Principal’s Thoughts Dates of Interest:
PARCC EOY: May
MSA and HSA
MISA Science: 3/15 & 3/16
Spirit Days: 3/3, 3/17, 3/31,
4/28
PBIS Lessons: 3/27
Report Cards and Interims:
3rd Qtr. Ends 3/27
Report Cards mailed 4/5
Quarterly Award Ceremonies
3rd Qtr. 4/24
Other Events:
Talent Show 4/7
Orchestra Festival 3/13
Band Festival 3/17
Arts Night 3/30 5:30-7pm Buy One Get One Free Book
Fair 4/24-2/28
School Dance:
4/7 2:15-3:45
PTO Meeting:
3/8 6:30-7:30
Inside this issue:
Departments 4-15
Grade Levels 2-3
Guidance 16-17
Up & Coming 5
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Welcome to the Second Semester! What an outstanding first half of the year we have had at Pic-
cowaxen! Our students continue to represent well here in school and throughout the county, and their behavior
has been remarkable! How proud I am to be the principal of such a great school! This time last year, we were
getting back into the swing of things after several snow days. This year has been a TOTAL opposite. We have-
n’t had ANY snow days; as a matter of fact, this has been an exceptionally mild winter. While the students may
be a bit “bummed” about no snow days, they may be eager to know the last day of school for the 2016-17
school year will be June 8th rather than June 16th if there are no snow days!
County post-test assessments were administered from February 15th through March 3rd. These tests
will account for 10 percent of the students’ 3rd quarter grades. I am expecting our students to make impressive
gains from their pre-test scores to their post-test scores. Piccowaxen students’ gains last year on the post-tests
were noteworthy. This is a direct result of the quality teaching that our capable teachers do and their adherence
to the prescribed curriculum. 8th grade students will take the MISA (this test replaced the Science MSA that
was given in previous years) March 15th and 16th. The MISA is a test that measures your child’s knowledge of
science concepts taught in grades 6, 7, and 8.
Spring Break is Monday, April 10th through Monday, April 17th. Students and teachers will return to
school on Tuesday, April 18th. I wish all of you a well-deserved and restful Spring Break!
Piccowaxen’s students continue to represent the school in a positive light throughout the county. Our
school is a force to be reckoned with in CCPS!! At the Charles County Middle School Volleyball Tournament,
our 7th grade girls brought back the 2nd place trophy and our 7th grade boys were the 1st place winners. Both our
8th grade boys and our 8th grade girls placed impressively at 3rd place. Our Math Counts Team took 6th place in
the Tri-County Math Counts competition and will be moving on to compete in the state competition. Piccowax-
en was declared the overall winner at the Regional VEX Robotics Competition, and will go on to compete at the
state level in the near future. We also had a student to place 5th in the Charles County Chess Competition.
What a way to represent, Panthers!
PARCC testing begins later this year than it did last year. Instead of starting in April, PARCC testing
will begin on May 4th. The Charles County Public Schools curriculum has become increasingly more aligned
with the rigorous expectations of PARCC, and I’m proud to say that our teachers have been challenging our
students with interesting and rigorous lessons. Walking through the classrooms, one can see lots of collabora-
tion among the students, more students providing evidence to prove how they arrive at their answers, and an
increase in student grit to persevere through the difficult multi-step processes to arrive at the expected out-
Piccowaxen Middle School Volume 41, Issue 4
March/ April 2017
THE PAW Erin Kaple
Vice Principal
12834 Rock Point Road
Newburg, MD 20664
Wendell O. Martin
Principal
Our PLEDGE - By my words and actions, I pledge to be respectful, responsible, safe and proud, and remember, you can’t
hide that Picco Pride!
Our MOTTO - Strong Instruction, Strong Relationships, and Strong Classroom Management.
Our MISSION - Through the guidance of a dedicated, caring, and talented staff, Piccowaxen Middle School's mission is to
promote social, academic, and behavioral success for students and most importantly, instill a positive attitude toward life-
long learning.
Our VISION – To accelerate academic achievement through authentic experiences that provide students the opportunity to
explore and problem solve as well as opportunities to learn through cross curricular integrate curriculum. To provide a safe learning and work environment, and look for ways to build home-school-business-community partnerships. To value and promote high quality instruction through professional learning communities that are committed to improving instruction
to create opportunities for success in college and careers for ALL students.
Page 2 PAW
The 8th grade class and team members are starting to think about the end of year activities. Parents please keep in mind that the teach-ers are more than willing to meet you if you have any classroom concerns. Please con-tact our Guidance Department if you would like to set up a conference. Students please make sure you are within the guideline set forth by your team to attend the Kings Dominion field trip. Please make sure all debts, and lost books, novels, and any resources that are due to teachers have been turned in or you have made arrangements to compensate the school. Your team leaders will release the dates and all perti-nent information related to end of the year activities on April 15, 2017. Students, your 8th grade team want this year to be the most memorable year ever. We are proud of your participation and your continuous drive to make Success your only option…you are going to
Eighth Grade the next level.
Second Quarter Team Award Winners:
Compassion: Carly Carter, Kierra
Chisley
Best Participation: Joseph Cottle,
CJ Burke
On A Roll: Key’Naeya Dent, Alex
Raymond, Antoinette Knott
Academic: Abigail Sutherland,
Maddy Nicholl
Citizenship: Jayla Rosier, Haley Din-
dlebeck
Most Improved: AJ Baber, Trinity Absher
PAW Awards: Dylan Buchanan, Brooke
Walko, Blake Pesante
8th Grade students signing their 2017 class
wall
Principal’s Thoughts Continued comes. I am very proud of how the teachers and the students at Piccowaxen are tackling the challenges of rigor and actually having fun
doing it.
As the school year continues, please continue to encourage your sons/daughters to keep up the GREAT work in school and in
the community as well. As I’ve said in the past, the stellar behavior, the amazing work ethic, and the unyielding school spirit of the Pic-
cowaxen students is IMPRESSIVE! Thank YOU, parents for all of your support in helping Piccowaxen to continue to be a premier
school.
Wendell Martin
“Please use
Edline to
check on
assignments
and current
grades”
Page 3
The Sixth Grade Team is excited about leaving behind the cold weather of winter and journey toward spring for warmer weather. We are looking forward to putting the nose to the grind stone for learn-ing, especially with PARCC taking place during the spring time.
We continue to encourage parents to take an inventory of your student’s supplies. Pencils and note-book paper are becoming short in supply for many students. Also, binders have taken a lot of punish-ment in the first half of the year, so they may need to be replaced or visited by Dr. Duct-tape.
The team continues to encourage parents and students to use EDLINE, and contact the teachers any time that a question develops. If you have lost or mis-placed your password, please contact Guidance for help. This year has been very special and enjoyable with the sixth grade. They are a great group, and the team has held them to a very high standard. They are meeting this high standard each and every day in the classroom. Keep in mind their biggest hurdle is yet to come with the rest of the third quarter and the fourth quarter; when losing focus easily happens with sixth graders after a long year. Our “Lost and Found” is growing with jackets and other winter related items. Please ensure that your child’s name is on their jacket and other student belongings. It will save you in replacement costs!
Our Second Quarter Awards Ceremony was on February 13
th and the following students received
our team awards:
On A Roll: Connor Reighard, Lauren Kassem Citizenship: Ayanna Thomas, MaKenna Mo-reland, Josh Lindsey, David Webster Academic Excellence: Kate Bright, Taylor Schneider , Kylie Bradshaw, William Edwards
Most Improved: Jordan Kassem, Tru Glotfelty
Most Compassionate: Shyannah Cox, Madi-son Koontz, Pryncess Gray, Sky Hall Best Participation: Kyle Bittner, Gabe Din-nea, Haley Holcomb, Tyler Wood
PAW AWARDS
Respect: Za’Nyia Hicks, Mya Ma-haffey Responsibility: Kevin Spell, Mary McSorely
Pride: Allie Shutters, Ryleigh Goldsmith Safety: Chris Diaz, Skylar Belisle
6th Grade Team Leaders Mr. Keener & Ms. Sinclair
Sixth Grade
As the weather begins to warm up, it is important for the students to keep their locker or-ganized so that they are able to fit all of their binders, book bag and a jacket in their lock-er. Please encourage your stu-dent to bring home their bind-ers frequently to help them or-ganize their materials and to
bring home their extra clothes that may be left in their locker from the colder months. Also, please keep checking your student's agenda book for homework and teacher notes and Edline for up-dated grades. A field trip is planned for March 24th. All permission slips and money are due to Mrs. Keener or Mr. Ficalora by March 10th. Please contact either Team Leader with any questions.
Second Quarter Team Award Winners:
Pride: Erin Fawls, Eva Lyddane
Respect: Ryder Mattingly, Halie Young
Responsibility: Lauren Anderson, Lexi Reeder
Safety: Jacob Pahel, Tori Mattingly
Best Participation: Kiley Tewell, Madison
McClure
Leadership: Aniya Gross, Eric Valentine, Jr.
Perseverance: Molly Sharpe, Tess Murphy
Most Improved: Camila Rivera, Sarah Sharpe
Most Consistent: Austin McAlwee, Taylor Ven-
nemann
Student of the Quarter: Annabelle Moon, Pey-
ton Moreland
Seventh Grade
Page 4 PAW
If it is necessary to drop off items (lunches, homework, instruments, permission slips, keys, notes, etc.) for your child, please give the item to the office staff. We will call students down between classes so that we are not interrupting an entire class. Thank you.
When corresponding with school staff via email, please include your child's name in the subject area of any email. Your child's name in the subject area will help the staff from accidentally deleting your email as though it were spam.
Important Information about
E-Mails Parents, please keep in mind our pol-icy on work requests for students who are out sick. A student must be out 3 days before we can gather the work. Teachers are allowed 24 hours to get the work ready. It is inconven-ient to gather the work if the student will return the next day. In this case, the student may get the make up work when returning to classes.
Bus Passes Work Requests
Due to our enrollment, we can only issue bus passes for emergency situations.
Classroom Interruptions
The 2016-2017 EV3 Robotics teams “The Trashformers” (Steven
McPhee, Eric Valentine, Travis Jennings, and Chase Miller) and “The
Green Machine” (Madison Koontz, Will Edwards, Brady Keech and Jo-
ey Hastings) are getting ready for their competition on Saturday, April
8th. The students have been developing a robot and programs that
will compete in the Trash Trek challenge from the First Lego League.
The teams have also been developing a presentation on how to handle
the trash we make that will be judged by CSM. Be sure to wish both
teams luck as they prep and practice for their competition.
ROBOTICS
Dear Parents/Guardians:
Although a significant number of our seventh grade students have been doing extremely well in their academic
studies, our team has noticed an increase in the amount of incomplete and late assignments. Students have been
turning in work days and weeks past its due date without fear of consequences. For some, their grade has not
been motivation enough to have them complete and return their work on time. Please review each teacher's
grading practices as some have changed to reflect the team's concerns. Every teacher encourages you to moni-
tor your student’s agenda book and Edline account. If you do not have access to Edline, please contact our
school counselor’s office. They will be able to supply you with a new login. If you have concern regarding your
student’s grades, please contact your student’s teacher. If we all work together, students, parents and staff, our
students will succeed throughout the remainder of their seventh grade year.
Seventh Grade Continued
Page 5 Volume 41, Issue 4
Music Department News
Band & Orchestra We had 4 students make Tri-County Orchestra: Samantha Yorio, Tessa Everett, Alexander Raymond and Em-
ma Everett.
The 7th & 8th Grade Band students had a guest conductor, Mr. Finkbeiner work with them in early February.
The 7th & 8th Grade Orchestra students had a guest conductor, Ms. Van Petten work with them in early Feb-
ruary as well. The students and Ms. Fulkroad received a lot of helpful tips and tricks in order for us to per-
form our best at the District Festivals in March.
The Jazz Band performed at the 3rd Annual Westlake Jazz Festival on Friday, February 3. They were the only
middle school jazz band at the event. The students received a clinic after their performance by members of a
local jazz group.
Chorus: The Piccowaxen Chorus will be traveling to Kings Dominion on Saturday, May 20th, to participate in Music in
the Parks! Please remember that the first deposit of at least $35.00 is due no later than March 8th! The re-
maining balance of $40.00 is due no later than April 5th.
The 7th Grade Chorus and 8th Grade Chorus will go to North Point on March 14th for District Festival As-
sessment. 7th Grade will perform at 9:30am, and 8th Grade will perform at 11:30am. Please arrive at least 10
minutes prior to the performances if you would like to support us! The Spring Choral Concert will take place
on Thursday, May 11th, at 7:00pm in Piccowaxen's Gymnasium! Please invite your family and friends. Admis-
sion is free :)
Page 6 PAW
Second Quarter Honor Roll (2016-2017)
8th GRADE
Principal’s Honors – 4.0 GPA
Zander Barrow Joseph Cottle
Haley Dindlebeck Caileb Emery Tessa Everett
Kylee Flint Ryan Goldsmith Brianna Green
Kurstyn Hamilton Jordan Harris Sara Jarboe
Landon Jewell Jordan Kabala
Peyton Krahling Jeffrey Leonard Camryn Miller
Madelyn Nicholl Abigail Rogalski Brandon Rowe
Camden Sciascia Brennan Simpson Abigail Sutherland
Zen Taylor Taylor Wade
Brooke Walko Samantha Yorio
Highest Honors 3.5 - 3.99
(With No D's)
William Anderson Danielle Auth
Dylan Buchanan Christopher Burke
Jenna Burtch Mason Carney
Carly Carter Leah DeFalco
Caroline Edelen Jake Ellis
Amber Faasen Camryn Fryer Gavin Ganter Ella Gordon
Matthew Hale Riley Hayes Collin Hicks Omar Hill Jace Jett
Anthony Lennon Andrew Mehall
Cheyanne Milbrook Colby Murphy Laura O’Bier Virgil Padua
Blake Pesante Jade Petty
Alexander Raymond Sydney Robertson Matthew Romero
Jayla Rosier Zachary Swann
Kara Thompson Ashton White Kayla Windsor
High Honors 3.0 - 3.49
(With No F's)
John Crauthers Kendall DeLane Key’naeya Dent Michael Garino
Julianne Hayden Sean Heath
Jackson Hebb Tyler Hebb
Isabella Main Nicholas Marco Kailee Marshall
Kavina McDonald Christian Merchant
Joseph Plass Tyler Plourde
Wayne Raddatz Amanda Seideman
Julia Reese Sine Ross Spangler Skylar Therres
Morgan Thompson Charles Welch, Jr.
Page 7 Volume 41, Issue 4
7th GRADE
Principal’s Honors – 4.0 GPA
Joseph Arnold Leanne Berry
Daniel Berthiaume Carla Breckenridge
Erin Fawls Alexandria Ficalora
Ethan Kumbar Logan Mattingly Madison McClure
Makayla Metz Annabelle Moon
Turner Mudd Raegan Perry Alene Snyder
Eric Valentine, Jr. Natalie Wathen
Highest Honors 3.5 -
3.99 (With No D's)
John Andrews, III Connor Brennan
Madison Cole Caden Connolly Makayla Curtin Koda DeAtley
Emma Everett Emma French Jackson Gaskill Nyjae’ Harley Halee Kans James Long
Alex Mandley Kiley Marco Emily Moon
Peyton Moreland Ashley Morris Molly Mudd Maci Mulloy Jacob Pahel
Max Petricoin Emileigh Saunders
Carli Taylor Kiley Tewell Emily Turner
Taylor Vennemann Evan Williams Brody Yorio Halie Young
Megan Zalesak
High Honors 3.0 - 3.49
(With No F's)
Lauren Anderson Michael Anderson, Jr.
Chester Bowling, III Jonathan Bowling
Rylee Boyd Jack Breeden
Nicholas Buchanan Samantha Craig
Second Quarter Honor Roll, continued
Riess Danielson Baylee Dean
Adrianna Diana Macy Ellis
Morgan Gayon Aniya Gross
Tyler Hall Rana Holmes
Sabrina Hussein-Echeverria Ethan Koch
Ava Lyddane Ryder Mattingly
Tyler Mudd Jenna Murphy Kailyn Prattta Kylie Presley
Cole Rapczynski Julie Ray
Lexi Reeder Jabari Robertson Liyah Rowlands
Molly Sharpe Sarah Sharpe Jordan Stone
Cassidy Thomas Nicolas Underwood
Page 8 PAW
Second Quarter Honor Roll, continued
6th GRADE
Principal’s Honors – 4.0 GPA
Brianna Albrittain
Kylie Bradshaw Devon Bragunier
Kate Bright Shyannah Cox Nolan Dement Ginger Hayden Victoria Herrera Haley Holcomb
Brady Keech Hannah Kelley
Madison Koontz William Kriemelmeyer
Lauren Lovejoy Mya Mahaffey Steven McPhee Cayleigh Miskell
Makenna Moreland Liam Pierce
Madeleine Schmidt Taylor Schneider
Alexandra Shutters Selein Sloper Nathan Todd
Mackenzie Wheeler
Highest Honors 3.5 - 3.99
(With No D's)
Kaylee Altimus Skylar Belisle
Carl Benjamin Jenna Brown
Autumn Compton Gabriel Dinnea
William Edwards Liam Fawls
Ryleigh Goldsmith Joseph Hastings
Alexis Heath Emerson Herridge
Madison Jarboe Travis Jennings, Jr.
Kirra Johnson Lauren Kassem
Charles Lunsford Corinne Mahaffey Brendan McCabe Alana McGuigan Lochlan McGuire
Mary McSorley Elicia Mobley
Mia Ross Kevin Spell
High Honors 3.0 - 3.49
(With No F's)
Ryan Arnold Nathan Bowling
Jerry Denton Christopher Diaz
Aurora Donoho Brooklyn Exum Markus Faasen Kemani Farrar
Ivan Gao Caitlyn Gaskill Jarett Getgen Tru Glotfelty
Sky Hall Za’Nyia Hicks Camille Hill
Jordan Kassem Cameron Kimble
Kelsey Moyer Emma Proctor Olivia Quade
Connor Reighard Tao Taylor
Jeremiah Tompa Macey Walko Justin Ward
David Webster Tyler Wood
Cameron Wright Brianna Zust
School-wide Recycling Programs Piccowaxen participates in several recycling programs to raise money for our school. We collect box-tops, Campbell label’s, old cell phones, and ink cartridges (that fit in the palm of your hand), laptops, i-pods, cam-era’s, etc. Please send them in with your students or feel free to drop them by. We are currently doing a fundraiser with Mac Recycling Company. (The bin is placed in the front near the road.) We are collecting clothes, linens, belts, shoes, handbags, bookbags, lunchboxes, stuffed animals, etc. If you have any questions please contact Mrs. Long. Don’t forget to register your cards at Giant, Safeway, and Target.
Target: Visit www.target.com/tcoe. Every time you use your Target red card 1% of your purchase is donated
to Piccowaxen.
Safeway: Visit www.escrip.com Group # 500030592
Giant: Visit www.giant.com D#: 500030592
Page 9 Volume 41, Issue 4
6th Grade
Autumn Compton (Sinclair) Paul Thompson (Sinclair) Alana McGuigan (Rowland) Pryncess Gray (Eicholtz) Taylor Schneider (Turner) Madeleine Schmidt (Chisholm) Kylie Bradshaw (Kraus) Shyannah Cox (Colaizzi)
7th Grade
Emma Everett (Sinclair) Aniya Gross (Lilly) Liyah Rowlands (Lilly) Nick Miller (Marvin) Jourdain Thomas (Eicholtz) Tess Murphy (Truesdell) Ethan Kumbar (SKeener) Sarah Sharpe (SKeener) Logan Mattingly (SKeener)
Natalie Wathen (Chisholm) Alexis Cathcart (Kraus) Nicholas Buchanan (Kraus) Evan Williams (Coscia) Nyjae Harley (Coscia) Ethan Koch (Coscia)
8th Grade
Jaquez Butler (Eicholtz) Jayla Rosier (Farrell) Alex Raymond (Nelson) CJ Burke (Truesdell) Alex Raymond (Langston) Camryn Miller (Kraus) Callee Kramer (Kraus) Peyton Krahling (Kraus) Austin Wade (Fitzgerald) Ryan Goldsmith (Fitzgerald) Abigail Sutherland (Fitzgerald) Antionette Knott (Fitzgerald)
Panthers on the Prowl 2nd Quarter
Library Media News
The library has been a busy place, with students coming on a daily basis for classes and to check out new books. We have received a great selec-tion of new books this year in a wide variety of genres. Our annual Buy One Get One Free Scholastic Book Fair is coming to the library the week of April 24th so put it on your calendars to come see us for some great bar-gains!
Page 10 PAW
Art Department, Yearbook and Art Club Design with their projects. 8th
graders are learning how to cre-
ate Pop Op Sculptures and 2-
point perspective. 7th graders
have been creating self portraits
and working diligently on illumina-
tions. 6th graders just finishing
their tangled projects and are
about to start learning how to
gradate values.
~ CONGRATULATIONS to 6th
grader Kylie Bradshaw, 7th grad-
ers Erin Fawls & Eric Weaver, and
8th grader Camryn Miller as their
artworks were chosen to repre-
sent Piccowaxen Middle School
for the Youth Art Month Judged
Exhibit displayed at the Starkey
CONGRATULATIONS to Pic-
cowaxen's Winter Bookmark
Winners!!! They are:
6th grader Lawrence Butler, 7th
grader Emily Moon, 8th grader
Isabella Main, and Faculty mem-
ber Mrs. Keener. Their book-
marks are in circulation in the
Media Center. Make sure to get
one while they are still available.
The next bookmarks are Spring
themed and are due March 2nd
to Mrs. Smiroldo and Ms. Kraus.
Art Class:
~ All art students are creatively
working on learning their Ele-
ments of Art and Principles of
By: Kristi Nelson
Students are extremely busy at Piccowaxen. Third quarter interims have been distributed,
students have completed their post assessments, and PARCC assessments are right around
the corner. This is a great opportunity for you to sit down with your child to discuss their pro-
gress. This can be a stressful and overwhelming time for them. Help them set personal
goals and talk about time management skills. Continue to check Edline to monitor grades
and for homework assignments.
MATH Department
Building in La Plata. There will
be a reception and award cere-
mony for the exhibitors on
March 9th.
~ S.T.E.A.M. was coming out of
Mr. Colaizzi's and Ms. Kraus's
ears as we co-taught all 6th
grade students about Andy
Goldsworthy and other ephem-
eral earthworks artists. The
project teaches how art and
science work creatively togeth-
er. Projects are due March
17th. Please come to Pic-
cowaxen's Arts Night March
30th to see all final projects as
they will be on display in the
Media Center this spring.
Piccowaxen MathCounts Team By: Jill Matthews and Kristi Nelson
We would like to thank and congratulate both of the MathCounts teams. The 6th grade team,
William Edwards, Travis Jennings, and Brady Keech represented Picco with Pride. We can’t
wait to see what next year has in store for you all. The 8th grade team, William Anderson,
Andrew Mehall, Matthew Romero, and Brennan Simpson placed 6th at the tri-county competi-
tion. They qualified for the state competition which will be held on March 18 at Johns Hop-
kins University. Way to go!!
Page 11 Volume 41, Issue 4
ARTSONIA:
I am excited to be participating with Artsonia
to display your child’s artwork online this year!
Our school is a member of Artsonia.com, an online
student art museum. Artsonia manages school art
galleries in a safe and educational manner, devel-
ops students’ pride and self-esteem and involves
parents and relatives in student arts education.
This is a great opportunity for your child to cre-
ate an online portfolio and is a great opportunity
for an ongoing fundraiser for the Art Department
& Club. A percentage of all purchases will be do-
nated to our school’s art department & art club.
Contact Ms. Kraus if you have any questions or
concerns about Artsonia.
The kids LOVE creating art and uploading to Artsonia! You should check out their online port-folios. If you have not done so already please check your emails and grant permission. There are many special occasions and holidays coming up just around the corner, please take a moment and see what you can purchase with your child's artwork on it. All proceeds will be split between Piccowax-en Middle School's Art Department and Art Club.Thank you for your support!
GREAT NEWS!
Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are approaching so
this is a great time to start planning gift ideas.
There is no greater gift than a personalized one; a
gift made from the heart like an original piece of
artwork made by your child. The process is very
easy; you place the orders directly on the Art-
sonia website and your purchase is shipped direct-
ly to you. Go to Artsonia and check out the Pic-
cowaxen Artist's work.
You can personalize:
greeting cards, coffee mugs, art snap jewelry, t-
shirts, magnets, ornaments, get an art print, get
the art on a canvas, postcards, quilt blocks, mouse
pad, ceramic tile, cutting board, travel mug, key
chain, coaster set, luggage tag, wood wall plaque,
bookmark, apron/smock, tote bag, sketchbook, note-
book, portfolio book, keepsake tin, puzzle, phone
case, and slate desk tile.
Art Club:
I have lots of fun projects and plans for this year.
If you are interested in participating, see Ms. Kraus
or Guidance for a permission slip.
Club Meetings are as follows: (*Note to receive a
membership certificate at the end of the year you
must attend a minimum of 8 meetings).
Tentative Schedule: All meetings (unless noted) are
from 2:15 - 4:00pm in the Art room.
March 3, 17, 24, 31
April 7, 21, 28
May 5, 12, 19, 26
June 2 (last meeting)
Art Club & Stitchery Club:
We are still selling "Piccowaxen Family Cookbooks".
Each book includes 39 very yummy recipes all will
enjoy. They are $10.00 each. If you are interested
in purchasing one please see Ms. Chappelle, Ms.
Hauser, or Ms. Kraus. All proceeds will be divided
between the two clubs for materials for our crea-
tiveness.
Stitchery Club:
We just finished hand sewing adorable heart pillows
and now we are learning how to use sewing machines
by making pillow cases. Future project plans are un-
derway. If you have any interest or already know
how to sew, crochet, knit, etc. see Ms. Kraus (art
teacher), Ms. Hauser (cafe manager), or Ms. Chap-
pelle (school nurse) to join in on the fun! It is never
to late to join us, just make sure you turn in your
permission slip asap.
Club Meetings are as follows but are subject to
change pending projects:
Art Department, Yearbook and Art Club continued
Page 12 PAW
Stitchery Tentative Schedule: All meetings (unless noted) are from 2:15 - 4:00pm in the Art room.
March 1, 8, 15, 22
April 5, 19, 26
May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 (last meeting)
Yearbook:
The yearbook is COMPLETE and off to production! A HUGE THANK YOU to this year's yearbook staff
for all your hard work. I can not wait till June when they come in to see the final product! :-)
Yearbook Sales and Distribution FAQs 2016 - 2017
1. Can I still buy a yearbook?
Yes. Yearbooks will be sold throughout the school year until we run out. We encourage all to preorder
books before February 3, 2017.
2. How much do they cost?
3. How do I go about buying a yearbook?
You can place your order online at www.jostens.com/yearbooks to pay with a credit card. Or you complete
an order form in school and return with cash or check {made out to Piccowaxen Middle School} to Ms.
Kraus or the main office. Order forms are located outside the main office and in the counseling office.
4. Can I still buy a book once they arrive?
Yes, but you are not guaranteed a copy. Students who have not preordered will have to wait and give pay-
ment to Ms. Kraus during lunch times. When we run out, we will not order more.
5. When and where can students pick up their yearbooks?
If a student purchases a yearbook between Aug. 29, 2016 – Feb. 3, 2017 students will be invited to a Yearbook Signing Party during school. Date, Time, Location TBD. All students who purchase a yearbook between Feb. 4, 2017 – April 28, 2017 will receive their year-
books the day after the Yearbook Signing Party during lunch time. Date TBD, Time: lunch, and Location:
student cafeteria.
Final Sale purchases will start, IF any yearbooks remain, the day after all students who preordered a
yearbook receive their yearbook. Date TBD, Time lunch time, and Location: student cafeteria
Students MUST bring their signed Yearbook Signing Agreement to receive their yearbooks.
6. Can a student pick up a yearbook for someone else?
No. Books must be picked up by the student or the student’s parent/guardian.
7. How do I find out if I already paid for a yearbook?
Email Ms. Kraus ([email protected]) your student’s name and grade level.
Sale Type Time Period Sale Price Available for purchase
Regular Sale - 1st
come 1st serve
2/4/17 – 4/28/17 $37.00 + 6% tax = $39.22 Yearbook
Donate a Yearbook
Final Sale
(hand to hand)
June TBD, 2017 $40.00
Yearbook
Art Continued
Important Dates
-H.I.T.S. Fair (History, Industry, Technology, and Science) - March 18, 2017 at St. Charles High School
-8th grade MISA - March 13-17
6th grade students are studying Weather and Climate and will be studying Ecosystems during 4th quarter.
3rd Quarter - Students will be able to:
Collect data to provide evidence for how the motions and complex interactions of air masses results in changes in
weather conditions.
Develop and use a model to describe how unequal heating and rotation of the Earth cause patterns of atmospheric and
oceanic circulation that determine regional climates.
Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures over the past century.
7th grade students are studying Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems. They will be studying
Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems during 4th quarter.
3rd Quarter - Students will be able to:
Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for the role of photosynthesis in the cycling of matter and flow of energy into and out of organisms.
Develop a model to describe how food is rearranged through chemical reactions forming new molecules that support growth and/or release energy as this matter moves through an organism.
Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an ecosystem.
Develop a model to describe the cycling of matter and flow of energy among living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem.
Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosys-tem affect populations.
8th grade students are studying Forces and Interactions and will be studying Waves and Interactions dur-
ing 4th quarter.
3rd Quarter - Students will be able to:
Apply Newton’s Third Law to design a solution to a problem involving the motion of two colliding objects.
Plan an investigation to provide evidence that the change in an object’s motion depends on the sum of the forces on the
object and the mass of the object.
Ask questions about data to determine the factors that affect the strength of electric and magnetic forces.
Construct and present arguments using evidence to support the claim that gravitational interactions are attractive and
depend on the masses of interacting objects.
Conduct an investigation and evaluate the experimental design to provide evidence that fields exist between objects ex-
erting forces on each other even though the objects are not in contact.
As we continue the third quarter and begin the fourth quarter the Science department is very excited to engage eve-
ry student and excite them with new Science material. The Piccowaxen Science Fair was on January 25th, Kevin Spell and
Nathan Todd will head to St. Charles High School on March 18, 2017 to compete in the H.I.T.S. Fair, good luck! If you
have any questions or concerns regarding any of the material please contact the Science classroom teacher.
Page 13 Volume 41, Issue 4
Science Department Important Dates
-H.I.T.S. Fair (History, Industry, Technology, and Science) - March 18, 2017 at St. Charles High School
-8th grade MISA - March 13-17
6th grade students are studying Weather and Climate and will be studying Ecosystems during 4th quarter.
3rd Quarter - Students will be able to:
Collect data to provide evidence for how the motions and complex interactions of air masses results in changes in weath-
er conditions.
Develop and use a model to describe how unequal heating and rotation of the Earth cause patterns of atmospheric and
oceanic circulation that determine regional climates.
Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures over the past century.
7th grade students are studying Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems. They will be studying
Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems during 4th quarter.
3rd Quarter - Students will be able to:
Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for the role of photosynthesis in the cycling of matter and flow of energy into and out of organisms.
Develop a model to describe how food is rearranged through chemical reactions forming new molecules that support growth and/or release energy as this matter moves through an organism.
Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an ecosystem.
Develop a model to describe the cycling of matter and flow of energy among living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem.
Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosys-tem affect populations.
8th grade students are studying Forces and Interactions and will be studying Waves and Interactions during
4th quarter.
3rd Quarter - Students will be able to:
Apply Newton’s Third Law to design a solution to a problem involving the motion of two colliding objects.
Plan an investigation to provide evidence that the change in an object’s motion depends on the sum of the forces on the
object and the mass of the object.
Ask questions about data to determine the factors that affect the strength of electric and magnetic forces.
Construct and present arguments using evidence to support the claim that gravitational interactions are attractive and
depend on the masses of interacting objects.
Conduct an investigation and evaluate the experimental design to provide evidence that fields exist between objects ex-
erting forces on each other even though the objects are not in contact.
As we continue the third quarter and begin the fourth quarter the Science department is very excited to engage eve-
ry student and excite them with new Science material. The Piccowaxen Science Fair was on January 25th, Kevin Spell and
Nathan Todd will head to St. Charles High School on March 18, 2017 to compete in the H.I.T.S. Fair, good luck! If you
have any questions or concerns regarding any of the material, please contact the Science classroom teacher.
Page 14 PAW
2nd Quarter Perfect Attendance
8th GRADE
William Anderson
Zander Barrow
Jamel Brown
Joseph Cottle
Caileb Emery
Tessa Everett
Gavin Ganter
Ryan Goldsmith
Lacie Hardesty
Brianna Harley
Jordan Harris
Blake Higgs
Peyton Krahling
Anthony Lennon
Jeffrey Leonard
Bryce Lightbown
Kailee Marshall
Andrew Mehall
Christian Merchant
Cheyanne Milbrook
Madelyn Nicholl
Virgil Padua
Joseph Plass
Tyler Plourde
Alexander Raymond
Sydney Robertson
Julia Sine
Ross Spangler
Abigail Sutherland
Zen Taylor
Austin Wade
Charles Welch
Isaiah Whetzel
Samantha Yorio
7th GRADE
Michael Anderson
Joseph Arnold
Jonathan Bowling
Connor Brennan
Alexis Cathcart
Samantha Craig
Ryan Davis
Erin Fawls
Steven Garino
Jackson Gaskill
Na'Zyia Hicks
Zachary Kragh
Ethan Kumbar
Vincent Mandley
Austin McAlwee
Madison McClure
Emily Moon
Ashley Morris
Tyler Mudd
Maci Mulloy
Jerkiah Nelson
Jacob Pahel
Jabari Robertson
Emileigh Saunders
Kaidin Uber
Eric Valentine
Evan Williams
Brody Yorio
6th GRADE
Kaylee Altimus
Ryan Arnold
Olivia Baldwin
Sara Barnes
Skylar Belisle
Carl Benjamin
Devon Bragunier
Kate Bright
Jenna Brown
Shyannah Cox
Kanon Dent
Nathan Dieffenderffer
Aaron Eaton
William Edwards
Markus Faasen
Liam Fawls
Briana Fowler
Jarett Getgen
Za'Nyia Hicks
Travis Jennings
Jordan Kassem
Lauren Kassem
Brady Keech
Hannah Kelley
William Kriemelmeyer
Corinne Mahaffey
Steven McPhee
Cayleigh Miskell
Elicia Mobley
Makenna Moreland
Carley Nunnenkamp
Matthew Smallwood
Kevin Spell
Jackson Trice
Faruq Yopp
Lance Yorio
Page 15 Volume 41, Issue 4
Mrs. Keener: Blocks 2 & 4 ~ We are continuing to analyze Red Scarf Girl and the different beliefs that characters have which motivate their choices. Once the unit is complete, the stu-dents will be beginning a unit on Shakespeare. Block 3 ~ The students are con-tinuing to study Nelson Mandela and how his choices as a leader affected others. The students will complete the unit by conducting a research project on two great lead-ers.
Ms. Lilly: This quarter we are study-ing autobiographies, biographies, and memoirs. Our final projects are a compare/contrast paper of two famous individuals and a power point, which students create and share with their classmates. Stu-dents continue to improve their CUPS skills: capitalization, usage, punctuation, and spelling. Also we have started to study types of clauses and how to expand our sentences by using them. On a positive note, in the last 2-3 weeks, I have noticed serious im-provement in attitude, motivation, and performance from many of my
students. I am really proud of them. Please check Edline to see how your child is performing, and contact me with any questions.
Mrs. Buter & Ms. Langston: Mrs. Buter and Ms. Langston are excited about our 8
th grade pending
field trip to the Holocaust Museum. Our hope is that our students are able to make the connection be-tween what was taught in the classroom and what they will get to see when they visit the museum. Our 8
th grade students will contin-
ue to analyze informative and ex-planatory texts using the compare/contrast organizational structure. Students will develop effective ar-guments using logical reasoning, relevant evidence, and persuasive appeals for effect. 8
th grade Gifted students are cur-
rently studying the topics of Geno-
cide and Refugees. Students will
also participate in literary circles.
Students will read and analyze va-
riety of poems. Students will also
write short stories and continue to
write analytical essays.
Mrs. Turner On grade level classes are work-ing to complete Part 2 of their Stu-
Language Arts
dent Service Learning require-ment. All students need a final Argumentative letter and a com-pleted Reflection in order to re-ceive credit for this. The reflection will be completed this week. Final letters were due on 2/13/17. We are now reading expository texts on pets and will be using the information learned to write an expository essay. The students will also begin a novel study this quarter. Reminder: Students have homework Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday and are expected to turn it in on time. They are also responsible for reading and docu-menting 3 on level books per quarter. We welcome Alex Miller to our class! Alex joined us on 2/27/17 and we are happy he's here. Gifted classes are doing their nov-el study on The Giver. Please monitor your child's independent work so that they can meet their due dates. Students will be work-ing on their Student Service Learning requirement later in the quarter. Thank you for your support as always.
COMING SOON!
ARTS NIGHT Join us on Thursday, March 30th for a fun filled evening to enjoy the arts. Come and see the VEX Robotics
teams work their robots, hear the jazz band play a few numbers, browse the beautiful art work, enjoy a snack
or even try your hand at shooting a rocket. There will be lots to see and do! Watch for the flyers coming
home soon.
TALENT SHOW: Talent Show permission slips are due no later than Thursday, March 16th, to either Mrs. Eicholtz or Ms.
Fulkroad. Auditions will be held on Wednesday, March 22nd, from 2:15-4:00pm. If selected to participate in
the Talent Show, students must attend rehearsals on March 28th and April 6th from 2:15-4:00pm. The Tal-
ent Show will take place during school on Friday, April 7th.
Academics Please continue to be vigilant with respect to your child’s academics. At this time, each grade level team has met with students in danger of failing. It is our hope that we have zero students who need to repeat a grade level or be required to take summer school courses; however, summer school information will be shared with parents during 4th quarter if their child is still in danger of failing for the year. Middle school promotion rules are as follows: In order for a sixth, seventh, or eighth graders to be pro-moted, the student must:
1. Pass Language Arts/Reading and
2. Pass Math and
3. Meet one of the following: a. Pass Science and Social Studies and at least one Re-
lated Arts course or
b. Pass Science and at least two Related Arts classes or Pass Social Studies and at least two Related Arts classes. Students who fail a required core subject during the school year may attend summer school to achieve a pass-ing grade. 8th Grade students who fail a high school level course, (Spanish or Algebra 1) are allowed to take the course in summer school. If they do not, they will need to repeat that class in their 9th grade year. Please continue to encourage your students with their academics as the end of the school year is fast approach-ing. The completion of homework continues to be a con-cern. Please check your student’s agenda daily to ensure that your student is completing the assigned homework every night. If there are any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact your student’s teacher or school counselor.
Interims Students were issued their interim for marking period 3 on Monday, February 27th. Please be sure to review it and discuss with your child how he or she is doing in school. The third marking period ends on Monday, March 27th.
Counselor’s Corner
Page 16 PAW
Please feel free to contact the counseling office if you feel a need to schedule a parent/teacher conference with all of your child’s teachers due to poor academic performance. Contact teachers directly regarding as-signments that were not handed in or if you have any concerns with the grades assigned.
Classroom Guidance Lesson The Counseling Department continues to actively work with the health classes at all three grade levels. The sixth, seventh and eighth grade class recently fin-ished a unit on Stress Management (6th grade) and Suicide Prevention (7th & 8th grade). Each grade level was given tips and guidelines on how to deal with each topic that included warning signs, what to do and where to go for help. If you would like more infor-mation on the above topics, please visit out counseling office webpage which can be accessed through Pic-cowaxen’s homepage.
Job Shadow Day As in past years, Piccowaxen is very excited by the par-ticipation of our staff, students, and community as a whole for Job Shadow Day. Job Shadow Day took place on Thursday, February 2nd, with a few through-out the month of February. Piccowaxen had over 150 students participate in Job Shadow Day this year. Our students shadowed professionals in careers such as education, sales, cosmetology, real estate, government and many more. We hope students had a fun and edu-cational experience.
High School Transition The Counseling Department has been preparing our eighth grade class for their transition into high school. Schools zoned for McDonough received their 8th grade presentation from a representative from McDonough on December 15th, 2016. The course selection process began and ended in January for those students. Students zoned for La Plata will take a field trip to the high school on Thursday, March 9th. At that time they will receive a tour and a presentation on the course selection process. Their course selection sheets will be
sent home for review soon after the field trip. Your student’s core subject (Lang Arts/Reading, Math, Science and Soc. Studies) teachers will identify the re-quired course for next year. As parents/guardians, you are to assist your student with what elective to take. Please refer to the High School Program of Studies, SY2017/18 for course descriptions. The program of stud-ies can be found at http://www.ccboe.com/PDF/parentsandcomm/programofstudiesSY17-18Revised.pdf If you have any questions regarding your student’s transi-tion to 9th grade, please contact the counseling office.
North Point Applicants All applicants were interviewed on Wednesday, February 8th. This ends the process and now students must wait to hear if they have been selected to attend. North Point plans to make offers to selected students sometime in April.
Proofs of Domicile As 8th graders are beginning to transition into high school, it
is required for them to submit 2 acceptable proofs of domicile. Students who DO NOT submit 2 proofs of domi-cile WILL NOT be able to participate in the 8th grade Pro-motion Ceremony; however students will be promoted. Students will also NOT be registered for high school for the 2017/18 school year and parents will need to re-register at the zoned high school. The first 8th grade homebase class to submit 2 ACCEPTABLE proofs of domi-cile will be rewarded with a Pizza Party. Please see below: ACCEPTABLE List of Proofs of Domicile: Proofs must be current within 45 days, per message sent from CCPS, dated February 21, 2017.
Deed, mortgage statement/bill or settlement papers (with appropriate signatures)
Current signed verifiable lease or rental agreement (with signatures of both parties)
Current utility bill (complete with name and address)
Verification of Domicile form accompanied by two acceptable proofs of Domicile for the owner/ lessee of the property
Ratified purchase contract and letter with settlement date
Property tax bill for domicile (not assessment)
Most recent property insurance bill
Current pay check with name and address
Property title record
Current court document with name, date, and home address
Current government issued documents that in clude name, date, and home address such as documentation of benefits from Social Securi ty Administration
Written documentation of home visit by a pupil personnel worker
*Note - Any proof of Domicile, bill, or other document must be in its entirety with parent/guardian name and both the residence/service address as well as the mail-ing address, including city, state, and current date.
Make-up Work Students must be absent for three or more days before we will request make-up work from their teachers. When requesting make-up work for your student, please remember that the school policy is to give us at least 24 hours to collect the work. Also, if your student is sick on Monday and you know that he or she will be out for at least three days, you can request the make-up work on that Monday. If you have any questions, please give us a call at 301-934-1977 or by email at [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected].
Thank you from the Counseling Office staff!!
Staff: Counselor – Val Benton (A-K) Counselor – Liz Herlinger (L-Z) Counseling Office Secretary – Amanda Shaw Student Data Technician – Christina Boswell
Counselor’s Corner, continued
Page 17 Volume 41, Issue 4
FOR YOUR INFORMATION NPHS JROTC will hold their annual Summer Leadership School (SLS) from 26-30 June
2017. SLS is an introductory JROTC program designed to give students a sampling of JROTC activities and a jump-start on the school year. The program is open to all in-coming high school students, but is highly recommended for students who are considering taking JROTC in the coming school year. A typical day will include light physical fitness, drill and ceremony, and classroom instruction on topics such as leadership fundamentals, goal setting, time manage-ment, and being a successful student. Field trips are also a big part of the program and will be scheduled throughout the week. The training will start each morning at 7:30 am and end at 4:00 pm. Optional swimming pool time or gym time will be available 4:00 to 6:00 pm. Instructors will be on-site for drop-off as early as 6:00 am each morning. The cost for SLS is $150.00 per cadet. This fee covers lunch and a snack each day, SLS t-shirt and hat, and field trip transportation. Transportation to and from NPHS is the responsibility of the parent/guardian. Space is limited (first-come-first-serve), so get your spot reserved as soon as possi-ble, no later than 26 May. Contact Lt Col Brown, North Point JROTC program, for registration forms and additional details ([email protected]/301-934-7482).
PAW Page 18
Around Piccowaxen
8TH GRADE STUDENTS WHO PLAN TO
ATTEND LAPLATA HIGH SCHOOL
AND THEIR PARENTS
ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE
PTO Meeting
Devoted to questions about scheduling for the
2017-18 school year
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
La Plata High School
Sponsored by the PTO and the
Counseling Department
6:00 – 6:30 p.m. – Scheduling Overview
The Counseling Department will discuss the scheduling process and answer questions
regarding course selection.
6:30 – 7:00 p.m. – Building Tour
If you have any questions, please call Mrs. Savoy or Ms. Shareef in the Counseling
Office at La Plata High School (301) 934-1100 or (301) 753-1754.