Salter's Shorts

Final Details and Announcements

8th Grade Dance - Friday, May 15 from 7-10 p.m.

It is not to too late to buy your 8th Grade Dance ticket.  The cost is $10 and you can pay in cash or a check made out to "Lovinggood PTSA."   Download Attention Parents letter updated

Also, please refer the following letter for dance specifics.  Pay special attention to dress-code statements.  This letter was sent out multiple times during the year and was posted several times on this blog.  Download Dance Letter

 

Walk to Hillgrove - Friday, May 15 @ 9:45 in the Hillgrove gymnasium

Parents, the Walk to Hillgrove 8th Grade Honors Assembly is this Friday at 9:45 in the Hillgrove gymnasium.  If your student is receiving a special award you should have received a call from one of their teachers by this point.

This assembly should last approximately 2 hours.  At the conclusion of the program, students will return to Lovinggood where they will be dismissed to the front patio (where the benches are) if you have signed and returned the permission form.  This form was given to students several weeks ago and is attached here.  Please wait patiently in this area, as it will take sometime to dismiss all the students who will be leaving early.  Download End of year letter08

On this morning, students should arrive as they regularly do.  They will walk to Hillgrove from Lovinggood by homeroom.  Students should dress appropriately for an awards program.  This is a little nicer than your average school day, call it "business casual," "Sunday best," or whatever you would like, but I think you understand what I am saying.

 

The Picnic

We are still in need of Parent Volunteers and EZ Up Tents.  At this point, if you want to volunteer, just drop on by between 12 and 4 and we will put you to work.  If you have a tent that you would be willing to let us borrow for the afternoon, please just drop it off in the front office with your name attached.  It will be ready for pick up on Friday morning.

8th grade students will be receiving their yearbook on this afternoon, so be on the look out if you paid for one.

 

That is all I can think of for now.  If I think of something else, I will blog again.

A special thank you to Ms. Mannino, Ms. Davenport, Ms. Adams, Ms. Barker, and the rest of the dance committee and picnic volunteers who have helped plan these events for your children.

 

NO RAIN, NO RAIN, NO RAIN!!!

Mr. Chris Salter

 

 

More Info.

Dance Info.

This is the final week to buy 8th grade dance tickets.  They will be on sale Tues., Weds., and Thurs. mornings during homeroom.  The cost is $10 and student must have a permission form signed at the time of purchase.  Download Dance Invitation Letter

Picnic Info.

Things are coming together for afternoon or outdoor fun.  Students will have a chance to buy a "picnic lunch" from the cafeteria that will include a choice of hamburger or hotdog, chips, cookie and other treats.  This will cost the same price as a regular student lunch, $1.75 I think, and will be the only option for lunch for 8th graders on this day.  If students do not want to purchase this option they should bring lunch from home.

As the picnic approaches we are still in need of the following items;

1.  Tents (like you tailgate with)

2. Volunteers - please contact me or Dana Mannino, 8th grade PTA parent coordinator, if you can assist on the afternoon of Thursday, May 14, for one hour or three.

Walk to Hillgrove

Rember that this is Friday morning, May 15.  Please be seated and ready by 9:45.  You should be receiving a call if your student is receiving a special award.

More information will be forthcoming about parking the day of the event.

 

8th Grade Spirit Week

My last attachment on this topic had some incorrect dates on it.  This is the corrected version.  Please remember if you would like to check your student out at the conclusion of the ceremonies at Hillgrove you will need to complete the bottom of this form and return it to your students homeroom teacher no later than Thursday, May 14.   Download End of year letter08

 

As always, contact me if you need something.

Chris Salter

678/331-3015, ext. 227

 

The End is Near!

Only four more weeks and our babies will be off to high school, but before they go we have a lot planned.

For starters, the 8th grade panoramic class picture is to be taken this Thursday morning.  Students got information on this last week.  This picture can be purchased for $15.  Please bring payment on day of picture.

Next, we have spirit week, the 8th grade picnic, the Walk to Hillgrove, and the 8th grade dance.  All of these events are during the week of May 11-15.  Students will be getting a copy of this form, Download End of year letter08 , early this week, but you can preview now.

1. Spirit Week - Theme days each day.  From swashbuckling pirates to super-chill'n in your dorm pants, a fun time for all.  Download Spirit week poster

2. 8th Grade Picnic - Along with a few dedicated parents (thanks Ms. Mannino and Ms. Davenport) I am working on making this the best 8th grade picnic yet.  We will have a DJ, games, treats, and surprises that should make this day great.

The "Picnic" part will be provided by our school cafeteria.  Ms. Lowry, our cafeteria manager,  has been hard at work crafting a lunch that students will like.  They will be cooking hot dogs and hamburgers to go along with a sack lunch that will include chips, cookies and other items.  This lunch will be the served lunch to 8th graders on this day and will cost the regular lunch price.  Students will take their lunch and head outside to begin the afternooons festivities.

If you are a parent that would be willing to help out in the following capacities, please contact me;

• Volunteer your time the day of the event to help run things. You can stay for an hour, or all three.
• Donate items personally or from your place of business that can be used as prizes during the picnic.
• Have, or know of someone who has, carnival games that can be borrowed for the picnic (ex. Bean Bag Toss)
• Tents, Tents, Tents.  Do you tailgate or have a portable tent for other reasons?  If so, can we borrow yours for the day.  It may be very hot and we will need shade relieve for students, teachers, and volunteers (NO RAIN, NO RAIN, NO RAIN).

3.  Walk to Hillgrove - This has become the annual right of passage for our 8th graders.  Instead of having an awards ceremony in our theater as they did as 6th and 7th graders.  The students walk to Hillgrove from Lovinggood (to much funfare from our 6th and 7th graders) as a ceremonial transition from middle school to high school.

We will have the awards ceremony in the gym.  This program should start at appoximately 10:00 a.m. and last until approximately noon. Individual honors will be given out, a few words from important persons will be spoken, and other traditional honor program happenings.  If your student is to receive an individual honor, you should be getting a call from the school in the next week or so.

All students will return to Lovinggood after this program and can then be checked out early by completing the bottom portion of this attachment, Download End of year letter08   Students will not be released to parents at Hillgrove.

4. Ah, the Dance - The 8th grade dance is the night of May 15 from 7-10:00 p.m. Download Dance Letter Tickets will be on sale Tues. - Thurs. in the cafeteria during 8th grade lunch.  The cost is $10.  Students must have money and a signed persmission slip to purchase a ticket.  This dance truly has the potential to be one of the best 8th grade dances in recent memory, not just at Lovinggood, but any Middle School.  Many parents have dedicated a lot of time to make this a fantastic event. Many thanks.

Sorry so long, but I think that about sums it up.  Contact me if you have questions; chris.salter@cobbk12.org or 678/331-3015, ext. 227

 

It's Been Too Long

Hope everyone had a relaxing, fun, and safe Spring Break!

It has been way too long since I blogged with vital information everyone needs to know (sorry for all the dial-outs).

CRCT- The CRCT's start next Tuesday, April 21 and will continue through the following Monday.  Test will start each morning promptly at 9:20.  If you drive your student to school please make every effort to have them at school in plenty of time to get settled before 9:20.  Also, please try to make sure that students get enough rest during testing and that they eat a good breakfast.  A letter will (should) be goinghome tomorrow with students about the CRCT's, it looks like this Download Grade-6-8-sample-parent-letter

8th Grade Spirit Week -  Yes, the time is almost upon us, end of the year 8th grade activities.  8th grade spirit week is the week of May 11.  The weeks events culminate with the walk to Hillgrove the morning of May 15 and the 8th grade dance that night.  Students received their invitations to the 8th grade dance today in homeroom.  More information will be coming out soon about the walk to Hillgrove. For now, just know that is Friday, May 15, and will be starting at approximately 10 am in Hillgrove's basketball gym.  Download Spirit week poster 

This events of this week take a lot of time and effort from numerous teachers and parents.  I would especially like to thank Ms. Thornton and Ms. Trawick for all they do to make this week a fun and memorable one for the students.  In addition, many parent volunteers have already put in long hours to make sure the dance will be a fantastic event, I think the students will have an awesome time.  I would like to extend a special thank you to Ms. Diane Barker, Ms. Karen Adams and the other parents on the dance committee for the wonderful job you have already done to get this event organized.

Even though a lot has already been done to make sure the end of the year activities will be memorable one's for the students, if you are your business can support our endeavors in any way it would be greatly appreciated.  We are looking to get door prizes and gift certificates to give out during the week, and will definitely need simple "man-power" to help run the 8th grade picnic on the afternoon of May 14.

Panoramic Picture - As the first 8th grade class to go all the way through Lovinggood, the 8th grade will be taking a grade level panoramic picture to capture this time in their lives forever.  Information on how to order this picture will be coming home with students next week.

 

That's all I have for now.  I am sure I have forgotten something and will need to blog again soon.

Call me if you need something, (678) 331-3015, ext. 227

Chris Salter, 8th Grade Assistant Principal

End of 3rd Quarter

Parents and Students,

The end of the third quarter was this past Thursday and all students should have brought home report cards.  In addition, 8th grade students got their Middle Grades Writing Test Scores back and should have brought them home for parents to review. Here is a reference guide to help you intepret your student's score; Download Grade8InterpretiveGuide2009[1]

As you review your grades, I encourage households to take stock of where your student's grades are and make goals for the end of the year.  Is there room for growth?, a lot of growth?  Are you making the kind of grades you are capable of?  Are these the kind of grades that are going to get you where you want to be in 5, 10 years?  All good questions for parents to ask and for students to answer.

This and That

All classes have made the trek over to Hillgrove for lunch and had a great time.  I think they all thoroughly enjoyed it, and I was asked more than once if classes could go back again.  We are nowing enoying our own unique experience in the Lovinggood cafeteria, FREE SEATING!  Yes, more and more we are having days where students can sit anywhere they like in the cafeteria, and the students have responded nicely to this new found freedom.  The cafeteria is still somewhat orderly, the volume is not bad, and it is not a complete mess when they leave.  So we will probably be doing it a lot more.

Please remember that the 8th grade dance is the night of Friday, May 15, with 8th grade spirit week being that entire week.  Groups of parents, teachers, and I are hard at working to ensure that the dance and all the events surrounding spirit week are a success, including the 8th grade picnic on the afternoon of Thursday, May 14.  If you would like to help out in anyway, please contact me.  I am posting the dance letter again, just in case you have not seen it.  I will also be sending this home with students again this week.  Download Dance Letter

Friday, April 3 will be the Student Recognition Activities for third quarter honor roll celebrations as well as the third inour series of Math Workshops to help prepare the 8th graders for the CRCT.

If I think of anything else I will post again soon.  I can't believe it has been so long since my last post, time is fly'n!

Have a great week!

Chris Salter

(678)331-3015, ext. 227

Upcoming Events

Parents and Students,

Yes, sadly it is true, the 8th grade field trip to Six Flags scheduled for May 1 has been canceled.  This trip was canceled for various reasons, the biggest of which was the county's budget shortfall for this year and the fact that all field trips using county buses that were not very closely aligned tocurriculum standards were to be canceled.  The teachers and I currently looking into alternatives to replace this trip.  I will get back to you when and if I have further information.

Spring Pictures      They are this Tuesday, March 3.  All students will have them taken.  These pictures are not pre-pay.  All students will get their picture printed and will take them home to be viewed by their parents.  If you do not want them you just simply return the picture packet in its entirety.

Outdoor Classroom   Lovinggood is turning part of its property nearest the corner of Villa Rica and Casteel Roads into an Outdoor Classroom.  With the hard work of some of our staff members, we have secured several grants to help us make this project a reality.  We will break ground on March 7, and will work again on March 28, to get this project underway.  We hope you can come out and lend a helping hand, even if it is for just a little while. Download Outdoorclass

Baby Pictures   The movie-makers club and Ms. Trawick are asking 8th grade students to bring in baby pictures to be used for the end of the year 8th grade slide-show.  Please send in any pictures you would like us to use and bring them to the front office in an envelope with my name on it.  Please put your child's name and homeroom on the back of the picture if you would like to get the picture back.

Pebblebrook Performing Arts Informational Session    This will be held this Tuesday, March 3.  Any student wishing to attend should sign-up on the form located on Ms. Horace's office door.  We will also make announcements Monday morning about this. 

High School Registration, Phase 2

Registration

So, by now all parents/guardians should have the carbon copy of their students high school registration forms if they returned the worksheet that included their electives.  Students who did not return the worksheet with their elective choices were not given their carbon copies.  In addition, we are still working on transferring all the registration information for those students going to high schools other than Hillgrove.

If you have a question about your child's course placement you were first directed to talk to the recommending teacher at Lovinggood.  If you were dissatified with the result of that conversation I, along with teachers at my direction, referred you to the night of Feb. 24 and Feb. 26 where you could talk with Hillgrove personnel at Lovinggood.  Hillgrove has cancelled these meetings and are now asking you to contact the department heads directly at the following email addresses:

Math                            Kathleen.Towner@cobbk12.org

Science                        Ehsan.Kattoula@cobbk12.org

Social Studies               Ida.Dixon@cobbk12.org

English                         William.Lundy@cobbk12.org

Foreign Language          Elizabeth.Bouis@cobbk12.org

 

 

I will keep you updated as information becomes available.

 

 

8th Grade Shirt

Every year at Lovinggood a T-shirt has been made commerating this milestone in our students lives.  Each year we have a great response to this endeavor and the shirts have looked great.  Students were given order forms for these shirts this past Thursday, attached is the same form:

Download 8th grade t-shirts 09 blank form

 

Spring Pictures

They are March 3.  Plan haircuts now!

 

8th Grade Awards Ceremony

This event which is referred to as the "Walk to Hillgrove" around these parts is planned for the morning of Friday, May 15, starting around 10:00 a.m.  Please mark your calendars.  The dance is that night.

 

 

All for now, but I will try not to let as much time go by before I post again.

 

Chris Salter

96780 331-3015, ext. 227

 

This and That

Hello Parents and Students,

Continuing with high school registration, students should have returned their "worksheet" by this point with their elective information on it.  Students will be taking around the carbon registration form tomorrow to each academic class to register for their academic classes.  Elective information will be transferred onto these forms before they take them around to teachers.  At the end of the day students will be given the yellow carbon copy of the registration form to take home for your records if they have completed there "worksheet" by this point.  If they have not completed the "worksheet" they will not be getting this until they do.

If you have any questions about placement once you receive your copy of the registration form, please contact that teacher.

Also, a reminder that the Advanced Placement Advisory Night is this coming Tuesday night, February 17.  Download AdvancedAcademicAdvisory flyer 2-6-09

We are still working hard to get information for students zoned for high school other than Hillgrove and will make these students aware of their registration information as it comes in.

Lunch @ Hillgrove 

As a part of the transition process to high school we will be taking one class a day over to Hillgrove for lunch for the next several weeks until all students have gone.  So far Mr. Johnson and Ms. Robinson's lunch classes have gone and have enjoyed the experience.

Understanding the CRCT

If you would like to know more about Georgia's CRCT assessment and the requirements and results as it relates to the No Child Left Behind Act please go to www.gaappleseed.org 

Student Led Conferences

I feel that conference week was a success and I got a lot of positive feedback from parents and teachers about the Student Led Conferences.  Hopefully you came away with a better understanding of your student's progression here at school and where they need to go.

This is all for now, but check back frequently for updates.  Have a great day!

Chris Salter, (678)331-3015, ext. 227

High School Registration, Phase 1

Dear Parents and Students,

Yes, high school registration is upon us, no matter what high school you will be attending.  Students' attended a presentation this morning given by counselors from Hillgrove High School.  They talked to the students about classes and graduation requirements that pertained to all high schools in Cobb, as well as specifics regarding Hillgrove.

Tonight there will be an informational meeting at Hillgrove High School for parents and students that will review much of the same information reviewed with the students this morning, but will allow for parents to view this information first hand and ask questions.  This meeting starts at 6:00 p.m. in the Hillgrove Auditorium.Download 8th grade parent night 09 flyer

Steps for registration:

1) Students should come home today with a Hillgrove High School registration packet.  Please review this packet with your student.

2) The last page of the registration packet is a Hillgrove High School 9th Grade Registration Worksheet 2009-2010.  Please read the second page of this packet for directions on completing registration. 

3) By Monday, February 9, students should complete their choices and alternate choices for elective courses on the Worksheet and turn into their homeroom teacher. 

4) Teachers will transfer student elective choices to a carbon registration form here at school and begin to make their recommendations for academic classes next year.  This process will not start for your student if they have not completed Step 3.  This process will be complete by Friday, February 13.  At this time, students will be given a carbon copy of their registration records to keep for your records.

5)  If you have questions about your students placement in aparticular class please contact that teacher or me.  There are certain placement criteria that teachers are to follow based on county and Hillgrove guidelines that you may be referred to in the event of a question.

More information will be coming and I will try to keep everyone involved as up to date as possible using the blog and the dreaded "dial-out."  One event of note is the Advanced Academics Night at Hillgrove on February 17 at 6:00 p.m.  This would be a good event to attend if you have any questions about AP classes and the requirements and rigor of these classes.

For those students not going to Hillgrove we are working hard to get them the information they need and also get them started with the high school registration process.  We most likely be meeting with these students in groups based on the high school they are zoned for.

One last note; if your student has applied to a Magnet school they still need to apply to the high school they are zoned for at this time.  If they are accepted into the Magnet school for which they applied, their registration from their zoned school will be pulled and they will be given further instructions on registration to the Magnet school they have been accepted.

Thank you, and as always, please contact me if you have any questions, concerns, or comments.

Chris Salter, 8th Grade Assistant Principal

(678) 331-3015, ext. 227

Middle Grades Writing Assessment (MGWA)

Parents/Guardians,

On Friday all students will be bringing home a letter in regards to the Middle Grades Writing Test.  This is a state mandated assessment for all 8th grades.  This test provides information about individual student writing performance.  The following paragraph from the state provides more detail;

    "The Writing Assessment wil provide more diagnostic feedback to teachers, students, and parents about individual performance.  Students are assigned either a persuasive or expository writing topic.  Student writing will be assessed analytically in four domain areas: Ideas, Organization, Style and Conventions.  Domain scores are combined to to obtain a total score for each student.  Students will be given a total scale scorewhich represents one of three domain levels:Does Not Meet, Meets, and Exceeds."

In additon to 8th graders taking the MGWA, 6th and 7th graders will be taking a practice writing assessment that is almost identical in nature to the 8th grade writing test in its process, assessment and feedback. 

All students need to be on time to school on Wednesday and come with a #2, non-mechanical, pencil and a blue or black pen.

Download Parent-letter-for-gr-8-wa

If you have a question about the MGWA,or anything else, please contact me at 678/ 331-3015, ext. 227.

Have a great day.

Chris Salter