Dear Niguel Hills Middle School Parents:
Your child will be participating in the California’s Standardized Testing and Reporting “STAR” program on Wednesday, May 1, 2013, Friday, May 3, 2013, and Tuesday, May 7, 2013. Niguel Hills Middle School is one of the many schools participating in this statewide program. These days will be minimum days, and school hours will be as follows:
Wednesday, May 1 – 8:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Friday, May 3 – 8:45 a.m. to 12:40 p.m.
Tuesday, May 7 – 8:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
There will be no zero period on STAR test days.
This week, we will be drawing names from the list of all students who improved by even one point on the test. The lucky drawing winners will win fun prizes from our prize bank. On Thursday, April 24th, we will be throwing a STAR party at the end of the day for all students who moved up at least one level in either Math or ELA or have 5’s on both Math and ELA.
We are so proud of all of our students who take this test seriously!
The STAR program is designed to provide students, parents, teachers, and the community with information about student achievement. The tests your child will be taking are called either the California Standards Test (CST) or the California Modified Assessment (CMA). All students in the second through eleventh grade attending public school in California will be taking these tests.
To maximize his or her opportunity to perform well on the test, it is important that students do their best to increase the accuracy of the results. You are a vital part of the testing process and can help by:
- making sure your child has plenty of rest the night before testing;
- providing a healthy breakfast;
- helping your child see the test as an opportunity to show what he or she has learned and encouraging your child to do his or her best;
- scheduling appointments outside of the testing window;
- making sure your child is here and on time – as mentioned above, special incentives will be awarded.
Parents will receive detailed reports of their child’s results, which will be sent to your home over the summer with an explanation of the results. Group results by grade level for each school, district, county, and the state will be posted as a link on the Capistrano Unified School District’s Web page (www.capousd.org).
Please feel free to contact the school at (949) 234-5360 with any questions you may have regarding the standardized testing that will be administered to your child.
Sincerely,
Tim Reece
Principal
SUMMER TECHNOLOGY CLASSES AT NIGUEL HILLS MIDDLE SCHOOL
It is never too early to start thinking about the summer. CUSD has approved Summer Technology classes at Niguel Hills Middle School. Each class will cost only $99, and will meet Monday – Thursday from 9:00 am to 12:00 in room P20. Recommended grade level for these class is 3rd grade and higher.
We are offering a Keyboarding and MS Office Class that will meet the week of June 24th or July 8th.
We are also offering a Video Production – iMovie class that will meet the week of July 15th.
Finally, there will be a Video Production – Final Cut Pro class for the hard-core kids the week of July 22nd.
Feel free to email Mike Schreiman at meschreiman@gmail.com with questions or go to:
to download a flyer with more information and registration instructions.
COMMUNITY DISCOUNT CARDS ARE HERE!
The Community Discount cards have arrived. Just in time as last year’s card has expired. Cards can be purchased from your student or in the front office for $10.
All funds raised will be used to update technology in social studies classrooms.
Our card’s merchants include:
Hunter’s Steak House, Papa John’s, Domino’s, Jamba Juice, Upper Crust Pizza, Powell’s, Panda Express, Laguna Niguel Car Wash, I Love Bagels, Subway, Deemer’s, Supercuts, Smash Burger, Yogurtland, Coffee Importers, TGI Friday’s, Baja Fresh, Girl in the Curl, and Killer Dana.
JOY DRIVE – TOYS FOR KIDS FIGHTING CANCER
This week NHMS Student PTSA is collecting new small toys and/or gift cards to bring joy to kids fighting cancer.
It’s simple – just bring to the box in the front office a NEW toy that fits through a 4″ JoyJars opening!
We’re collecting gift cards too!
Every day over 41 kids are told they have cancer.
Please help us support Jessie Rees who fought two inoperable brain tumors, JoyJars help spread joy to kids fighting cancer.
JoyJars® are stuffed with love and:
• 100% free to patients and hospitals
• filled with new toys & activities
• for boys and girls up to age 18
Please see the Niguel Hills PTSA website more information, nhmsptsa.org.
Great toy ideas:
All toys must be NEW and in their original packaging.
| Slinkies
Playing Cards
Crayons
Stickers
Small Board Books
Packaged Stuffed Animals (small)
Mini Puzzles
iTune Gift Cards
|
Trading Cards
Travel Games
Socks
Beanies/Caps
Play Jewelry
Mini Figures (ponies or super heros)
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NATIONAL PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE-BACK DAY
This Saturday 4-27-13 is the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. Turn in your unused or expired medication for safe disposal, Saturday, April 27, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the parking lot at the Dana Point City Hall; 33282 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. For more information please visit www.dea.gov
UPCOMING DATES
Friday, May 3 Deadline to submit student PTSA officer interest forms
Wednesday, May 1 STAR Test – Minimum Day dismissal at 1:00 p.m.
Friday, May 3 STAR Test – Minimum Day dismissal at 12:40 p.m.
Tuesday, May 7 STAR Test – Minimum Day dismissal at 1:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 16 Student PTSA Meeting 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Previously Announced
ELECTION OF 2013-2014 STUDENT PTSA OFFICERS
Student PTSA members will be electing next year’s officers (president, vice president, co secretaries, treasurer, financial secretary, and historian) at the last general Student PTSA meeting of the school year, May 16th. Current 6th and 7th grade members are eligible to run for office. 6th grade representatives and committee chairmen will be elected in the fall.
Officer interest forms and job descriptions are available in the front office and on the PTSA website, nhmsptsa.org. Please return the completed interest form to the front office by Friday, May 3rd, and come prepared on May 16th to briefly describe why you would do a good job in this position.
SHARK PRIDE OPPORTUNITY – DUE DATE EXTENDED
On Saturday, April 27, there will be a beach clean up morning at Salt Creek Beach from 8am to noon. Those in charge of the clean-up have asked that the Shark Pride deadline be extended to April 29, 2013 so those students helping may earn additional hours towards Shark Pride.
SPECIAL EDUCATION COMMUNITY ADVISORY HOSTS “APPSOLUTELY APPTASTIC”
The District Special Education Community Advisory Committee will host “APPsolutely Apptastic: iDevices Applications for Children with Special Needs” on Thursday, April 25, 2013, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Education Center, 33122 Valle Road, San Juan Capistrano. Presented by Team of Advocates for Special Kids (TASK), the workshop will introduce exciting applications for children with special needs that can be used on iDevices. Some of the applications to be discussed and demonstrated include those focusing on early learning, reading, writing tools, math, spelling, communication, fine motor skills, social and life skills. The workshop is for adults only. Registration is free for parents and $25 for professionals. Email capocacregister@gmail.com to register.
WHOOPING COUGH VACCINATION
Attention 6th grade parents–before your child enters 7th grade
you will need to show proof of the Whooping Cough booster.
Please bring your child’s “shot record” to the office for verification.
Does the vaccine abbreviation or trade name on the student’s record meet the Tdap requirement?
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YES
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Tdap
Adacel® Given on or after the
Boostrix® 7th birthday
DTaP or DTP
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MEET THE REQUIREMENT
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NO
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Td
DECAVAC®
TENIVAC®
DT
DTaP or DTP given before the 7th birthday
History of pertussis disease
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DO NOT MEET THE
REQUIREMENT
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CAPISTRANO VIRTUAL SCHOOL AND CAPISTRANO HOME SCHOOL – PREVIEW DATES
Parent Previews for 2013-14
Join us for a Parent Preview and learn more about the Capistrano Unified School District kindergarten through eighth grade independent study options.
Capistrano Virtual and Capistrano Home School offer:
Credentialed Teachers: Students are assigned a highly-qualified CUSD teacher to support their education.
Access to CUSD School of Residence: Elementary school students may participate in art and/or music classes at their neighborhood school. Middle school students may take up to two classes on their middle school campus.
Testing and Assessment: All required State Standardized Tests, including STAR Testing and district assessments, are administered at the school office. Student progress is continually monitored through a variety of assessments.
Workshops, Excursions and Other Activities: Optional workshops are available throughout the year. Elementary workshops change each month and cover a variety of subject areas and themes. Middle school workshops are course-specific and complement the work students are completing online or at home. Optional excursions are offered throughout the school year to enhance the curriculum. Fun activities are scheduled at the school and in the community so that students have additional opportunities to interact with teachers and peers.
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Parent Preview Dates
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| Friday,
May 24
9:30 K-5 Virtual
11:00 6-8 Virtual
12:30 K-8 Homeschool
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Friday,
May 31
9:30 K-5 Virtual
11:00 6-8 Virtual
12:30 K-8 Homeschool
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Friday,
June 7
9:30 K-5 Virtual
11:00 6-8 Virtual
12:30 K-8 Homeschool
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Wednesday,
August 21
9:30 K-5 Virtual
11:00 6-8 Virtual
12:30 K-8 Homeschool
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Wednesday,
August 28
9:30 K-5 Virtual
11:00 6-8 Virtual
12:30 K-8 Homeschool
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YMCA IS LOCATED RIGHT ON CAMPUS!
TAB: The Teen Advisor Board is comprised of teens in the YMCA program who want to design a better YMCA that will continue to be the place where teens want to go. The TAB team helps plan events, daily activities, and service learning projects. The TAB team also gives input on monthly snack, supplies, games, and electronic purchases. This is a great opportunity for your student to learn and practice leadership skills.
CLUBS: Besides offering quality programming before and after school, we also offer great clubs in the afternoons to get your teens involved. The YMCA Teen Club offers these clubs two to three times a week! We plan on adding new clubs like Service Learning and Sports Clubs! Clubs for March are Nutrition Club and Game Tournament Club!
To schedule a tour, contact Caprice Kavanaugh at (949) 360-9517 or ckavanaugh@ymcaoc.org.
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR STRUCTURED CARE DURING SPRING BREAK?
The YMCA is the perfect place for your student! During the weeks of Spring and Summer Break, the YMCA Teen Club will be open on campus from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. There will be planned fun activities, themed days and field trips! For more information please call Caprice Kavanaugh at 949-360-9517 or email at ckavanaugh@ymcaoc.org.
SUMMER AT THE YMCA!
For our summer program, we will now be opening up TWO YMCA Teen Club locations. We are looking to open at both Aliso Viejo Middle School and Don Juan Avila Middle School. At both locations, we have a fantastic summer planned with a full calendar of fun activities and fieldtrips! Our field trips include Knott’s Berry Farm, Saddleback Lanes, and many more fun trips! Teens will also get to participate in Special Interest Clubs and learn from some great presenters weekly!
Register before May 13th and receive an early enrollment incentive! To schedule a tour contact Caprice Kavanaugh at (949) 360-9517 or ckavanaugh@ymcaoc.org.
Caprice Kavanaugh
Teen Club Director
LAGUNA NIGUEL FAMILY YMCA
29831 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(Ph) 949-360-9517
(E) ckavanaugh@ymcaoc.org (W) ymcaoc.org
The Y: We’re for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
USED MUSIC INSTRUMENTS
Help me continue to help our schools by contributing to my “LET THE BEAT GO ON” project. I am collecting your old instruments and donating them to the CUSD music programs to help them meet the goal of providing free instruments for any student who wants to play a wind or string instrument. This will allow our music programs to grow and stay strong. I will pick up your old instruments from your home and donate them to the CUSD school of your choice. Please contact Julia Moss at jdmoss@cox.net.
Tim Reece
Principal
Niguel Hills Middle School
