Sleepy Hollow Middle School 2009-2010 News

Click here for Sleepy Hollow Middle School Horsemen Herald

Click here for Sleepy Hollow Middle School Summer 2009 Newsletter

Click here for the Sleepy Hollow Middle School bell schedule

Click Here for Sleepy Hollow Middle School After-School Clubs

Third Annual SH Middle School Library Reading Contest Kick-Off

Middle Schoolers-don't be caught without a book! Until March 23 students will compete, individually, at each grade level, and collectively, for the highest scoring ELA class among all 6th, 7th and 8th grade classes. Students will read as many books as they can and submit their entries online from our website. Individual winners and runners-up at each grade level will win gift certificates for local businesses. The winning class will be treated to a party sponsored by the SHMS Library. Happy reading!

Middle Schoolers-click HERE to submit your books for the contest.

Parent Portal and 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens on the Agenda at Middle School PTSA Meeting January 11th

The Public Schools of the Tarrytowns launched our Infinite Campus Parent Portal this fall. We will be opening online parent access to students’ assignment grades starting 3rd quarter (February 15th).   Mrinalini Rajwar, our Technology Director, will be presenting and available to answer parent questions at the Middle School PTSA Meeting on January 11th at 7pm in room 101S.

We will also be discussing our 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens initiative at the meeting.

Parent Portal Flyer

Seats Available for 8th Grade Trip to Washington DC

There are still seats available for the 8th grade Washington, DC trip. Please contact the middle school office for more information.

Principal Chat in January Cancelled

The Principal Chat for January 13th at 7:00 pm has been cancelled. There will be a Middle School PTSA Meeting on January 11th at 7:00pm. If you have any questions please contact the main office at 332-6275

Middle School Holiday Pet Donation Success

The students of the 7 White Hot Flaming Pumpkins team at the Middle School have donated over 170 pet food, treats, and toys for animals in need. The items were donated to pet organizations and shelters that are in need of supplies during the holiday season. The organization “It’s Reigning Cats and Dogs, Inc.” wrote a letter to the team saying “With your support, we are able to continue to make a difference in the lives of so many animals, one day at a time.” The team teachers, Mr. Garguilo, Mrs. Vieira, Mrs. Hicks, Mr. Kolar, and Mrs. Emmerich were touched by the generosity of the students. The students will continue to support the protection and happiness of pets throughout the year. The students and teachers of the Middle School would like to wish you all a happy “Meow” and “Woof” during the holiday season!
 

Middle School Students Cook Organic Winter Soup

“What’s that yummy smell?”, was the question around the middle school. Mr. Garguilo’s 7th Grade science students put their lab procedure knowledge to the test as they cooked an organic winter soup. The vegetables for the soup were grown at the school in the new “sustainable garden” throughout the fall. The vegetables were harvested and cooked by the students and community member Elizabeth Kaplan, making a healthy winter soup. The students explored concepts of sustainability, organic products, and the cooking procedure. Parent and community members Elizabeth Kaplan and Simona Smith with support from teachers Mr. Garguilo and Mrs. Linteau worked together to ensure the success of the sustainability soup program. The students, community members, and teachers are beginning to make plans for the spring planting season which includes a new rain catch system. The Environmental Action Club meets every other Wednesday after school and any Middle School student is welcome.

Sixth Grade Artists Respond to World Issues!!!

After examining various artists’ use of symbolic imagery from pre-history to today, Ms. Harrison’s sixth grade art students created projects responding to the world’s great challenges and problems. Looking at prehistoric pictographs and petroglyphs, the students compared early painted imagery to symbols found in contemporary painting. They discovered that artists always reveal the values of the time in which they live. Working together to formulate pertinent visual statements, the students created paintings and collages that attempt to inspire responsible action on the part of the viewer. These images were created in order to make us stop and think and consider how we can become better citizens of the world. In fact, the works themselves are embodiments of an activity that makes the world a better place—recycling!!! All paintings are rendered with paint on cardboard obtained from boxes and other packaging material. In order to add more power to their visual statements, the students researched their topics. Many topics were considered including: global warming, pollution, the power of non-violence in solving social issues, and the extinction of various species. The students wrote short compositions about the problems considered by their artworks.

Middle School Students Share Their Proactive Goals!

During the month of December, the middle school Guidance Counselors presented a lesson on the importance of positive decision making and being proactive. Ms. Ocasio and Mrs. Steiner presented to each social studies class in grades 6-8. The Counselors asked each student to share a proactive goal for the month of December. The students were active participants during the lesson and were eager to share their goals. Some of the most popular goals presented were:

“Make high honor roll”
“Ask for help when I need it”
“Try my best”
“Study hard”
“Be respectful to everyone”
“Eat healthier”
“Pay more attention in class”
“Make a new friend”
“Be on time to every class”
“Learn a new song on the guitar”
“Do my homework everyday”
“Be a leader”
“Work hard and get into a great college”
“Help others”
“Practice my soccer skills”
 

Middle School Environmental Action Club Adopts Arctic Wildlife

The Sleepy Hollow Middle School Environmental Action Club (EAC) has adopted a Polar Bear, Arctic Fox, and Snowy Owl from the National Wildlife Federation. The students, with the guidance of club hosts Mr. Garguilo and Mrs. Linteau, raised money through bake sales to earn the opportunity to help these creatures in need of an ever changing habitat. The Environmental Action Club members were able to pick any “cause” they felt most passionate about to support. The club felt in this time of “global climate” change the arctic animals were in most need of support and attention. The students are hoping that their adoption will raise awareness of the “global climate change” and the wildlife affected. The club is open to any new members from Sleepy Hollow Middle School (6th, 7th, and 8th) and will continue to explore concepts of nature/wildlife preservation throughout the school year.

BOOK FAIR AT SLEEPY HOLLOW MIDDLE SCHOOL

JUST IN TIME FOR YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING!!!!

DECEMBER 14TH – 18TH DURING SCHOOL HOURS
(find us in the computer lab)

and

DEC. 14TH FROM 6:00 TO 7:00 pm BEFORE THE MS CONCERT
(just outside the auditorium)

PLEASE COME BY TO SHOP!



This year our book fair will be Main Street Books, with hundreds of titles to choose from. There will be fiction, fantasy, classics, bestsellers, sports, science fiction, history, cookbooks, reference books, and so much more.

There will be students working at this book fair, helping their peers find and select books, but we could also use some adult help (setting up, helping the students, cashiers, etc.) I know it’s a busy time of the year, but please contact me if you think you can make some time.

Leslie Rjeili
332-1615 (h)
843-6869 (m)
lrjeili@aol.com
 

Sleepy Hollow Middle School visits U.S.S. New York
by Gabriel Tanglao – Student Teacher and Darryl Atkinson – 7th Grade Social Studies Teacher

As we approached a ship that was longer than two football fields, most of the students’ first comments were about the U.S.S. New York’s immense size. Excitement immediately followed the awe as they eagerly exited the bus. After taking the first breath of open air after the travel, we began migrating towards the ship entrance. The presence of military police, provided a sense of security as much as it sparked interest in what our military members actually do. The students and staff members alike were open and ready for the learning experience that awaited them!

As we boarded through the hull of the ship and reached the quarterdeck, we were greeted warmly by a number of Navy and Marine Corps personnel. A group of eager students gathered in front of the ship’s crest for a photo-op which drew the attention of Staff Sergeant Acevedo who began his lesson when he firmly stated, “This is the ship’s crest and every single thing that you see here has a meaning.” He then proceeded to give the students the meaning of the ship’s crest and what it means to the crew. The seven sun rays have a double meaning for the seven seas and the Statue of Liberty’s crown. The two swords crossing represent the Navy and Marines, which is a rarity. The three stars represent the three stars earned by the battleship U.S.S. New York in WWII. A picture of the Twin Towers are located in the middle of the crest with a triangle surrounding them, which represents the steel used from Ground Zero that holds the ship up. The most potent symbol in the crest is the phoenix rising from the flames. It encapsulates our spirit of perseverance and “making something good out of the bad,” as Staff Sergeant Acevedo put it.

After the students’ initial lesson on the U.S.S. New York two metal behemoths became the next target of interest. An M1A1 Abrams Tank and an amphibious vehicle were available for students to climb on, in, and around. This experience was worth the wait and had students exchanging perspectives on how impressive the U.S. equipment is. This was only the first of many “hands on” opportunities that the students had.

Two hovercraft used to transport men and equipment from the ship to shore were open for business too! Students could sit in the driver’s seat of various infantry vehicles like a ½ ton truck to a jeep. Despite the numerous opportunities to interact with the equipment, the students understood that this was more than just a large metal playground. Each and every piece of equipment had resident experts at the ready to instruct and guide the students and staff on what the item did, how it did it, or how it worked. As one student said with amazement, “It’s pretty cool, reading the descriptions of the vehicles and hearing what they can do.” The amazement though would only grow.

Who would have figured that the visit would get even “cooler” from there? Students and staff walked up two large ramps onto the flight deck where four different Navy and Marine Corps helicopters were on display. And like the tanks below decks, they were open to enter and examine up close, with experts ready to answer any and all questions.

The tanks, armored vehicles, trucks, and helicopters though are merely passengers on the U.S.S. New York. What this ship truly carries is much larger than all of these vehicles, equipment, or personnel combined. The ship carries a message. Prominently displayed on the railing along the flight deck were, “The Patriot Flags,” flown over Ground Zero, The Pentagon, and Flight 93’s crash site. These reminders were almost at every turn. As one student, after admiring a memorial honoring the police officers and firefighters that lost their lives rescuing others at Ground Zero turned and said, “I think it’s sad that people died, but this ship was made so that we do not forget them.” This type of reflection is evidence that the purpose of the U.S.S. New York is more about accomplishing its motto: “Strength Forged Through Sacrifice”. Clearly, this experience was one that students and staff will not soon forget.
 

Middle School PTSA Meeting

The Sleepy Hollow Middle School  PTA meeting has been rescheduled for Monday 11/16 @ 7pm. They will be discussing the book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey. The Middle School has  25 copies available if parents would like to read it prior to the meeting. Contact the Main Office of the Middle School if you are interested in borrowing a copy.

Middle School Green Pledge

This year, Sleepy Hollow Middle School students took our green pledge, which states our commitment to reducing, reusing, recycling, and rethinking our old habits. By team, students stood beside our middle school garden, used the banner created in the Environmental Action Committee, repeated the green oath, and made their promise to be respectful of their environment, as well as their school, classmates, and teachers/administrators. We hope that you all will support our school in our quest to make the world greener!

Here is a copy of our pledge:

We, members of the TUFSD community and the world, pledge to…
• Learn about how our every action affects the Earth.
• Plant gardens and trees to restore the environment.
• Reduce our use of resources.
• Reuse and recycle things whenever we can.
• Change our actions and try to change the actions of others so that we take better care of the Earth.

Here’s to being green!

Parent Information Meeting for Washington DC Trip

There will be a parent information session for the 8th Grade Washington DC trip on Wednesday, October 28th at 7pm in the Middle School/High School auditorium-tour company representatives will be there to answer parent questions.

8th Grade Sailing Trip

On Tuesday, September 30th and Thursday, October 1st, as part of a grant from the Westchester Community Foundation, eighth grade students participated in a sailing field trip on the Hudson River.  Through the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater’s “Floating Classroom,” the students learned to raise the sails, navigate the boat and explore the variety of fish in the Hudson River.  Thank you to the Westchester Community Foundation and the Captain and Crew of the Clearwater for this enriching experience!

Middle School Art: Looking at the Big Picture!!!!

During the first weeks of school, Sleepy Hollow Middle School art students are considering visual art as a visual language. Examining how noteworthy artists manipulate line, shape, color, and texture in order to deliver messages, the art students are attempting to create meaningful imagery and actual paper sculpture by altering these same elements. Although it is early in the year, the students have been presented with an overview which underscores the power of visual art to reflect real life concerns and issues. Here are samples of student work that reveal the artists’ understanding of line, shape, color, and texture and how these individual qualities can suggest a characteristic, concept, or emotion.  These works were completed in one or two art periods. More ambitious time consuming projects will be completed throughout the school year. They will be exhibited on-line as well!

Planting the Vegetable Garden by Alex Laub

On Monday September 26th, my friends and I went to plant a vegetable garden at the Sleepy Hollow Middle School. Elizabeth Kaplan instructed us and told us what to do and where things go. First we measured the perimeter of the garden and we divided it into three equal columns. Then we took the kale and the lettuce and we removed it from the plastic and planted them into the ground. We also planted radish seeds. This was a fun way to beautify Sleepy Hollow and to show other children different vegetables that they haven’t seen before. The garden can be found outside the school cafeteria.
 

Sleepy Hollow Middle School Back to School Night
 

Back to school night was on September 30th. See slide show...

SHMS Yearbooks

SHMS Parents/Guardians! Reserve your yearbook before 12/1/09 to get the hottest price this year! Start preserving MS memories now, and click the link and choose from "Deluxe", "Basic", or "Make My Own" packages, with super-cool add-ons, like "iTags", name-stamping, cool, personalized icons and more! You can even purchase a parent ad in order to showcase your child's hard work!

Businesses, advertise in our yearbook and see returns in your revenue! Click on the link to get started!

www.yearbookforever.com/sleepyhollowmiddlehorsemen/schoolstore

More details...

Math Counts

Math Counts Meeting will be held on October 6 at 3pm in room 101S.  See flyer for details.

PRINCIPAL'S COFFEE
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6Th
8:00 AM - CONFERENCE ROOM.

Enrichment Courses

All middle school enrichment classes will be starting on September 21st (Updated: 9/15/09).

Picture Day

Middle School pictures will be taken on September 24th.  Flyers will be sent home with the students (Updated: 9/15/09).

Principal's Coffee

There will be a Principal's Coffee on September 1, at 8am in Room 101S

Click here to view the middle school calendar choices!