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End of the Year Schedule

To access the end of the year Middle School and Transportation schedules, please click here.

 

 Newsday Reports on Regents Exams

Newsday contained a chart listing New York State science test results for fourth and eighth grade students. For our eighth-graders, Plainedge was listed at a 20% passing rate, which required further clarification to our community. The majority of our eighth-graders were actually administered the more rigorous high school level Earth Science Regents Exam in lieu of the regular state science exam that Newsday reported. The results included in Newsday's report was for a test that was administered to only 10 of our eighth-graders. Our eighth-graders who took the Earth Science Regents exam had an impressive 94% passing rate and a 59.4 % Mastery Rate which is extremely high for all New York State Schools. Plainedge School District is very proud of all of its students and we take every opportunity to challenge them in succeeding at the highest levels.

 

Middle School Milestones

Plainedge Middle School starts a "chain" reaction! Read all about it!! Illustrations are in for the latest edition of Ki No Gakko. Click the link to find out more! Write poetry? Like to design a new poster for the middle school FOR program? Find out more in the latest issue of Middle School Milestones. The latest edition of Middle School Milestones is hot off the press (sort of). In keeping with our campaign to be green...the latest issue is available by clicking the picture below. To see back issues, click on the Middle School Milestones tab at the top of this page. If you would like a print copy of this issue in black and white, see Mrs. Simonetti in the LMC.

 

 Mrs. Sosman named Teacher of the Year by Veterans of Foreign Wars - Post 4987

Deborah Sosman was named Teacher of the Year by the Veterans of Foreign Wars - Post 4987.  Mrs. Sosman was honored by the VFW at a recent awards ceremony for "her sincere appreciation for and dedication and devotion to our students who participate each year in the Voice of Democracy and Patriots Pen Finals."  Congratulations, Mrs. Sosman!

 

Mr. Vitale named Nassau County Middle School Teacher of the Year

Congratulations to Mr. Vitale on being named the Nassau County Middle School Mathematics Teacher of the Year! This distinction has been bestowed upon him by the Nassau County Mathematics Teachers Association. Mr. Vitale's talents have long been recognized within the Plainedge School District by students, parents, fellow teachers and administrators and this county-wide honor confirms what we have known and witnessed over his many years of service. His commitment and dedication to all of his students, his relentless belief that all children can succeed, and his ability to differentiate information for each individual student so that they can master mathematics in their own unique ways are but a few of the qualities that make him a very special teacher. Mr. Vitale will be honored at a county-wide dinner and ceremony on May 16th. Details will follow.

 

 

Middle School Bully Prevention Button

 Now Active

Report any form of bullying in the Middle School that you might either be encountering, or

of which you are aware.  Simply click the button below and fill in a few easy boxes. 

Click submit, and your report is sent directly to Ms. K.  It is important to note that these

reports cannot be anonymous.  Therefore, the box labeled, "WHAT IS YOUR NAME?"

must be filled in for your submission to be acted upon.  If this box is not filled in, a system

error will occur, and your report will not be submitted.  All submitted information will be

held strictly confidential.

 

 

S.A.T.

SAT WORD OF THE WEEK: Separate
DEFINITION: To take apart
 QUOTE FOR THE WEEK:  "It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are." - e.e. cummings
  
UPCOMING EVENTS:

May 21, 2013 - Annual School Budget Vote - 6AM-9PM - HS Gymnasium
May 22, 2013 - 6th Grade Spring Concert - 7:00 PM
May 23, 2013 - National Junior Honor Society Induction Ceremony - 7:00 PM
May 27, 2013 - Memorial Day - School Closed

  

Career Fair at Plainedge High School

The Middle School Guidance counselors took a select group of 7th grade students to the Career Fair at Plainedge High School on Thursday, April 18th.  Students were able to meet with professionals from various career fields and acquire information which will help them to better prepare for their future endeavors.  The students had a great time and we are very proud of the way they represented Plainedge Middle School.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rachel's Challenge Dream Tree  

On Thursday, April 4th, Ms. Caradonna and Ms. Perez's "Friends of Rachel" Club constructed a "Dream Tree" to hang in Plainedge Middle School's front lobby.  Rachel Scott, the inspiration behind the Rachel's Challenge assembly, urged people to dare to dream.  In order to keep Rachel's message alive and strong, each student in the building wrote down his or her dream for making the school, community, or world a kinder place.  Next, the students transferred these dreams onto individual leaves.  The "Dream Tree" symbolizes the growth and development of our student's goals and dreams.  It also serves as a reminder to our students to pursue their dreams.  Every day they see the tree, they will be reminded to continue working towards their ultimate goals and dreams, as well as treat others with kindness and respect.

 

 Patriot's Pen Essay Writing Contest

Patriot's Pen, a youth-essay writing contest is a nationwide competition sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.  Yearly, more than 115,000 students participate in the contest.  Several of our students at the Middle School participated in this contest by composing a 300 to 400 word essay based on annual patriotic theme which was "What I Would Tell America's Founding Fathers". 

The following Plainedge Middle School students were selected as winners of the Butehorn Brothers VFW Post #4987 Voice of Democracy essay contest:  Grace Pigott, Kayla Alexandra Grace, Lauren Schleith, Peter Francis Dunphy and Emily A. Granickas.

 

Formal Friday

Mr. Buckley piloted the very first "Formal Friday" on March 22, 2013. He was joined by his 7th and 8th grade students. They look forward to getting more students on board in the future. Pictured: Ryan Tierney, Mike Sapone, Enzo DeMicco, Matt Aloni, Joe Pistone, Mike Ciuffo, Anthony Bove and Anthony Puidokas.

International Night

    

On Wednesday, March 13th, Mrs. Camelliri and Mrs. Delaney's Middle School International Club celebrated International Night with beautiful chamber music, NYSSMA songs, salsa dancing, Irish step dancing performed by Liz Joyce and Meghan Molloy and the Flamenco performed by the troupe from Fiesta Flamenco.  Nearly 200 people enjoyed the program and then delighted in delicious foods from around the world.  The evening was a great success!

      

  

  High School Jazz Choir Visits Plainedge Middle School

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

On Friday, March 8th, the Middle School Chorus and the High School Jazz Choir students particpated in a fabulous collaboration of voices, talent and teamwork.  We are very pleased to continue the annual Jazz Choir visits to our middle school, in which Mr. Lakes, joined by his jazz group, not only entertain the chorus classes for the day with their repertoire of a cappella songs, but also integrate a workshop into the classes where the middle and high school voice groups work together.  The Jazz Choir taught the Chorus students one of their a cappella songs so that they could then perform it together as a mixed group illustrating the true meaning of what Mr. Lakes and Mr. Vasic call "One Chorus, One Choir, One Family".

iPads at the Middle School  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are pleased to announce the addition of iPads in the Middle School Library Media Center!  Mrs. Jablon's classes were the first to work with Mrs. Simonetti to complete an Ancient Rome research project and put their presentations together using thirty new iPads available for student use in the LMC.  Via Apple TV, students presented their projects by using the iPad.  The students did a wonderful job working on this 21st century skills based project and the use of the new technology was a success!

 

8th Grade Chorus Visits Broadway

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On March 6, Mr. Vasic's 8th Grade Chorus spent the day participating in a workshop followed by watching the theatrical production of "Annie" on Broadway in New York City.  The first half of the day was spent taking part in a Broadway Classroom Song/Movement Workshop.  Under the direction of a theater vocal coach, the students worked on a medley of "Annie", which they will perform at the spring concert.  The workshop also included two cast members from the show creating choreography for the medley.  It was truly a memorable experience that was educational, productive and entertaining for the students. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ESL Students Visit STEM Lab at Hofstra University

Plainedge Middle and High School ESL students were thrilled to visit the STEM lab at Hofstra University on February 13th. Students worked in a lab setting, rotating between various learning centers. Centers focused on a variety of topics, including water purification, measurement, and building enclosures for zoo animals. These innovative mini-lessons incorporated the STEM concepts of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Students were assisted in these hands on learning experiences by Karen Patterson, Plainedge ESL teacher, Hofstra University professors and Hofstra students currently enrolled in the teacher preparation program. The field trip provided an exciting opportunity for our students, as well as the college students in the Hofstra teaching program!

                  

WESTBURY GARDENS

 

Mrs. Bobelis and Mrs. Simonetti accompanied a 7th Grade Excelsior class to Westbury Gardens.  The class has been researching the Gold Coast of Long Island and will be working on presentations about the architecture, philanthropy, famous families, and more.  The tour was able to convey to students the time period, the lifestyle, the wealth, and have the students imagine what it was like during this "Gatsby" time period when Long Island was a playground for the very wealthy.  We look forward to see what they do, since they seemed energized about their topics after this trip.

 

8TH GRADE COLLEGE FAIR
 
     

On January 9th, the Plainedge Middle School Guidance Department hosted its second 8th grade college fair.  Many schools attended included SUNY Oswego, Molloy, Adelphi, Hofstra, St. Josephs, Utica, C.W. Post and Wales, Kings College, Nassau Community College and a representative from the CUNY colleges.  The goal of our fair was to introduce our 8th grade students to college exploration and the admissions process.  In doing so, we exposed our students to a number of schools that provided them with an understanding of the correlation between their current school performance and how this will affect their future.  Our students represented Plainedge Middle School in a very positive and mature manner while gaining a great deal of knowledge about the college admissions process.  We are very proud of our 8th grade students and we look forward to another successful college fair next year.

 

PLAINEDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL PTA FUNDRAISER

The Plainedge Middle School PTA is hosting an evening with renowned psychic medium, Josephine Ghiringhelli on Friday, January 25, 2013, at 7:00 PM.  Doors open at 6:15 PM.  Tickets are $35.00 per person or 2 for $60.00, and can be purchased through January 14, 2013.  Order forms are available in the Main Office of the middle school.   ADULT AUDIENCE ONLY - NO EXCEPTIONS!   If you have any questions, please contact Donna Lovern, Karen Winsky or Jeanne Byrne.  All proceeds will go to support Middle School initiatives.

 

NATIONAL PTA SPONSORS WELCOME STUDENTS TO A WINTER WONDERLAND

  

On Thursday, January 3rd and Friday, January 4th, the students of Plainedge Middle School took part in the National PTA sponsored, Welcome to a Winter Wonderland project.  The National PTA wanted to ensure that the students of Sandy Hook Elementary School were welcomed to their new building by a winter wonderland with the entire school decorated with as many unique snowflakes as possible.  Many PMS students and their teachers volunteered their time to create these beautiful snowflakes.  The Connecticut PTSA had received thousands of snowflakes from communities throughout the United States and around the world and had enough to blanket the community of Newtown.  It was then decided to create our own winter wonderland here at PMS to show our solidarity for the Sandy Hook families and as a tribute to the precious lives that were lost that day.  It was a truly humbling experience for our children as the activity allowed them to reflect and give a piece of themselves to the students of Sandy Hook Elementary.
 
6TH GRADE READING CHALLENGE
 
On December 21, 2012, the 6th grade was treated to a popcorn party and movie by winning Mr. DeRiso's reading challenge.  They read 125,113 pages.  As part of losing the challenge, Mr. DeRiso also had to dress up as a pirate for the entire day.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
8TH GRADE BABY PICTURES
Attention parents of 8th Grade students! The deadline for baby pictures for the 2012 - 2013 PMS yearbook is Wednesday, January 9th. Pictures can be emailed to Ms. Samain at Chelsea.Samain@plainedgeschools.org or handed into the Main Office in an envelope with the student's name AND ELA teacher's name. Pictures will be returned after they have been scanned.
 

MIDDLE SCHOOL MILESTONES

The Newspaper Club has made a decision to be GREEN! Middle School Milestones is now available online in a beautiful, color, digital format on the middle school website. Feel free to print a copy if you want one, or be green and read it online! A limited number of black and white printed copies will be available in the LMC. The students worked very hard on this issue and it shows!   Click here for the most current edition.

 

TOYS FOR TOTS DANCE
 
 

On December 7th, 2012, the Plainedge Middle School Student Council hosted the "Toyful Holiday Dance". Every student brought a toy donation to the dance as part of admission. Over 300 toys were collected in collaboration with the Plainedge Soccer Club under the direction of Mr. Joe Karam. Two marines from the Toys for Tots program came to our school to collect the toys and meet our students.  Happy Holidays!

 

HOLIDAY MAGIC

         

The Plainedge Middle School SADD Club made their annual trip to Target to buy presents for Holiday Magic.  Holiday Magic is a not-for-profit organization which began in 1990 to provide holiday generosity and spirit to those less fortunate.  They are in contact with over 20 different local not-for-profit agencies that specialize in sheltering and assisting displaced and/or homeless children and their families.  They provide us with letters from the children as to what items are on their wish list for the holiday.  We scoop up these wish letters and go to the stores and make their dreams come true for the holidays.  On December 4, 2012, we invited 45 SADD students, along with many teacher/staff volunteers to take a bus ride to Target to do this shopping.  The students had a great time and enjoyed volunteering their time to make some else's holiday special!

      

   

 

 

  

 

HOLIDAY TOY DONATION

The Plainedge Middle School Student Council and the Plainedge Soccer Club collaborated to collect  toy donations for families in need.  Thank you to all of the community members that contributed!  Happy Holidays!

 

 

 

 

 BOOKS AT THE BEACH PIZZA PARTY

Plainedge Middle School is proud to announce its second annual summer reading program, also known as Books at the Beach (BATB), was a huge success.  Administration and teachers held a pizza party for all children who went above and beyond the program's required reading.  The number of students doing more than the required reading was more than four times the amount from the previous summer.  Way to go Plainedge Middle School!

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

  

 POWERSCHOOL PARENT PORTAL

The PowerSchool Student Portal will be closed from November 21 – November 28 and will reopen on November 29, 2012, in order to allow for time to upload Quarter 1 report cards.   The Parent Portal is also scheduled to open on the 29th and letters will be sent home which will provide instructions for creating accounts.  Parents should look to receive those letters during the week of November 26th.

 

 SIXTH GRADERS EXPLORE THE WORLD!

The sixth grade students were treated by a visit on Friday, November 16, 2012, from Michael Harrold, photographer, world traveler, and amateur archeologist.  Mr. Harrold has visited 48 of our 50 United states and 80 countries throughout the world.  He took our students on an exciting adventure focusing on cultures around the world reminding all of us that what is on the INSIDE is what is important.  The highlights of his presentation were his photographs and his stories about ancient Egypt.  Students viewed slides and examined artifacts from Mr. Harrold's adventures.  We are grateful to the PTA and Arts in Education for providing us with this fabulous experience.  Geography and history truly came alive at the middle school!

MIDDLE SCHOOL FOOD DRIVE

During the month of November, the National Junior Honor Society worked with the PTA to help our school collect non-perishable food items for our annual Thanksgiving Food Drive.  After collecting over 685 pounds of food, members of the Honor Society helped organize all the collected food which was donated to Long Island Cares, an organization helping those in need here on Long Island.  The generosity and dedication our school displayed will help make the holiday even better for others. 

 

 

NAVIANCE PROGRAM

 

 

 

 

 

During the week of November 13th, 2012, Seventh Grade students participated in a career activity led by the Middle School Guidance Department.  The students were introduced to the Naviance program.  Naviance is a web-based resource that supports course, career, and college planning.  Students took a Learning Style Inventory through Naviance.  The Learning Style Inventory gives us important insights about how our students learn so that we can help each student to achieve their maximum potential.  The Learning Style Inventory will allow us to see how each of the following dimensions affect student learning:

  • Immediate environment
  • Emotionality
  • Sociological needs
  • Physical needs

The inventory that the students complete will be saved on Naviance, and they can revisit the results when planning for high school courses and college.  The students really enjoyed this program and had fun researching their potential careers.

HYDROLOGY PROJECT

Mr. Orgonik's Excelsior class went on a field trip to two Massapequa nature preserves.  They have been working on a Hydrology project, learning what they can about freshwater runoff and the impact of freshwater pollution on wildlife and the environment.  with the help of Mr. Orgonik and Mrs. Simonetti, students were able to have a hands-on experience gathering water samples and testing them, recording observations about their environment, and seeing how street water runoff directly affects the natural world.  Students are currently working on research projects about how pollution affects wildlife, other bodies of water, and the environment.

 

 

"You may just start a chain reaction." - Rachel Scott Joy

The Rachel's Challenge program is going to be visible to students, teachers, administrators, and the community, going forward.  This program is designed to bring about a positive culture in our school through emphasizing kindness and respect and following Rachel Scott's example.  Rachel had written, "I have this theory that if one person can go out of their way to show compassion, then it will start a chain reaction of the same.  People will never know how far a little kindness can go."  This message is a profound way to combat bullying in our schools and all who attended the program have been touched by its message.  Rachel's story is inspirational and the students already have ideas as to how we can incorporate this message of kindness and compassion into the culture of our middle school.  One hundred students and several teachers attended the training session following the program.  They will fan out into our clubs, teams and building to help spread Rachel's message through all that we do.  Please check the "Rachel's Challenge" tab above for updates and pictures as we truly begin "to start a chain reaction" here at Plainedge Middle School.

 

MIX IT UP DAY 

On Friday, September 28, 2012, the six grade students participated in the Student Council's annual MIX IT UP DAY!  When students arrived in the cafeteria, they were given numbered tickets directing them to specific lunch tables for the day.  This gave students a chance to meet children from other teams, talk over lunch, and complete a fun activity.  Over 150 children made new friends!  Thank you to both our teacher and seventh grade volunteers.

  

  

        

  

 

 

 

 

   FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

 

Even though the weather was rainy, the spirits of the students could not be dampened upon returning to school.  Staff members greeted the students.  The arrival went very smoothly.


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