« Website - Have you checked out our "Reflect Respect" link? | Main | Announcements May 19 »
May 12, 2008
Week 34 - Monday, May 12 through Friday, May 15
Dear Memorial Parents and Guardians,
Thank you to the Memorial Middle School families for your generous outpouring during Teacher Appreciation Week last week. I heard teacher after teacher marvel at the transformation of their teachers' room into an enormous buffet every day of the week. On Tuesday, the families of 7th grade student provided sweets. I don't think I have ever seen so much chocolate! On Wednesday morning, Lisa Ranager and George Conant surprised the staff with a breakfast of pancakes and scrambled eggs. Parents of our 6th grade students arrived bright and early on Thursday morning to decorate the teachers' room with brightly colored banners and with more food! These snacks not only lasted the day, but also carried the staff through our staff meeting after school. Finally, the parents and families of our 8th grade students outdid themselves with an ENORMOUS luncheon that fed more than 60 staff members. I was able to join a few of our parents as the luncheon wound down and was delighted to find plenty of delicious food. Our students also got involved in showing their appreciation. Teachers told me that their students took time to say "thank you" or to write a note to say thank you. On Friday, a number of students from the Builders' Club offered a tea for teachers. At the tea, students served teachers tea and finger sandwiches and then delighted their guests with a brief lesson about tea and a proper tea service. Thank you for the generosity you showed not only in your contributions but also in the time you gave to plan and carry out all of the activities that comprised our very special week.
As a result of State legislation requiring voter approval on all school budgets throughout Maine, South Portland residents are being asked to vote on the local School Budget on Tuesday, May 13th.
After a series of workshops and public hearings with public input, the School Budget was developed by the Board of Education and ultimately approved by the City Council. The May 13th Referendum asks voters to validate the School Budget that was approved by the City Council at their May 5th, 2008 meeting.
The city will be using the South Portland Community Center as a common voting location for all residents.
Don't forget to vote on May 13th!
NWEA testing will take place this week. Each student will take three different tests and will have no more than one test each day. Because the students test in computer labs, only half of each grade level can test at one time. Teams of teachers have been working together to create interdisciplinary lessons that will be carried out during the time when students are not testing. These lessons build upon the learning objectives of each of the content areas while making obvious to students the ways in which the subject is connected across the content areas. The NWEA testing will wrap up this week.
Have a great week. As always, please don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Megan Welter
This week:
Monday, May 12 - Day 3
8:00 a.m. - NWEA Testing begins
1:35 p.m. - 6th grade band - Marching practice
2:15 p.m. - Homework Club in room 108
2:30 p.m. - Drama club - room 315
2:30 p.m. - Track practice
3:30 p.m. - Baseball vs Lincoln @ Memorial
3:30 p.m. - Softball vs Lincoln @ Wainwright
7:00 p.m. - School Board Meeting
Tuesday, May 13 - Day 4
South Portland Budget Referendum - Please remember to vote!
8:00 a.m. - NWEA Testing
1:35 p.m. - 8th grade band - Marching practice
2:15 p.m. - Homework Club - room 108
2:30 p.m. - Track practice
2:30 p.m. - Drama club - room 315
3:30 p.m. - Boys' Lacrosse vs. Wescott @ Mahoney
3:30 p.m. - Girls' Larcosse vs. Wescott @ Memorial
7:00 p.m. - Music Boosters' meeting @ SPHS - 7 p.m.
Wednesday, May 14 - Day 5
8:00 a.m. - NWEA Testing
Progress Reports go home
1:35 p.m. - No band today during Enrichment
2:30 p.m. - Homework Club
2:30 p.m. - Drama in room 315
2:30 p.m. - Track practice
3:30 p.m. - Baseball vs SMC @ Memorial
3:30 p.m. - Softball vs SMC @ Wainwright
Thursday, May 15 - Day 6
8:00 a.m. - NWEA Testing
1:35 p.m. - 6th and 7th grade band - Marching practice
2:30 p.m. - BLT meeting - room 216
3:30 p.m. - Boys & Girls' Track Meet @ SPHS
Friday, May 16 - Day 1
8:00 a.m. - NWEA Testing
1:35 p.m. - Performance Jazz Band - rehearsal
2:30 p.m. - Track practice
3:30 p.m. - Boys' Lacrosse vs Saco @ Saco
4:30 p.m. - Girls' Lacrosse vs Saco @ Saco
Upcoming Dates:
May 21 - Incoming Grade 6 parents Night 6:30 p.m. in the Library
May 22 - Parent Forum - Library
May 24 - Memorial Band performs in Peaks Island parade - leave Portland at 10:45 a.m.
May 26 - Memorial Day Parade - 10:30 a.m.
May 28 - 5th and 6th grade all-city Band Concert at SPHS
June 4 - Drama Production - Memorial Cafetorium
June 12 - 8th grade Social - SPHS
June 16 - 8th grade Final Assembly
June 17 - End of Year Assemblies for 6th and 7th grade students
Posted by memorial at May 12, 2008 04:26 PM
