Memoir Projects and Textbooks are due

This coming week on May 26, the final Memoir Project is due after students have worked on this project for two months. There is a specific format to follow, and the entire document must be PROOFREAD thoroughly. My intention is for your student to make something marvelous that will be kept by your family for years and years to come. A copy of the directions and requirements are on my blog under "handouts".

Students know that they are required to bring a flash drive to class each day AND to copy pieces from the flash drive to a permanent computer. Unfortunately, in the past some students have lost everything at the last minute when they damaged or lost their flashdrives. They should have EVERYTHING with them in class, in case there is an error found that there is still time to fix. Please discuss the project with your student. He/she should be very proud of what has been accomplished. This project may be turned in early - I recommend every student to turn it in early, just in case.

Textbooks are due by next Friday - May 27. If a textbook is not returned, a replacement cost of $84.97 is due to the main office. Please remind your student to turn in the textbook AND any class novels ASAP.

Finally, students have received permission slips to attend the field trip to Funway on June 1. It is important that your student continues to complete assignments and behave appropriately.

Thanks for your support all year. Please continue to check the online Gradebook for missing/late activities.

Progress Reports and Electives

Students are completing elements for the Memoir Project, and they have additional class time today to type their pieces. They are expected to have a flash drive in class EVERY day for this project. Information about this project is available on my blog under "handouts".

Next week is the MAP testing for Math and Reading on Monday and Tuesday during Language Arts. Please remind your student to get plenty of sleep and eat a good breakfast.

Today I am passing out progress reports for Language Arts, primarily so students can notice if they have not turned something in. Please sign and return it to me. If there are any alterations, I correct them online.

Please also check online to see that your student is arriving to all classes on time, as tardiness is disruptive to the learning environment for everyone.

Today in advisory students received information about signing up for electives online through PowerSchool. Please encourage your student to sign up ASAP.

Thanks for your continued support.

District 97's Ethnic Festival essay contest winners

Congratulations to the following winners of the District 97's Ethnic Festival essay and poetry contest. These students are invited to attend the opening ceremonies of the Ethnic Festival next Saturday, May 7th at 11:00 AM in the Julian auditorium. At that time they will be called to the stage to be recognized and to receive a certificate. According to Ms. Lynn Allen, "They show a lot of insight about bullying and their perceptions of our schools' climate."


Brooks Middle School - 7th grade winners

1st Place - (3 way tie)
Elise S., Sophia P. and Sophia C.

2nd Place -
Helen B.

3rd Place (3 way tie) -
Judd B., Olivia V., and Griffin K.

Thank you to everyone for your participation.

A copy of the Reflection on The Wiz activity is under handouts to the right.

Week of April 25

This week in Language Arts students have the opportunity to revise, edit and type pieces for the final Memoir Project. (Specific directions for the project are listed under "handouts" to the right of this blog.) Netbook computers will only be available this week in the class room, and flashdrives are required each day in class. Students need to finish the project on their own time using computers at home, the local libraries, or at school during lunch or before school.

Please double check that your student has turned in all class novels. Many students think they have turned them in, however they may not have turned in the copy that they were assigned. Students may replace the missing novel with a new one or pay for the loss. This money will go to the library to replace the novels.

On Thursday afternoon, our team will attend a performance of The Wiz.

Next week students will take the final MAP tests in reading and math for this year.