JMS PTO News
Hello JMS parents!
The March PTO meeting is on Thursday, the 5th at 8:30 a.m. in the library. Yes, this is a MORNING
meeting. Last PTO meeting we had some announcements from Mr. Sanders regarding the new 10-block
schedule for next year and a new Magnet discipline – Creative Writing. Plan on attending this next PTO
meeting to learn more information about what will be new at the start of the 2015-16 school year.
Greyhound News is posted on the PTO website. It includes bi-monthly issues since the beginning of the
school year. Click “PTO Newsletters” under “Parents” at the JMS website
(http://www.houstonisd.org/Page/78513) to read the newsletter and, while you are at it, check our newly
upgraded and updated PTO website. We are creating a Spanish version of our website (work in progress)
which includes our Spanish Greyhound newsletter. Check it out!
Update on TALENT FEST
A committee is forming to plan a Talent Fest held in the Fall. We have co-chairpersons signed up to head
up this effort. If you would like to help with the committee or just the day of the event, please contact
Ann Guerra, 1st VP of JMS PTO at [email protected] or 713-471-9224.
Melanie Rosen
JMS PTO President
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Parent Learning Community Session
March 12 from 6-7 p.m.
Library
Topic: Naviance - A Family Connection is a web-based service designed especially for students and
parents. A comprehensive website that parents can use to help in making decisions about colleges,
scholarships and careers.
High School Endorsements- What are they? What do you need to know before your student leaves
Johnston Middle School?
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
COMING SOON… SPRING GARDENING DAY ON CAMPUS!
LOOK FOR DETAILS SOON!
10410 Manhattan, Houston, TX 77096-5202 Tel 713-726-3616 Fax 713-726-2101
GREYHOUND NEWS March 1, 2015
Native Speaker Spanish I/ español para nativos I Dear JMS parent or guardian:
Johnston MS students who speak Spanish at home are eligible to take the placement test for the Dual
Language Program at Johnston Middle School. The placement exam is March 9 and 11. Acceptance into
the program is based on passing the placement test. Your child would be in Native Speaker Spanish I for
the 2015-2016 school year.
This program will equip your son/daughter with strategies to develop advance proficiency in Spanish. The
program consists of two years, whereupon your child could earn from two to four credits for high school
and the possibility of several university credits.
If you would like more information regarding the program or if you have any questions, please contact
Ms. Hull Frederick at 713.726.3616 or [email protected].
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Estimados padres o tutores de Johnston:
Hispanohablantes de Johnston califican para tomar el examen de ubicación en el programa de Dos
Idiomas de la Escuela Intermedia Johnston. El examen es el 9 y 11 de marzo. Su calificación en el
programa está basada en los resultados del examen de ubicación. Su hijo/a estará en la clase de español
para nativos I para el 2015-2016 año escolar.
Este programa proveerá a su hijo/a estrategias para desarrollar una mayor competencia de la lengua
española. El programa consiste de dos años, después de los cuales su hijo/a recibirá dos a cuatro créditos
de preparatoria y la posibilidad de algunos créditos universitarios.
Si desea más información acerca del programa o tiene preguntas, haga el favor de ponerse en contacto con
la Sra. Hull Frederick en el número 713.726.3616 o en [email protected].
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Library Update
Recycling Club
New, new, new student club forming at Johnston! We’re forming a Recycling Club and the first meeting
was Friday, 2/27, after school in the library. If you or your child has an interest in recycling, please let
Ms. Dinneen know; her email is [email protected].
Student Anthology Reminder
Is your child an artist or a writer? If so, make sure they know about the first ever JMS Student
Anthology. We’re accepting submission now through March 13 and submission guidelines and forms are
available on the JMS website or in the library. The anthology will be published and available for
purchase on Amazon before the end of this school year. Cindy Dinneen, MLIS, Librarian
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Mask by 6th grader Divya Mathews
Ms. Arsham took all of her 6th graders to the
Silver Palace Chinese Buffet and to the Asia
Society Texas Center earlier this
month.They were able to tour the exhibit:
Traditions Transfigured. The Noh Masks of
Bidou Yamaguchi. The students were
presented with a powerful and educational
presentation, toured the exhibit, and created
a mask of their own. The students had a
great time and learned a lot.
“My favorite part of the whole field trip was
challenging my 6th graders to try at least 2
new Asian inspired foods at the Chinese
buffet. They all won the challenge by so
many of them trying different types of sushi,
eel, mussels and clams!” -Ms. Arsham
6th
Grade
Art Field Trip
From the PTO Website Team
The answer for current online Alumni Quiz is Brandon Lee.
Lee attended Parker Elementary (trumpet/band), JMS (trumpet/band and jazz band) and graduated from
the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (trumpet/band and jazz band). Having completed a
Jazz Studies degree and masters at the Juilliard School (NYC), in 2008, he became the youngest faculty
member at the Juilliard School (NYC) teaching jazz. He has performed around the world. He has cut
albums. Lee has soared. In 2013, he became a faculty member of the Miles Davis Jazz Studies Program
at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro in the fall of 2013. He also continues to perform. To
read more about this JMS Alumnus go to http://www.bleejazz.com/html/about.php
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Johnston Swimmers make a Splash at the Championship!
Our 7
th grade girls team finished the season becoming the 2015 District Champs! Way to go girls! Our
7th grade boys, 8
th grade girls and 8
thgrade boys teams were all a close second place! The 8
th grade boys
relay team set two new school records and our 8th grade boy Wayne King captured the school record in
both the 200 Freestyle and the 100 Individual Medley this year. Congratulations to all of our swimmers
for a great season!
Coach Hines
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
March 1 through March 21, 2015 March
2 Nat’l Jr. Honor Society – 3:45-5 p.m.
Boys Baseball vs Briarmeadow – 4:15 p.m.
Softball JMS vs Westbriar – 4:30 p.m.
3-5 Choir UIL Contest
3 Band Booster Meeting – 6-7:30 p.m.
JMS Adv. Orchestra Guest Artist Concert 7-8:30 p.m.
4 Boys Baseball vs Pin Oak – 4:15 p.m.
5 PTO Meeting – 8:40 a.m.
JMS Softball vs Black 4:30 p.m.
JMS vs Lanier Soccer – 5 p.m.
7 Jazz Band – Waltrip Jazz Festival – time TBA
9 Dual Language Placement
Nat’l Jr. Honor Society – 3:45-5 p.m.
10 Name That Book competition – 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
8th Grade Bellaire zoned students – 10-10:45 a.m.
JMS Softball vs Lanier – 4:30 p.m.
11 Dual Language Placement
Boys Baseball vs Grady – 4:15 p.m.
12 JMS Softball vs Marshall – 4:30 p.m.
Parent Learning Community session – 6-7 p.m.
13 House 8J Fieldtrip to Holocaust Museum – 8:30- a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Name That Book competition – 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
16-20 SPRING BREAK!
21 Cheer Squad Fieldtrip – 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Disclaimer: This calendar is accurate as of issue date. Additions and deletions
are possible. A complete calendar listing for all Johnston events can be found on
the JMS website at http://www.houstonisd.org/Page/78514. Current dates are on
the main page http://www.houstonisd.org/Page/78513. The 2014-15 Magnet
Performance schedule can be found under “Magnet Information”. Sporting
events are also under the Athletics Department calendar. Events are also listed
in the JMS Student Planner. When in doubt, call the school.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I’m going to
tell my Mom
to get me a
Graduation
ad with my
picture!
Hey! Let’s put our money
together and do a
Friendship ad with our
picture!
I’m going to tell
my Mom to put
her business ad
in, but add in
my picture!
Yearbook Ads (Business or Personal)
$25-$200 Order NOW @
[email protected], or in JMS classroom 221 Deadline: March 6, 2015 Act Fast! Space is limited! Great Gift for your Graduate!
Greyhound Alumni Sports News
Congratulations to our grown up Greyhound swimmers… Chris Miller, Nolan Hines, Brinn Busch and
Angela Floyd. It’s nice to see that our Greyhound alumni continue on with their sport in High
School. These students participated in both swimming and water polo and have had a very successful
four years of High School swimming.
Coach Hines
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The JMS Arts Fund Stars are soon to be shining big and bright -- clap, clap, clap -- deep in the South
East corner of Texas! Thank you contributors!
Special Thanks
In the 2/15 issue, the JMS Fine Arts Fund committee thanked Gabbanelli Accordions for donating
$2,000 worth of instruments including guitars, flutes, cellos, saxophones, a trombone and a vihuela to
Johnston. The dollar amount was incorrect. We have since received the instruments and are even more
grateful! The actual value of this donation is closer to $10,000. We are elated by Gabbanelli’s donation.
Our thanks again to Gabbanelli Accordions!
Please support the JMS Fine Arts Fund!
Be a donor and get a STAR on the Magnet Hall Wall.
Use the form to submit donations.
Johnston Middle School Fine Arts Fund 10410 Manhattan Dr. Houston, TX 77096
FAMILY STAR LEVELS: $50 – 8” Personal STAR
$100 – 12” Personal STAR $250 – 16” Personal STAR
$500 and above – 16” Personal STAR WITH GOLD TIE/VEST
$25 – Your name plate on the 4 foot Friends of JMS FINE ARTS STAR Name of Donor: Home Address:
Email Address:
Phone:
Donation Level (circle one): $25 (name plate only) $50 $100 $250 $500 Other $ ______ Name as it should appear on your STAR ($50 and above):
Name Plate Information ($25 donation): The __________________Family ____ no dedication ____ with the following dedication In honor/memory/appreciation of/for (circle one) ______________________________________ *For additional name plates, please attach additional forms.
Processed By:
Payment Method (mark one): Check#______ Credit Card _____ Cash______
Make checks payable to: JMS PTO Fine Arts Fund, 10410 Manhattan Dr. Houston, TX 77096 **For Business sponsorship forms, please contact Ann Guerra - [email protected] or 713-471-9224** REV 2/8/15
BE A JOHNSTON STAR! Stars will be displayed in the magnet hallway outside of
the auditorium for a minimum of 3 years.
Johnston Lady Greyhounds Basketball Team Fundraiser
After many requests for the long-sleeved Johnston Lady Greyhounds Basketball Team (JLGBT) shirt, I’m
happy to announce, the shirts will be available for sale as our Johnston Lady Greyhounds Basketball
Team Fundraiser. The shirts will be available for purchase by the general student population from March
1st through June 2nd. The cost of a shirt is $15 – payment in cash only. Sizes available are Adult small
through XLG. They can be purchased Monday through Friday during gym class and also after school
until 4:15 p.m. in the gym. Pre-order forms can also be picked up in the gym or the front office.
You asked for them. We got them for you.
Go Johnston Lady Greyhounds!
S.Jackson
JMS Head Girls Basketball
Painless Fundraising
Please send your Labels for Education UPC’s!
The PTO is participating in the Labels for Education program. This program has UPC’s that are worth
various points that can be used to redeem for school merchandise. These UPC’s can be found on
hundreds of Labels for Education participating products such as: Campbell’s, Pepperidge Farm, BIC,
Prego, V8, Pace, Goldfish crackers, Pop Secret Popcorn, and Swanson.
If you have any labels that you have collected and wish to turn them in, please place them in an envelope
or bag marked “Labels for Education” and have your student drop them off in one of the box top
collection bins located in the school library or cafeteria.
When the whole school participates, the points really add up!
To learn more about the program, please visit the Labels for Education website at
http://www.labelsforeducation.com/.
Box Top$ for Education - Keep on Clipping!
This school year, you’ve submitted over 5,000 box tops! That’s a lot of dimes! Great job, everyone!
The Box Tops from this last round are currently being counted and prepared for our March 2nd
submission deadline. The winners for the Spring Box Tops drawing will be announced live during a
morning announcement in early March.
Please continue to clip and collect Box Tops throughout the rest of this school year and over the Summer.
A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who has helped us with our Box Tops collection efforts. We greatly
appreciate your help!
If you haven’t already signed up, please be sure to register through the Box Tops for Education website at
www.boxtops4education.com to support Johnston MS. There are daily bonus offers and sweepstake
contests that everyone can enter which gives us more chances to win bonus Box Tops.
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PTO BOARD POSITIONS CONTACT INFORMATION Melanie Rosen: President [email protected]
Nicole Lewis: Treasurer [email protected]
Regina Puccio: Secretary [email protected]
Ann Guerra: 1st VP [email protected]
Subha Balasubramanian: 2ndVP [email protected]
Gloria Pereira: 2nd VP [email protected]
Mindy Cox: Membership [email protected]
Jan Huff: Aftercare/Membership [email protected]
Veronica Simmons: Uniform/ Title1 [email protected]
Ellen Tagtmeier: SDMC [email protected]
Michelle Maislin: SDMC/Directory [email protected]
Diane Ragan: Directory [email protected]
Adriana Perez: Hospitality [email protected]
Barbara Haverkamp: Greyhound newsletter [email protected]
Elizabeth Shaw: Landscaping [email protected]
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The Greyhound News is produced twice monthly (1
st and 15
th) by the PTO and e-mailed to parents and
faculty and/or posted at the website. To submit articles, please e-mail them seven days in advance of
issue posting to Principal Sanders at [email protected], or PTO President Melanie Rosen at
[email protected], or B. Haverkamp, PTO newsletter editor, at