A Little Bit of Hollywood Visits Daniell

The 23rd Annual 8th Grade Dance was held Friday, May 10, 2013. Just under 300 8th graders attended the Hollywood themed dance sponsored by the PTSA.

Click here for more information.

Daniell Out Performs the State Middle School Scores on the CCRPI

Daniell Middle School scored an 85.2 on the new CCRPI. This beats the state middle school performance of 81.4.

The results look very different from previous years as schools are now being measured under a new instrument called the College and Career Readiness Performance Index (CCRPI) as opposed to adequate yearly progress (AYP). With CCRPI each school gets one overall score which is made up of many assessments.

Knowing that our students have been taking the 2013 CRCT the past two weeks, please be sure not to confuse the results just released this week with any of the tests which our students have taken this school year. Click here for more information.

Northeast Cobb Business Association Recognizes Daniell Middle School

At the April 17, 2013 Northeast Cobb Business Association (NCBA) monthly meeting, Steve Crowley, NCBA Education Chair, presented Principal David Nelson with a $250.00 check for school use in recognition of the school's continued growth in academics and improvement of the school's campus.

Daniell Middle School Test Scores Surpass State, Metro RESA, and CCSD

Recently released 2013 results show 87 percent of Cobb County eighth graders wrote at or above standards on the state Eighth Grade Writing Assessment, a one percent improvement over 2012 results. Cobb continues to have a higher percentage of students writing at a level that meets or exceeds expectations, compared to the averages of neighboring metro Atlanta school systems (86 percent) and schools throughout the state (82 percent) (see Table I). The District’s scale score dipped to 218, mirroring a single-point decline in metro Atlanta (218) and statewide (215) mean scores.

At nine schools, 90 percent or more students met or exceeded standards on the writing test. Those schools include Barber, Daniell, Dickerson, Dodgen, Durham, Hightower Trail, Mabry, McCleskey and Simpson middle schools.

As one of four grade level-specific writing tests administered statewide, the Eighth Grade Writing Assessment gauges middle school students' writing performance, helping students, teachers, and parents identify areas of strength and weakness in written composition before students enter high school. Student essays are scored on a scale of 1 to 5, assessing the qualities of effective writing: ideas, organization, style, and convention. The writing test taken during a student’s 11th grade year (as part of the Georgia High School Graduation Test) is an important requirement for graduation.

Choices Theme Closes with Professional Wrestling Champion

Thursday, March 7, 2013, former professional wrestling champion and international speaker Marc Mero visited with students at Daniell Middle School. His message focused on the school's nine week Common Core theme of "Choices" and closed out the nine weeks character education theme for the school.

 His presentation is designed to empower students to make positive choices. He has presented the popular “Choices” production at more than 450 schools worldwide to more than half-a-million people.

Serious issues such as bullying, peer pressure, substance abuse and suicide are presented in a way that touches listeners at a "heart level." Students are inspired to treat themselves and others with respect, dream big, achieve goals, and cherish relationships. Marc Mero’s compelling message evokes personal reflection, laughter and tears, and also instills HOPE. Students and faculty described the “Choices” presentation as life changing.

He presented to all three grade levels Thursday at Daniell. The NorthEast Cobb Business Association helped make this event occur for our students. Mero presented at Sprayberry High School, Kell High School, Simpson Middle School, and Daniell Middle School. To the left,  Ike Reighard, Piedmont Church Pastor,  and David Nelson, Principal, hold Mero's championship wrestling belts.

Daniell Receives ADL Recognition

Daniell has earned the ‘No Place For Hate’ designation from the Anti-Defamation League. Daniell was the first Cobb middle school in 2012 to be a No Place for Hate certified school! The school is currently finishing activities to achieve the ADL recognition for two years running.

To aschieve this recognition students and teachers completed the five steps required to demonstrate the school’s efforts in combatting bullying behaviors and educating students on diversity and acceptance.

The No Place for Hate initiative provides educators and students with the resources to ensure that anti-bias and diversity education are an integral part of the school curriculum.

No Place for Hate also helps to create and sustain inclusive school environments where all students feel valued and have the opportunity to succeed by promoting respect for individual difference while challenging bigotry and prejudice.

For more information on the No Place for Hate program at Daniell, contact DaniellPTSA@hotmail.com. For help with talking to kids about bullying, visit www.ADL.org/CombatBullying and CCSD's bullying resources.

Channel 11 WXIA Meteorologist Visits 6th Grade Students

6^th grade science invited 11 Alive News Meteorologist, Allison Chinchar, to speak at an assembly on Friday, March 1^st. She addressed our current standard:

S6E4. Students will understand how the distribution of land and oceans affects climate and weather.

c. Relate how moisture evaporating from the oceans affects the weather patterns and weather events such as hurricanes.

She made weather “come alive” for our students by applying real world applications!

2013 Hoops for Heart

Hoops for Heart was a fun event where students played basketball, learned about their hearts and how to keep them healthy, and raised money for The American Heart Association.  Daniell Middle School collected $3,400 in its Hoops for Heart efforts this year.  Thank you to all of the students that participated and a special thanks to the PTSA for running the concession stand for the event.  We are hoping once again to be the highest donator for middle schools in Cobb County.  Great job!

Heroes Winners Announced
Many thanks to the students who participated in this year's Honoring Our Heroes essay contest, sponsored by the East Cobb County Council of PTA's.

We are proud to announce this year's Daniell winners:

• 6th grader Andy T. in Mrs. Hebb's homeroom class
• 7th grader Ian M. in Mrs. Tidwell's homeroom class

These students, along with the winners from all East Cobb schools, will be recognized at a reception here at Daniell on March 28th.

FBLA -              Daniell's New First!

For the first time in Daniell’s 47 year existence, we now have a brand new chapter of F.B.L.A., Future Business Leaders of America.  This is a nation-wide organization which enables students to learn and sharpen business and leadership skills, engage in community service, and participate in various competitions at Region, State, and even be recognized at National F.B.L.A. Conferences.  San Juan, Puerto and the U. S. Virgin Islands also participate in F.B.L.A.

Advisor, Becky Forbes, came to Daniell from Kell High School as our Business and Technology teacher with 18 years of F.B.L.A. experience at the middle and high school levels.  Her students progressed to national competitions the past two years in Orlando and San Antonio. Principal Nelson stated, "FBLA serves as an excellent opportunity for Mrs. Forbes to engage the students who attend our school in activities which are both relevant and rigorous. To our community, activities which FBLA can provide have always been important. We are excited Mrs. Forbes has brought this to our students."

Meetings are every Thursday afternoon until 6:00 p.m.  Student officers lead with Roberts Rules of Parliamentary Procedure.  In order to pay the fees for competitions, students also work in our Pastry Café in the “Hot Spot” by our cafeteria selling donuts and hot chocolate.

Enjoy the web as we follow the events for this year!  If your student is interested in joining, please contact Becky at becky.forbes@cobbk12.org.

Help our school - sign up today and make a difference

Daniell is participating in the Georgia Natural Gas TrueBlue Schools Program. It’s an easy way for our school to earn donations directly from Georgia Natural Gas every time you pay your natural gas bill. If you’re already a loyal Georgia Natural Gas customer, visit TrueBlueSchools.com to designate our school. GNG will donate $5 each month you pay your gas bill. That’s $60 a year to our school. You can also click on the picture above to learn how you can help raise money to support our school.

NCAA Eligibility and Recruiting Information

Our feeder high school, Sprayberry High School, is partnering with Kennesaw State University to host an informational meeting on NCAA initial eligibility and recruiting on March 14, 2013. Click here for more information.

Daniell Parents, Teachers, and Students Participate in the PTSA Youth Advocacy Day at the Capitol

On February 13, 2013, eight Daniell eighth graders attended Georgia PTA's Youth Advocacy Day downtown at the Capitol. They were joined by eighth grade Social Studies teachers Joanna Burdell and MaryJane Shaw, and Daniell PTSA leaders Heather Held and Susan McCullough. The students, six girls and two boys, participated by submitting responses to at least two pieces of currently pending legislation, along with questions for legislators and a statement on why they would like to attend. The parent volunteers were impressed with the detailed knowledge of the bills shown by the student responses and the sincerity of their concerns. The students heard presentations by current interim DeKalb superintendent Michael Thurmond, the director of the Department of Highway Safety, and the director of the Department of Driver Services. Student speakers opined on issues ranging from immigration to leadership, the HOPE scholarship, and the importance of student advocacy. When the session convened, the students toured the Gold Dome, saw the House and Senate chambers, and were delighted by an impromptu Q&A with Gwinnett Representative Brian Thomas. Mrs. Held and Mrs. McCullough were proud to spend day with these Daniell students who are sure to be future leaders.

Cafe Begins "Try It Tuesdays

Each month, Cobb County Food and Nutrition Services spotlights a different fruit or vegetable on Tuesdays.  New recipes featuring the spotlight item will be offered as an extra side item or just as a sampler.  It is our hope that students will try something new or will try a familiar food prepared in a new way.  The vegetable for February is carrots.  The carrot plant is a member of the parsley family because of its light, feathery leaves that grow above the more familiar root part of the vegetable.  Carrots, which range in color from white to yellow to red, are an excellent source of vitamin A and fiber.  Carrots are good for your eyes since they contain an antioxidant called lutein which protects the eyes from damage.

Fun Fact:  the longest carrot ever recorded was nearly 17 feet long.  That is longer than a car! 

For more information about "Try It Tuesdays" or about any other food and nutrition related topics, please visit Kelly Robinson, Daniell Food and Nutrition Manager, kelly.robinson@cobbk12.org . You can also visit Mrs. Robinson's blog at Cafe News and Notes .

On December 10, 2012, Georgia's 11th District Congressman, Phil Gingrey, spoke as a guest speaker to the 8th grade students. Mrs. Shaw, 8th grade Social Studies teacher, arranged the visit. Congressman Gingrey spoke to students about his schooling, career choices, and life in public service.

A question and answer session was provided by the Congressman. Students inquired about issues such as the fiscal cliff that the nation faced at the beginning of 2013 and unrest in the middle east between Syria and Israel. After the session, students were able to visit one on one with the Congressman and have pictures made.

Community Leaders and Business Members Visit Daniell

Click here to read about the 8th Grade Career Day featured in the East Cobb Patch.

Daniell Students Named to Georgia All State Band

On January 12, 4 students from Daniell Middle School travelled to Perry, GA to audition for the All State Band against almost 1,000 students  from all over the state. These students, Tori K., Venky R., Grace S., and John Y., auditioned and represented Daniell Middle School in an exceptional manner.  They each had to play 2 prepared pieces of music, one lyrical and one technical, in front of 2 judges who were behind a screen. Then, the students were given 2 pieces of music they had never seen before. The students had 30 seconds to study each piece silently and then they had to perform those pieces for the judges. Special congratulations to the 2 students who were named as members of the Georgia All State Band - John Y., clarinet and Tori K., flute. John and Tori will travel to Savannah GA at the end of February to take part in All State Band weekend.

Yearbook Orders

There is still time to secure your copy of the 2013 yearbook!!!

You can bring cash or a check to school and put it in the black box in a white envelope (provided) and put your name, home room and YEARBOOK on the envelope.

OR

You can buy your copy online at https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/ which is quick and easy and your print your own receipt! Our school number is 1000, but you won't even need it!

The current price is $38.00

Don't wait....Secure your copy TODAY!!!

Daniell Students Take First Place Honors at Lego Robotics Super Regional

International Festival Held

Geography Bee Winner Announced

Congratulations to Shashwat K., our new Daniell Geography Bee champion.  Shashwat bested a field of twelve highly talented students in today’s Geography Bee.  He faced off against fellow 8th grader Venky R. in the championship round and won by correctly identifying the Yangtzee River as the location of China’s Three Gorges Dam.

Shashwat will have a chance to represent Daniell in the Georgia State Geography Bee this spring.  Well done, competitors, and great job, Shashwat!

Hoops for Heart Campaign