Algonquin teachers have adopted a number of research-based strategies that are being employed across

all subjects. Our students have become very familiar with these and our hope is to help parents to be-

come familiar with these strategies, as well. When the strategies are reinforced at home, they will be-

come even more powerful tools for student learning.

Explicit Vocabulary Instruction (word study): teaching students academic vocabulary (words like

differentiate, formulate, and variation) prepares students for understanding assessment tasks and com-

municating clearly.

Setting Objectives & Providing Feedback: informing students of the learning target and providing

feedback on progress in relationship to the target boosts student attainment of knowledge and skills.

Reinforcing Effort & Providing Recognition: acknowledging effort reinforces students’ attempts at

learning and allows for mistakes as part of the learning process.

Cooperative Learning: when students are grouped together, they benefit from the learning that comes

from dialogue and helping each other to gain understanding.

Cues, Questions, & Advance Organizers: providing students with a frame of reference and probing

them to interact with information on a deeper level supports understanding and encourages learning.

Non-Linguistic Representation: Thinking Maps, graphic organizers, illustrations, video, and activities

that incorporate motion help students to retain information and develops connections for accessing in-

formation in the future.

Summarizing & Note Taking: these skills help students to focus on the most pertinent information in

their own words.

Assigning Homework & Providing Practice: it is important that students understand the purpose of

their homework and its connection to learning in class.

Identifying Similarities and Differences: comparing, classifying, and creating metaphors and analo-

gies helps students to understand relationships and develop a deeper understanding of content.

Generating and Testing Hypothesis: investigating and problem-solving through inductive and deduc-

tive methods helps students develop thought processes.

Writing Fluency: providing opportunities for students to write more frequently, and encouraging them

to track progress, helps to develop fluency. We can then focus on form and content.

These strategies are research-based and most of them come from the book Classroom Instruction That

Works. Our teachers, regardless of the subject they teach, are being trained in how to best utilize the

strategies to increase student learning. Effective use of the strategies becomes even more powerful be-

cause they are being used school-wide.

Mr. K

A Message From The Principal

Bulletin Board 2

Choir/Band News 4

Student Council News 5

Sports 6

Student of the Month 7

Food Service Information 10

District Calendar 12

Inside this issue:

Published, Fall, Winter,

Spring

The Algonquin Community provides a positive and safe environment dedicated to preparing goal-driven, life-long learners for the twenty-first Century.

Spring 2014

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Postive behavior support

BULLETIN BOARD

CAMP TAMARACK INFO 7th Grade

Camp is May 28-30 Next camp payment is

Due March 21, 2014

Stay tuned for up-coming informational notes

Emphasis on prevention rather than punishment!

SCIENCE OLYMPIAD

This year we’d love to invite every-

one to Macomb Community College

on Saturday March 22. Last year

our team performed amazingly at

this regional tournament, and this

year we hope to do it again. We

have events ranging from meteorol-

ogy, anatomy, astronomy, chemistry,

and building events like boomilever,

and robotics. I am hoping to see our

Algonquin Science

Olympiad team,

families and friends

come out to root us

on.

MIDDLE SCHOOL MEMORIES

Time is running out to reserve your copy of a yearbook. You have until May 2nd to buy yours for $29. After that, the price will increase to $35 with only a limited amount

of books available for purchase. You can write a check out to Algonquin Middle School for $29 with your child’s name on the “memo” line and re-turn to Mr. Akans or Mrs. Neumann, OR, go to yearbookforever.com to order online.

CALLING ALL 8TH GRADE PARENTS:

If you’d like to dedicate a part of the yearbook with a BON VOYAGE message to your child, there is still time to do it! For $10, you can write a message of good luck, congratulations, or any other special note you’d like to send your child off to high school with. Messages are limited to 30 words. Contact Mr. Akans for the message form. Mr. Akan’s email ad-dress is bakans@cvs.k12.mi.us. DUE BY MARCH 28th.

March is

National

Middle Level

Education Month

8TH GRADE

PARENTS ARE

INVITED FOR COFFEE

WITH THE PRINCIPAL AT

CHIPPEWA VALLEY 9TH

GRADE CENTER ON

TUESDAY MAY 20 at 8:00am

IN THE MEDIA CENTER

Happy Spring everyone! As we approach the end of the year, I just wanted to extend my thanks to all the support the families and staff members have given to our choir students. Below you will see how busy the children will be until the end of the year.

Thanks for all the support,

Linda Q. Smith

AMS choir

Thursday March 6th, James Pecar, choral director from CVHS, conducts a Festival Clinic with 8th grade choir, (during 5th hour).

March 10th, the 8th grade choir performed at the MSVMA Choral Festival at Dakota High School. They worked hard and deserve a big congratulations for a job well done.

Friday, March 21st-Saturday March 22nd. Choir officers and Mom’s weekend out. Frankenmuth.

Friday, March 28th BAND/CHOIR elementary tour. All Day.

Wednesday, April 2nd, 7:00pm- 8:00pm, 8th grade to perform at Clinton Aire Nursing Home.

Wednesday April 16th, 7:00pm – 8:00pm, 6th and 7th grade to perform at American House assisted living on 19 Mile Road.

Thursday, May 1st, 6:00pm 8th grade to perform for festival of the Arts, Clinton Township public library.

Wednesday, May 21st 7:00pm, Final Farewell, Spring Concert 7:00pm Algonquin Gymnasium

Saturday, June 7th, 6:00am-11:00pm Michigan’s Adventure/Blue Lake visit 8th grade choir

6th & 7th grade band concert Tuesday, May 13 at 7:00pm

8th grade band concert Tuesday, June 3 at 7:00pm

Student Council News

Student Council has been working hard to make our school a great place to learn and have

fun. There are many more events coming up to get involved in. We have two dances com-

ing up. The Neon Dance is March 28th and the Last Dance is May 16th both are right after

school from 2:46 p.m.- 4:30 p.m.

We are also going to be collecting money for the Pasta for Pennies Program to

help raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. This fundraiser will

begin on April 16th and run until May 2nd. The homeroom with the most donated

will win an Olive Garden lunch. So, start saving your pennies today!

Student Council will also be hosting the 3rd annual Eagle Pride Day on Saturday, April 26th

from 9:00 a.m. until about Noon. During this event, students, parents and staff members

will be helping to clean up and make the outside of our school look as great as what is hap-

pening inside. Those who attend will be given a pizza lunch for all of their hard work. Fly-

ers for this event will be coming home with your child’s 3rd quarter report card. So, check it

out!

TORNADO WATCH AND

WARNING

Below are the tornado pro-

cedures for the Chippewa

Valley School District:

When the National Weather

Service issues a Tornado

Watch, the Civil Defense

Headquarters will notify the

Superintendent’s office.

During a watch students will

remain at school until nor-

mal dismissal time. In the

event a tornado appears in

the area without warning or

when the U.S. Weather Bu-

reau issues a Tornado Warn-

ing, students will remain in

school and take shelter.

Definitions:

Tornado Watch – There is

a possibility of a tornado.

Tornado Warning – A tor-

nado has been sighted or de-

tected by radar. Seek shel-

Page 6

2014 BOYS/GIRLS TRACK SCHEDULE

Monday, April 21, 2014 Home Wyandot Hawks (Practice Meet)

Wednesday, April 23, 2014 Home New Haven Rockets

Monday, April 28, 2014 Away L’Anse Creuse North

Wednesday, April 30, 2014 Away L’Anse Creuse Central Lancers

Monday, May 5, 2014 Home Anchor Bay North

Monday, May 12, 2014 Away L’Anse Creuse South Sabres

Wednesday, May 14, 2014 Home Iroquois Panthers

Thursday, May 22, 2014 CVHS League Meet

DIRECTIONS TO AWAY GAMES

IROQUOIS MIDDLE SCHOOL - 48301 ROMEO PLANK

School is located on the west side Romeo Plank, between 21 and 22 Mile Road.

WYANDOT MIDDLE SCHOOL - 39490 GARFIELD

School is located on the east side of Garfield between 17 and 18 Mile Road.

SENECA MIDDLE SCHOOL – 42755 ROMEO PLANK

Located at 19 Mile and Romeo Plank (next to Chippewa Valley High School).

L’ANSE CREUSE MIDDLE CREUSE CENTRAL—38000 REIMOLD

Located east of Crocker, north of 16 Mile Road.

L’ANSE CREUSE MIDDLE SCHOOL – SOUTH – 34641 JEFFERSON

16 Mile Rd. to Harper, turn right. One-half mile to Shook Rd., turn left. Continue on Shook until Shook blends into Jefferson.

A LGONQUI N ALER T

Track meets start at approximately 3:45pm with field events

STUDENT OF THE MONTH

DECEMBER

6th Grade

Alexis Hirst

7th Grade

Claire Barry

8th Grade

Hakim Muhammad

Kevin Boyd

JANUARY

6th Grade

Yuna Chang

Joshua Bacarella

7th Grade

Olivia Amodei

8th Grade

Cecelia Cooper

FEBRUARY

6th Grade

John Sobah

7th Grade

Vanessa Twomey

Kevin Anderson

8th Grade

Tristan Shue

Page 10 A LGONQUI N ALER T

CHIPPEWA VALLEY FOOD SERVICE

Food Service would like to say “Thanks” to all those who participated in our debit program this

school year. We hope you found it an easier and quicker way for your students to purchase food.

It is our policy to ‘roll’ all ending balances over for the next school year. However, if your student is

leaving the district you will need to request a refund. This would particularly pertain to 12th graders

who will be leaving the district upon graduation.

Food Service will provide green “ATTENTION DEBIT USERS” forms to each school office and

kitchen. These forms give specific instructions on our refund procedures. They will be available for

pickup by May 12, 2014. It is your responsibility to submit this form to the Food Service Dept. be-

fore refunds are issued.

Again, thank you for your patronage and we look forward to serving you in 2014-2015.

Food Service Department

Please advise the school office as soon as you know you are moving. There are a number of check-out procedures that need to be completed before a

student leaves. Thank you for your cooperation.

Students should consider the following questions when dressing

for school:

Does my clothing expose too much? (no)

Does my clothing advertise something that is prohibited

to minors? (no)

Are there obscene, profane, drug-related, gang-related, or

inflammatory messages on my clothing? (no)

Do I feel comfortable with my appearance? (yes)

Students not in compliance with the Dress Code found on pages 18

& 19 of the Code of Conduct may be required to change clothes.

While fashions change, the reason for being in school does

not. Students are in school to learn. Any fashion (dress,

accessory, or hairstyle) that disrupts the educational process

or presents a safety risk will not be permitted.

Short skirts, low-cut tops, short and/or tight shirts, tank tops,

baggy or low pants, and pants with tears/cuts are not permit-

ted at school. Apparel that advertises drugs/alcohol, vio-

lence, or activities illegal for middle school students is not

allowed in school.

APPROPRIATE SCHOOL FASHION

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE—IT’S THE LAW

IMMUNIZATION INFORMATION !!!!!

All 6th graders must have docu-

mentation showing they have had the necessary immunizations, or they will be excluded from school, beginning the first day of school. Public Act 89 requires this immunization to help assure school-aged children are up-to-date and protected against vac-cine-preventable diseases.

Please make sure your elemen-tary school has the necessary documentation that includes:

Complete series of DtaP/Td with one dose in the on or after the 11th birthday if it is 5 years since the last dose.

Three doses of polio

Two doses of MMR

Three doses of hepatitis B

Two doses of varicella (if no history of chickenpox) on or after the first birthday separated by 28 days.

One dose of Meningococcal conjugate (MC4) for students 11 years of age and older.

School attendance is important to the learning process. In fact, Michigan School Law requires all students between the ages of 6

and 16 attend school on a regular and consecutive basis. This has been defined as every day, on time, unless excused for medical

reasons. The only acceptable excuse for a tardy is a note from a doctor or dentist office. Traffic problems are not an excuse for

tardies.

When it is necessary for your child to be tardy or absent, please call the attendance line at 586-723-3599. This line is available 24

hours a day. In the interest of student safety, we make an attempt to contact families when their child(ren) have not been called in

absent. We can only excuse an absence if a call is received by the following day or when a doctor’s note is provided.

It is the school’s responsibility to monitor and enforce student attendance and timeliness. Therefore, students who accumulate ex-

cessive tardies and/or absences are subject to disciplinary action. Extreme cases of tardiness or absenteeism may be referred to the

Macomb Intermediate School District Truancy Office for further action—even if you have been notifying the school office.

The number of minutes school is in session is mandated by the state. For this reason, if at all possible, family vacations, etc. should

be planned during school breaks.

Homework requests: If a child has missed three or more consecutive days of school, we will be happy to assist in gathering home-

work. To make a homework request, please call the main office at 586-723-3500 by 10:30 am. If you choose to make a homework

request, please remember to pick up the homework from the office by 4:00 pm.

If you make a homework request, please also remember to call the attendance line, but please do not leave homework

requests on the attendance line number.

A LGONQUI N ALER T Page 11

Be Here Be On Time

March 26 End of the 3rd Quarter – Secondary

April 4 Spring Break Begins at the End of the Day

April 14 Classes Resume

April 18 Good Friday—No School—All Students

May 23 Teacher Professional Development Day No School - All Students

May 26 Memorial Day – No School – All Students

June 11 Last Day of School for Students. Students Attend in the AM Only

SPRING—2014

CHIPPEWA VALLEY SCHOOL CALENDAR

2013-2014

Chippewa Valley Schools

Please visit our web-site, http://www.cvs.k12.mi.us/algonquin for a link to “Helping

Hand” an informational newsletter with articles of interest to parents. Children eating

healthier, violence, common signs of drug use, mental illness, coping with trauma and

friendships are all topics covered in the newsletter.

Page 12 A LGONQUI N ALER T

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION It is the policy of Chippewa Valley Schools not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, gender, age, disability, height, weight or marital status in its programs, services, activities, or employment. Inquiries related to nondiscrimina-tion policies should be directed to: Civil Rights Coordinator, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Chippewa Valley Schools Administration, 19120 Cass Avenue, Clinton Township, MI 48038 Phone: 586-723-2090 / Nondiscrimination inquiries related to disability should be directed to: Section

504 Coordinator, Director of Special Services, (same address) Phone: 586-723-2180

CHIPPEWA V ALLEY SCHO OLS

Phone: 5586-723-3500

Fax: 586-723-3501

E-mail: first initial last name@cvs.k12.mi.us

19150 Briarwood

Clinton Twp., MI 48036

Board of Education

Mr. Ron Roberts, Superintendent

Ms. Denise Aquino, President

Mr. Andrew Patzert, Vice President

Mr. George Sobah, Treasurer

Ms. Tammy Reynolds, Secretary

Mr. Frank Bernard, Trustee

Mr. Ken DeBeaussaert, Trustee

Ms. Beth Pyden, Trustee

Mr. Walter A. Kozlowski, Principal

Mr. Raymond Buccilli, Asst. Principal

Page 13

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. Postage Paid

Permit No. 13

Mt. Clemens MI

A LGONQUI N ALER T

Look forward to spring as a time when you can start to see what nature has to offer once again." -Byron Pul-

sifer