Feb News

IMPORTANT DATES (Dec.):

·        Feb. 11 Pep Assembly HS

·        Feb. 13-School Improvement Day

·        Feb. 13- Class Competition Spirit Day

·        Feb. 20 –No School

·        Feb. 27-No School

·        Feb. 24 YRBS Survey

Enrollment   HS: 

 9^th:  34       10^th:31      11^th:27     12^th:30     Total: 122

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News from the High School Principal Desk:

This is traditionally our week for the most discipline referrals.  We had a successful pep assembly this week and another class competition coming up Friday.  Thank you to the MBI group for raising school spirit and pride in our system.   MBI “Gold” is a reality that we will strive for and would look great for our school and more than likely give us the “hedgehog” we have been searching for.  Positive behavioral supports are evident throughout our system.  The data from the first semester looks good and I feel the year is going well. 

2^nd Quarter Data:

*50% of our Students were on Honor Roll, High or 4.0

*By the end of the 2^nd Quarter the HS has had only 32 Referrals all year

*By the end of the 2^nd Quarter 91% of our students have not had a single referral

Semester Test Results First Semester:

A-36%

B-24%

C-16%

D-12%

F-12%

Average GPA

9^th Grade-  2.9

10^th Grade-2.7

11^th Grade-2.8

12^th Grade-2.3

2^nd Quarter Attendance Rate:

9^th Grade-  95%

10^th Grade-95%

11^th Grade-96%

12^th Grade-95%

2^nd Quarter Positive Post Cards Sent: 154

2^nd Quarter Bulldog Tickets: 206

Teacher Walk-Through Data

Frame the Lesson: 88%

Work in the Power Zone: 85%

Student Grades 1^st Semester:

A-35%

B-26%

C-15%

D-20%

F-4%

Love and Logic

Helping unmotivated kids is one of the most complex challenges we face as educators and parents. Therefore, giving a quick and easy solution in less than 300 words would be impossible…and downright irresponsible.

 

In approximately 99% of cases, the child's lack of motivation results from far more than simple laziness or a conscious desire to act out. The roots of apathy go far deeper, into feelings of frustration, anger, hopelessness, lack of control, or loss. The majority of these feelings lay at the subconscious level, where they wreak havoc on a child's ability to engage in higher-level thinking tasks, such as sustained attention to detail, problem-solving, memory, perseverance, and self-control.

 

This is why punishing children for getting bad grades usually backfires. Since they are already feeling bad about life, how is making them feel worse about it going to get them motivated to succeed?

 

In my award winning book, From Bad Grades to a Great Life, I teach a variety of alternative strategies for getting at the roots of apathy…rather than making it worse with anger, lectures, threats and punishments. At the core of what we teach is the importance of loving kids for who they are…rather than who we want them to be. Yes! The healing process begins when we end the power struggle by saying, "We will love you no matter how well or poorly you do in school. Your grades are your grades…not ours. That's why we are no longer going to fight with you about them. Just let us know how we can help."

 

Thanks for reading! Our goal is to help as many families as possible. If this is a benefit, forward it to a friend.

 

Dr. Charles Fay

Jan. News

IMPORTANT DATES (Dec.):

• Jan 9: Early Release: SIP
• Jan 14: IEC Meeting 5:30 PM
• Jan 19: NO SCHOOL - MLK Day
• Jan 20: Board Meeting
• Jan. 20-22: Semester Tests
• Jan 23: End of Semester
• Jan 29: HS Top Dawg 9:00 AM
• Jan 29: National Guard Obstacle Course
• Jan 30: NO SCHOOL

Enrollment   HS: 

 9^th:  35       10^th:31      11^th:28     12^th:30     Total: 124

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News from the High School Principal Desk:

We are conducting many parent meetings this month with At-Risk students and parents.  We have many second quarter goals that we need to finish before January 23. I will be giving teachers the opportunity to evaluate me this month.  I think it is important to get their perspective on how well I am doing on our school goals and leadership.  This will help me frame my efforts for the second half of the year.  Advance Biology has started fund raising for the trip to Utah.  The teachers and students are hard at work preparing for the second half of the school year.  I want to formally thank the teacher and student MBI group for their efforts to bridge communication with our downtown businesses and presenting the “Did You Know” posters.  This is not only great work for our school, but it is also great timing for public relations and the legislative session. 

We have completed our Business Pathway for the state requirement with much help from Dennis Labonty, Jo Phillips, Shannon Redmond and SKC:

Our approved Pathway was sent to the MUS web page manager.  It has not been posted yet, but it will appear on this website: http://mus.edu/BigSkyPathways/clusters/BUS.asp.  I will watch for it and let you know when it is listed.

Congratulations Mrs. Keast for receiving the KECI Gold Star Award.  Teachers receive this award based on nominations from students, parents and community. The news crew will be here this week to interview students and others for the distinguished honor.  Congrats Mrs. Keast, well deserved!!!!!

Love and Logic for Parents and Educators

How do wise parents and educators respond when their kids try to argue and manipulate? The most effective repeat an empathetic one-liner, such as “I love you too much to argue” or “I know” or “What did I say?” They also resist the urge to think too deeply about what the child is saying.

Do we do this when kids are hurting? Do we employ this strategy when they’re respectfully expressing their opinions? No! We listen.

When I ask people to describe the parents and teachers they respected the most as kids, they almost always mention something like, “They were always there to listen.”

             Listening means love. It means that we sincerely care
                         about another's opinions and emotions.

Here’s the problem: Many of us have a hard time listening when someone around us is emotional or is disagreeing with us. That’s why it’s helpful to have a few little sincere statements or questions in our back pockets:

• Tell me more.
• Help me understand.
• What would you like to see here?
• How long have you felt this way?

The next time one of your kids expresses their opinion…or their hurt…be sure to lend a sincere and empathetic ear, showing loving interest by using the points above. Remember: The more you listen to them, the more likely they’ll listen to you. If the tone turns disrespectful or manipulative, you can always switch gears and repeat, “I love you too much to argue” or “I’ll listen when your voice sounds calm like mine.”

 

For more tips on communicating and empathizing with your children, get your hands on Avoiding Power Struggles with Kids. Purchase now at a 25% discount.

 

Thanks for reading! Our goal is to help as many families as possible. If this is a benefit, forward it to a friend.

Dr. Charles Fay

December News

December News:

IMPORTANT DATES (Dec.):

Dec. 12: Early Out School Improvement Day

Dec. 15: Elementary Holiday Concert

Dec. 16: HS/MS Holiday Concert 6:00 pm

Dec. 17: Board Meeting 7:00

Dec. 17: MASSP Meeting

Dec. 19: FESTIVAS HS –Student Council  

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Enrollment   HS: 

 9^th:  34       10^th:29      11^th:29     12^th:30     Total: 122

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News from the High School Principal Desk:

High School is doing well.  Winter sports have started and school is running smoothly.  The Troy School District called and wanted us to share our initiatives with them and we have done so.  It’s nice when other districts call for our leadership in education.  I will include our plan for Friday which I believe is again a wonderful day for community, staff and students.  Our MY VOICE student surveys are back and we are making great gains as a school.  Our sophomore class is showing a need for improvement in all areas.  We will be working with them to increase their capacity to feel better about our school and their education.  As a whole we increased in 44 areas while decreasing in 17.  Of the areas we marked last year to work on we met those goals in 16 out of 20 areas on the survey.  The My Voice data will help us make school improvement priorities and drive decisions in our high school.  Sophomores are definitely our priority for needed improvement. 

-Early Out Friday 12-12-14-

8:15-8:25: Roll and Lunch count-Report to Gym 

8:35-9:15: Work Hard and My Voice –Community Graduation Matters Panel

Panel:

ü  Brian Morton

ü  Daisy Vandenbos

ü  Raymond Matt

ü  Marvin Courville

ü  Blakely Phillips

ü  Valerie Johnson

9:20-10:10: Advisory

·        Senior Project Portfolio Organization for each particular year as listed in expectations.  Mrs. Redmond will send all of you what each grade needs to have in the portfolios for each grade level.  Talk to students about the importance of adding other items like awards, assignments, computer programs that they are fluent with, writing samples or other work that speaks to their skills and abilities. 

10:15-12:00: Students that are caught up and passing classes will be given the opportunity to take extension classes of interest.  Those students not passing or not caught up will be doing work on work.

12:00-12:45: Lunch

8:30-9:15 and 12:45-2:15:  Teacher School Improvement: Milepost, Rubicon, Bulldog Post Cards, School, District and Quarter Two Goals. 

Extension Courses- Sign-ups this Friday-

Courses to Offer: 12-12-14                      10:15-12:00

I.                 MBI Activities – Purpose and Vision Capacity Building  

a)      Where: Mr. Ferris Room

b)      Students: MBI Members

c)      Instructor: Mr. Ferris, Mrs. Ferris, Mr. Young

II.               Student Council Planning Meeting

d)      Where: Mr. Biggs Room

e)      Students: Student Council Members

f)       Instructor: Mr. Biggs

III.              Crocheting and Knitting:  Students will be learning to crochet and knit. 

a)      Where: Mrs. Mikkelsen Room

b)      Students: Max 6

c)      Instructor: Mrs. Mikkelsen Room  

IV.             Mexican Holiday Crafts 

a)      Where: Mrs. Lodge Room

b)      Students: Max 10

c)      Instructor: Mrs. Cable / Mrs. Lodge 

V.               Dance: Dance moves that will make you the hit of any music or gathering.

a)      Where: Gym

b)      Students: Max 25

c)      Instructor:  Mrs. Anderson

VI.             C4C: Careers for Computers: Presentation on careers for computer-interested students in computer science, information systems and information technology areas.  We will do a fun, animated programming activity using the free Alice software program.  

a)      Where: Computer Lab

b)      Students: Max 10 Students

c)      Instructor: Mr. Dennis LaBonty –Big Sky Pathway Coordinator –Salish Kootenai College

VII.            Arts and Crafts- Exploring the Arts- Creating Art Club

a)      Where: Art Room

b)      Students: Max 20

c)      Instructor: Ms. Link

VIII.          Movie Production- Acting-Drama-Independent Film Project – Dana Goss Dickie is producing the film and is in need of actors.  This is an opportunity to be a movie star and cast for our film.  During this time we will have casting opportunities for rolls and hopefully if time begin shooting.  

a)      Where – Everywhere

b)      Students: Max 8

c)      Instructor: Mr. Pule

IX.              Chess Club – Learn to play chess and stretch your mind to the game that takes great strategy and planning to beat your opponent.  A wonderful game- 

a)      Where: Mr. Fisher’s Room

b)      Students: Max 10 Students 

c)      Instructor: Mr. Fisher

Work on Work Teachers for 12-14: (Any students with Failing Grades or Many Missing Assignments)- 

-        Mr. Ligas-

-        Mrs. Keast-

-        Mr. Marchant-

-        Mrs. Phillips-

-        Mrs. Rhine-

-        Mr. Bosley -