December 2013

Erie Middle School Tiger Community,

Erie Middle School Students and Staff accomplished many great things in November. During our Renaissance Assembly we recognized over 400 of our students as making the Honor Roll (3.0-3.49 GPA) and High Honor Roll (3.5-4.0). This shows the Erie Middle School staff has high expectations and the students are performing at these high levels. Also recognized were our WEB leaders, volleyball players, cross country runners, and our student council members; another great showing here. It demonstrates that our students are involved with extra curricular activities and athletics. Everyone should be proud of the level of participation and pride at Erie Middle School.

The band and choir had fabulous concerts in November. The students performed beautifully. Thanks to Mr. Roseth and Mrs. Martinez and the students for a great night of entertainment. On December 5 th we will have an Orchestra Concert at 7 pm in the Cafetorium and on December 12th our 6th grade Band will have a concert at 6:30 also in the Cafetorium.

Parents please visit our school website. We have links to teacher pages, activities, events, etc. New to our website is a link is a is our Facebook page. We will be sharing daily information about Erie Middle School. If you have not visited this site yet, please do so.

On December 2nd we will have a SAC (School Accountability Committee) meeting at 6 pm in our Library. We are looking for parent representation from 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. We will be discussing Achievement Data, School Goals, and provide a discipline update. If you are interested please plan on attending. Lastly, we have our monthly PTO meeting on December 2nd at 7:00 pm in the Library. We encourage you to show your support for these two worthy organizations.

Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

Todd Bissell EMS Principal

Todd Bissell - Principal Rachel HeideAssistant Principal Pat Atwood - Secretary Kimberly JacobsCounselor Genaro VillarealCounselor Website http://.ems.svvsd.org Email: last name_first name@svvsd.org Office Hours 7:00 - 3:30 pm Attendance Line - 720-652-8289

PTO MEETING Monday, December 2nd 7:00 PM EMS Library

EMS Winter Concerts Come enjoy two nights of music with our Band and Orchestra!

December 5, 2013 EMS Orchestra 7:00 PM Orchestra members be here at 6:30 pm

Student Accountability Committee Monday, December 2nd 7:00 PM EMS Library Everyone is welcome!
December 12, 2013 6th Grade Band 6:30 PM Band members be here at 6:00 pm

CANDY CANE DONATIONS NEEDED THE NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY GROUP WILL BE SELLING CANDY CANES BEFORE WINTER BREAK TO MAKE MONEY TO SUPPORT THE ERIE OPTIMIST CLUBS OPERATION SANTA. NJHS IS ASKING FOR DONATIONS OF CANDY CANES SO THEY CAN DONATE AS MUCH MONEY AS POSSIBLE TO THIS WORTHY CAUSE. IF YOU ARE WILLING AND ABLE TO DONATE CANDY CANES, PLEASE SEND THEM TO THE FRONT OFFICE OR TO MRS. JENSEN BY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13TH. THANKS SO MUCH FOR HELPING US TO MAKE THE HOLIDAYS WONDERFUL FOR ALL THE CHILDREN IN ERIE.

Important Dates:
Dec. 2 Student Accountability Committee 6:00 PM EMS Library Dec. 2-PTO Meeting 7:00 PM EMS Library Dec. 3 -Academic Assistance 3:00-4:00 PM Dec. 3 -Student Council 3:00-3:45 PM Dec. 3 - Girls Basketball Practice 3:15-4:30 PM Dec. 4 - Late Start Day 10:30 Buses will run 2 1/2 hours later Dec. 4 -Soul Sisters 3:15-4:15 PM Dec. 4 -Good Movie, Better Book Club 3:15-3:45 PM Dec. 4 - Girls Basketball Practice 3:15-4:30 PM Dec. 5 -Academic Assistance 3:00-4:00 PM Dec. 5 -NJHS Meeting 8th Grade only 3:10-4:00 PM Dec. 5 -Tiger Lily Choir 3:15-4:00 PM Dec. 5 -EMS Orchestra Concert 7:00 PM Cafetorium Dec.5 - Girls Basketball Practice 3:15-4:30 PM Dec. 6- Art Club 3:15-4:00 PM Dec. 6 -Girls Basketball Practice 3:15-4:30 PM Dec. 10-18 - Candy Cane Gram Sales $.50 for 1 or 5 for $2.00 Dec. 10 - Academic Assistance 3:00-4:00 PM Dec. 10 - Student Council 3:00-3:45 PM Dec. 10 - Girls Basketball Practice 3:15-4:30 Dec. 11 - Soul Sisters 3:15-4:15 PM Dec. 11 - Girls Basketball Practice3:15-4:30 PM Dec. 12 - Yearbook Staff meeting 7:00-7:50 AM Dec. 12 - Academic Assistance 3:00-4:00 PM Dec. 12 - Tiger Lily Choir 3:15-4:00 PM Dec. 12 - EMS Band Concert 6:30 PM Dec. 12 - Girls Basketball Practice 3:15-4:30 PM Dec. 13 - Art Club 3:15-4:00 PM Dec. 13 - Girls Basketball Practice 3:15-4:30 PM Dec. 17 - Academic Assistance 3:00-4:00 PM Dec. 17 - Student Council 3:15-4:00 PM Dec. 18 - NJHS Meeting - All Members 3:15-4:00 PM Dec. 18 - Soul Sisters 3:15-4:15 PM Dec. 18 - Good Movie, Better Book 3:15-4:15 PM Dec. 18 - Girls Basketball Game @ Altona MS 3:30 PM Dec. 19 - Girls Basketball Practice 3:15-4:30 PM Dec. 20 - Girls Basketball Practice 3:15-4:30 PM Dec. 20 - January 3, 2013 Winter Break

Wednesday, October 2 Wednesday, November 6 Wednesday, December 4

LATE START DAYS: Wednesday, February 5 Wednesday, March 5 Wednesday, April 9 Wednesday, May 7

Buses will run 2 1/2 hour later. First bell at 10:20 AM. Last bell at 10:30 AM.

Sixth Grade Xander Griego is our 6th grade student of the month. Xander is quiet leader who is an incredibly brilliant student. Xander not only does everything he is asked to do, but goes above and beyond. He not only excels in academics, he is wonderful person as well. Keep up the good work Xander!

Cassie Mahakian has made a huge impression on her teachers by consistently participating to the fullest degree in class. Cassie is the first to volunteer for special projects that will help other students or her teachers. Mr. Townsend commented that Cassie was the best thing since sliced bread, and Ms. Blanchard replied, "Cassie invented sliced bread!" Congratulations to an extraordinary human being!

Seventh Grade Ethan Elzinga is a great student who not only works hard at academics but can be found with a smile on his face most of the time. He is also a great dancer! Ethan really ROARS outside of the classroom because he is kind and considerate to friends and strangers alike. Keep being awesome Ethan!

Katy Sutherland is a creative and dedicated student. She is a fantastic writer whose creativity cannot be matched. She is always working hard to get better and be better. As long as she keeps pushing herself and giving her best there is nothing she cannot accomplish

Each of these students have been honored with a free pizza for lunch on the last Friday of the month. Please congratulate these students if you see them!

Eighth Grade Natalie Valdez is a conscientious, organized, and thoughtful student at Erie Middle. She pays attention to details, gets her work done in a timely manner, even when missing school, and always does her best. Natalie is friendly, thoughtful, easy to talk to and always willing to lend a hand. Way to ROAR Natalie! Keep up the great work; we are proud of you!

Sam Beaudry is a student who knows the true meaning of ROAR. His hard work and dedication to excellence is something to be admired and emulated by all at Erie Middle School. He is very respectful, focused, and a high achiever. Sam pushes himself in all classes and his quality of work far exceeds expectations. Sam not only demonstrates a strong work ethic, but his effort and participation pushes those around him. Keep up the great work Sam. We are proud of you!

Each of these students have been honored with a free pizza for lunch on the last Friday of the month. Please congratulate these students if you see them!

Counseling Corner
The holidays can be fun, but they can also be a time of high stress. Stress is the bodys natural response to a demand. Everyone experiences stress because there are big and small demands made on us at all times. Stress affects the way people think, feel, and behave. An individual under stress can become angry, sad, fearful, or behave in a way inappropriate to the situation. Stress can become a problem when it gets in the way of success in school or work and makes it harder to enjoy relationships and free time. Stress that causes strong feelings or anger, anxiety, depression, or lack of control may be serious stress. Signs of Distress: Worries a lot or is worried about a large number of things Is depressed or sad Enjoys very few activities Sheds tears inappropriately or over many things Is irritable and grumpy Complains of aches and pains Is quiet and withdrawn from others Is forgetful about important things Strategies for Talking to Your Child About Stress: Be a good listener Accept your childs feelings Dont dismiss or minimize your childs experiences Dont be judgmental Teach your child various ways of coping with stress Reassure your child about their ability to cope with stress If you are concerned that your child is distressed, talk directly with their school counselor, family doctor, or mental health professional. Kimberly Jacobs Jacobs_kimberly@stvrain.k12.co.us Genaro Villareal Villareal_genaro@stvrain.k12.co.us

Health clerk notes

Dear Parents,

Though we discourage the administration of medication at school, we understand that sometimes it is necessary. Below is a reminder of the districts medication policy. If you need a Permission for Medicate form, you can email me at meadows_nicole @svvsd.org or call the school at 303-828-3391. Nicole Meadows Health Clerk

MEDICATION POLICY ST VRAIN VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Any medication, prescription or over-the-counter medication, to be administered to a student by delegated staff during the school day or during school related activities, must include a doctors order (MD, DO,DDS, NP, or PA) and parents permission on the Permission to Medicate form. Only a delegated staff member, or the District RN, may administer the above medications. Exceptions to the policy are: SUNSCREEN MOSQUITO REPELLENT LOTION LIP BALM CONTACT WETTING SOLUTION SALINE SOLUTION The items must be provided per parent or guardian and may be administered with parent/guardian permission.

CANDY CANE GRAMS

National Junior Honor Society will be selling Candy Cane Grams on Tuesday, December 10th thru Wednesday the 18th during lunch as a fundraiser. The Candy Canes are $0.50 a piece, or 5 for $2.00 and will be delivered on Thursday, December 19th. All of the profits go toward helping the Erie Optimist Club and Operation Santa. If you would like to purchase a candy cane to be delivered to your student, just send a note with To and From listed and money in an envelope to school labeled NJHS to the front office. Thanks in advance for supporting this worthy NJHS project.

Lunch is $2.75

Individual Milk is .$50

You can make lunch pre-payments at svvsd/nutritionservices.org