It is hard to believe that we are getting near to the end of October and the end of the first quarter. I am already tired of getting to work when it is dark out. It will not be to long before I leave in the morning when it is dark and get home at night when it is dark.
Parent Portal
Just a quick update on the parent portal. It looks like it will still be a week or so before the letters to parents are sent out concerning the parent portal.
Midterm Reports
Midterms will be mailed out at the start of this week. The midterm reports are sent to parents of students who are receiving a “D” or “F” grade. Please contact your student’s counselor or teacher if you have any questions regarding the mid term reports. Parent/teacher conferences are on October 26 and 29 from 4:30 - 7:30. Along with the midterm reports we will be sending out information concerning North’s “on target” program. This program helps students with work completion and organizational skills. This program is up and running at this time. We also provide transportation to students who enroll in the “On Target” program.
Magazine Drive Fundraiser
We have handed out all information concerning the North magazine drive to students. If you are going to renew your magazine subscription…now is the time to do it.
REMINDER
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES
NORTH JR. HIGH School
OCTOBER 26 AND 29 (4:30 -7:30)
Parents should report to the table by door 1 and pick up their student’s schedule and other information concerning the conferences.
Activities
We are in the process of signing up boys who are interested in playing basketball this year. There will also be a meeting for students interested in wrestling
STUDY ISLAND
I had Stephanie Peterson put together some information on Study Island that you might find of benefit to your student.
Study Island is a great resource for students and parents to help target skills in math, reading, and science! Since Study Island is a web-based program, it's ideal for both home and school practice - and is a great way to get involved with your student's education.
Quick Basics
1. Study Island is based on Minnesota academic standards - so it coordinates with what your student is currently learning in school.
2. Study Island helps students practice for math, reading, and science (8th only)
3. Students can work at their own pace and target certain areas for improvement.
4. Once passing a topic with a 70% score, students receive a "blue ribbon" for their efforts
5. Students can practice in "game" format or in an actual "test" format
6. The questions are modeled from the Minnesota state assessment test, so practicing on Study Island will help your student be better prepared for the MCA test they will take in April!
Log In Basics
All North students already have an account with Study Island. If your student is not sure what their log in is, it is their student number @742 and regular password for using the school computers. Ex - Log In: 12345@742 and school password.
Once they log in, all students must take the pretest for math and reading. Once the pretest is completed, they are welcome to work on different topics. The pretest only needs to be completed once - some students have used Study Island frequently at school, and have already finished the pretest, while other students may be new and must start with the pretest.
Ideas on how to use Study Island
1. Challenge your student to questions - work the questions together, and encourage your student when you get the same answer correct!
2. Play the games with your student - have your student tell you the answer, and then you attempt to play the game. (And yes - chances are that your student will smoke you in the games!)
3. Set up fun rewards for blue ribbons - a favorite dinner, control of the remote, standing applause, points toward a future video game purchase - they may be small and somewhat silly, but sometimes that works to let your student know that you're excited for them to succeed.
4. Email teachers at school to find out specific areas where your student can improve, and target those areas in the Study Island program.
5. Challenge students for 30 minutes of Study Island time before playing their favorite computer games.
Study Island is a great tool to help your student find some extra practice before gearing up for the state tests in April. It's academically based, but can be deceptively fun! A little practice on a regular basis will go a long way to helping your student achieve success in math and reading - and Study Island is a great way to encourage your student to meet those goals.
Good luck, and happy playing!
Stephanie Peterson
Pre-AP Coordinator
North Junior High and Apollo High School
320.251.2159 ex 4259
stephanie.peterson@isd742.org
Foreword
Research shows clearly that children are more likely to succeed in learning when their
families actively support them. When family members read with their children, talk with
their teachers, participate in school or other learning activities and help them with
homework, they give children a tremendous advantage.
At the heart of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is a promise to raise standards for all children and to help all children meet those standards. In support of this goal, President George W. Bush is committed to promoting the very best teaching programs. Well trained teachers and instruction that is based on research, can bring the best teaching approaches and programs to all children and help to ensure that “no child is left behind.”However, the hours in a school day are few and the time a teacher can spend with anyone child is limited. Teachers need the understanding and help of families in supporting classroom instruction. One important way that families can lend this support is by taking an interest in the homework that their children bring home and by finding the most effective ways to help their children with that homework.
Homework has been part of students’ lives since the beginning of formal schooling in the United States. It is important because it can improve children’s thinking and memory. It can help them to develop positive study skills and habits that will serve them well throughout their lives. It can encourage them to use time well, to learn independently and to take responsibility for their work.
But helping children with their homework benefits families as well. It can, for example,
be a way for families to learn more about what their children are learning in school and
an opportunity for them to communicate both with their children and with teachers and
principals.
Your interest in your children’s education can spark their enthusiasm and lead them to
understand that learning can be rewarding and is well worth the effort. We hope that you and your child find this booklet helpful.
Homework: A Concern for the Whole Family
Homework is an opportunity for children to learn and for families to be involved in their
children’s education. However, helping children with homework isn’t always easy. At
parent-teacher meetings and in conferences with parents, teachers often hear questions
such as:
How can I get Michael to do his homework? Every night it’s a struggle to get him
to turn off the TV and do his homework.
Why isn’t Maria getting more homework?
Why is Jonathan getting so much homework?
When is Suki supposed to do homework? She takes piano lessons, sings in her
church choir, plays basketball and helps with family chores. There’s hardly any
time left to study.
How can I help Robert with his math homework when I don’t understand it?
Do homework assignments really help my child learn?
Why Do Teachers Assign Homework?
Teachers assign homework for many reasons. Homework can help their students
review and practice what they’ve covered in class;
get ready for the next day’s class;
learn to use resources, such as libraries, reference materials and computer Web
sites to find information about a subject;
explore subjects more fully than classroom time permits;
extend learning by applying skills they already have to new situations; and
integrate their learning by applying many different skills to a single task, such as
book reports or science projects. Homework also can help students to develop good study habits and positive attitudes. It can
teach them to work independently; and
encourage self-discipline and responsibility (assignments provide some children
with their first chance to manage time and to meet deadlines).
In addition, homework can help create greater understanding between families and
teachers and provide opportunities for increased communication. Monitoring homework
keeps families informed about what their children are learning and about the policies and
programs of the teacher and the school.
H1N1 Virus
At this time we have a large number of students sick with flu like symptoms.
Ø Encourage your student to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when they cough or sneeze. Remind them to cover coughs or sneezes using their elbow instead of their hand when a tissue is not available. Students should wash their hands frequently.
Ø Students who are ill need to go home (or stay home). Sick students should stay home until at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever or signs of a fever (without the use of fever-reducing medicine).
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Well, that’s my first blog for this school year. Please let me know if there are items you would like me to cover in the next blog.
Bob Huot
Principal, North Junior High School
Robert.huot@isd742.org
Below I have included information concerning three different workshops that parents might find interesting. At the very end of the “blog” are upcoming events at North.
When we hear the words ADHD, it usually only conjures up negative images. Resource Training & Solutions will host a parent education workshop with a different image called, "Finding the Buried Treasures of ADHD - for Parents and their Children." This course will help to identify the "gift" of ADHD as well as the challenges it poses both to children diagnosed and for parents as they learn to support and guide their children into stability and success. The course will present information for parents to help them to work on healthful family relationships, support for the parent/child relationship, and tips and information to support parents as they work with the academic system to
help their children succeed in school academically and relationally.
Title: Finding the Buried Treasures of ADHD - for Parents and their Children
Presenter: Becky Dornbush
Date: Thursday, October 29, 2009
Time: 7:00-9:00 p.m. (registration 6:30 p.m.)
Fee: $15/person; $25/two people
Refreshments served
Location: Resource Training and Solutions
West side Bremer Bank Building, Suite 550
4150 2 St. South, St. Cloud, MN 56301
Who should attend: Parents, grandparents, foster parents, child care providers, school staff including teachers, assistants, administration, counselors; medical and mental health professionals working with school staff; coaches, directors and others interacting with groups of children.
Presenter: Becky Dornbush is a licensed Marriage and Family therapist. She has worked as an in-home family therapist for five years. Currently she works as a co-located therapist at Central MN Mental Health Clinic. She provides therapy in four public school settings for children and their parents struggling with a variety of mental health issues.
To register or for more information: Go online at
www.resourcetraining.com <http://www.resourcetraining.com/> or call
Martha at Resource Training & Solutions at 255-3236 or 888-447-7032.
Important Dates
North Jr. High School
Important Dates 2009-2010
October 5-9 Midterm week
October 9 Acitivity Day
October 26 & 29 Parent/Teacher Conferences
November 6 End of 1st Quarter
November 11 Choir field trip to the VA
November 13, 14, 15 Fall Play
November 24 Orchestra concert
December 1 Food Drive begins
December 7-11 Midterm Week
December 16 Musical Tryouts
December 17 Choir Concert
January 22 End of 2nd Quarter
February 8 Northside Orchestra Concert @ Apollo
February 9 Early Dismissal, Band Concert
February 11 School Party
February 25,26,27,28 Musical performances
March 2 Parent/Teacher conferences
March 8-12 Spring Break
March 18 Diversity Night
March 22-26 Spirit Week
March 23 Early Dismissal
April 1 End of 3rd Quarter
April 19 Parent/Teacher conferences
May 3-7 Midterm Week
May 11 Orchestra Concert
May 18 Band Concert
May 20 Central Lakes Track Meet
May 21 Carnival
May 24 Northside Band Concert @ Apollo
May 27 Choir Concert
June 4 Last day of school
