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