A Christmas Story and Thanksgiving Break

Our fall play, A Christmas Story was a great success! The students had fun and so did the audience. We had many cast members from Sam Adams, and many more who were preforming for the first time. I want to thank Ms. Porath for all her hard work on this project, Mrs. Barrett-Bush for the wonderful set.

Before we break for Thanksgiving, the Great Start Collaborative of Cass County has the following message for you:

The Great Start Collaborative of Cass County is launching a campaign to encourage people to shop in Michigan this holiday season as a way to help save the funding for our public schools.

The primary funding source for the Michigan School Aid Budget is sales tax. That means that every time we buy a product in Michigan, the sales tax that we pay is helping to support our schools.

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Living in a border county means that we often feel the lure to do our shopping in South Bend, Michigan City, or even Chicago. What many of us don’t realize is that shopping in Indiana or Illinois ultimately takes money away from our children’s education.

The idea for this campaign, entitled “The Power is Ours,” came out of the realization that every one of us can directly impact the future of our children’s education.

Not only do we want to educate people as to where our schools’ funding comes from, but we want them to be empowered to recognize the difference that they can make.

This year’s state budget crisis has resulted in catastrophic funding cuts for Michigan’s public schools. And by all projections, next year will be even worse. Many people are beginning to question our state’s tax structure, and are looking at reform options that will provide a more stable base of funding for our schools.

One good thing has come out of our state’s financial difficulties and that is that more people are paying attention to what happens in Lansing than ever before. People are more aware, but they’re also more frustrated. And that makes them more willing to take action that will ultimately lead to positive change.

For more information about “The Power is Ours,” or to find other ways that you can get involved, call the Cass County Great Start Collaborative at (269) 445-6217.

Math Focus

I can do mental math. I can compute numbers in my head without a calculator.

English Focus

I can speak and write using correct grammar and vocabulary.

• 8th grade spelling bee try-outs will be Monday, November 30, in Mrs. Ridge's room during lunch. Get your lunch and come to Mrs. Ridge's room with a pencil.

• The following girls are to turn in their jerseys: From varsity-Angela Feathers, Courtney Foster, Alexis Torterelli, Jessica Biek, Courtnee Anderson, Paige Breden, Reese Ellison, Shirley Thomas, Olivia Stewart. From JV-Tracy Pearson, Meagan Ruff, Alexis Peters, Devin Hillyer, and Karleigh Wright.

• Pink “Dig for the Cure” t-shirts are on sale for $5.00

• Rangerpalooza is coming soon!! Sign-ups will start when we return from Thanksgiving Break. Start thinking about what musical talent you would like to showcase. Remember this is for individuals or groups in grades 7-12.

• Winter sports pictures will be taken on Wednesday December 2, 2009 beginning with the Middle School Boys Basketball Teams. Coaches the picture forms are in your mailboxes.

• Anyone between the ages of 5-14 interested in learning to wrestle may pick up a flyer in the office. You will be able to sign up on November 30 at 6:00 in the wrestling room. There will be a parents meeting at the time of sign ups.

• Seniors: Please be sure to check the blue scholarship list in the guidance office. New scholarships are arriving weekly.
• Seniors! Lifetouch will be here to take Senior Portraits on Tuesday, December 1st starting at 9:00am. Please make sure you sign up for a time with Mrs. Anderson. Seniors this is important and an inexpensive way to have a nice picture for the yearbook and receive a class composite!
• The Principal Advisory Council meets every 4th Monday in the High School Conference room at 6:00 PM. The next meeting is January 25th.
• The next Board meeting is December 14th in the High School Library at 7:00 PM.
• PARENTS and GUARDIANS: Check out your student's grades and attendance at http://www.cassopolis-schools.org/pinnacle/PIV . If you need your login information you can call Mrs. Anderson at 445-0541.

Teacher Section

Breakfast duty the week of November 30 Dahl, Hubbard, Wernette and Westrate

Quote of the Week :

I hated every minute of training, but I said, "Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.".

-Muhammad Ali

Jeopardy and a New Technique

Mrs. May has started working with the new clickers in her classroom. Clickers, or Instant Response System Hand-helds, are used to ask questions and then gather information from students. They can be used to find out what the students know, what they still don't understand, what their opinion may be (especially when honesty requires anonymity) and just about anything else that requires data gathering. These questions are asked with PowerPoint and then show immediate graphs and charts to those answering the questions answering things like "Was I right?"and "What does everyone else think?". The students love them and can't wait to use them! Mrs. May is having them play Jeopardy and the competition can get fierce!

Another less technological but equally effective technique can be found in Ms. Hughes' room. Ms. Hughes has one board covered in sticky notes with titles above the sections. The titles are "Words," Phrases" and "Questions." At the beginning of each unit she asks the students to look over the introduction and based on what they have read, write down words and phrases they don't yet understand and any questions they would like answered by the end of the unit on sticky notes and put them on the wall. As the unit goes on, she uses those sticky notes both to give her direction for what the students need to learn and as a way to check that she is teaching it. This type of best practice is why she is she a great asset to our educational community!

We are lucky to have both Mrs. May and Ms. Hughes. Take the time to visit them or any of our excellent teachers and discover what is happening at Ross Beatty to help your students learn!

Math Focus

I can do mental math. I can compute numbers in my head without a calculator.

English Focus

I can speak and write using correct grammar and vocabulary.

• There will be practice for any high school girl interested in trying out for the high school cheerleading teams. Practice will take place on Monday, November 23, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm in the HS cafeteria. Watch for an announcement at Monday's practice regarding the timeline for tryouts and future practices.

• Thespians will meet in the cafeteria on Tuesday morning at 7:15. This is to take an important vote and all thespians need to be there. If you can't make it, see Lizzy Mays or Ms. Porath ASAP.

• Anyone between the ages of 5-14 interested in learning to wrestle may pick up a flyer in the office. You will be able to sign up on November 30 at 6:00 in the wrestling room. There will be a parents meeting at the time of sign ups.

• Seniors: Please be sure to check the blue scholarship list in the guidance office. New scholarships are arriving weekly.
• 7^th/8^th grade science Olympiad students your list of three events are needed to Mrs. May or Mrs. Wellman by Monday November 23^rd
• Seniors! Lifetouch will be here to take Senior Portraits on Tuesday, December 1st starting at 9:00am. Please make sure you sign up for a time with Mrs. Anderson. Seniors this is important and an inexpensive way to have a nice picture for the yearbook and receive a class composite!
• Thespian Troupe 2323 proudly presents "A Christmas Story" on Nov. 20th and 21st at 7:00 PM and on November 22nd at 2:00 PM in the High School Auditorium. $5 for adults and $4 for students. See you there!
• Final Exams are on November 24th (Periods 1, 2, and 3) and November 25th in the morning (Periods 4 and 5). November 25th is a half day and November 26th and 27th are Thanksgiving Break with no school. The new trimester begins November 30th.
• The Principal Advisory Council meets every 4th Monday in the High School Conference room at 6:00 PM. The next meeting is November 23rd.
• The next Board meeting is November 23rd in the High School Library at 7:00 PM.
• PARENTS and GUARDIANS: Check out your student's grades and attendance at http://www.cassopolis-schools.org/pinnacle/PIV . If you need your login information you can call Mrs. Anderson at 445-0541.

Teacher Section

Breakfast duty the week of November 23 Lang, Jekel, Hawkins and Wellman

The cast of A Christmas Story hopes to see everyone at the play this weekend! Here's an incentive: Remember, for staff it's free (though we happily accept donations!). Don't forget the leg lamp raffle. Lucy is dying to go home with someone!

Please inform Ms. Ghareeb of anyone receiving F’s this trimester, especially seniors.

Instructional council meets on November 23rd at Red Brick at 3:45 PM.

Quote of the Week :

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

-James 3:1

Mrs. Baltazar

Mrs. Baltazar just joined us here at the high school after many years in Sam Adams. She works hard with her students in multiple areas keeping them focused, helping them work individually and cooperatively in groups. Her classroom is compact, but the ideas she fosters are expansive. We are glad to have her here and look forward to the many educational opportunities she will provide for our students!

Math Focus

I can do mental math. I can compute numbers in my head without a calculator.

English Focus

I can speak and write using correct grammar and vocabulary.

• Just a reminder that the registration deadline for those taking the December ACT at SMC is this Friday, Nov. 6. Register online at act.org or see guidance for help.

• Representatives from the military and colleges will be here on the following days-Sign up in the guidance office: Northern Michigan University November 18 @ 8:00 a.m.

• If you are interested in having hot chocolate with Mr. Habra on Wednesday November 18, please see Mrs. Anderson as soon as possible.
• Juniors and Seniors interested in drafting, electrical systems, construction trades or trades or robotics, please see the guidance office about attending a workshop at SMC on December 3 or 4.
• Kendall College of Art & Design College Classes are being taught right here at Cassopolis High School! Credits are transferable to Fine Art colleges and traditional universities. The new semester begins in January. Interested Juniors and Seniors should contact Mrs. Johnson no later than November 23rd.
• Seniors! Lifetouch will be here to take Senior Portraits on Tuesday, December 1st starting at 9:00am. Please make sure you sign up for a time with Mrs. Anderson. Seniors this is important and an inexpensive way to have a nice picture for the yearbook and receive a class composite!
• Seniors: Please be sure to check the blue scholarship list in the guidance office. New scholarships are arriving weekly.
• The following schedule is for ETS Meetings for November 17^th: 9th grade 2nd hour in the career lab, 10th grade 3rd hour in the career lab, 7th grade 4th hour in the career lab, 8th grade 5th hour in the career lab
• Thespian Troupe 2323 proudly presents "A Christmas Story" on Nov. 20th and 21st at 7:00 PM and on November 22nd at 2:00 PM in the High School Auditorium. $5 for adults and $4 for students. See you there!
• Beginning Monday November 16, 2009 soup will be located at the Rain Forest Café and no longer behind the lunch line.
• Final Exams are on November 24th (Periods 1, 2, and 3) and November 25th in the morning (Periods 4 and 5). November 25th is a half day and November 26th and 27th are Thanksgiving Break with no school. The new trimester begins November 30th.
• The Principal Advisory Council meets every 4th Monday in the High School Conference room at 6:00 PM. The next meeting is November 23rd.
• The next Board meeting is November 9th in the High School Library at 7:00 PM.
• PARENTS and GUARDIANS: Check out your student's grades and attendance at http://www.cassopolis-schools.org/pinnacle/PIV . If you need your login information you can call Mrs. Anderson at 445-0541.

Teacher Section

Anyone interested in Secret Santa, please inform Mrs. Anderson by Tuesday.

Please give Mrs. Anderson a list of students who’s parents you contacted during the week of conference.

Please inform Ms. Ghareeb of anyone receiving F’s this trimester, especially seniors.

Instructional council meets on November 23rd at Red Brick at 3:45 PM.

Quote of the Week :

Those people who talk about when they would like to retire probably already have.

-Marv Levy

Mr. Hubbard and Mrs. Wellman

This week's highlight on teachers goes to Mr. Hubbard and Mrs. Wellman.

Mr. Hubbard, who teaches Geometry, Algebra II and A.C.T. Prep just came off a winning season as our Head Varsity Football Coach, yet even as he was dealing with this monstrously time-consuming activity, he stayed focused on his primary position as math teacher.

This is obvious as you look around his room where he has taken the time to list the objectives for what is going to be learned each unit while maintaining a weekly schedule that lets every student know specifically what is expected each day! In addition to these best practices, Mr. Hubbard is consistently named by one or more student each time they are asked as their favorite teacher. This isn't done by students unless the teacher is making connections with his or her students. He even ran a study table for any of his players who were falling behind in their school work. We are very lucky to have Mr. Hubbard in our building as a teacher and a coach.

Mrs. Wellman teaches Earth Science to both high school and middle school, and also a new science elective this year called Genetics. Genetics has no textbook and Mrs. Wellman, who also is the co-advisor of both Students Against Destructive Decisions and middle school Science Olympiad, has had to display her abundant creativity as she developed a curriculum for a class no one is required to take but that looks wonderful to colleges when they look at one of our student's transcripts.

One way she does this is by inviting in guest speakers, and on Nov. 3rd she brought in two. The students were discussing blood and how it worked with their bodies genetics. At the same time they had a chance to type their own blood right in the classroom. Everyone I spoke with talked about how great the lesson was and how much they learned, even if they didn't choose to type their own blood. Our teachers are always finding ways to make class more interesting and the students feel more connected. That's why we have such a fantastic staff!

Math Focus

I can do mental math. I can compute numbers in my head without a calculator.

English Focus

I can speak and write using correct grammar and vocabulary.

• Just a reminder that the registration deadline for those taking the December ACT at SMC is this Friday, Nov. 6. Register online at act.org or see guidance for help.

• Representatives from the military and colleges will be here on the following days-Sign up in the guidance office:

Western Michigan University Hayworth School of Business Tuesday November 10 @ 10:30; Olivet College Wednesday November 11 @ 10:00; Northern Michigan
University November 18 @ 8:00 a.m.

• Pink "Dig for the Cure" t-shirts are now on sale for 10$- please see Miss
  Borsa.
• All girls interested in Junior Varsity or Varsity basketball there is a sign
  up sheet in the office. YOU MUST HAVE A PHYSICAL BEFORE NOVEMBER 9th in order to play.
• FFA fruit sale packets are still available, see Mrs. George ASAP.
• Kendall College of Art & Design College Classes are being taught right here at Cassopolis High School! Credits are transferable to Fine Art colleges and traditional universities. The new semester begins in January.
  Interested Juniors and Seniors should contact Mrs. Johnson no later than
  December 1st.
• Any high school student interested in science Olympiad needs to see Miss
  Hawkins or Mr. Chapman. Applications are due Friday, November 13, 2009.
• There is no school on November 6th.
• Thespian Troupe 2323 proudly presents "A Christmas Story" on Nov. 20th and 21st at 7:00 PM and on November 22nd at 2:00 PM in the High School Auditorium. $5 for adults and $4 for students. See you there!
• The Fall Sports Awards ceremony will be at 7:30 PM on November 12th in the High School Aditorium.
• Final Exams are on November 24th (Periods 1, 2, and 3) and November 25th in the morning (Periods 4 and 5). November 25th is a half day and November 26th and 27th are Thanksgiving Break with no school. The new trimester begins November 30th.
• The Principal Advisory Council meets every 4th Monday in the High School Conference room at 6:00 PM. The next meeting is November 23rd.
• The next Board meeting is November 9th in the High School Library at 7:00 PM.
• PARENTS and GUARDIANS: Check out your student's grades and attendance at http://www.cassopolis-schools.org/pinnacle/PIV . If you need your login information you can call Mrs. Anderson at 445-0541.

Teacher Section

• Please do not send students to the office without a pass. If they come to
  the office without a pass, they will be sent immediately back to class.
• Instructional council meets on November 23rd at Red Brick at 3:45 PM.

Quote of the Week :

Diversity is the one true thing we all have in common - Celebrate it today!

-Unknown