merton williams middle school parent newsletter—april 2013

MERTON WILLIAMS MIDDLE SCHOOL
PARENT NEWSLETTER—APRIL 2013
THOUGHTS FROM THE PR INCIPAL...
Dear Parents,
Last month I shared with you the six instructional shifts the new Common Core ELA
and Literacy Standards require and some tips on what you can do as parents to
help your children transition to higher academic expectations. The Common Core
Standards inherently raise the bar for all students in mathematics, reading and
writing across all academic disciplines as well as mathematics. I believe these
standards are appropriate to prepare your child for success when they enter college or the
workforce. For math, they require deep understanding of mathematical concepts that go beyond mere
rote memorization. In ELA and Literacy, the standards require students be able to analyze multiple
forms of writing and use the text as evidence to write effectively for today’s world. These are great
things, but they will take time to teach and take hold. Unfortunately, the new standards are being tested
now, only a year from the time teachers began adjusting their instruction. That being said, the state
recognizes the challenge we are facing. They have asked us to share with families the following
information:
New York State, for the first time, will be reporting student grade-level expectations against a
trajectory of college- and career-readiness as measured by tests fully reflective of the Common
Core and, as a result, the number of students who score at or above grade level expectations will
likely decrease.
The number of students meeting (a score of 3) or exceeding (a score of 4) Common Core gradelevel
expectations should not necessarily be interpreted as a decline in student learning or as a
decline in educator performance. Instead, the results from these new assessments will give
educators, parents, policymakers, and the public a more realistic picture of where students are
on their path to being well prepared for the future.
I am pleased that NYS is being straightforward about the likelihood that kids will score lower than ever
before and that these decreases should not be viewed as a reflection of educator performance or lack of
student learning. Knowing this intellectually now, before the testing, is one thing; seeing the scores that
come home in August or September and reacting with disappointment and concern is another.
Remember that this will be a process that will take 2-3 years to fully implement. Know that the staff and
students at Merton Williams have been hard at work preparing for this month’s exams. We will learn a
great deal this year and continue to work hard over the summer and throughout next year to align our
instructional practices. I am confident that our students will rise to the challenge to meet the higher
standards.
Please encourage your child to give their best effort on the exams and to persevere when the going
gets tough. A good night’s sleep the night before and a healthy breakfast will help them do their best.
I wish you a happy spring when Mother Nature finally feels like delivering it!
Sincerely, Timothy Dobbertin, Principal

IMPORTANT 8 TH GRADE TRIP
DATES
May 7—Final Parent Meeting—6:30pm—
MIR
May 10—Medication
due to School Nurse
May 21-24—DC Trip!!
Could you use a break from your
3-5 year old preschooler to get some
shopping done or run some errands by
yourself? Consider giving them a
phenomenal learning experience at the
FREE preschool program put on by the
Child Psychology Classes. The
pre-school will run Tuesday, May 7 th
through Friday, May 10 th from 9:00 am
to 11:00 am. They will have first class
lesson plans, be provided a healthy
snack and play in the learning centers.
Register for one day or all four! To
register, please email
clohrman@hilton.k12.ny.us or call
Cheryl
Lohrman @
392-1000
ext. 2379
Student of the Month
February 2013
Jonathan Abate
Makayla Angelucci
Nicholas Barton
Brianna Benvenuti
Lindsey Brinkel
Wijitra Burapan
Isabelle Cassata
Britney Cordaro
Hanna Cotropia
Alana DeRooy
Tyler Gage
Daniel Garlock
Lucianna Iorio
Ryan Johnson
Teagan Kowalski
Lauren McIntosh
Briana McKeeby
Samantha Minnehan
Emily Mullen
Kayla Nellis
Samantha Onderdonk
Nine Orlowski
Maria Pentolino
Hailey Popielarz
Meghan Reitz
Nathan Resch
Amanda Rose
Hannah Roser
Lauren Schmitt
Connor Smith
Chris Sportsman
Nicholas Walsh
LOTE FINAL EXAM DATES
7th Grade LOTE—June 3
8th Grade LOTE SLP -June 17

KEEPING UP WITH SOCIAL MEDIA—FROM THE COUNSELING DEPARTMENT
Smartphones, iPods, laptops, tablets – if you have a teen at home, chances are he or she owns at least one of
these technologies, which allow instant access to internet communication. Each year, teens’ ease of access to the
internet increases, and so does their social media activity. Facebook now holds over 800 million members, 200 million
of which were added in the last year alone. Facebook may now be a regular household name, but new social media
applications continue to be launched almost constantly. With the speed and volume of social media growth, it can be
hard to keep up with what teens are doing online.
In a recent national study by Common Sense Media (2012), researchers found that 75% of teens have a
personal profile on at least one social networking site. Teens report feeling more confident when using social media and
52% believe social media helps them build and maintain relationships with friends. Social media allows teens to make
connections, build relationships, share their interests, and expand their cultural and social horizons. Though these sites
can be fun and beneficial for teens, there are also dangers to be aware of. First, the information posted on social media
sites can be viewed by virtually anyone if not properly protected. Users now have the ability to post their exact location
at any given time, telling the mass public where they are and who they are with. Second, the boost of confidence that
comes with the barrier of a computer or cellphone often leads teens to share personal or inappropriate content that they
would not usually provide. Exchanging explicit photos and making threats are now common practices across social
media sites. When teens regret these decisions, it is often too late to take them back.
What can the adults do to protect the children in their lives? A complete ban from social media seems neither
likely nor healthy, as internet communication is here to stay. However, becoming knowledgeable and setting guidelines
can teach teens to become safe and smart media consumers. Below is a list of social media applications that have
become popular among teens:
Facebook: Users create personal profiles, share photos and videos, and chat via public or private messaging.
Despite an age requirement, over 7 million kids under the age of 13 are using Facebook. Privacy settings can be used to
hide personal profiles from the public and be viewed only by Facebook ―friends.‖
Snapchat: Launched in September 2011, this application allows its users to snap and send photos (either
publicly or to a chosen set of users) that are only viewable for 2-10 seconds. Photos then disappear and are erased from
the site’s database. The impermanence of these photos has enticed teens to act in a more risky manner. Many have been
encouraged to send nude photos to strangers under the pretense that they will quickly disappear. Though photos
disappear almost immediately after being shared, users can take a screen shot of any image, providing them with a
permanent copy even after the original has been erased.
ooVoo: Released in 2007 for conference calls and business interaction, this website has just begun gaining
popularity among teens. Similar to Skype, ooVoo allows instant messaging, file sharing, and 12-way video chat. The
website does not provide protection over audio or video messaging, and information can easily be intercepted or viewed
by outside parties.
Chatroulette: This video chat website uses webcams to connect visitors to strangers around the world. At any
time, users can click a button and be connected to a new person at random. The website was held under scrutiny for
highly inappropriate content, accessible to anyone who visited the site. A study in 2010 found that 1 in 8 Chatroulette
―spins‖ featured nudity and/or a sexual act. The website has since encouraged its users to be at least 18 years of age and
require a credit card ―hold‖ for use.
Instagram: A photo-sharing service that allows users to apply various filters to their pictures and share them
on other social media sites. Photos can be searched and viewed by any of Instagram’s millions of subscribers, unless
privacy settings are used.
Despite occasional behaviors to the contrary, teens have voiced a desire to be protected online, and hold an appreciation
for boundaries. Before allowing your child to use social media, set specific guidelines. Know all usernames and
passwords, and make it clear that their accounts are not off limits to you. Become familiar with available privacy
settings and be aware of who can view your child’s information. Most importantly, follow through with the rules and
consequences you set around social media. Doing what you said you would shows your children that you will protect
them even when it is difficult.
Visit www.commonsensemedia.org to view national surveys regarding teens and social media, access
acceptable and fun social media for teens, and learn how to help your child become a smart, safe media consumer.
References: Teen Social Media Infographic. Common Sense Media, 2012
Retrieved from http:/www.commonsensemedia.org/teen-socialpmedia-infographia
Cracking Teenagers’ Online Codes. The New York Times, January 2012.
Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com

ART WORK BY MR. DALBA’S STUDENTS

News from Student Council
Merton Williams’ annual 8th Grade Night is scheduled for Friday, June 7, 2013. Below are some commonly
asked questions that will hopefully assist you in the planning for this event. If you have further questions,
please direct them to the Student Council advisors, Mr. Monfiletto and Mrs. Sherwood.
1. When will tickets be on sale and how much will they cost?
Tickets cost $10 and will be on sale during lunches the week before. All tickets must be purchased in
advance. Tickets will not be sold at the door.
2. What is included with my ticket?
8 th grade night is all about celebrating with your classmates. The decorating crew will be working very
hard to make the areas look extra special. We will have dancing in the air conditioned MIR. The gym
will have a light buffet of finger foods, desserts, fruit, and cut vegetables. Pre-purchased yearbooks will
also be available in the gym. A free photo is included in your ticket price. Our photographer will be set
up in the back hallway to take group photos. The photos will be delivered before the end of the school
year.
3. How should I dress?
8 th grade night is a celebration, meaning that students should come in dress clothes (dresses and slacks).
It is NOT a prom. Prom wear is not required or encouraged. Students do not need formal dresses,
tuxedos or limousines. We encourage students to simply dress nicely as they would if they went out
to a very nice restaurant with their parents. Please note: Girls MAY wear dresses with spaghetti
straps, or halter tops, but there must be something attached or tied to hold the dress up. Strapless
dresses are still not allowed. Girls are welcome to wear dress slacks instead of a dress or skirt if they
prefer. Gentlemen should wear a shirt with a collar such as a dress shirt or polo shirt and pants. IF YOU
ARE DRESSED INAPPROPRIATELY, YOU WILL BE SENT HOME TO CHANGE AND YOUR TICKET PRICE
WILL NOT BE REFUNDED.
5. Do I need a date?
NO! This night is simply meant for you to come and celebrate with your friends.
6. May I bring someone from another middle school, or from the high school?
NO! This evening is designed to celebrate with your 8 th grade classmates from Merton Williams.
7. May I leave 8th Grade Night early?
NO! Once you enter the dance you will not be
allowed to go out to the back parking lot for
any reason. You may only leave when your
PARENT picks you up.
8. May I leave school early that day? Do I
have to go to school that day?
Students may not leave early for hair, nail,
etc., appointments. Students who do not
attend school will be considered too ill to
attend the dance.

Upcoming Dates for
Merton Williams
April 18
Parent Forum—7pm
April 29
Superintendent’s Conference Day
NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
Boxtops for Education
Boxtops for education is a great way
to help Merton Williams! Each box
top that is collected is worth 10 cents!
Last year we raised over $200 worth
of box tops. Check out their web page
for more information on how you can
help us by collecting box tops.
www.boxtops4education.com
ANNOUNCEMENTS!
Announcements are
posted on our website
every morning —please
check these daily for
important information
regarding activities
going on at Merton
Williams, after school
activities, upcoming
events and cancellations,
etc.
CELL PHONE USE POLICY—
“OFF AND AWAY DURING THE
DAY”
PROCEDURES:
1st Phone is Confiscated
Formal Warning by
Administrator
Phone Picked Up by
Parent
2nd Phone is Confiscated
Saturday School
Phone Picked Up by
Parent
3rd Phone is Confiscated
In-School Suspension
Phone Picked Up by
Parent

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
7 8
1 2 3 4 5 6
A
14 15
F
21 22
C
28 29
SUPT.
CONF DAY
NO SCHOOL
9
B
16
G
23
D
30
H
10
C
17
H
24
E
11
D
18
A
25
F
12
E
19
B
26
G
13
20
27
A
P
R
I
L
2
0
1
3