PARENTS AND TEACHERS

Partners in Education

John W. Wallace Middle School

71 Halleran Drive

Newington, CT 06111

Emergency/Closing/Late Openings – 665-8665 Website: Homework Hotline – 667-5888, Press 3 www.newington-schools.org School Phone – 667-5888 Click “Newington Schools” School Fax – 667-5893 Click link for Wallace
VOLUME XXXVI NUMBER 2 _ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2007
STAFF Mr. David Milardo, Principal Mr. Jeremy Visone, Asst. Principal Mrs. Carol Russell, Adm. Asst. Main Office Mrs. Diane Ludwig Adm. Clerk, Guidance Mrs. Kathy DeBoer, Part Time Clerk Ms. Laura VanCampen, Psychologist Mrs. Melanie Rago, Nurse Mrs. Sherilyn Pifferi, Guidance Counselor Ms. Dana Calvo, Guidance Counselor Mrs. Angela Nardine, Guidance Counselor Ms. Rhodora Agana, Gr. 5 Mr. Richard Bangs, Gr. 5 Ms. Katherine DePalma, Gr. 5 Mrs. Ann Dickinson, Gr. 5 Mrs. Vitta Paonessa, Gr. 5 Mrs. Jennille Eger, Gr. 5 Mrs. Tara Fitzsimons, Gr. 5 Miss Michele Klett, Gr. 5 Mrs. Michele Vaughan, Gr. 5 Mrs. Jennifer Witschy, Gr. 5 Mrs. Kathy Carle, Gr. 6 Ms. Lisa Conti, Gr. 6 Miss Melissa DeLorm, Gr. 6 Mrs.Beth Dumais, Gr. 6 Mrs. Donna Lamoureux, Gr. 6 Ms. Elizabeth Mihalakos, Gr. 6 Mrs. Kathee Phelps, Gr. 6 Mrs. Elizabeth Rembisz, Gr. 6 Mr. Travis Stevens, Gr. 6 Ms. Rachel Wall, Gr. 6 Ms. Melissa Baroni, Gr. 7 Mr. Thomas Righi, Gr. 7 Mr. James Crebase, Gr. 7 Mr.s. Kristen Linda, Gr. 7 Ms. Michelle Middleton, Gr. 7 Mrs. Carla Ruscito, Gr. 7 Mrs. Karen Savvides, Gr. 7 Mr. Paul Vessella, Gr. 7 Mrs. Cynthia Armstrong, Gr. 8 Mrs. Catherine Carignan, Gr. 8 Mrs. Shelley Coughlin, Gr. 8 Mr. Christopher Klatt, Gr. 8 Mrs. Joyce Miller, Gr. 8 Ms. Jessica Morin, Gr. 8 Mr. Paul Salonia, Gr. 8 Ms. Lauren Whitney, Gr. 8 Mrs. Sue Abacherli, Mr. Steve Markie, Mr. Seth Greenberg. Phys. Ed. Mrs. Lori Baylock, Computer Ed. Mrs. Terri Buganski, Computer Resource Mr. David Begin, Mr. Christopher Civitillo, Mrs. Fern Cohen, Mr. Steven Corneau, Music Mr. Jeff Brunetti, Health Mrs. Betsy Francischelli, Media Mr. Alex Gellweiler , Melissa Gajda, Ms. Courtney Molton – Art Mrs. Elizabeth Lasker, LA Consultant Mrs. Maryellen Noonan, Reading Mrs. Cynthia Tracey, FACS Mr. Keith Merwin, Tech. Ed. Mrs. Donna Shookus, Gifted Mrs. Cheryl Galante, Mrs. Laura Begley, Mrs. Joan Laskowski,, Ms. Amanda Berube, Special Ed. Mr. Andrew Curtiss, Alt. Ed. Mrs. Christina Carrier-Redman, World Lang. Mrs. Doris Rubasky, World Lang.	FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK Dear Parents and Guardians: Hello again and welcome to Fall! After a very busy start with Student Learning Plan Conferences and several shortened weeks due to holidays, we have now settled into a steady routine. As the month of October winds down, we will soon be raking leaves, enjoying the foliage, the start of the basketball season, and the upcoming holidays. It is also the time to start planning for our November student-led conferences! The first marking term will come to a close on Thursday, November 1, and conferences are scheduled for: v Tuesday, November 13 v Wednesday, November 14 (Evening conferences) v Thursday, November 15 On these days, students will be dismissed at 12:50 p.m. and we will follow the legal length day schedule (including lunch) for classes. Please be sure to stop off at the main office to pick up your child’s report card upon your arrival to the conference. As with every month, the next two months are quite full of activities such as the Grade 7 Colonial Feast, holiday concerts and more. We hope to see you at some of our many upcoming events listed on the next 2 pages. David M. Milardo, Principal Jeremy Visone, Assistant Principal

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

(please post on your refrigerator for ready reference)

DAY/DATE	EVENT/ACTIVITY	LOCATION/PLACE	TIME
Thursday, November 1	Last day of the 1^st marking term/ essentials cycle #2
Friday, November 2	First day of the 2^nd marking term/essentials cycle #3
Tuesday, November 6	Election Day; no school for students/staff in-service; offices open
Monday, November 12	Veteran’s Day; no school for students and staff; offices closed
Tuesday, November 13	Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences; legal-length day schedule (12:50 p.m. dismissal); lunch served
Tuesday, November 13	Parent Advisory Council meeting	JWMS Media Center	7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 14	National School Custodian’s Day
Wednesday, November 14	Parent-Teacher-Student Conference Day; legal- length day schedule (12:50 p.m. dismissal) lunch served; evening conferences from 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 15	Parent-Teacher-Student Conference Day; legal-length day schedule (12:50 p.m. dismissal); lunch served
Tuesday, November 20	Faculty Meeting (no after-school activities and no late bus)
Wednesday, November 21	Grade 7 Colonial Celebration/Feast	JWMS Cafeteria	8-11 a.m.
Thursday, November 22	Thanksgiving - no school for students & staff. Offices closed
Friday, November 23	Thanksgiving Break - no school for students & staff. Offices closed
Thursday, November 29	Principal’s Recognition Breakfast (gr. 5 & 6)	JWMS Cafeteria	7:30–8:00 a.m.
Friday, November 30	Principal’s Recognition Breakfast (gr. 7 & 8)	JWMS Cafeteria	7:30-8:00 a.m.
Monday, December 10	Last day of essentials cycle #3
Monday, December 10	Mid-term Reports Sent Home
Tuesday, December 11	First day of essentials cycle #4
Tuesday, December 11	Holiday Choral Concert (grades 5-8)	JWMS Auditorium	6:30 p.m.
Monday, December 17	Holiday Band Concert (grades 6-8)	JWMS Auditorium	6:45 p.m.
Tuesday, December 18	Faculty Meeting (no after-school activities and no late bus)
Monday, December 24 – Monday, January 2	Vacation Week (school offices are closed on Tuesday, Dec. 25 and Tuesday, Jan. 1)

DROPPING OFF STUDENTS/ARRIVAL TIMES -Parents who drop off students are to use the drop-off area on Halleran Drive between Wallace and Paterson. Please pull to the right and drop your children off at the sidewalk to ensure their safety. Further, we ask all parents dropping off students to watch their speed to avoid accidents. Traffic is one way, single file. Parents of walkers are reminded that 7:50 a.m. is the arrival time for school. Please see to it that your child does not arrive before 7:50 a.m. Thank you.

RECOGNITION AWARDS FOR ATTENDANCE -The Board of Education recognizes the right of students to observe the religious holidays of their faith. Therefore, no student who is absent because of a religious holiday observance shall be deprived of any award for attendance or opportunity for an award. To be eligible for awards under this policy, a student must present, in advance of the religious holiday, a written excuse signed by a parent or legal guardian. Thanks for your cooperation.

EMERGENCY CLOSINGS/LATE OPENINGS – Announcements will be made on all the major radio stations and television stations in case of inclement weather or other emergencies. The phone number for late openings or school closings is 665-8665. In addition, the main school number (667-5888) will have a special announcement if school is delayed, cancelled or closing early. We also have our new Alert Now automated calling system to inform you of any such deviations from the normal schools hours.

CALCULATORS FOR SALE – Our school office has the TI-12 Math Explorer calculator that can be purchased for $18.00. These calculators have all the necessary functions and operations your child will need for math class.

SAVE THOSE BOX TOPS! – The Wallace Student Senate is collecting General Mills’s cereal box tops with the “Box Tops for Education” logo. The box tops will be redeemed for cash, which will be put toward student activities and events. Please have your child give box tops to his/her base room teacher.

SCHOOL CLIMATE – One of our district-wide and school goals once again this year continues to focus on improving our school climate by developing strategies to help our students develop a better understanding and appreciation of their fellow classmates and to address the problems of bullying, ridiculing, teasing, name-calling. Several programs have been implemented at Wallace to create more compassionate. It is very important that we stress to our children, the need for them to treat others with kindness, courtesy, and realize that we need to think, speak, and act differently in our world today. Please consider the following:

· Telling students that “sticks and stones may break your bones but names will never hurt” is a misnomer. Names DO hurt. Studies show a large number of children miss school because of teasing and name-calling. Please be sure your child advocates for himself/herself by reporting to an adult if they are victims of name-calling.

· The expression “boys will be boys” is nothing more than a weak response to excuse unacceptable, aggressive behavior and is no longer acceptable in our building.

· Retaliation and “getting even” are not the appropriate ways to respond to a conflict between students. Please encourage your child to use our peer mediation program or seek out an adult if they are experiencing difficulty with another student.

· Going to a teacher to report that you have been ridiculed, name-called, teased, or harassed is not “tattling”. “Tattling” is to get someone in trouble; “telling” is to get someone out of trouble. Speaking out is protecting your rights as a human being to be treated properly. Please encourage your child to speak to an adult if their rights are being violated.

Over the next few months, your child will hopefully be sharing with you some of these principles and fundamental concepts. I ask for your support in helping us to create a learning environment at Wallace that will make our school a place where everyone feels safe, respected, and cared for. Thank you.

BULLYING POLICY - In accordance with PA 06-115; An Act Concerning Bullying Policies in Schools and Notices Sent to Parent or Legal Guardians, the Newington Board of Education has revised its policy on bullying. The following is the information you should be aware of regarding the school district’s revised policy:

The revision expands the definition to include overt acts directed at another student with the intent to “harass” that student and also includes incidents that occur on a school bus. Students must also be made aware annually of how to report incidents of bullying. Our school has already done this through school-wide and classroom announcements and at our September orientation class assemblies.

The legislation requires schools to simultaneously mail the same school notices of bullying they give to the parent or guardian with whom the student primarily resides with and to the parent or guardian with whom the student does not primarily reside if he/she requests it. These parents and guardians may request to receive notices through the main office at the student’s school.

VACATIONS TAKEN DURING SCHOOL TIME – If you are taking a family vacation during school time, please be sure to send written notification to your child’s teachers, the guidance office and the main office. Though we strongly discourage this practice due to the loss of instructional time, we do understand that at times, these situations cannot be avoided. Upon returning to school, your child will need to make arrangements with his/her teachers to make up missed work in a timely fashion. Please be advised that teachers are not able to provide class work ahead of time for family vacations taken during school time.

ILLEGAL PARKING – For parents who pick up their children from school, we ask that you please do not park in the handicapped spaces at John Wallace Middle School or at John Paterson – unless, of course, you have a handicap designation. Thank you.

PAC NEWS - Our first monthly meeting of the 2007-08 school year was held on October 9 in the John Wallace School Media Center. After opening with a welcome and introductions, Mr. Milardo presented an enlightening Principal’s Report consisting of school happenings, district and school goals. Under new business topics – upcoming fundraisers, Fall Book Fair, cultural arts program ideas, the 8^th grade celebration committee dance and teachers’ requests were discussed.

The John Wallace PAC would like to thank all of those families who participated in the fall fundraiser. The profits will be used to provide special programs for our students through out the year. Families are still welcome to join the PAC. Send in $5.00 (cash or check payable to JWMS PAC) along with your name, phone number, email address and child(ran)’s name(s) and grade(s) to the attention of PAC. Attending our PAC meetings is a great way to stay informed, voice concerns and opinions, have questions answered and take an active part in making decisions concerning John Wallace Middle School. The upcoming meetings are: November 13, January 8, March 11, April 8, and May 13.

JWMS BOOK FAIR – The upcoming November book fair sponsored by PAC will once again go through “Borders Bookstore” of Farmington as our supplier of material this year. With the help of Joyce Miller, 8^th grade Language Arts teacher and our Media Specialist, Betsy Francischelli, a wide range of books have been selected for your reading pleasure. Please make sure to save the dates to come and join us in the Media Center on November 13, 14, 15, and 16 to browse and buy!! Flyers will be sent home with the students with additional information. This is the time to buy that perfect gift for a birthday, special friend or the upcoming holidays!! Please contact Maria Parker at 666-5924 if you can volunteer to help at the book fair. Those parents who have already volunteered, will be contacted in the next few weeks to review your hours.

E-MAIL NEWS – The JWMS email blast is up and running for those of you who have signed up. There have been a few glitches here and there with the system, but of course with computers, that is to be expected!! If you signed up and are still not receiving the emails, I have been getting a number returned to me because there is either a firewall set up in your computer system and will not allow the emails to come through or I am getting an undeliverable message for whatever reason. I try my best to get the information to you in a timely, correct fashion, but that is not always doable. The email address to contact my is: mariaparkerschoolnews@yahoo.com

THE COUNSELING CORNER - Just what does a middle school counselor do? A school counselor’s goal is to help students understand themselves and the world around them. A counselor can help students explore their options, sort out problems, discuss their feelings, and reach decisions. Students may go to a counselor to discuss personal or social concerns, academics, or career awareness issues. Although middle school counselors often work with students individually to meet their needs, they also work with small groups of students and teach formalized lessons from Newington’s grades 5-8 developmental guidance program. For instance, in fifth grade, your child may just have had a lesson in understanding some appropriate ways of treating others, through the “Green Og” lesson. This is one lesson of five done in the classrooms throughout the year. Other lessons deal with career awareness, respecting others, and transitioning to grade six.

Sixth and seventh graders also have several lessons delivered throughout the year as well, in decision making, managing offensive behaviors, being a responsible student, and charting career interests.

In eighth grade, lessons are presented on harassment, conflict resolution, managing offensive behavior, and understanding diversity. The major emphasis, however, is in career development through various activities. In October and November, E.C. Goodwin Technical School and the Glastonbury Vocational Agra-Science Program visit John Wallace to discuss alternative high school options. Eighth graders also fill out career cards in small groups and complete the “Self-Directed Search” interest inventory at this time. This will all lead up to the “School Choice Fair” and high school course selection held in January. More information on these will be forthcoming in our next newsletter!

HOMEWORK TIP - Consistent homework completion is SO important to academic success! Students should set aside a certain time and place each day in which to do homework. A special basket or shoebox filled with necessary materials (such as pens, pencils, erasers, white-out, scissors, glue, a calculator, a ruler, etc.) should always be available at the homework area so students will find it easier to stay on task.

ANONYMOUS COMMUNICATION TELEPHONE NUMBER – We recognize, from time to time, members of the school community, parents, or residents of Newington would like to communicate information to the school district without providing their name. Such information is often difficult to use because of the inability to question and validate the comments, but it is still valuable. Information such as a student not residing in the town of Newington, a student being harassed by others, or a student being abused are common anonymous calls we now receive. The Newington school district has established a special telephone connection for students, parents, or members of the community to leave messages through the Office of the Superintendent of Schools. This telephone number is (860) 665-8691. The phone will be answered during regular business hours 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. A voice mail system will record messages after hours. If the matter is urgent, please contact the Newington Police Department. We do encourage people to provide a name a telephone number for us to verify all concerns.

ACTIVITIES AND CLUBS -There are many wonderful activities for our students at John Wallace to enjoy. Here is a listing of the formal club offerings at Wallace, the faculty advisor to the club, and their room phone extension:

1) Art Club – Mr. Gellweiler (ext. 706)

2) Tartan (8^th grade yearbook; grade 8 only) – Mr. Klatt (ext. 305)

3) Chess Club – Mr. Crebase (ext. 401)

4) Jazz Club (grade 5 only) – Mr. Civitillo (ext. 126)

5) Strat-O-Matic Baseball – Mr. Salonia (ext. 308)

6) Academic Coaching (grade 5 only) – Mrs. Eger (ext. 510)

7) Helping Hands – Ms. Berube (ext. 513)

8) Advanced Strings – Mrs. Cohen (ext. 108)

9) Beginning Strings – Mrs. Cohen (ext. 108)

10) Talent Club – Mr. Begin (ext. 122)

11) Wallace News Network – Mrs. Baylock (ext. 514)

12) Strat-O-Matic Football – Mr. Salonia (ext. 308)

13) Student Aide Club – Ms. Baroni (ext. 408)/Ms. Middleton (ext. 405)

14) School Newspaper – Mr. Stevens (ext. 605)/Mr. Klatt (ext. 305)

15) Showchoir (grade 8 only) – Mr. Begin (ext. 122)

16) School Bookstore – Mr. Stevens (ext. 605)

17) Student Senate – Mrs. Abacherli (ext. 132)

18) Intramurals – Mr. Markie (ext. 130)

SPORTS NIGHT -By now, each grade level has had two fall Sports Night dates. We played basketball for the first round and dodgeball for the second. A great time was had by all students and teachers who attended any of the evenings. We will now be taking our winter hiatus, as the Parks and Recreation and CYO basketball programs get their chance to use our gymnasium in the evenings. Sports Night will resume in the spring.

FOOD SERVICES INFORMATION - The Foods & Nutrition Services has implemented an automated prepayment system that allows you to view your child’s lunch account balance and purchases, receive low balance e-mails, as well as, make deposits into your child’s school lunch account via the internet or telephone. 

1. Simply log on to www.mealpayplus.com.

2.  *Register your child into the school lunch prepayment system.  (You will need to do this to view account balances and purchases and to receive low balance e-mails.  There is no cost to do this.)

3. Make a prepayment to your child’s account using the secure website. (You will be charged a $2.00 convenience fee. These charges cover the cost of bank fees.  The school district does not earn any income from these fees.)

4. Or call (866) 904-6201 and make your payment over the phone.  (You will be charged a $2.00 convenience fee.  Again, these charges cover the cost of bank fees.  The school district does not earn any income from these fees.)

*You will need your child’s student identification number to do this.  This is the same number your child currently uses to sign out library books and to make purchases in the cafeteria.  You can also obtain your child’s student identification number for middle and high school students from his/her ID badge or by calling your school office.  If the ID # is less than 5-digits, you will need to precede the numbers with a zero.

Funds that are deposited into your child’s debit account can be made available to your child in one of three ways:

Option # 1: General.  Funds are deposited and available to your child for the purchase of lunches and/or a la carte foods in the cafeteria.  There are no limitations as to what may be purchased or how many purchases can be made.  The account balance simply decreases as purchases take place.

Option # 2: Meals.  Monies put on account are designated for student meals only, with one meal per day. Your child would need to pay cash for any snack, a la carte items or additional lunches being purchased.

Option # 3: General & Meals.  This option ensures that your child receives a lunch and allows him or her to purchase a la carte foods as well.  There are no limitations as to what foods may be purchased a la carte, or how many a la carte purchases can be made. 

Thank you for your support and enjoy the conveniences of MealpayPlus!

RAPID NOTIFICATION SYSTEM -This year, a new Rapid Notification System will be used to communicate with parents. Specifically, Newington Public Schools has a Rapid Notification System, which will allow the whole school district or individual schools to quickly connect with parents of students in a specific group. This Rapid Notification System will be used to notify parents of delay, early dismissal or cancellation of school or major school-wide activities. It can also be used to communicate major school-wide activities such as an Open House. It will not be used to communicate with an entire school about minor activities that do not generally impact the individuals being contacted. The Principal will determine the use of the system.

NEWS FROM THE HEALTH ROOM

Mrs. Rago, School Nurse

FLU SEASON IS HERE - As