January 2015

Ryan Rich Principal

Vicki Rardin

Assistant Principal

Rodney Watson Assistant Principal

Lizette Baumann

Guidance Counselor

Lisa Lain Guidance Counselor

Jenn Schott

Guidance Counselor

Rick Fields Athletic Director

1625 Field Dr. Noblesville, IN 46060

Ph: 317-773-0782 Fax: 317-776-6261

Attendance: 317: 776-6258

www.noblesvilleschools.org

Dear Parents, The ISTEP+ testing program is being revised to reflect new Indiana Academic Standards (IAS) and to incorporate more demanding types of test questions. Both the new standards and new test items will challenge students in ways that are different from the previous ISTEP. Teachers in Noblesville Schools have examined the new standards and are adjusting their content and instructional strategies to prepare students for the 2015 tests. In addition, they have previewed materials and sample test items provided by the Indiana Department of Education, and will familiarize students with the new test items’ intent, appearance, and directions. Changes in the ISTEP items will be most obvious in Part Two, which students will take in late April/early May. ISTEP Part Two is taken on computers, and both the language arts and math tests will feature question formats that have not been seen on ISTEP in the past. Traditional multiple choice (MC) items typically have one correct answer, but in the new ISTEP students will be asked to select more than one correct response. Other items may require an initial, single response, but then ask students to answer another question about the same material. Some test items are “technology enhanced” (TE) items and require students to use the computer mouse, trackpad, or touchpad to drag and drop components of their answers into a box. Other TE items require students to highlight portions of a text, or place points and lines on a graph. These are just some of the new question formats and new ways of thinking that students will be required to do on the 2015 ISTEP. In order for the tests to evaluate students’ content knowledge and thinking ability, it is important that they are not confused simply by the test directions, or unsure of how to use the computer to express their answers. YOU CAN HELP YOUR CHILD by learning more about the new standards and new test question formats. For sample test items, go to: http://experience-ccra-in.ctb.com/ For more information about the new assessment, go to: http://www.doe.in.gov/assessment/experience-college-and-career-ready-assessment For more information about the 2014 Indiana Academic Standards, go to: http://www.doe.in.gov/standards Teachers are working with students to prepare them with the knowledge and skills, including test-taking skills, that will help them succeed on the 2015 ISTEP. You can help by talking with your child about reading directions carefully, knowing what test questions are asking them to do, and practicing how to respond to new types of test questions. Please contact us if you have questions about the new standards and new tests. Sincerely,

Ryan Rich Principal

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PTO Sponsored Talent Show The PTO will be sponsoring a student talent show on February 10 at 6:30 pm in the Noblesville High School auditorium. Auditions will take place after school on January 29 in the NEMS cafeteria. There are sign-up sheets for the auditions in front of the Student Services office. Acts must last no longer than 5 minutes from setup to finish.

Community Night at the Pacers game The Noblesville Schools Education Foundation is once again sponsoring Noblesville Community Night with the Indiana Pacers. Join friends and neighbors on Sunday, February 22, as the Pacers take on the Golden State Warriors. Tipoff is at 6:00 pm. Each game ticket is good for a free hot dog, bag of chips and soft drink, a free Pacers cap, and an opportunity to shoot a free throw on the main floor after the game! Each ticket also is good for some exciting activities on the basketball court from 12:30-3:30 pm. See the attachment for more information on these activities. Tickets must be ordered by January 20 for this offer. Tickets may be ordered by clicking on the following link: http://www.noblesvilleschools.org/domain/57 All proceeds from ticket sales will be used for classroom grants and scholarships.

School closings/delays Noblesville Schools makes every effort to notify families in the event of school closings or a two-hour delay to the start of the school day. • Information about weather delays and cancellations are posted immediately on Noblesville Schools Facebook and Twitter accounts, as well as through local television stations.

• School Messenger alerts are sent out to the email address and phone number that is on file with the school office. If your email address or phone number has changed, please contact the school office so we can update our records.

• There is an article on the school district website regarding factors that are taken into consideration when these weather-related decisions are made.

Textbook rental payments Textbook rental payments are past due at this time. Past due notices were mailed out before winter break. If you have completed a Book Rental Contract, the final payment is due January 16. Please contact Robyn Schermann with any questions or to pay by phone with a MasterCard or Visa.

School in session January 19 Just a reminder that due to the school closure on Thursday, January 8 school will now be in session on Monday, January 19. This date is noted on the school calendar as a flex day. February 16 is the next flex day that will be used should we have another school closure prior to that date.

Visitor parking For the convenience of our valued parents and visitors, we have designated the parking spaces parallel to our main entrance as visitor parking only. Signs have been ordered and will be in place very soon.

eLearning Day February 18 Our next eLearning day will occur on Wednesday, February 18. Students will attend school through the last lunch period, then be dismissed at 12:25 to go home to continue their learning by participating in learning activities electronically through their school device and Canvas. The students’ regular bus transportation routes will run at dismissal at 12:25 on eLearning days. Parents may also pick up students, or allow their child to walk home just as on any other normal school day. Bus transportation will only be provided at the 12:25 dismissal. Bus transportation will not be provided to students who stay at school for a supervised study hall until the normal 2:35 dismissal time.

NEMS Yearbooks There is still time to order a NEMS yearbook! Ordering may take place online at http://www.jostens.com, by mailing in the order form you received in the mail, or by phone at 1-866-282-1516.

Freshman scheduling The freshman scheduling process for current 8th grade students has begun! On Thursday, January 15, Freshman counselors will be available for advising in the NEMS LGI Room from 6:30 – 7:30 pm. The counselors can help you to make an informed decision when helping to select your student’s freshman courses.

All 8th grade students should have received a yellow course selection sheet last week. These sheets will need to be turned into their science teachers by Friday, January 16. Students will be entering their course selections into the computer the week of January 19 during their science classes. An 8th Grade Information Night which will be held at NHS on March 17. At this event, you will learn about a variety of topics to help plan and prepare for freshman year. Further information will follow.

Public Safety Forum The Hamilton County Sheriff Department is holding a Public Safety Forum that will be hosted by Sheriff, Mark Bowen on Thursday, January 29 at 7:00 pm at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds. See the attachment for more information.

Outside activities for youth Coaches and organizations throughout the community offer a variety of activities for youth. Click on the links to learn more. • 2015 youth baseball registration is now open! www.noblesvillebaseball.org

• Noblesville Youth Lacrosse http://www.noblesvilleyouthlacrosse.com/

• Color Guard clinic @ NHS – deadline extended to January 16 http://www.noblesvilleschools.org/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=1413&ModuleInstanceID=6906&ViewID=047E6BE3-6D87-4130-8424-D8E4E9ED6C2A&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=13392&PageID=4329

• All Pro Dad http://www.allprodad.com/1814

• Boys and Girls Club of Noblesville http://www.bgcni.org/

NEMS Important Dates

January 15 Freshman Advising Night (6:30 pm) January 16 All Pro Dad meeting (6:15 am) Freshman course sheets due January 19 MLK Flex day – SCHOOL IS IN SESSION January 21 6th grade All-A Celebration (7:30 am) Early Release Day (2:05 pm) PTO Meeting (7:00 pm) January 22 7th & 8th grade All-A Celebration (7:30 am) January 29 Talent Show auditions after school Girls’ A basketball @ NWMS (5:30 pm) Boys’ A basketball @ NWMS (after girls) Public Safety Forum (7:00 pm) February 2 – 6 Counselors’ Recognition Week February 4 Early Release Day (2:05 pm) February 6 Quarter 3 midterm February 9 Talent Show rehearsal at NHS (5:30 pm) February 10 NEMS Talent Show at NHS (6:30 pm)

February 16 Presidents’ Day/Flex Day February 18 eLearning Day (12:25 pm dismissal) February 20 All Pro Dad Meeting (6:15 am)

The 40 Developmental Assets theme for the month of January is Setting Boundaries and Expectations. Having clear boundaries and expectations at home, school, and in the neighborhood are essential for a student feeling safe and valued. It is also essential that teachers and parents encourage young people to do their very best in every activity they are involved in at school as well as in the community.

In our digital age it is very important for parents to set

boundaries with their children. Middle School aged children are not emotionally mature enough to understand all of the dangers that face them in the real world as well as in their digital environment. Just as parents know where their children are and who they are with at all times in the real world, they should also know where there children are going in the digital world and who they are communicating with there. Please check the resources listed on the side bar to assist parents with monitoring their student’s online activities.

Mrs. Baumann

Mrs. Lain

Mrs. Schott

Source: Ideas for Educators, Eklund & Gilby.

Setting Boundaries and Expectations

Counselor Corner School Counseling Department Newsletter

Counselors … Engage, Inspire & Empower January 2015

6th Grade Tip of the Month

Parents and students should

remember to check PowerSchool to

monitor the student’s overall

grades as well as any missing

assignments.

7th Grade Tip of the Month

Students should set an academic

goal to work on for the 3rd quarter

and the remainder of the year.

Everyone has something that

they can improve on to be more

successful.

8th Grade Tip of the Month

Parents and students should

be aware of all high school

scheduling meetings and

deadlines. Parents are

encouraged attend the

presentation on January 15th

from 6:30-7:30 @ NEMS.

Internet Filtering Tools:

securly.com

OpenDNS.com

Internet Safety Info:

Commonsensemedia.org-

parent tips and information

about technology

onguardonline.gov-tips form

the government and tech

industry about online security

bewebsmart.com-parent

resources to keep the family

safe on all electronic media

bit.ly/NEMSparenthelp-parent

resources & links

Digital Resources

NEMS Counselors

Lizette Baumann, 6th Grade Counselor // lizette_baumann@nobl.k12.in.us

Lisa Lain, 7th Grade Counselor // Lisa_lain@nobl.k12.in.us

Jenn Schott, 8th Grade Counselor // Jennifer_Schott@nobl.k12.in.us

Follow us on Twitter @NEMSCounselors!

New Standards Mean New Assessments

This Spring 2015, the I-STEP+ assessment will be different than

the past, as it will measure standards that are more challenging

and require higher levels of problem solving, writing, and critical

thinking. These types of skills are particularly important in pre-

paring students for college and/or careers.

New Item Types

Students will be able to use computer tools to answer new types

of items. Teachers are providing practice with these technology

enhanced questions. Find them here: http://www.doe.in.gov/

assessment/experience-college-and-career-ready-assessment

Because Standards are More Rigorous, More Support May be

Needed at Home

Stay in contact with your child’s teachers. Ask how you can sup-

port your child and learn more about the new curriculum to help

with the transition.

When is I-Step+ Given?

ISTEP+ Part 1 (*Applied Skills/Paper & Pencil) March 2-March 11

ISTEP+ Part 2 ( *Multiple Choice/Technology) April 27– May 15

*Some schools may opt to do both online or paper pencil, depending on the situation for

the individual school, which could affect the test window.

College and

Career

Ready

The New Indiana

Academic Standards

clearly outline what

students should

know and be able to

do for each content/

subject area and

grade level or grade

band.

The standards have

been validated as

college and career

ready, which means

students who suc-

cessfully master

these objectives by

the time they gradu-

ate from high school

will be ready to go

directly into the

workplace or a post-

secondary educa-

tional opportunity

without the need for

remediation.

Find the standards

here:

http://www.doe.in.gov/

standards

How

can you help

your child?

*Keep things in

perspective– no

single test can de-

termine the ability

or future of a

child.

*Become familiar

with the new

standards and

check out the

practice questions

online. http://

www.doe.in.gov/

assessment/istep-

grades-3-8

*Make sure your

child gets plenty of

sleep and has a

healthy breakfast

during test weeks,

and discuss ways to

reduce stress.

I-STEP+

What to Expect

Public Safety Forum The Hamilton County Sheriff Department is holding a Public Safety Forum that will be hosted by Sheriff, Mark Bowen on Thursday, January 29 at 7:00 p.m. at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds. Due to the amount of workplace and school violence in our world, we want to provide information to Hamilton County community members on the following current practices against workplace and school violence:

Noblesville School utilizes the ALICE approach against school violence. Come hear the theories and practices of ALICE.

There will be tips on how to make your workplace safer and what to do if there is an incident of workplace violence.

If you have additional questions on the forum or you would like additional information, please contact the Sheriff Department's Public Information Officer, Deputy Bryant Orem. He can be reached by phone at (317)776-4104 or by email at: bryant.orem@hamiltoncounty.in.gov.

Complete and return this form, along with payment, to:

Noblesville Schools Ed. Foundation Attn: Sharon Trisler 1775 Field Drive Noblesville, IN 46060 Phone: 317.773.2134 ext. 44123 Email: sharon_trisler@nobl.k12.in.us

NOBLESVILLE COMMUNITY NIGHT QUANTITY PACKAGE VALUE YOUR PRICE LOCATION TOTAL

$27.58 $21.00 Upper Balcony

$40.78 $39.00 Lower Balcony

TICKETS ARE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY. TICKET PRICE INCLUDES A 10% MARION CO. ADMISSIONS TAX. NO REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES.

Noblesville Community Night Indiana Pacers vs. Golden State Warriors

Sunday, February 22, 2015 | Tipoff 6:00pm | Doors Open 5:00pm* * Subject to Change

The Indiana Pacers and the Noblesville Schools Education Foundation have teamed up to provide you and your family with an exciting community night with the Indiana Pacers! By purchasing tickets through this offer, not only do you receive a great discount on select Pacers tickets a portion of every ticket purchased will be donated back to the Noblesville Schools Education Foundation to be used for classroom grants and scholarships! Tickets will also include:

A food voucher good for one FREE hot dog, bag of chips and Pepsi product A FREE Pacers cap An Opportunity to Shoot a free throw on the main floor after the game See your group’s name in lights on the ribbon board during halftime of the game

Contact Name _____________________________________________________

Phone ___________________________________________________________

Address __________________________________________________________

City, State, Zip _____________________________________________________

Email ____________________________________________________________

Indicate Form of Payment

Cash Check: Check #______ Checks made payable to Indiana Pacers

ORDER DEADLINE: Tuesday, January 20, 2015 To order, complete and return

the order form below. Lower Balcony seats - $39! *$10 donation to the Foundation *First 10 rows of the balcony *Great view of scoreboard

Upper Balcony seats - $21! *$5 donation to the Foundation *Most bang for your buck *Most passionate fans sit here

Join us at Center Court at Bankers Life Fieldhouse!

As a part of Noblesville Community Night with the Indiana Pacers on February 22, Noblesville students have a chance to participate in a free throw shooting contest on the Pacers' court at Bankers Life Fieldhouse!

When you purchase tickets through the Noblesville Schools Education Foundation for the Pacers vs. Golden State Warriors game, you also have the opportunity to watch a Noblesville faculty/staff basketball game and your students will have a chance to participate in a free-throw shooting contest. The faculty game will begin at 1 and the free throw shooting contest will begin at about 2:30 with contestants grouped by grade. The Pacers game is at 6. You are free to leave between the Noblesville activities and the Pacers game, but you do need a Pacers ticket in order to watch the Noblesville activities or participate in them. Noblesville fans also will have an opportunity to shoot free throws after the Pacers game!

Each game ticket also is good for game admission, a free hot dog, bag of chips and soft drink, a free Pacers cap! Tickets must be ordered by January 20 for this offer. All proceeds from ticket sales will be used for classroom grants and scholarships. Your child doesn't even have to have NBA or WNBA dreams to make this an activity they'll remember for years to come!