TILDEN MIDDLE SCHOOL

TILDEN MIDDLE SCHOOL
11211 OLD GEORGETOWN ROAD
ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND
301-230-5930 (OFFICE) • 301-230-5991 (FAX)
PTSA NEWSLETTER 2011-2012
Vol. 13, No. 1, September 2011
President’s Letter
Principal’s Message
This is my first
opportunity to reach out to
the whole Tilden Middle
School community to
welcome all students to the
2011-2012 school year, especially all of our
new students like the Sixth Grade class and
any new students in the Seventh and Eighth
Grade classes. Additionally, in case you
haven’t noticed, we have a new Principal, Ms.
Irina LaGrange. If you have not had an
opportunity to meet her, two more chances are
coming up soon – the Back-to-School Night
on September 15 and the first PTSA meeting
on October 11. I have set aside time at this
first PTSA meeting for those in attendance to
socialize with each other and spend some time
talking with Ms. LaGrange.
Over the summer, Tilden
experienced major upgrades.
The building services team
worked relentlessly outside and
inside the school to ensure that
the building was gleaming and
everything was in place when our students
came back. Our summer Tilden
Beautification Project was a success as well. I
would like to thank all the students, parents,
and staff who volunteered their time for an
extensive landscaping project in front of the
main entrance. It was a hot and long morning,
but our hard work paid off. We have received
an array of compliments from community
members.
This is my first time to serve as a middle
school PTSA president – I have previous
officer experience at Farmland Elementary
and Walter Johnson High Schools. My desire
as your President is to work with you to make
this PTSA relevant to the school, but I need
your support. So, what can you do?
(Continued on page 4)
Tilden PTSA Newletter September 2011
The transformation on August 29th was
incredible. The quiet building with its dark
hallways and empty classrooms was suddenly
bubbling with voices, an array of bright
backpacks, students eager to get to their classes,
and enthusiastic staff greeting them and setting
the stage for another successful year.
(Continued on page 3)
Back to School Night
Thursday, September 15, 7:00 pm
Principal’s Briefing, 6:30 pm
Page 1
Get Your Sweatshirts
The Physical Education
Department will be selling
Tilden sweatshirts and
sweatpants on Back to School
Night.
The cost is $20 for
sweatpants and $25 for hooded
sweatshirts, payable either by exact change or
by check made out to Tilden Middle School.
No sweats will be sold prior to this night and
they are sold first come, first served, and
beginning 30 minutes prior to the event.
Students may wear any type of sweat
clothes over their gym shirt and shorts on cold
days. Students do not have to buy the Tilden
sweats. The department sells these as a
service. They are high-quality sweats and the
children like them, but they are not required.
PTSA Briefs
Meet the Principal. A HUGE ―thank you‖
to Carolann Regnell and Beth Resnick for
hosting the two summer receptions that gave
parents a chance to meet, speak with, and
discuss school issues with, our new principal,
Ms. Irina LaGrange. She thoroughly enjoyed
each opportunity, and hopes you did, too!
Picnic Praise. Thanks to our Committee
Chairs Jeannie Geier and Karen Belt for
another fantastic Back-to-School Picnic. If
you missed it, you missed great weather (at
least, for the last day of August) and an
opportunity to speak with Ms. Irina LaGrange
who wandered around talking to parents and
students all evening.
Tilden PTSA Newletter September 2011
Teacher Luncheon. Thanks to David
Dennison and Mamma Lucia’s for providing
lunch for our teachers on their first in-service
day, Thursday, August 25. Also thanks to
PTSA Treasurer Suzanne Mozayeni for
coordinating this event. The teachers and
staff expressed their appreciation.
PTSA Listserv. Be sure to receive important
emails from the school, the PTSA, and the
parent community by joining the PTSA
Listserv. Here is how to join:
1. Send a blank email to [email protected]
2. Send an email to Valentina di Francesco
([email protected]), our email group
moderator. Provide your name and your
connection to Tilden Middle School so that
your subscription may be validated.
3. Register at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tilden/ to be
able to post messages. When you go to that
page, you will be prompted to create an ID
and password.
Newsletter Deadlines. All copy is due to the
editors (Dana Hirsch at
[email protected] or Lisa Miller at
[email protected] by the following dates
for that month’s issue: Oct. 7, Nov. 4, Dec. 9,
Jan. 6, Feb. 10, Mar. 9, Apr. 6, and May 4.
Parent Help. Check out the ―Unofficial
Guide to the First Year at Tilden‖ at
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploa
dedFiles/schools/tildenms/homepage/Unoffici
alGuidetoTheFirstYearatTilden.pdf.
Page 2
Principal’s Message Continued
(continued from page 1)
In order to continue our culture of excellence
in teaching and learning, we are going to
ensure rigorous daily instruction that meets
the needs of all of our students. We want our
students to be engaged, life-long learners who
are not afraid to take risks and ask questions.
I have made numerous observations during
our remarkably smooth opening. The teachers
are excited to have the students back and they
have been working hard at planning engaging
and challenging lessons. Students navigated
through the halls with their new schedules in
hand with ease. Our antique lockers have
presented a challenge to numerous students.
But I’m proud to announce that we have won,
and only two weeks into the opening, our
students have learned how to open them.
Most interesting, however, is the students’
love for ice cream! During lunch, at any one
time, there are dozens and dozens of kids
munching on ice cream. So much so, that I
have given in and joined the team!
The PTSA did an outstanding job at
organizing and sponsoring The Annual Back
to School Picnic. It was a pleasure to see so
many students, parents and teachers talking,
laughing, dancing and reconnecting after an
extensive summer. Long after the sun settled,
we still had lines at the pizza and ice-cream
stands!
Just around the corner is our Back-to-School
Night on Thursday, September 15, 2011. The
evening will begin with an optional informal
meeting in our gym at 6:30 p.m., which I will
host. The visits to classrooms to meet
teachers will begin promptly at 7:00 p.m.
This is a great way to get an idea of what your
children experience on a daily basis at Tilden.
Tilden PTSA Newletter September 2011
Last, I hope all of our parents will join our
PTSA Listserv. The directions are on our
website under the PTSA tab. This is an
important form of communication from the
PTSA and the school. We do make a
concerted effort to get critical information out
to families in a timely fashion and the listserv
is frequently used to share what is happening
here at Tilden. I hope you will join soon.
Once again, I would like to express how
incredibly honored and privileged I feel to
serve as the Principal of Tilden Middle
School. I look forward to working with you
and ensuring that our students have a
wonderful school year that meets their
academic and social needs. My goal is for
Tilden to be every child’s home away from
home.
-Irina LaGrange
PTSA OFFICERS 2011-2012
President:
Joe Piff •
240-292-4083
Vice Presidents:
Laura Bonetta •
Karen Post
•
•
[email protected]
301-946-6883
• [email protected]
•
[email protected]
301-881-3099
Treasurer:
Suzanne Mozayeni • 301-984-4025 • [email protected]
Secretary:
Debbie Kobernick • 301-770-0044 • [email protected]
MCCPTA Delegates:
Lisa Spiwak • 301-984-8144
Kristen Zeller-Miller
•
•
[email protected]
[email protected]
Page 3
President’s Message Continued
(continued from page 1)
* First, join the PTSA and contribute to
Direct Appeal. (see last page) Joining the
PTSA is the best way to meet other parents,
get to know teachers, and find out what’s
going on at Tilden. Studies show that kids of
parents who are involved with their
children’s school do better academically.
And, your dues and tax-deductible donations
support the many activities the PTSA
sponsors to support our staff and enrich our
students’ academic and social experiences.
* Second, come to PTSA meetings and
events. Each month, get your own update on
what is happening at Tilden. Listen to the
principal’s report. Hear updates on PTSA
activities. Participate in PTSA-sponsored
programs at some monthly meetings on
important topics for parents of middle-school
students. The meetings are generally the
second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in
the Media Center – please come. And come
to other events during the school year like our
always popular Charity Basketball Game in
February and International Night in March.
(View the whole TMS calendar on the TMS
web site.)
* Third, join the PTSA E-Mail List
(Listserv). Both the PTSA and the school use
this list to send out important information.
Get the daily announcements delivered to
your inbox. Receive the PTSA Newsletter
which is only available on the web (if you’d
like a copy mailed to you, just let us know).
Learn more about upcoming events – stay
connected to your child’s school! Simply go
to the Tilden webpage and follow the
instructions:
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schoo
ls/tildenms/ptsa/index.shtm. Additionally, we
are not even beginning to use all of the
available applications provided by Yahoo!
Visit the site at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tilden/ to see
the file, photo, and other features that we
could be using in addition to the content of
our web site.
* Fourth, volunteer! We have some
committee chair positions waiting to be filled
and other committees that can always use
help. Interested? Send me an email at
[email protected].
- Joe Piff
P.S. Be sure to check out the ―Unofficial
Guide to the First Year at Tilden‖ under
Quick Links on the Tilden home page.
UPCOMING PTSA MEETINGS 2011
The Tilden PTSA meets on the second Tuesday of
each month at 7:00 P.M. in the Media Center at the
school.
Tuesday, October 11, 7:00 P.M.
PTSA Meeting – [Meet the new Principal]
Tuesday, November 8, 7:00 P.M.
PTSA Meeting – [Peer-to-Peer]
Thursday, December 15, 6:30 P.M.
PTSA Meeting - Holiday Reception
before Winter Concert at WJHS
Tilden PTSA Newletter September 2011
Page 4
Important Numbers:
Check out these cool websites:
Tilden Middle School Main Office: 301-230-5930
www.tweentribune.com
Guidance Department: 301-230-5940
Daily compelling, relevant and interesting
news for teens and tweens is posted.
Stories are selected by teens and tweens
working closely with professional
journalists. Teens and tweens can comment
upon these stories and photos.
www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/school/tildenms
Student Service Learning (SSL) Notes
Give a Little Time…Make a Big Difference
SSL Fosters Civic Responsibility
SSL is a graduation requirement in the state of Maryland.
Understand the SSL plan iun Montgomery County Public
Schools (MCPS) by contacting the SSL coordinator in
any middle or high school and exploring the SSL website
www.mcpsssl.org.
Service performed during the summer for which SSL
hours are desired must be documented on MCPS Form
560-51, Student Service Learning Activity Verification,
and turned in to the SSL coordinator, Ms. Sullivan, in
room A260, by September 30, 2011.
All organizations and opportunities for which SSL hours
are desired must be preapproved. Check the list of
organizations tagged, ―Approved SSL MCPS‖ and
opportunities tagged ―MCPS SSL Approved‖ at the
website www.mcpsssl.org or get MCPS Form 560-50,
Request for SSL Preapproval, granted in advance of any
involvement.
www.geocaching. com
Outdoor play can be a great way to develop
spatial reasoning. Set up a scavenger hunt
within your yard or coordinate with others
in your neighborhood. Each family could
develop a challenging “clue” for an item in
their yard that others would need to find. If
your family has a handheld GPS system,
geocaching is an engaging way to explore
areas near or far away from home, as you
use given coordinates to determine the
location of a specific cache.
Students may serve on campaigns of individuals running
for public office. MCPS Form 560-50, Request for SSL
Preapproval is required by each student in advance of any
service.
The award of SSL hours outside of the instructional day
(before school, lunchtime, after school) is one SSL hour
for every hour of service. There is a maximum of eight
hours within a 24 hour period. No exceptions.
Tilden PTSA Newletter September 2011
http://mathisfun.com/puzzles/index.html
“Math is Fun” website posts a number of
“math and logic” puzzles that are wellsuited to those days you may be stuck
indoors.
Page 5
2011-2012 PTSA Officers and Committee Chairs
Officers
President
Vice President
Vice President
Treasurer
Secretary
MCCPTA Delegate
MCCPTA Delegate
Committee Chairs
Back-to-School Picnic
Basketball Game
Book Fair
Bulletin Board
Cluster Representative
Copy Team
Directory
Directory Advertising
Eighth Grade Celebration
Email Group/List Serve
Gifted & Talented Liaison
Guidance Advisory/ Career Day
International Night
Membership
Movie/Activity Night
NAACP Representative
Newsletter Editors
Restaurant Night
Retail Incentive Programs
Safety & Health
School Dances/ Game Room
School Spirit Apparel
Special Needs Liaison
Staff Appreciation
Student Service Learning (SSL)
Liaison
Volunteer Coordinator
Webmaster (PTSA Site)
WJ Booster Club Liaison
Joe Piff
Laura Bonetta
Karen Post
Suzanne Mozayeni
Debbie Kobernick
Lisa Spiwak
Kristen Zeller-Miller
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
240-292-4083
301-946-6883
301-881-3099
301-984-4025
301-770-0044
301-984-8144
Jeannie Geier
Karen Belt
Karen Epstein
Adrianne Davis Leal
Teri Kinsella
Stacey Jungreis
Gabrielle Roth
Tiffini Lucas
Laura Bonetta
Marisa Irvine
Jeannie Geier
Valentina di
Francesco
Lisa Strauss
Anne Ackerman
Gloria Sanchez
Lulu Macias
Fabiola Leon
Gabrielle Roth
Jennifer Rabin
Karen Burgett
Lisa Moss
Laurie-Anne Sayles
Dana Hirsch
Lisa Miller
Becky Hutton
Shari Campbell
OPEN
Jodi Rose
Linda Brown
Leona Hiraoka
Joanne Schmader
Sarah Early
Cheryl Morris
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
301-984-5851
301-984-3344
301-807-2770
301-933-9257
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
301-933-8528
301-881-3481
301-770-8717
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
301-881-0369
301-649-7344
301-946-8108
301-946-5396
301-942-0030
301-984-2101
Lisa Strauss
Holly Pannullo
Julie Poling
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
301-933-8528
301-933-7456
301-933-7070
Tilden PTSA Newletter September 2011
301-881-8862
301-468-0318
240-355-7584
301-946-6883
301-770-2305
301-984-5851
301-279-7372
301-530-1871
301-468-0318
301-770-3646
301-770-4029
301-770-2744
240-462-6568
301-231-8123
301-881-5427
301-946-0094
301-594-4251
Page 6
TILDEN MIDDLE SCHOOL
Direct Appeal & Membership Campaign
WHAT IS DIRECT APPEAL (DA)?
DIRECT APPEAL REPLACES THE SALE OF PRODUCTS THAT ONLY RETURN A SMALL
PROFIT TO THE SCHOOL. The Direct Appeal program asks that each family make a donation to the
PTSA instead of having several fundraisers during the year. In a Direct Appeal Campaign, 100% of your
donation will benefit Tilden. And, 100% of your donation is tax deductible.
How can you help? Make a donation - ANY amount donated will be greatly appreciated. Many
corporations offer “matching fund” programs. Ask at your office — and double your donation!
Why? • 100% of your Direct Appeal contribution will benefit your children. • You and your child
will NOT be asked by the PTSA to sell anything. And, independent school fundraising is being
phased out at Tilden • 100% of your Direct Appeal contribution will be tax deductible. Money
raised through Direct Appeal helps ALL STUDENTS.
WHY JOIN THE PTSA IF I HAVE ALREADY MADE A CONTRIBUTION TO DIRECT APPEAL?
The PTSA sponsors the Direct Appeal campaign, but Membership & Donation are not ―one-in-the-same.‖
The PTSA is a national organization that requires participating schools, parents, teachers, and/or students
to join or become ―members.‖ PTSA is an Advocacy organization — empowering parents & communities
to make a difference in our children’s lives.
What are membership dues? At Tilden, the cost to become a member is $25.00 for an individual or
$35.00 for a family membership (2 adults).
What’s the difference between joining the PTSA and making a contribution to the Direct Appeal
Campaign? Joining the PTSA means that you have voting privileges during the membership year on
important budget and program issues. Direct Appeal, on the other hand, is a campaign to raise funds for
various school improvements, educational programs, etc., in lieu of fundraising activities.
Are there other benefits for joining the PTSA? Yes. PTSA membership entitles you to a number of
resources accessible at www.PTA.org, including an on-line subscription to Our Children magazine, The
PTA Parent online newsletter, and discounts & promotional items.
Can I write one check for both my PTSA membership and the Direct Appeal Campaign? Yes. For
example, if you decide to join the PTSA as an individual member ($25.00) and make a donation to Direct
Appeal ($100.00), you can write one check for $125.00.
How does the PTSA spend the money I donate through Direct Appeal or with my PTSA
membership donation? Donations are used to help fund these programs and more: Student Directory •
International Night • School Beautification• Cultural Arts Programs • Newsletter • Eighth Grade
Celebration • Geography Bee • Career Day • Staff Appreciation • After School Activities • Parent
Programs •Family Movie Night •Staff Instructional Fund• Teacher Wish List Items • WJ Prom Breakfast
• Webster Fund For Teacher Support
MAKING A DA CONTRIBUTION AND JOINING THE PTSA - HERE’S HOW
Mail or drop off completed form on the back to
Tilden MS PTSA, 11211 Old Georgetown Road, Rockville, MD 20852.
Tilden PTSA Newletter September 2011
Page 7
TILDEN MIDDLE SCHOOL
Direct Appeal & Membership Campaign 2011-2012
(Please print!)
Student Name________________________________________________ Grade__________
Student Name________________________________________________ Grade__________
Student Name________________________________________________ Grade__________
Parent/Guardian Name (#1) ____________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name (#2)_____________________________________________________
Phone# 1 _________________________ (H/W/C) Phone #2 _____________________ (H/W/C)
Street Address________________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip _______________________________________________________________
First Member E-mail___________________________________________________________
Second Member E-mail ________________________________________________________
We would like to recognize your support by thanking you in one or more of the following ways:
Newsletter, PTSA Bulletin Board, TMS Website, etc.
Please indicate only if you WOULD NOT like to be recognized.
_____ No, I would prefer not to be recognized as a contributor to the Direct Appeal Campaign.
ITEM
$ AMOUNT ENCLOSED
Direct Appeal Campaign Contribution
Tilden Supporters - up to $99 Timberwolves - $250 - $499
Friends of Tilden - $100 - $249 Wolf Pack - $500 or more
PTSA Membership ($25.00)
Member Name #1 _____________________________________
PTSA Membership – 2nd membership ($10.00)
Member Name #2______________________________________
Direct
Appeal
$ _________
PTSA #1
$ __________
PTSA #2
$ __________
TOTAL
$ __________
EXTRA DIRECTORY ($5 EACH) $ __________________
Mail or drop off completed form to
Tilden MS PTSA, 11211 Old Georgetown Road, Rockville, MD 20852.
Tilden PTSA Newletter September 2011
Page 8