Monthly Newsletter - Macomb Intermediate School District

October / November
Fall Edition 2014
Contact Information:
• Main Office: 586-797-3500
Mustang Messenger
Malow Junior High School - 6400 Twenty-Five Mile Rd. Shelby Township MI 48316
Robert D. Hock, Principal
Stacey Gierman, Assistant Principal - Kenneth Voakes, Assistant Principal
Malow Junior High School www.malowuticak12.org
Utica Community Schools www.uticak12.org
• Attendance: 586-797-3599
• Main Office Fax: 586-797-3501
Dear Friends of Malow:
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
October 15, 2014
Students will be taking a
Decommissioned
Explore/Work Keys Exam
Parent – Teacher
Conferences
Wednesday, November 12th
4:30 – 7:30 pm
Thursday, November 13th
12:00 – 3:00 pm
4:30 – 7:30 pm
Malow Mission Statement
The Malow Junior High School
community is committed to
providing a positive
environment, which encourages
and inspires students to
develop life-long learning skills
that will allow them to live and
work effectively and appreciate
diversity as they strive for
excellence live and work
effectively and appreciate
diversity as they strive for
excellence in an ever-changing
global society.
Let me begin by thanking all of you for a GREAT beginning to the school year!
Registration was well attended and I want you to know how much we appreciate your
cooperation. We will continue to refine this process with each passing year with the
sincere intention of making it as painless as possible for everyone involved. I also
want to thank you for listening to my phone messages and printing new schedules for
your children. I realize that the last minute changes we made may have created a bit
of anxiety for your children, but, due to your cooperation, we had virtually everyone
where they needed to be within the first hour of school on opening day!
Speaking of last minute changes, I wanted to explain why we consolidated to three
lunch periods. In years past, the “A” lunch period started at 10:47. This meant that
25% of our students were eating VERY early and often complained about “running out
of gas” by 3:01. Secondly, it meant that a total of 50% of our students had a split
class period to accommodate lunches. By consolidating to three lunches, both of
these issues have been addressed. Those who have “B” lunch still have a split 4th
hour class, which is unavoidable, but it drops the percentage of students with a spit 4th
hour class to approximately 33%. In addition, ALL students are now eating at a more
realistic time of the day.
As I’m sure you know all 11th graders take the high stakes ACT test, which plays a
critical role in determining post-secondary opportunities. In preparation for this test,
students may take free practice tests and preparation courses through the Princeton
Review organization. Please visit www.princetonreview.com/ACT and see what you
can do NOW to help your child prepare for the ACT. My son took this prep course
prior to his 9th grade year and I truly believe it helped to improve his performance
when he took this assessment last year as a junior at Eisenhower.
Also, I remind you that Parent/Teacher conferences will be held on November 12th
and 13th. Please look for further details in this newsletter. As you have heard me say
many times, we MUST work together to ensure that your children maximize their
learning opportunities!
Sincerely,
Robert D. Hock
Principal
Dates to Remember
Oct. 1
Oct. 2
Oct. 5
Oct. 9
Oct. 15
Oct. 21
Oct. 21
Oct. 22
Oct. 23
Oct. 30
Oct. 31
Nov. 2
Nov. 4
Nov. 4
Nov. 6
Nov. 6
Nov. 7
Nov. 12
Nov. 13
Nov. 13
Nov. 26 Nov. 28
Dec. 18
Dec.24Jan. 2
Jan. 8
Jan. 14Jan. 16
Jan. 16
Jan. 19
Feb. 5
Feb. 16Feb. 20
March 5
March 27
Official Count Day
Sounding Board
Meeting 1:30pm
UCS Band-A-Rama
Picture retake day
Explore / Work Keys
Exam
Magazine Sale Kick-off
Malow Choir Concert
7:00pm @ EPAC
Malow Choir Concert
7:00pm @ EPAC
th
Malow 7 grade band
concert
7:00pm @ EPAC
Halloween Dance
3:00pm – 5:00pm
End Of 1st Marking
Period
Daylight Savings Ends
“Fall Back”
No School
ELECTION DAY
Sounding Board
Meeting 1:30 pm
Drama Presentation –
Cinderella 7:01pm
Drama Presentation –
Cinderella 7:01pm
Conferences
4:30pm – 7:30pm
½ day for students
Parent – Teacher
Conferences
12:00pm – 3:00pm &
4:30pm – 7:30pm
No School, Thanksgiving Break
Malow Bands Winter
Concert
7:00pm @ EPAC
No School
Christmas Break
Sounding Board
Meeting 1:30pm
½ days –
Mid-Term Exams
11:12am dismissal
nd
End of 2 Marking
Period
No School - Martin
Luther King Day
Sounding Board
Meeting 1:30 pm
No School –
Mid-Winter Break
Sounding Board
Meeting, 1:30 pm
Malow Bands Spring
Concert
Mustang Messenger
Hello Malow Community!
My name is Ken Voakes and I am
one of the new Assistant Principals
here at Malow. I was here at Malow
as a student teacher 10 years ago,
and have since been at a number of
buildings serving in a variety of
roles. I was at Utica High School
last school year as an Associate
Principal Intern. Prior to that, I
worked at the board office and
taught at Eisenhower High School,
Shelby, Eppler, Jeannette and
Davis.
I am very pleased to be back at
Malow, where my career in
education began. I have been very
pleased with the respect that
Every month a Success Skill is
introduced to the students here
at Malow.
September—Organization
October—Responsibility
November—Caring / Kindness
December—Cooperation
January—Integrity
February—Initiative
March—Common Sense
April—Sense of Humor
May & June—Perseverance
Page 2 of 6
students have been showing
towards one another and myself. I
look forward to what the school year
will bring and all of the successes
we will have here at Malow Junior
High School.
Go Mustangs!!
Please see page 6
for Halloween
Costume / Dress
Code Review
Daily Schedule
1st Hour
2nd Hour
3rd Hour
4th Hour
5th Hour
6th Hour
8:10-9:08
9:14-10:10
10:16-11:12
11:18-12:57
1:03-1:59
2:05-3:01
Lunch A
11:18-11:49
Lunch B
11:55-12:20
Lunch C
12:26-12:57
EARLY DISMISSAL / ½ DAY
8:10 TO 11:12 AM
No Appointments Needed!
Parent – Teacher Conferences
Wednesday, November 12
4:30 – 7:30 pm
Thursday, November 13
12:00 – 3:00 pm & 4:30 – 7:30 pm
Please remember to limit your time with each teacher to five
minutes, as other parents will be waiting.
Page 3 of 6
Chess Club - Mr. Ashman
Every Monday 3-4 B207
Mustang Messenger
Magic the Gathering
Card Club - Ms. Narkus
Most Thursdays 3-5 B211
Watch for announcements
No experience necessary
Destination Imagination Mrs. Suzanne Waligora
Malow Comic League
Club - Mr. Kupke
Mondays 3-4 A104
N.J.H.S. - Mrs. Witt
Forensics - Mrs. Carolin
Most Mondays 3–4:30
A108 Dec thru May
For more information click on
readspeaklistenthink.com and
select Forensics at the top
7th Grade Football –
Coach Jason Gendreau
8th Grade Football –
Coach Aaron Davis
7th Grade Volleyball –
Coach Michelle Witt
8th Grade Volleyball –
Coach Jason Thoel
7th Grade Competitive Cheer
– Coach Heather Chalou
8th Grade Competitive Cheer
– Coach Sienna Montalbano
th
By invite only for 8th and 9th
grade students.
Qualifying students will receive
an invitation near the end of
the 2nd semester.
Science Olympiad Ms. Sarah Pohutsky
[email protected]
Malow Snow Sports
Club - Mrs. Wakefield
B203
Counselors:
S.T.A.T.I.C - Mrs. Nowels
Mrs. Witt - 9 grade
Dr. Krause - 8th grade
Ms. Vernon - 7th grade
Cyberbullying
Q:
I’m worried about
cyberbullying. How can I
protect my middle grader from
this kind of bullying?
A:
Cyberbullying occurs when
someone sends hurtful
messages online or by cell
phone. It can take many forms,
Student
Council
–
Weekly trips to Mt. Holly
such as writing rude
starting in December and
Mrs. Gastmeier and
comments, spreading rumors,
ending in February. Any
Mrs. Hitzleberger
ability level is welcomed,
and posting embarrassing
rental equipment is available,
Look inside this newsletter for pictures. Your child can
no need to attend every
discourage cyberbullying by
upcoming Student Council
week.
giving personal information
events
(name, email address, cell
phone number) only to friends.
If she receives nasty emails or
text messages, she should not
respond. Explain that replying
7th Grade Boys’ Basketball –
just gives the person the
Coach Jason Thoel
satisfaction of having upset
8th Grade Boys’ Basketball –
her. A good thing to do is
For all parents of 7th and 8th
Coach William Tack grade Malow athletes, the Malow simply to log off the computer
or turn off the cell phone.
Booster Club is here for you!
7th Grade Girls’ Basketball –
Dues are only $10 per year, per Let youngster know she should
Coach Robert Savage family.
tell an adult if she experiences
8th Grade Girls’ Basketball –
cyberbullying. Your can report
Coach Jim Thomas Meetings are held monthly for an problems to your Internet
hour or so at Malow. The first
7th Grade Competitive Cheer meeting of the year will be
– Coach Heather Chalou Monday, October 6th at 7pm at
8th Grade Competitive Cheer Malow.
www.MalowSports.com
– Coach Sienna Montalbano
is your place for all news
regarding MJH Athletics
provider, school authorities, or
even the police.
©2011 Resources for Educators, a division of
CCH Incorporated
Nondiscrimination in Education
In compliancewith Title VI of theCivil Rights Act of 1964, TitleIX oftheEducation Amendments of 1972, Section 504 oftheRehabilitation Act of 1973, the AgeDiscrimination Act of1975,Title II of the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act and the Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act, it is the policy of Utica Community Schools that no person shall, on the basis of
race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, disability, height, weight, or marital status be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjectedto discrimination during any
instructional opportunities, programs, services, job placement assistance, employment or in policies governing student conduct andattendance. Any person suspecting a discriminatory practiceshouldcontact
theExecutiveDirector of HumanResourcesatUticaCommunity Schools,11303 Greendale,Sterling Heights,MI 48312 or call (586)797-1000.
Mustang Messenger
So many things are
happening at Malow; all
parents should have the
opportunity to know about
them and Malow411 was
created for that purpose!
All information emailed via
the 411 is sent on behalf of
another person or entity:
Such as our principal Mr.
Hock, a staff member, a
coach, a student club
coordinator, the Sounding
Board, etc.
Parents & Guardians are
invited to our monthly
Sounding Board
meetings, which are held
in the Upper Level of the
Media Center from 1:30 –
3pm.
Mark your calendars for:
October 2
Information can be sent to
the entire student list or sent
grade specific depending on
the content. You will also
receive a direct link to the
Malow Messenger - the
school newsletter.
Most emails include contact
information, but if not,
please contact the main
office at 586-797-3500 and
inquire or have your student
inquire.
The 411 is not checked
frequently, therefore, if you
email a pressing question or
personal concern, it may
delay the response.
Be assured that the email
addresses listed in the
distribution lists are used
only for the purpose
intended. All emails are
sent BCC for privacy.
The 411 is intended for
parents/guardians and is not
for student use. (student
emails should not be listed.)
Thank you for making the
Malow411 a successful line
of communication!
November 6
January 8
February 5
March 5
Page 4 of 6
September 19th saw the
end to the Entertainment
Book Sale for this year.
Our Top Seller 8th grader
Alyssa Battani with 13
books sold.
The winner of our raffle
drawing for a $250 Visa
Gift Card was 9th grader
Christopher DeClercq
Thank you everyone for
your support!
April 16
.
Keep collecting those
Box Tops.
Information about
collections will be
forthcoming.
The Sounding Board
has paid for such
items as art supplies,
sheet music, lighting &
sound equipment,
transportation for field
trips as well as other
classroom supplies
and equipment
May 14
Check out the Sounding
Board’s new website at
http://malowsb.org/
.
The Sounding Board
website will have all kinds
of info (agendas from past
meetings, any handouts
from guest speakers,
information from Mr. Hock,
and links to any volunteer
opportunities, etc. But, the
most important item is the
up-to-date calendar that
will include all activities,
excluding sports, going on
at Malow.
Each club coordinator will
have access to the site
and will keep the calendar
updated with meetings,
field trips, etc. It will be a
central place for parents
to go to see the
extracurricular activities
going on. NJHS will also
be on there.
“LIKE”
Us on Facebook
VOLUNTEERS WANTED
FRONT OFFICE is looking
for volunteers to help a
couple of hours every
morning. If you can spare
a couple of hours weekly
or every other week:
Click here to sign-up
on SlyReply.
COPY ROOM is looking for
Click on the link below
to connect with us
Malow Junior High
Facebook Page
volunteers as well. If you
can spare a couple of
hours, weekly or every
other week this could be
for you. If interested
please email Mrs. Colette
Galayda at
[email protected]
Page 5 of 6
Mustang Messenger
th
The Halloween Dance is Thursday,
October 30 from 3-5 PM.
All grades are invited. The cost is
$4; tickets will be sold during lunch
the week of the dance.
There will be a photo booth, games,
and a costume contest!
Refreshments will also be for sale.
Students will be allowed to wear
costumes to school on this day with
the following guidelines:
No masks or full face paint
No violent, distasteful costumes
The costume must allow you to sit in
a desk during the day
(see next page for further
dress code details)
NOVEMBER 11 – 18
We will be collecting canned goods.
Students can bring in non-perishable
goods to their first hour teacher. All
proceeds will go to “Extended Hand”,
an organization that helps needy
UCS families.
9 graders participate in sports
through Eisenhower’s sports
program. Check the IKE website for
further information or contact
Eisenhower’s Athletic Director:
Kevin Donahue [email protected]
For information about the IKE
Booster club, follow this link:
http://www.ikeboosterclub.org
DECEMBER 1 – 5
We will also be collecting toys.
Please bring in unwrapped, new toys
worth at least $5. Student Council
will deliver the toys to the Marines
when they come to Malow!
IMPORTANT: Any 9th grader
needing to leave Malow early for
an IKE sport MUST bring in a
signed note from their parent /
guardian–for EACH event.
Mustang Messenger
Page 6 of 6
·
New federally mandated snack
and beverage standards were
implemented effective July 1,
2014 in school districts
nationwide. This will impact
snacks sold by the district and
through school fundraisers.
In accordance with the Healthy
Hunger-Free Kids Act and the
United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA), Utica
Community Schools has
implemented the required
nutrition standards for all
snacks sold in school by all
parties, including
parent/student organizations,
teachers, boosters, fundraisers
and the Food and Nutrition
Services department.
These standards for snack
sales are in effect from any
time before school through
one-half hour (30 minutes) after
school.
The standards do not apply to
items sold beginning 30
minutes after school through
the rest of the day. The
standards do not apply to foods
brought from home for personal
consumption or to foods
provided to students at no cost
(i.e. approved special events).
You must follow the school rules
for dressing up at school on the
day of the dance and follow the
dress code set forth in your
handbook:
·
·
·
Gang related apparel is not
allowed
Beach wear, low cut tops, tank
tops, see through clothing,
short skirts, short shorts and
clothes exposing the midsection are NOT allowed.
Shoes must be worn
·
Clothing that promotes illegal
substances or drugs, illegal
activities, violence, tobacco or
alcohol is prohibited.
Students are not permitted to
bring to school or on the bus
any toy that resembles a
weapon or device that could
be used to shoot a projectile
or harm others in any way.
You will not be allowed into the
dance if your costume does not
follow the dress code. If you have
any questions about costumes,
please see Mrs. Gierman or Mr.
Voakes
Utica Community Schools
NON-HOMESTEAD MILLAGE RENEWAL
El ect ion on Tu esd ay, NO VE M BE R 4, 201 4
POLLS OPEN 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
For more information, please visit
http://www.uticak12.org/renewal o r c a l l 5 8 6 . 7 9 7 . 2 8 0 0
QUICK FACTS
T h e N o n -H o m e s t e a d M il l a ge Re n e w a l
· …is a reauthorization of an existing millage that is
restricted to rental, commercial and industrial properties
within Utica Community Schools.
· …is not levied on owner-occupied homes and has
ZERO impact on the homeowner’s property taxes.
· …supports school operations, including teachers, basic
school supplies and utilities such as heat and water.
· …will help maintain current academic programs that
support the district’s goal of high student achievement.

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