Aliso Viejo Middle School News

AVMS News

3/2/13

111 Park Avenue, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656, (949) 831-2622

Principal: Jennifer Smalley

School Website: http://avms-capousd-ca.schoolloop.com/

IMPORTANT TESTING INFORMATION: 7^THGRADE STAR WRITING TEST AND 8^TH GRADE READING TEST On Tuesday, March 5 we will be on a special schedule with an extended 90-minute testing block in the morning. School hours are the same with the regular start at 8:45 a.m. and dismissal at 3:25 p.m. During this time, 7^th grade students will be taking the state mandated STAR Writing Test, the 8^th grade students will be taking a district-wide reading assessment which will determine placement in the 9th grade reading. The 6^th grade students will be participating English assessments.

Please stress the importance of these tests, which will help us to evaluate our academic programs and may determine your child’s placement for middle school and high school classes next year. It is very important that all students be at school on time and ready for this important assessment. Students should remember to:

· Have a good night’s sleep the night before the test
· Eat a nutritious breakfast
· Bring a #2 pencil
· Be on time to school

Information on STAR Testing is available through the California Department of Education: http://www.cde.ca.gov/

STAR TESTING SCHEDULE FOR NEXT WEEK Please note that we will NOT be on block schedule next week due to testing. Below is the schedule for Tuesday and Wednesday.

TUESDAY, MARCH 5

8:45 – 9:23 Period 1 (38 minutes) NO TESTING

9:27 – 11:12 Period 1 TESTING (105 minutes)

During testing period –

· All 6th grade students will take an on-demand writing assessment for their English class.
· All 7th grade students will take the CA Standards Writing Test.
· All 8th grade students will take the 8th Grade Reading placement test (which is 105 minutes).

11:12 – 11:20 BREAK

11:24 – 12:02 Period 2 (38minutes)

12:06 – 12:44 Period 3 (38 minutes)

12:44 – 1:19 LUNCH (35 minutes)

1:23 – 2:01 Period 4 (38 minutes)

2:05 – 2:43 Period 5 (38 minutes)

2:47 – 3:25 Period 6 (38 minutes)

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6 (Same Schedule as Mondays)

Period	Tardy Bell	Passing	Minutes
0	7:36	8:41	65
1	8:45	9:39	54
2	9:43	10:34	51
Passing	10:34	10:46	12
3	10:50	11:41	51
4	11:45	12:36	51
Lunch	12:36	1:11	35
Falcon Focus	1:15	1:35	20
5	1:39	2:30	51
6	2:34	3:25	51

CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations to the following students who received recognition for their participation in the Southern Area Youth Art Month Exhibition, Art: 21^st Century Intersections at the Orange County Department of Education:

Ryan Beveridge First Place

Taylor Plett Second Place

Michael Carranza Honorable Mention

RECYCLING NEWS – TOP CONTRIBUTORS This is an easy way to help your school as well as the environment and it is easy to do. We receive about $1000 every time we fill the bin.

We collect from 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM on Thursdays. Bring your PLASTIC BOTTLES, ALUMINUM CANS to the grey Recycling Bin located at the far end of the parking lot. Just pull up in front of the bin and we will unload your car.

Rules: NO Glass; plastic water bottles and aluminum cans only; must have the CA cash code on them; tape a sign on your bag with your Name and 1^st period Teacher; drop off at the Recycling Bin; have your bag weighed and recorded by PAL/ASB students.

Rewards: each semester top class and contributors will receive rewards as well as weekly rewards for all contributors (front of the line pass, free wheel spin and more)

This week top students are:

Johnny Stevens 14 lbs.

Arya M. 12 lbs.

Andy Shulman 11 lbs.

Sammy Rush 9 lbs.

No name ? 9 lbs.

Last Week’s top students are:

Destiney Recalde 9 lbs.

Dorsa Arshi 8 lbs.

Mr. McGinnis 5 lbs.

Gillian Okin 5 lbs.

Alex Tech 4 lbs.

Andrea Yoo 4 lbs.

PREVIOUS NEWS

TRANSITION FROM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO ALISO VIEJO MIDDLE SCHOOL During the week of March 18-22, 2013, AVMS will be visiting our feeder schools to meet with the 5^th graders. On Thursday, March 28, 2013 AVMS will host a Parent Information Night in our Multi-Purpose room. This is a onetime event for adults.

TRANSITION FROM MIDDLE SCHOOL TO ALISO NIGUEL HIGH SCHOOL On Monday, March 25^th, 2013 Guidance Counselors from ANHS will be on campus to meet with our 8^th graders and give them their registration forms for next year.

On Monday, April 1st, ANHS will be presenting an information night in the ANHS gym that all 8^th grade students and their parents should plan to attend. The info night will begin at 5:00pm. All 8^th graders will be provided with an informational flyer soon.

More information about class placement criteria will be given out to students at these events. We ask that 8^th grade parents not contact the high school counselors at this time. If you have questions please e-mail either of our Academic Advisors, Mrs. Graves at sgraves@capousd.org or Ms. Westling at kwestling@capousd.org

REMINDER – SKATEBOARDS AND SCOOTERS are not allowed on campus. Students should not plan on using these as a mode of transportation to and from school.

FALCON SHOUT-OUTS NOW AVAILABLE Our new digital marquee has been installed and we are ready for your shout-outs. Does someone you know have a birthday coming up? A big game? Did they accomplish a goal? You can order a customizable message for our digital marquee to commemorate the event! Marquee messages:

May have 4 lines with 22 characters (letters, punctuation, and spaces included) each.
May be customized with the following options: text color, text outline, text effect, and background
Must be submitted and paid for one week prior to the message being displayed. Cash or checks should be delivered to the front office attached to your order form. Please print out your order form before hitting the “SUBMIT” button.

Visit this link to order your shout out: http://avms-capousd-ca.schoolloop.com/shoutouts

JUICE IT UP TUESDAYS Juice It Up will be selling fruit smoothies after school in front of the 100 building. Smoothies cost $3 and $1 is returned back to AVMS.

BOX TOPS FOR SOCIAL SCIENCE Just a reminder that our social science department collects box tops. They use the box tops to purchase classroom technology, guest speakers and more! Every ten tops earns a front of the line pass. Be sure to turn the box tops to your social science teacher and he or she will provide you with the passes.

YMCA

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 13^th and receive an early enrollment incentive! To schedule a tour contact Caprice Kavanaugh at (949) 360-9517 or ckavanaugh@ymcaoc.org.

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER

March 1 Clover Search at Lunch – find the four-leafed clover in the clover patch!

March 4 Dr. Seuss’s Birthday – toss the plush cat into the hat at lunch.

March 5 STAR Writing Test for 7^th Grade (6^th Grade Takes Practice Test)

March 5 8^th Grade Reading Placement Test

March 5, 6 No Block Schedule Due to Testing

March 7 Crazy Hat Day – Wear the craziest hat you have to show your school spirit!

March 13, 14 Drama Performance – Spring Play

March 15 Green Day – Wear Green to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

March 18 Deadline for Talent Show Forms

March 25 ANHS Comes to AVMS to Meet with 8^th Graders

March 27 On the Border Restaurant Night for Falcon Families