Mowat Middle School N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 4 V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 3

Ed Sheffield

Principal

Cynthia Walker

Assistant Principal

Angela Reese

Administrative

Assistant

Elizabeth Swedlund

Administrative

Assistant

Mowat Guidance

767-4041

Crystal Wicker A-K

Nancy Smith L-Z

Office 850-767-4040

Fax 850-265-2179 Principal’s Corner by Ed Sheffield

Dates to Remember

-Veteran’s Day

November 11

-Thanksgiving Break

November 24-28

November is the month that we pause and reflect on all the

things we are thankful for. The “Mustang Family” has a lot

to be thankful for. We are blessed to have teachers that

care so much for their students, support personnel that are

friendly and helpful, and students that are polite and well-

mannered.

I would like to take a moment to recognize the outstanding

accomplishments of two of our finest. Jennifer Appleman

has been named Mowat’s 2014-2015 Teacher of the Year.

Her hard work and dedication has facilitated tremendous

growth by her students on the FCAT. Ms. Appleman is highly

respected by her peers and we feel lucky to have her.

Our 2014-2015 School Support Person of the year is Kari Pe-

terson. Mrs. Peterson is a paraprofessional at Mowat and is

appreciated for her dedication and friendly demeanor.

As I said, Mowat has a lot to be thankful for — great teach-

ers, wonderful support staff, and fabulous students. It’s

easy to see why Mowat has been so successful for so many

years. I am honored to be the Principal at such a special

school and I am very thankful for the hard work and dedica-

tion of the Mowat faculty!

I would like to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving!

P A G E 2

Please be

kind...some noses

are sensitive to

certain perfumes,

cologne, and/or

body sprays. Re-

member to keep

to a minimum.

Go Mustangs!

School Lunch

Breakfast: $1.50

Lunch:$2.75

For free and reduced meals con-

tact the school for an application.

For paying online visit the Bay

District Schools website and click

on the school lunches tab.

You will need your student’s

10-digit school identification

number.

Class RotationClass RotationClass Rotation

Rotation 1: 1,2,3,4,5,6Rotation 1: 1,2,3,4,5,6Rotation 1: 1,2,3,4,5,6

Rotation 2: 3,4,5,6,1,2Rotation 2: 3,4,5,6,1,2Rotation 2: 3,4,5,6,1,2

Rotation 3: 5,6,1,2,3,4Rotation 3: 5,6,1,2,3,4Rotation 3: 5,6,1,2,3,4

7th graders….Make

certain your shot

records are up to

date!

T-Shirt Days

November 7th

November

21st

Yearbooks are on sale for $40

Go to www.yearbookordercenter.com

to place your order.

OR

Bring cash or check to Mrs. Vaughn

in room 505.

Make checks payable to Mowat

Yearbook.

Attendance Line before and after school: 850-767-4042

P A G E 3

Dress Code

Mustang’s RACE

Respect

Act Responsibly

Care for Others

Engaged

If your student is absent for ANY reason, you must contact the school.

Statewide Assessments

Students and parents can now view the

practice tests to help better prepare

themselves for the Spring statewide

assessments.

Visit www.fsassessments.org to get an idea

of what the format of the tests will look

like. *Content is not grade specific*.

*ESE Newsletter Link*

http://paec.org/wp_paec/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Bay-Fall-13-Newsletter.pdf

Parent Pick-up/ Parking Please be mindful of those picking up/dropping off students in front of the gym. If

you are parked in the traffic pattern, you are impeding progress of those whose stu-

dents are already in the pick-up zone. Parent parking is available in our sand lot in

front of the gym. Please utilize this area if you know your child may be running a

little late in the afternoon.

**Note: Please avoid pick up and drop off in our bus

loading zone, or in the teacher parking lot off of Hwy.

390.

P A G E 4

Mustang Sports

Schedule

PBS, Positive Behavior Supports, is in it’s third year at Mowat. Each month, Mustangs learn a new character trait that exemplifies the acronym RACE (Respect, Act responsibly, Care for others, Engaged). As Mustangs prepare for high school and beyond, they are becoming responsible and building character. Students

are able to earn RACE tickets randomly when caught following school rules or

being a good citizen. Caught Reading tickets are earned by students caught reading during less structured time such as lunch or before school. Weekly drawings are held

for prizes such as $10 Itunes cards, restaurant gift cards, candy ,trinkets, etc. A selection of novels is available to those names drawn for Caught Reading. If you would like to donate prizes or funds to assist with this ongoing pro-gram, please contact Angela Reese, Administrative Assistant, 767-4040.

Mustangs

RACE!

P A G E 5

Girls Basketball Boys Soccer

Thurs. Nov. 6 Jamboree @ Mowat Sat. Nov. 8 Jamboree @ NBH

Mon. Nov. 10 Brown v. Mowat Mon. Nov. 10 Brown v. Mowat

Thurs. Nov. 13 Mowat v. Surfside Thurs. Nov. 13 Mowat v. Surfside

Tues. Nov. 18 NBH v. Mowat Tues. Nov. 18 NBH v. Mowat

Thurs. Nov.20 Mowat v. Breakfast Pt. Thurs. Nov.20 Mowat v. Breakfast Pt.

Balloons or Flowers Delivered to School:

We know that , as parents, we like to let our children know that they are

very special. We encourage you to continue to recognize your children

on special occasions, but we ask that you consider whether school is the

appropriate place to do so.

Students are NOT allowed to receive flowers and balloons during school

hours due to disruptions they may cause in classrooms, around school,

and on the buses.

THESE ITEMS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AT SCHOOL!

Sign up online

http://www.bay.k12.fl.us/Parents/ParentPortal.aspx http://chartwells.compass-usa.com/BDS/Pages/SiteMenus.aspx

Menus, nutrition information, and

prices can be found @

Dear Parents and Students,

Exciting News! This year's first reading reward will take place on December 18. Each student

that completes Mowat's independent reading assignments will be invited to see a movie at the

Grand Theatre at Pier Park. Sixth grade students will see The Penguins of Madagascar! Seventh

and 8th graders will be able to choose between the new Hunger Games movie or the new Hobbit

movie. The reading requirement is having a minimum of 75,000 words read (and quizzed on

Scholastic Reading Counts) byNovember 17. That is roughly three 120-page

books!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at creelkf@bay.k12.fl.us

Kathryn Creel

Mowat Middle School

Reading Chair 2014 - 2015

P A G E 6

First in Math

First in Math is an online program that the entire district is participating in. It will help you child master fundamental and advanced math skills through fun and challenging games. It uses Deep Practice techniques to increase critical thinking, problem solving, computation, and essential math basics in a shorter period of time because feedback is given immediately. Research shows that FirstInMath.com increases test scores for all students, no matter their starting level. Your child has been given a User ID and Password by their math teacher. Your child will need a computer or hand-held device with Flash Player software and internet access to access the site. Encouraging your child to play a few minutes a day will increase their math skills and overall confidence and performance in math. Let's join together to make Mowat a problem solving machine!

Mowat will host the annual Veterans Day Program on Monday, November 10th at 9:45 in the

Mowat gym. Each year we take this time to honor local Veterans for their past and current

service to our country. This is a school-wide event and students are encouraged to invite family

and neighbors to attend. The theme for this year's program is "The Veteran Family". We will

recognize students and families who have a loved one who served or is still serving in the US

military. Special seating is provided for our guests and students will be encouraged to sit with

family that attend. The Mosley JROTC will present the colors at 9:45 and the Mowat Band will

play several patriotic selections. Students will be allowed to wear either a red, white, or blue

shirt for this special day. The program should last about an hour and it is truly a celebration you

won't want to miss!

Monday, November 10th

9:45 am

Mowat Gym

"Notes from the Nurse"

Enterovirus D68, the flu, and Ebola.

Below are CDC resources about EV-D68 developed for parents:

Web Feature, “What Parents Need to Know About Enterovirus D68”

Drop-in newsletter article (matte article) , “Parents: Learn the Facts about Enterovirus D68”

Fact sheet for parents, “What Parents Need to Know about Enterovirus D68”

General questions and answers for the public

Infographic: Keep Your Child from Getting and Spreading Enterovirus D68

Additional materials developed by the DISD Communications Team included there are:

All Staff Notice about Ebola

Parent Letter — English

Parent Letter — Spanish

Ebola FAQ

Talking with Children about Ebola

Recognizing and Reducing Signs of Anxiety in Times of Crisis

*There is much information about the flu at www.cdc.gov/flu .

P A G E 8

***FREE***

Math Tutoring

Mon-Fri 7:35-8:05—

Library

Tues & Thurs 3:30-5:00—

Hoffman (701)

Tues 3:30-5:00—

Tant (209)

Thurs 3:30-4:30—Tant

(209)

P A G E 9