Miller News

Newsletter for April 2000

From Mr. Chapin
Make plans now for summer school
Now that spring break is upon us, it is time to begin thinking about summer school. Our summer school program is designed to give 7th grade students a "jump start" on their 8th grade year. We offer two math classes and two language arts classes.

The remediation class in both subjects is for students who did not perform to standard in our classes or on the ISTEP test. Our enrichment classes are for students who did meet these standards, yet feel the need to continue to improve to insure success in the 8th grade. If you want your child to attend these classes, please call Karen Cox at 773-0782 no later than April 28, 2000. These classes have limited enrollment so please call now.

The Middle School summer opportunities begin on Monday, June 26, 2000, and run until Tuesday, July 25, 2000, with July 3rd & 4th being vacation days. We have two sessions each morning so that students may be able to take math and language arts. Last year, class times were from 8:00-9:45 a.m. and 10:00-11:45 a.m. These times have not been confirmed at this point; however, they will be close to the times from last year. The school corporation will provide transporta-tion to most neighborhoods, but will not stop at each street as we do for the normal school year.

If your child can use some extra help in math and language arts this summer, please call now to register your child for summer school.
And as a reminder to 8th grade parents......
Our 8th grade students have two semesters of summer opportunities available to them at Noblesville High School. First summer semester is from June 7, 2000, to June 30, 2000, and the second summer semester is from July 5, 2000, to July 28, 2000. Classes run each day from 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.


Science Summer School at NMS
Indiana Natural History
Looking for a couple of weeks of interesting studies and daytime travels? Enjoy hiking, wildlife, and the great outdoors? Then this is for you!

Sign up for the Indiana Natural History summer school adventure this June 26th-July 7 from 8:00-12:00 each day, except for July 4. This exciting class will allow students the chance to study the diversity of the Indiana ecosystems that surround us. Classroom instruction will be held at NMS or at Chinquapin Ridge Outdoor Education Center, and 3-4 trips to Indiana State Parks are planned for the course as well. Trip days will require full day attendance. Students will study insects, birds, trees, basic Indiana geography, and the balance of nature in our state.


For more information, see your NMS Science teacher, or Mr. Towle.


FYI
MIDDLE SCHOOL HOURS
7:35 a.m. - 2:35 p.m.
*****
SCHOOL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
24-Hour Attendance
776-6258
Office 773-0782
*****
IMPORTANT DATES
Apr. 3-7 - Spring Break
Apr. 12 - PTO Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
Apr. 18. - School Board Mtg.
Apr. 20 - Staff Development Day, Students dismissed at 12:00.


BOOK FAIR THANKS
Thank you to all the parents who volunteered their time to work this year's book fair. A special appreciation goes to Arleen Haselhorst who organized the volunteers. This project could not be accomplished without parent support.


News from Guidance and Student Services
Eighth Grade Recognition Activities: June 1, 2000
Recognition activities for Grade 8 on Thursday, June 1st will be as follows:
* Grade 8 will attend class, team awards, and a practice for recognition in the morning
* A special lunch will be held from 12:15-12:55 at regular school lunch price
* The Recognition Program will be held at 1:10 pm in the NMS main gymnasium; relatives are cordially invited to attend
* The PTO sponsored dance will be from 6:00-8:00 pm in the school cafeteria

The proper dress for the last day of school, including the Recognition Program, is good school clothes. Jeans are fine if they are not frayed and/or do have have holes in them. Shorts and shirts must be within the school dress code. The evening dance is meant to be casual, so clothes should be comfortable but, again, within the dress code (no tank tops, midriff tops, too-short shorts)


Is your 8th grader eligible
for free college tuition?
Twenty-first Century Scholars Program is for 8th grade students who are on or qualify for the federal reduced or free lunch or textbook assistance program. If this applies to your child and he/she is not already signed up for the Twenty-first Century Scholars Program, call (765)455-9573 for more information. The deadline is June 30, 2000.


Orchestra
Congratulations to the 7th & 8th Grade Orchestra on a fine performance in Anderson on March 4. Not only did the students play well, but their behavior was very professional. Thanks to all the parents who attended our performance. Please remember the SPRING STRING CONCERT is Thursday, May 11, at Noblesville High School. The concert begins at 7:00, and students need to be at NHS by 6:30.


And the winners are...
Regional Science Fair
The Central Indiana Regional Science Fair was held at the University of Indianapolis Friday, March 17. Each of the four participating Noblesville Middle School students won awards.

Nick won Honorable Mention for the Central Indiana Regional Science Fair. Shannon and Sarah won Scientech's Honorable Mention. Sarah and Kristen both won the opportunity to go on a research boat trip this summer in Lake Michigan.

Kristen won a $100 savings bond from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Science and Engineering, and is invited, with her parents and Mrs. Thewlies, her science teacher, to attend a dinner meeting with that group. Kristen will present her science fair project at that meeting. She also won third place from Scientech and First Place from the United States Air Force.


Media Fair
Congratulations to District Media Fair winners at Durbin Elementary on Saturday, March 18. Third division winner in the Commercial Authoring Programs competition is Claire with an AppleWorks newspaper titled "International Festival Time Traveler's Gazette Newspaper of Poland." Alex, Stephanie, Katie, and Valerie placed in the third division in the video competition and their project was called "Captain Dwayne's Crew." Congratulations.


Academic Competition
Congratulations to the NMS Academic team on their third place finish in this year's Hamilton County Academic Competition. The team has been practicing since the beginning of February for this year's event. Team members included seventh graders Lauren, Carolyn, Katie, and Jessica. Eighth graders included Erin, Kris, Stephanie, Katie, Ashley, Josh, Matthew, Brandon, Alex, Kristen, Kristen, and Jessica. Team sponsors are Mrs. Crow and Mrs. Eller.


PTO
Calling all parents...If you would like to be an active part of PTO and make an impact on our students' middle school experience, consider volunteering for the 2000/2001 school year. There are many PTO opportunities for board and committee positions. Call our PTO President, Mrs. Swanson to volunteer. You are needed to keep our PTO strong.

An enthusiastic volunteer is still needed to co-chair next year's joint fundraiser with the Athletic Department. Mr. Spacey can be contacted at school, or you can reach Mrs. Burrow if you want to volunteer or have questions.

Schwans had 115 orders with a profit of $190.77. Remember Schwans for your spring celebrating with boneless ham, side dishes, breads, and desserts. Your table could be full with minimal effort. You can't go wrong with any of the premium ice creams, especially with flavors like Peanut Butter Passion or Manhattan Strawberry Cheesecake. Also fabulous are the chocolate chip, sugar, and macadamia cookie doughs that cook up in minutes. Schwans also has numerous prepared meals for all those busy days in our hurried lives. Since this is a year-round fundraiser, you can sign up any time. Call Mrs. Burrow or Mrs. Frankel to sign up or to answer any questions.

The Wellness Department's 1st Annual Miller Marathon will be coming up on May 24th with a rain date of May 25th. Students, parents, teachers, and administrators are invited to run or walk the 6.2 mile course. Volunteers are needed to help with water stations, course monitors, timers, and be general supervisors. Pick up a volunteer form from your student's wellness teacher if you can help. Hope you can join in on the fun.

Special thanks to the Brotherses for chairing the much needed Blah Week. It was a great break for the students.

Mark your calendars for 8th Grade Recognition Dance on June 1st from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Fliers will be sent home at a later date. Call Mrs. Washburn if you have questions or want to volunteer.

Librarians/Aides appreciation week is April 10-14th. Secretarial/Support Staff appreciation week is April 24-28th. PTO members will be planning ways of showing our appreciation for all the hard work these staff members do.

Watch for these upcoming events with more information at a later date:
- School Dance in April
- Movie Night - Bicentennial Man in early May
- Teachers/Aides appreciation week May 1-5

The next PTO meeting is April 12, 2000, at 7:00 p.m. You are always welcome to attend.


NMS Raises Awareness for Census 2000
Census 2000 is quickly approaching, and Noblesville Middle School is teaming up with the U.S. Census Bureau to make sure that no one is left out of the count. Students at the middle school are learning about the importance of the census through displays and announcements. Parents will also be sent letters along with their student's report card later this term explaining the significance of participating in the census.

Why is it so important for all households to completely fill out their census forms? It is estimated that almost 2 million children were left out of the count in 1990 because often their parents and guardians did not include them on their census forms. As a result, the communities in which those children lived may not have received all the federal funding they needed and deserved for the entire decade. The students and faculty of Noblesville Middle School are determined to make sure that every resident in Noblesville is counted during the course of Census 2000, and they hope that you?ll join in to help.

This year, remember that the allocation of federal funding for Noblesville Schools depends upon your participation in the census. Please help in making Census 2000 a success in our community. Our young people are depending on it!

To learn more about Census 2000, you can visit the U.S. Census Bureau?s web site at www.census.gov.


School Board Elections
The Hamilton County League of Women Voters will host a forum featuring candidates for the Noblesville School Board of Trustees. The forum will be at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 25, at Noblesville City Hall. The community is welcome. Seven candidates are seeking three seats on the board. They are Nick Boland, Marilyn Byers, Lee Clark, John Ditslear, Larry Jacobi, Judy Rothrock, and Dan Skaggs. The election will be on Primary Election Day, which is Tuesday, May 2.


Athletics
SPRING SPORTS...The NMS spring sports season is right around the corner. The 7th and 8th grade baseball teams open up with Doe Creek Middle School on Monday, April 17. The boys and girls track teams start their season by hosting Tipton Middle School at the NIS track on Monday, April 17. The golf team visits Tipton on Thursday, April 13. The softball team gets underway on Thursday, April 18, by hosting Clay Junior High. Good luck to all NMS spring sports participants!!


ATHLETIC PHYSICAL EXAMINATION INFORMATION
Noblesville Middle School, in conjunction with Riverview Hospital, will be offering athletic physicals for the 2000-2001 school year. These physicals are for next year's 6th, 7th and 8th grade student athletes only. The physicals will be administered by a team of physicians in the Riverview Hospital Rehabilitation Services Building, located at 601 Westfield Road from 5:30 to 8:30 pm on Thursday, May 25, 2000. Note that this is a different site from last year. There will be a $20.00 fee for each physical, and the physical will be valid for the entire 2000-2001 school year. Physical examinations are required for participation in interscholastic athletics at NMS. Please make checks payable to Riverview Hospital.

The physical form has a medical history section that must be filled out by a parent prior to the exam. These examination forms may be obtained in the main offices at Noblesville Intermediate School and Noblesville Middle School. Forms will also be available at the Rehabilitation Building on May 25. In addition to the physical examination form, an insurance form, athletic contract, and a parent permission form must be on file before a student is allowed to participate. These forms can also be obtained at the previously mentioned places.

In an attempt to minimize waiting in line, please observe the following schedule: Next year's 6th grade: 5:30-6:30 p.m.; next year's 7th grade: 6:30-7:30 p.m.; next year's 8th grade: 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Too often students wait until the last minute to schedule physical examinations, and then it is too late. By taking advantage of this early exam, the risk of not being able to get an appointment with your family doctor is eliminated.

If you have any questions, please contact the athletic office at NMS.