Mr. Shultz has to teach 8th graders about measurement and conversion from the Metric to the English system. I am not a math teacher, (I could teach Social Studies and English) so to me this sounds like a difficult and boring proposition (which is why I don't teach math). Still he thought it was great! As you can see, he found a way to have his students do fun and active things in the classroom (well actually it was in the gym), measure them and convert them. The students were excited by it, even asking Mr. Francisco to fold paper airplanes for them. I'm glad they enjoyed it.
I mentioned earlier how we are using some of the time at school, two days a week, to provide enrichment and tutorials for our students. I know there were some questions about how valuable it is to do this, so I want to share a story. On Monday, the first school day after the first four-question test the math teachers gave to all the students to determine who would be in tutorials and who would be in enrichment, a student approached me. He said he didn't think he was cut out for Algebra II. He said it was too hard for him and even though he was getting A's in all his other classes he could already see the writing on the wall and it read "you are going to get an F." He said he had failed his test and he did not get the information so he was going just withdraw and go to alternative education. I managed to reason with him and convince him to tough it out until the trimester. We parted with him shaking his head, but saying he would try.
A very different expression was on that young man's face on Friday as he walked up and shook my hand. He said: "Mr. Habra, those tutorials are the best idea we ever had at this school! I understand now and my grade has gone way up!" I assured him I would tell the teachers, since it is their idea, and he smiled as he thanked me again. Teachers wait years to hear statements like that. It is proof that what we do matters. I am pleased I was able to pass this on, not only to them, but to you as well.
Another part of the program is having monthly objectives that everyone in the building knows about and tries to use as we work with the students. There is one in math and another in English. This month's objectives are:
Integers-Positive and Negative numbers, opposites, and temperatures.
Grammar/Usage- Speaking and writing while using correct English
- Tomorrow is Blue and White day! The game starts at 7:30 and I hope to see you there!
- The parade is also tomorrow. The times are approximate, but it will be at Squires at 12:45 PM, SAMES at 12:55, and at the RBJSHS at 1:20
- Bethel College will be here on Oct 5th at 9:00 AM
- Central Michigan University will have a representative in the building at 10:30 AM on Oct 8th
- Indiana Tech will have a representative in the building at 9:00 AM on Oct 11th
- October 12th is picture day! Wear your best
- The Principal Advisory Council meets on Monday, October 15th at the high school office conference room. All are welcome!
- The PSAT and the ASVAB will be given on Oct. 17th to those Juniors who wish to take them. Contact Ms. Angus at 445-0533 for more information
- WMU will have a representative in the building on Oct. 18th at 8:30 AM
Quote of the Week
If you want to make an easy job seem mighty hard, just keep putting off doing it! - Olin Miller
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