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Summary – February 10, 2010, No. 5
1. Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School participated in "No Name-Calling Week" from January 25-29, 2010. The event was part of the on-going efforts of the MVMMS Acts of Kindness Summit and the A.O.K. Club. Each day a special no name-calling activity was spotlighted on the morning broadcast of WMVMMS-TV 85. On January 29, 2010, Mr. Stanton made a special guest appearance on the morning show and read a book about how to stand up to bullies titled One by Kathryn Otoshi. Students were invited to participate in a Creative Expression Contest by submitting essays, poetry, music, original artwork or other media to convey their anti-bullying ideas. MVMMS is truly a school where everyone belongs!
2. Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School participated in "Wear Red to School Day" on February 5, 2010. The effort was to show our support for women's heart disease awareness. MVMMS was a sea of red, and the support was great. In conjunction with this effort, a group of students participated in "Super Bowl for Caring" leading up to the NFL Super Bowl on February 7, 2010. The students collected money during their lunch block to support the fight against heart disease. A special thank you to all those who wore red to school and contributed to the cause!
3. Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School students Rebecca K., 8B, Hunter C., 8A, and Jillian H., 8C along with their classmates, watched the special report titled "Earthquake in Haiti" on the January 14, 2010 morning broadcast of WMVMMS-TV 85. The two students quickly organized a collection effort for the people of Haiti. Within one week the students collected $850.00 by setting up a donation table in the cafeteria. A special thank you to all those who donated!
4. The Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School Wrestling Team has been very busy participating in tournaments. On January 15, 2010, they competed in a dual meet. The scores were: Melrose 51, Tyngsborough 25 and Chelmsford 49, Melrose 25. On January 17, 2010, the MVMMS wrestlers competed in the "Running of Bulls" tournament at Woburn High School. Jack S., 6B took second place and Chris R., 7B captured third placed. On February 2, 2010, forty-four MVMMS wrestlers competed against their rival, the Wakefield wrestling team. Melrose won 70-12. The wrestlers compete in sixteen weight classes from 67 pounds up through 171 pounds. Congratulations to Coach Kent, Coach Mirasolo, and to all the middle school wrestlers!
5. The Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School MathCounts Team led by Colin H., 7C, Claire H., 7B, Monika O., 8B, Abraham Z., 7B, Matt M., 7B, Anastacia W., 7A, Joe V., 7A, and Kyle Y., 7C defeated five other middle school teams at the annual MathCounts Meet at Roxbury Latin High School on February 6, 2010. Congratulations!
6. The following Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School students had their poems accepted for publication by Creative Communications on January 27, 2010: Natalie B., 6B, "The Figure Skater"; Marc G., 6B, "Tree"; Jack M., 6B, "The Pencil is Mightier than the Sword"; Aevary S., 6B, "Life or Loss"; Elizabeth H., 6C, "The Geyser"; and Alexandra T., 6C, "A Year in New England." Congratulations to our student poets!
7. The Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School Eighth Grade Basketball Championship game was played during the eighth grade lunch block on January 14, 2010, under the watchful eyes of Ms. Reardon, Mr. Kent, Mr. Mirasolo, and 300 fans. The victorious team was the "Melrose Reindeer" led by Jalen A., 8C, Abby M., 8A, Ouadie A., 8A, Rachel H., 8C, and Julia G., 8B. Congratulations to all those players who participated in the tournament.
8. The Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School Seventh Grade Basketball Championship game was played during the seventh grade lunch block on January 14, 2010, under the watchful eyes of Ms. Reardon, Mr. Kent, Mr. Mirasolo, and 300 fans. The victorious team was the "Melrose Rudolphs" led by Zach B., 7B, Kaitlyn B., 7A, Colby A., 7A, Melanie C., 7B, Nathan J., 7C, Nancy O., 7C, Brianna A., 7C, and Ryan S., 7C. Congratulations to all those players who participated in the tournament.
9. The Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School A.O.K. (Acts of Kindness) Club is raising awareness each day during all three lunch blocks by posting cards on the wall that contain recorded messages of random acts of kindness. Stop by the cafeteria and fill out a card. The A.O.K. Club also sponsored a holiday toy drive before vacation and a clothing drive after the vacation. The A.O.K. Club recently sold chocolates for "Go Red for Women," an awareness event sponsored by the American Heart Association. The A.O.K. Club is to be commended. There will be a new focus for kindness each month throughout the remainder of the school year. The A.O.K. Club meets every Wednesday in room B309. Everyone is welcome! Contact Mrs. Warren for more information at wwarren@melrose.mec.edu.
10. Mrs. Jill Brogan, representative of the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School PTO, announced that February 8-12, 2010, will be the second collection week for the Box Tops for Education program. The team in each grade that brings in the most coupons will be rewarded with ice cream sandwiches. A special thank you to the PTO and to all the students who bring in box tops!
11. The following Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School students in the Smile Train Club have decided to sell pencils as their third fundraiser to help children get needed cleft pallet operations: Kaleigh M., 7C, Nicole M., 7C, Charlene F., 7B, Samantha M., 7C, and Kristen M., 7A. For more information about the Smile Trail Club, contact Mrs. Naslas at nnaslas@melrose.mec.edu. A special thank you to all those who are helping out.
12. Mr. Babineau, Math Department Head, and Mrs. Singer, English Department Head, have announced the weekly MCAS Math Practice Mondays and MCAS English Practice Tuesdays. Practice questions are being provided weekly to all Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School students as part of the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School 2009-2010 MCAS Action Plan and School Performance Evaluation Instrument. The practice questions are also posted weekly online at www.melroseschools.com/mms.
13. All Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School teachers and students received usernames and passwords for the online English, mathematics and science practice MCAS instruction programs found at: www.studyisland.com. This initiative is part of the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School 2009-2010 MCAS Action Plan and School Performance Evaluation Instrument.
14. Ms. Ginia Pasciuto, Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School PTO Enrichment Committee, informed the faculty that several thousand dollars are available for enrichment programs during the 2009-2010 school year. The Enrichment Committee is seeking help to identify projects, presentations, and/or materials that would enhance curriculum at our school. For an application for PTO enrichment funds, visit the main office or contact Ms. Pasciuto at 781-662-2335 or email: vpasciuto@comcast.net.
15. The Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School Math Team competed in their third match of the season in the Intermediate Math League of Eastern Massachusetts on January 14, 2010 at Marblehead Middle School against the following middle school teams: Marblehead Middle School, Swampscott Middle School, Danvers Middle School and Lynn. The members of the MVMMS 2009-2010 Math Team are: Claire H., 7B, Amelia J., 7A, Winnie L., 7A, Monika O., 8B, Abraham Z., 7B, Andrew H., 7C, Duncan M., 7C, Maggie C., 7C, Kyle V., 7B, Colin F., 7A, Matt M., 7B, Joe V., 7A, Kyle Y., 7C, and Colin H., 7C.The first meet of the season was held at Marblehead Middle School on October 22, 2009. The second meet of the season was held at Swampscott Middle School on December 3, 2009. The next Math Team meet will be held again at Marblehead Middle School on February 11, 2010, and the final meet of the season will be at Danvers on March 25, 2010. For more information about the competition visit www.imlem.org. Good luck to the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School Math Team!
16. Eighty-three Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School students recently participated online in the 2009 American Math Challenge. The students used Mathletics to support learning math as part of the American Math Challenge. The students correctly answered 33,653 math problems on the first attempt. The top three concept master students were: Andrew C., 6B, Alexis C., 6A, and Zachary Z., 8A. Congratulations to all those who took the challenge!
17. Several intramural activities and clubs were recently held at Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School. They are: Art Club (Mrs. Phillips), Mondays; Drama Club (Mr. Bueno), Tuesdays-Thursdays; Weightlifting and Fitness (Mr. Moss), Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays; Robotics and Lego Club (Mrs. Naslas), Mondays; Band Gig Club (Mr. Delvecchio), Mondays; MathCounts (Mrs. Fowler), Mondays; Environmental Club (Ms. McCoy/Mrs. Naslas), Tuesdays; Board Game Club (Mr. Crooks), Tuesdays; Free Rice and Chocolate Club (Mrs. Keefe), Tuesdays; Wrestling Team (Mr. Kent and Mr. Mirasolo), Tuesdays and Fridays; Scratch Club (Mrs. Arnold), Wednesdays; Math Team (Mr. Crooks/Mrs. Fowler), Thursdays; Smile Train Club (Mrs. Naslas), Thursdays; Good Manners for Fun Club (Mrs. Ruggiero) Wednesdays; Ballroom Dancing Club (Ms. Langway), Thursdays; Intramural Basketball (Mr. Blaus and Mr. D'Antonio), Thursdays; Cooking Club (Mrs. Meegan and Ms. Trevisani), Thursdays; Broadcast Club (Mr. Muldoon), Monday-Friday; the Library Club (Mrs. Arnold) Monday-Friday. For more information, contact Mrs. Dubiel, Intramural Director, at 781-462-3106.
18. A cohort of teachers is reading Saphier, J., Haley-Speca, M. & Gower, B. (2008). The Skillful Teacher: Building Your Teaching Skills. Carlisle: Research for Better Teaching. The group of teachers is studying teacher beliefs and the eighteen parameters of teaching. The eighth meeting of the Eleventh Annual Skillful Teacher Book Club was held on January 25, 2010. Mrs. Arnold facilitated a discussion about building positive relationships with students. The seventh meeting of the Eleventh Annual Skillful Teacher Book Club was held on January 4, 2010. Mr. Bueno facilitated the meeting with a discussion about establishing high expectations for students. The sixth meeting was held on December 7, 2009. Principal Brow introduced Bruce Joyce's eighteen models of teaching; later the discussion centered on the effective use of summarizers. The fifth meeting was held on November 16, 2009. The group shared the activators they had developed for recent classroom lessons, and Principal Brow introduced the twenty-four principals of learning. The fourth meeting was held on November 2, 2009. Principal Brow led the group in a discussion about developing powerful and exciting activators at the start of each lesson. The third meeting was held on October 19, 2009. Dr. Kepple and Principal Brow discussed a memory strategy that could be used to remember the fifty-three different attention moves. The momentum and classroom space parameters were also discussed. The second meeting was held on October 5, 2009. Principal Brow facilitated a discussion about the fifty-three categories of attention moves. The first meeting was held on September 14, 2009. Principal Brow facilitated a discussion about the eighteen parameters of skillful teaching, and a pre-test assessment on clarity moves was implemented after two classroom videos were shown. This year's book club consists of pre-K teachers, elementary school teachers, middle school teachers, high school teachers, and administrators. The next meeting of the book club will be held on February 22, 2010, at 3:00 p.m. in the second floor project room at Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School. All teachers are welcome to attend.
19. Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School health teacher, Mrs. Keefe, in partnership with the Melrose Alliance Against Violence (MAAV) Director, Mrs. Mooney, recently completed the "Healthy Relationship" program in the eighth grade health classes. This six-week session taught the students the warning signs of abuse and the ingredients of a healthy relationship. For more information see www.maav.org.
20. The fourth Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School faculty meeting was held in the second floor project room on January 13, 2010. The professional development session, facilitated by Mrs. Arnold, dealt with how to integrate the student response systems (the clickers) with Study Island (an MCAS tutorial program). Next, a film produced on campus titled "You Will: Students and Teachers" was presented. This was followed by the presentation of the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School "Educator's Award (2007-2010)." This award is presented monthly by the faculty to individuals for their dedication to the students at Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School. This month's Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School "Educator's Award" was presented to Mr. Brent Bueno, technology education teacher. Past recipients of the "Educator's Award" include: Mr. Bert Whittier, Mrs. Kristen Bracey, Mr. Jerry Greer, Mrs. Jennifer Myette, Ms. Maureen Walsh, Mrs. Wendy Warren, Ms. Mamie Reardon, Mrs. Barbara Harrington, Mr. Morgan Crooks, Ms. Lisa Waldron, Mrs. Linda Gould, Ms. Heather Fabiano, Mrs. Leslie Means, Ms. Kristen Osgood, Mr. Kevin Allison, Ms. Joanne Leisk, Mrs. Susan Cochran, Mrs. Paula Meegan, and Mrs. Jean Keefe. Later, Principal Brow read aloud a letter from the Boston Globe titled "Schools Bracing for Deep Budget Cuts." The faculty meeting concluded after a discussion about teaching and learning, old business and new business. The next faculty meeting is scheduled for March 17, 2010.
21. The Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School "Campus Awards (2005-2007)" were presented by the faculty to individuals for their dedication to the students at Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School while the school was located on three campuses during the construction of the new middle school. Past recipients of the "Campus Awards" include: Mrs. Anne Ahern, Mr. Stephen Clinard, Mrs. Ester Sullivan, Mrs. Mary Wolfman, Mr. Ted Mateus, Mr. Stephen Aylward, Mrs. Elena Orcutt, Mrs. Suzanne Corbett, Mr. Kevin Allison, Mr. Bert Whittier, Ms. Marianne Dwyer, Mrs. Susan Mayo, Mrs. Nancy Naslas, Mrs. Wendy Arnold, Mr. Tom McCarthy, Mrs. Amy Dylengoski, Mr. Steven Hurley, M.P.D., Ms. Karen Parker, Mrs. Dina Mancini, Ms. Joanne Leisk, Ms. Kim Corkum, Ms. Judy McCarthy, Mrs. Marge Silvestri, Dr. Susan Smith, Mr. Robert Babigian, Mr. Marty Stanton, Mr. Sean Miner, Ms. Kristin Osgood, Ms. Amy Prouty, Mrs. Naomi Baline, Mrs. Julie Peterson, Mr. Jim Dooner, Mr. Adam Federico, Mr. Gerry Greer, Mrs. Laura Dubiel, Mrs. Jenn Myette, Mr. Eric D'Antonio, and Mrs. Dawn Passarella Brandao. Congratulations!
22. The Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School "Apple Award (1999-2005)" was given by the faculty to individuals for their dedication to the students at Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School. Past recipients of the "Apple Award" include: Mr. Kenneth Mitchell, Mr. Robert Holden, Ms. Mamie Reardon, Mrs. Esther Sullivan, Ms. Kathryn Tuck, Ms. Joanne Leisk, Ms. Judy Grace, Mrs. Trudy Dooner, Mrs. Voula Connors, Mrs. Jayne Morgan, Mr. Marty Stanton, Ms. Sheila Striar, Mrs. Susan Wales, Mrs. Helen Overlan, Ms. Judy McCarthy, Dr. Susan Smith, Mrs. Elaine Mead, Mr. Ross Nelson, Mr. Gerry Greer, Mrs. Helen Fennell, Ms. Marianne Dwyer, Mr. Stephen Clinard, Mrs. Jane Martin, Mr. Doug Haller, Mrs. June Murphy, Mrs. Elena Orcutt, Mrs. Lisa Jendrysik, Mr. Thomas Pennell, Mr. James Dooner, Mr. Thomas Brow, Mrs. Laura Dubiel, Mrs. Deborah O'Connor, Mrs. Barbara Durney, R.N., Mrs. Lisa Dooley, Mr. Tim Hurley, Ms. Aimee McCarthy, Mrs. Gale Babin, Mrs. Eileene Stergiou, Mr. David Pignone, Mrs. Beverly Kirby, Mr. Thomas McCarthy, Mrs. Anne Ahern, Mrs. Marie Cahalane, Mrs. Cheryl Luongo, Mrs. Susan Cochran, Mr. John McLaughlin, Mr. Randy Barnes, Ms. Jessica Shute, Ms. Karen Parker, Mrs. Marian Knight, Mrs. Julia Anderson, Mrs. Linda Gould, Ms. Christina Fabiano, Mrs. Sarah Haney, Mr. Sean Miner, and Mrs. Mary Wolfman. Congratulations to the recipients. For more information about the "Apple Award," see Principal Brow.
23. With the points from the "Go Red for Women Day," the school-wide Geography Bee, and the magazine drive, the totals on February 8, 2010, of the current standings in the race for the three grade-level Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School Team Trophies are as follows: Grade Six: 6A - 353, 6B – 288, 6C - 272 points. Grade Seven: 7B - 317, 7A - 245, 7C - 209 points. Grade Eight: 8C – 275, 8B - 246, 8A -190 points. Each Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School Team will have many opportunities during the 2009-2010 school year to win points toward the Sixth Grade Guidance Trophy, the Seventh Grade Vice Principal's Trophy, or the Eighth Grade Principal's Trophy. These annual awards are presented to the winning team of each grade at the end of the school year. Past recipients of the team competitions are as follows: Sixth Grade Guidance Trophy – Team 6A (2009), Team 6A (2008), Team 6A (2007), Team 6A (2006), Team 6B (2005), Team 6A (2004); the Seventh Grade Vice Principal's Trophy – Team 7C (2009), Team 7A (2008), Team 7A (2007), Team 7A (2006), Team 7B (2005), Team 7A (2004); and the Eighth Grade Principal's Trophy – Team 8C (2009), Team 8A (2008), Team 8B (2007), Team 8B (2006), Team 8A (2005), Team 8A (2004). Good luck to all the teams this year!
24. Representatives from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's School Programs have invited Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School students and staff to participate in the "Pennies for Patients" program. Students collect spare change for a three-week period in February or March 2010 in honor of local survivors or current patients. See Principal Brow for a registration form or call Randi O'Hara at 1-800-688-6572 or visit www.lls.org.
25. Office Depot is offering its "5% Back to School Program" to Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School. Here is how it works. When teachers, parents, students, and friends purchase items at Office Depot, please state the following Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School special ID Number: 70044541. MVMMS will receive credits equal to five percent of purchases to use for FREE supplies. For more information, call 1-887-567-5287.
26. The Target store presented Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School with a check for $179.08 in September 2009. This payout is a direct result of the parents, teachers, and MVMMS supporters who participate in Target's Take Charge of Education Program, which has earned MVMMS $1,484.14 since 1997. Sign up at Target to donate up to 1% of every purchase you make at the store. For more information, visit www.Target.com/tcoe.
27. Professional development is ongoing at Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School. Some of the professional development activities the faculty/staff participated in are as follows: February 2010: "Skillful Teaching (Creating a Positive Classroom Climate)" 2/08/10; "Melrose Professional Development Day Workshops" 2/22/10. January 2010: "Skillful Teaching (Creating High Expectations)" 1/04/10; "Skillful Teaching (Building Positive Relationships with Students)" 1/25/10. December 2009: "Meeting Students' Needs to Math Scores," 12/01/09; "Skillful Teaching (18 Models of Teaching)," 12/07/09. November 2009: "Skillful Teaching (Discipline Moves)" 11/02/09; "Memory Strategies" 11/09/09, 11/10/09, and 11/12/09; "Skillful Teaching (24 Principles of Learning)" 11/16/09; "Acts of Kindness: Creating a Positive School Environment," faculty meeting, 11/18/09. October 2009: "Skillful Teaching (Attention Moves)" 10/05/09; "Meeting the Needs of All Learners," faculty meeting, 10/13/09; "Prezi; an Exciting Presentation Tool," faculty meeting, 10/14/09; "Skillful Teaching (Momentum and Space Moves)" 10/19/09. September 2009: "Skillful Teaching (Introduction)," 15 teachers, 9/14/09; "Mandated Physical Restraint Training and Analysis of Annual Yearly Progress (AYP)," faculty meeting, 9/16/09. August 2009: "Universal Health Care Precautions," faculty meeting, 8/31/09. The Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School faculty is truly a community of learners!
28. The following Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School students are representatives on the Melrose Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition: Bianca P., 8A, Tracy P., 8B, and Natalie E., 8B. The Coalition's most recent meeting was held on February 4, 2010. The Coalition provides resources to schools in an effort to create a safe and healthy environment for learning. Mrs. Kara Showers, Melrose Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator, announced that Melrose has received an additional $95,000 per year for the next three years from the SAMHSA Office of National Drug Control Policy. Melrose was one of six Massachusetts communities to receive the federal grant. The Coalition's next meeting will be on March 4, 2010. Congratulations to Bianca, Tracy, and Natalie, and a special thank you for representing our school!
29. Three separate Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School Band Gig groups rocked the cafeteria with another public performance. The groups played after school at a special concert in the cafeteria on January 25, 2010. Superstition (Isaac S., 6A, Martin N., 6B, Richard G., 6A, Connor S., 7C, Colin F., 7A) played two songs; Sonic Temple (Jacqueline A., 8C, Steve M., 7B, Austin S., 6B) performed two songs; and The Hitmen (Anthony N., 8B, Nicholas M., 6B, London R., 6C) performed two songs. A special thank you to the student musicians!
30. The Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School Broadcast Club has been busy every school day broadcasting a "live" morning news show during homeroom on WMVMMS-TV, Channel 85, under the direction of Mr. Muldoon. Several one-minute movies have recently been produced on campus. The movies that have been integrated within the morning broadcast this year are as follows: Eighth Grade Basketball Championship Game, Ski Trip: Bretton Woods, Special Report: Earthquake in Haiti, National Geography Bee 2010, National Geography Bee Promo, Santa's Faculty Reindeer, Ballroom Dancing Assembly, Snow Bowl Football Game, The Hitmen (Band Gig), Sonic Temple (Band Gig), Let it Snow (Faculty Dancers), Reindeer Skit (Faculty), Santa Claus is Coming (Mr. Greer and Mr. Bueno), Superstition (Band Gig), Eighth Grade Flag Football Championship, Orchestra and Band Concert, Robotic and Lego Club, Food Drive, Cooking Club, Choral Concert, Ice Cream Bash, Math Team, John Halligan Interview, Brigitte Berman (author) Interview, Michael Chase (Kindness guest) Interview, You Have a Right (Mrs. Dylengoski and Mrs. Passerella-Brandao), Tale of Two Cities Field Trip, Gathering Change Presentation, Annie (Drama Club), Ria Concert, Hip Hop Dance, Veterans Day Assembly, Thanking Those Veterans Who Served, Melrose Cheerleaders "C" Squad, Building Earthquake Resistant Homes (Science Team 6C), Gather Change Project, Converting Dry Energy (Science Team 7A), Ice Experiment (Science Team 8A), Yoga in Wellness Class, Michael and Marisa (four segments), Smile Train Club, Candlelight Walk and Vigil, Melrose Football, Magazine Drive, Intramural Rugby, Algebra Equalities (Team 8A Alegbra), Intramural Field Hockey, Hacky Sack, Environmental Club, Cheerleading, Homeroom Election Day Specials (four segments), Band Gig, Sabastein Krumbiegal Assembly, PTO Popcorn, Intramural Cross-Country, Guidance Department, School Pictures (two segments), Intramural Tennis, Apache Football, Intramural Soccer, September 11th Tribute, Irish Artane Band Assembly, President Obama's Speech to Kids, and Hurricane Bill. Great job WMVMMS-TV 85 Broadcast Club!
31. Please inform Principal Brow of team events, student accomplishments, meetings, activities, curriculum ideas, and other exciting things that are happening at Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School. Submit your ideas in writing for consideration. The Summary is an effective way for us to communicate and share ideas. For daily information about the exciting things that are happening at Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School, visit the principal's website at www.melroseschools.com/mms, then click "Principal's Website."
Posted by Principal Brow - 02/11/10
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