marlboroschool.net » Junior High Letters Home

March 31

Rachel — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 18:28:11 +0000

Thank-you to Bridger, Nick, Roshika, Mitchell Isobel & Grace for babysitting during the parent conference. We made an extra $16.00 plus what ever grace & Izzy made and the $100.00 the school paid us for the service. (Thanks Francie!)

Thank-you also to Terry who is setting up a table for baked goods at Gallery Walk next Friday. We will be working out shifts from 5:00 to 8:00 at the beginning of the week. At this point I think the best plan is to bring the goodies to Brattleboro when you drop off the students.

We had a great parent meeting on Tuesday. If you were not able to join us, please feel free to stop by the classroom to get a packing list and itinerary.

March 24

Rachel — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 14:28:20 +0000

Note Home:

Please bring in your passport so we can double-check the names for the tickets.

Parent conferences Monday 26^th.

Parent Meeting Tuesday 27^th at 7:00 PM.

March 17

Rachel — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 12:34:29 +0000

Dates to Remember:

Parent conferences Monday 26^th. Don’t forget to call Gail to set one up.

Parent Meeting Tuesday 27^th at 7:00 PM.

March 9

Rachel — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 21:49:40 +0000

Note Home:

Thank-you, THANK-YOU, to Polli, Kyle, Quinn, Cody, Max, KJ, & Mitchell for organizing and running the Town Meeting bake sale! And, thank-you to all of you who baked and Roshika for selling bench tickets. We raised another $270. Speaking of money for Costa Rica, we are requesting that you bring the first half of the money you have pledged to Francie by March 16^th. The rest of the balance will be due right before April break.

March 2

Rachel — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 20:53:19 +0000

Ah snow, isn’t it beautiful? Thank you, all of you with ideas for Costa Rica fundraisers. Would it be helpful if there was a time here at school that parents could meet and talk? Has there been any more thought to baked goods tonight at gallery walk? Speaking of money for Costa Rica, we are requesting that you bring the first half of the money you have pledged to Francie by March 16^th. The rest of the balance will be due right before April break. Thanks, T & R

Independent Projects

Rachel — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 14:38:10 +0000

Please join us for the Independent project presentations!

Wed. Feb 15^th:

8:45: Calvin on horror films: what makes them scary?

9:15 Keith on Shephard Fairey and originality in art.

10:00: Mitchell on nanotechnology

10:30: Roshika on Pixar

11:00: Grace on feminism

Thur. Feb. 16^th:

10:00: Max on physical anthropology and Otzi

10:30: Isobel on dreams

11:00: Quinn on the Mayans

Friday Feb. 17^th

9:45: Daniel on Godzilla

10:15: Cody on deep sea life

10:45: Sheldon on the Coca Cola Company

12:30: Bridger on doughnuts

1:00: Josh on engines

1:30: Nick on spirit animals

2:00: Karl John on Old Faithful

Feb. 5

Rachel — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 23:24:48 +0000

Note Home

Many thanks to all of you, especially Josh & Josh, who helped with the fundraiser last Saturday. You raised enough for six zip line tickets!

Independent projects will be presented during the week before break. We’ll send out a schedule next week with the hope that you might be able to attend a few. The topics range widely: deep sea creatures, dreams, power animals, Mayan civilization, nanotechnology, four stroke engines, Godzilla, Coca Cola company, horror film technique, Pixar films, originality in art, history of the doughnut, Old Faithful geyser, physical anthropology, and feminism.

We’re about to wrap up our unit on the Brain and Learning, and students will be writing a final reflection on how they learn, including their personal learning style. Should be an interesting read. We are also wrapping up our study of Cherokees, mill girls and slaves. The journals they have been writing as they take on these characters are a great window in to 19^th century life.

Six JH students have chosen to compete in the national MathCounts contest, starting with the regional competition in Windsor on Saturday, 11 February. I hope the parents of Bridger, Grace, Isobel, Keith, Karl, & Mitchell received my email about this. Wish them luck!

Jan 20

Rachel — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:37:10 +0000

The class was invited to be a part of the “Winter Festival” at the Hermitage Inn on Saturday 28^th, 8 am -4 pm, and they voted today to accept the offer. In a heated tent, they will set up to sell bags of coffee, baked goods and raffle tickets for the benches. They will have the finished bench from the hallway and parts of the benches underway, along with some tools to display. Josh Smith has volunteered to truck these things over and back, but we will need help w/ baking and getting students there to do shifts. More on that next week.

Meanwhile, we are continuing our science unit,”Learning about Learning” which explores memory, the brain, learning styles, and creativity. We also will be starting a mini-unit on animal tracking to augment our ongoing work on Hogback, where we will be returning this winter to look for signs of porcupine, fisher, and snowshoe hare.

In social studies the students are taking on the characters of Cherokees, mill girls, and slaves. Writing letters or journals, they will share their understandings with the rest of the class.

And we are starting new literature books and continuing with our independent projects.

Life is busy in the junior high.

Jan 9

Rachel — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 18:23:49 +0000

Notes Home

We are getting ready to purchase our plane tickets to Costa Rica! Please bring in students’ names as they appear on their passports. We need to have these names as they appear on the passport so that the correct names will appear on the ticket.

Dec 2

Rachel — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 21:00:33 +0000

Note Home

Here’s a quick reminder about passports. If you haven’t submitted your application yet you should do so as soon as possible. When we book our tickets, which we will do soon, we will need to know the names of those going as they appear on the passport. I still have application forms and the extra form if both parents can’t be present when the application is submitted. We also have funding for those who need help with the cost.

Below is John’s PE report which we didn’t manage to get into the report cards.

This trimester in Physical Education, Junior High students have worked on an exercise circuit designed to build their cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength and flexibility (and to be Fun!). We have worked on soccer and basketball skills and learned several different games designed to build those skills. We have been assessing their overall fitness and will fitness test again in the spring to document their improvement. All the students have demonstrated enthusiasm and consistent effort.

Nov. 21

Rachel — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 19:18:13 +0000

Hey Folks,

This is a reminder that student led conferences will be held Monday the 28^th after 3:00, a few times during the day on Tuesday the 29^th and Wednesday the 30^th after 3:00. Please sign up if you haven’t already.

Those of you who haven’t told Francie what money you can put toward the Costa Rica trip, please do so ASAP. Thanks! T & R

11/11/11

Rachel — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 21:31:34 +0000

We are getting close to the end of our trimester. In the next week and a half students will be finishing up mini projects on medieval trade, finishing literature books and narratives, and wrapping up water studies. Student led conferences will be held Tuesday the 22^nd after 3:30, and Wednesday morning. Next week there will be a signup sheet in the office. Please sign up as the students will be working hard putting together portfolios to show you their work.

Those of you who haven’t told Francie what money you can put toward the Costa Rica trip, please do so ASAP. Thanks! T & R

Oct 15

Rachel — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 18:38:22 +0000

Note Home

Thanks to all of you who helped with such successful cider sale. I know that some of you put in very long hours. We grossed over $4,700!

We will be taking a field trip to Hogback Mtn. on Monday afternoon, 12:30 – 2:30 to conduct water monitoring activities in a small stream on the NW side. We will collect data on stream flow discharge, pH, temperature, & dissolved oxygen, and inventory macroinvertibrate species. Students should come prepared to work around and in a stream in the woods. Bring puddle boots if possible (we do have a few pairs here).

Oct 9

Rachel — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 11:29:53 +0000

Note Home

We will be doing more NECAP testing this upcoming week. Please try and make sure you child gets a good night sleep and has a good breakfast before s/he comes to school.

Oct 3

Rachel — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 20:39:03 +0000

Note Home

Tomorrow we will be picking apples and next weekend is the cider sale! Thanks to all of you who have been helping get this big event organized. Next week is as close to a regular academic week as we come, with no days off or field trips, although we will be spending part of Friday afternoon setting up for the cider sale. We hope at least two parents can join us for that.

On a more academic note, we are wrapping up our study of Hogback and Chocorua while moving forward in our study of water. In math and writing students are willingly tackling the challenges we pose. At the end of next week and the following week they will be using these skills on the NECAP tests.

Sept. 9

Rachel — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 20:22:33 +0000

Notes Home

Here we are! We had a great first week despite the rain. As you may have guessed we never did a mystery day because of the weather. Now we are on to many new things and have postponed that activity indefinitely. As you may also know the Marlboro Fair was also postponed to the 24^th . Unfortunately this is the day after out trip to Mt. Chocorua. There is just no way that we can get ready to have a booth at the fair this year. Finally, remember our Parent Night on Wed. 14^th at 7:00PM here in the JH.

May 2

Rachel — Tue, 03 May 2011 00:51:40 +0000

Note Home

The classroom is a buzz these days. Whether we are debating “tax the rich”, or viewing vernal pools, or questioning workers at Entergy, or formulating questions to take to Senator Sanders, or puzzling over the reasons for the rise of fascism and the Nazi party in the 1930s, the minds and hearts are working hard. We hope to see you Wednesday night to share all we are doing this last week before we take off for DC.

April 8

Rachel — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 17:03:04 +0000

Note Home

Those of you who have not contacted us about a student led conference please do. We can be available either before or after school some days this week.

We look forward to seeing the rest of you on Tuesday evening at 7:00 to discuss the DC trip.

Finally, we feel the need to mention tardiness. More and more students are coming in late. Sometime this is for a legitimate reason like the orthodontist visits. Other times the students just seem to trickle in between 8:35 and 9:00. This is not only disruptive to our morning meeting but it also means that they miss whatever announcements that were made during the meeting. It makes both their lives and our lives more difficult. Please, please try and get your child to school on time!

April 3

Rachel — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 12:22:12 +0000

Note Home

We had some wonderful conferences this week and hope to finish them up next week. It is impressive how much work these students have done over the past few months. Now we are starting to think more about our spring trip to Washington DC on May 9-13. We will have an informational meeting Wednesday the 13^th at 7:00 PM.

CONFERENCES! Have you signed up?

Rachel — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 14:03:24 +0000

Well, the students pulled off another wonderful cabaret. I hope you all had a chance to see their work on Thursday night last week, but if you didn’t, Alan Dater filmed the performance and will have some DVDs for soon for $10.00. Thank you so much Alan for stepping in at the last minute.

This week we have switched gears and are working hard on portfolios to share at student led conferences. If you haven’t yet called Gail to set up a time on Thur. the 31^st, please do. It has been a long time since the students have had a chance to share and reflect upon their work.

March 20

Rachel — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 16:16:24 +0000

Note Home

We will be rehearsing at the college beginning Monday. Please do not pack lunches that need to be heated up. There is no microwave at the theater.

March 13

Rachel — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 18:31:50 +0000

Dear Parents:

Here’s an update on conferences. We will not be having our conferences on the 18^th because we need the time that week to get ready for our drama performance on Thursday the 24^th. Preparing portfolios for conference takes a considerable amount of time. Since there are no busses that day we will send work home with the kids so that they can have a “school day” at home. We will be having conferences after drama is over on Thur. March 31. This is a regular school day and the kids should come to school for the whole day. You may call Gail to set up a time to meet with your child and either one of us. Depending on the time you choose, the student will miss a half hour of study hall or one of the Thursday classes for their conference.

Feb 14

Rachel — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 23:58:20 +0000

This week before vacation we are presenting Independent projects. Please feel free to join us for any of these presentations. There have been a few changes in the schedule since last week so the new schedule is posted with the homework. The students have been working really hard on these and they should be great.

When we return from vacation we will turn to Drama with renewed energy. The performance for the Cabaret will be at 7:00 PM on Thursday March 18^th at the Marlboro College Theatre.

We are also starting to plan our trip to Washington, DC (May 9^th-13). We are looking for Chaperones. Is anyone interested? That’s all for now…

Jan 28

Rachel — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 22:37:31 +0000

Every one is working hard these days. Independent projects are well underway as students explore a range of topics from the science of baking and wind power to the Beatles, Buddhism and Stonehenge. They are lighting light bulbs in science (hands on earning about parallel series circuits) and creating a character who lived during the Civil War based on their own heritage. Math and Literature groups continue to challenge and inspire. With all this we are reading scenes to get ready for our drama production which will happen toward the end of March. As soon as we have a date from the college for the use of the theater we’ll let you know. I. project presentations are the week before February break and we will give you a list of times for those when we know that as well. Parents are welcome to join us for these presentations, which will be during regular school hours.

Jan 7

Rachel — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 18:12:31 +0000

School is back in session and the kids are working hard as well as skiing and participating in winter workshops. Science projects on wireless technology will be presented next week starting on Wednesday. Even before those are finished, we are studying the structure of atoms and beginning our independent projects, which will last through January and be presented the week before February break. Ask your son or daughter to share the letter home we handed out on Wednesday. Math and Literature groups continue and we are wrapping up our study of the Bill of Rights and moving into a study of the Civil War with two more debates. The first is on 9^th Amendment rights and the debate over Roe versus Wade. The students requested this as a debate topic and, as I saw in the freedom of speech debate over the “I love boobies bracelet”, they are perfectly capable of tackling these sensitive and controversial issues with intelligence, skill, and grace. The second debate will use the 10^th Amendment to discuss states’ rights and the question of secession.

Looking toward the future see below for a notice from the Compass School.

Compass School Information Session, January 11^th

Compass School, fostering a love of learning for students in grades 7-12, is hosting an Open House for interested students and their families on Tuesday, January 11th at 7:00 pm. Compass School prides itself on developing “good students and good people,” with over 90% of its graduates going on to college. To learn more about the school, come to the Open House on the 11^th, visit the school website at www.compass-school.org, or call at802-463-2525. You can watch short videos about the school at http://www.compass-school.org/admissions. Compass is located on Route 5, just south of Bellows Falls.

Nov. 12

Rachel — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 21:39:26 +0000

Notes Home

Have you heard about the earth ovens? Perhaps you wondered what all that wood smoke smell was on Wednesday. Our study of heat and energy continues. In Literature we are starting new books; ask your kids what they think utopia means. In Social Studies our study of the legislative process continues with our trip to Montpelier. We will be leaving at 8:30 sharp so if you bring your child to school please be on time. We will not be back in time for the afternoon busses. Please plan to have some one pick up your son or daughter at about 4:00. Don’t hesitate to call over the weekend if you have any questions.

Nov. 1

Rachel — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 16:51:30 +0000

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Notes Home

It was great to meet with most of you for the student led conferences. The students have been working hard and it becomes clear as they talk about that work with you. If you’re wondering what we’re moving on to now, ask about poetry, or heat & energy. Perhaps you have been hearing the preamble to The Declaration of Independence in the shower. We had a number of very fine recitations. If you are wondering who to vote for on the 2^nd, ask your child or come by the school on the first when their election fliers , debates, and pod casts should be complete. Soon we will be starting new lit. books, building earth ovens, and on Monday Nov. 15^th we will be traveling to Montpelier for the day. We will not be back for the busses but plan to be back around 4:00. We’ll let you know more as the details of the trip are ironed out.

Oct. 17

Rachel — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 00:45:43 +0000

Hey all,
Short week this week. We are looking forward to seeing you all on Wednesday. The students are working hard getting their portfolios ready.

Note Home Sept. 24

Rachel — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 14:36:45 +0000

Notes Home

All our classes are well underway. If you have a chance ask about stream monitoring, or the Boston Massacre, or Monday night math, or magic, ghosts or immortality in fiction. Along with all this thought and activity we are also thinking about the Cider Sale! Thank you Steve & Vanessa for putting so much work into that, and we’ll see you on October 2^nd for apple picking.