Well, we have survived the first snow days. It has put us behind for the semester, but we will survive. Hopefully there will be no more before we break for Christmas, but things are not looking good. The weather forecast this morning said more snow is coming. Keep a check on the weather and have a plan for your students if school is cancelled, delayed or dismissed early.
The annual Christmas dinner was today. The meal was wonderful as always. The elementary teachers and students, especially Ms. Young and the sixth grade, deserve a big THANKS for all the hard work they put into making the meal a success. Everything ran very well this year, and the grandparents and senior citizens enjoyed the day. I also want to thank the middle school students for being on their best behavior and using their "company" manners!
Kudos to the Middle School students for all the cans they have been bringing for the FFA Food Drive! Our contribution will be a big help to the FFA this year! Also, thank you to those who donated a toy for the Toys for Tots campaign.
Upcoming events include:
12/17 Girls Basketball at Chariton
12/17 Boys Basketball at home
12/18 7th GRADE READING LOGS DUE
12/21 Wrestling at Oskaloosa
12/21 Early Dismissal; Winter break begins
1/5 Return to school!!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
Computer Troubles
You may have noticed that grades have not been updated on Infinite Campus this week. This is because I seem to be experiencing computer difficulties. When I turned my computer on this week it began "ticking." At first I did not know if this was a terrorist plot or simply a disgruntled student. It turned out it's nothing so exciting - the fan is bad. The part is on order and was supposed to be here yesterday (yah right, that's what they all say!). Hopefully, it will arrive soon and grades will be updated. I am keeping the students posted on any missing assignments, and they can judge their grade by the papers which have been returned.
On another note, remember that school will be dismissed early on Wednesday, December 9 for staff development. Also, keep a close eye on the weather. I have been hearing rumblings of snow coming!
On another note, remember that school will be dismissed early on Wednesday, December 9 for staff development. Also, keep a close eye on the weather. I have been hearing rumblings of snow coming!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
This Week at EBMS
It seems to be another busy week at EBMS. The girls' basketball teams have games on Tuesday, December 1, and Thursday, December 3 (both games are at home). The boys' basketball team will travel to Osceola on Thursday, December 3. Our wrestlers are also in action this week. December 1 they travel to Pella. Good luck to one and all!!
In class this week we will be working on finding nouns in sentences and determining the type of noun (common, proper, abstract, concrete, collective). We will also start working on making singular nouns plural. We will continue work on the novels we are reading.
On another note, please stress to students how important it is to turn in work on time!! With busy schedules it is easy to "forget" your homework. Many students simply run out of time to complete it (they have sports, band, chores, etc.). I have been trying to stress to the students that it is important to keep up with school work even though sports, band, etc. are more fun. Once they fall behind, it is very hard to catch up. Some teachers also do not allow students to turn in late work unless they have missed school. Please help us to set up the important work habits they will need for the rest of their lives!
In class this week we will be working on finding nouns in sentences and determining the type of noun (common, proper, abstract, concrete, collective). We will also start working on making singular nouns plural. We will continue work on the novels we are reading.
On another note, please stress to students how important it is to turn in work on time!! With busy schedules it is easy to "forget" your homework. Many students simply run out of time to complete it (they have sports, band, chores, etc.). I have been trying to stress to the students that it is important to keep up with school work even though sports, band, etc. are more fun. Once they fall behind, it is very hard to catch up. Some teachers also do not allow students to turn in late work unless they have missed school. Please help us to set up the important work habits they will need for the rest of their lives!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving!
I can't believe that Thanksgiving is almost here. From now until the end of the year, life seems to move very rapidly. Remember, through all the chaos, that you are only one person. You can't do it all! It also helps to remind our students of this. Students today seem to be getting busier and busier. Help them to enjoy the holidays and stop to enjoy, and give thanks, for what they have.
Students will be journaling about what they are thankful for that can not be purchased. This might be a good topic for discussion at the dinner table, and is one that we should all be thinking about at this time of year.
Students will be journaling about what they are thankful for that can not be purchased. This might be a good topic for discussion at the dinner table, and is one that we should all be thinking about at this time of year.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Congratulations!!
Congratulations to our EBMS Mock Trial Team! They placed second at the regional conpetition and advanced to the state competition! They were only 1/8 of a point behind the first place team. Great job!!
Also, congratulations to the EBMS Band. I have heard many complimentary comments on the band's performance at the Veteran's Day Celebration in Blakesburg. Keep up the good work!
Also, congratulations to the EBMS Band. I have heard many complimentary comments on the band's performance at the Veteran's Day Celebration in Blakesburg. Keep up the good work!
November already!!
Well, it's the middle of November already. I'm really not sure where the school year has gone, but here we are in the middle of the second quarter. If you have not received one, ask your student for a copy of the school calendar - they are available to one and all in the office. It seems from now until Christmas there is a lot going on. This week on Wednesday (11/18) we will have an early dismissal for staff in-service. Next week we will dismiss early on Wednesday (11/25) and there will be no school on Thursday (11/26) or Friday (11/27). Basketball games and wrestling will also begin. Keep a close eye on your calendar and also on the weather!
In class we are working on finding direct objects and indirect objects and on using them correctly in our own writing. This is a new concept for students, but they are doing well. We are also continuing to read our novels. The students seem to enjoy them. I will be offering extra credit this quarter. Students may bring in up to 5 newspaper/magazine articles or a synopsis of a news story that deals with prejudice/discrimination today. For each article they bring in they will receive 3 points. I have found in the past that students like this type of extra credit, and it gets them reading the newspaper and watching the news!
In class we are working on finding direct objects and indirect objects and on using them correctly in our own writing. This is a new concept for students, but they are doing well. We are also continuing to read our novels. The students seem to enjoy them. I will be offering extra credit this quarter. Students may bring in up to 5 newspaper/magazine articles or a synopsis of a news story that deals with prejudice/discrimination today. For each article they bring in they will receive 3 points. I have found in the past that students like this type of extra credit, and it gets them reading the newspaper and watching the news!
Monday, November 9, 2009
Community Clean Up Day
Just a quick note - Community Clean Up Day will be Tuesday, November 10. Please remind students to dress appropriately. We will be outside all afternoon and will be cleaning up around the community. Students may want to wear gloves. We will be raking leaves, picking up trash, etc. Student groups will be assigned tomorrow. We will group them according the the permission slips you signed previously.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Middle School Happenings
Parent Teacher Conferences were very successful this year. I visited with forty parents. I think that is a new record. I would be very interested in hearing about your conference experience. Did you like attending the student led conferences? Do you have any suggestions for improvement? If you would like to comment you can either post to my blog (only I will see it) or you can e-mail me here at school.
I was also impressed with how many parents are already users of our Infinite Campus system. I feel that this is a very beneficial tool for parents and students. I hope that those of you who received passwords tonight will find it beneficial. I know that as a parent I do!
Next week we are going to try to make up our Community Clean Up Day. We had to cancel it earlier this year due to inclement weather and a large number of student who were ill. We will try to make that up on Tuesday, November 10. Remind your student to dress for the weather. We will be making the final decision about this on Monday. Your student will be informed before they leave. Also, the EBMS band will be out of the building on Wednesday morning. They have been asked to play at a Veteran's Day celebration at the park in Blakesburg. I think it's great that the community will get to see, and hear, our wonderful band. These students work very hard, and you should be very proud of them.
I was also impressed with how many parents are already users of our Infinite Campus system. I feel that this is a very beneficial tool for parents and students. I hope that those of you who received passwords tonight will find it beneficial. I know that as a parent I do!
Next week we are going to try to make up our Community Clean Up Day. We had to cancel it earlier this year due to inclement weather and a large number of student who were ill. We will try to make that up on Tuesday, November 10. Remind your student to dress for the weather. We will be making the final decision about this on Monday. Your student will be informed before they leave. Also, the EBMS band will be out of the building on Wednesday morning. They have been asked to play at a Veteran's Day celebration at the park in Blakesburg. I think it's great that the community will get to see, and hear, our wonderful band. These students work very hard, and you should be very proud of them.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
It's That Time of Year Again!
Well, it's that time of year again - Parent Teacher Conference time! Here at EBMS, we will be conducting PTC a little bit differently than you are used to. We use student led conferences. Your son or daughter will be doing most of the "talking". They will show you their work, explain their grades and discuss their goals. We feel that this gives the student more ownership of their learning and behavior. We hope that you enjoy these conferences, but if you feel the need to speak one-on-one with a teacher, please feel free to contact that teacher by e-mail (last name, first initial @ebcsd.com) at any time or phone (641-938-2202) before or after school.
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