a n n o u n c e m e n t s A M e s s a g e f r o m M Y E R S !

MYERS MIDDLE SCHOOL

100 Elbel Court

Albany, NY 12209

518-475-6425

Mrs. Kimberly Wilkins

Principal

Ms. Lesley Mitchell

Assistant Principal

Mr. Joseph Burke

Home School Coordinator

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

Announcements 1

Academics/Specials 2-4

S T E P H E N & H A R R I E T M Y E R S M I D D L E S C H O O L

The Myers Chronicle MARCH 2009 Volume 5

The City School District of Albany & the Albany City Council Parent-Teacher Association

Invite you to: A COMMUNITY FORUM ON THE

2009-2010 BUDGET DEVELOPMENT PROCESS How can we do more for our city’s children with much less amid the most difficult economic times our state and nation have faced in decades? The following public forum will be the second event in March to allow community members opportunities to share your opinions and to learn more about the City School District of Albany’s 2009-2010 budget development process. Representa-tives from the district will provide information about recommendations the Board of Education is considering as it seeks to balance harsh fiscal reality with the responsibility to provide high-quality educational, social, health and extracurricular services for all of the school district’s students.

Tuesday, March 24 7 – 8:30 p.m.

Delaware Community School, 43 Bertha Street Even if you cannot attend, your input is important to us. You can download a budget develop-ment feedback form on the district Web site, www.albanyschools.org. Please return the forms to the district Communications Office, or call 475-6065 for more information.

Saint Rose Summer Youth Music: July 6-17 The College of Saint Rose announces its inaugural Summer Youth Music Program. An intensive full-day two-week program for talented students in grades 8-12.

The first of its kind in the Capital Region, Saint Rose Summer Youth Music has been developed for talented young musicians with at least three years of instrumental or vocal experience. Group instruction, studio practice and performance will be held daily, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (early drop off and pick up available), with a one-hour lunch and activities break. One day each week will include a later field trip. Concerts and performances will be held on both Friday eve-nings (July 10 & 17). Students will participate and perform in the Wind Ensemble, Orchestra or Choir, which will be taught by Saint Rose faculty. Electives will include music theory, music ap-preciation, conducting, acoustic guitar and music industry.

CHECK OUT THE WEB SITE: www.strose.edu/musiccamp. It has all the information. If you have further questions, contact us at musiccamp@strose.edu or 337-2388.

DESIGN & LAYOUT : Ms. Robin McKenna

A c a d e m i c s & S p e c i a l s

T h e M y e r s C h r o n i c l e P a g e 2

Ms. O’Leary – Writer’s Workshop Dream Team just had its first publication party in writing workshop with Miss O'Leary. Students wrote beautiful small moment narratives. They will be hanging up on the 7th grade floor. We have now started writing fictional short sto-ries for the next few weeks.

Library News There is good news and bad news from the library this newsletter. First for the good news … our collection of biographical, historical and mythological graphic novels has arrived! Students have affirmed their love of all things graphic by the brisk pace with which they are being borrowed. The graphic novel format, which, up until recently, was only used with such genres as horror, adventure, superheroes, science fiction and fantasy, but has proven an excellent way to capture the attention of reluctant and lower-level readers. Our graphic novels fly off our library shelves … there just never seems to be enough to meet our students’ demands. A big “thank you” to the Myers PTSA, which helped establish the foundation of this collection with its generosity, and to Dollar Tree stores, which provided Myers with a $1,000 grant to purchase these books. As mentioned, there is also bad news. Currently, a large number of books remain outstanding, overdue for long periods of time. As of the end of last week, 118 books were missing. This number has decreased to 75, thanks to both conscientious students and the efforts of our faculty. As par-ents, I am asking you to help us recoup as many of these books as possible. Please ask you chil-dren if they have any library books and urge them to either return them or, if lost, come to the library to discuss their situation. Phone calls will soon be made to the parents of those children who have already been sent numerous reminder letters, and, if necessary, bills will follow. Many thanks. Finally, to leave you on a positive note, here are three book reviews from our students: “Tom Sawyer” by Mark Twain This adventure novel is just amazing. Tom is the slickest guy ever. He is also the best character ever. I would definitely recommend this book! Najae Boyd, Grade 7 “Behind You” by Jacqueline Woodson You have to read this book. It’s MAD good! Shanza Masih “Jade’s Legacy” by L. Divine This book is very good. It helps you get prepared for high school drama!

HEALTH OFFICE NEWS!!!!! Seal A Smile is coming to Myers Middle School in April. Call the Health Office (475- 6435) for additional information.

Ms. Hauth Social Studies Team Flyers Ms. Hauth's classes welcome Ms. Carrie Britt, a graduate student from Sage Graduate School, who will be working with us until May 1. We are about to begin studying the Age of Jackson in our class. Our third Interval Exam will be given in class on April 7 and will cover Topics 8-11. The Hauth's Historical Society Pizza Party for the third quarter will be held during lunch on April 9.

P a g e 3 T h e M y e r s C h r o n i c l e

SPECIALS & RESOURCES

A R T

A R T

Mrs. Morin’s Art Classes: Seventh-graders have completed portraits for their "Diversity in America " project. They are currently learning the proportions of the human body. They have drawn and labeled bones of the human skeleton and will be creating fashion drawings in correct proportion. Sixth graders have completed name signs that were laminated for them and have also completed paper masks which are on display in the cafeteria entrance.

Ms. McKenna’s Art Students Eighth-graders will continue with there Perspective Unit by drawing their Monograms using pattern and monochromatic colors. Seventh-graders will begin their Portrait Unit based on the works of Frida Kahlo. The proportions of the face and sym-bolism will be stressed.

Physical Education Congratulations to Myers Middle School for raising $3,033 for the American Heart Association! Thank you to all that participated in "Hoops for Heart" and "Jump Rope for Heart." Thank you to all who donated to our total. Thank you to all of our business donators for helping with food, money and extra door prizes. Donators: PTA, YMCA(Albany) and Bethlehem), Honest Weight Food Coop, Hannaford (Delmar), Price Chopper (Slingerlands), Zero Gravity, Olive Garden, Olympia Sports, TGI Friday's, Fleet Feet, Glenmont Chiropractic, Times Union Center, AIR(Albany Indoor Rockgym), Sunset Recreation, Playdium Bowling Center, Lou Bea's Pizza, Mild Wally's, Pepper Jacks, Groumella's Pizza and Deli, Delmonico's Italian Steakhouse, Fiorello Deli, Spinners of Albany, Soccer Unlimited, Professional Planning Group, Michelle Rooney, and the Ital-ian American Community Center.

P a g e 4 T h e M y e r s C h r o n i c l e

SPECIALS & RESOURCES

Michele Rooney Music

Congratulations and thank you to all the participants in the All-City Chorus Concert at Myers on March 12. The selections were "Who Put The Bomp," "Seasons of Love" (from Rent) and The Beatles in Revue.

March is Music in Our Schools month and our NYSSMA festival is at Hackett this year on Saturday, March 28. Many of our music students have been working hard preparing solos on their instruments for NYSSMA. We wish them all good luck.

General music classes are covering the decades of music in America from the 1920s to present.

Myer’s Middle School would like to wish you and your family a Happy St. Patrick’s Day and a safe and happy April Break!

April Break Dates : Friday, April 10—Sunday, April 19