December 18, 2015

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Happy Friday! Two more school days and you get some much deserved R & R! Thank you for all that you have done in 2015 and making this a successful school year so far. As I reflect back on the year I have been very impressed with the number of teachers trying new strategies or new ways to do things. I know it isn't always easy and new strategies don't always go as planned, but keep pushing yourself and learning new ways to help our students. 

I also want to take a moment to remind you about our model teachers. During our first model day we didn't have any high school staff take part. I would like to see some of you get out and see what some of the model teachers are doing. Just because a model teacher isn't in your content area doesn't mean they don't have something to offer. I truly believe good strategies can be adapted to fit any content. Good teaching is good teaching. So if you want to observe one of the models, Tami, Kurt, or Kellie, let me know and I will be happy to sub for you myself, or find someone who can if I am unable.

The foundation is looking for nominations for Employee of the Month. Please consider nominating a peer you feel is doing an outstanding job.

We will have our normal Children's Theater on Tuesday, December 22. Students that paid the dollar will get dismissed at 1:30 pm. Beth or Amy will get the list of the students who have paid out later today.

In other items, we now control the content of channel 3 on the TVs. If you have a class activity going on, please take a few pics and email them to Amy Davis with a description. This is a great way to advertise for your classes, especially since we are registering this week. 

I hope you and your families have a Merry Christmas, and we will see each other next year.



Staff News
Congrats to Cody Kellen for being named the December Employee of the Month.


Assistant Principal's Corner
Thank you to everyone who helped to support the Student Council campaign with Christmas Coins this year.  It was very successful and means a lot to the organization that they can have the donation to support our community.  Thank you to our drama department and to our foods department for their help in raising funds toward the Christian Needs Center!

Sno-Ball dance is tomorrow night in Carey gym from 9-12.  If you are looking for a way to connect with kids outside the classroom, we welcome the extra help.  It should be a great time for all and make sure to wear your ugly sweater!

Tips About Texting:

Kids today have grown up using digital devices and computers to communicate - they're comfortable with them and sometimes prefer them.  The key to learning how and when to use electronic communications is not to take away how the students use the device, but to emphasize that there are times and situations when it's best not to type, but to talk.  It is important to remind students that digital communication, while it can be good, can also...

1. Be very fast and impersonal.
2. Be very easy.
3. Be quick and simple to distribute widely.
4. Muddy how someone is feeling, or what they're thinking.
5. Be misinterpreted very easily.
6. Be distributed to other people very easily.

I want to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy holiday season.  Do your best to keep the students engaged these last two days before break and be patient with their efforts.  Enjoy your time with your family and friends and have a safe holiday season.


Librarian's Corner
Do you need to find a website that is credible and trustworthy? FindingDulcinea at http://www.findingdulcinea.com/ provides such sites by breaking them down into three categories: WebGuides, Beyond the Headlines, and Netcetera. This site is not just a search engine; it is done by people who have done the research and determined which sites they determine to be the best. Annotations are provided to help you refine your search. www.sweetsearch.com is their search engine designed for students. 



Instructional Coaches Corner



Upcoming Activities
Friday, December 18            4:45 pm Girls JV Basketball @ ELC
                                              4:45 pm Boys JV Basketball @ ELC
                                              6:15 pm Girls Varsity Basketball @ ELC
                                              7:45 pm Boys Varsity Basketball @ ELC

Saturday, December 19        10:00 am Varsity/JV Wrestling @ Spencer
                                              10:30 am Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Sioux Center @ Sioux Falls
                                              5:00 pm Boys JV Basketball vs. SC Heelan
                                              6:15 pm Boys Varsity Basketball vs. SC Heelan

Monday, December 21         5:00 pm Spanish Club Christmas Party
                                             7:00 pm Music Boosters Meeting

Tuesday, December 22         7:00 am Building In-Service - Department PLC's
                                              2:30 pm Early Dismissal

Monday, January 4                6:00 pm Girls Freshmen Basketball vs. Heelan
                                               7:15 pm Boys Freshmen Basketball vs. Heelan

Tuesday, January 5               4:45 pm Girls JV Basketball vs. Storm Lake
                                              4:45 pm Boys JV Basketball vs. Strom Lake
                                              6:00 pm JV/Varsity Wrestling @ Sioux City West
                                              6:15 pm Varsity Girls Basketball vs. Storm Lake
                                              7:45 pm Varsity Boys Basketball vs. Storm Lake


Thursday, January 7             4:00 pm Boy/Girl JV/Varsity Bowling @ Remsen
                                              6:00 pm JV/Varsity Wrestling vs. HMS, Sibley-Ocheyedan, & Western
                                              7:15 pm Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Sioux City East @ Tyson E.C.

Friday, January 8                  4:45 pm Girls JV Basketball vs. Spirit Lake
                                              4:45 pm Boys JV Basketball vs. Spirit Lake
                                              6:15 pm Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Spirit Lake
                                              7:45 pm Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Spirit Lake

Saturday, January 9              9:00 am Girls Freshmen Basketball @ Sioux Center
                                              9:00 am JV/Varsity Wrestling @ Sheldon
                                              10:30 am Boys Freshmen Basketball @ Sioux Center
                                              10:30 am Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Dakota Valley @ Tyson E.C.
                                              NWI HS Honor Band @ Sioux City

Monday, January 11             3:30 pm Boy/Girl JV/Varsity Bowling vs. Sergeant Bluff-Luton
                                              6:00 pm Girls Freshmen Basketball @ Gehlen
                                              7:45 pm Boys Freshmen Basketball @ Gehlen

Tuesday, January 12             4:00 pm Boy/Girl Bowling @ Spencer
                                              6:00 pm Girls JV Basketball vs. Sioux Center
                                              6:00 pm Boys JV Basketball vs. Sioux Center
                                              7:45 pm Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Sioux Center

Thursday, January 14           4:45 pm Girls Freshmen Basketball @ MOC
                                              6:15 pm Girls JV Basketball @ MOC
                                              7:45 pm Girls Varsity Basketball @ MOC

Friday, January 15                4:45 pm Girls JV Basketball vs. Emmetsburg
                                              4:45 pm Boys JV Basketball vs. Emmetsburg
                                              6:15 pm Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Emmetsburg
                                              7:45 pm Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Emmetsburg

Be Extraordinary!

Mark

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