RAMS/WILDCATS SKI CLUB



PTA

Please join us on Monday, October 13th in the CDMS library for the PTA meeting at 7PM

Box Tops for Education:

Thank you to all that have participated thus far in the Box Tops for Education Program.  All are encouraged to get involved as it provides funds for wonderful programs for our students at Central Dauphin Middle School.  Ways in which you can assist CD Middle earn money with Box Tops are clip the Box Top from participating products and submit them to the school office, shop online (marketplace) which there is no additional cost to you, and sign up to support CD Middle online at where you can.  This year will be a great success for this program with your assistance! Pamela Azzato

Hospitality Committee:

The hospitality committee will be setting up a table of goodies for the teachers next Tuesday, October 14th in the teacher’s lounge.  If you would like to make a donation, please get in touch with Tammy Bien.

Membership:

Please join the CDMS PTA! You are needed to facilitate the Race for Education, Socials, Service Projects, and other fun activities. Without your support and volunteerism these activities are not possible. The PTA meets every second Monday of the month in the Library at 7:00pm. If you join and cannot make the meeting, the minutes are posted on the PTA website.

Thank you to those who have already joined the CDMS PTA! Our raffle winners have been chosen: Congratulations to the Teacher Raffle Starbucks gift card winner - Jackie H.  and   Congratulations to the Parent Raffle Meadows gift card winner - Laura F.

Reflections:

The Reflections Program is a Wonderful Experience for our CDMS Scholars to pursue and learn through the various Art Forms.  Let us encourage them to think about Bettering the World, (surely a lot to ponder).  Then allow them to create an Original piece of artwork in one of the six categories:  Dance, Choreography, Literature, Photography, Visual Arts, Film/Video Production, and Musical Composition. This Program not only permits students to express their thoughts and creativity, but it is also a way to receive Positive Recognition and Awards for their Artistic Efforts at the Local, Regional, State, and National Levels.  In the Tradition of CDMS Excellence, we have had winners at the Regional and State Levels in the past. Entries need to be submitted by Friday, October 17, 2014, in the main office.  If you have any questions, please send them to Bill Maguffee at wmaguffee@.

Social Committee:

SAVE the DATE! The PTA sponsored Winter Social will be held on Friday JANUARY 30.  This is a FUN event for the students with a DJ, karaoke, photo booth, games/prizes, basketball, refreshments, etc.!! If you would like to assist with planning and/or help on January 30 with set-up or activities, please contact committee chair/PTA VP Anne Fitzpatrick (afitz5000@).  • • AND FYI, if you are planning ahead, the SPRING Social will be held Friday April 24.

From the President:

The current CDMS executive board is looking for 6th grade parents who may be interested in serving on the CDMS executive board for the 2015-2017 term.  The current board members would love to have interested parents inquire, ask questions and “shadow” this academic year, so that the new exec will be trained and prepared once their term begins. Monday, October 20 is Pennsylvania PTA Advocacy Day.  The day’s events will begin at 8am at the Community Center at Giant, 2300 Linglestown Road   Harrisburg with workshops and a light lunch, and will then move to the state Capitol building for a tour and panel discussion.  There is no cost to attend this event.  Email info@ to register. Pennsylvania PTA Nominating Committee is searching for candidates for the 2015-2017 PA PTA Board of Managers.  If you are interested in learning more about the duties and responsibilities of these positions, or are interested in being considered to fill a vacant position, please contact the state office at 717-564-8985.  Forms can be found online at in the Members’ Only section under “Nomination to State Board of Managers”. One can purchase PTA branded merchandise online by going to the website and clicking on the “PTA STORE” button on the top right of the homepage. Feeling imaginative?  The National PTA is seeking a theme for the 2016-2017 Reflections program year.  The student who submits the winning entry will receive $100, and his or her name will be presented at the Annual National PTA Convention and Exhibition in Charlotte, NC in June 2015.  For more information, please email info@ and in the subject line, please write “Reflections Theme Search Contest.” If you have questions, please reach out to me Gayle Evans at gaylemevans@.

NURSE’S CORNER

A reminder to parents, please turn in any outstanding physical (6th grade) or dental (7th grade) paperwork. If these are not turned in, your child will be scheduled to see the school doctor and/or dentist in the spring.

Please do not send your child to school if they are ill. Children with vomiting and/or temperatures greater than 100.0 should be kept home for 24 hours before returning to school.

Keeping hands clean is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of infection and illness. What is the right way to wash your hands?

Wet your hands with clean running water (warm or cold) and apply soap.

Rub your hands together to make a lather and scrub them well; be sure to scrub the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.

Continue rubbing your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the "Happy Birthday" song from beginning to end twice.

Rinse your hands well under running water.

Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry.

Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to reduce the number of germs on them. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in some situations, but sanitizers do not eliminate all types of germs. Hand sanitizers are not effective when hands are visibly dirty.

STUDENT COUNCIL

The student council is hard at work organizing our Halloween Social and Costume Contest. It will be held at CDMS Saturday November 1st from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm. The social will be held in the court yard weather permitting. Planned activities include DJ, Photo Booth, Costume Contest, Open Gym, and Concessions. Students are free if they are wearing a costume, $2 without a costume. We look forward to seeing all of our CDMS students dressed up and ready for a good time!

RED RIBBON WEEK

What is Red Ribbon Week: Tens of thousands of schools and organizations across the United States focus on educating young people about the dangers of drugs. Red Ribbon Week promotes positive choices, good character and healthy lifestyles for students of every age.  Red Ribbon Week helps students become aware that their future is brighter if they stay drug-free.

Who is participating:  Students, staff, and faculty will work together to support Red Ribbon Week.

Activities:  Each day will have a theme that encourages CDMS to support Red Ribbon Week.  The following themes have been set for each day. 

Monday, October 27 – “Drugs Stink, Wear Pink” – Wear pink clothing to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month and kick off Red Ribbon Week.

Tuesday, October 28 – “Buddy-up Against Drugs” – Find a friend and dress like twins.

Wednesday, October 29 – “Be ‘Red-dy’ to Say No to Drugs” – Wear red clothing to show your support for a drug free Central Dauphin Middle School.  

Thursday, October 30 – “Sock It To Drugs" - Wear crazy, bright or mismatched socks.

Friday, October 31 –  “Team-up Against Drugs” – Wear your favorite team jersey, shirt or sweatshirt.

Each day homeroom teachers give out a pledge card to those who participate in the daily theme.  Students fill in a pledge card and enter into daily drawings for additional prizes.  At the end of the week we do grade level drawings for grand prize winners of gift cards to RED themed businesses (Red Lobster, Target, Red Robin, and Red Box).          

CDMS SCHOOL STORE

CDMS school store is open every morning before school. The school store has a large selection of school supplies along with t-shirts, sweatshirts and sweatpants. For more information, check out our school store web-page.

CDMS SPELLING BEE

It's not too early to start preparing for this year's CDMS Spelling Bee. In early November, students will be taking a written qualifying test for the Bee. The top scorers on the test will compete in the Bee in December. First, second, and third place spellers will qualify for the WITF Central PA Spelling Bee beginning in January. To help your children get ready, click on the "Spelling Bee" link on the CDMS webpage.

CDMS/LMS MUSICAL INFORMATION

Do you like to sing, dance, act, move scenery, work lights and sound, or help make costumes?  If so then you should audition for this year’s school musical,’ Bye, Bye Birdie’ which will be presented in March of 2015.    An informational meeting will be held for ALL interested students and their parents/guardians October 14th, 7 p.m. at C.D. Middle Auditorium. Students should listen to the morning announcements and check the musical website for further information.   Hope to see you there!

YEARBOOK UPDATE

ATTENTION ALL 8 GRADERS!! ARTISTS WANTED!! We need a design for the yearbook cover!  The design must be hand drawn and not computer generated.  Designs should be on standard 8 ½ by 11 format.  It also includes the theme:   “It’s written in the Stars”. To learn more, go to the school website and check out the link on the Yearbook Club page. All entries must be turned into Mr. Hilbish by November 6th.

WILDCAT/RAM SKI CLUB

While it is only October, winter will be here before you know it.  Do you love to ski or snowboard or would you love to learn? If your answer to any of these questions is yes, then the WILDCAT/RAM SKI CLUB is for you! This is the only Elementary and Middle School Ski Club in the district and it is open to anyone: teachers, parents, students, friends and relatives.  The club was organized to facilitate discounted group rates to anyone regardless of age or experience.  Anyone who is age 4 or older is eligible to purchase a NIGHT CLUB CARD (NCC) for Roundtop, Liberty, and Whitetail Resorts.  This card is a picture ID that entitles the cardholder to ski or snowboard every night beginning January 2, 2015, through the end of the season for one low rate with packages starting at $179.  Anyone younger than 4 receives a free ticket with a paying adult or NCC holder.  This year the Ski Club is able to offer Season Passes, Night Season Passes, and Online purchasing if you choose.  If you are interested in more information on the cost of the different packages, please check out our link on e-Communications.  All applications and payments need to be in by November 3, 2014.  While there is no cost to join the WILDCAT SKI CLUB, the NCC’s are only sold through ski clubs and schools.

CLUB PERIOD

This year we have introduced a Club Period for all students at CDMS. The Club Period takes place twice a month for 30 minutes and gives the students and staff a change to showcase their hidden talents. The next Club Period is scheduled for Friday October 17th.

OCTOBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS

03 DCTS Presentation for 8th Grade

08 Teacher In-Serivce (2-Hour Delay for Students)

09 Gold Stars Field Trip

13 PTA Meeting @ 7:00 PM (CDMS Library)

14 Musical Information Meeting @ 7:00 PM (CDMS Auditorium)

15 Red Raptors Field Trip

17 Fall Picture Re-Takes

21-23 Musical Auditions

24 DCTS Tour for 8th Graders interested

24 Race for Education “Race”

27 Musical Call Backs

TEAM HIGHLIGHTS

Gray Wolves – In Language Arts, we reviewed important reading strategies to use throughout the school year.  Currently, students have been learning major concepts in reading such as: summarizing, main idea, plot and characterization through a variety of texts.  In English, students reviewed parts of speech, and we are now digging into different types of sentences. In Social studies, we are towards the end of our introduction chapter.  We have learned different types of maps, map parts, latitude and longitude, and the five strands of Social Studies.  Students will soon be completing a project based on these five stands: Geography, History, Government, Culture and Economics. In Science, we are finishing up our unit on black boxes and the scientific method.  The students are busy creating science fair projects which are due October 17th. In Math, we are working on multiplying fractions.  Our test will be October 14th on chapter four.  We are working on important vocabulary words such as commutative property, unit ratio, dimensional analysis, and reciprocals.  Please remember that math help is available every day during fourth period enrichment. 

Red Phoenix – Congratulations to our Students of the Month- Ishana B. (Rm. 106) and David U. (Rm. 205) for Red Phoenix. These two students are great examples of the people we have on the Red Phoenix.

Language Arts: Theme 1: Courage Reading: Our first theme is about Courage. Some students will be reading the novel Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, which is about a boy who must survive alone in the Canadian woods following a plane crash. Other students will be reading the novel The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, which is about a class conflict between the greasers, a group of low-class youths, and the Socs (short for Socials), a group of privileged rich kids who live on the wealthy West Side of town. As the students read the novel they will focus on being active readers, i.e., using reading strategies (noting details, predicting, inferring, monitoring, etc.) Writing: Narrative The students will learn what goes into a great narrative story and then they will create their own. The narrative story is something that all teams in sixth grade are completing this fall. Although writing is something the students will do every day. That might be a journal, a quick summary, etc. Grammar: Kinds of Sentences The students will be focusing on incorporating the parts of speech effectively in their writing, with an emphasis on kinds of sentences. Social Studies: Our social studies class is finishing up the introduction unit. The unit focused on map skills, the five themes of geography, and the five strands of social studies. The students just completed their Five Strands of Social Studies Poster Project, showcasing what they learned about the five strands of social studies thus far. We will begin moving on to Chapter one which discusses landforms, bodies of water, climate/vegetation, and natural resources. The class will learn about how these things affect people’s everyday lives. Math: Currently, we are working on multiplying fractions. Our test will be October 16-17 on chapter four. We are working on important vocabulary words such as commutative property, unit ratio, dimensional analysis, and reciprocals. Please remember that math help is available every day during fourth period enrichment. Science: Our science classes are near the end of our lessons focusing on the scientific method. The six steps of the scientific method should stick with students as they continue to become engaged in science this school year. Students are currently working on individual science fair projects, which they chose based off of a real-world question they wanted to try and solve using the methods of research and inquiry. Our next step will be moving on to focusing on how science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) can be used to gather, analyze, interpret, and evaluate data. With this knowledge, they will be asked to create an APP for an electronic device that helps to solve a real-world problem within their school and/or community.

Please continue to monitor your child’s progress in HAC.

Blue Dolphins – Blue Dolphins students of the month are: Gianna L. and Jayce T.

In math we are now studying fractions and mixed numbers. We are learning how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide them. The students are not only learning the algorithms, but with the use of word problems how they are used in real life situations. In science we have learned all about the Scientific Method and are in the process of doing our Science Fair Projects. We can't wait to see the results! In social studies we are wrapping up introducing the five strands of social studies by completing a project that keeps us on the lookout for these strands in our everyday life. We will soon begin applying these five strands to our learning about the United States in Chapter 1. In Language Arts we are working our way through Theme 1, Courage. We are learning about theme, summarizing, characterization, and plot. Recently we started school clubs. Mrs. Klick's club is the girl’s workout club with girls from all three grades ready to work out and have fun while doing it. Mr. Neagley’s club is the Scrabble Club. Students from all three grades are involved in getting together to challenge themselves and others to America’s favorite word game! Miss Hostetler has teamed with Mrs. Blattenberger for the BE_Club. Here students are encouraged to set goals related to character traits they aspire to be known for, and figure out a way to put those goals into action, whether through community service, random acts of kindness, or anything else students may come up with!

Red Raptors – The Red Raptors would like to recognize Chase E. and Olivia G. for being selected as the September Students of the month! We are gearing up for our field trip to the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire on October 15th. The students are looking forward to spending the day experiencing what it would be like in the 1500’s. Maybe we will meet King Henry VII? Please wish for good weather that day too! The Red Raptor team would like to welcome our student teacher, Mr. Shay! Mr. Shay is pursuing a dual certification from Shippensburg University in Middle School Science and Social Studies. Mr. Shay has spent the first 8 weeks working with Mrs. Miller. He will soon be making a transition to complete his student teaching experience with Mrs. Milbrand. Once again, we have math help available to students during 9th period enrichment. In Pre-Algebra we will be finishing using rational numbers to solve problems.  The next unit will be on writing and solving one and two step equations. Mr. Underkoffler monitors math help on days 1,3, and 5, Mrs. Garcia has math help on days 2,4, and 6. Students may attend math help whenever they feel that they need extra help. When attending a math help session, please take your book, guided notes, and a pencil. Please consider purchasing a calculator for math class as well. In World History, we have completed our first 2 units on Pre-History and Mesopotamia. Our next unit will focus on ancient Egypt. The students will get to construct their own pyramids soon. Academic Literacy is finishing a unit on reading strategies. We are learning vocabulary words that are found in the supermarket. Students will design a product that they feel is necessary, but has yet to be invented. So far this marking period in English class, there has been a strong focus on writing. We will continue with this emphasis as we move into a unit on Informative Writing. Students will become critics as they write their own restaurant reviews. In science class, we have started our unit on cells! The students are looking forward to their "Night at the Museum" project dealing with cell reproduction. Our student teacher, Mr. Shay will be leading us on this adventure and at its conclusion he will be making his way to Egypt with Mrs. Milbrand!

Gold Stars – The Gold Stars team of teachers is looking forward to an exciting school year.  The Pre-Algebra classes have just finished the first two units, which will set the groundwork for later units.  There has been a lot of “math talk” in class each week, with the students learning and being able to communicate about new concepts each day.  We are currently working on fractions, but will move to solving one- and two-step equations next.  In science, we will be learning about cells and mitosis, linking these concepts to cancer and growing body parts in a lab.  In World History, we are learning about Hammurabi and his impact on modern law.  Next, we will learn about the wonders of ancient Egypt.  In English class, we are studying informative writing.  We are working on writing reviews for local restaurants.  Later in the month, we will begin our study of short stories.

Green Clovers – The students of the month for the Green Clovers are Maggie Z. and Tyler L.  In Geometry class the students are about to finish a unit on logical reasoning and proofs.  In Algebra class, the students are solving linear equations.  In Intro to Algebra class, the students are finishing up a unit on Algebraic Expressions.  In Responding to Reading, the students have been reviewing and practicing their reading strategies.  The reading strategies that the students have been using can be applied before, during and after the reading process.  Additionally, the students have been learning about a variety of study strategies that will lead to success in various academic subjects.  Finally, vocabulary development and written responses will continue to be developed using rigorous and relevant materials. In English class, students are working with Miss Stock, a student teacher from Messiah College. She is helping them navigate short stories, with a focus on the writer’s craft. In U.S. History class we have just succeeded in gaining independence from the British. Next we have to figure out how to set up a new government and deal with all of the problems of a new nation. In science, we are trying to figure out what is the matter? The students will be taking their test on the properties of matter on Thursday, which sets the table for studying the topic....the periodic table of elements.

Silver Lions – In Science class the students are currently constructing their own periodic tables. They will use the concepts that they learned to help an “alien race” construct their own periodic tables. Silver Team students will then be completing a poster making research project on the families of the periodic table. We will finish off our chemistry unit by discussing how substances combine and breakdown. During this time the students will conduct experiments on the different types of chemical reactions. In U.S. History class the Silver Lions just finished up a unit of how the country got its independence from Great Britain. We will be looking at the two plans of government that moved the country toward being a more perfect union. Algebra: continuing to solve for equations. We will be beginning investigating inequalities and absolute value inequalities. Intro to Algebra: We will be beginning to solve 1-step, 2-step and multi-step equations. Geometry: We are investigating angle relationships with parallel and perpendicular lines. We will continue to work on developing proof strategies. In English class, we have completed a unit on narrative writing. Currently, students are working on analyzing short stories and participating in Socratic Seminars. The Seminars have been very successful and have taught students how to read carefully, analyze a text, and use evidence to back up their thoughts. The students have had college-level discussions on complex texts and have really shown that they can think on their own!

Creative Arts – The Sixth Grade chorus, under the direction of Mrs. Cather, has recently received a great musical opportunity.  The chorus was selected from groups all over PA to perform at the State Capitol Rotunda in March to celebrate Music in Our Schools Month. This event is an honor and privilege, as well as a way to inform the public and a legislator about the importance music has in education. 

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