March 2013

 

Our students did VERY WELL at the region drama competition this week.Our One--Act took straight superiors AND best ensemble!And Connor Ramos received the best character awardStudents who took straight superiors or overall superiors in the individual events, qualifying them for state competition are:Contemporary ScenesConnor Ramos and Joey Shearer - overall superiorsSamantha Ellis and Jessica Raadgep - overall superiorsClassical Scenes Jason Cox and Adrienne Cox - straight superiorsSariah Lee, Elizabeth Mitchell, and Gordon McKay - straight superiorsSteven Goodsell and Jeff Crippen - straight superiorsDramatic MonologuesMaddy Miller - straight superiorsJared Rasmussen - overall superiorsHumorous MonologuesMaddy Shearer - straight superiorsAmmon Flint - overall superiorsStephanie Peck - overall superiorsPantomimeLauren Bennett and Sabrina Julian - straight superiorsBrian Wickham and Richard Call - overall superiorsMusical TheaterHayden Berg - overall superiorsTaiza Savage - overall superiorsThey have worked hard and long and we are incredibly proud of all of them!!!

 

What exactly is the 5x5 block schedule?

This is a modification of the current 4x4 block schedule we currently use.  Students will have 5 classes on A-days and 5 classes on B-days.  Classes will be approximately 65 minutes vs. 83 minutes. Classes will still run either a semester or a year in length.  Each semester will be divided into terms as currently practiced.  Grades will be posted each term.

Why change to a new 5x5 class schedule?

It provides smaller core class sizes, intervention opportunities, more class choices  whether they are preparing for college or a career. The new schedule also allows us to double block specific classes where students need extra time in content. With the 5x5 scheduling, students will have the opportunity to take ETA classes.

What are ETA Classes?

EMPOWERMENT TIME FOR ACADEMICS

These classes allow time for additional instruction, homework and study time with teachers to ask questions and to obtain course specific interventions.

Double blocked classes?

Certain classes will have the option of double-blocking. They will be taught both A and B days during the same period.  Secondary Math 2 and a few of the AP classes are being closely looked at for this type of intervention.  Daily time in certain math courses to ensure mastery is one of our primary goals.

What about AP classes?

AP and Concurrent Enrollment classes may have an optional ETA class when enrolled in one of these classes. This will help students who struggle with time restraints to keep up with the demand of these classes.

When will this new schedule begin?   2013 – 2014 school year

 

 

Think back to when you were a little kid (around 5-7 years old). What were you afraid of? Monsters under the bed, the dark, Oscar the Grouch on Sesame Street (he freaked me out!)? It could be any number of things that might seem silly now that we’re older, and supposedly wiser.

The sad thing is that the monsters and darkness come at us in different forms as we move through different stages of life. For me it’s speaking in public, eating vegetables, driving with my daughter, and I guess the FEAR of failure in general.

Babe Ruth said: “Never let the fear of striking out get in your way.”

 

I love to read about historical events. My favorite is military history. It always amazes me how certain men or women rise to the challenge regardless of the odds. I’m sure they are fearful, but they are more concerned with their cause or the lives of those they are leading to allow fear to rule them.

One of my all time beloved military leaders is Julius Caesar. Around 52 B.C. Caesar was in a major battle with some Gallic Tribes in France. Caesar had roughly 60,000 men under his command, while the Gaul’s were numbered at over 350,000 plus. That’s crazy, right? Caesar and his men were fearful of the numbers against them, but they didn’t fear death. They were afraid of defeat and the death of their brothers in arms. Caesar and his men laid siege to the walled city of Alesia. When Caesar heard that a relief force of Gaul’s were coming to attack him from behind, he didn’t retreat, he built walls on both sides of his forces. So, now he had the enemy walled up in front and in back of his much smaller force. The Gallic tribes thought they had the Great Julius Caesar trapped and defeated. No WAY! Caesar did the unimaginable. He attacked! It caught the enemy completely off guard and Caesar won a miraculous victory!

 

Julius Caesar said: “As a rule, men worry more about what they can't see than about what they can.”

I have many fears as I’m sure all of you do. Let’s make a pact that we will not allow fear to rule our lives. Let’s take chances. Take that AP class, join a club, and talk to that girl or boy you think is cute, or maybe that you think needs a friend or a nice compliment. Yes, it is scary out there, but together as SKYHAWKS we can overcome and succeed.

                Remember: Spirit, Heart, Honor, Success                                                           -Brett White