February 2010

It’s hard to believe we are now half way through the 2009-2010 school year. Our teachers, support staff and administration continue to challenge our students with high expectations for academic, social and emotional growth. The information available on this site and through our school describes the varied programs and services that are specifically tailored for either our lower school (grades 4 & 5) or our upper school (grades 6-8) students. Our extended instructional time in Language Arts and mathematics along with the increased time and reduced class sizes in our Basic Skills Programs continue to help improve student achievement in these critical areas. Our new double period alternating block schedule for our grade 6-8 science and social studies classes provide greater opportunities for experiments and student-centered projects. Teachers in classrooms that have been equipped with our new Eno Boards, ceiling mounted LCD projectors and Elmo machines are creating new and exciting lessons. Our teachers continue to employ “best practices” in the classroom, using student data from standardized benchmark assessments to make informed instructional decisions to maximize student achievement. Teachers are employing strategies from our newest professional development, Standard Solutions, to improve student problem-solving skills. Knowing that parent – teacher communication is vital to student success, parents are encouraged to frequent our teacher websites for homework and classroom information, and use our Electronic Schoolhouse to keep track of your child’s grades. Please continue to use this website, as information is updated throughout the year. Once again, we are looking forward to continued success for all our students and their families.

Mr. Robert Heidt

Mrs. Tali Axelrod, Mrs. Marlena Hoffman-Majors, Dr. Baker

Click the following link in order to check individual teacher websites that will provide information regarding class activities and student assignments.
Mauger Teachers

NOTE: Recently, due to technical issues beyond the teacher's control, some teacher web pages could not be updated. These issues are currently being addressed at this time by the technology staff.

Peer Tutoring will start this Wednesday ,December 2nd in the Media Center and will run from 2:45 to 3:30. 7th and 8th grade students will offer assistance to 4th and 5th grade students who need extra help in their academic classes. The goal of Peer Tutoring is to give the students an opportunity to receive assistance in preparing for tests and quizzes, and completing homework in subjects that are difficult for them. They will hopefully gain a better understanding of the material and therefore see an improvement in their grades.

Students attend on an “as needed” basis, however they are required to sign in and sign out. They should arrange for a way home ahead of time. Peer Tutors are Mauger students and are supervised by Ms. Castells and Mrs. Welland. Any questions or concerns should be brought to the attention of Mauger School Guidance Office at extension 22660.

Student of the Month nominees are selected on the basis of service and involvement with Mauger School and the community, academic effort and/or achievement, artistic, athletic, and/or dramatic involvement, or any other achievement that teachers feel deserve recognition.

Once a month a teacher is selected in each grade level to choose a Student of the Month. Having a different teacher choose each month provides the opportunity for our special education teachers, elective teachers, and physical education/health teachers to have input. No student can be honored twice in two consecutive years.

Students chosen each month will have their names and pictures displayed in the cafeteria and are given a “Certificate of Achievement.” Each student and their family will also be invited to our annual “Scholars and Services Awards” program in May. If parents give permission, student names are also posted on our website.

By: Ms. Cristine Castells, Counselor

September 2009
4th: Brianna Frazer
5th: A’Jiahn Moss-Moyd
6th: Alina Bardaji
7th: Holly Chok
8th: Salvatore Lavenia

October 2009
4th: Natalie Gorr
5th: Cole Santucci
6th: Marissa Guiducci
7th: ************
8th: Tanay Gupta

November 2009
4th: Alyssa Rodriguez
5th: Matthew Rudawski
6th: Jordan McEvoy
7th: Thomas Erchick
8th: Becky Clark

December
4th: Alexis Buccallato
5th: Naomi Bell
6th: **********
7th: Andrew D’Amato
8th: Peter Dominick

For the past nine years Mauger students have participated in the NJ Mathematics League Contests. Students voluntarily come to the school at 7:30 a.m. to take the tests, which uniquely challenge student’s logic, reasoning and problem solving skills. We thank our PTO for continuously funding these contests. This year’s top finishers in each grade are as follows:

8th Grade Math Contest Winners:
1st Place: Michael Torre
2nd Place: Nicholas Riepe
3rd Place: Connor LaMontagne

7th Grade Math Contest Winners:
1st Place: (tie) Katie Strang and Tanay Gupta
2nd Place: Kyle Terracciano
3rd Place: (tie) Robert Passalacqua and Emily Andreola

6th Grade Math Contest Winners:
1st Place: (tie) Samantha Todd and Kyle Smyth
2nd Place: (tie) Holly Chok and Zack Seif

5th grade NJ Math League Contest:
1st Place: (tie) Liam Nevitt and Alok Pillai
2nd Place:(tie) Nicholas DiMaggio and Mandy Duong

4th grade NJ Math League Contest:
1st Place: Aspen Ritz
2nd Place: Rachel Deahl
3rd Place: Nick Montajes

Von E. Mauger Middle School is pleased to announce it is the recipient of a $750 grant from the Exxon-Mobile Educational Alliance Program. Mauger students and the Middlesex community wish to thank Mr. Ilhan Akar, owner of Akar Exxon in Middlesex for providing this grant to our school. The grant will continue to fund educational projects in our Elizabeth Tallman Memorial Courtyard. Our courtyard is used as an outdoor learning center for art, science, and language arts classes, and it is developed and maintained by grade 4-8 students in our popular environmental club. Environmental Club advisor Mr. Michael DePaolo stated, “with this generous gift from ExxonMobile, we are able to enhance our current educational programs and inspire our students by tapping their inherent interests in nature and the environment.” Ten years ago, the courtyard was nothing but an overgrown patch of grass. Today, thanks to grants such as this, our courtyard supports mature trees and shrubs, vegetables, a pond and waterfall, and an assortment of insect, aquatic, and avian species.

The enclosed links are letters from Mrs. Stacy Ulmer, Student Assistance Counselor, regarding dangerous games called Choking and Huffing.

Von E. Mauger Middle School sponsors a co-curricular program with a wide variety of activities to stimulate and enrich the growth of our students. Activities are scheduled both before school and after school on various days of the week, and our students are encouraged to become involved in more than one activity. While some programs, like yearbook and student council, are open to all grade levels, most activities are specific to the lower school (grades 4&5) or upper school (grades 6-8). To be responsive to the needs of our students, most programs are flexible and do not require regular attendance. A signed permission slip is the only requirement to join most activities. “We encourage our students to become involved in as many of these activities as they can. A listing of this year’s activities, advisors, and meeting times, dates, and locations has been distributed to students and is also posted on this site.

Click either of the following to obtain appropriate application sign-up forms

Upper School Co-Curricular Programs
Lower School Co-Curricular Programs

Mauger Students Selected for 2009-10

The Middlesex County Middle School of the Arts Program offers intensive instruction and enrichment in the areas of creative writing, modern dance, instrumental music, vocal music, theater arts and the visual arts. This year we again have three Mauger students who were accepted into this prestigious program. Seventh graders Sarina Redzinski and Catherine Cooney were selected to attend Multi-Genre Writing. Seventh grader Jason Vinciguerra was selected to participate in the Theatre Arts program. This is the second year Jason and Sarina will be attending the Middle School of the Arts.

These students had to audition or present portfolios of work to qualify for the program. They also must maintain all academic responsibilities at Mauger while attending the 12-week program for three hours weekly. Congratulations and good luck to these talented Mauger students.

Middlesex Public Schools
The Middlesex Public Schools, in partnership with the community,
believe
all students have the capacity to learn,
and resolve to provide
the knowledge and skills for students to become
confident in their abilities to face challenges,
compassionate and respectful of themselves and others, and
committed to overall excellence in a diverse world.

“Confident, compassionate and committed to excellence”

I am happy to welcome you and your family to a new school year. As parents, you are our partners in the important job of educating the children of this community. Parents frequently want to know how they can help their child at home. Teaching reading is an important and difficult job in which both the school and the parent can cooperate. Here are some ways in which you can help your child to become a strong reader and make this the best school year possible.

• Build a reading atmosphere in your home. Have books, magazines, newspapers, even comics around the house. If they’re lying there, your child will pick them up. Let your child see you reading frequently. Children tend to imitate their parents’ reading habits.
  
  
• With younger readers, help them with their reading by looking at words and pictures together. Skip over the unknown word and read the rest of the sentence to see whether this suggests a new word. Check to see whether the word makes sense in the sentence.
  
  
• Buy books for your child. For birthdays and holidays buy books when you can afford them. A child who owns a few good books is usually interested in reading. Try to get books at your child’s reading level so he or she can read them with fun and pleasure. You can also purchase magazine subscriptions like Sports Illustrated for Kids or National Geographic for Kids as something exciting for your child to look forward to monthly.
  
  
• Take frequent trips to the library with your child. Allow them to choose any book that is appealing. Initially, if your child is not comfortable with reading, he or she may choose easy books. However, as confidence is gained and improvements are made, he or she will naturally choose more difficult books.
  
  
• Help your child get the rest they need. A child who has stayed up late to watch television or play video games may have difficulty concentrating in school the next day.
  
  
• See that your child has positive work habits. Be sure they arrive on time for school and help them make homework a priority. Provide your child with a structured time and location for homework and help them get organized and stay on top of their work. Show your child how to come to school prepared with his or her homework, books, and assignments.
  
  
• Check your child’s backpack each day. This will ensure that you remain informed about school events and important information from your child’s teacher.
  
  
• Become a partner with your child’s teachers. An interested, relaxed, helpful parent is a most valuable co-worker and you are the partners we need. When parents get involved in learning, student achievement soars. Your encouragement and support will truly benefit and assist your children as they embark upon a wonderful, new school year.

We look forward to a very successful and positive school year for your children and you.

Thank you,
Tali Axelrod
Assistant Principal
Von E. Mauger Middle School

Student Safety & School Security
Please be sure to follow the precautions below to help keep our Mauger students safe.

• All visitors must check in through the main office and receive a visitor’s pass. This pass must be visibly displayed as you move through the building. While it is very tempting to walk into the building at the very beginning or end of the day through the doors the students use, these doors cannot be used by adults.
  
  
• For the safety of our children, students are not permitted to walk through the parking lot. Students must use the sidewalks and may only cross at designated crosswalks.
  
  
• During dismissal in the 4th & 5th grade parking lots, double parking and standing are not permitted. If you are picking up your child from school, please find a parking spot in one of the faculty lots or on any of the side streets near the building. Please walk to the 4th & 5th grade exit to wait for your child and escort him or her to your car.
  
  
• Please use extreme caution and slow speeds to ensure the safety of all of our students.

Drills

• As part of our safety program, we run two fire drills per month in addition to evacuation drills and lockdown drills throughout the school year.

Dear Mauger Students,

We are glad you are here at Mauger!! We want to let you know that there are many musical opportunities here for you! Music is good for the mind, body and soul! Research even confirms that students who are active participants in music do better in school and socially. Further, scientists find that music is actually very good for your physical and mental health! But most of all, music is just plain FUN!!

With all of these positive benefits music has to offer shouldn’t YOU be active in the world of music!?! Mauger music department has many musical opportunities awaiting students! We want you to become involved with music at school, at home, in your life….a gift you can give yourself and keep forever…beyond your years here at Mauger!

Please read the enclosed Flyer to find out more about the music offerings at Mauger and the music staff. We are excited to have you in our music rooms….making and learning about music!

Help us fill the halls of Mauger school with the joy of music…you will love the sound and feeling that goes with it!!

We want YOU to join the music program at Mauger!

Sincerely,

THE MAUGER MUSIC STAFF
Joe Krunkosky
Karen Blumenthal
Ron Coupland
Susan Meth

We wish to thank Mr. Tom Wynkoop of Sierra Landscape Management for the weeding, trimming, and mulching of the shrub border in front of our Gorman Gymnasium. Mauger’s PTO President, Mrs. Ciesla contacted Mr. Wynkoop who volunteered the services of his business to help beautify Mauger’s grounds. Ex-Mauger student Brian Ferfecki originally built the shrub border as his Eagle Scout project to commemorate those lost on September 11, 2001. We again thank Tom Wynkoop for his time and materials.

We’re pleased to announce that the PTO has a direct link on the Mauger website where you’ll be able to find out about PTO meetings, events that are coming up & the volunteers we will need, fundraisers that we’re given to your child and other important information. Once you enter the Mauger website, our link will be located on the left hand side and is titled, “Mauger Meetings, Minutes & Fundraisers”.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call Lori Ciesla at: 732-563-4255 or e-mail me at: Lhc300@aol.com.

HERE WE GO!

PTO Upcoming Events 2009- 2010

Does your child need an extra challenge?
Extra help with basic skills?
A chance to improve grades?
Visit

Now available for your child’s at home use!
Enrichment, skill reinforcement, and learning games are all available in
Math, Reading, and Writing
Log on to www.studyisland.com or click link
Students know their logon name and password.
If they forgot or need help please contact
Mrs. Wise, Librarian/Media Center
@ 732-317-6000 x-22801
or e-mail: wisel@middlesex.k12.nj.us

In conjunction with Red Ribbon week, Anti Drug, Tobacco & Alcohol, Mr. MacMath's 4th and 5th grade students at Von E. Mauger School in Middlesex celebrated by hearing of the dangers of substance abuse then participating in activities that supported the lessons. The students had stamp out drug's relay races and breathing through restricted airway (straws) after one minute of strenous activity. Students in the pictures are Michael Johnson, Pete Domenick, Carsten Bowers, Robert Passalacqua and Julia LaCapria.

Looking for a flexible volunteer opportunity at Von E. Mauger?

We’re looking for parents/grandparents who can commit to helping us in the library once a week, month or semester to keep the library media center running at peak capacity.

Activities such as keeping the books in order, labeling books, maintaining databases and placing barcodes on the books call for a lot of hands and a lot of time, and we could really use your support in these areas.

If you have ideas for other ways you can offer your skills and talents to support reading and media literacy at the school, we’d love to hear them.

Please consider this opportunity for a flexible way to be involved and be a big help to the school. Also, remember that for security purposes, anyone entering the school must come in through the front door, sign in at the main office and get a visitor badge.

Contact:
Leslie Wise 732.317.6000 @22801 or wisel@middlesex.k12.nj.us

Yearbooks are now on sale from now until December 23rd. The cost of the yearbook will be $35.00, and there are two payment options. Please indicate your choice on this form and return it in an envelope with payment to your homeroom teacher or place in Ms. DePasque’s mailbox in the front office.
Checks should be made out to Mauger School.
THIS IS THE ONLY TIME THE 2010 YEARBOOK WILL BE ON SALE.

Thank you,
Ms. DePasque
Yearbook Advisor

Any 8th grade parent wanting to purchase a family message in the 2009 Mauger Yearbook, please print the following form and submit the information to Ms. De Pasque.
Yearbook Family Message