November 15, 2019

Happy Friday! It is hard to believe it is already Friday. Thank you for your work during our inservice on Wednesday. I know the data analysis task was a little more difficult when we don't have the test or questions to look at to see what our students missed. We will be getting some segregated data in December sometime, but that will be on our report card. Also, I heard some good discussion in the different groups. The freshmen group started to identify teachers who were willing to check in more frequently with their at-risk students. These teachers had already developed that relationship with the student. This is a small way that can make big gains. If the student feels like he/she has someone pulling for them, their effort and attitude can change for the positive.

Looking ahead, the 2nd quarter midterm is on November 26. All PASS Plans should be done by this time. I show we currently have 110 students failing one or more classes. I have only had 19 PASS Plan meeting forms turned into me. Per our building policy, PASS Plan meetings must take place before a student is given an F for a final grade. 

Looking even further ahead, we will not be having Children's Theater at the high school this year. Our students will still be performing it for the elementary and middle school students. Students will be in all classes on that Friday. 

I am putting a form in your mailbox that needs to be added to your emergency packets by your door. The form is titled Injured/Missing Status Report Form - by room. This form would be filled out once you make it to the evacuation site. Also, this is a good time to update your rosters, please make sure you have contact information for your students in the packets. We will also have a binder with contact information. 

Have a great weekend!
Mark

Students as Leaders

Congrats to these students for being selected to the North West Iowa Band Associations Honor Band: Amanda Martin, Katie Cunningham, Abigail Tilberg, Luke Geitz, Emily Martin, Kara Albrecht, Isaac Johnson, Drake Oswald, Samuel Bowen, Jack McInnis, Devin Hansen, Ellie Clark, Daniel Vacura, Baily Goodman, Spencer Schnetzer, Sam Johnson, Josiah Gonzalez, Luke Benton, and Derek Anderson. 

Assistant Principal's Happenings

Happy Friday!  I have noticed increased traffic in the hallways during classes.  Please do not let several kids leave your classes at once and keep track of those who do leave.  We had some vandalism and not knowing where kids are at or supposed to be at really hinders any investigations.  I had several teachers email about kids out of class that should not be and I really appreciate those.  If you notice students please send them back to their classes and if it becomes a habit, let me know.

The 1st Trimester is ending today.  Please make sure you complete grades and are working with any student close to failing.  Also, please remind students so they are aware some of their classes will be changing.

I was worried after the last couple of days that the nice weather was over.  This weekend sounds like it is supposed to be very nice so please get out and enjoy the weather before it gets too cold!

Notes from the Librarian

I have noticed that some of the students are now using databases from IowaAEAOnline. The AEAs are rolling out a new platform called Scout that will access MOST of the databases with one login. Students will use their school email to login. However, it isn't quite ready yet. If kids do click on it, they can log in and will have to set up a profile right now. Be aware that changes are coming soon. In the meantime, I would be glad to come in and demonstrate use of the databases for research. Please contact me for scheduling. 

Success Center Update

Tracy's Technology Tidbits.

Google has recently rolled out the ability to embed audio into your Google Slides presentations. Click here to watch a short video by Richard Byrne if you would like to learn how.

This video also introduces the site http://dig.ccmixter.org/ as a site to obtain free creative commons licensed music and sound effects for a multitude of projects.

This is an interesting article suggesting that soon Chrome may shame slow-loading sites with 'speed badging'

Slido is a polling tool that has recently launched a Google Slides add-on and a corresponding Chrome extension. With Slido installed you can create polls directly in the Google Slides editor. The poll will appear as a slide in your presentation. The poll slide includes your question and the directions for your audience to respond to your poll. When your audience responds to your poll their responses will appear on the slide. Here is a link to their pricing plan. There is a free option for teachers :-)

Because Internet is a book that looks at how our digital world is transforming the English language.

Are you tired of the struggle with your students who want you to lecture all the time versus them being active learners in your room? Don't give in yet! Students Think Lectures Are Best, But Research Suggests They’re Wrong

Articles Worth Reading

Upcoming Activities

Friday, November 15

8:00 am - Robotics at Trinity Christian HS

7:00 pm Fall Play

Saturday, November 16

TBD - Robotics

7:00 pm Fall Play

Monday November 18

7:00 pm Music Boosters Meeting

Wednesday November 20

7:00 pm Athletic Boosters Meeting

Thursday, November 21

All State Music Festival @ Ames

Friday, November 22

All State Music Festival @ Ames

6:00 pm JV Girls Basketball - Hall of Pride Scrimmage

7:30 pm Varsity Girls Basketball - Hall of Pride Scrimmage

Saturday, November 23

All State Music Festival @ Ames

Monday, November 25

3:30 pm JV/Varsity Bowling vs. Sioux Central

6:00 pm JV Girls Basketball @ Spencer

7:30 pm Varsity Girls Basketball @ Spencer

Monday, December 2

1:00 pm JV/Varsity Bowling @ Sioux City North

6:00 pm Freshmen Girls Basketball @ Sioux Center

7:15 pm Freshmen Boys Basketball @ Sioux Center

Tuesday, December 3

6:00 pm Spanish Club Party

Thursday, December 5

4:00 pm JV Boys and Girls Basketball @ SBL

5:30 pm Varsity Girls Basketball @ SBL

5:30 pm JV/Varsity Wrestling @ Heelan

6:00 pm Freshmen Girls Basketball vs. Sioux City North

7:00 pm Varsity Boys Basketball vs. SBL

7:15 pm Freshmen Boys Basketball vs. Sioux City North

Friday, December 6

4:30 pm JV/Varsity Wrestling @ Hinton

6:30 pm Madrigal Dinner


Saturday, December 7
6:30 pm Madrigal Dinner

Monday, December 9
4:30 pm JV Wrestling @ MOC

Tuesday, December 10
4:00 pm JV Boy/Girl Basketball vs Council Bluffs AL
5:30 pm Varsity Girl Basketball vs. Council Bluffs AL
7:00 pm Varsity Boy Basketball vs. Council Bluffs AL

Thursday, December 12
3:30 pm Bowling vs. OABCIG
5:30 pm JV Girl Basketball @ Heelan
6:00 pm Freshmen Girl Basketball vs. MOC
7:00 pm Varsity Girl Basketball @ Heelan
7:15 pm Freshmen Boy Basketball vs. MOC

Friday, December 13
1:00 pm Bowling @ Council Bluffs
1:00 pm Wrestling @ Council Bluffs
4:00 pm Freshmen Basketball @ Heelan
5:30 pm JV Basketball @ Heelan
7:00 pm Varsity Basketball @ Heelan


Saturday, December 14
9:00 am Freshmen Girl Basketball @ Gehlen
10:00 am Wrestling @ Council Bluffs
10:00 am Girl Wrestling @ Oakland, IA
10:15 am Freshmen Boy Basketball @ Gehlen
1:00 pm JV Boy/Girl Basketball vs. Western Christian
2:30 pm Varsity Girl Basketball vs. Western Christian
4:00 pm Varsity Boy Basketball vs. Western Christian

Monday, December 16
3:30 pm Bowling vs. Sioux City East
5:00 pm Girl Wrestling @ SBL
7:30 pm HS Holiday Concert

Tuesday, December 17
4:00 pm JV Boy/Girl Basketball vs Council Bluffs TJ
5:30 pm Varsity Girl Basketball vs. Council Bluffs TJ
5:30 pm Wrestling @ Western Christian
7:00 pm Varsity Boy Basketball vs. Council Bluffs TJ

Thursday, December 19
4:00 pm Freshmen Girl Basketball @ Sioux City North
5:30 pm JV Girl Basketball @ Sioux City North
5:30 pm Wrestling @ Council Bluffs TJ
7:00 pm Varsity Girl Basketball @ Sioux City North

Friday, December 20
4:00 pm Freshmen Boy Basketball @ Sioux City North
5:30 pm JV Boy Basketball @ Sioux City North
7:00 pm Varsity Boy Basketball@ Sioux City North