May 30, 2008
I have tried all year to get a “blog” out each week. Came close but missed my “blog” last week. It has been extremely busy and I had some personal things that needed to be done. I apologize for not getting one done last week and I am late with this week’s “blog”. There are not any changes from two weeks ago. The cool weather has been a blessing. The building has not been extremely hot and this helps everyone’s attitude as we get to the end of the school year. The school year is almost over. Today is the last Friday for the students. We are finishing things up and students are now taking final tests for the year. As a reminder, the last day of school for students is June 5. This is due to a snow day we had. Report cards will be mailed out the week of June 9th.
Just to give you a “heads up”. Below is a letter that is being sent to parents of current 5th graders at Madison. It concerns information about the possibility of an optional pilot program that would bring sixth graders to North. Oak Hill parents will have the same option with South. Keep in mind; this would be a completely optional choice for parents to make.
May 29, 2008
Dear Parents,
As parents of current 5th graders, you are cordially invited to attend a meeting where information will be shared about the possibility of a pilot program that would bring sixth graders to North and South Junior High Schools in the fall of 2008-09.
This program would be a trial effort, focused on offering enhanced options for sixth graders. If a sufficient number of families are interested in this pilot, the potential of advanced math courses exists, with the possibility of additional Fine Arts programming, access to Allied Arts (communications, Spanish, health), as well as expanded opportunities in after-school sports. In general, sixth graders would operate independently of seventh and eighth graders at South, with some exceptions in Physical Education and advanced courses.
If there is sufficient interest on the part of parents of current 5th graders to implement a 6-8 grade configuration at North and South Junior Highs in 2008-09, the decision to implement the pilot program will be made by the end of June. Enrollment in either the North or South pilot 6th grade program is one more choice for families in our community.
The informational meetings will be held on Tuesday, June 10th at 7:00 p.m. in both the North and South Junior High Media Center. The meeting will include discussion on academic programming, transportation, counselors and other areas of interest. Parents will be provided registration information and, if interested, asked to respond by Friday, June 20th. Enrollment in the pilot programs at both North and South may be limited.
We encourage you to join us on Tuesday, June 10th at either North or South to learn more about the exciting potential of this educational choice.
Sincerely,
Bob Huot Eric Williams
Principal Principal
North Junior High School South Junior High School
Please take the time to complete a Parent Climate Survey. The information to do this is listed below.
2008 Parent Guardian Climate Survey
In continuing efforts to evaluate the progress of the St. Cloud Area School District’s current goals and to make new priorities for the future, your input is necessary! Presented here is the opportunity to provide feedback by participating in the parent/guardian climate survey. Your participation is important for many district purposes and is greatly appreciated.
This survey will take about 20-25 minutes to complete. Survey participation is voluntary. The answers you provide will be completely confidential and your privacy will be protected to the maximum extent allowable by law. You will in no way be associated with the responses you provide. As you will see in the survey instructions, you will answer the survey questions based on a child you have attending school in District 742. If you have children in different schools, you MAY take the survey more than once. The survey window will be open from May 9th - May 30th. If you have any questions, please contact Andrea Preppernau at 320-202-6821. Thank you in advance for your help with this important project.
To access the survey in English, please click on the following link: http://742info.org/survey/climateparent08.htm
If you do not have access to the Internet, please contact Andrea Preppernau at 202-6821 and she will mail you a paper copy of the survey.
If you need a survey in a different language (Spanish, Somali, or Vietnamese), please contact Andrea Preppernau at 202-6821.
This information is very valuable to us and gives the parents an opportunity to let us know how you feel about various issues. Please take the time to follow the procedures in the letter and complete the survey
Two other things that I would like to let parents know about.
- There have been rumors going on concerning Westwood students riding the bus with North students. Some parents are concerned about elementary students riding with junior high students. I talked with the head of transportation this morning and he assured me that the Westwood students will not be riding with North’s students.
- The “On Target Program” will be ending on May 22nd. The last Saturday for “On Target” will be May 24th.
Below are workshops parents may find of interest.
Dear Robert,
Super Size... Extreme... To the Max...This describes the American culture today.
How does that look when it comes to children and parenting?
Allowing children to set their own rules.
Buying more toys than a child can remember.
Giving children unlimited access to today's technology.
Sometimes there is so much pressure on you as a parent to give in. Come to this workshop to discover:
* Results of overindulgence
* Realistic expectations of children
* How to teach your children to be responsible and respectful
Title: When is Enough, Enough?
Presenter: Peggy Imholte
Date: Monday, June 9, 2008
Time: 6:30-8:00 p.m. (registration 6:00 p.m.)
Location: Resource Training and Solutions
Cold Spring Center, Suite 550
4150 2nd St. South, St. Cloud, MN 56301
Fee: $15.00/person $25 for two
To register you can:
Call - 255-3236 or toll free, 888-447-7032
Email - mroth@resourcetraining.com
Online - www.resourcetraining.com <http://www.resourcetraining.com/> , code 7452
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
Thank you,
Martha Roth
Resource Training & Solutions
Summer STAR Camp
(Students, Technology, and Robots)
When: June 9-13 9:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M.
Who : Students entering Grades 6-8 in fall of 2008
Cost: $125 per person – payment due at registration
(Scholarships available – call 308-8888 for information)
Transportation: Available upon request (for local community only)
Registration: Opening for 32 boys/girls
North counselors have the registration form.
Well, that’s it for this week. I will try to get my next (and last) “blog” out on next week. Again, I apologize for not getting a “blog” out last week and being late on this one. Please let me know if there are items you would like me to cover in the next blog. I have listed important dates below.
Bob Huot
Principal, North Junior High
Other activities you might find of interest.
May
May 1- 2 Teachers will be making calls to parents of students who are not doing well academically.
May 5-9 MCA Science test (7th and 8th grade)
May 12 Spirit of North - Site Council Mtg – 6:45 p.m. at North
May 13 Orchestra Concert (7:30 p.m.)
May 19 North Side Band Concert (6:30 p.m. at Apollo)
May 20 Choir Concert (7:30 p.m.)
May 22 Band Concert (7:30 p.m.)
May 23 Awards Assembly/School Carnival
May 26 No School (Memorial Day)
June
June 5 Last day of school for students
June 6 Last day of school for staff