margin, and finally click on the header titled, Wantz Weekly Bulletin.
Important Dates
March 4 Muse Machine – 1:00 p.m.
March 5 FCA – 7:00 a.m. – Memorial Gym
March 7 Fire Drill (Weather Permitting)
March 13 Spring Sports Pictures
March 14 AE Activity Period
March 17 Tornado Drill
March 19 FCA – 7:00 a.m. – Memorial Gym
March 20 Board of Education Meeting
March 21 Teacher In-service – NO SCHOOL
March 26 PTO Meeting - 7:00 p.m. – Main Office
March 28 End 3rd Quarter Grading Period
March 31 – April 4 Spring Break
April 7 Begin 4th Grading Period
April 9 7th Grade Perfect Attendance Sundae Party
April 10 8th Grade Perfect Attendance Sundae Party
April 11 Grade Cards Distributed to Students
Renaissance Reward Day
Fire Drill – Weather Permitting
April 16 FCA – 7:00 a.m. – Memorial Gym
April 17 Board of Education Meeting – 7:00 p.m.
April 23 7th Grade Honors Breakfast - 7:00 a.m.
PTO Meeting – 7:00 p.m. – Main Office
April 24 8th Grade Honors Breakfast – 7:00 a.m.
Dance – 7 to 9 p.m. - Memorial Gym
April 28 – May 2 Ohio Achievement Testing
May 3 8th Band & Choir to Kings Island Competition
May 7 FCA – 7:00 a.m. – Memorial Gym
May 9 Midterms & Newsletter Mailed to Parents
May 13 Early Release Day – Dismissal @ 12:40
May 15 8th Grade Career Day
Board of Education Meeting – 7:00 p.m.
BUILDING ON OUR SUCCESS - VOTE TUESDAY, MARCH 4TH
The Miamisburg Board of Education has placed a 4.97 mill Bond Issue on the ballot this coming March 4, 2008 election day. This Bond Issue will address our growing student population needs grades PK -12. Passage of Issue 33 will eliminate our twenty-four temporary (modular) classrooms, provide a new elementary school, renovate Kinder, and provide a new middle school and an extensive renovation of the high school to accommodate 2,000 students. In addition, all schools will be renovated to provide a safer environment for all students. This Bond Issue will address our facility and growing academic needs in a comprehensive manner. If you are not registered to vote, please contact our local board of elections as soon as possible.
Ohio Achievement Testing
All Wantz Middle School students will be taking the OAT (Ohio Achievement Tests) the week of April 28th through May 1st. The results of these tests become part of their permanent record and provide data that is used for intervention as well as placement in math for the 2008 – 2009 school year. It is important that students get plenty of rest and eat a good breakfast so they can perform their best on test days. Try not to schedule appointments that keep your children from their regular testing session. Students normally perform better on tests when they take them on the scheduled test day. Make-up testing requires students to miss their regular classes. The Ohio Achievement Tests are based on the Ohio Academic Content Standards.
Test Schedule
7th Grade Tuesday, April 29 – Reading
Wednesday, April 30 - Math
Thursday, May 1 – Writing
8th Grade Monday, April 28 – Reading
Tuesday, April 29 - Math
Wednesday, April 30 – Science
Thursday, May 1 – Social Studies
To learn more about the Achievement Tests visit the Ohio Department of Education Website www.success.ode.state.oh.us
This Website will allow you to understand what is expected of students, allow you to access practice tests and provide you with information to interpret your child’s scores. We will receive the results during the summer and mail your child’s OAT results to your home.
SCHEDULING FOR MHS CLASSES
Eighth grade students will be meeting with representatives from Miamisburg High School on Friday, February 22nd during the school day. During that meeting they will receive scheduling materials. Please review this information with your student and plan to attend the evening parent meeting for incoming Freshmen on Wednesday, February 27th in the Miamisburg High School Commons. If your child’s last name begins with A through K your meeting will be from 6:00 to 6:45 that evening. If your child’s last name begins with L through Z, your meeting time is from 7:00 to 7:45 p.m. Please bring scheduling materials with you to this important meeting. The High School counselors and administrators are looking forward to meeting you and sharing classes that are available to freshmen.
BRAVO DAY
Our 7th grade students will be able to learn a little bit more about the importance of the Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets on February 27th by participating in our second annual BRAVO Day. BRAVO stands for Building Relationships that Actively Value Others. Students will begin their day by listening to the motivational father/son speaker team of Marlon Shackelford Sr. and Marlon Shackelford Jr. as they inspire students to “love themselves for the individuals they are” and show love to others by being respectful and kind. Students will then work in small groups to discuss the Assets Checklist and create a pictorial description of a particular asset that their group has been assigned. After lunch, the entire 7th grade student body will come back together for a time of sharing their group’s artwork and creatively engage in activities that will help promote a better understanding of the importance of the 40 Developmental Assets. The day will culminate with a magical motivational assembly with the “Magic of Stephen Knight”. Stephen will use his talents to incorporate illusions, fun, comedy, and audience participation to grab the students attention and deliver important life lessons including “showing kindness to others”. More information on the 40 Developmental Assets can be found at
www.search-institute.org/assets.
WINTER CONFERENCES
Check the conference schedule link on the Wantz Home Page. Please make sure to schedule a conference time. Your continued involvement in your child’s education remains important during the Middle School years.
TECHNOLOGY TRAPS
What they are - Personal information that is listed online in the form of screen names, profiles, web blogs, etc. Predators use this information to target children. Some students are creating and/or visiting web sites with inappropriate content. They are also using instant messaging to bully each other with inappropriate language and content often through a My Space or Xanga web-site.
What to look for: Many computers have an Internet history feature. Internet Explorer also has a history feature as well as a content blocking feature. The best defenses for inappropriate Internet usage are having the computer in a central location, monitoring usage, buddy lists, profiles, passwords and installing software that blocks sites & monitors Internet activity.
DRESS FOR SUCCESS
As the warmer weather approaches, we will be reminding students to dress appropriately for school. When students dress in comfortable clothes and shoes that are appropriate for movement from building to building in our school, they are “dressing for success” at Wantz Middle School. Clothing that is suggestive, uncomfortable, distracting/offensive to others will be considered a violation of our Student Code of Conduct. If you see your child dressed in a manner that might be considered inappropriate, review the Student Handbook before he/she leaves for school. Information pertaining to our dress code is located on page 3 of the student daily planner that also serves as a Student Handbook.
8TH GRADE - PSEO
Our 8th grade students will be meeting with personnel from Miamisburg High School to begin the scheduling process for the 2008 – 2009 school year. During that meeting on February 22nd they will receive an important packet of information. Included in the packet they receive will be a PSEO information folder.
Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) is a program for qualified high school students interested in taking college courses while still in high school. Students interested in this program must pick up an “intent to participate” form from the Wantz guidance office. This form must be signed by the parent and returned to the high school by March 24, 2008.. Both the student and parent/guardian must attend an informational meeting on Tuesday, April 8 at 7:00 in the morning. at the high school. Refer to the information your child received in February to view the program requirements. If you have any questions, call the freshman high school guidance counselor, Mrs. Susan Stromp at 866-0771.
DAILY ANNOUNCEMENTS
We would like to remind parents that each day Mrs. Brittain, our guidance secretary, emails our staff with the morning announcements for those teachers and students who are not housed in the main building. If you would like to receive the Wantz Middle School daily announcements via an automatic email each day, simply send an EMAIL to the following address:
mcs-wantz-list-subscribe@googlegroups.com .
We will also use this communication tool to inform parents of after school cancellations. Again, by sending an email to the address listed above, you will automatically be enrolled.
If you would like to stop receiving the announcements, use the same address and change the word “subscribe” to “unsubscribe”.
To view our weekly bulletin that includes club activities, sports and weekly events, visit the school web-site at www.miamisburgcityschools.org and click on schools under the header, then click on Wantz in the left margin, and finally click on the header titled, Wantz Weekly Bulletin.
Important Dates
March 4 Muse Machine – 1:00 p.m.
March 5 FCA – 7:00 a.m. – Memorial Gym
March 7 Fire Drill (Weather Permitting)
March 13 Spring Sports Pictures
March 14 AE Activity Period
March 17 Tornado Drill
March 19 FCA – 7:00 a.m. – Memorial Gym
March 20 Board of Education Meeting
March 21 Teacher In-service – NO SCHOOL
March 26 PTO Meeting - 7:00 p.m. – Main Office
March 28 End 3rd Quarter Grading Period
March 31 – April 4 Spring Break
April 7 Begin 4th Grading Period
April 9 7th Grade Perfect Attendance Sundae Party
April 10 8th Grade Perfect Attendance Sundae Party
April 11 Grade Cards Distributed to Students
Renaissance Reward Day
Fire Drill – Weather Permitting
April 16 FCA – 7:00 a.m. – Memorial Gym
April 17 Board of Education Meeting – 7:00 p.m.
April 23 7th Grade Honors Breakfast - 7:00 a.m.
PTO Meeting – 7:00 p.m. – Main Office
April 24 8th Grade Honors Breakfast – 7:00 a.m.
Dance – 7 to 9 p.m. - Memorial Gym
April 28 – May 2 Ohio Achievement Testing
May 3 8th Band & Choir to Kings Island Competition
May 7 FCA – 7:00 a.m. – Memorial Gym
May 9 Midterms & Newsletter Mailed to Parents
May 13 Early Release Day – Dismissal @ 12:40
May 15 8th Grade Career Day
Board of Education Meeting – 7:00 p.m.