February 2008

As we close out the month of February, we are already ½ way through the 3rd quarter of the school year. This is a good time to reflect on the first half of the school year and to plan on the remainder of the school year ahead of us. We had a great start to the school year, and my compliments go out to the students, staff and community for the patience and understanding they have shown while conducting school during our construction projects. A huge thanks goes out as well to Dan Stout and his maintenance and grounds staff for all of the behind the scenes work they have done. They’ve made sure the buildings and classrooms are clean, set up and safe for us to be in during the final phases of construction. The new wings and construction are wonderful and we’re very proud of our new school!

A quick recap of the year, so far, includes very successful seasons in volleyball, football and boys basketball. Our second year of drill team also saw the program grow in participation and the girls put on several great performances during half times at middle school events and a high school game. Girls basketball and wrestling have finished their seasons and knowledge bowl is concluding their season as well. The Middle School Drama club did a wonderful job with their play “10 Reasons Not To Be In A Play” which they performed for the school and again for the community at an evening performance. Mrs. Bryson’s music programs performed their winter concert before break and sounded wonderful as witnessed by a full crowd that evening. With Spring just around the corner, our students will have opportunities to participate and perform in many more events and activities. Track, Spirit Week and Spring Frolic will be here soon!

Spring will also bring the annual WASL testing as well as daily class work and tests. What can parents do to help their students achieve better in school? The following are a few test prep tips from “Middle Years” publication:
Test Prep: When should your child start studying for a test? The day the test is announced! After all, the sooner he/she starts preparing, the better their chances are of doing well. Use these ideas to help your middle grader succeed at test time.
Know what’s ahead: Advise your youngster to find out as much as possible about the test. He/she should know which terms, formulas, or chapters will be covered. Also, he/she can ask the teacher what type of format to expect. For multiple-choice, they’ll want to brush up on facts, dates, and definitions. For essay and short answer questions, they’ll need to be able to explain ideas and concepts.
Study daily: Suggest that your middle grader study a set amount (say 30 minutes) each day. They can go over class notes and fill in details they didn’t have time to write down during class. Another idea is for them to reread textbook sections and make charts or lists (history timeline, chemical symbols). Consistent reviewing will help your youngster remember the facts.
Plot test strategy: When the test is handed out, your child should read the instructions carefully. They might want to answer easier questions first and then dive into more challenging sections. Encourage your child to watch the clock to make sure they leave enough time for each part, as well as time to review and proofread their answers.

Brett Baum, Principal