Homecoming Part 1

Homecoming is an exciting and fun time. Each day has a theme, and I have included some pictures from PJ day and Celebrity Day, but learning is also going on. Mrs. Westrate does a great job as the Department Head for Social Studies in the building and even as we get fired up for the big football game, she keeps the students focused on economics, civics and history every day in the classroom. She does a fantastic job teaching and since she also co-heads student council, coaches cheer leading, leads the National Honor Society and will co-direct the spring musical this year we are very lucky to have her and all of her energy and dedication! Athletics makes a difference for our students, but the most important asset we have for our students are our fantastic teachers, like Mrs. Erin Westrate.

Math Focus

I can understand probability. (The likelihood that something will occur.)

English Focus

I can read and follow directions.

• This Friday, September 25th, is homecoming.
• Students who walk to school should be careful to walk AGAINST traffic. This is very important, especially since it is dark in the mornings.
• Anyone interested in becoming a bus buddy may pick up an application in the High School Guidance Office, Transportation Office, or by asking any of the District Bus Drivers. Become a positive role model and assist your bus driver by interacting with a younger student on the bus and EARN Community Service credits. All students in grades 7-12 are welcome to apply.
• SPORTS PICTURES: Monday, September 28 Varsity Football 3:00 pm; JV football 3:15 pm; Soccer 3:25 pm; HS cheer (JV and varsity) 3:45 pm; JV volleyball 4:15 pm; varsity volleyball 4:25 pm. One set of photographers is adequate. All photos at the HS campus.
• Tuesday, September 29 3:00 pm @ HS Individual photos for any players who missed photo session on 28th
• Representatives from the military and colleges will be here on the following days-Sign up in the guidance office: Monday September 28-Holy Cross College @ 10:30; Wednesday September 30-Indiana Tech @ 8:00 a.m. and Albion College @ noon; Thursday October 1-Purdue North Central @ 10:30; Friday October 2-Grand Valley State @ 10:30
• On Thursday October 1, there will be a Christian College Fair at Bethel College. See Guidance for details
• Football clothing order forms are available in Mr. Hubbard’s room or in the office.
• HERE ARE YOUR HOMECOMING STANDINGS: 4^th Place-Freshmen; 3^rd Place Seniors; 2^nd Place Sophomores and still in 1^st place….the JUNIORS!
• There is a board meeting on the 28th at 7:00 PM in the High School Media Center.

Teacher Section

• Instructional Council meets at 3:45 PM on the 28th at Red Brick.

• When doing the attendance for Enrich/Reteach please mark who is “absent”. If you have extra students approved by a teacher to attend your class, please mark them down and if you give permission for someone to go to another class mark down that too.

• Please make sure that when you send students to the office to make copies that you give them your pin number to use. If you don’t remember your pin please see Shelly.
• Wednesday, the 30th of September is count day!
• Mr. Habra and Mr. Francisco will be out of the building on October 5th. Mr. Guse and Mrs. May will be the on-site administrators. Mr. Habra will also be out on October 6th. This is for the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principal's Conference.
• Mr. Habra will be out on the morning of September 30th for the Lakeland Conference Executive Board meeting.
• PARENTS and GUARDIANS: Check out your student's grades and attendance at http://www.cassopolis-schools.org/pinnacle/PIV . A letter should arrive sometime in the next two weeks with your login information, or you can call Mrs. Anderson at 445-0541.

Quote of the Week :

I am not young enough to know everything.

-Oscar Wilde

Fun Fair, Football, and Skinning Cats

The fun was last Friday, September 11th, and it was a great success. We served around 550 people of all ages from the community and everyone seemed to have a wonderful time. We are very pleased to host it each year at Ross Beatty, and probably has something to do with the large crowd we had in attendance at our game vs. Edwardsburg at 7:00 that night. It was the closest game we've had all year, but the Rangers pulled through with a 50-37 point victory over the Eddies.

Still, the business of the school is education, and Mr. Chapman's new Anatomy and Physiology class is getting into the meat of it as they prepare to dissect cats by skinning them. This is an amazing learning experience for our students, and they will come away with a much stronger understanding of how the body works when they are done.

Math Focus

I can understand probability. (The likelihood that something will occur.)

English Focus

I can read and follow directions.

• This Friday, September 25th, is homecoming.
• Homecoming week has a different theme for each day.
• Monday - hat/sunglasses day
• Tuesday - celebrity day
• Wednesday - PJ day
• Thursday - College Day
• Friday - Ranger Spirit Day
• Monday is picture day - students can wear their hats after pictures, but they will not be allowed to wear them in the pictures.
• Anyone interested in becoming a bus buddy may pick up an application in the High School Guidance Office, Transportation Office, or by asking any of the District Bus Drivers. Become a positive role model and assist your bus driver by interacting with a younger student on the bus and EARN Community Service credits. All students in grades 7-12 are welcome to apply.
• Powder Puff Game is this Sunday at 7:00. Come watch the girls play!
• SPORTS PICTURES: Monday, September 28 Varsity Football 3:00 pm; JV football 3:15 pm; Soccer 3:25 pm; HS cheer (JV and varsity) 3:45 pm; JV volleyball 4:15 pm; varsity volleyball 4:25 pm. One set of photographers is adequate. All photos at the HS campus.
• Tuesday, September 29 3:00 pm @ HS Individual photos for any players who missed photo session on 28th
• Representatives from the military and colleges will be here on the following days-Sign up in the guidance office: Wednesday Adrian College @ 10:30; Monday September 28-Holy Cross College @ 10:30; Wednesday September 30-Indiana Tech @ 8:00 a.m. and Albion College @ noon; Thursday October 1-Purdue North Central @ 10:30; Friday October 2-Grand Valley State @ 10:30
• Any teachers looking for examples of ACT questions please come to the office and pick up a folder.
• Instructional Council meets at 3:45 PM on the 28th at Red Brick.
• There is a board meeting on the 28th at 7:00 PM in the High School Media Center.
• Starting Monday September 21, cafeteria supervision will begin, the schedules are being placed in your mailbox.
• PARENTS and GUARDIANS: Check out your student's grades and attendance at http://www.cassopolis-schools.org/pinnacle/PIV . A letter should arrive sometime in the next two weeks with your login information, or you can call Mrs. Anderson at 445-0541.

Quote of the Week (and my personal favorite):

Good enough, never is. -Mrs. Fields

Getting to the Business of Learning!

The classes are in full swing as we come to a close of our first week. Mrs. Hargrove's class is doing her famous "Jumping Jack Graph" in which students graph how many jumping jacks the can do in segments over two minutes. It is a great interactive lesson and works on a skill the students are sure to see next month on the MEAP. Great job everyone!!

Math Focus

I can understand probability. (The likelihood that something will occur.)

English Focus

I can read and follow directions.

• All students and their families are invited to the Fun Fair on Friday September 11^th from 4:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. at the High School. COME OUT AND HAVE FUN before our Rangers take on and beat the Eddies!
• Sign up with Mrs. Anderson to have hot chocolate with Mr. Habra on Wednesday September 16. Also if you would like to help with the movie please let Mrs. Anderson know.
• On Saturday September 12 @ 10:30 a.m., at the Cass District Library there will be an important informational meeting for all young ladies interested in participating in the 2009 Miss Cassopolis Pageant. All interested young ladies and their parent(s) should attend. Dress is Business Attire.
• Sunday September 13 from 1:00 until 5:00 come out to the Minority Coalition of Cass County Annual International Festival at the high school. Free Admission to the public. Come and enjoy ethnic foods, arts, crafts and music.

• High School Artists who are interested in participating in the Fine Arts Festival this year must attend a MANDATORY meeting during lunch hour on Wednesday September 16 in the art room. You may bring your lunch, but hurry. The meeting will begin at 11:55.

• ATTENTION ETS-Juniors and Seniors-Check the college visit schedule in the Guidance Office.
• Attention all students who are interested in joining “El club de Espanol.” If you are currently enrolled in Spanish class or have had at least one Spanish class in the past…you are eligible to join “El club de Espanol.” Please meet in Room 166 during lunch and bring your lunch with you. Nos Vemos.
• September 21st is School Picture Day!
• Vehicle permit application forms are in the information box located across from the office. Please pick one up and turn it in to Mr. Francisco with $5.00 by next Friday September 18 to register your vehicle. ALSO STUDENTS YOU NEED TO PARK BETWEEN THE LINES OR YOUR DRIVING PRIVILEGES WILL BE REVOKED!
• Pre-Evaluation meetings begin this coming week for teachers with Mr. Habra and Mr. Francisco.
• Any students interested in auditioning for the fall play, A CHRISTMAS STORY, see Ms. Porath sometime between now and next Friday September 18.
• Instructional Council meets at 3:45 PM on the 28th at Red Brick.
• Homecoming is September 25th!
• There is a board meeting on the 14th at 7:00 PM in the High School Media Center.
• PARENTS and GUARDIANS: Check out your student's grades and attendence at http://www.cassopolis-schools.org/pinnacle/PIV . A letter should arrive sometime in the next two weeks with your login information, or you can call Mrs. Anderson at 445-0541.

Quote of the Week:

We are there for the students, not the other way around. -Todd Whitaker

Open House and Vigilant Article

Open house went really well! We went through 5 dozen cookies before it was even officially open, so I know the turn-out was fantastic. Thank you to everyone who came and all the teachers are excited to see you on Tuesday.

Remember that Tuesday is a half-day and that we release the students at 10:55. Also, this Friday is the 4th Annual Ranger Roll-Out Fun Fair starting at 4:00 PM and running until 6:30 with the opening home football game starting at 7:00 against Edwardsburg!

Finally, the article I wrote for the Vigilant is located here. It has important information. See you all next week!

2008 in Review

Just a video about last year. I will have a new post up next week. Still, one thing to note is that the Student Handbook is now online and can be accessed by a link from this page, so if you want to view it, just click. Enjoy the show!

A Day for Celebration!

As the students celebrated the last day and the 8th graders celebrated becoming High Schoolers, Mrs. Buck celebrated the last composition she will ever have to grade. After 40 years, she is retiring and every student she has taught will miss her. We wish her the best of luck!

This is the last weekly post until next year. I may do some infrequent and/or irregular posts in the summer, but for now I will not go back to weekly posts until next school year in September of 2009.

Have A Great Summer!

Graduation This Sunday at 2:00!

This Sunday at 2:00 PM is the Graduation Ceremony for the Class of 2009. Parents and guests will be asked to enter the building through the gym doors on the west side of the building. The floor fills up fast, so be sure to get there early. Senior Honors Night was held at the Elk's Lodge in Dowagiac on Wednesday night and 80 more people than expected attended. As reported by Miss Angus, scholarships received by the seniors at that time totaled $344,800. It was a very nice evening, and it seems the word is getting out that Cassopolis celebrates our own and people want to be a part of it!

We also have field trips to Notre Dame for the 7th and 8th graders, just had a band trip to Chicago to see the Blue-Man Group, a trip for National Honor Society and A/B 10th and 11th grade Honor Roll members to the Chicago Zoo, and a variety of other exciting end-of-year activities and field trips.

May Objectives

I can measure and compare a variety of unit types such as distance, volume, weight, area and time.

I can look at two pieces of information and compare and contrast.

• There will a meeting Thursday, May 21 during lunch (11:50) in Sra. Murray's room for any student who is currently taking Spanish or will be taking Spanish next year and is interested in going to Spain in June of 2010.
• Driver’s Education students for this summer, listen up. Pick up an
  information sheet in the office. You will need to pay the $350 by MAY 27th.
  If you do not pay by the 27th, you won’t be taking the course.
• There will be a thespian meeting on Tuesday, the 19th, during lunch. This
  meeting is for both old and new thespians, so grab your lunch and come to
  the library.
• There will be a volleyball meeting during lunch on Wednesday, May 20, for
  any girl interested in playing next year. This meeting will discuss camps
  and open gyms.
• Athletic physical forms are in the office. Stop in and pick one up.
• Any freshmen who would like the T-shirt they made in Miss Borsa's room,
  needs to pick it up by Tuesday!
• Please check the lost and found in the office for cloths, books, lunch bags
  or anything you might have lost. The items will be tossed at the end of the
  year.
• Boys’ tennis sign up is in the office.
• All Juniors who are taking Advanced Placement Literature, please meet in
  Mrs. Herwick’s room at the beginning of first hour on Thursday, May 21st.
  This should take no more than half an hour. Come prepared to discuss your
  choice for independent summer reading.
• Chapel Students: there is a field trip to Bair Lake on Monday. You MUST
  have a signed permission slip turned in to the office in order to
  participate. Pick a form up in the office today. They are on Mrs. Anderson
  ’s desk.
• May 22nd, the Bank of America will be providing lunch for the staff.
• 7th and 8th grade ETS has a field trip to WMU on May 19th.
• 8th grade is going to tour Notre Dame on May 19th.
• 7th Grade is going to tour Notre Dame on May 20th.
• May 28th is Final Exams for the High School, The Sports Awards Ceremony at 6:30 PM and the Field Day for the 7th and 8th Grade.
• May 29th is a half day, Final Exams, and the last day of school for the students!
• Mr. Habra will be out of the building on May 19th in the morning for a Partners in Career Development meeting, and in the afternoon on May 21st to examine some educationally technology in Colvert with Mr. Weatherspoon.
• May 17th at 2:00 PM is graduation!
• May 2oth is Hot Chocolate with the Principal from 8-10. Sign up with Mrs. Anderson.
• Underclassmen Academic Awards are at 1:30 PM on May 22nd in the Auditorium. Parents are welcome!
• Final Grades must be entered into the computer by June 1st.
• The next Cassopolis Board of Education meeting will be on June 8th at 7:00 PM in the high school library.
• PARENTS and GUARDIANS: Check out your student's grades and attendance at http://www.cassopolis-schools.org/pinnacle/PIV . A letter should have arrived with your login information, or you can call Mrs. Anderson at 445-0541.

Quote of the Week:

A man may make mistakes, but he isn't a failure until he starts blaming someone else.

-John Wooden