Owensboro Catholic Middle School Newsletter
April/May 2008
Dear OCMS Parents and Friends:
Here it is already mid-April and only 6 weeks left in the school year. It has been an exciting year and a year of growth for all of us. We are so proud of both our 7th and 8th graders. They are special to us and I know to you.
We just received the results of this year’s ACRE religion assessment that was administered to our 8th graders back in February. Our 8th grade average was 83% compared to a national average of 74%. These scores are consistently high in elementary, middle, and high school and it reflects the great job our schools are doing and what great students we have.
On another academic note, congratulations to our students who are on the 3rd quarter honor roll. About 70% of our students achieved this honor. A special thanks to our parents for all of your support.
Lastly, as I am retiring this year, as teacher, friend, and principal, I want to thank you for a wonderful year and for the last 39 years as part of Owensboro Catholic Schools. It has been a joy and an honor to work, play, and pray with you. Thanks for your support and love.
God bless each of you,
Jim Duffy
ACADEMIC DEAN’S CORNER - Janice Clark, Academic Dean
DUKE TIP HONORS OWENSBORO CATHOLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL
SEVENTH GRADERS FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT
The Duke University Talent Identification Program’s (Duke TIP) 7th Grade Talent Search identifies students who have scored in the 95th percentile on a grade-level achievement test. As part of the program, these academically talented students take above-level college- entrance exams (SAT or ACT) to learn more about their abilities.
This program is the largest of its kind in the nation, representing participation from 6,000 junior high and middle schools in the Duke TIP 16-state region. The goal is to assist young people with excellent mathematical or verbal aptitude. Students are encouraged to take part for several reasons:
• to pursue above-level testing experience, which can help plan effectively for the coming high school years
• to learn more about their academic abilities and compare the results with other youth
• to learn about educational opportunities for the future
• to receive recognition of their outstanding achievements
Depending on performance, students may be honored for State Recognition (those who have scored equal to or better than half the college-bound seniors who took the same tests) and/or Grand Recognition (those who have scored equal to or better than 90% of college-bound students who took the same tests). This year, OCMS had 22 students who tested. From these, the following students are being honored:
Grand Recognition: Neil Mattingly and Kevin Thompson
State Recognition: Neil Mattingly, Kevin Thompson, Chase Carrico, Michael Goedde, Justin Magnuson, Jared McMaster, Emily Rose, and Emily Whitehouse.
CONGRATULATIONS STUDENTS!
"The best possible way to prepare for tomorrow is by doing your best today."
H. Jackson Brown, Jr. -- Author of Life’s Little Instruction Book
FROM THE COUNSELOR – Maire McCormick
I hope our 8th grade parents had a chance to go over the high school/career folders with their sons/daughters; students learned a lot about careers. High school diploma and KEES money information should have also been in the folder. During the month of April, I will be visiting 7th grade classes and teaching a career unit. I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of you a happy and restful summer and may God bless our 8th graders moving on to high school.
STUDENTS OF THE MONTH
Congratulations to our students for the months of March and April:
March: Lauren Settles and Justin Mahoney
April: Megan Alvey and Nathan Lasley
LIBRARY NEWS
OCMS students are in the final stretch with AR reading. Thank you to the PTO for the money designated for AR treats. We will have our AR field day on Friday afternoon May 23, 2008. Kaleb Caceres, Will Johnson, and Allison Schepers are still in the running to take a friend “off campus” for lunch. To earn this privilege they have to be one of the top five readers for all four quarters. Good luck!
The following students were the top 8th grade readers for 3rd quarter: Kaleb Caceres, Katelyn Tucker, Stephanie Dooper, Scot-Alan Hedrick, and Chris Hayden. The top 7th grade readers were: Will Johnson, Allison Schepers, Marissa Wilson, Meghan Mattingly, and Sydney Tignor.
NOT EXACTLY NORMAL
Great news! We were able to reschedule our visit with Devin Brown, the author of Not Exactly Normal. He is coming on Tuesday, April 22. Twenty students won the letter writing contest and are having a special lunch with him. Parents are invited to attend his talks and book signing party, which will be held in the parish hall. He will speak to the 7th grade at 12:50 p.m. and the 8th grade at 1:46 p.m. There are a few books left to purchase for $5.00. Please contact the school if you would like to purchase a book.
ACADEMIC TEAM
Congratulations to the OCMS academic team. Both the Quick Recall and Future Problem teams placed 4th in the 3rd region Governor’s Cup Competition. The competition was held at Owensboro Middle School on February 14 and 16, 2008.
The following students participated in the double-elimination quick recall competition: Megan Alvey, Will Bickett, Chase Carrico, Michael Crowe, Brian Gross, Martha Hughes, Patrick Lasley, Justin Magnuson, Allen Rakotoniaina, Alex Riccio, and Kevin Thompson. Four of our students performed double-duty and participated in the Future Problem Solving event. Those students were Megan Alvey, Michael Crowe, Allen Rakotoniaina, and Alex Riccio.
Congratulations to the following students that advanced to the state level in written assessment: The state competition was held March 15 - March 17, 2008, in Louisville, Kentucky:
Allen Rakotoniaina – 1st place Language Arts; Stephanie Dooper – 3rd place Composition
Our team was very proud of Will Bickett. He tied for 3rd place in Science at the regional event and at the state level, he received a trophy and medal for his 2nd place tie.
Thanks to the above mentioned students for representing Owensboro Catholic Middle School at the state competition. Thanks to our coaches, Mrs. Ebelhar, Mrs. Renshaw, Mrs. Alvey, and Mrs. Riccio for all of their dedication and hard work! Thanks to all the students for the time and effort given for the team this year! See you next year!
BAND CONCERT
The 7th and 8th grade bands will be having a Spring Concert on Thursday, May 13, 2008, at 7:00 p.m., in the Immaculate Parish Family Center. Everyone is invited to attend.
BAND SPAGHETTI SUPPER AND BUNCO
The Owensboro Catholic Band will be hosting a Spaghetti Supper on Saturday, May 3, 2008 in the OCHS Cafeteria from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The cost is $5.00 per person. Following the supper, Bunco will be played in the OCHS Small Gym at 6:30. You must be at least 16 years of age to play. Cash prizes will be given. The cost is $15.00 per person or $25.00 per couple.
HEALTH ROOM NEWS
Hi OCMS students & parents!
My name is Sherry Krampe. I am the new school nurse for the Owensboro Catholic School System. It is my honor and privilege to be working with your child. Included in each newsletter, I will add a little something to help to improve the health of our OCS Community.
With the bright sunny spring days at hand, don’t forget the sunscreen! Even as a child, ONE “good” sunburn is all that is needed to dramatically increase your odds of developing skin cancer! The higher the number SPF listed on the label, the more protection from the sun’s harmful rays will be offered to you from the product. I would suggest at least a 30 SPF, broad-spectrum sunscreen. Even if your sunscreen product is marked as “waterproof,” you will still need to reapply it every 1½ hours, especially if you have been swimming or perspiring.
Have a great spring & summer!
Sherry Krampe, BSN, RN
Geri Jones HRT
OCMS VOLUNTEERS
The faculty, staff, and students at OCMS wish to extend a special thanks to those individuals who have assisted the school in some capacity during the current school year. Volunteers performed such tasks as monitoring students in the cafeteria, selling food from the “snack cart” after school, helping in the library, helping in the office, chaperoning parties, counting school fund¬raiser money, planning PTO functions and many other tasks. Our volunteers will be recognized during the school liturgy on Thursday, May 15. A reception will follow in the library. We would love for all of our volunteers to attend this special event!
YEARBOOK NEWS
The yearbook is finished and off to the publisher. Students may still purchase the yearbook for $25.00. To be guaranteed a copy, they need to order early. HURRY AND GET YOUR ORDER IN TODAY! Attached, you will find an order form.