Ranger Report: Mr. Brawley, Mrs. George, the KIA H.S. Show, And Mrs. Francisco's Bday

Mr. Brawley has taught at the High School since 2005. He currently is teaching health and sex education as well as helping to coach football and acting as the head varsity coach for baseball this year. Any student who is lucky enough to be in Mr. Brawley's class (and at one time or another every student has to take a trimester with him) will be working with a teacher who does whatever it takes to connect with the students and help him or her to learn. He seeks out the need of the student and adjusts until they get it. We are very lucky to have him!

Mrs. George teaches agricultural science and leads the FFA as the advisor here at Cassopolis. Since these are both full time jobs, she works very hard. She loves what she does and she is good at it! Besides making it to the national level for FFA for the last three years, we have had state officers for the last four. She is not afraid to incorporate a variety of teaching styles and makes certain the students know not only what is expected of them but why its important, when its due and how to make sure they can understand. She not only is a great teacher, but a tremendous learner who cares about our students.

This week, in addition to our two highlighted teachers, we have a birthday to celebrate. Mrs. Tammy Francisco, the attendance secretary/receptionist/athletic secretary turned forty this week. The students helped her celebrate in grand style decorating the office and even putting a hat and noisemaker on my desk. The cake was good too!

Finally, if you have been a weekly reader of the blog, you know that we offer classes for college credit in art through Kendall University. One of the students who is taking these classes, Stephanie Vlasicak entered two of her pieces in the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts yearly High School art show. Their explanation which reads as follows, can be found at http://www.kiarts.org/page.php?page_id=102 .

This annual juried exhibition is open to artists 18 years or younger in grades 9-12 residing in Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Van Buren counties. Of the almost 400 entries submitted this year, 117 works were accepted into the exhibition by juror Karen Bondarchuk, Assistant Professor and Foundation Area Coordinator at the Gwen Frostic School of Art at Western Michigan University

Awards include five $100 cash awards and one $100 KIA Kirk Newman Art School 2010 summer class scholarship. A maximum of three Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University Portfolio Scholarships of up to $12,000 may be awarded for work of special merit.

Stephanie got both of her pictures accepted! Quite a feat considering only 29% of the submissions were accepted. One is a graphite drawing and the other is acrylics. We are still waiting to hear if Kendall will offer Stephanie a scholarship, but we are hopeful! Congratulations Stephanie!

Math Focus

I can use integers (positive and negative whole numbers) in a variety of situations.

English Focus

I can proofread and edit my writing and the writing of others.

Archery forms are in the office. If you are interested in participating it will begin after spring break. Listen to announcements for further details.
TOMORROW MARCH 20, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Marcellus High School will have a prom dress sale in their high school gymnasium. Zikers cleaners will also have a dress sale TOMORROW at the College Football Hall of Fame from 9:00 until 1:00 p.m.
ETS Meetings March 23^rd: 7th grade 2nd hour in the auditorium; 8th grade 3rd hour in the auditorium; 9th grade 4th hour in the Career Lab; 10th grade 5th hour in the Career Lab
.There will be an important Thespian meeting during lunch on Wednesday, March 24th. This meeting will concern the upcoming coffeehouse.
Volleyball players, don’t forget to sell flowers. Money is due on March 10.

MRS SEARIGHT FROM THE ISD WILL BE HERE ON FRIDAY, MARCH 26 AT 8 AM TO TALK TO STUDENTS INTERESTED IN THE SMC ACADEMIES NEXT YEAR. SIGN UP IN GUIDANCE.

Seniors please turn in your lottery ticket fundraisers with money to either Mrs. Herwick or Kristen Fitzsimons before Spring Break. Your tickets should be completely scratched off before you turn them in. Herff Jones will be here at lunch on Monday March 29 to deliver graduation announcements.

The Principal Advisory Council meets every 4th Monday in the High School Conference room at 6:00 PM. The next meeting is March 22nd.
SENIORS: THE FOLLOWING SCHOLARSHIPS ARE NOW AVAILABLE. THE CASS COUNTY COMMUNITY POLICING SCHOLARSHIP. THE CASS CO REPUBLICAN WOMEN'S SCHOLARSHIP. IF YOU WERE EVER A PATIENT AT HARRINGTON ORTHODONTICS, THERE IS A SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU. THE LAGRANGE TOWNSHIP/SMC SCHOLARSHIP. ATHLETIC BOOSTER SCHOLARSHIP IS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR THOSE STUDENTS WITH A 2.5 GPA OR HIGHER. YOU MUST HAVE PARTICIPATED IN ONE VARSITY SPORT AND RECEIVED ONE VARSITY LETTER. OTHER SCHOLARSHIPS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE, AND TIME IS RUNNING OUT.
On March 25th, a group from Chicago will be getting a tour of the PDCA Enrichment/Tutorial process. Please watch for them as we take them through the building and show them what a great community we have!
April 1st is a half day for students and April 2nd we are closed for spring break.
The next Board meeting is March 22nd 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 March 22: 7:20 – 7:35 Chapman and Purlee; 7:35 – 7:45 Lang and Wernette
Agust and I will be finishing some clay work for the FAF Monday after school. The final step involves the kiln and horsehair - yes - that's why the building stunk one day first trimester. We will keep the art door closed and the exit door open. It shouldn't be bad like last time when the stink wafted through the building. Just be aware that you may smell something...it's us.
Please remember to notify the office when you are not in your classroom so that we may locate students. Thank you
Many of you have been asking about getting recycling bins for your classroom. Right now, the JAG class is working on getting the recycling bins. In the meantime, if you would like to collect paper to be recycled in a container that you may have we would be more than willing to come and pick it up. Just let me know that you are collecting recycling in your room, so that I can have my kids stop by to empty it when they do their rounds. Thanks! - Danielle