Erie Middle School, Pre AP Focus School

Todd Bissell, Principal

Dr. Rachel Heide, Assistant Principal

DECEMBER 2015 NEWSLETTER

Erie Middle School Tiger Community,

Congratulations to Dr. Rachel Heide. Last week we found out that Dr. Heide won
the Colorado Assistant Principal of the Year award. This is a prestigious honor for her.
She is the first AP in St. Vrain to be honored with this award. Thank you Dr. Heide for
all you do for the Erie Middle School Community.
Erie Middle School Students and Staff accomplished many great things in
November. During our Renaissance assembly we recognized over 300 of our students
as making the Honor Roll (3.4-3.74 GPA) and High Honor Roll (3.75-4.0). This shows
the Erie Middle School staff has high expectations and the students are performing at
these high levels. Also recognized were the volleyball players, cross country runners,
and our student council members; another great showing here. It demonstrates that
our students are involved with extra-curricular activities and athletics. Everyone should
be proud of the level of participation and pride at Erie Middle School.
The band, orchestra and choir had fabulous concerts in November. The students
performed beautifully. Thanks to Mr. Tyler, Mrs. Crisman and Mrs. Martinez and the
students for the great nights of entertainment. Other exciting news from our music
program; over 25% of the District Choir will be made up of EMS students.
Our boys basketball teams finished the regular season. Both teams improved
throughout the year and represented EMS with pride. During the District tourney at
EMS on 11/14 the A team and the B team won both of their games. Thanks to
everyone who assisted in the operation of a smooth tourney. Congrats on a get season.
You did a fabulous job representing EMS. Thanks to Mr. Rebbeck, Mr. Kurz, and Mr.
Reed for coaching the boys.
Girls basketball is starting up. All girls are welcome, come and have fun learning
the sport of basketball. I look forward to supporting them at their games. Good luck
with your upcoming season.
Parents please visit our school Website. We have links to teacher pages,
activities, events, etc. New to our Website is a link is a is our Facebook page. We will
be sharing daily information about Erie Middle School. If you have not visited this site
yet, please do sop.
On December 8th we will have a SAC (School Accountability Committee)
meeting at 6:30 pm in our Library. We are looking for parent representation from 6 th,
7th, and 8th grade. We will be discussing Achievement Data, School Goals, and provide
a discipline update. If you are interested please plan on attending.
Todd Bissell
EMS Principal
Springboard Pre-AP

WINTER BREAK
MONDAY, DECEMBER 21ST
THROUGH
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1ST
SEE YOU IN 2016!

SOUL SISTERS
PRESENTS:
HOLIDAY MOVIE
THE SANTA CLAUSE
WEDNESDAY, 12/9
3:15-5:00 PM
GIRLS BASKETBALL

GAME
VS.
IMAGINE CHARTER
SCHOOL
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER
16TH
3:30 PM
AT IMAGINE CHARTER

UPCOMING!!
North Regional Brain Bowl Competition
Saturday, January 9th
Standley Lake High School

During the week of December 7th through December 11th, the

NJHS will be running a Bead for Life (beadforlife.org) sale,

benefiting low income women in Uganda, as well as our local

Erie Uplink organization. Erie Uplink helps Erie families and
individuals in need. Bead for Life offers colorful, hand-made
jewelry for sale. Stop by during any lunch throughout the week
of December 7th to the 11th to check out the deals on holiday
gifts!

National Junior Honor Society will be selling

Candy Cane Grams starting Wednesday,
December 7th-December 11th. Send your
friends, teachers, and staff members a candy
cane to say you appreciate them for $0.75
cents a candy cane, or buy 5 for only two
dollars! All proceeds will go to Operation Santa,
who helps the Erie community provide holiday
gifts to families in need.

Elective Team Solo Award

The Elective Team recognizes Bridget Germany as our 6th grade Solo Award
winner for a wide variety of reasons. Bridget is an absolute "go getter" in her
Spanish class, putting forth her best effort every single day. Bridget is focused,
she is on task, and she always asks great questions. These are the true signs of
an excellent student. Way to ROAR, Bridget!
The 7th grade Solo award goes to Ty Staples. Ty is the kind of student who leads
by example coming to class prepared, asking questions, and making great
connections in Spanish class. Ty is always willing to help others, including her
teachers showing respect at all times. Way to go, Ty!

The 8th grade Elective Team Solo Award goes to Skylar Tempel. Skylar is
creative, responsible and makes valuable contributions in her classes. She
maintains a positive attitude and has an awesome sense of humor. Skylar
works hard to demonstrate her learning, and engagement during class. Her
willingness to participate in group work, and share her ideas with others is
important to the work students are asked to complete in the classroom. Great
job, Skylar!!! Thanks for your dedication as a student at EMS.
All elective students and students of the month will have their picture posted on
our Student of the Month bulletin board in the Main Office. They will also enjoy
a one topping large pizza on Friday, December 18th at their designated lunch
times. Students, please stop by the Main Office to let us know what kind of pizza
you would like.

Each month, our administration would like to spotlight our

hardworking teachers and honor their accomplishments!
Traci Jensen exhibits, daily, high levels of passion and commitment to the
profession of educating students. Not only does Traci consistently work towards
improving her own pedagogy such as being involved in a book study with the
high school, but she also is committed to building the capacity of her peers
through sharing her knowledge and expertise. Traci demonstrates a high level of
integrity and caring in her professional practice and her approach with
students. We are fortunate to have Traci as a member of our staff at EMS! You
are truly an asset to our school and community, Traci.

Abby Martinez is committed to excellence in her teaching. She offers students

before and after school times to work with students to enhance their musical
performance. This is evidenced in the Tiger Lily and Man Choirs. This has had a
profound effect on the lives of our students.

Mrs. Martinez has consistently

prepared her students for District and All-State Choirs. Currently 25% of the
District Choir is made up of EMS students. Mrs. Martinez has accepted the role
as a Director of the All-State Choir in which we will have 14 student
representatives to All-State Choir.

The students use iPad Technology for

rehearsals as well as recordings. When students, parents and staff members see
Mrs. Martinez she is positive and always professional. Mrs. Martinez, thanks for
all you do to make EMS outstanding.

Monday
30

Tuesday
1

Lego League
Competition
3:00-4:00 PM

Wednesday
2

Thursday

Game Club
3:15-4:30 PM
LATE START
10:30 AM

Chess Club
3 :10-4:00 pm

Girls Basketball
3:15-4:30 pm

Math Counts
3:15-4:15 PM

Student Council
3:00-3:45 PM

Girls Basketball
3:15-4:30 PM

Sign Language Club

3:00-4:00 pm

Girls Basketball
3:15-4:30 pm

Brain Bowl
3:05-3:45 pm

Chess Club
3:10-4:00 PM

Lego Bricks Club

3:00-4:00 PM

Girls Basketball
3:15-4:30 PM

Sign Language Club

3:00-4:00 PM

Brain Bowl
3:05-3:45 pm

10
Good Movie
Better Book Club
3:15-4:30 PM

Academic Assistance
3:00-4:00 PM

Girls Basketball
3:15-4:30 PM

3:15-4:30 PM
Girls Basketball
3:15-4:30 PM
Erie MS Choir and Band
performing at Erie Country
Christmas
5:00-8:00 pm

Tiger Lily Choir

3:15-3:45 pm

Tigers Who Code

3:00-5:00 PM

Lego League
Competition
3:00-4:00 PM

Art Club

Academic Assistance
3:00-4:00 PM

Girls Basketball
3:15-4:30 pm

Tiger Who Code

3:00-5:00 PM

Lego Bricks Club

3:00-4:00 PM

Academic Assistance
3:00-4:00 PM

Friday

11
Academic Assistance
3:00-4:00 PM

Student Council
3:00-3:45 PM
Girls Basketball
3:15-4:30 pm

Game Club
3:15-4:30 PM

Art Club
3:15-4:30 PM

Math Counts
3:15 PM

Girls Basketball
3:15-4:30 PM

NJHS
3:00-3:45 PM

Soul Sisters
Holiday Movie
3:15-5:00 PM
Cafetorium

Boys Basketball
3:15-4:30 PM
Tiger Lily Choir
3:15-3:45 pm

BEADS FOR LIFE SALE

ALL WEEK
CANDYGRAMS
ALL WEEK
14

15
Lego Bricks Club
3:00-4:00 PM
Lego League
Competition
3:00-4:00 PM
Sign Language Club
3:00-4:00 PM
PTO Meeting
6:30
EMS LIBRARY
Girls Basketball
3:15-4:30 pm

16

17

Tigers Who Code

3:00-5:00 PM
Academic Assistance
3:00-4:00 PM

Girls Basketball Game

At Imagine Charter
3:30 pm

Chess Club
3:10-4:00 PM

Student Council
3:00-3:45 PM

Brain Bowl
3:05-3:45 pm

Girls Basketball
3:15-4:30 PM

Girls Basketball
3:15-4:30 PM

18
Tiger Lily Choir
3:15-3:45 PM

Art Club
3:15-4:30 PM

Academic Assistance
3:00-4:00 PM
Game Club
3:15-4:30 PM

Math Counts
3:15 PM
Girls Basketball
3:15-4:30 PM

Girls Basketball
3:15-4:30 PM

From the Counseling Office

The holidays can be fun, but they can also be a time of high stress.
Stress is the bodys natural response to a demand. Everyone experiences stress because
there are big and small demands made on us at all times.
Stress affects the way people think, feel, and behave. An individual under stress can
become angry, sad, fearful, or behave in a way inappropriate to the situation.
Stress can become a problem when it gets in the way of success in school or work and
makes it harder to enjoy relationships and free time. Stress that causes strong feelings
or anger,
anxiety, depression, or lack of control may be serious stress.
Signs of Distress:
Worries a lot or is worried about a large number of things
Is depressed or sad
Enjoys very few activities
Sheds tears inappropriately or over many things
Is irritable and grumpy
Complains of aches and pains
Is quiet and withdrawn from others
Is forgetful about important things
Strategies for Talking to Your Child About Stress:
Be a good listener
Accept your childs feelings
Dont dismiss or minimize your childs experiences
Dont be judgmental
Teach your child various ways of coping with stress
Reassure your child about their ability to cope with stress
If you are concerned that your child is distressed talk directly with their school counselor,
family doctor, or mental health professional.
Heather Solar

Genaro Villareal

Solar_Heather@svvsd.org

Villareal_genaro@stvrain.k12.co.us

www.jostens.com

FROM OUR HEALTH CLERKS

THANK YOU FOR TURNING IN UPDATED IMMUNIZATION FORMS! We are in the
process of inputting updated information in Infinite Campus.
Hydration: It is important to be drinking plenty of water throughout the winter
season. Some headaches and stomach aches can be alleviated with staying hydrated.
We encourage your student to bring a bottle of water each day. There are water bottle
filling stations at several drinking fountains throughout the building.
Vision and Hearing screening: Looking ahead to the new year - On Monday,
January 25, 2015 we will be screening all 7th graders, new to district students and a
handful of other students. If your student wears contacts or glasses, please make sure
they wear them on Monday, January 25. Also, if you are interested in volunteering to
help with the screening, please email Nicole Meadows or Felicia Sanchez see below
for email addresses. We will need volunteers from 7:45 12:30.
Cold and flu season: If your student is feeling under the weather and their
temperature is over 100.0 degrees, please keep them home. If a student has a
temperature over 100.0 degrees at school, we will call to have someone come pick
them up. Please keep them home until they are fever free for 24 hours without
medication.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Thank you,
Nicole Meadows and Felicia Sanchez
Health Clerks
303-828-3391 - Main line
meadows_nicole@svvsd.org