Midquarter Mark! We have officially passed the middle of first quarter. All students should have received their first quarter progress reports. Progress reports were mailed home. If you have questions about first quarter grades, please contact your child’s CORE Team. Another way to check grades is online with Pinnacle Parent Viewer. If you don’t have your Pinnacle user codes, contact Dawn Lensert in the main office.
Academic Help If your student is struggling with grades and homework, there are a number of interventions for you to consider. Refer to the attached Pyramid of Interventions. Get ‘R Done Club is available to all students after school on Monday – Thursday in Ms. Sandercock’s room. Students can receive help with assignments from a certified teacher. Students can also show up with their disorganized binders and planners and receive help with organization. A SWAT team can be sent to a messy locker for major cleaning and organization. Call Ms. Sandercock and request her assistance!
Also, consider the Bridges Extended School Day Program for students who need extra help in the areas of language arts and math. Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Anderson will be providing extra help with math and language arts starting next week. If your student is struggling with either subject, please contact Mrs. Wilson or Mrs. Anderson for intensive extra help. October Events! •Monday, October 8, 2007, is the beginning of 8th grade girls basketball and 6-8th wrestling. •Tuesday, October 9, 2007, is Centennial’s Health Screening Day. •Thursday, October 18, 2007, is the last day of first quarter. •Friday, October 19, 2007, is fall break holiday – no school for students. •Thursday, October 25, 2007, is scheduled for Parent Teacher Conferences. •Monday, October 29, 2007, eligibility is in effect. •Tuesday, October 30, 2007, is the National Junior Honor Society Induction Ceremony.
Traverse Wall This is an amazing addition! Centennial has a new traverse climbing wall. This wall tests students’ strength and agility while they climb across, rather than up. If you have questions about the climbing wall, or if you would like to see it, try it, or learn more about it, stop by the school. The P.E. Department is planning a parent night to demonstrate activities associated with the traverse wall. All students receive safety training and take a safety quiz before they are permitted to be involved in activities on the climbing wall. The wall is 40 feet long by 10 feet high. If
you have objections to having your child on the wall during P.E. class, or if you need more information, contact your child’s P.E. teacher.
Fall Parent Teacher Conferences Parent Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Thursday, October 25, 2007. CORE teams will be involved in planning the conferences. In an effort to meet parents’ needs and provide privacy and less waiting, conference times will be scheduled for each family through the COREs. If you have a time preference, contact one of your child’s CORE teachers. Elective teachers’ scheduled times will be announced in an upcoming mailing.
Behavior Management A team of Centennial staff members met over the summer to discuss behavior management and student discipline. The team determined that we should blend specific kinds of referrals to the office with our B.E.S.T. Program. A dual system was developed which now includes two types of referrals to the office. One of the referrals is a “Gold B.E.S.T. Ticket Referral” for lower level behaviors or actions that need to be redirected or corrected. The second type of referral is the traditional “Misconduct Referral” for more serious behaviors and infractions. Teachers typically employ
their own interventions prior to utilizing either of the referral types. Teacher interventions may include talking to a student, a phone call home, a meeting with parents, teacher detentions to make up time, change in seating, time out within the classroom, time out in a teaching partner’s classroom, or any other number of teacher interventions. When a staff member does refer a student on either type of referral, the student reports to the office. The BEST Ticket Referrals can be addressed by the campus supervisor, counselor, administrative manager, or principals. The goal is to help students learn what to do differently and how to avoid future problems. Parents are contacted. The Office Misconduct Referrals, for more serious behaviors, are addressed by the administrative manager or principals. Parents are notified when students are referred to the office on either kind of referral.
Committee Volunteers Are you looking for an opportunity to become more involved in the school? The following committees are seeking more parent representation: School Improvement Committee: Meets the last Thursday of each month at 7:15 A.M. The committee is responsible for updating and ensuring implementation of the School Improvement Plan which includes activities to help all students demonstrate success and proficiency in the areas of
language arts, math, and science. Budget Committee: Typically meets once a quarter and as needed. This committee usually meets after school. Technology Committee: Typically meets once a month or as needed after school. This committee will become more active with the new digital learning environment. Crisis Management Team: Meets once or twice a quarter at 7:15 A.M. to review, discuss, and revise safety procedures
and protocols. School safety is critically important.
School Improvement The School Improvement Team has been meeting and making plans to update the School Improvement Plan. Each school in NCSD#1 that did not meet AYP (adequate yearly progress) as evidenced by results on the state test (PAWS) either last year or the year before, is required to submit an updated plan to the Wyoming State Department of Education. Centennial is proud of last year’s efforts that resulted in making AYP in all areas; however, we are asked by the state to demonstrate sustainability since we did not make AYP in certain math subgroups the year before. Subgroup populations like special
education and free and reduced lunch are factors in determining AYP. Subgroup populations with a sufficient number of students are analyzed separately to ensure that students in such groups are making gains and are proficient. Centennial’s adjusted plan will be completed on October 10, 2007, in a work session at Centennial. The plan is due on October 19. Parent involvement and input is welcome. Parents are welcome to stop in during the work session and to join the monthly, scheduled School Improvement Meetings. Copies of the Centennial School Improvement Plan will be available in the Centennial library. Review the plan at your convenience or stop by the library during Parent Teacher Conferences to review the plan. |
Digital Environment Great things are happening in the 9th grade digital environment. The TOSAs (tech teachers on special assignment) provided a full day of digital application math training for all math teachers. Recent Tech Thursday trainings have provided additional tips for teachers in the digital environment. Students are researching, creating, sharing, and becoming knowledgeable about technology. There have been a few, minor learning opportunities
regarding overly stuffed backpacks not fitting in lockers and taking care not to expose laptops to food and beverages. Students have, for the most part, demonstrated responsibility and care regarding the new technology. There have been a few instances of poor judgement which have also been learning opportunities for students. Students’ District e-mail is monitored each day by a number of adults and any e-mail that does not have an educational purpose is deleted and students are reminded about the purpose of the technology.
Fall Dance Centennial’s fall dance is scheduled for Friday, November 2, 2007. The dance, for all 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th graders will be held in the cafeteria from 7-9 P.M. Call the office to chaperone! A staggered grade level release time schedule will be sent home.
Centennial Yearbook If you haven’t reserved a copy of the Centennial yearbook for your child, the time is now before the price goes up in late October. Simply place $20.00 (cash or check made payable to Centennial Junior High) in an envelope with your child’s name and grade level. If your child is a 9th grader, also note his or her 3rd period teacher’s name. For all other grades, note his or her Connections teacher’s name. You can send the envelope with your child to drop off at the main office, drop it off yourself, or mail it to the following address: Centennial Junior High Attn: Lisa Smith 1421 S. Waterford Casper, WY 82609 PCAC Parent Community Advisory Council The District PCAC Council meets from 11:45 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. at Central Services, 970 N, Glenn Road in the Board Room. Lunch is provided and parents are encouraged to come when you can and leave early if you need to. The meetings are scheduled for the following dates: October 24 November 28 January 23 February 27 March 26 April 23 PCAC members participated in the following decision making processes over the past two years: •Principal selections at several schools •Revision of the Code of Conduct •Adoption of the five year calendar •Superintendent search committee •Recalibration work •Instructional facilitators •Tutors •Extended Day •Class size reduction •Technology •Professional Development •Site selection for new schools •Restructuring of substitute teacher program •Creation/adoption of the Student Wellness Program •Review/revision of athletics and activities •Teacher of the year selection •Parents voice on various sub committees, Facilities and Technology, Business Services, Human Resources, Curriculum and Instruction Board •Medallion of Excellence selection committee •School Performance Reporting
This is a great way to get involved in schools and learn more about education at the District level. For more information, contact Centennial parent representative, Bill Junge.w.junge@bresnan.net Home: 473-7459 Cell: 307-277-0108
Nurse’s Note Centennial’s Health Screening Day is October 9, 2007, in the Centennial library. All 7th graders will be screened and they will report to the library as a class during science. All special education students in 6th, 8th, and 9th, and all students new to the District will also be screened. The latter group will report to the LMC on passes when called for. Thanks to Centennial’s school nurse for the screening and other related health and wellness assistance!
Connections Advisory Tuesdays Students in grades 6, 7, and 8 have Connections at the end of their school day. On Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, students are connecting with reading during Sustained Silent Reading time. On Tuesdays, students connect with their Connections Advisor and their classmates as they participate in ativities. September topics included: •preparing for tests •listening skills •personal goals •going over the Pupil/Parent Handbook •student interest inventory October activities include: •learning about school clubs and teams •developing good study habits•learning about interests in common with peers •developing good communication skills •positive
reinforcement Teachers report that they are making great connections with their students during Connections Advisory!
What’s New in P.E.? Students are being exposed to many new healthy activities! It’s all happening in P.E.! New activities for different classes include: ice skating, archery, flag rugby, scuba training, climbing, beach volleyball, and more! Orienteering is on the horizon! We are currently looking for compass donations! If you can help, contact the school. |