Pershing Happenings E-Newsletter
Vol. 2, Issue 7
January 14, 2008

 

 

Website Spotlight

 

Time is running out to sign-up for the 8th Grade Parent Meeting with Marci Blodgett, Pershing’s Head Counselor. Mrs. Blodgett will be hosting a parent meeting on January 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the school auditorium. This meeting is an invaluable resource for those families who will be making the transition from middle school to high school in the fall. If you are interested in attending, please email Mrs. Blodgett at ablodgett@sandi.net or call her at (619) 465-3234.

Important 8th Grade Parent Meeting

 

More 8th Grade News  

Upcoming Events at Patrick Henry High:

• AP is for Everyone - February 5, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. in the Cafetorium.

• Incoming 9th Grade Articulation Night and Fine Arts/Elective Fair - February 13, 2008 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Cafetorium and Library.  

The Pershing website has a webpage devoted to helping your family prepare for Henry High. We have provided details about the above events as well as links to Henry’s website, course catalogue, and newsletter subscription page. We update this page frequently. 

Friends of the San Diego Public Library Essay Contest - This is a terrific opportunity that is open to all 8th grade students at Pershing. If your teacher does not assign this essay, you may still participate. The contest deadline is February 14, 2008. Please see Ms. Hemric or your Humanities teacher for additional information. Click here for a link to this year’s topics.   

Pershing's Seventh Annual Eighth Grade Science Fair Exhibition will be on January 29, 2008. Since 2001, all eighth grade Pershing Middle School students present their Science Fair projects to a panel of judges. These panelists include students, educators and parents, as well as district and community leaders.  This is an exciting experience for our students and is the pinnacle of their Science Fair career here at Pershing.

If you are interested in volunteering as a judge for the Eighth Grade Science Fair Exhibition, please contact Mrs. Linda Lotze at (619) 465-3234 or llotze@sandi.net for details. 

 Information for 5th Grade Families

On January 9, 2008, Principal Sullivan led a large group of 5th grade families through an informative morning tour of the campus. By observing our 6th grade classes and a few of our 8th grade ones, these future Pershing families discovered why we are all so proud of our students, faculty, staff, administrators, and parents. A huge highlight of the tour was an impromptu performance by our 8th grade band. Thank you to all who attended. Our next campus tour will be on March 12th at 8:00 a.m.  

Visit the 5th grade section of our website for all 5th grade family events and activities.

Don’t forget!  The Choice/VEEP Enrollment Options  Priority Application Deadline is January 31, 2008.

School News and Announcements

Now is the time to buy your yearbooks! The price will increase on February 1, 2008.

On December 19 - 21, 2007, Pershing proudly presented Peter Pan by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. This spectacular production was a joy to watch. In their eight lively performances, our young actors enchanted audiences filled with their peers, teachers, families, friends, and other school and community groups.  Their superb acting, singing, dancing, harmonizing, and even sword fighting left the audiences cheering for more. Congratulations to Mrs. Miller, Mr. Ryan Moulton, the 6 to 6 program, Mr. Jacobs, Mrs. Robe, Mr. Anderson and the Pershing Band, teachers, staff, administrators, volunteers, and the cast and technical crew!!  

From Mrs. Miller – “Thank you to the entire Pershing community for all your help in making PETER PAN* such a success!”  

Drama Department's Wish List - The Drama Department is in need of the following items:

• See-through plastic containers of all sizes with lids, especially very large ones.

• Hangers, especially skirt hangers with clips.

Please drop off any donations at the Drama Room (Room 1001) or the front office. Thank you!

The Peter Pan* Cast Party is on Tuesday, January 15th!

From 6th Grade Team A (Mrs. Rondestvedt, Mrs. Madonia, and Mr. Akashian) – “Thank you to all the parents who have donated hand sanitizer, tissues, and tape.  These items have so helped get us through the cold/flu season and with everyday classroom living.  Also thank you to all the wonderful parents who see that their child is completing homework and assignments.  It makes our jobs so much easier when things are turned in on time.  

In English, we are hard at work on our Research Reports.  Most of the work will be done in class and a final paper will be due on the 30th of January. Students, also, should be reaching towards the reading goals set in their class.  The book log is due on January 24th along with the next book report, which needs to be on a nonfiction book.  

Mrs. Madonia's grades are posted on Parent Connect.  Mrs. Rondestvedt is posting weekly assignments and homework on Parent Connect and passing computer grade slips out every 3-4 weeks.  Don't get behind because Semester grades come out very soon!  

Hope everyone enjoyed their holidays! Now is the time to churn and burn on school work!”  

Donation request from Mrs. Lavache (Humanities, Team 7C) – If you have empty regular and/or large sized coffee cans, please bring them to Mrs. Lavache’s class or leave them in the front office for her. Her class would also appreciate donations of used middle school novels in good condition. Thank you for your support!  

News from Ms. Spicer and the Library – “One Book-One San Diego, sponsored by the Public Libraries and KPBS, is designed to bring our community together with a shared experience of reading the same book. The title this year is Three Cups of Tea. Students who would like to read a book with similar themes and locations could choose from Iqbal, The Breadwinner, Mud City, Parvana's Journey or Under the Persimmon Tree. All of these books are in our school library.”  

On Wednesday, January 9th (Team 7A), Thursday, January 10th (Team 7B), and Friday, January 10th (Team 7C), our 7th grade students experienced an extraordinary field trip to see “Bodies…The Exhibition,” in La Jolla. It was an amazing time for the students, teachers, and parent volunteers who participated. Here is a note from one of our 7th grade teachers, Mrs. Wheeler – “Team 7A took our students to the “Bodies” exhibit on Wednesday. Each of us (teachers) were sooo impressed with the maturity and respect and intelligence of our students.  We had a GREAT day!!”  

The San Diego Unified School District’s Middle School Honor Band and Orchestra auditions are this week. Many of Pershing’s accomplished musicians have been diligently practicing for this prestigious event. 

Spelling Bee Season is here! This year’s school wide Spelling Bee finals will be held on February 1, 2008. The participants are those students who have won their respective classroom Spelling Bees. For more information about your classroom “Bee”, please talk to your English or Humanities teacher.

Check out the updated web section for Pershing’s 6 to 6 program where you will find news and information about our after school clubs and activities.  

Henry High Community Event – The Patrick Henry Band will be having another Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, January 19th from 8 – 11 a.m. at Casey’s Place.  As always, the breakfast will be "All You Can Eat" pancakes, sausage, orange juice and coffee. Tickets are $5.00 each (you may buy in advance or purchase at the door).  

ASB News – Mr. Myrick and the ASB are preparing for the upcoming Valentine’s Day Dance, which will be held after school on February 13, 2008. Please Note: Since February 14th is a Minimum Day, the Valentine's Day Dance is scheduled for Wednesday, February 13th. Ticket information will be posted soon.

Celebrate with us at our Open House on February 7, 2008! Our 6th grade classrooms will be open to welcome Pershing families and visitors. Stop by Mrs. Miller’s room where her talented drama students will entertain us with a continuous Dramathon. Our award winning Science Department will also proudly display hundreds of Science Fair projects. This is always a fun and rewarding evening for the Pershing campus. The festivities begin at 6:00 p.m.  

Science Fair Update -  Pershing’s 8th grade science classes are filled with experiments, display boards, notebooks, surveys and very busy students and teachers all working to make this their best Science Fair season ever. Members of our After School 7th Grade Science Fair Club (those 7th graders who wish to be eligible to compete in the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair Regional Screening) are currently putting the finishing touches on their impressive projects. Please come to our Open House to see these awesome projects on display.  

Pershing Families ROCK!! Thank you to our very generous school community for supporting Pershing’s “Toys for Tots” donation drive. The front office was filled with boxes of wonderful gifts!  

January 21, 2008 is the Martin Luther King Day Observance – No School!

Upcoming  Minimum Days Reminder!  February 1st and February 14th are both Minimum Days. School is dismissed at 11:30 a.m.

 

Parent Involvement Corner

The next Pershing Boosters meeting is on January 23, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is invited!  

Big thank you’s to Mrs. Goodman and all the volunteers who helped with the Peter Pan* production!

 

Mark Your Calendars!  

 Here is a listing of many of our upcoming events.  

 January 14, 2008
Site Governance Meeting  

January 15, 2008
School Site Council Meeting
Drama Cast Party  

January 17, 2008
8th Grade Parent Meeting with Mrs. Blodgett  

January 18, 2008
Martin Luther King Jr. Assemblies  

 January 21, 2008
Martin Luther King Jr. Observance - No School  

January 23, 2008
Pershing Booster Meeting  

January 29, 2008
Pershing 8th Grade Science Fair Exhibition  

 February 1, 2008
Semester Ends
Spelling Bee Finals
Minimum Day  

 February 7, 2008
East Coast Trip Student Meeting
Open House  

 February 11-29, 2008
Pasta for Pennies

February 13, 2008
Valentine's Dance  

 February 14, 2008
Library Essay Contest Deadline
Minimum Day  

 

*Peter Pan was by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.