GervisGardnerShugartMiddle School
Every Student. Every Class. Every Day.
Monday, February 2, 2009 Volume 19
VISION: (Where are we going?)
We are committed to a culture of high expectations where all students learn to become literate, high performing scholars, critical thinkers, and technologically competent life-long learners.
MISSION: (What are we currently doing for students?):
G. GardnerShugartMiddle School will educate and empower all children in a safe and student-centered environment that will foster the growth of well-rounded individuals.
VALUES: (Our beliefs):
We will lead and guide each student in achieving at the optimum level with rigorous, standards-based lessons that include technology.
We will make learning relevant to reality for each student and maximize every minute of instructional time.
We will address each student’s cultural, social, emotional, physical, and academic needs.
We will ensure that ALL stakeholders are involved in the educational process of each child.
We will provide opportunities for each student to become productive citizens.
G. GardnerShugartMiddle School
Parents and Community
You Are Invited
To Attend
The
Community Meeting on
Wednesday, February 4, 2009, at 6:30 p.m.
Location: G. GardnerShugartMiddle School
This will be an opportunity to discuss the proposedschool consolidation plan prior to the Board of Education public hearing on the consolidations.
In order to sign up to speak at the meeting, please contact the Zone 6 office, (301) 749-5238.
(Date Change)
Crystal Ball – An Inaugural Affair
On Friday, February 27, 2009, from 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., G. Gardner Shugart Middle School will have its first annual Crystal Ball. This year’s theme is centered around the Inauguration that took place on Tuesday, January 20, 2009. This ball is a part of our Principal’s Book-of-the-Month, which the school does in conjunction with our America’s Choice program.
Students are selected based on their school performance, participation, character, and behavior. They are also recommended by the administration to participate in this memorable experience. Students who are attending will be given specific and detailed expectations of etiquette and dress code.
The cost for students to attend is $10.00. Invitations were extended as of February 2, 2009. The absolute last day that we will collect money is Friday, February 20, 2009. Money must be in the form of cash or money order made out to G. Gardner Shugart Middle School. No checks will be accepted.
Early Dismissal
On Wednesday, February 4, 2009, students will have a half-day of school due to teacher professional development. Early dismissal will begin at 12:40 p.m.Students will return on Thursday, February 5, 2009, to a regular schedule.
Meet the Interim Superintendent
PGCPS invites the parents/guardians of G. Gardner Shugart Middle School to attend the community meeting regarding the selection of a new Superintendent for Prince George’s County Public Schools on Wednesday, February 4, 2009, at EugeneBurroughsMiddle School beginning at 7:00 p.m. Your input and suggestions are valued and will be extremely helpful as the Board of Education begins the search for a new Superintendent.
Real Men Read – Real Men Talk
Due to the weather conditions on Wednesday, January 28, 2009, we will reschedule our Real Men Read – Real Men Talk program. Please read our newsletter for the rescheduled date.
Weather Conditions
As we enter a season of unpredictable winter weather, it will be vital that students and their parents/guardians check the weather reports daily, for delays in school openings and/or closings.
MSA Preparation
Students and parents can begin preparing for MSA by visiting our school system’s website ( ) and click on the Student’s page, and then clicking on the icon for Winter Break packets. Another resource is also The more that is done early, the better opportunities students will have to experience success.
Dressing for Success
Every Monday, our students have the opportunity to participate in ‘Dress for Success Day”. The school’s dress code will still be enforced as it relates to earrings and other accessories. This is NOT an opportunity for students to wear jeans. Jeans are NOT allowed. Students must:
wear actual dress clothes, such as professional, business attire (for boys: suit, ties, dress shirts; for girls: actual business suits with skirt).
All dress wear must be in compliance with the school’s normal dress code. Dressing for success requires professional dress, which is why this is optional to students and their parents/guardians.
This is NOT mandatory, but it is an opportunity for our students to participate in career building.
On last week, some of our students really took the dress day to the next level. As a school and administrative team, we were extremely proud of them. Kudos to our students!!!
Principal’s Corner
As we begin to count down the days before the MSA, it is crucial that our students and our parents/guardians really begin to focus on the expectations for the MSA. The school has reached out to our parents through the MSA Parent Breakfast Meetings, PTSA, and through our weekly newsletter, The Mustang Express. All of these initiatives take a lot of effort, time, and work. We need your support and your continued encouragement. Educating children is not an easy task, but it is a rewarding one because we are making a difference in the lives of our young people. Again, I will reiterate, as I stated in last week’s edition, that in order for our students to successfully pass the MSA, collectively they will have to take ownership for their learning and make it a priority. I cannot stress enough the importance of our mindsets and how we view the MSA and the learning process for our children.
I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to all of our parents who continuously work hard to ensure that your child is meeting the expectations for our school. As much as I love children and will do whatever it takes to provide them with a premier education, I cannot tolerate classroom and school disruption, disrespect toward school employees or other students, and continuous defiance on some of the parts of our students.
Whatever we don’t do as parents and educators, alike, our children will pay the price as they become young adults. We must join forces and work together for the betterment of “our” children. These are “our” kids, and we must teach them what is right from wrong, honorable from what is dishonerable, just from what is unjust, and acceptable and appropriate from what is unacceptable and inappropriate.
I am so proud of our students and the significant strides that have been made by many students to conform to a new culture and climate at Shugart. Suspension is never what I want for any student, but it becomes the end result when other interventions do not work. Please work with me, as I work with the staff and students to usher us to the next level.
Being your principal is not something I take for granted or lightly. I genuinely am proud to be your instructional leader and learner. Thank you for allowing me to serve you as your principal.
Have a MUSTANG week,
Dr. Robinson
The Choices You Make Today will Dictate Your
Destination for Tomorrow
-Dr. Michael Robinson
Media News
We are now more than half way through the 2008-2009 school year. How many books have you read so far? Our school goal is for each student to read 25 books before the end of the school year in June. Many students have already passed this goal and we encourage them to set their own personal goals to read 50 or more books. However, if you are having a problem finding books that interest you, please come to the library and we will be glad to help you.
Other Library News…
The film: The Great Debaters starring Denzel Washington will be shown at the Hillcrest Heights Library on Wednesday February 11th at 5 p.m., for all ages.
Mrs. Perkins
Mrs. Jack
Principal’s Book-of-the-Month (Students)
This month, the principal’s book of the month for January is The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama. I am looking forward to reading the responses that students will write once they have completed this book.
Report Card Pick-up
On Monday, February 9, 2009, from 4:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., parents/guardians can come and pick up their child’s report card. This will also give parents/guardians an opportunity to meet with their child’s counselor to discuss their child’s academic progress.
PTSA Meeting
On Monday, February 23, 2009, at 6:30 p.m., we will have our PTSA meeting. We had a productive meeting on last month, but we strongly encourage our parents/guardians to participate in our school’s PTSA. Your support and participation is needed.
We Salute Our Counselors
This is Guidance Counselor Appreciation Week
Special thanks to Mr. Johnson and Ms. Williams, our counselors, for the hard work they are doing with our students at our school. We THANK you and SALUTE you!!!
MSA Countdown (30 Days)
This Week, February 2-6, 2009
We Salute -
What were our contributions to America?
/ Madam CJ Walker/ George Washington Carver
/ Thurgood Marshall
/ Leontyne Price
/ Mahalia Jackson
G. GardnerShugartMiddle School
Presents
“Celebrating American History”
Black History Program
Friday, February 27, 2009
2:00 P.M.
Students who are interested in try-outs for the musical/skit, Shugart Center Awards – Celebrating American History, please see Dr. Robinson before the end of this week (Friday, 2/6). We are looking for students who can are not ashame to display their talents.
A Note about Discipline
Each week we brief our parents about discipline and management within our school. Again, this week, we are asking parents/guardians to continue to emphasize to our students the following:
Girls can wear earrings, but they cannot be larger than a dime
The school is not responsible for electronic devices, cell phones, and other personal belongings. Many of our students, against the school’s instructions, share lockers. This poses a problem because items sometimes become missing and/or stolen. Please do not allow your child to bring personal items, cell phones, etc. that are NOT a part of classroom supplies to school.
Cell phones cannot be used during the day. If students use them, the phones will be taken and held until a parent/guardian can pick it up. If an emergency occurs, parents/guardians are to contact the school. We ask that our parents/guardians please emphasize the system and the school’s expectations.
ONLY solid black or solid white tennis shoes are allowed; Belts must be worn and are not an option. Students can only wear solid black or solid brown belts; Boots are not allowed to be worn at school unless there is inclement weather. Inside the building, students must wear the appropriate and approved shoes; students are to wear solid polo shirts (white – 6th grade, burgundy – 7th, and black -8th). We do not wish to suspend students for not following dress code expectations. Again, we ask for cooperation.
Students must adhere to the expectations for the appropriate types of jackets/sweaters that can be worn at school.
Students getting to class on time. Before students receive a tardy, they get a warning bell. The majority of the students are adhering to the warning bells, but we do have some students who are not meeting the expectations.
Entering each class prepared for learning and demonstrating a strong constitution about receiving a quality education. Our teachers work extremely hard to prepare lesson plans that are rigorous and standards-based, but some of the students do not give the teacher the opportunity to teach the lesson.
Please remember to read the agenda/handbook that was given to every student as it relates to dress code and other school expectations.
Thank you for your cooperation and adherence
Parent Corner
Hello Parents/Guardians:
G.GardnerShuagrtMiddle School will be hosting our first Parent Fair, PTSA Meeting on Monday February 23, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. It is a wonderful opportunity for our parents to benefit from the many vendors that will be present here for this event. There will be representatives from insurance and tutoring companies, etc. We will also raffle off a new lap top computer and other prizes. Please come out and support the PTSA Committee. If you have any questions or concerns about this event, please contact me.
Mrs. Stafford, Parent Liaison
(301) 702-3950, ext 243
PPW (Ms. Brewster) Speaks: Attendance
According to the Maryland State Compulsory Attendance Law all children between the ages 5-16 must attend school daily. Excessive UNLAWFUL absences from school may lead to a Fine not to exceed $100 per day of unlawful absence or Imprisonment for up to 30 days, or both.
Thought of the Month
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
-Maya Angelou
Vocabulary Development:
This week’s vocabulary words are:
What do the above words mean? How will you use them in practical everyday life?
Write a sentence and/or a paragraph using each of the above words.
Character Education----- February
(From the Agenda/Handbook)
Our handbook/agenda focuses on the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Each month there will be a different habit that we will focus upon. The habit for February is BFF or Bankrupt? Deposits like keeping promises, doing small acts of kindness, smiling, or giving compliments improve relationships. Withdrawals like setting false expectations, breaking promises, being rude, or lying damage them. How can you build a strong relationship or repair a broken one? Simple – one deposit at a time.
(See handbook/agenda page 66).
A/B Schedule
M / Tu. / W / Th. / F2/2 / 2/3 / 2/4 / 2/5 / 2/6
B / A / B / A / B
LET’S CELEBRATE!!!
Students:
DiamondFebruary 2
D’Montoy G.February 2
Darius S.February 2
Treyon L.February 4
Anthony M.February 5
Lamont S.February 6
Tiana W.February 7
Deona H.February 7
Faculty:
None
MSA Prep = Success!
Reading/Language Arts
Multiple Meaning Words:
Friends lean on each other for encouragement. In which sentence below is the word lean being used as in the sentence above? ______
a. The tree leaned in the high wind.
b. One can always lean on Kevin when they need
help figuring out a problem
c. I leaned against the wall for rest.
d. Mr. Wright was leaning towards voting for a
school dance.
Math: BCR
MSA Practice –
Cedric is making a scale model of his school. The
dimensions of his school and of his model are
shown below.
Step A
What is the length, in feet, of side x of the model?
Step B
•Use what you know about similar polygons to justify
why your value of side x is correct. Use words, numbers,
and/or symbols in your justification.
•If Cedric changes the length of his model from
•3 feet to 6 feet, explain how this change will affect
•the value of side x. Use words, numbers, and/or
•symbols in your explanation.
Calendar Updates:
Early Dismissal Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Peace Week February 9 – 13, 2009
Report Card Pick-up February 9 – 4:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Award’s Day Friday, February 13 @2:30 p.m.
School Closed Monday, February 16, 2009
(President’s Day)
Hands-on MSA Day Friday, February 20, 2009
Crystal Ball Friday, February 27 - 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Black History Program Friday, February 27, 2009 @ 2:00 p.m.
MSA Testing: Reading: Tues. 3/17 and Wed., 3/18
Math: Tues., 3/24 and Wed., 3/25
(Return To Your Child’s HR Teacher)
Student’s Name:______Grade:______
Parent’s Signature: ______
Home Phone: ______
Homeroom Teacher: ______
Celebrating Our Faculty and Staff!
Thank you so much to our teachers-of-the-month and our support staff-of-the-month for the hard work and dedication that they exhibit each day. We know that working with children is not an easy task, but it is a rewarding one. Thank you!!! Kudos to you!!! We appreciate you!!!
Month / Teacher-of-the-Month / Support Staff-of-the-MonthOctober
/ Mr. Trammell / Mr. NewmanNovember
/ Ms. Boyd / Mr. HarveyDecember
/ Ms. Roger / Mr. SmithParents/Guardians
-Let Your Voice Be Heard-
How are we doing?
In the space provided, please feel free to give us feedback on ways that we can improve our school and better meet the needs of our students. We thank you in advance for your assistance and productive feedback.
*Please have your child to return this in an envelope and put in the parent suggestion box located by the main office.