January 27, 2023

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Happy Friday! I hope everyone had a great week! Next week will be midterm of the 3rd quarter. It is hard to believe how fast this semester is already moving. Today the girls wrestling team will be attempting to qualify for state wrestling tournament. Their regional sight is at the Tyson Event Center in Sioux City. 

Before we know it, ISASP will be quickly on us. We want to start stressing to students the importance of these scores. Please talk about how we have been designated as a target school. Talk about what it means to be targeted. Talk to them about why it is important that they do their best on this test. You can share with them the Iowa School Performance profile and show how scores are figured out. Tell them about what this means for them. If you need some talking points, please see me and I would be happy to assist you. Whatever we do though, we need the students to understand how the state uses this data and what it means for them.

The ISASP website has come out with some new practice materials. New this year with the practice test is we can get an estimate of proficiency in Math and Science and a preliminary estimate of the contribution of the student's Reading score to overall proficiency in ELA. Practice tests can be found here:  https://iowa.pearsonaccess.com/test-prep/

"As for the writing tests, ISASP has released responses that can be examined to better understand how well students demonstrate writing skills with respect to the four traits that are evaluated as part of the ISASP Writing test. Responses can also be used to gain a better understanding of how the ISASP is scored and the application of the rubric to each individual response." Released Writing prompts are available at https://iowa.pearsonaccess.com/test-prep/, in the section Released Writing Prompts.

As you think about how you can assist our students in their growth on ISASP, all content areas can do something with reading and writing. A few years back, many of the content areas focused on Close Reading strategies. If you don't remember what those were or are looking for other ideas on how to help students become better readers, Mrs. Collins is an excellent resource to assist in this journey. Reading is the key to being successful in all of our courses. 

I have been bouncing around an idea of an Honors program at the high school. I have talked with CIA about this and have gotten some good feedback from them. I would like to meet with those departments that would be impacted by this next week. I will be sending out a meeting invite for one day during prep so I can share the idea with you and gain your feedback. 

Have a Great Weekend!

Mark

Assistant Principal's Happenings

I hope everyone enjoyed their week!  I know things have been a bit louder in the halls compared to what we are used to on a regular basis.  Some parts of the year bring out tension between students and we are experiencing that now.  Please keep talking to your students about high expectations and reaching out before they let their emotions cause choices with serious consequences.  We have experienced an increase in students struggling with Mental Health.  After I talk to parents, I will send out what information I can to keep you aware if you have any of them.  According to one parent today, inpatient beds in Iowa are currently full across the state so we may have some students out for extended periods of time while they wait.  Stay visible in the halls and let the counselors or administrators know when you have concerns.

We have lots of student activities with big events coming up.  Please encourage students to try their best and represent our school well!

Upcoming Activities

Friday, January 27
TBD - Girl Wrestling Regionals
4:00 pm Boy/Girl JV Basketball @ CB TJ
5:30 pm Girl Varsity Basketball @ CB TJ
7:00 pm Boy Varsity Basketball @ CB TJ

Saturday, January 28
9:30 am Boy JV Wrestling @ Kingsley Pierson
10:00 am Bowling - Le Mars Invite
7:30 pm Show Choir Clinic and Showcase

Sunday, January 29
2:00 pm Large Group Speech Showcase

Monday, January 30
State Show Choir Contest
3:30 pm Bowling vs. MMCRU & West Sioux
5:45 pm Boy JV Basketball @ Western Christian
7:00 pm Boy Varsity Basketball @ Western Christian

Tuesday, January 31
4:00 pm Boy/Girl JV Basketball @ SC North
5:30 pm Girl Varsity Basketball @ SC North
7:00 pm Boy Varsity Basketball @ SC North

Thursday, February 2
5:30 pm Boy Freshmen Basketball @ SC East

Friday, February 3
Cyclone Honor Band
4:00 pm Boy/Girl JV Basketball @ SC West
5:30 pm Girl Varsity Basketball @ SC West
7:00 pm Boy Varsity Basketball @ SC West

Saturday, February 4
8:00 am Large Group Speech State Contest - LCHS

Monday, February 6
1:00 pm Bowling @ Thunderbowl - MRC Conference Tournament
6:00 pm Boy Freshmen Basketball @ Western Christian

Tuesday, February 7
TBD Boy Wrestling Regional Duals
4:00 pm Boy/Girl JV Basketball vs. SC East
5:30 pm Girl Varsity Basketball vs. SC East
7:00 pm Boy Varsity Basketball vs. SC East

Wednesday, February 8
TBD - Morningside Jazz Band Festival

Thursday, February 9
TBD Northern Festival of Winds - UNI
5:30 pm Girl JV Basketball @ Storm Lake
7:00 pm Girl Varsity Basketball @ Storm Lake

Friday, February 10
TBD - Northern Festival of Winds - UNI

Saturday, February 11
TBD Northern Festival of Winds - UNI
TBD Boy Varsity Wrestling District Meet
9:00 am Boy Freshmen Basketball @ Heelan
2:00 pm Dance Exhibition 

Monday, February 13
TBD Girl Bowling State Qualifying - Sweet16 Lanes
5:30 pm Boy JV Basketball vs. Sioux Center
7:00 pm Boy Varsity Basketball vs. Sioux Center

Tuesday, February 14
TBD Boy Bowling State Qualifying - Sweet16 Lanes

Wednesday, February 15
TBD Girl Varsity Regional Basketball

Thursday, February 16
5:30 pm Boy JV Basketball @ South Sioux City
7:00 pm Boy Varsity Basketball @ South Sioux City

Friday, February 17
7:30 pm HS Band Concert

Saturday, February 18
TBD Girl Varsity Basketball Regional Semi-Final - TBD
8:00 am Large Group Speech All-State Festival - Ames

Monday, February 20
TBD Boy Varsity Basketball District TBD
NWIBA District Jazz Band Contest - Le Mars

Tuesday, February 21
TBD Girl Varsity Basketball Regional Final

Thursday, February 23
TBD Boy Varsity District Final

Friday, February 24
7:30 pm HS Vocal Concert

Saturday, February 25
TBD Heelan Show Choir Competition
8:00 am  IE Speech District Contest - Woodbury Central

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