January 31, 2025

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Friday Focus 

Happy Friday! I hope everyone has had a great week. While experiencing writer's block this week, I turned to AI for inspiration. Within seconds, I had several potential topics to explore, ultimately deciding to focus on how we're preparing students for college and career readiness.

Earlier this year, you completed a survey about college and career activities in your classrooms. This information helped us determine appropriate state coding for your classes and aligns with the Department of Education's emphasis on career preparation. Beyond classroom activities, we're expanding our internship and apprenticeship opportunities. Several of our students spend much of their school day gaining hands-on experience – our auto program graduates are working at Total Motors and AgriVision, while students interested in healthcare are exploring various career paths at Floyd Valley. Additionally, our students can earn CNA and EMT certifications while still in high school.

We're actively developing new partnerships to create more opportunities. On February 20, Mrs. Leavitt, Mr. Fehringer, and I will visit the carpentry training center to discuss aligning our construction curriculum with their training requirements. This partnership could enable our students to earn certificates leading directly to carpentry apprenticeships and employment. Similar discussions are underway for HVAC, electrical, and plumbing programs.

To support our students' college and career readiness, here are key activities teachers can implement:

Real-World Problem Solving:

  • Present actual workplace scenarios for students to solve
  • Facilitate team projects addressing local community issues
  • Analyze real business case studies
  • Incorporate project management tools and deadlines

Professional Communication:

  • Practice professional email writing
  • Conduct mock interviews with feedback
  • Deliver formal presentations using industry tools
  • Create networking opportunities with guest speakers

Digital Literacy:

  • Teach workplace software applications
  • Practice digital collaboration
  • Incorporate data analysis and visualization
  • Discuss professional online presence

Time Management:

  • Use project planning tools
  • Break down projects into milestones
  • Teach prioritization
  • Enforce deadline management

Financial Literacy:

  • Include practical budgeting exercises
  • Discuss college costs and student loans
  • Practice business budget analysis
  • Cover taxes, insurance, and investments

Research and Critical Thinking:

  • Evaluate source credibility
  • Compare multiple perspectives
  • Practice fact-checking
  • Develop analytical writing

Thank you all for your dedication to preparing our students for their futures. The work you do in your classrooms every day – from teaching essential skills to sharing real-world experiences – makes a significant impact on our students' college and career readiness. Your commitment to incorporating these practical skills alongside your curriculum helps ensure our students graduate ready to tackle whatever path they choose.

Important Reminders:

  • February 4: Third quarter midterm grades due end of day
  • February 17: No School
  • February 24: End of trimester 2
  • February 27: Final shelter drill at 1:45 PM; Trimester 2 grades due 8:00 AM
  • April 12: PASS Plans deadline
  • May 9: Seniors' last day of regular classes
  • May 12-13: Senior semester tests (complete by 1:00 PM on May 13)
  • May 14: Senior grades due 8:00 AM; Senior breakfast and graduation practice; Awards night at 6:30 PM

Enjoy your weekend!
Mark

Assistant Principal's Happenings

Things to Announce:  Q3 midterm is next week.  Please talk with your students about their grades and getting off to a good start for S2.  Please remind them that a grade lower than a C- in either quarter results in them taking the semester test for that class.  Please refer to the handbook for complete details.  Thank you.

Things I'm Thinking About:  I've seen some great teacher/student interactions regarding teaching and re-teaching of behavior this past week.  Thank you for your consistency in exercising your Boys Town skills. The whole building benefits when we work together.

Things To Laugh About:  This may show my age -- if you don't recognize this screenshot, I'm sorry that you had a deprived childhood:). But seriously, let's keep laughing and finding ways to have fun at work.  I need reminders about this, so feel free to tell me to 'lighten up' occasionally.  I appreciate all the ways you bring joy to our building, even through the dark and cold month of January.  Brighter days are on the way, literally!  (Ignore the date below -- that was beyond my editing skills.)





Grateful for our team, 

Moss


Upcoming Activities


Friday, January 31
TBD - USD Quad State Honor Band/Cyclone Honor Band
4:00 pm Girl Varsity Wrestling - 2A Regional @ Lewis Central
4:00 pm Boy/Girl JV Basketball vs. Council Bluffs AL
5:30 pm Boy Freshmen Baskeball vs. Council Bluffs AL
5:30 pm Girl Varsity Basketball vs. Council Bluffs AL
7:00 pm Boy Varsity Basketball vs. Council Bluffs AL

Saturday, February 1
TBD - USD Quad State Honor Band/Cyclone Honor Band
9:30 am Boy Varsity Wrestling @ Kingsley Pierson
10:00 am Boy/Girl Bowling - Le Mars Invite

Monday, February 3
3:30 pm Boy/Girl Bowling vs. MMCRU, SBL, & West Sioux @ Sweet Sixteen Lanes
4:00 pm State Show Choir - TBD
5:00 pm Boy JV Wrestling @ MOC

Tuesday, February 4
3:30 pm Girl JV Basketball @ SC North
4:00 pm Boy JV Basketball @ SC North
4:30 pm Boy Freshman Basketball @ SC North
5:30 pm Girl Varsity Basketball @ SC North
7:00 pm Boy Varsity Basketball @ SC North

Wednesday, February 5
TBD - Morningside Jazz Band Festival

Thursday, February 6
4:00 pm Boy/Girl JV Basketball vs. Western Christian
5:30 pm Girl Varsity Basketball vs. Western Christian
7:00 pm Boy Varsity Basketball vs. Western Christian

Friday, February 7
12:30 pm Boy/Girl Varsity Bowling @ Lynx Bakers Bash - CB AL
4:00 pm Boy/Girl JV Basketball vs. SC West
5:30 pm Boy Freshman Basketball vs. SC West
5:30 pm Girl Varsity Basketball vs. SC West
7:00 pm Boy Varsity Basketball vs. SC West

Saturday, February 8
8:00 am State Large Group Speech @ Spencer
12:00 pm Boy Swimming @ Johnston - Districts

Monday, February 10
1:00 pm Boy/Girl JV/Varsity Bowling @ Plaza Bowl - MRC Championships
5:30 pm Boy JV/Freshman Basketball @ Lewis Central
7:00 pm Boy Varsity Basketball @ Lewis Central

Tuesday, February 11
4:00 pm Boy/Girl JV Basketball vs. CB TJ
5:30 pm Boy Freshman Basketball vs. CB TJ
5:30 pm Girl Varsity Basketball vs CB TJ
7:00 pm Boy Varsity Basketball vs CB TJ

Thursday, February 13
HS - Northern Festival of Winds @ UNI

Friday, February 14
HS - Northern Festival of Winds @ UNI
4:00 pm Boy/Girl JV Basketball vs. Spencer
5:00 pm Boy Swimming - State Meet @ Iowa City
5:30 pm Girl Varsity Basketball vs. Spencer
7:00 pm Boy Varsity Basketball vs. Spencer

Saturday, February 15
HS - Northern Festival of Winds @ UNI
12:30 pm Boys Swimming - State Meet @ Iowa City

Monday, February 17
NWIBA District Jazz Band Contest - Le Mars
6:00 pm Boy Freshman Basketball vs. SC West @ North High
7:30 pm Boy Freshman B Basketball vs. South Sioux City @ North High

Tuesday, February 18
6:00 pm Honors Program Meeting for Class of 2028 - Little Theater
7:30 pm Jazz Band Concert

Wednesday, February 19
7:00 pm Girl Varsity Basketball - TBD

Thursday, February 20
TBD - Boy Freshman Basketball - Sioux City Tournament
7:30 pm Band Concert

Friday, February 21
9:00 pm HS Winter Dance

Saturday, February 22
8:00 am Large Group Speech All-State Festival

Sunday, February 23
2:30 pm 

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