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H E N L E Y H O R N E T N E W S November 2011 ═══════════════════════════════════════
Happy November, everyone! I hope that you and your kids were able to enjoy some Halloween festivities last week. I know we had a great time at Henley with some incredibly creative costumes and our annual PATSO sponsored Halloween Dance. The start of the school year has been busy, and we are off to a great start again.
Our annual magazine drive wrapped up a couple of weeks ago and it was a huge success once again. Thank you so much for your support of this endeavor—the funds that students raised this year will go toward a number of educational enhancements at Henley, including adding interactive white boards to some of our classrooms. Soon our holiday canned food drive will begin, and I know that our community will once again come together to support those in need. Please ask your kids about how they can contribute to this and remember that the food we collect goes first to members of our community before it is sent down to the food bank for general distribution.
Students will be receiving report cards in the mail soon. Please take some time to sit down with your child and review their progress to date. If they are excelling in their studies, then encourage them to keep up the great work or to push themselves to extend their learning even further. If they have had some struggles during the first marking period, then it’s important that we work together as a team to turn things around. Our teachers are always happy to discuss ways to help students improve either in person or on the phone, and meetings can be set up by contacting our school counseling department.
As I said earlier, it’s been a wonderful beginning to our school year at Henley. We’ve got lots of great plans for engaging, authentic instruction with our students as we head into the second marking period and beyond. I continue to be impressed each and every day with the work our teachers and students do at Henley, and thank you for your support of your child’s education. As always, please let us know if you have any questions or concerns, and I hope you all can look forward to a great holiday season!
AFTER-SCHOOL PICKUP
If you are picking up your child after school, we ask that you please pull into a parking space and that you not stop in a location that would prevent a parked vehicle from leaving its parking space. Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter.
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
You may schedule a conference with one or all of your child’s teachers by calling Susan Childers in the school counseling office at 823-5040. Our conferences are held at 8:45am in the
teacher’s classroom. Please plan to arrive at Henley by 8:40 (there’s a lot of traffic in the morning) so you have time to sign in and get to the teacher’s classroom. School begins at 9:06 so it is important that conferences begin promptly at 8:45.
STUDENT ATTENDANCE
We know that school attendance and academic achievement are inseparable. As we conclude a successful first marking period, we want to remind parents of the procedure when students are unable to attend school. We are aware of the many circumstances that may prevent student attendance. Nonetheless, to ensure the safety of our students we must maintain accurate attendance records. So please call Mrs. Childers in the Guidance office to notify the school when your child is absent. We appreciate your efforts.
COUNSELORS’ CORNER
Congratulations on the successful completion of the first quarter! The school year began with school counselors helping new students transition to Henley and supporting returning students as they transitioned to the next grade level. We hosted a pizza party for over 60 students new to our area and we all enjoyed getting to know one another. We will gather again soon for an ice cream social to check in with our newest Hornets!
All counselors visited the classrooms to introduce themselves, give an overview of counseling services, and share information about counseling groups. Most importantly, the counselors explained how to access school counselors when needed. The first rotation of counseling groups began in mid-October and subsequent groups will follow throughout the school year. Ms. Bradfield, the sixth grade counselor, will continue meeting all of the 6th grade students.
During the second quarter, counselors will be coordinating holiday assistance programs and meeting with students having academic difficulties. A family assistance letter was mailed to all families in August with student schedules. If you are interested in receiving assistance and did not return this form, please contact your child’s school counselor as soon as possible. Good luck with the second quarter and please let us know if you have any questions and/or concerns!
Ms. Susan Childers School Counseling Secretary
Ms. Kimberly Warnick 7th grade counselor
Ms. Cindi Bradfield 6th grade counselor Ms. Kristy Lancaster 8th grade counselor
Recent & Upcoming School Counseling Events:
8th Grade Class Tours CATEC
The entire 8th grade visited the Charlottesville-Albemarle Technical Education Center on Friday, October 14. Students were given a tour of the school and an opportunity to learn about the programs offered for high school students.
7th Grade Career EXPO
On October 31, all 7th grade students attended the Career EXPO at the University of Virginia JPJ Arena. In preparation for Career EXPO, students participated in a career awareness unit through social studies classes. Ask your child about his/her experience at the Career EXPO and his/her understanding of the skills needed for success. You may want to check out the website, for fun activities and useful career information for students and parents.
Commonwealth Scholars Program Presentations to 8th Grade Students
The Commonwealth Scholars program encourages students to take challenging courses throughout their four-year high school career. This program is supported and recognized by many businesses in Virginia, the Virginia Department of Education, and higher education. Volunteers from area businesses will give Commonwealth Scholars presentations to all Henley 8th grade students on Tuesday, November 22 from 1:30-2:30.
IT’S FINALLY HERE! CONSTRUCTION ON
HENLEY’S RENWABLE ENERGY RESOURCE CENTER
HAS BEGUN!
Mark your calendars now! On December 16, we will have the official dedication of Henley’s Renewable Energy Resource Center, an amazing learning opportunity that is coming to Henley.
On October 20th, construction on Henley’s Renewable Energy Center began with the pouring of the concrete foundation for the wind turbine. While waiting for the concrete to cure, crews will be working on the installation of solar thermal panels to support our hot water heater and solar photovoltaic panels that will address Henley’s overall electric demand. Additionally, students and visitors to Henley will be able to view a read-out of how these various resources are working on a flat screen monitor that will be placed in Henley’s front hall across from the main office.
Some history for those new to Henley! Four years ago Henley students and faculty began fundraising to bring solar thermal panels to Henley. We baked cupcakes, held golf tournaments, collected plastic bags and box tops and enjoyed the generosity of several private and corporate donors. When the state Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy invited grant applications for environmental projects, Albemarle Schools Environmental Compliance Manager, Lindsay Snoddy, chose Henley to be the subject of her grant writing. Because of Henley’s proven dedication to environmental effort, and Ms. Snoddy’s technical expertise, we were awarded the sizable grant. The $210,000.00, from the grant, along with the $40,000.00 students and faculty had raised, is the funding source for the new Renewable Energy Resource Center which will provide a first hand, science lessons for Henley students and students throughout the county.
So please plan to come and celebrate with us the morning of December 16, as we dedicate our new Renewable Energy Resource Center. Watch for specific times in Henley Matters and in other school communications.
2011 BOOK FAIR BIG SUCCESS
This year’s Book Fair was a huge success, earning over $2,000.00 for the Henley Library. Money will be used to purchase books and resources to support curricular areas and to keep our students reading. Ms. Guerrant wishes to thank the hardworking volunteers who manned the Book Fair and all of the generous parents and students who supported it.
ART NEWS
Our art club is off and running with artist in residence, sculptor Jim Respess. One of his sculptures was recently installed for Art in Place on Preston Avenue. A very enthusiastic group of sixth, seventh and eighth grade students meet Friday mornings, working collaboratively to design a kinetic sculpture that will be powered by ground-mounted solar panels (to provide visitors with an example of how our roof array is working). Once the design process is finalized, Jim Respess will fabricate the sculpture in his studio at the McGuffey Art Center. The sculpture will then be ready for installation, in front of Henley, in the later part of Spring, 2012.
STRING NEWS
On October 6th of this month, the Henley Advanced Strings participated in the All-County String Festival held at Albemarle High School in Charlottesville. All middle school 7th and 8th grade string students in the Albemarle County School System participated. The students performed three pieces chosen by each of the string teachers in the middle schools. The three middle school string teachers, Carrie Finnegan, Shannon Hutchison-Krupat, and Richard Baritaud conducted their chosen piece. This is the third year of the All-County Festival, and it has proven to be an excellent performing experience for all the students. We were all surprised to see photos of the students while performing, on the front page of the Daily Progress. The Henley students worked hard, and are to be congratulated for their efforts!
4th ANNUAL HORNET HUSTLE
Congratulations to all of our Hornet Hustle participants. We are thrilled to announce that our registration numbers exceeded our projections, for a total of 370+ walkers and runners. Special thanks as well to our "Snack
Crew"- Blair Anderson, Mary Newton, Alice Kelly and Mr. Toms!
The Fastest Feet:
Adult Male - Andrew Boyce, Tee Teague, and Bob Terrill Adult Female - June Brown, Stuart Greer-Ellis, and Dana Stokes
6th Grade Male - Wilson Brown, Evan Swett, and Will Wallace 6th Grade Female - Katie Senesac, Shannon Moore, and Anne Patterson
7th Grade Male - Victor Becerra, A.J. Donovan, Ben Swales 7th Grade Female - Faith Reed, Valerie Hajek, Joie Funk
8th Grade Male - Trevor Stutzman(Overall Winner), Ethan Cole, and David Strucko 8th Grade Female - Erin Farina, Kate Snyder, and Molly Servine
ASBESTOS HAZARD EMERGENCY RESPONSE ACT
Please be aware that the Asbestos Management Plan for Henley Middle School is located in the Main Office area. All State and Federal Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) requirements are followed during asbestos removal. If you have any questions concerning existing asbestos in the school, or planned removal of asbestos, please do not hesitate to call the Environmental Compliance Manager for Albemarle County Public Schools, at 434-975-9340.
Albemarle County Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, disability, national origin, pregnancy, or marital status.
Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. §§1691 et seq., prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs or activities receiving federal funds, including discrimination in employment and student admissions. All Albemarle County Public Schools students, applicants and employees are covered by this law.
Questions or concerns regarding compliance with the School Division’s nondiscrimination policies may be directed to: Director of Human Resources, 401 McIntire Road, Charlottesville, VA 22901, 434-296-5827
HENLEY CALENDAR
NOVEMBER
7thTEACHER WORK DAY (NO SCHOOL)
8THELECTION DAY/WORK DAY (NO SCHOOL)
11thREPORT CARDS MAILED
14THPATSO MEETING (4:30PM)
14TH – 18TH SCA CANNED FOOD DRIVE
17THFALL CHOIR CONCERT
18THFALL DANCE (4:00 – 6:00)
23RD- 25TH THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY (NO SCHOOL)
DECEMBER
6THINTERIMS SENT HOME
8THWINTER CONCERT 7:00PM @ WAHS (PATSO @6:45PM)
9THHOLIDAY DANCE (6:30PM – 8:30PM)
11THCHOIR AFTERNOON SING-ALONG
15TH/16THPLAY PERFORMANCE DURING DAY
19TH – JAN. 1ST WINTER HOLIDAY (NO SCHOOL)
JANUARY
2ND 1ST DAY OF CLASSES AFTER WINTER HOLIDAY
16TH HOLIDAY (NO SCHOOL)
17TH - 20TH EXAMS
20THEND OF 2ND NINE-WEEKS
23RDTEACHER WORK DAY (NO SCHOOL)
THE HENLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWSLETTER is a publication of Albemarle County PublicSchools. It is published quarterly and
distributed to all Henley families.
Our Vision:
All learners believe in their power to embrace learning, to excel, and to own their future.
Our Mission:
The core purpose of Albemarle County Public Schools is to establish a community of learners and learning, through rigor, relevance, and relationships, one student at a time.
Excellence. Young People. Community. Respect.