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Important Dates
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Orchestra Winter Concert @ HS
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Join Our List
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General School News
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Attention
Parents -- Absences
Cold and flu season has arrived! In order to minimize the
spreading of germs as much as possible, please do
not bring your child to school during the school day when sick
to get homework or go to his/her locker. The proper procedure
for requesting homework when your child is home sick is as
follows:
- Call
the school to report the absence by 7:30 a.m.
(724-625-3111 and press 1 to leave the information).
- On
the second day of consecutive absence, homework may be
requested. This request may be left on the absentee
line by 7:30 a.m.
- Your
homework request will be sent to your child's teachers.
- Homework
will be ready for pick-up by 3 p.m. and will be placed
in the homework rack outside the office door. We do
not go into the student's locker to retrieve books,
etc.; if your child needs to get something from his/her
locker, please wait until after school hours to come to
the school.
- Teachers
should not be contacted directly by phone or
e-mail to request homework.
While we know our students get anxious when getting
behind in their school work due to an absence, please
assure your child that he/she will be given plenty of time
to make up any school work missed for absence. The
most important thing is to rest and get healthy. Thank you
for your cooperation with the procedures above as we try our best
to keep our students safe and healthy.
Lynn Ross
and Nancy Merriman
Middle
School Secretaries
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Demographic
Forms
Forms to
update demographic, emergency, and health information were mailed
to each middle school student last week. For the
safety and welfare of our students, we would like to get this information
updated in our computers as soon as possible.
If you haven't done so already, please take a moment
this weekend to review your information, update where necessary,
provide any missing information, and have your child bring the
form to school on Tuesday. Don't
forget to complete both the front and back of the form plus the
extra page regarding information for state reporting.
The form
may be given to your child's homeroom teacher or to the front
office. We appreciate your prompt attention to this
very important matter as we strive to make the middle school a
safe and healthy environment for every student.
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HomeLogic
Available by Noon Today!
PRSD is
pleased to provide HomeLogic,
online access to your child's school progress and the replacement
for ParentCONNECT. HomeLogic
will be available to parents after noon today. Click here for
instructions on how to self register for this valuable tool for
monitoring student performance.
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Parent
Teacher Conferences
Parent
conferences will be held on November 12 and 13. If
your child's teachers have concerns and feel that a
parent conference would be helpful, you will be contacted to
set up a conference for one of these days. If you do
not hear from your child's teachers, it means they do not feel a
conference is necessary. However, if you would still like
to request a conference, you may contact your child's team
leader.
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Student
Directory
The 2009-10
Student Directories are here! They were distributed to
every middle school student in homeroom on Monday, September
28. Thank you to Joanne Pearson for another great
directory.
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2009-2010
Yearbook On Sale Now!
Order your
yearbook now! The cost of the yearbook is $30 if ordered by
December 4. The
cost increases to $35 after December 4. Click here for the
order form and here for the icons
referenced on the order form.
Do You Have Pictures to be Considered for the
Yearbook?
In addition to our fantastic staff of kids, we
are adding a component to the yearbook. Students and parents
may upload images for our consideration in the 2009-2010
yearbook. Allowing us to see an image doesn't guarantee it
will be the book, but it is a great way to add another dimension
to our family memory book. Our
photographers can't be everywhere, so this is a super tool in
helping making this book the best ever! Here's how...
- Go to https://images.jostens.com/login
- Enter username:
400004910
- password: kathyrocks
- Browse to select the
photos you wish to upload and enter in contact information
in case we need to reach you.
- Click Save Details.
The last
day to submit photos is February 16, 2010.
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Picture
Make-Up Day, October 22
Students
wishing to have their picture retaken should bring their original
packet of pictures with them to school on October 22.
Students who missed the first picture day should stop in the
office for an order form and bring the completed order form and
payment to school on the October 22.
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Daily
Schedule: Please
Note Dismissal Time for November 12 is 11:20 a.m.
In preparation
for days that do not follow the regular schedule, please note
that dismissal
time for half days at the Middle School is 11:20 a.m.
Click here for
the full scheduling including regular day, two-hour delay
schedule, and half days.
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SCHOOL EVENTS
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Paws in
the Park, October 18
Paws in the Park will take
place at Pine Park on October 18 from 10-12:30. It will
include a dog walk, dog games, a costume contest for dogs, and
face painting for younger children. Lunch will be available
for purchase at the event, which will include hot dogs, veggie
dogs, chips, baked goods, and drinks.
 Raffle
tickets will be sold for your chance at winning various
baskets full of dog and people goodies donated by local
businesses.
A $5
donation is requested for each dog. Click here for details
and here for the pledge
form if attendees would like to collect extra money.
Any parents interested in posting Paws in the Park
fliers in their neighborhoods or making a baked good for the
event, please contact Jennifer Bubb.
For additional information, please contact Jennifer Bubb or Kate Pfeifer.
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Make A
Difference Day, October 24
Once again,
Pine-Richland Middle School students will be participating in Make a Difference Day
on Saturday, October 24. This has become an annual day of
community service for our students. Some of the sites that
the students will be attending include Saint Barnabas, Lighthouse
Foundation, Miryam's Women Shelter, Animal Friends, West Deer Animal
Clinic, and Allegheny Valley School - just to name a few.
If you would like additional information on this event, please
contact Joe Bailey.
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Orchestra
Fundraiser, October 26
Dinner
at Atria's
Take a break from cooking and support a great cause
by enjoying a wonderful meal at Atria's in Wexford on October
26. Twenty percent of the profits will go to the
Orchestra. Click here for the
certificate that you must present.
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Gobble
for Cans, November 10
Get ready to support this annual
event by purchasing canned goods to donate for those in
need. Details for donation collection coming soon.
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Fall
Dance, November 6
The PRMS Fall
Dance will be on Friday, November 6, from 7-9 p.m. Tickets
will be sold for $5 each from Monday, November 2,
through Friday, November 6, during all lunches. Interested in selling tickets or
chaperoning? Email Ragini
Derk.
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Save the Date for the Fall Fashion Show
From
Denim to Black Tie...Be Ready for the Holidays!
Pine-Richland Middle School Fashion Show &
Auction
Monday, November 16, 2009
Treesdale Country Club
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Reservation forms and additional details to
come!
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 Coat Drive
We want to
thank all of you who donated a coat or jacket to the North Hills Community
Outreach Coat Drive. This year's drive brought in
around 100 coats. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
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SCHOOL PROGRAMS
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Library
News
Brown Bag Book Discussion
On the last Wednesday of each month, students bring their lunches
to the library for BBBD. Students discuss the books of their
choice with other students while we share cookies and milk.
The dates for BBBD for this school year are as follows:
October 28
November 25
December 23
January 27
February 24
March 31
April 28
May 26
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MATHCOUNTS
Club
Pine-Richland
Middle School is continuing their MATHCOUNTS Club for grades 7
and 8. This is the second year for the math club,
which is coordinated by 8th grade math teachers, Patty Cekella
and Kristen Aul, along with G.A.T.E. Department teachers, Kathy
Deal and Leah Reddinger.
MATHCOUNTS
is a national club program that is designed to increase
enthusiasm for mathematics, as well as enhance achievement in
mathematics. Students will be solving problems and sharing
their solutions. They will explore new ideas in groups,
listen to the answers of others, and create math challenges for
each other.
The club
will meet on one Thursday each month, and meetings will be held
from 2:30-3:30 p.m. in room 207, Mrs. Cekella's room.
Students are required to sign-up for the meeting
outside Mrs. Cekella's room (207) prior to the MATHCOUNTS
meeting.
The October MATHCOUNTS meeting will be held on
October 15. In
addition, there will be a monthly "Math Challenge" held
once a month during SSR. This challenge will be held in the
middle school library, and students will solve five complicated
math problems.
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GUIDANCE NEWS
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8th
Grade Transition Lesson
In October,
the Guidance Counselors will be talking with all eighth grade students
about the transition to High School and the importance of their
eighth grade year.
We will explain that scheduling for ninth grade begins in the
third quarter and that their performance up to that point will
determine what choices they will have for next year, including
Honors classes.
Other topics to be discussed will include: the importance of
eighth grade grades, achievement and PSSA test scores,
prerequisites for ninth grade classes, requirements for
graduation, and the components and implication of the High School
transcript.
This
discussion occurs early so that students are aware and put
forth their best effort. Graduation requirements and course
descriptions are outlined in the Program of Studies, which is
posted on the district web site.
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Peer
Tutoring Program
The PRHS National Honor Society
will be holding an after-school peer tutoring program beginning
on November 9, 2009. The program will be held every Monday
and Wednesday after school until 3:30.
This
opportunity is available to all middle school students who need
assistance with completing homework, studying for tests,
organizing binders, and developing other student success skills.
Interested
students must sign up in the Guidance Office at least one day
prior to the tutoring session. This program is free.
Also, students must have transportation at 3:30 in order to
remain in the after-school program.
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Health Office
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October
News & Notes
Click here for an
informative letter from nurse Karen Halliday including these
items:
- Staying Healthy and When
to Stay Home
- Vision & Hearing
Screening Update
- 7th Grade Dental Exams
(were due October 1)
- Scoliosis Screening in
November
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Important
Information About Over-the-Counter Medications
The cold
season will be here before we know it. Our school
district's medication policy states that any medication,
including over-the-counter medications cannot be
administered by the school unless prescribed by a physician on
the medication form.
Please do not send any cough drops or
over-the-counter medications with your child unless accompanied
by the physician medication
form.
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Student Government
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October
Key Dates
Thanks to
everyone who helped to make our MS Float Building such a success!
GO USA!
Tuesday, October 13
Senator Elections will take place during SSR
All Members Must Attend
Tuesday, October 20
SOCIAL Committee Meeting after school in café until
3 p.m.
Topic: Fall Dance scheduled for November
6
Tuesday, October 27
COMMUNITY OUTREACH Committee Meeting after school in
café until 3 p.m.
Topic: Gobble for Cans scheduled
for November 10
Effective
immediately, meetings will begin during SSR to allow
students that are involved in other activities to stay active in
Student Government. The meetings will end at 3 p.m.
for anyone that can stay!
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Parent Support Association
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Presidents'
Letter
Happy Homecoming...good
luck to the Rams tonight as they battle Butler at our Homecoming
game at 7:30. Remember to enjoy some of the delicious food
served at the booths during the game!
Thanks
to all of the volunteers who helped out during the busy month of
September. Margie Bamonte and Jolene Lowry
for their efforts with the magazine sale, Kathy Krisby for
getting together the apparel sale, Rusti Null for organizing
Picture Day volunteers, Shelley Schurer for working on the Book
Fair, Jan Salpietro for Box Tops, and Michelle English for
organizing a fabulous assembly for the kids for November.
It looks like our magazine
sale and book
fair were both successful fundraisers thanks to
the fabulous support of our parents. Thanks again for all
you do for the students!
The Middle School students and staff will be enjoying Rita's Ice
today thanks to funds from the PSA. Dr. H was so proud of
the student's first successful month of school that she wanted to
reward the student's with ICE DAY for Homecoming. Happy to
help! Enjoy!
Brenda Nigh
& Lisa Knapp
PSA
Co-Presidents
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 Box Tops
Contest ends October 19
Box Tops can be placed in the designated envelope in
each student's homeroom. The homeroom that collects the most
will be treated to a delicious Sundae Bar!
Questions? Email Jan
Salpietro.
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Ink
Cartridge Recycling
Remember to
have your child bring to school ink cartridges from any
computer printer. Place the cartridges in a cardboard
box or plastic bag and place in the collection bin near the
office. This is a simple way to earn money for the school
and help the environment!
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PRMS
Parent Staff Association Officers
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2009-2010
PSA Meeting Dates
All
meetings are held on the following Fridays at 9:30 a.m. in
the Spirit Room.
November
6
(No Meeting in December)
January 8
February 5
March 5
April 9
May 7 (location tbd)
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