Principally Speaking · Summer reading assignments are organized by grade level. English teachers...
Transcript of Principally Speaking · Summer reading assignments are organized by grade level. English teachers...
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Dear Parents and Students,
I hope this newsletter finds you all
enjoying the last weeks of summer! At
Pyle, we have been planning for a great
2016-2017 school year. To help you
prepare for the upcoming year, this
newsletter is packed with information,
helpful tips and details about upcoming
events that may interest you.
One of the most important activities we
perform to prepare for a new school year
is developing the school improvement
plan. This work is a collaborative process
performed during the summer by our
Instructional Leadership Team (ILT),
which consists of administrators, team
leaders, resource teachers and parents. We
would like to thank parents Deb Goldman
and Warren Goodell for their help in the
review and planning of this year’s school
improvement plan.
Supporting our students’ academic and
social-emotional development is our focus
at Pyle. Our students’ involvement in
school and kindness to each other is what
makes Pyle such a unique place. Middle
school is a time of great transition for our
students. We want to make sure that those
transitions are met with support and
guidance from our staff. Our staff actively
works to maintain a respectful and
supportive school culture, and our
students rise to the occasion.
Please put the following dates on your
calendar. First, August 25 is Sixth Grade
and New Student Mini-day, which gives
sixth graders and new students an
opportunity to walk around the building
and meet their teachers. The school buses
will operate that morning and at the end
of the mini day. The program starts at
8:15 a.m. and ends at 12 p.m. This is an
important program, but students who are
unable to attend will participate in many
orientation and team building activities
during the first two weeks of school.
From educational activities to real estate,
school and community are inescapably
intertwined. The Pyle community does it
right, putting it all together in remarkable
continuity and impact. We should not take
this great good fortune for granted.
Two Pyle Middle School volunteer
organizations work their tails off to be
sure Pyle offers outstanding opportunities
for our sons and daughters: The Pyle
PTSA and the Pyle Educational
Foundation. Your support of both will
help leverage our ability to serve you and
your children.
The Pyle PTSA is comprised of the most
skilled, experienced and committed
volunteers I have ever had the pleasure of
knowing. They are reflective of our
community and committed to Pyle. We
could always use your help, however, so
don’t hesitate to get involved.
Principally Speaking …
Pyle Phyle is the joint newsletter of the PTSA & School Administration
SAVE THE DATE
Principal’s Coffee for
New Pyle Parents
August 25, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Mock Half Day
August 25, 8:15 a.m.-12
p.m.
Sixth Grader and New
Student Picnic
August 28, 5-7 p.m.
First day of school
August 29
Back to School Night
September 8, 7 p.m.
August 2016
Principal’s Letter
PTSA Pres. Letter
PTSA Board
From English/ ESOL/
Reading Department
Pyle Education
Foundation
Bus Route Info
Supplies List
For Students
Bell Times
Homerooms
Volunteer at Pyle
For Parents
Join Pylenet
Join the PTSA
Directory Info
Extra Curricular Fees
Privacy Rights
Cafeteria Info
Pyle Directory Form
Reminders
PTSA President’s Message …
Cont’d page 2
Cont’d page 3
1 & 2
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7 & 8
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The Annual Principal’s Coffee for parents new to Pyle will be held from 8:30-
9:30 a.m. on August 25. The Annual New Student/Sixth Grade Back to
School Picnic is Sunday, August 28 from 5-7 p.m. on the blacktop. Thursday,
September 8 is Back to School Night. During that evening, you will be able to
meet teachers, learn about our programs, see friends and neighbors and chat
with administrators. We love seeing parents and welcome your involvement.
Here at Pyle we are all looking forward to the start of another great year! Our
parent community is very supportive of our work and that, combined with the
dedication of our teachers and other staff members, is what makes Pyle a
special place to learn and grow. I hope that you will join the PTSA and get
involved in its work when you can. The PTSA is a huge boost to the
performance of our students and to the environment at Pyle, which enables
our students to thrive. I look forward to seeing you at a school event soon!
Sincerely,
Chris Nardi
Publication of the Thomas W. Pyle
Middle School Administration &
the Pyle PTSA
Thomas W. Pyle Middle School
6311 Wilson Lane
Bethesda, MD 20817
301-320-6540
www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org
/ schools/pylems/
Principal:
Mr. Chris Nardi
Assistant Principals:
Mr. Scott Gitchell
Mrs. Lauretta Beckett
Assistant School Administrator:
Ms. Kristinae OLaughin
Important Phone Numbers:
Main Office: 301-320-6540
School Fax: 301-320-6647
Counseling: 301-320-6550
Special Education Office:
301-320-7046
Transportation: 301-469-1140
Attendance: [email protected]
Pyle Phyle Editor: Karin Meadows
Designer: Ann Morgan Jacobi
Warren E. Goodell
Monique Kadnar
Orhan Mekic
Marjie Heberlee
Yeages Cowan
Susan Eagle
Lisa Sorkin
Karen Roman
Jason Sartori
Ellen Wright
Margaret Bandesky
Laura Roulier
Lisa London
Deborah Goldman
Jill Chenok
Lisa Mandell
Principally Speaking cont’d
President
Executive Vice President
Treasurer
Recording Secretary
Corresponding Secretary
VP, Volunteers
VP, Volunteers
VP, Membership
VP, Membership
VP, Programs
VP, Programs
VP, Social Media
Cluster Representative
Cluster Representative
MCCPTA Delegate
MCCPTA Delegate
The 2016-2017 PTSA Board
Don’t Forget:
- Join PyleNet
- Join the PTSA
- Bell Times
- Check Bus Routes
online
- Have a Great
Year!!!
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mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]
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The PTSA mission is to support and enhance Pyle’s ability to prepare our kids for the future. We value community
involvement with the school, parental involvement in the education of their child, and appreciation for Pyle’s hard
working teachers, staff and administration. We have many programs that reflect our mission and are always looking to
develop more. If you see a need not addressed, speak up!
Special themes for the 2016-2017 year:
- Celebrating and supporting Pyle’s designation as a National School of Character
- Working with school and county officials on moving Pyle’s expansion plans forward
- Enhancing parent-to-parent communication and support
- Addressing concerns regarding cyber citizenship and Internet security
- Expanding understanding and practice of mindfulness as a critical life skill
We are committed to helping you, your child, our school and our community. Get involved. It will make a very real
difference to us all.
Warren Goodell
PTSA President
PTSA President’s Message cont’d
From the English/ESOL/Reading Department:
Welcome to Pyle! We look forward to working with all of our students and
parents this year. The English curriculum offers a variety of reading selections,
students write narrative, informative and argument pieces and they will also give
oral presentations. Our classroom teaching continues to include strategies that
support Common Core Standards and we feel our students are being prepared for
21st century learning.
Comings: Welcome to Mrs. Lorraine McMillen, the newest member of our 6th
grade Digital Literacy team. She joins from Baker Middle School. Joining the
English department is 8th grade teacher Catherine Odey, who previously taught at
Rocky Hill Middle School.
Goings: We said goodbye to Mrs. Polly Samsock, who moved to Rosa Parks
Middle School to be closer to home and to Ms. Maria Cosio, who has joined the
staff of Julius West Middle School. Mrs. Rachel Lunsford has departed Pyle to
teach world studies at Takoma Park Middle School.
The end of summer is approaching. For information on summer reading
requirements, click on the “Summer Studies” tab at the top of the Pyle website.
Summer reading assignments are organized by grade level. English teachers
expect the assigned notes or assignment to be brought to class the first week of
school. The assignment depends on which grade students are entering. Students
may return to English teachers books borrowed from Pyle for summer reading
upon the completion of the assignment. (That may mean at the end of September.)
We hope you have had an enjoyable summer and we look forward to working
together in the coming year.
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The Pyle Education Foundation, Enhancing Your Student’s Pyle Experience
Welcome to the 2016-2017 school year!
Everyone on the Pyle Education Foundation board is looking forward to a year of new and exciting programs
and enhancements for Pyle students. Our board is made up of Pyle parents, just like you. Current members
include Jami Axelrod, Wendy Kuhn, Kim Levin, Matthew McGuire, Sarah Najafi, Beth Redlich, Rachel Svec
and Principal Chris Nardi.
We hope to continue our work from last year, which included the following:
1. Mindfulness instruction by Minds, Inc. for staff and students
2. Shakespeare in the Classroom
3. Thirty-two new laptops and a portable cart
4. Choral risers
5. Thirty-five new microscopes
6. Fifteen new sewing machines
7. Drama and technology training
8. Two teachers to attend Educator's Initiative from North Carolina Outward Bound
9. Three teachers to attend Association of Middle Level Educators conference in Columbus, Ohio
10. Conference attendance for instrumental music teacher
11. Conference attendance for choral teacher
12. Clinics for both choral and orchestra students
13. Support of TAG mindfulness program
14. Twenty new yoga mats and cart for monthly yoga for students
15. Planners for rising Whitman freshmen
16. Co-funded Pyle App
As you can see, the Foundation strives to touch every aspect of student life at Pyle.
We ask that every Pyle family make a donation to the Foundation so that together we can support our students
and teachers. The suggested amount is $100 -$150 per child, but ANY amount is welcomed and appreciated.
Donating is easy. You can either mail us a check made out to The Pyle Education Foundation (P.O. Box 387,
Cabin John, MD 20818) or make a donation via PayPal or Pay4SchoolStuff.com. To pay electronically, visit
the Foundation page on the main Pyle Website. You will find our page listed on the left side of the main page.
Please keep an eye out for announcements of our Fall Fundraising Campaign, Spring Cocktail Parties and
Ledo’s Pizza Nights.
Best,
Mary Zambri
President
Pyle Education Foundation
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BACK TO SCHOOL EVENTS AND ADVICE FOR STUDENTS
Just a little bit of advance advice to help make the first days of school stress free.
Student Mock Half Day
The Student Mock Half Day for students new to Pyle will be Thursday, August 25 from 8:15
a.m. to noon. Bus transportation is provided for scheduled bus students. No pre-registration
for this orientation session is required. Sixth grade students and any seventh or eighth grade
students new to Pyle should attend if possible. Sixth grade students will receive their team
assignments and class schedules, and will rotate through all classes and meet their teachers.
Back to School Picnic
The new school year gets a terrific kick off with this gathering on Sunday, August 28 from 5 –
7 p.m. See some old friends or make some new ones.
First Day of School
The first day of school is Monday, August 29. Students are allowed to enter the building at
8:05 a.m. The first bell rings at 8:15 a.m. For the first day, students should bring: a binder
filled with paper and dividers, two pencils, a scientific calculator and be prepared for actual
schoolwork. Before the first day, remember to: Double-check your Bus Schedule get a good
night’s sleep and eat breakfast! Write down your bus route number so you can locate your bus
after school online at:
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/schools/pylems/news/AMPMBus2
017.pdf
Look up your Homeroom Teacher and Room Number in this newsletter and WRITE IT
DOWN in your BINDER. Report to your Homeroom first thing! You will also find teachers
and room numbers on lists posted around the school. During Homeroom, students will receive
a copy of their class schedule. At the end of the day, you may want to make one copy for your
binder and one to keep at home.
Back to School Reading and Math Packets: If your Back to School Reading required
specific notes or reports, bring them with you. Bring completed math packets, too!
Student Number: Make note of your Student Number. This number is used as an identifier
throughout the year, so keep it handy.
Lunch: The first few weeks of school, students are required to eat lunch at an assigned table
in order to adjust to the newness of school and get to know fellow classmates, as well as learn
the rules of the cafeteria.
Cafeteria Account: Information will be distributed in Homeroom. Memorize your PIN
number for your lunch account. If you’re a new student, bring cash for the first day’s lunch,
and sometime during the first week bring a check made out to “Pyle Middle School Cafeteria”
with your student number and name on the memo line. You can deposit money in your
cafeteria account during lunch. Remember, the cafeteria lines can be long the first week. You
may want to plan on bringing a bag lunch until the routine settles down. If you were a student
in an MCPS school and had money in a cafeteria account at the end of last year, your Pyle
account will have those funds available for use the first day of school.
Locker: Memorize your locker location and number and learn the combination. Don’t stress if
you can’t open your locker the first few days. You can ask for help from teachers and other
students.
Don’t fret if you are a little late to class: Teachers understand you are getting to know the
school and your schedule. If you happen to get lost, teachers will be standing outside
classrooms to help guide you to the right place!
Suggested Supply List
2016-17
Flash drive to
transport electronic
files from school to
home. Please label
your flash drive
with your name and
grade
Three-inch, three-
ring binder
Notebook dividers
for seven subjects
Spiral notebook,
standard lined
#2 pencils
Erasers
Pens
Optional: a
standard backpack,
rolling backpacks
DO NOT FIT
INTO PYLE
LOCKERS
Do not purchase a
graphing calculator
until you meet your
teacher.
All students will
receive a Pyle
Planbook during the
first week of school.
If you have ANY
financial difficulty
purchasing supplies or
with any other cost
related to Pyle please
contact the school
office or your child’s
counselor for
assistance.
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http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/schools/pylems/news/AMPMBus2017.pdfhttp://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/schools/pylems/news/AMPMBus2017.pdf
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2016 – 2017 Bell Times
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Sixth Grade Homerooms 2016 – 2017
Seventh Grade Homerooms 2016 - 2017
Homeroom # Last Name Room Teacher
1 Abdulkader – Bandilla 39 Ms. Carter
2 Barutta – Byrne 40 Mr. DeBuchananne
3 Cain – Cohen-Dumani 41 Mr. Schmidt
4 Colback – Di Laconi 42 Ms. Parker
5 Diagena - Fienberg 43 Ms. Nations
6 Fisch – Greenleaf 44 Ms. Goozh
7 Greenwald – Hirt 127 Ms. Gyau
8 Holland – Kamel 128 Ms. Hayes
9 Karamanoglu – Kuhn 129 Ms. Stewart
10 Kullback – Malaya 130 Ms. Cox
11 MacDevitt – Memon 131 Ms. Saguil
12 Mendenhal – Mulligan 133 Ms. O’ Connor
13 Muratnazaprov – Permana 139 Mr. Forney
14 Peters -Rock 141 Ms. Woehrle
15 Rogge – Schlossman 143 Ms. Woodward
16 Schmiedigen – Solovyov 145 Mr. Nanetti
17 Sonne – Van Der Horst 151 Ms. Delacroix
18 Van Lowe – Weinstein 152 Ms. Dynda
19 Weisz - Zhag 153 Ms. McMillen
Homeroom # Last Name Room Teacher
21 Abey – Barnes 112 Ms. Peters
22 Barsky – Burton 110 Ms. Barrett
23 Cantor – Cook 114 Ms. Gianfrancesco
24 Corbeh – Donner 204 Mr. Enderle
25 Donohue – Feverstein 205 Mr. Lun
26 Fields – Greenan 208 Ms. Taylor
27 Gunther – Hoscheit 211 Ms. Larracuente
28 Hsu -Keller 213 Ms. Sloan
29 Kelly – Larin 215 Mr. Gorham
30 Lauwers -Maehle 217 Ms. Beatty
31 Maier – Merchant 218 Ms. Harrell
32 Mermelstein – O 227 Ms. Baroff
33 Ocana – Posin 228 Mr. Munson
34 Price – Rivera 229 Mr. Pykosh
35 Roberts – Sharp 230 Ms. Evans
36 Shavitz – Sowells 231 Ms. Phillips
37 Spencer – Till 233 Ms. Kaufman
38 Toth – Welminster 235 Ms. Betz
39 Weinberg - Zmola 237 Ms. Stablein
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Eight Grade Homerooms 2016 - 2017
Volunteer at Pyle
Looking to get involved at Pyle, but aren’t sure how?
Do you want to volunteer a few hours a week or a few hours a month? Are you looking for a regular commitment or a
one-time event? Whatever your answers, there are many ways for you to get involved at Pyle. Throughout the year,
there will be numerous opportunities to join a committee or lend a helping hand at events and programs.
Stayed tuned for Pyle-Net messages in the next few weeks with more
information on how you can volunteer at Pyle and support your child’s
education.
Thank you in advance for your support!
Susan Eagle and Lisa Sorkin, Co-VPs Volunteers
[email protected] and [email protected]
Homeroom # Last Name Room Teacher
41 Aaserud – Beilke 111 Mr. McCeney
42 Belli – Brueggemayer 115 Ms. DeMino
43 Burdick – Cooper 116 Mr. Chon
44 Costenco – Dulany 121 Ms. Johnson
45 Eagle – Fong 123 Mr. Tilkens
46 Fowler – Gonzalez-Alvarez 210 Ms. Yates
47 Goodell – Henninger 216 Ms. Penichet
48 Herr – Kemp 238 Ms. Byington
49 Kende - Lanz 239 Ms. Odey
50 Lapidus – Lindstrom 240 Mr. Maurer
51 Lohr – Maury 241 Mr. Caswell
52 McAdoo – Morgan 242 Ms. Wheelhouse/Ms. Parsons
53 Moscarella – Peake 243 Ms. Zhou
54 Pechilis – Ritter 244 Mr. Polley
55 Roberts – Savard 245 Mr. Peake
56 Schaner – Solomon 248 Ms. Green
57 Sonne – Taillandier 250 Mr. Prunier
58 Tang – Warner 251 Mr. Coleman
59 Waterman – Zitko 253 Ms. McSkeane
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For Parents: Important Information to Know
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my child is going to miss school or has missed school?
- Email your student’s name, grade and reason for absence to [email protected] on the day your child is going to be absent
- A doctor’s note is required when a student is absent for five days or longer
What do I do if my child is getting picked up early?
- If a student needs to leave school early, a note signed by a parent/guardian should be brought to the Attendance Secretary at the beginning of the school day. The note should include the student’s full name,
grade, parent’s/ guardian’s home, office, or cell phone number, the date, time, and reason for early dismissal.
The student will get a pass to leave class
- Before leaving school, students must sign out in the Main Office. Students may not leave school grounds without permission
- Parents/guardians or their designee must come into the Main Office to meet the child. A student without a note will be released only to the parent/guardian or emergency contact listed on the Emergency Information Card.
Please try to avoid making appointments for your child during the school day, especially on testing days
What if the school closes due to bad weather or another issue?
- In the event of delayed opening, schools will open two hours late and buses will run accordingly - If there is an early dismissal school will close 2 ½ hours early and buses will run accordingly
Does my child have an assigned school counselor?
- Yes, school counselors are assigned according to grade and team - As students progress through Pyle, their counselors progress with them - Counselor grade and team assignments can be found in the school directory or by contacting the counseling
office at (301) 320-6550
When and how should a parent contact a teacher?
- Anytime a parent has a question or concern about a class it is best to contact the individual teacher first. Teacher email addresses can be found on the Pyle website under Staff Directory
Who are the team leaders and what do they do?
- Each grade at Pyle is divided into three teams, each with its own team leader - Most students take classes only from teachers on their assigned teams, although cross scheduling occurs due to
scheduling needs or in the case of certain classes such as electives
How do I join PyleNet?
- Send an email to [email protected] and include your full name, phone number and student’s name and grade
Get the latest news … get PyleNet! Pyle utilizes an online listserv to distribute information quickly to parents, administrators and staff. To subscribe to
this group, send an email to:
Include your:
- Full Name - Pyle Student(s) and grade
- Your phone number
Visit the PyleNet group’s website: groups.yahoo.com/group/pylenet
Need help? Email the moderator, Yeages Cowan, at [email protected]
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mailto:[email protected]
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PYLE NEW STUDENT DIRECTORY FORM
ONLY COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM IF:
You are NOT from Bannockburn, Bradley Hills, Burning Tree, Carderock Springs, or Wood Acres elementary schools, or
You were NOT included in last year’s Pyle Directory, or
Your EMAIL has changed from how it was listed in last year’s Pyle Directory.
PRINT NEATLY AND INCLUDE ONLY INFORMATION YOU WANT PRINTED IN THE DIRECTORY. Student(s):
Last Name: First Name: Grade:
Last Name: First Name: Grade:
Home Address:
Home Phone:
Mother/Guardian:
Last Name: First Name:
Email Address: (Please provide email so we can contact you to verify your information.)
Father/Guardian:
Last Name: First Name:
Email Address: (Please provide email so we can contact you to verify your information.)
CHECK HERE IF YOU WANT TO WITHHOLD ALL INFORMATION FROM THE DIRECTORY:
DO NOT include ANY personal information in the Directory.
Note: Even if you check the box, please provide a current EMAIL ADDRESS so we can contact you to verify your information before the directory is published.
NOTE: Pyle families must join the PTSA to receive a printed copy of our directory and to gain access to the online directory. Please join today! Our annual membership dues are $40. You can find our membership form in the “Pyle Phyle,” on the Pyle website (http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/pylems/ptsa/), and in the front office. Thank you for your support!
Return this form to the Pyle Main Office by SEPTEMBER 9, 2016.
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http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/pylems/ptsa/
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IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES:
Thurs., August 25 Mock Half Day for new students — 8:15-Noon
Sun., August 28 6th Grade & New Students to Pyle Picnic — 5-7pm
Mon., August 29 FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
Mon., September 5 Labor Day — No School
Thurs., September 8 Back to School Night — 7pm
Mon., September 12 No School
Fri., September 30 Early Release for All Students
For Future Important Dates, visit Pyle’s website at
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/pylems/
August 2016
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