mhs courier jan 2011

Principal’s Perspective By Mr. Lee Evans

PTSA NEWS By Ms. Linda Kuserk There are four PTSA meetings left in the school year, and even if you cannot make it to Magruder, there is a chance you can still participate from home through a we-binar. The meeting planned for January is a trial of new technology allowing a webcast of the meeting while it occurs. This allows parents who are unable to physically be in the building to participate in the meeting and receive information, or view information at a later date. Depending on how successful January’s meet-ing is, this technology may be utilized for other meetings at school. I am eager to hear parent’s thoughts on webinars and other forms of communication from the school and PTSA. I have put together a survey which can be accessed through the PTSA web page, Magruder home page and directly at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2SRHWBD. Improvements to the websites, e-mail lists and Courier will be based on responses to this survey.

I invite you to attend our February PTSA meeting, where school safety and secu-rity will be the topic of discussion. March and April will be very busy months with Every Fifteen Minutes and After Prom. (Continued on Page 3)

Visit the Magruder High School website at www.magruderhs.org

Col. Zadok Magruder High School

5939 Muncaster Mill Road Rockville, MD 20855 Phone: (301) 840-4600 Fax: (301) 840-4617

PRINCIPAL

Mr. Leroy Evans

ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS Ms. Lakeisha Adamson

Ms. Ellen Hudson Ms. Sheree Coleman

ASSISTANT SCHOOL

ADMINISTRATOR Mr. John Shirk

PTSA PRESIDENT

Linda Kuserk (301) 330--3926

GUIDANCE OFFICE

(301) 840-4614

ATTENDANCE OFFICE (301) 840-4609

College Prep Day (MAR 4) 3

Calendar of Events 4-5

EVERY 15 MINUTES 6

Booster Club 7

PTSA Membership Form 8

NHS News 9

MHS Drama: ANNIE! 9

Inside th is issue :

Magruder High School Courier February, 2011

COURIER EDITOR Deby Dicello (240) 599-6503

To get your news in the courier, send an email to: [email protected]

College Board Testing Accommodations

11

In January as we end the first semester, we turn our focus to achieving sec-ond semester goals, as well as celebrating our successes and reflecting upon areas that need improvement.

We applaud the efforts of our 69 students who earned straight A’s for the first grading period. In addition, 886 students in total achieved a grade point average (GPA) of a 3.0 or better. We are pleased to see that 71.8 percent of our students are enrolled in one or more honors or Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Hard work in the most rigorous courses will pay significant dividends to students. Of the 907 AP tests taken by our students last spring, 631 scored a 3 or higher. The SAT Reasoning Test scores for November and December were higher than the previous year. Scores increased in No-vember from 1589 in 2009 to 1596 in 2010. The December scores improved from 1578 to 1584. Magruder High School earned the distinction of being one of only five schools where both the test scores and the percentage of participants increased for November and December from the previous year. These are indicators of the success many of (Continued on Page 2)

Booster Club 10

Magruder H igh School Cour ier February , 201 1

Principal’s Perspective: By Mr. Lee Evans (continued from page 1 )

our students are having while accepting the challenge of academic rigor. We anticipate that this trend will continue, along with a number of students at all instructional levels showing increased academic productivity.

While we celebrate our success, there is still a great deal left to do. The number of ineligible students following the first grading period was high at 17.3 percent. Students are considered ineligible when they fail one or more classes and maintain a GPA below 2.0. We are experiencing increases in the number of students who are tardy to school, tardy to class, and absent from class without permission. We attribute the rise in tardies and absences to the abolishment of the Loss of Credit (LC) policy and the lack of investment on the part of some students. In order to reverse this trend and ensure aca-demic success for all students, it will require the commitment and collaboration of all community stakeholders.

Ensuring the academic success of all students requires us to establish and maintain a climate that is conducive to teaching and learning. We have initiated a school-wide campaign aimed at respecting the rights of everyone. This will include a focus on using appropriate language at all times, respecting the individual property and space, and eliminating bullying and cyber-bullying that can foster the worst form of dehumanization. I will be giving a detailed report on the state of our school regarding improvements in the academic areas, as well as an update on the school environment at the February PTSA meeting. Most importantly, we hope to create a mindset in each student that will reinforce the notion that every individual has the right to receive a public education in an environment that is re-spectful, peaceful, and resourceful.

During the second semester, additional initiatives will be put in place to eliminate elements in our school environment that are in conflict with our mission. The mission of the Magruder High School staff is to provide a learning environment that promotes academic growth and achievement for all students. An academic climate that exists in a community of caring where respecting the rights and individuality of everyone is paramount. We believe all students can reach their full potential in this environment with the continual support of all the stakeholders in our school community. I reflect on the words of Marion Wright Edelman to highlight the major difference we can make each day in the lives of students by working together: “We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can make which, over time, add up to big differ-ences that we often cannot foresee.” This we can do together.

I invite you to work with our staff each day throughout the school year in this effort to provide the students of Magruder High School with the best opportunities to acquire knowledge, to grow intellectually, and to develop a spirit that will help create produc-tive contributors to our society.


We are providing all grade 11 students with the exciting opportunity to take a mock, combined version of the SAT Reasoning Test and the ACT Test during the school day on Friday, March 4, 2011. The bell schedule that day—which is a half-day of instruction for all Montgomery County Public Schools—has been adjusted so that students will be able to take advantage of this unique opportunity to prepare for both tests. It is our hope that students will be able to make an informed decision about which college admissions test he or she may be best suited for. We also hope that, by providing our students with access to a mock SAT/ACT with analysis, students will have a better concept of what to expect on the SATs and the ACTs, as well as what they need in order to perform at a high level on this exam. Each student’s test will be graded and students will be provided with a password that will allow them to access an analysis of their mock SAT/ACT scores online.

If your child is a sophomore and you would like for him or her to take the mock SAT/ACT, please have your child sign up with Mrs. Coleman in the main office or Mrs. Garland in the Career Center no later than Friday, February 11.

Information on both of these events is within this issue of the Courier. I encourage all parents, not only parents of seniors, to become involved in After Prom. Parents of underclassmen are especially needed to volunteer the night/morning of the event. Information on volunteer opportunities will be coming out over the list serves as we get closer to Prom

With four PTSA meetings left, my term as president is coming to an end, as is a majority of our board positions. I strongly encourage parents to consider a board position. Although these positions require a time commitment, the majority of our current members works full time and has no difficulty with this commitment. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like information about the positions available or other ways to become active in the PTSA.

PTSA NEWS: By Ms. Linda Kuserk (continued from page 1)

Linda Kuserk, President

301.330.3926 [email protected]

Marie Matthews, 1st Vice President


Martha Shaerr, 2nd Vice President


Russ Erb, Treasurer


Fidelia Romanowski, Secretary


College Prep Day : Friday, March 4, 2011 - By: Ms. Sheree Coleman

PTSA OFFICERS FOR 2010-2011 SCHOOL YEAR


MHS Calendar of Events

FEBRUARY, 2011

1 College Information Night – SNOW DATE

2 Report Card Distribution

3-4 Yearbook Pictures – Clubs, Music Groups - SNOW DATE

5 Drama Parent Meeting for Musical: 10:00 am —11:00 am

10 Mr. Magruder: 7:00 pm, Auditorium

15 PTSA Meeting: 7:30 pm, Media Center

16 PALA Meeting: 7:00 pm, Media Center

21 NO SCHOOL: Presidents’ Day

24 PTSA Staff Appreciation: Chocolate Fountain

MARCH, 2011 4 Early Release Day: Students dismissed at 11:40 am

11 Interims Mailed

13 Daylight Savings Time Begins

15 PTSA Meeting: 7:30pm, Media Center

16 PALA Meeting: 7:00 pm, Media Center

17-18 Every 15 Minutes Program

26 A P Spanish Language Practice Session: 9:00 am—12:00 pm

30 End of 3rd Marking Period

31 NO SCHOOL for Students: Professional Day

refer to the website for athletic schedules and information. http://www.magruderathletics.org/

SPORTS SCHEDULES AND INFORMATION


1 Musical: 7:30 pm, “ ANNIE”


Musical: 7:30 pm, “ ANNIE”

4 High School Assessment: English 10; Seniors, ONLY

5 High School Assessment: Biology; Seniors, ONLY

6 High School Assessment: Algebra 1; Seniors, ONLY

7 High School Assessment: NSL Government; Seniors, ONLY

Report Card Distribution

8 High School Assessment Make up Day; Seniors, ONLY




13 Spring Arts Festival: 4:00 pm—9:00 pm

14 Senior Banquet: 7:00 pm—11:00 pm; Rio Marriott

15 Senior Breakfast: 7:00 am—9:00 am; Cafeteria

18-25 NO SCHOOL: Spring Break

29 Prom: 8:00 pm—12:00 am; Pooks Hill Marriott

30 A P Spanish Literature Culminating Activity:

8:00 am—12:00 pm

APRIL, 2011

MHS Calendar of Events

Magruder High School Courier

CAREER CENTER NEWS By: Ms. Heidi Garland

Every 15 Minutes Update By: Ms. Patty Winters Thanks to the on-going support of students, staff and parents working on Every 15 Minutes, we are looking forward to a full-scale event March 17 – 18. This will give all of our students the opportunity to learn and be confident about mak-ing smart choices instead of putting themselves and others at risk by drinking and driving. (Although the simulated rescue scene and assembly are limited to jun-iors and seniors, Mr. Evans has again approved for our freshmen and sopho-mores to view the video, which includes highlights from Day 1.)

A special shout-out to Mrs. Jennifer Reynolds, our Faculty Co-chair, for the many hours she has devoted to overseeing all the school-based details, and to Mrs. Joyce Offutt, our school Business Manager, for accommodating our build-ing-related requests.

Kudos to Brenda Laughlin, Cynthia Clark, Pam Zingeser, Serena Hinkel, Lynn Hughes and Connie McKenna for their help in fund-raising. Collectively they raised 70% of our $8,000.00 budget, and in record time!

And shout-outs to all you bargain shoppers, who raised $900.00 at our Five Below fundraiser last fall!

Every 15 Minutes is a challenging and serious program for our students, but you won’t find many op-portunities as fun and gratifying as being on our team, especially as we bring the last pieces together in the coming weeks. Many of the jobs can be done from home, and some involve shopping, and helping on Day1. If you are interested in joining us, please contact Patty Winters at [email protected] or 301-519-7537.

Parents and students are encouraged to continue attending the remaining lunch seminars and open houses in the College and Career Center that interest them. Programs on “Understanding the Accu-placer for Students considering Montgomery College” will be held February 2 and 10 from 10:00 am - 12:30pm. Two seminars on “Summer Enrichment Opportunities” will be held February 24 and March 9 from 10:00 am -12:30pm. A final open house on “Creating a Dynamite College Application” is scheduled for March 30 from 7:00 am - 3:30pm.

Seniors who have received merit scholarships and awards from colleges and universities (even if they are not planning to attend), are encouraged to let Magruder High School know. We want to share in the good news and be able to rec-ognize these accomplishments! Students should email Ms. Garland in the College and Career Center, email their counselor or stop by in person to let us know.


Magruder High School PTSA – Membership Form

Name (Parent/Guardian): ________________________________________________________

Student Name(s) and Grade(s): ___________________________________________________

Phone: ___________________________ E-mail Address: ______________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________________________

Fees: $15 Individual Membership $10 staff membership

$25 Family Membership (two cards + free directory) $5 student membership

Directory $5

Tax deductible donations:

In support of PTA programs and scholarships _______ In support of After Prom _______

In support of Every Fifteen Minutes _______ Total enclosed $_______

I would like to be contacted about volunteer opportunities yes no Thank you for joining PTSA! Please complete this form and make your check payable to Magruder PTSA. mail it to: PTSA Membership Committee; Magruder High School; 5939 Muncaster Mill Rd.;Rockville, MD 20855

PTSA membership questions? Contact Pat Chapin at [email protected]

Magruder PTSA Can Help You Stay Informed! E-MAIL ANNOUNCEMENTS. Want to be informed about PTSA meetings, events, volunteer opportunities,

and be notified when the PTSA newsletter, the Courier, is posted online? Please provide: Contact name: ________________________E-mail address (even if listed above): ________________

PTSA COURIER ONLINE. You can get the newsletter faster online. To stop receiving paper copies, please provide:

Name(s) of students (even if listed above): _____________________________ Zip Code ______ (You will need to be on an e-mail list to be notified when new Courier issues are online. Please sign up above or e-mail [email protected] ) Col. Zadok Magruder High School PTSA, Inc. is approved as a tax exempt, non-profit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code. Dues and other contributions to the PTSA are tax deductible to the extent provided by law. Please consult your tax advisor.)

CLASS SPONSORS CLASS OF 2011 Senior Class – Hannah Zumbar – [email protected]

CLASS OF 2012 Junior Class – Nancy Hayes – [email protected];

Ed Hsu – [email protected]

CLASS OF 2014 Freshman Class – Sarah Grinder – [email protected]

CLASS OF 2013 Sophomore Class – Barbara Dobbs – [email protected]


National Honor Society By: Ms. Suzi Boyle

Magruder High School Students collected toys and clothing, and handed them out while volunteering at the Salvation Army this holiday season. About 50 National Honor Society at MHS collected toys and clothing for the Salvation Army Angels pro-gram. This has been a long-standing service project—and a great team building activ-ity—for our school’s NHS program. This year, students handed out toys to parents at the facility in Germantown.

(This article appeared in the MCPS bulletin dated January 4, 2011.)

Magruder High School’s Drama Department Proud to Present

The most famous lovable red-headed orphan Annie with the ever popular songs like “Tomorrow” and “It’s the Hard-Knock Life”.

Come join the fun and frolic on April 1, 2, 8, and 9

At the Magruder High School Auditorium

All shows at 7:30 pm

Reserve your seats by sending an email request to: [email protected]

Tickets also available at the door. Adults $10, Students $8

For further info call: 301-840-4600

ANNIE!

May, 2011 AFTER PROM PARTY PLANNING NOW!… PLEASE COME JOIN US!


The Olney Lions and the Olney Knights of Columbus would like to invite you and your family to an all you can eat fund raiser on Saturday, February 26 from 8 am until 2 pm.

The location is Saint John’s Episcopal Church Hall, 3427 Olney-Laytonsville Road, Olney, MD 20832 across from the library.

Adults $7.00 and Children 6-12 $3.00; under 6 yrs. Free.

Tickets are available at the door.

Please help the Olney community with the proceeds. If you have any ques-tions or would like to advertise in the program booklet contact Steve Bready at 301-598-8585.

Free Glaucoma and Vision Testing —9 am until 2 pm.

We have our theme: Oh Thank Heaven for the Class of 2011! Planning meetings for the After Prom Party are the first Wednesday of every month at 7:30 in Room B111. We are going over the different committees that we will need to make this a safe, fun event for our Seniors. The After Prom is April 30 from 1-5 am that gives the Seniors something fun to do after the prom. There will be games, food, and lots of fun. Please come and share your ideas or talent. We are in dire need of folks for our decoration committee. The earlier we can start on decoration projects, the easier it is to make our event special. Hope to see you there.

Any monetary donations are tax deductable to you! This event costs about $10,000 to produce and financial help from our Magruder families and community is needed. Please sign up below to help or to make a donation. We are collecting printer cartridges, toner cartridges, and cell phones. There is a collection recycling box in the main office and in the media center. Contacts: Patti Fornatora 301-963-6212 or [email protected] & Deby Dicello 301-740-9828 or [email protected] . ———–————————————————————————————————————–—————2010-11 MHS After Prom Party.

Name: _________________________ Phone: ________________ E-Mail:____________________

Call me about helping with: Fundraisers_________ Decorations__________ Publicity__________

Mailings___________ Amusements_________ Ticket Sales________ __ Food______________ Volunteer Co-ordinator__________

My family would like to make a donation! ___________ (Checks should be made payable to MHS PTSA-After Prom and mailed to:

Lisa Sally, AP Treasurer, 4412 Custis Drive, Rockville, MD 20853)

Community Event: 35th annual pancake and sausage day 2011—Olney Fundraiser


A: Your Magruder High School PTSA (www.mhs-ptsa.org) and MHS News (http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/magruderhs) list-serves and corresponding websites, found at these links!

Enjoy the happy surprise on your favorite teen’s face when she/he tells you, “Hey, Mom, I will be home late Wednesday because there’s (for example) homework help/volleyball/drama/GSO/SAT/Poms practice/Every 15 Minutes student meeting that day,” and you wink and say, “Why, Honey, I already knew that – I’m on the list-serves!”

For the PTSA list-serve, click on “How can PTSA help you stay informed,” on the right column of the homepage. For the school listserve, click on “Join MHS listserve” at the bottom middle of the home-page.

You will receive e-mail notices of events, daily announcements, slideshows, grade-level notices (especially important for junior and senior parents), and other timely information not found on Edline or anywhere else! And you can post notices (pertinent to school ac-tivities and events) that you would like to share with the Magruder community!

Be an in-the-know Magruder parent and sign up today!

Q: What is today’s high school equivalent of our beloved weekly folders from elementary school? By: Ms. Patty Winters

A student with a disability, a condition that substantially limits his or her ability to participate in College Board tests under standard testing conditions, may be eligible for accommodations. The Stu-dent Eligibility Form needs to be submitted for a student requesting accommodations. A student may seek accommodations on the basis of a disability for SAT Reasoning Exams, SAT Subject Exams, Advanced Placement Program Exams, and the PSAT/NMSQT (10th/11th) by completing a Student Eligibility Form. Only one form needs to be completed for all exams. It will cover all noted College Board testing programs for as long as the student's school verifies annually that the eligibility require-ments and Guidelines for Documentation continue to be met. Test scores will not be provided if the accommodations are not approved by the College Board prior to the test administration. It is important to note that completing and submitting a Student Eligibility Form does not guarantee approval by the College Board for accommodations for their testing programs.

Magruder's SSD Coordinator for students with an IEP is Ms. Watson ([email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>).

The coordinator for students with a 504-plan is Dr. Berman ([email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>);

however, families must contact the appropriate counselor, first, to get instructions on the process. The evaluation for eligibility can take 4-6 weeks, so allow ample time before a test administration when pursuing accommodations.

College Board Testing Disabilities Accommodations By: Ms. Ann Goode, School Counselor

E-MAIL ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Want to be informed about PTSA meetings, events, volunteer oppor-tunities, and be notified when the PTSA newsletter, the Courier, is posted online? Please provide:

Contact name: ____________________________________________________

E-mail address ______________________________________

PTSA COURIER ONLINE. You can get the newsletter faster online.

To stop receiving paper copies, please provide:

Name(s) of students (even if listed above): ________________________________________

Zip Code _______________

You will need to be on an e-mail list to be notified when new Courier issues are online.

Please sign up above or e-mail [email protected] with any questions.

www.mhs-ptsa.org

Colonel Zadok Magruder High School

5939 Muncaster Mill Road

Rockville, MD 20855

The Colonel Zadok Magruder High School

PTSA Meetings

Meetings are usually on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7:30 in the Media Center.

Your PTSA Membership Dues pay for this newsletter. Please support the PTSA!!!

Parent—Teacher-Student Association Newsletter

We’re on the web

www.magruderhs.org

MHS PTSA

mhs courier jan 2011

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