May 2008

Dear Park Families:

An important key to improving student achievement is for us to clearly explain student learning goals to parents/guardians. Beginning this quarter, you may have noticed an enclosure in your student's 3-week grade report envelope entitled, "Park Points for Parents."

The Park Points sheet is organized around the three Park School Improvement goals of:

• All students will improve their academic skills and achievement.
• All students will improve their reading comprehension.
• All students will improve their math achievement.

The sheet includes tips for parents on how to support student learning. There are tips for each of the three goals of reading, math and academic skills.

Please take a minute to review the Park Points. The information is designed to help you provide the maximum support for your student and give you up-to-date details about our School Improvement goals. Thank you for partnering with us to help Park students do their very best.

Please note the following:

• May 15- Instrumental Music- band 6, orchestra 6, jazz band 7:00 p.m.
• May 19- 8 th Grade Vocal Music
• May 21- Activity Day- (AM- Talent Show   PM- Acro-Dunk)
• May 23- Awards Night 7:00 p.m.
• May 22- Instrumental Music- band 7, band 8, orchestra 7:00 p.m.
• May 26- Memorial Day - No School
• May 27- PLC - Early Dismissal 1:38 p.m.

Please feel free to call or stop by anytime.

Sincerely,
Terry Neddenriep, Principal

May 2008
New Research on Bullying

It is not surprising that researchers have discovered a need to do more than just punish the bullies and support the victims when it comes to bullying situations. The most recent research indicates that interventions need to occur on many different levels at the same time. Bullies, victims or targets, peer bystanders (witnesses), school personnel, and parents all have a part to play in not only reducing, but also preventing bullying and harassment.

• Communicate your concerns about monitoring, supervision, and consequences for bullying to the school.
• Help your child build a social safety network and encourage them to travel via the buddy system.
• Encourage your school to develop anti-bullying norms such as the difference between tattling and asking for help.
• Bullies need to know exactly what consequences to expect for their bullying behavior.
• Teachh children anti-bullying strategies such as getting the bully on their side, asseertiveness skills, humor, and conflict management skills.
• Set ann example for your children and avoid bulling others. One of the ways children learn to be bullies or victims is through their own famly experiences.

Sources: www.schoolcounselor.org
Excerpted from the article, The Buzz on Bullying by John and Rita Sommers-Flanagin

Park would like to recognize 7th grader, Itahi Sanchez who studies Creative Writing with her mentor, Kathleen Avery, in the Mentoring Proram for Highly Gifted students. Itahi won first place in the state level junior division of "Letters about Literature" national competition. The contest is sponsored by The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, in partnership with the Target Corporation. She was honored at a luncheon at the Cornhusker Hotel and a meeting with Governor Heineman, celebrating the event. Congratulations, Itahi!

Middle School Choral Music Announcements

Middle School Students: Are you looking for an opportunity to sing this summer?  Please consider participating in Lincoln Public Schools Middle School Choral Music Camp that will run from June 9th through the 13th.  The camp meets at Irving Middle School and is open to any current 6th, 7th, or 8th grader.  Please see your school's vocal music teacher for more information.  The last day to sign up is Friday, May 23rd!

 

Bright Lights Summer Learning Adventures

Come celebrate summer as a season of learning!  Bright Lights is offering a broad range of hands-on classes for summer 2008. 

Fun and friendship plus the unique opportunity for hands-on adventure await middle school students.  For the sixth year, Bright Lights will be offering American students the opportunity for an international experience with Japanese students from Senshu Middle School the week of June 23-27. Nine morning classes will be offered at Lux Middle School in this international program with both American and Japanese students studying and socializing together: Games for the Brain, Woodworking Explorations and Digital Photography are a sample of classes that are offered. 

Bright Lights also has day camps. TV News & Production, Engineering, Architecture and Medical Healthcare are all career camps that will let you explore your area of interest.

By mid April nearly 54% of the classes for summer 2008 are filled, but there are still over 1,000 openings available. Act now to register for hands-on classes this summer that will explore in depth your area of interest! A Lincoln tradition for over 20 years, this program is filled with fun and discovery for middle school and elementary students. Check out the opportunities online at www.brightlights.org or call 420-1115. Class availability is updated daily on the website.

A Lincoln tradition for over 20 years, check out the 2008 Bright Lights program schedule on-line at www.brightlights.org or call 420-1115.  Information is also posted concerning need-based scholarships and free bus transportation. 85% of the over 100 classes and day camps will be held at Randolph Elementary, 37 th & D Streets, the weeks of June 9-13, June 23-27, and July 7-11. 

Burdened By Bicycles

Cleaning out the garage?   Got any extra bikes lying around that the kids have outgrown?   Whynot relieve your burdens by DONATING them to a good cause?   The MAD DADS of LINCOLN is sponsoring its "Bicycle repair and Give Away Program" from now until    June, 2008. Bring in your "gently used" to "well-loved" bicycles before June 15 th and they will repaired as needed and be given to youth here in Lincoln who have no bicycle.   The program is free of charge to the 5 th and 6 th graders who will receive the much appreciated bikes!   Remember, all donations to MAD DADS of Lincoln, Inc. are tax deductible.

For more information, or to make a donation, please contact Rev. Donald Coleman, President of MAD DADS of Lincoln, at 742-0224.   Donations may be dropped off at the new MAD DADS facility at 615 S. 6 th Street (downtown near 6 th and J)  

Announcement from Jim Wiebelhause, Pastor
Harvest Community Church

Park Middle School is dedicated to providing the best environment possible to promote the education and the welfare of the students in our community. One factor to encourage this environment is the landscaping around the school.

Therefore, Park Middle School has a partnership with Harvest Community Church whose members have offered to plan and organize some landscaping around the front of the school. They will provide the landscaping materials. We are inviting anyone who wants to grab a rake or shovel to come on out to help with this project on May 17th, weather permitting. The day will conclude with a free lunch in the park.

Note: Harvest Community Church holds Sunday services each week at Park Middle School.