Middle School Matters
	Welcome to Middle School Matters! This web page serves to keep you informed of important Middle School and IDS Community wide events during the school year.  In addition to MS Matters, individual teacher web pages are available for parents and students.  Here teachers post assignments and assessment information along with class expectations and other important class specific information that will be very helpful to both students and parents.  These pages are updated regularly and we ask that both you and your child check them on a regular basis when school is in session to stay informed.  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ May Birthdays!   5/2 - Mrs. Rider, 5/7 - Ms. Sprague, 5/13 - Tom H., 5/13 - Nicole,  5/14 - Joe May 17 - May 28, 2012    Thursday, 5/17 - Blue/Green Lunch   Friday, 5/18 - Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast - 7:45 AM   Friday, 5/18 - Field Day - 10:00 - noon   Saturday, 5/19 - IDS 50th Anniversary Gala 6:00 to 10:00 PM Tuesday, 5/22 - MAPA Showcase 6:30 PM   Wednesday, 5/23 - New Family Orientation 8:10 AM   Thursday, 5/24 - Spring Concert 7:00 PM   Monday, 5/28 - NO SCHOOL Memorial Day    LACROSSE PRACTICE SCHEDULE:   Girl's Practice: Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:30 - 4:30 PM Boy's Practice: Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:30-4:30 PM Wednesdays 3:30-4:30 PM GAME SCHEDULE: BOYS LACROSSE SCHEDULE WED               MAY 23          COUNTRY                  HOME             4:00               5:00 HEAD COACH:            COACH WILKES   GIRLS LACROSSE SCHEDULE TUES               MAY 22          FOOTE                        HOME             4;00                5:00 HEAD COACH:            COACH BOYCE   NOTICES:     IDS Parent Volunteers:  We invite EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU to join us for our Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast under the tent outside the theater on Friday, May 18, from 7:45-9:45.  Each and every one of you give to your child's education in so many ways.  We look forward to having this opportunity to thank you in person for helping to make our student's and your child's IDS experience so enriching!  Please join the Faculty, Staff and Administration for coffee and treats as we salute you, our parent volunteers!    EveryoneOutside.org is sponsoring some fun outdoor activities in the next couple weeks, perfect for Turn Off Your TV Week! These free outdoor education programs below are lead by Lucy Meigs (her daughter Charlotte Meigs just joined Mrs. Dickerson's 5th grade class). For more information or to register please contact Lucy@EveryoneOutside.org or 860-395-7771 (or visit www.EveryoneOutside.org). Frog Fridays! - May 25 & June 8 at 4 PM, Field Forest, Durham               People of all ages (0-100) are invited to join Everyone Outside this spring as we observe the amazing transformations that occur in vernal pools. Over several outings we will see frogs, frog and salamander eggs, tadpoles, salamander and insect larvae, etc. This outing is suitable for anyone who can walk 1/3 mile to the vernal pool and return. Registration Required.   IDS  SPORTS BANQUET : June 5, 2012      6:00 PM       Come and Join as we Celebrate and Recognize our IDS Sport Teams and Coaches.    Please contribute $5 per sport played by your child to allow us to purchase Coaches’ gifts to show our appreciation of their efforts in giving our children a great sports year            in SOCCER<CROSS COUNTRY<BASKETBALL and LACROSSE.                 We are also asking for $20 per family for dinner and desert.                                         Please RSVP by 5/23/12 ***********************************************************************                          _______________________ family _______  will ______will not attend                            Number attending (including athlete)________                        Enclosed is a $20 dinner donation and  $____  for Coaches’ Gifts.              Unable to attend, but please accept $_____ for Coaches’ Gifts.         Please drop off your form, with payment, in Janet Sisson’s mailbox. Thank You                                                      The Independent Day School Student Government is sponsoring a project known as the Coyote Cave The Coyote Cave   The Independent Day School Student Government is sponsoring a project known as the Coyote Cave   What: The Coyote Cave is similar to a snack shack where students can purchase snacks and refreshments during after school IDS home sport’s games and other special events.     When: The Coyote Cave will be at every IDS home Lacrosse game on May 22 and May 23. We will also be selling refreshments before Field Day and snacks during the Field Day Cookout.   The Coyote Cave will also be selling every Friday during middle school carpool.   Why: The Coyote Cave is a student run project. In addition to providing tasty snacks, the profits from the Coyote Cave will be used to support our school.   IDS Artwork Adorns Local Libraries  In May, artwork from IDS students will be on display at the Russell Library, in Middletown.  The artwork includes kindergarteners’ “Very Hungry Caterpillars,” first graders’ pinch-pot animals, second graders' koi fish, third graders' big-mouthed animal pinch pots, fourth graders' winter vignettes, fifth graders’ Greek inspired pots, sixth graders’ Mimbres black-on-white bowls, seventh graders' containers with lids, and eighth graders’ tribal masks.     IT'S YEARBOOK TIME!!! Yearbook order forms can be found in the Middle School hallway or you can request to have one sent home with your child. To order your copy, complete the form and return it to Ms. Warner by May 18. Please include payment of $20 in cash or a check made out to IDS. There are a limited number of copies, so get your orders in to assure your copy!   Here is the link to the 2012 - 2013 Academic Calendar: http://www.independentdayschool.org/RelId/629540/ISvars/default/2012_-_2013_School_Year_Calendar.htm   The Independent Day School Family Night at New Britain Stadium Catch the Fun & Excitement of Rock Cats Baseball Friday, June 1st 2012 Game Time: 6:35pm Gates Open 5:05 pm New Britain Rock Cats (Minnesota Twins) vs. Harrisburg Senators (Washington Nationals) Post Game Fireworks Spend an evening at the ballpark with friends and family from The Independent Day School! Catch The Future Stars of the Major Leagues Today! All orders must be received by: May 21st Parking is an additional fee the day of the game.  General Notices:   After Care -Reminder - if your MS student wants to stay on at school after 3:30 and is not enrolled in a planned program - MAPA, music, participating in a team athletic event that day, Debate etc. - they MUST go to After Care.    Monday MS Meeting - If you arrive late to school, please sit at the back so as not to interrupt the meeting.     DATES TO KEEP IN MIND Thursday, 5/31- Exams start Friday, 6/1 -Rock Cats Baseball Game 6:35 PM Saturday, 6/3 -Graduation Dance (6-8) 6:30 PM Monday, 6/4 - Exams end Tuesday, 6/5 - Sports Banquet 6:00 PM ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dispensing of Medications at School: Important reminder about the dispensing of medication at school: Connecticut has state regulations regarding the dispensing of medications at school that IDS must abide by.  The OTC form that was completed at the beginning of the school year is only for those medications listed on that form.  If your child requires any other medication, OTC or Prescription, Nurse Ness needs a Medication Authorization form (found on the IDS website) signed by both the parent and physician.  If Nurse Ness does not have this form, she will not be able to give your child the medication he or she may need, and she will need to call you to come in and give your child the medication.  (Please refer to the section on Medications during School of the Family Handbook for further explanation.)  Also, if there are any medications that do need to be given during school, they need to be given directly to your child's teacher, or an administer, and not sent in with your child in their backpack.  If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to call or email Nurse Ness and she will be happy to talk to you.  Thank you for your help and understanding.  Lost & Found Clothes At the end of each trimester, lost and found items will be going to Goodwill if unclaimed. MS lost & found located in the MS locker room. DISMISSAL POLICY FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL Middle School students needing to be dismissed early from school must bring a note to their advisors.  They should check out with Mrs. Montgomery and wait in her office to be picked up by a parent.       Morning Carpool/Start of Day Procedures: In our effort to make morning carpool safer and more efficient, please pull up as far as possible in the front circle before letting your child out. An orange cone is located near the theater entrance, please use this as your guide. Children should only get out of vehicles on the sidewalk side.  If pulling around cars, please use extra caution and appropriate speed, always watching out for our children. Please note that classes start at 8:10 AM.  Students are encouraged to arrive by 8:00 AM.  Arriving by 8:00 AM enables your child to check out the TV for updates, and prepare for his/her coming day.  If your child needs to be dropped off at school before 8:00 AM they must go to Before Care, which is free of charge.  Please note that Before Care does not begin until 7:30 AM.    CANCELLATION-DELAY INFORMATION Please remember to check the web pages when we have a snow day.  New assignments or changes in assignments may be posted by your teachers.    ALLERGY REMINDER We are an allergy sensitive middle school.  As part of the Middle School, we all must be considerate.-Clean all tables and classroom surfaces after eating.-Stay seated while eating.-Wash your hands before and after eating.-Do not share food or utensils.-Tell those around you if you are eating a potential allergen.  Move away from classmates with an allergy.