Bulldog Gazette

   

November 20 , 2009                                                                                                                          Issue   7    Volume   4

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From the Principal

 

The Department of Defense Education Activity’s (DoDEA) Annual Reports have been posted to the DoDEA web site and can be found by clicking this link.

 

Last week’s test of the One Call Now notification system for middle school families took place on 12 November at 2:15 p.m. The system placed 482 phone calls to 239 families’ telephones. All but 4 families received the message on at least one phone. Please contact the office if you did not receive this message or if you have any questions about the One Call Now system.

 

Please remember that there have been three calendar changes about which parents should be aware:

 

30 November- changed from a full day of school to a two-hour delay

18 December- changed from a full day of school to early dismissal

12 February- changed from a full day of school to early dismissal

 

The revised calendar for West Point Schools can be found at this link on our web site

 

These changes have been made to accomplish DoDEA- directed training on updated curriculum standards and Using Data to Differentiate Instruction (UDDI). The UDDI training modules will provide our teachers with up-to-date, research-based best practices in collecting classroom-level, real-time student performance data in order to adjust lesson pacing, delivery, and content depth. This data will also assist teachers in appropriately differentiating learning tasks to meet the individual needs of each student. We are very excited to learn more about UDDI and put it to good use in all classrooms.

 

The two-hour delay on 30 November will provide families an opportunity to practice our most common type of weather delay. Bus riders need to add two hours to their normal pick-up time. The first bell will ring at 9:45, two hours later than usual

 

Early dismissal times are as follows:
Elementary school- 11:15 dismissal

David Rudy

Front Office Notes

Attention parents that use Road Runner for their internet and email. We have been having technical issues with emails being returned as undeliverable. After speaking with a representative from Time Warner Cable the issue may be a result of Road Runner filters blocking emails sent from the school's server. If the primary email address provided by you to the school is a Road Runner account we strongly suggest you provide us with an alternate address to send communications to. Please contact the school at 938-2923 with this information.

Please return to the school the document (click to open) that was sent home with report cards requesting updated emergency contact information and direction/permission pertaining to your child/children during a minor or major event.                                                                  

              For information on School Closings/Delays or Early Dismissals

 

Tune into the local cable channel Channel 23

Radio 100.7 FM                  Or call 938-7000

Counselor’s Corner

Your child is writing a report for school and uses the internet to gather information. Here are some important thoughts about evaluating the information that is gathered. Make sure your child knows where the information is coming from, that the web site is a reliable one and not just someone’s opinion on the subject. Many web site offer biased information so a collection of information might be necessary, so he or she can filter through choosing only what is appropriate. If your child discovers that two sources have opposite views, explain that some experts might disagree with one another, or that some information might be older than others and has become out of date. Most important, help your child put the research into his or her own words. That a report that consists of click, copy and paste is not going to go over very well in the teacher.

The counselor can be reached at 938-2923

Fifth Grade Facts

Eighth grade math is exploring the balancing of equations using algebraic techniques.  Spanish 1 is mastering the art of adjective agreement to describe people.  Spanish 2 went on the Hacienda Restaurant Study Trip on Wednesday. Eighth Grade ESL is writing an original descriptive story.  The English/Language Arts students in ELA 8-2 and 8-3 are writing a variety of responses to literature reflecting the theme: Twinges of Conscience. The eighth grade Science classes are talking about chemical reactions and equations. We have done some work with balancing chemical equations and will continue to work on that as well as demonstrating conservation of mass. 

 

Gold One ELA in grade 8 continues to work on a writing project as an extension to their study of London’s Call of the Wild. Seventh and eighth grade drama is involved in an investigation of the history of drama.  They are also learning the basics of improvisation.

Information Center News

New fiction books are available for checkout; 445 titles were added to the collection this month.

Eye on Technology

 

Computer Manners

 

Internet etiquette, called netiquette is a guide for proper behavior on the Internet. There are widely accepted rules of behavior to follow when you're online. It is very important to learn and follow these rules.

Sometimes the online world can feel "pretend" because you cannot see the person with whom you are communicating. So, it is very important to remember that you are dealing with "real" people online and you should use your very best manners - just as you would at home or at school.

Here are some things to remember anytime you are online:

• Do unto others, as you'd have others do unto you. Be polite and courteous at all times. Remember that you're not communicating with a computer screen, but with a human being who has thoughts and feelings just like you. So, always think of the person on the receiving end of your messages.
• Do not TYPE ALL IN CAPITAL LETTERS for emphasis. IT LOOKS LIKE YOU ARE SHOUTING. If you need to emphasize a word, use asterisks, like *this* or lines, like _this_.
• Remember that the written word is hard to interpret. When you speak to someone, that person can hear the tone of your voice. If they can see you, they can take visual clues from your face and body to better understand your meaning. All of this is lost in text, and sometimes responses can come across as mean or rude, even when you did not intend them this way.
• Be careful not to use rude or bad language online. Many providers will terminate your account.
• Don't break any laws.  When you're on the net, follow the same rules of behavior that you would in real life. Remember, if it is against the law in the real world, it is against the law in cyberspace.
• Be brief whenever possible. No one wants to read through a lot of unnecessary information. If you are replying to an e-mail, try editing out unimportant information and anything that is repeated.
• Don't flame. Do not send rude or offensive e-mails or postings. It's bad manners and can get seriously out of hand (flame wars). So don't flame others and if you are flamed, do not respond: you will never win. If you receive hateful e-mail, let your parents or teachers know.
• Always identify yourself. If your parents require you to use an online name instead of your real one, that's fine - use your online name consistently. Never send e-mail without including your name at the bottom of the e-mail.
• Make a good impression. Remember that the written word is the only way you can represent yourself online, so spelling and grammar count. If you are going to be writing a large amount of text for other people to see, make sure you break it up using paragraphs, it will make it easier on the eye for those that will read it.

 Things to remember about your e-mail account:

• Check e-mail regularly... so you can respond quickly
• Delete messages after you read them... frees up storage space for more productive use
• Don't send confidential information in your mail... others may be able to read/access it
• Don't be hasty when you send... if you write a message when you're upset, wait before you send it
• Respect the privacy of others... don't share someone's email address without their permission
• Always fill in the subject box so people can see what the mail concerns
• Don't send chain letters.

Use BrainPOP to review Internet Safety at -- http://www.brainpopjr.com/health/besafe/internetsafety/

 

Revised from "A Guide to Etiquette on the Net", by Maria Georgiou.
http://www.kidsdomain.com/brain/computer/surfing/netiquette_kids.html

 

Educational Technologist

School Improvement

The first of the seven standards for AdvancedEd accreditation is explained below:

Standard 1: Vision and Purpose: Quality School System Indicators:

                   In fulfillment of this standard, the system:

1.1 Establish a vision for the system in collaboration with its stakeholders

1.2 Communicates the system's vision and purpose to build stakeholder understanding and support

1.3 Identifies system-wide goals and measures to advance vision

1.4 Develops and continuously maintains a profile of the system, its students, and the community

1.5 Ensures that the system's vision and purpose guide the teaching and learning process and the strategic direction of schools, departments and services

1.6 Reviews its vision and purpose systematically and revises them when appropriate

Nurse's News

We hope that the traditional Thanksgiving meal will not fade with time as evening meals have. In these busy times when parents are working and children are involved with after-school activities it is difficult for families to come together for a shared dinner. The daily family dinner seems to be a thing of the past.

Dinner time should be an opportunity that brings families together as a unit. It is a great time for parents to engage in their children’s lives. Basic communication skills, table manners, and the chance to experience, taste and eat a variety of healthy foods can be accomplished during this short time.  Studies indicate several benefits of families eating together such as: children tend to get better grades, they develop good relationships with their parents, they talk more openly, and they more likely stay away from drugs and alcohol.

This Thanksgiving as you take time to gather with friends and families, be mindful of ways to preserve the family meals with-in your own home. Have a Save and Healthy Thanksgiving!

NJHS

The last day for the NJHS school supply donation drive will be Monday, November 23rd. So, if you have not yet donated basic supplies (such as paper, notebooks, erasers, etc.), please pick up something while out running errands this weekend.  The seminar collecting the most supplies will be treated to an ice cream party!  Imagine how many students will benefit from this effort if each student in our school donates at least one school supply item.  Just a reminder:  This project supports the efforts of our deployed military personnel who are involved in rebuilding schools in Iraq and Afghanistan.

 

The West Point Women’s Club bake sale - that was staffed by NJHS students this past weekend - raised approximately $850 to benefit Wounded Warriors and Deployed Soldiers.  Proceeds will help fund the following:  Holiday Share Program at USMA, Backpacks for Wounded Warriors at USMA and Walter Reed, and Holiday Care Packages and Gift Cards for USMA’s deployed personnel.  NJHS extends their gratitude to the Women’s Club for this wonderful service project opportunity.

 

There was an NJHS meeting on Thursday, November 12th for current members and candidates.  Interested candidates must submit their completed application packets to the NJHS sponsor by November 30th to be considered for membership.  A minimum prerequisite for membership is a 3.5 GPA over the most recent two semesters of study.  Other criteria are provided in the application packet.  If any student feels that they qualify for membership, but did not receive an invitation for application, they should contact the NJHS sponsor.  Additionally, small group or individual appointments can be made for review of application materials and assistance.

By, NJHS - Secretary         

Yearbook

The 2009-2010 yearbook staff is pleased to announce the price

plan for this year's yearbook. Due to the popularity of last year's hard

cover, we will again offer this design. You can save up to $8 by

buying your yearbook early. This year's schedule is:

 

Until October 31st $25

Until December 18th $29

2010 $33

  

Take advantage of our Fall offers and save! Please make the

checks to:   West Point Schools SAF

 

Please return the completed order form to the main office at either

school.

 

This year you have the option to purchase your book using your

credit card online at www.jostensyearbook.com

 

 Buy Now! [=

Environment Club

Environment Club has planned to conduct clean sweeps the school grounds (as needed).  A pre-winter holiday book swap activity is currently being planned.

Homework Club

Homework Club begins for the year!  The Homework Club provides students an opportunity to work on assignments in a calm environment under a teacher’s supervision.  The club will meet twice a week, Monday and Thursday in the library.  Transportation must be provided.  Students may attend the entire session or part of the time.  They may also come one or two days a week.  Please encourage your student to attend!

Spanish Club

Spanish Club is exploring the concept of the Hispanic hero.

Newspaper Club

Newspaper Club has sent field photographers and reporters to various intramural awards and Veteran’s Day events.  Student interest articles are being drafted.

Music Notes

Our winter concert is scheduled for December 9.  Groups performing include intermediate band, advanced band, and chorus.  If there is a snow day before December 7, we will have our concert on December 8. 

 

Students in beginning band can attend Beginning Band Bonus Day on Mondays from 2:15-2:45.

 

Students in intermediate band can attend Intermediate Band Bonus Day on Tuesdays from 2:15-2:45

Wanted: Coaches for P.E.P. Pals

 

P.E.P. Pals stands for Physical Education Practice Pals. This club is for children who need extra time developing physical fitness and motor skills. It will include children who are 7 years old and older. Some of the children may qualify to participate in the Special Olympic competition held at West Point in May. This is a unique opportunity for students in grades four through eight to coach fellow students with physical fitness and movement difficulties and help them to enjoy physical activity. Please click on/open the application to apply for a coaching position.

 

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