Junior High Orientation

Thank you to all who attended our Junior High Orientation on August 16, 2007.  We were happy to see all of you after a summer apart.  The Junior High teachers are just as excited as the students are about our new daily schedules, elective courses, lockers, and recess!

Students, parents and teachers working together will make for a successful year.

            If you were unable to attend your child should have brought home a folder with all of our new policies and hand-outs regarding our programs.  Please be sure to see all of the information in that folder.

 

Smartboards/Technology

For students, this means current maps, information from the internet including videos, and offers easy tools for kids to use to manipulate the information.  For example, a map can be pulled up with a finger touch to the screen and student can identify and actually write on areas of study using the Smartboard pens.  

            Students who are absent would be able to pull up class notes where now we have to save and copy transparencies that often get smudged.  Students can create presentations, videos, and manipulate images.  These Smartboards have the potential to reach students in multiple ways.  It also would bring us to date with current technological and educational trends.  Many of you may know what Smartboards are from conference rooms or offices.  Some area Catholic schools and public schools have one in each classroom.  Our goal is to provide our students with the best teaching and learning strategies available. 

            If you, or anyone you know would be interested in donating or matching funds, we’d like to hear from you.  We are in the beginning stages of writing proposals and grant applications.  If you know of, or come across leads for us, please pass on the information.

            Many of our teachers have prepared demonstrations for Smartboard use.  If you would like to see these in action, we can make arrangements for you.  We simply ask that you call in advance as we have one on the main floor and one on the top floor and we’re all sharing!

 

Wish Lists

The biggest wish that all of us have is for lunchroom assistance on a regular basis.  If you have time, each day someone is needed to work in the lunchroom from 11:30-12:45.  The day of most interest to us is Friday, but we need someone each day.  If you are interested please contact any one of the Junior High teachers. 

 

Mrs. Welling:

Scrapbook Paper

Re-writable CD’s

Round Vinyl Tablecloth

Flat Screen Monitor

Playing Cards

Sponge Mop

AA, AAA Batteries

Blank VCR tapes

$ towards classroom novel sets

 

Mr. Bercaw:

46, 4ft. sections of PVC pipe (2.5”)

Smartboard

Barnes and Noble Cards

Staples Cards

Atomic Clock

United Arts Cards

Meijer Cards for Art Supplies

 

Ms. Hollar

Math Software (See me)

Science Software (See me)

Donation towards Math and Science manipulatives

Donations towards bottle rocket launcher

Atomic Clock

Lowe’s Cards for whiteboard

Borax (w/ laundry detergent)

Large Marshmallows

Light Sticks

White Poster Boards

Lava Rocks

 

Mrs. Sturm:

Donation towards used books

Gift Cards Barnes and Noble

Gift Cards United Art

Gift Cards Lowe’s for Whiteboards

Donation toward classroom art         supplies

Digital Camera

Smartboard

 

Ms. Hollar

All 7th and 8th grade students should have brought home grade sheets for math over the weekend and 8th grade should also have had one for science. They will need these filled out each week and requires a parent initial to receive full credit. This allows the students and the parents to know exactly where they stand. A new grade sheet will begin every quarter. If you have any questions or concerns feel free to email me at thollar@stjohnsfw.org or by phone.

 

Mr. Bercaw

Both the 7th and 8th grade will be working on a project to complement The Bronze Bow, an novel students read this past summer. The book is set during the first century in the Galilee. Elizabeth George Speare paints a wonderful picture of the geography and political climate during the ministry of Jesus. Please check with your student to see what their project will involve.  If you purchased a copy of the novel please consider donating it to the class.  I feel this book is so important that I would like to teach it during school next year

 

Mrs. Sturm

In eighth grade language arts, we have just started reading The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton.  The students are completely engrossed with their reading.  Please share with them that the movie version was a big hit when you were about their age.  In past classes this parent/student interaction has provided great conversation.  The entire book is due by Friday, September 7th, 2007.  I didn’t realize at the time that the movie was based on a novel did you?  The Outsiders is considered the first true Young Adult book written. Ask your child what we know about the author...you’re in for a surprise!

            In seventh grade science we have started Science Journals for collecting information and note-taking.  You will start seeing these come home more frequently in the next few weeks.  All students are working on a Reader’s Theater project in which they are preparing a script, poster, and handout and will teach a lesson to the rest of the class.   These projects are being completed in class and performances will be Wednesday, September 12, 2007.

 

Mrs. Welling

Language Arts

     As you know by now, 7th grade students are enjoying a “block” for writing and literature.  This means I have them for two periods, back to back.  We have been reading “No More Dead Dogs” aloud – sometimes I read, sometimes they do.  If you hear some “Rick-isms” around your house, you can thank Gordon Korman and his famous football quarterback!

     As we approach ISTEP testing, I am working with the students to understand the kind of questions and the expected responses they might encounter on the tests.  We are working on the writing process – and I am asking them to write both short and longer passages in response to prompts.  I’m trying very hard to convince them that “pre-writing” and planning their writing before they begin isn’t a waste of time – that it really does help them put together coherent thoughts that they can then put down on paper.

     I am also working on a daily basis on the true basics of language – focusing on recognizing spelling and grammar errors within sentences and, soon, paragraphs.  They are NOT particularly fond of these daily exercises – which tells me I’m probably on the right track!

     Please remind your student that they are to be reading 20 minutes EVERY DAY.  They should always have a book with them.  They must carry a novel with them to all classes here at school.  Encouraging them to read at home is vitally important.  We’re reading short stories in class as well as the novel read-aloud with everyone and learning how to analyze the literary elements of these pieces as we go.

     The first novel we will be reading is The Cay  by Theodore Taylor as a class.  Each of the class novels will involve a project of some kind to support the goals we are trying to accomplish in the reading of the novel.  These aren’t major “build me a bridge” projects (Okay, I’m a parent, too.  I have my own horror stories!) but they will have definite due dates that students must follow.  Check planners for specifics!

     So, for this month, the big focus will be on getting students ready for ISTEP testing while still working towards the curriculum standards to be accomplished this year.  As we approach ISTEP, please be mindful of bedtimes (early) and eating habits (good) as well as making sure they have everything they need to be successful. 

 

8th Grade US History         

     By the time you read this, your student will have learned at least the basics of outlining for learning.  We have been focusing on developing study skills through the use of outlines in the last two chapters of US History.  They have done amazingly well!  Not only did they prepare for class by having the outlines done BEFORE they came to class, but they compared to ones prepared by me and took class notes to supplement what they did.  Of course they complained – some – but they also had to admit it was a good way to get that “3 times” in.

  

 Johnny Tremain summer projects are being graded slowly but daily and they have, so far, done a great and very complete job on these projects.  We will incorporate this novel and the events it described into the unit on the Revolutionary War.  In particular, Johnny Tremain gives a very vivid description of life in Boston right before and then during the Battle of Lexington and Concord.  I am hoping that the novel, from the perspective of a teenage boy, will give them a better understanding of what happened during this time in our nation’s history.

     I attended the teacher training for Finance Park on August 29.  We have the books and the new information and I am planning to begin the classes in the next couple of weeks.  I will be sending paperwork home, including parent volunteer forms, within the next month.  Good news for volunteers – training can be done from your home ONLINE this year!  Seems that the date will probably be in November – still working that out.  Ask Mary McManus or Cindy Norris how fun and interesting it was to watch the kids try to budget like the adults!  Think about volunteering – we need at least six parents.  Thanks!

 

Thank You!

Thank you to all of the parents that helped with our fundraiser lunches.  Last year we were able to use the funds for:

 

Lock-in

4 All-in-one printers

Field trip aid

Classroom materials

 

This year, our focus is on classroom technology.  We will continue to offer lunches when hot lunch is unavailable from FWCS.

 

Thanks also to these businesses who supported the lunches:

 

Panera (Jefferson Pointe)

Pizza Hut Southgate

Burger King -

            Quality Dining

Troyer Potato-Seyferts

For Junior High

Information:

 

1. Monthly Newsletter sent home the first school day of the month.

 

2.  www.stjohnsfw.org has all school information.  Junior High information under “School Groups”

 

3.  Friday Folder

 

4. Student Planners

 

 

 

 

Quick Reference

Electives

     All seventh and eighth grade students are participating in elective classes after lunch.  Choices are: Science Olympiad, Show/Liturgical Choir, Journalism,  or Current Events/Sports

 

Supplies

     Thank you to all of the families who have sent in supplies.  We had almost 100% of our students prepared and ready.  If you have not sent your supplies, you’re not too late!

 

HW Policy

     1.  In the event that a student has not turned in an assignments, a grade of zero will be given.  Students will be unable to make-up the assignment.

     2.  Parents will be notified when a student has received two grades of zero for missing work.

     3.  Upon a third missing assignment, parents will be contacted by phone and a parent/teacher conference will be scheduled. 

     4.  Each new quarter allows for a fresh start.  No cumulative missing work form quarter to quarter.

 

Homework Buddies

     Students have been assigned a “Homework Buddy.”  The buddy collects all necessary materials, books, and assignments for their buddy.  This will then be placed in homeroom for pick-up or for students to gather upon their return.

 

Classroom Tardy Policy

     Students who arrive to class late will receive a parent notification to take home and share.  Upon a second tardy to the same class, the student will be assigned a detention.

 

Returned Papers Policy

     Any papers/notifications sent home for signatures that are not returned on time will result in a missed lunch/recess to call home.  If papers are still not returned, this will become a disciplinary matter and will follow the usual course of action.

 

Teacher Contact

     Please call us at school (456-3321) or e-mail at the following addresses:

 

thollar@stjohnsfw.org   gbercaw@stjohnsfw.org

cwelling@stjohnsfw.org            lsturm@stjohnsfw.org

 

Web-site

     See www.stjohnsfw.org, “School Groups” for Junior High Information.

 

Dress Code

     Daily Issues: Missing belts, boys hair length, skirt length