Skits/October Objectives

On Tuesday this past week, Mrs. Ridge's class performed a series of skits that I was fortunate enough to be invited to witness. It takes a lot of preparation, creativity and courage to stand in front of one's friends and perform. The person performing risks being laughed at or ridiculed about how he or she did, and no one likes that. Still, stretching our students to take these kind of calculated risks, to prepare the best they can and then try, is a valuable life skill that is an important part of every child's learning. No one can acquire greatness without taking a chance, and the courage to do so must be there first. Thomas Edison said: "I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that don’t work." To find the 10,000 ways, a student has to be willing to try 10,000 things. Mrs. Ridge is giving our students a safe place to risk the first try.

October Objectives

As I said last week, part of the Plan/Do/Check/Act model is that every month has its own objective for math and English. These objectives are based on the data from past tests (MEAP, MME, NWEA, etc.) that we give to our students. The teachers spent some time this summer going over the data and picked the areas the students find the most challenging. Now, we spend a month focused on these areas. These objectives are posted all over the school, they are broadcast every day with daily announcements, and everyone from teachers to coaches seek ways to interject these things into a variety of experiences. I am going to start posting them here as well so that any parents who read them will have a chance to ask their students about them.

Integers-Positive and Negative numbers, opposites, and temperatures.

Grammar/Usage- Speaking and writing while using correct English

• October 12th (tomorrow) is picture day! Wear your best!
• MEAP testing continues for the next two weeks in the 7th and 8th grade. The students are testing in their classes in the morning and are receiving snacks, but it will help if they have eaten a good breakfast and get a good night's sleep.
• The Principal Advisory Council meets on Monday, October 15th at the high school office conference room. All are welcome!
• The PSAT and the PLAN will be given on Oct. 17th. All Sophmores take the PLAN and those juniors who have signed up take the PSAT. Contact Ms. Angus at 445-0533 for more information
• The ASVAB has been cancelled.
• 9th grade Social Studies MEAP retakes will be done on Thursday, Oct. 18th during first hour in the library. Any student who missed part or all of the test will take it at this time.
• WMU will have a representative in the building on Oct. 18th at 8:30 AM
• Physics Day at MSU is on Monday, October 22nd. Several students will spending the day doing a multitude of hands-on activities.

Quote of the Week

Whether you think you can, or think you can't, you're right. -Henry Ford