Niguel Hills Middle School – Shark Bytes
NO SCHOOL THIS FRIDAY (TOMORROW) FEBRUARY 7
There is no school for middle and high school students this Friday. It is the end of semester wrap up and all secondary students are off. The new semester begins Monday, February 10, 2014.
SMARTER BALANCED SAMPLE ASSESSMENT
You may be aware that the state of California is moving to the new Common Core Standards. This year all Niguel Hills Middle School students will be taking the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) online test this spring. Please be aware this is a field test so the state can “test the test”. No scores will be released to the district, schools, or parents since this is a test of the assessment
Most students will take a test in English-Language Arts and Mathematics, as well as a performance task, which requires students to read, answer questions and write a response. Students will utilize a computer to complete the entire test.
Students have an opportunity to preview the test by going on line and taking the sample test. Our suggestion is to have your child go on line at home with you to view a simulation of the test at https://sbacpt.tds.airast.org/student/. More on this year’s testing can be found here..
One part of the test requires students to listen to an audio clip, for which headphones or ear buds will be necessary. We will have a pair of headphones or ear buds for every computer. However, if your child has a set of ear buds or headphones he or she would like to use, please send them to school during the test window.
Students will begin taking the SBAC practice test during the testing window (May 19th through June 6th).
UPCOMING ELAC MEETING
Attention All ELAC Parents
Please join us at our next ELAC meeting for a very Special Presentation about Drugs with Deputy Baella
(Presentation in Spanish with Interpretation in English)
Place: Niguel Hills Middle School (In the Blue Commons room)
Date: Thursday, February 20th 2014
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
You Don’t Want To Miss This One!
Atención todos los Padres de Alumnos Aprendiendo el Ingles ELAC.
Únase a nosotros para una Presentación Especial de Drogas con el Agente Policía – Deputy Baella
(La Presentación Será en Español)
Lugar: Escuela Intermedia Niguel Hills (en el salón Blue Commons)
Fecha: Jueves, 20 de Febrero, 2014
Hora: 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
¡Usted no quiere perderse este!
STUDENT PTSA PROJECTS
Serra HS Cookie Run – The NHMS student PTSA is sponsoring a weekly (Friday) cookie run to Serra HS. Serra HS is continuation high school located in San Juan Capistrano. They currently have over 200 students enrolled but do not have their own PTA to support them. We are asking NHMS students to sign up for 2 dozen baked goods to be donated. These cookies are awarded to Serra students who have good attendance for the week. This qualifies for Shark Pride credit. Just bring the cookies to the front office by 8:30 am on Friday and it will be delivered to Serra HS. Please contact Amy Gibson at amygibson112@me.com to sign up.
Volunteer Opportunity – Open to any student interested in helping out as a tutor for the Thursday MORNING Homework Club. Please contact Mrs. Moore (Bilingual Community Services Liaison) via email at LRMOORE@capousd.org to sign up or for questions. It is in room 228 from 8:30 am to 9:30 am on Thursdays. This qualifies for Shark Pride credit.
ROBOTICS TEAM “ADDS IT UP” IN 2014
This year the Niguel Hills Robotics Team has undertaken the challenge of the game “Add It Up.” Each robot is built to put balls in goals for various point values. The team attended a scrimmage on January 10th, 2014 and more recently a regional event on Sunday, February 2nd. The team was awarded the Judge’s Award for their all-around talent in four areas of competition. The emphasis this year is how math is applied to robotics. The team consists of Mark Patterson, Tommy Patterson, David Samia, Christopher Samia and Matthew Sargent. The next event will be at UCSD in La Jolla, California on Saturday, February 22nd.
UPCOMING DATES
Friday, February 7 End of Semester One – No School for Secondary Students
Friday, February 14 Presidents’ Day Holiday (Lincoln) – No School
Monday, February 17 Presidents’ Day Holiday (Washington) – No School
Friday, February 21 7th/8th grade dance – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Thursday, February 27 Incoming 6th grade parent night – 6:00 p.m.
Friday, May 2 7th/8th grade dance – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Friday, June 13 8th grade dance – 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. at Wood Canyon
Previously Announced
STUDENT PTSA CANDY PALACE PROJECT
The student PTSA is sponsoring The Candy Palace project. There are four books to choose from. These are a children’s picture book for $20. Each book sold will provide 27 meals for hungry children in Orange County. Books can be purchased for $20 or donate any amount. Your book can also be donated in your name to the local library. The goal is to provide 500 meals. The collection box and order forms are in the front office. Please contact student PTSA at kamouk8@gmail.com to place an order or for questions.
HONOR CHOIR MEMBERS
A HUGE congratulations to all of the NHMS choir members who tried out for the CUSD Middle School Honor Choir this year. Of all the NHMS choir students who tried out, 94% made it into the Honor Choir! There were only 81 students from around the district that were accepted into the choir and our NHMS students represent almost 20% of the Honor Choir! A noteworthy congratulations to our 2014 Honor Choir singers:
Haley Alexander
Kathryn Atchity
Amelia Bulloch
Jessica Cornelius
Brook Cross
Taylor Cross
Gabby Denni
Marlena Gnasso
Mason Grey
Leila Keyvan
Whitney Ladner
Danielle Malter
Parisa Megnadadi
Grant Shotwell
Aline Tusan
Kaitlyn Wright
If you see them around campus, please congratulate them!
REMAINING DANCE DATES
The dates for our remaining dances are:
Friday, February 21 7th/8th grade dance – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Friday, May 2 7th/8th grade dance – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Friday, June 13 8th grade dance – 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. at Wood Canyon
NIGUEL HILLS MIDDLE SCHOOL UPCOMING ELAC MEETINGS – DATE CHANGE
2013 -2014 School Year
Please note that the dates have changed to the following:
* Thursday: February 20, 2014 *
* Thursday: May 20, 2014 *
Meeting will begin at 5:30 PM in the Teachers Lounge
Niguel Hills Middle School
2013 -2014 Año Escolar
Reuniones del ELAC Próximos
Tenga en cuenta que las fechas han cambiado:
* El jueves: 20 de febrero de 2014 *
* El jueves: 15 de mayo de 2014 *
La reunión va a empezar a las 5:30 PM en el Salón de los Maestros
NHMS CHOIR ICE PALACE EVENT
Come support the NHMS choirs by joining us at the Aliso Viejo Ice Palace on 2/26/14 from 6:15-8pm. $17 admission includes skate rental and 50% of the admission goes directly to the choir program. Bring your friends and family for a great time! Don’t forget to say, “I’m here to support the Niguel Hills choirs,” upon admission!
2014 STALLION SHOWCASE FOR 8th GRADE STUDENTS AND PARENTS
Saturday, February 8th
9:30 am to 11:30 am
Are you interested in learning about San Juan Hills High School? Join the staff, students, parent boosters and PTSA for our 6th Annual SJHHS Stallion Showcase. Experience an exciting morning packed with information and tours of CUSD’s newest high school. Learn about the academic, athletic, and performing arts programs. Visit our visual arts classrooms, science labs, performing arts facilities, gymnasium, synthetic football/soccer field, and other athletic facilities.
The Day’s Agenda
ü Welcome and Introduction Presentation at 9:30 am in the gym
ü Visit Information Booths for Athletics, Clubs, Academic Programs, Performing Arts, Pep Squad, AVID, ASB, PTSA, Parent Boosters and Guidance/Enrollment
ü Guided Campus Tours by ASB, AVID & Link Crew students
ü Advanced Placement and Accelerated Class Workshops
ü Performing Arts Presentations
Arrive early as seating in is limited! Please check the SJHHS website at www.sjhhs.org for future updates and information regarding San Juan Hills High School
