I passed out field trip forms last week (due tomorrow). fro a trip after the break. If you student would like to attend, please have them get their permission slip signed and returned tomorrow! 

As we get close to the end of the trimester we are close to the due date for our two trimester projects: School Improvement and Yearbook Page. 

 

By the end of the trimester your student should have completed a yearbook page (with captions and other informational text) AND their school improvement project (movie night, dance, spirit week etc.) 

 

I know it can be stressful planning a large project, and even more stressful when the blackout changes the schedule, but we're working through it. If your student is feeling the burn in a bad way, please have them come see me. We've been adjusting dates as needed and I've been reminding them that the final score for the project portion lies in the organization, planning, learning and reflection and NOT in the success of the project. In other words being able to reflect on what was done, what was learned and what would you change in the future are the requirements for passing. 

 

It's been a pretty steep learning curve for some of these wonderful young leaders and I would like to commend them all on their perseverance, creativity, and effort. Sometimes what we do doesn't seem like much, sometimes it seems too challenging, and sometimes our best efforts aren't successful BUT every time we try we learn, we grow and we become better. Every tiny step we take toward improving our school is a huge success and one we should be proud of.

 

As always, please let me know if you have any questions. 

 

 

 

 

And we thought that we've moved beyond candles and campfires... yet here we are.

 

US HISTORY: Parents - This is all actually an elaborate plan to have your students relate to the Historical content they are studying: Living like a colonial settler. This has all been staged in order for students to gain valuable insight for our upcoming test regarding life in the colonies and the beginnings of an American Identity. Hopefully as you've been huddled around candles you've been discussing the struggles of life as colonist and not just how difficult it suddenly is to use a bathroom in the dark. (Colonists had to go outside!) And as your student complains about lack of internet and other modern conveniences, I hope it leads to a discussion on how children as young a 3 were expected to help around the house, and as young as 6 were going to work in Colonial America. And when you all get really bored, remember there is always rowdy philosophical debates to be had thanks to John Locke and Charles-Louis Montesquieu regarding balance of government and natural rights. 

 

I know what you're thinking... and you're welcome. :) 

 

In all seriousness, students - we do have an upcoming test on Chapter 5. We haven't finished the reading yet, so the test will be pushed back until the reading is done. Monday at the earliest. In the meantime feel free to finish Chapter 5 on your own, and/or study quizlet and flocabulary (once the power comes back.) 

 

Student Government: We had a great board meeting on Tuesday - great news for all who presented. I realize that this whole no school thing is a bummer (for our timelines and planning) so we'll have to roll with it when we get back. Don't stress about the deadlines - just keep planning! If you do have internet I recommend working on your yearbook pages. One finished page is due by 11/15. 

 

Drama: Hopefully you have your scripts, and a flashlight. You should be able to come back to class completely off script (have all your lines memorized!). Directors: come back with your blocking and scenes decided! We may need to push back our dates a bit... but we'll make that call when we get back. Until then... keep working on your parts. I'm excited to see your final productions!

 

I hope you are all safe, secure, surrounded by loved ones, and a comfortable temperature. See you soon. 

Hello again!

 

This week's update is coming to you from a precarious position. For many of us it is conference time when parents and teachers meet up to discuss accomplishments and challenges of our students. This means that grades are under scrutiny and it's a time for students to hunker down to finish any remaining assignments, and while there possibly handle an onslaught of questions from concerned parents. 

 

It's also quite literally an update regarding our current US History content: The French and Indian War. As we make our way, wading through the muck of Chapter 5, we'll be discussing the forming American Identity and preparing ourselves for a battle between England, France, Spain and Native Americans (pretty much anyone who wanted a piece of the North American Continent to call their own.) Students should have already versed themselves in the first two sections and be working on those trenches using Quizlet, and in class graphic organizers as the Chapter 5 quiz comes into view this week. 

 

Don't worry, we're not leaving all the fun to the history classes, in Student Government we are hunkering down as well as the halfway point of our committees flies by. Students are starting to feel the pressure as deadlines loom on the horizon and they prepare for pivotal moments like budget approvals, and board meetings. Fret not, there is a safety net, so while it may be starting to feel a bit overwhelming, remember that this is a learning scenario. In fact this is much more of a simulation than a true fire fight. Take a deep breath, analyze what you have learned and try anew. The lesson here is truly in the journey not in the outcome. 

 

Finally, Drama students are in on this whole charade as well. (There's no leaving these students out of the action.) This week marks the final week of preparation before the "Small Play" productions next week. These students are under a different sort of barrage. Instead of muck and mud, these thespians are under a mental attack of memorizing lines, coordinating stage movements and dealing with the whims of directors. 

 

Hopefully with the shortened days, and a bit of grit, our students will make it through and live to see another weekend. (With any luck one that is free of restrictions following these conferences.) Take a deep breath comrades, it's going to be a big week!

Good afternoon. With the lovely weather outside, I hope you are reading this after a wonderful weekend enjoying the outdoors. 

 

I too was outdoors working in the garden and updating grades on my patio table. With the exception of a few stragglers, grades are updated in US History, and Grades in Drama and Student Government will be updated by tomorrow evening. 

 

 

 

 

Good afternoon! 

It's been a busy week for all of us, and it was only 4 days!