COBRA COMMENTS

http://gms.hcpss.org

Next Issue January 27, 2012

 

December 23, 2011

 

News Email Alert Sign Up

www.hcpssnews.com

 

Family Portal

www.hcpss.org/fp

 

Upcoming Events

Monday, Dec 26 – Friday, Dec 30

Schools Closed, Winter Break

Monday, Jan 2

Schools Reopen

Wednesday, Jan 4

GT Parent Academy, 7 PM, Homewood School

Wednesday, Jan 11

PTSA Meeting, 7 PM

Monday, Jan 16

Schools Closed, Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Thursday, Jan 19

Market Day Pick Up, 5:45 PM – 6:45 PM

Friday, Jan 20

3 Hour Early Dismissal, End of the 2nd Marking Period

Monday, Jan 23

School Closed, Professional Work Day

Thursday, Jan 26

Science Fair (Snow Date: Fri, Jan 27)

Monday, Jan 30

Report Cards Issued

 

School News

 

Principal’s Message

 

During the past week, I have attended our Winter Instrumental and Choral Concerts.  I hope you were able to attend one as well.  I want to congratulate our music students and their teachers on their accomplishments.  In the January issue of Cobra Comments, I will share the names of our fine arts students that have achieved county and/or state recognition.  Later in this Cobra Comments, you will find the names of students that are advancing to the county level in the PTSA Reflections Program. 

 

As I visited classrooms this week, students and teachers have been working together on their lessons.  I am always amazed by the achievement and dedication of Glenwood’s students and staff. 

 

On behalf of the staff, thank you to all of the families that have provided gifts and treats to brighten the days leading up to winter break. 

 

Our students have worked hard and are looking forward to Winter Break.  On behalf of the school administration and staff, I want to wish each family a safe and happy winter break.  I wish each of you days filled with family moments and celebration throughout the holiday season. 

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Attention all 8th Grade Parents....

 

Please attend the GLENELG HIGH SCHOOL PARENT NIGHT on January 5th, at 7:00 pm, at Glenelg High School.  You will hear about course expectations and requirements, as well as opportunities for your child at Glenelg!!

 

8th Grade Students…

 

GHS Dance Company auditions will be held in the GHS Dance Studio, Jan 3rd and 4th, 3-6 PM.

Learn three routines on Tuesday, Jan 3rd; Perform for the judges on Wed, Jan 4th

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High School Career Academies Information Sessions

Wed., Jan. 4, 7-9 p.m.

Applications and Research Lab (ARL), 10920 Rt. 108, Ellicott City

 

Parents and students in grades 8-10 are invited to information sessions about the Career Academies. These programs enable high school students to focus on a course of study related to their academic and career interests.

 

All are welcome at either session. For more information and a complete list of Academies, visit www2.hcpss.org/cte/academies/career_academies.html or call the Office of Career and Technology Education, 410-313-6629.

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Reflections Program 2011:  WINNING ENTRIES

Glenwood Middle School

 

Congratulations to the following students for winning at the school level.  They will now be competing at the county level.  County results will be available in January.

 

Literature

Photography

Caroline Kwon, 7th

Holly Lakin, 7th

Ashley Reed, 8th

 Caroline Kwon, 7th

Alex Wood, 7th

Logan Barragan, 7th

 

 

Film

Dance

Jesse Bailey and Camille Sirenne, 6th

Kaitlyn O’Byrne and Caitlyn Kicza, 6th

Ryan Higgins, 7th

Sara Hart, 8th

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Winter Intramurals

 

The Winter Session runs from the week of January 2nd through the week of March 12th. These activities will run from 2:30 to 3:30 on their identified day(s).  Flyers and permission slips are available in the front office.

 

We are asking students who wish to participate in an activity to pay a fee of $35 per activity.  GO GIRLS is a free activity.  Math Coaching has a separate ten week session fee of $35 for either Tuesdays or Thursdays ($70 for both), plus any additional materials fee.  Checks for the intramural fees should be made payable to the Glenwood PTSA.  Checks for the materials must be made payable to the Glenwood Middle School, not the PTSA.  Scholarships are available for those who need them and can be applied for through Assistant Principal O'Byrne.  Completed forms, with your check(s) attached, should be placed in the drop box on the counter in the front office.  If you have questions about any of the programs, please contact the sponsor via their school email account.  Students should sign-up no later than Friday, January 6th, or the activity/activities they wish to participate in may not run if there are not enough participants!

 

Homework Club - Attend any 1,2, 3, or all 4 sessions each week for one low fee!

Mondays sponsored by Nena Davis (Room 81)                        Tuesdays sponsored by Kathy Mehalko (Room 31)

Wednesdays sponsored by Tara Smith (Room 34)      Thursdays sponsored by Kathy Mehalko (Room 31)

Students seeking a quiet place to get their homework done immediately after school can attend any or all of the sessions depending on what days work best for them.  Join any time during the session!

 

Math Coaching - Tuesdays & Thursdays sponsored by Chong Na & Nancy Cornelius (Room 2) (Separate fee for either Tuesdays or Thursdays - $70 to attend both days)

Would you like to have a chance to sit down right here at Glenwood after school and have a math teacher available to help point you in the right direction with your homework.  If you are in a grade level math class and think you might benefit from additional guidance, join this math specific HW club with two of Glenwood’s finest math teachers!

 

Knitting - Thursdays sponsored by Robin Russell-Mitchell (Room 26)

Learn to cast on and knit garter stitch while making a warm and cozy scarf.  Enrollment is limited, so make sure you bring your registration form to Ms. Russell-Mitchell in Room 26 to hold your place.  Materials fee: $20, payable to Glenwood Middle School instead of the Glenwood Middle School PTSA for the intramural fee itself. The materials fee will cover the yarn and needles needed to complete this project. Participants will be able to keep their needles after the winter session to continue knitting on their own.

 

BEALLUCANBEMATH - Wednesdays sponsored by Jason Beall (Room 80)

Are you in a GT or Honors math class?  Let me help you excel in your current class.  We will meet each week to allow students to review and master any advanced math topics from your GT or Honors level class and/or look ahead to tie current skills to future topics from classes that lie ahead.

 

Animal Art Club - Wednesdays sponsored by Laurie Basham (Room 39)

The Animal Art Club will explore the subject of animals through drawing, painting and printmaking. Start collecting your favorite animal photos and bring them to Animal Art Club where you will turn them into works of art.

 

Go Girl!!! - Tuesdays sponsored by Denie Creese & Cathy Henry (Cafeteria) (Free Activity)

This FREE program is all about fun, health, wellness, and lifetime fitness.  Sessions will include instruction and participation in the following: Walking, Running, Resistance and Weight Training, Golf, Yoga, Zumba, Jazzercise, The Fitness Lab, Nutritional Snacking, and Much More

Why:                For fun and to increase your fitness level

Who:                All Glenwood Middle School Girls

What to wear:   Comfortable sneakers and weather appropriate clothing

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Ecophones Recycling Group

 

Did you know that the cadmium from a single phone can pollute 158,200 gallons of water or the equivalent of 1.2 million 16-ounce coffees?  The Ecophones Recycling group is here to help save the environment!!  We are doing an electronics recycling fundraiser called Ecophones to earn money that will be donated to the Children's Cancer Foundation.  It would be great if you could support us by donating your old electronics (broken or not).  You can find the Ecophone collection box in Mrs. Jensen's room 7. 

 

Items you can donate include:

-ink jet cartridges

-cell phones

-i-pods/mp3 players

-laptops

-cameras/video cameras

-video game consoles

-GPSs

-TI graphing calculators

-E-book readers

 

For more information, ask Mrs. Jensen or for a complete list of recyclable electronics, visit www.Ecophones.com .  Thank you for your support!!

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8th Grade Parents/Guardians - Student Service Learning

 

The following is an overview of the 8th grade Student Service Learning (SSL) opportunities for the 2011-2012 school year. In the effort to increase home/ school communication, we are providing you with the Student Service Learning dates. Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) requires students to earn a total of 75 SSL hours. Eighth grade students are responsible for tracking their 25 SSL hours on a documentation sheet that will be kept in the students’ Science binder. Students who miss any of the school days below due to a prearranged/excused absence(s) will be responsible for seeking alternative SSL opportunities offered at Glenwood. Those opportunities will be announced at various times throughout the school year and range from Student Government Association (SGA) activities to helping with management of the school’s courtyard (Courtyard Crew).

 

January 20th (3 hour early release)

February – Field Trip during the school day

February 15th and 16th (3 hour early release)

March (event during Related Arts and evening activity)

 

The overview and dates have been provided to you as a courtesy to help you better schedule family events.  If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Beall or Mrs. Viens.

 

Respectfully,

8th Grade Teachers

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Items Dropped Off For Students (excerpt taken from the student agenda books)

 

In middle school students should be learning the responsibility of bringing all necessary supplies & lunches with them. Most of our teachers expect this as part of their grading policy. Please assist your child and the Glenwood staff by directing your child to pack their backpack the night before with their books and homework they will need for the next day.

 

If an emergency arises and a student calls home for an item it is your child’s responsibility (without being called) to stop by the office to pick it up. It is very disruptive to the teaching and learning process to have students called out of class.

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Community Center/Library After School

 

In order for students to walk to the Glenwood Community Center and/or the Glenwood Library after school, they must bring a signed note from their parent. The permission slip sent in with the student is signed by the administration at lunch granting the student to go to only one of the two locations stated above.   No phone calls will be accepted.

 

Please reinforce to your child that he or she must go directly to the Glenwood Community Center and/or the Glenwood Library.  Students are not permitted to cross the road and go to Highs or the Western Regional Park.   Once students leave the Glenwood School property HCPSS is no longer liable.   We appreciate your support.  Student safety is our top concern. 

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Glenwood Calendar

 

Please remember to check for upcoming events on our school calendar that can be found on our website http://gms.hcpss.org.

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Notifying Glenwood if Your Child is Absent

 

When your child is absent you may contact the school using one of the following options:

 

Email:  gmsabsence@hcpss.org

Or contact Student Services at 410-313-5525 during the school day (7:30 am - 2:30 pm)

 

When your child is out for the second day in a row you may request homework. You must call 410-313-5525 before 8:30 to ask for homework to be collected.  It will be available for pickup between 2:30 – 3:30 that afternoon. Parents are responsible for picking it up the same day it is requested.

 

For our attendance reporting purposes a signed parent/guardian note with student's name, grade, date(s) of absence, and reason will still be required upon the student’s return to school.

 

Parents are reminded school begins and students are expected in homeroom at 7:40 am.  Students arriving in the building at 7:40 or later, must be signed in through the Front Office with a parent signature and/or a note.

 

PTSA News

www.glenwoodptsa.com

 

The PTSA would like to wish everyone a Safe and Happy Holiday Season!  We hope you have a relaxing winter break.

 

Thank you to all who sent in gifts for our teacher Secret Santa Gift Exchange!

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Leo Club

 

Is your child interested in joining the Leo Club this year?  We would like to get this club operating again but we are in need of a parent volunteer willing to be in charge.  If you are interested, please contact Kathleen Forester kforester@verizon.net for more information.

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PTSA Meeting

 

The next PTSA meeting will be held at 7 pm on January 11.  Please join us in the media center.

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Special Thank You

 

A very special thank you to all the parents and students who contributed to the Glenwood Middle School Teacher and Staff White Elephant Gift Exchange.   The teachers and staff had a great time opening and exchanging gifts while snacking on cookies, brownies and punch.  They were all so thankful and appreciative!

 

Wishing You A Happy Holiday and A Happy, Healthy and Safe New Year,  Laura Wieder

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Market Day

 

Don’t forget to place your Market Day order! ( www.marketday.com  School code: 21490)   Orders placed via internet by Friday, January 13 (deadline is 11pm), can be picked up on Thursday, January 19, between 5:45 and 6:45 PM, in the cafeteria. 

 

Any questions, please contact Lauren Garofolo, lorgarf@comcast.net or 410-489-6585.

 

Community News

 

Free Studio Concert at Misako Ballet

 

Misako Ballet Company continues its tradition of offering holiday studio dance concerts for families with children, tailored to the young audience.  Tuesday, Dec. 27 at 1-1:30 p.m. The concert will feature ballet with Japanese and classical themes and contemporary dances.

 

Children from the audience will have an opportunity to learn a quick piece and perform it. Great for families with young children!  At Misako Ballet Studio, Harpers Choice Village Center, 5485 Harper's Farm Road, Suite 203, Columbia 21044 (above Dunkin Donuts).  Call 410-884-9690 or 443-805-1350 for more information, or visit www.misakoballet.com.

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Gifted and Talented Parent Academy

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

The Homewood School

10914 Route 108, Ellicott City

 

All interested parents and community members are invited to attend!

 

Get Involved:  Support Gifted and Talented Education in Howard County

 

Featured Speaker: 

 

Dr. Jeanne Paynter, Specialist for Gifted and Talented Education, Maryland State Department of Education, will share resources for parents, advocacy tips, and the most recent information about the status of gifted and talented education in Maryland. 

 

Sponsored by the G/T Education Program and G/T Advisory Committee. 

For more information, visit the G/T Advisory Committee website at http://hcpssgtac.wordpress.com .

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4 Easy Steps to Help Disaster Victims in Howard County

 

1. Dive into your closet and clean out all your old prom/party dresses, gently worn shoes, purses, jewelry and other accessories.

 

2. Take all the stuff to Coldwell Banker—Enchanted Forest and drop it in the Project: Prom Dress bin January 2 thru February 17, 2012.

 

3. Come to the Howard County YMCA on February 26 ready to shop. The cleaned and collected dresses will be sold at a fraction of their original price. Get there early because doors open at 9AM and the dresses go quickly!

 

4. Smile. You just helped raise money so the Red Cross can provide food, shelter, clothing and other help to disaster victims in Howard County.

 

Important details:  Visit Coldwell Banker - Enchanted Forest, 10050 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City, during the following times to drop off your items: Monday-Thursday 9AM- 7PM; Friday and Saturdays 9AM-5PM; Sundays 9AM-3PM.

 

Project: Prom Dress happens on one day only-- February 26 at the Howard County YMCA from 9AM – 5PM.  100% of the money raised through the re-sale is donated to the American Red Cross of the Chesapeake Region. For more information call 410/624-2035, email projectpromdresshoward@gmail.com or find Project: Prom Dress on Facebook.

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2012 Girl Power – Reach for the Sky

Sunday, March 11, 3-5 pm

Kossiakoff Center, The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD 20723

 

Career opportunities for the Women of Tomorrow in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics presented by Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory with support from many STEM partners. Parents are invited to accompany their daughters.  Directions are available at www.jhuapl.edu.  No admission fee.

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Capitol Debate Winter 2012 Classes/Camps

 

Capitol Debate, a business partner with the school system, will host after school classes in Debate and Public Speaking starting the week of January 17 for students from 4th to 8th grade.  Cost: $200.   For more details/times and to apply, go to www.capitoldebate.com. Contact: Ronald Bratt at 443-538-4992 or bratt@capitol-debate.com .

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School's Out Nature Programs

 

Need a place to bring your children when schools are closed?  Bring them to The Howard County Conservancy for their School's Out Nature Programs. These educational programs are held on select days when Howard County schools are closed to students. Programs include educational games, activities, and crafts emphasizing all the wonders of the changing seasons. Children will discover and explore the variety of natural habitats as life flourishes all around them. Programs are for children ages 5-12. You must register in advance.  A limited number of students will be permitted each session, so sign your child up today!

 

 Full day Programs:

- 8:30 am-3:30 pm; $40/child

- Before care is available starting at 8 a.m. for an extra $5.

- After care is available from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. for an extra $10.

 

2012 Dates: Jan 16, Jan 23, Feb 17, Feb 20, May 18

The Howard County Conservancy is located at 10520 Old Frederick Road, Woodstock, 21163.

For more information and registration, contact tabby.fique@hcconservancy.org

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Registrations for Howard County Recreation and Parks Various Program

 

Please visit the Howard County Recreation and Parks website for all of their current programs and registrations.  There are lots of sports and adventure opportunities.  Visit today!  www.co.ho.md.us/Rap

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Community events are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Howard County Public School System.

 

We would like to thank our business partners for their support:

Howard County Library, Eggspectation Restaurant, Glenwood Lions Club, Gailes’ Violin Shop, Bryan Hall/Long & Foster, and The First Tee of Howard County