CUB REPORTER
March 2, 2004
http://www.cobb.leon.k12.fl.us
http://listserv.leon.k12.fl.us
“Building the Future Together”
Dear Students and Parents,
    Cobb Middle School will begin 2004 FCAT testing this week for the
current
school year.  Parents, we encourage you to make sure that your son or
daughter gets the recommended eight hours sleep during this crucial testing
period.   Nourishment is a vital component to mental stimulation. Cobb will
provide breakfast foods free of charge to all students on testing and
makeup dates.  Parents, please ensure that your child is present for FCAT
testing due to its impact on promotions and course placement.  Students
must be on time at 7:30 a.m.  Students should be reminded that they are not
permitted to have notes, scratch paper, or any electronic devices  during
testing.
     Listed below are the FCAT testing and makeup dates:
Tuesday,March 2:Reading SSS       Monday, March 8:Science (8th Grade Only)
Wednesday March 3: Math SSS       Wednesday, March 10: Reading & Math NRT
Thursday, March 4:Makeup Date   Thursday, March 11: Makeup Date
Friday, March 5: Makeup Date      Friday, March 12: Makeup Date
    Cobb’s Mu Alpha Theta teams were in action again on Saturday. Our
students traveled to Fort Walton Beach for a math contest at Choctaw High
School.
   This contest was for Middle Schools and High Schools from all over North-
West Florida. About 700 students participated in this competition.
The Geometry team scores were not available because of a computer problem
but Cobb had two individual high scorers. Congratulations to all the
students!. Great job!
     All Algebra and Geometry Students are invited to participate in future
Mu Alpha Theta contest.  There was an invitational competition on February
21st in Tampa and there will be a regional competition on March 6 in
Tallahassee. See Mr. Coleman in room 45 for details. If you haven’t tried
Mu Alpha Theta, you’re missing the fun.
     We would like to thank the FAMU Concert Choir for coming on Feb 13th
to
sing for some of the Cobb students in our gym.  They put on a FANTASTIC
show and we were so appreciative of their time and talent!  A special thank
you to Charlie Toomer, the director and Cobb parent, that made this
possible as well.  This was a treat for us all and we look forward to
hosting another performance in the near future!
     Hat’s off to our girls soccer team who made it to the finals!!  Cobb
Cubs are the Division 1A Champions!!!!  They sloshed through a wet and
muddy field to defeat the Griffin Tigers 7 to 1. Thanks to Coach Bolivar
and Coach Stodghill for volunteering their time and talents.  Also, thanks
to the boys soccer team for helping out with practices.  Congratulations to
the team and to Coach Kendall!!
     Cobb ended the 2004 Black History Month activities on a wonderful high
note!  Our Black History Programs featured guest speaker Ashley Williams
from Leon High School and several inspiring musical presentation.  A
special thanks to Ms. Westley and the entire Black History Planning
Committee for a month of excellent activities!
 Teachers and administrators are participating in a series of Monday
afternoon reading strategies workshops.  Each session of the series is
designed to provide our teachers with the most current researched basis
reading strategies and routines to use in their classrooms.  Teachers from
all subject areas are finding these workshops valuable for immediate
implementation.
     Also going home today with the Cub Reporter is a flyer from Leon
County School Health and Nursing Services (front and back).  Please read
and review this with your student(s).
     April 22 is the designated date for "Take Our Sons and daughters to
Work".
The guidelines (aligned with MS Foundation's recommended age group) for
Leon County Schools will allow participation in grades 3-8.  Schools must
receive a pre-approved letter from the parent and/or guardian indicating
the student's participation.  The parent must provide the school with a
written statement on company letterhead verifying the student's attendance
at the work place.

Sincerely,

Bob McDaris, Assistant Principal

The next Cub Reporter will go home on March 16, 2004


 Calendar of Events:
March 2, 3, 8 & 10 - FCAT Testing.
March 9 - PTO Meeting 12:00 noon
March 10 - Cheerleading Showcase, 7:00 P.M.  Tully Gym
March 11 – Girls Softball Cobb VS Swift Creek at Lincoln 6:00
March 11 – Brain Bowl at TCC
March 15 – Girls Softball Cobb VS Fairview at Leon 6:00







PTO NEWS

10 WAYS TO HELP YOUR CHILD DO WELL IN SCHOOL

1)  Show you care.  Give hugs and words of support.  Ask your child about
school each day.
2)  Read, read, read!  Read with your child or talk about what he/she has
read.
3)  Make home a place for learning.  Stimulate your child's creativity.
4)  Promote healthy habits.  Make sure your child gets plenty of sleep and
exercise and eats  balanced meals.
5)  Be a positive role model.  Be positive about education and learning.
6)  Encourage independence.  Allow your child to make mistakes and learn to
accept their  consequences.  Give your child responsibilities, such as
household chores.
7)  Create a study routine.  Set a time and quiet place for homework.  Go
over homework   together.
8)  Get involved!  Meet with your child's teachers, join the PTO, help out
at
school events.
9)  Build success.  Help your child set reasonable goals.  Praise your
child's efforts, not just  results.
10)  Make school important.  Insist on good attendance and punctuality.


CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!

    It is important that ALL volunteer hours are recorded in the volunteer
book in Cobb's main office.  This includes:  chaperoning dances, going on
field trips, baking cookies, attending PTO or other school meetings, and
much, much more.  Your hours are important information when the school
applies for grants or seeks recognition, so recording your hours is just
another way to support Cobb.


PTO MEETING

    The next PTO meeting will be Tuesday, March 9, 12:00.  Among other
things, we'll be discussing end-of-the-year events such as the 8th Grade
Dance, trips, etc.  Bring a lunch if you like.

BE INFORMED!

    To receive timely notification of PTO meetings and other events
sponsored by the PTO, join the PTO email list.  Simply email your name and
email address to PTO President Meg Guyton at:  [log in to unmask]  Be sure
to write "Cobb PTO" in the subject line.


BOXTOPS AND LABELS

Cobb PTO is collecting Box Tops for Education and Campbell’s Soup Labels
for Education fundraiser drive.  For those of you who do not know what this
project is, General Mills pays Cobb for each Box Top coupon redeemed and
Campbell’s Soup exchanges labels for merchandise for the school.   Please
send your labels to your student(s) Peer Counseling teacher now!
Participating brands for Box Tops for Education include General Mills
cereal, Pillsbury products, Yoplait, Hamburger Helper, Betty Crocker
products, Old El Paso, Progresso Soup, Green Giant, Totino’s, Fruit Roll
Ups, and Bisquick.  Campbell’s Soup products are, of course, Campbell’s
soups, Pepperidge Farm products, Soup at Hand, Swanson, V8, and Pace.

Lindsay Peebles and Kelly Dozier

8TH GRADE DANCE

The eighth grade dance will be Friday, May 14th, 7:30-10:30. The theme will
be Springtime in Paris which is what the majority voted for back in
October.  The tickets will be $12.00 and will go on sale closer the dance
date.  Students  and parents reserve this date and set aside the $12.00,
look around for attire, etc. so it's not a last minute scramble.  Attire is
nice dress clothes.  (PTO)