Howard Middle SchoolAcademy for the Visual and Performing Arts

An AVID National Demonstration School800 E. Robinson Street

Orlando, Florida || 32801

407-245-1780Administration

Michael Martucci, Principalmichael.martucci@ocps.net

Jill Trimble, Assistant Principaljill.trimble@ocps.net

April Davis-LaRue, Assistant PrincipalApril.davis.larue@ocps.net

Tanekia Gage, Administrative Deantanekia.gage@ocps.net

Katherine Barnes School Secretary

A Message From Our PrincipalDear Ranger Families,

This is an exciting and joyous time of the year as we move into our performance and holiday season. I thoroughly enjoyed experiencing our talented students’ first performances of the year –if these shows are any indication, we are in for some remarkable end-of-the-year entertainment!

Into the Woods, our fall musical, tells an interesting story. It interweaves the plots of several fables and tales, delving into the consequences of choices and decisions. In this vein, I remind students of the importance of making thoughtful choices. Each choice made, be it big or small, shapes your life. Take a moment to think before you choose your words and actions, and continue to choose kindness; the consequences will be well worth it.

I have been humbled and touched by the kindness and encouragement from the students, as well as the parents, and community at large in which I am privileged to serve. The smiling faces of students and the frequent shout-outs of “Proud to be a Ranger!” and “Rangeriffic!” warm my heart and motivate me to work hard every day to provide the most enriching learning experiences possible.

I certainly do not do it alone; the amazing staff at Howard Middle School is also dedicated to working hard every day to provide the best possible learning environment for our students. I am truly grateful for their kindness and support.

Season’s greetings!Principal Mike MartucciProud to be a RANGER!!!

Issue 4 • Volume 1 • December 2015

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DECEMBER 2015 • ISSUE #4PUBLISHED FOUR TIMES PER YEAR

HOWARD MIDDLE SCHOOLORANGE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

P.O. BOX 271 • ORLANDO, FL 32802-0271

Howard Middle School creates Success with HEART!Have a Positive Attitude

Expect Success

Accept Responsibility

Respect Everyone

Thoughtful Actions

Mr. Michael Martucci, Principal

M-T-T-F School Hours: 9:25 am - 4:00 pm

Wed. School Hours: 9:25 am - 3:00 pm

M-F Club Zero Period Hours: 8:30 am - 9:15 am

School Office Hours: M-F 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

KUDOS RANGERS!!! Howard’s growing list of accomplishments and awards is threatening to take up the entire newsletter, but how could we not share this with our Howard family? Congratulations to all of the staff and students who helped make this ever-expanding list so lengthy!

• National Outstanding Arts School (2015-16), Arts Schools Network• Exemplary Arts School (2014-16), Arts Schools Network• Dr. Denise Davis-Cotton Emerging Leader Award (2015), Arts Schools Network• School of Excellence (2015), Magnet Schools of America• National New and Emerging School of Merit (2015), Magnet Schools of America• Model Arts School (2015), Florida Alliance for Arts Education• Multiple Teachers with National Board Certification/Advanced Degrees• 4 student members of the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra (2013-14)• 1 student selected for All-State Orchestra (Viola 2013-14)• 1 student selected for All-State Orchestra (Bass 2014-15)• 12  students selected for All-County Orchestra (2014-15)• 12 Students selected for All-State Chorus (2013-2014)• 17 All-County Chorus (2014-15)• 100% of  top performing ensembles ranked “Superior” (2014-15)• 12 students selected for All-County Dance (2013-2014)• 6 students selected for All-County Band (2014-15)• Superior Rating and Judge’s Choice Award OCPS Dance Expose (2014-15))• 15 students selected for All-County Dance (2014-15)• State of the Art STEM Lab• AVID National Demonstration School – 1 of 5 in Florida, 1 of 121 Worldwide• Ranked #1 among Florida middle schools and #1 in the Nation on www.artsonia.com, an online art gallery• June Hinckley Award of Excellence recipient (2013-14), Florida Art Education Association• Two Musical Theater productions each year performing for thousands• Multiple students accepted to Interlochen Arts Academy HS and Dr. Phillips Visual and Performing Arts

Magnet Program• 2nd Place in State of Florida Siemens “We can Change the World” challenge• Two teachers selected out of 120 Internationally as Artsonia Mentors• Multiple students in Florida Opera Theater Youth Company• Multiple students in Bach Festival of Winter Park Youth Choir• 100% of  top performing ensembles ranked “Superior” (2013-2014)

Congratulations to our amazing staff members, Support Person of the Year Mrs. Kristi Taylor and Teacher of the Year Damon Wille, who represent our Howard family so well every day!!!

Congratulations to our very own Magnet Director Mr. Clinton McCracken who received the prestigious Dr. Denise David-Cotton Emerging Leader Award at the Art Schools Network Conference in Seattle, a very well-deserved recognition of his hard work and dedication in the creation and execution of the Arts Magnet Program at Howard!

Hats off to Ms. Caya, Ms. Kessler, and Mr. Wille for winning grants from the OCPS Foundation!

We Love Our Volunteers!In order to volunteer and/or chaperone field trips, you MUST be registered as an OCPS ADDitions volunteer. Please go to www.ocps.net/es/cr/resources/Pages/ADDitions.aspx and update or register for the 2015-2016 school year.

3Howard Middle School FoundationThe Howard Middle School Foundation’s mission is to engage the community to fund and foster creative inspiration and excellence at Howard Middle School. Teachers and staff members are encouraged to apply for HMS Foundation Grants to enhance their classrooms above and beyond what can be accomplished with the limited funds available to them. Thus far, we have been able to fund grants for technology, musical instruments, science and math enhancements, an iMac lab complete with full-sized keyboards at each computer station, and more. We cannot do this without support from parents, the community, and friends of HMS.

Funds are raised through several events throughout the year, and we need your attendance and support. Thank you for all who came out and supported our Fall Fundraiser at Apenberry’s Garden in November. For more information on how you can help or donate to our cause, please email: howardmiddleschoolfoundation@gmail.com.

A Parent Tipby “Mama Ball”

One of the biggest challenges we face as our children enter middle school, is that they often become less informative about what is going on at school. “Howa was your day?” “<Unintelligible grunt from the back seat>.” We are lucky that Howard goes above and beyond with sharing information through many channels, including social media, but we sometimes neglect the fact that part of growing up is learning to be responsible for gathering and disseminating information properly. Please encourage your child to listen to the morning and afternoon announcements, and pay attention to posters around the school and flyers that go home. Middle schoolers are notorious for being distracted and letting flyers get lost in the black hole that is their backpack! Reminders and questions are helpful such as “Anything important on the announcements today?” “Any flyers come home?” “What’s your next event for ____ class?” “Let’s look at the school website calendar together and add things to our phone calendars.” Help them to help give you the information, rather than relying solely on finding the information FOR them. This skill will serve them well in the future, and take some burden off of you as well. As always, you may message me on Facebook with any “mom questions” you may have, or email me at AmyAllston.Ball@gmail.com. Proud to be a 5th year Howard Ranger Mom!

PTSAPlease sign up to be a member of the Parent Teacher Student Association and attend our monthly meetings! Follow our Facebook page for details on PTSA or contact us at hmsptsa@gmail.com.

ID Please!New OCPS Policy requires that ALL visitors have their government issued ID (such as a Driver’s License) scanned in order to be on our campus. Please remember to bring your ID with you when you come in for a meeting, conference, or to volunteer during school hours. Children should also wear their school ID’s every day. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our children safe every day!

The Wheels On The Bus Go Round And RoundAll bus transportation questions should be directed to the transportation office at 407-317-3200.

Florida Arts Model School: Dance, Music, Visual Arts

Magnet Schools of America School of

Excellence

Arts Schools Network

Exemplary School

AVID National Demonstration School

4Congratulations to our Howard students on the All County Orchestra

Sara Rintoul, Sara Menendez, Nora Kate Bethea, Luna Avila, Champ Rowe-Burnett, Jack Sommerville, Jasmine Jarrett, Brianna Dorway, Bryn Prosser, Jazmine Thermolice, Yesenia Jamiesen Perry, and Emily Wilkinson

Congrats to All County Orchestra!

A big congratulations to Jordan Shapiro (8th grade, clarinet) for the high honor of being accepted into the 2016 All-State Band.  He will be performing with this elite group in January with the best middle school musicians in the state.  Jordan competed against hundreds of other 7th & 8th grade clarinet players in the state of Florida for one of approximately 30 spots.  His All-State performance will take place on Saturday, January 16th, 2016 at the Tampa Bay Convention Center if you are interested in attending!

Howard has an ART INFESTATION!Congratulations to Ms. Caya, our Elite Dance Troupe, and All-County dance students who performed at the OCPS Dance Expose, which took place at Dr. Phillips High School. The students shared their talents on stage with 10 other OCPS dance programs at the elementary, middle and high school levels.  At the end of the evening, our Dance Troupe took home a performance rating of “Superior” for their performance of “Stronger,” and was selected by all 3 adjudicators to receive the award for “Best Large Group Ensemble!”

Dance Troupe:Kailey BlyeChristina ConennaEmmett HigginsBrooke JohnsonMadyson LiringisKalei NashAngelique OwensKendrian SandersYara SteeleNia StephensLainey TaczakLauren Williams

All-County Dancers:Kendall BarrowsKailey BlyeChristina ConennaJordyn HadleyEmmett HigginsBrooke JohnsonMadyson LiringisKalei NashWillow PalmerKendrian SandersJeanna SnyderYara Steele

Nia StephensLainey Tacey

Hannah WiedleJhermani Williams

Congratulations to the Honor ChoirsTreble 3:Setoria DicksonKayriz Reyes/RodriguezLaurie MullowneySoprano:Julia GustafsonZoe DevaliantAlto:Angelina CorbinTenor:DJ PalinckxBeck PartridgeBryn Prosser

Bass:Michael-Anthony MitchellSantiago Sepulveda

Congratulations to the All County Honor Choir:Treble 1:Charlotte PalmerEmma PastisLola Vania

Treble 2:Regan CaseyEislinn GracenEmma ScottSoprano:Lucianne MenaMaggie PierceAlto:Christie GarciaKyra Heron

Tenor:Reilly CraigAugust HartliebRyan LummRyan MurrayMarley TorresBass:Erich Vanderberg

Congrats to the following All-State and All-County Band students Congratulate the following students for being accepted into the 2016 All-County Honor Band!Breanna Dorway - All-County FluteJordan Shapiro - All-State & All-County ClarinetKhalil Mikhailenko-Jones - All-County TrumpetLife Francisco - All-County TubaLucas Oswald - All-County Percusssion

5Congratulations to Mr. Penfield and the following boys who were selected to the Florida ACDA Male Honor Choir, a choir comprised of the best boys in grades 6-9 from throughout the state!

Michael-Anthony MitchellDJ PalinckxAndrew Caruso

Zander Melvin(Mr. Penfield)Beck Partridge

Arts CalendarDecember 1-7 ...... Musical 1 PerformancesDecember 5 .......... Florida Jr. Thespians District FestivalDecember 9 .......... Piano Winter RecitalDecember 10 ........ Band Winter ConcertDecember 11 ........ Winter Art FestivalDecember 14 ........ Orchestra and Guitar Winter ConcertDecember 15 ........ Chorus Winter ConcertDecember 16 ........ Dance Winter RecitalDecember 17 ........ Theater Winter ShowcaseDecember 18 ........ Winter PRISM ShowcaseJanuary 13-16 ...... All State Ensemble FestivalJanuary 21 ........... Theater One Act PlayJanuary 26 ........... Chorus and Band All County RehearsalsJanuary 28 ........... Band All County RehearsalsJanuary 29 ........... Band/Chorus All County Rehearsal Field TripJanuary 30 ........... Chorus/Band All County Rehearsal/PerformancesFebruary 5 ............ Jr. Thespians State FestivalFebruary 6-7 ........ Chorus/Orchestra Solo and Ensemble FestivalFebruary 18 .......... Jazz Band MPAFebruary 19-20 .... Band Solo and Ensemble FestivalFebruary 25-27 .... Orchestra MPAFebruary 26 .......... Visual Arts Field TripMarch 10-12......... Band MPA FestivalMarch 14-16......... Chorus MPA FestivalMarch 18-19......... Winter Park Sidewalk Art FestivalApril 29 ................ Illumination Showcase (Art/Music Theory)May 4-13 .............. Musical 2 “The Sound of Music “Performance WindowMay 19 ................. Dance Spring RecitalMay 23 ................. Orchestra Spring ConcertMay 24 ................. Chorus Spring ConcertMay 25 ................. Theater Spring ShowcaseMay 26 ................. Band Spring ConcertMay 31 ................. Piano Spring RecitalJune 6 .................. Spring PRISM ShowcaseJune 8 .................. Last Day of School

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Rangers are Brilliant to the CORE!!!Some news from a few of our core classes

6th grade Ancient World History working on Hammurabi’s Code DBQ (Document Based Questions).

The 203 Mathletes have started the year off reviewing crucial skills from seventh grade and expanding on prior knowledge. Having worked their way through the “math boot camp” of unit one, they are now completing missions in unit two with a bit more accuracy and thoroughness. This is certain to be an exciting journey!

6th grade Science is deepening our understanding about cells and organelle functions by making analogous models. They select a system, create a model of that system, and relate organelle functions to objects and/or individuals within that system. Students get to showcase their creativity and often turn a pile of recyclables into a beautiful and informative creation.

8th grade Science have just completed a ghoulish series of Monster Measurements from Goblin Goop and Vampire Blood volume to the mass of a severed ear, we can now accurately measure it all! We have also recently explored interactions of magnets, electric charges and electric circuits. We can build electromagnets, buzzers and successful series and loop circuits. Coming up we are feeling the need for SPEED! While we explore both mechanical and light energy transfers.

7On the Road Again…Science Trip to the University of Florida

Science Trip to USS Yorktown, Charleston, SC

Washington D.C. TripThe Washington D.C. trip still has a few spots remaining! The field trip is over Spring Break, March 18th -March 23rd. The total cost is $1234, with a deposit of $234 to secure your spot. We are taking deposits through the End of November. Contact Mr. Seger or Mrs. Rich for information. Act fast, as this popular trip will fill up fast.

Oh the Places You Will Go A Message from the Guidance Department:

Erika Sickles-6th Grade Guidanceerika.sickles@ocps.net

Sarita Cullen – 7th Grade Guidancesarita.cullen@ocps.net

Terrence Hummel-8th Grade Guidanceterrence.hummel@ocps.net

Jessica Popov – SAFE Coordinatorjessica.popov@ocps.net

Howard Middle SchoolAcademy for the Visual and Performing Arts

An AVID National Demonstration School

800 E. Robinson StreetOrlando, Fl. 32801

Non-Profit OrganizationUS Postage PAID

Orlando, FLPermit #2346

8Ranger Athletics Congratulations to the HMS Soccer team on a great season. Come out and support our Volleyball Team! Basketball and Track are up next… Please have your OCPS Sports Physical turned in before you attend ANY sports tryout! Forms are available at www.ocps.net/lc/west/ewr/Documents/Sports%20Forms.pdf.

Out of Field TeachersPer OCPS, we are required to notify parents that the following excellent teachers are currently teaching “out of field,” but will soon complete their certification in their subject area: Ms. Speight and Ms. Pummer.

Shark Week! Science Team takes a Bite Out of Halloween