Happy New Year! We hope you all have a healthy and prosperous 2008. It is a very busy time of year at school. The mid-point of our school year is fast approaching, which means our students enrolled in half-credit courses will be taking final exams and beginning a new class of Jan. 25. Another change for this year is that there will not be an altered schedule for mid-year exams in full-year classes. Teachers will be conducting smaller comprehensive assessments that will take place during regular class periods. Students will be attending school as they regularly do during the week prior to the mid-point of the school year. This is a result of a mandate by the State of Maine for common school attendance days with Region II.
A focus on literacy has been a hot topic of discussion this school year. Our grades 7 through 9 teachers have been introducing literacy strategies to our students on a regular basis in an effort to improve reading and writing skills. Our junior teachers have been working hard to prepare the class of 2009 for the upcoming mandatory SAT exam, which will take place on May 3. Our students have been working on practice SAT questions in their English and math classes. In addition, we are working to get every junior online to work with the practice SAT exam on the College Board website. We ask that you encourage your child, if a junior, to try it out.
Our extra-curricular activities are in full swing. Tryouts for show choir are currently in progress, and the jazz band and percussion ensembles are practicing weekly. Our basketball teams in grades 7-12 are all enjoying successful seasons. The varsity cheerleaders are just beginning their competition season, having recently participated in the PVC championships this past weekend and the junior high cheerleaders are now on the sidelines for the junior high games.
The ice hockey team is surprising many teams with their strong play. Please make an effort to get out to support the dozens of students we have participating in our extra-curricular activities. We are very proud of Rachel Foster for scoring her 1000th point.
It was wonderful to hear the Alumni Band play at the girls’ Calais game on Jan. 5. Instrumentalists ranged from David Flemington, Class of ’51, to students who graduated last year. It is a highlight of the college break to have students return and join this band at one of our games.
The All-Aroostook Music Festival will be held in Presque Isle on Friday, Jan. 18 and Saturday, Jan. 19. Students will be leaving at 7:30 a.m. both days. The concert will be Saturday at 3 at Presque Isle High School.
Wednesday, Jan. 16, is an early release day. Students will be dismissed at 11:10 a.m. and lunch will be served from 11:10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. School will be closed on Monday, Jan. 21, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Junior High News
Mrs. Sullivan’s eighth grade reading classes are reading a short story about characters who wish to obtain their favorite rock star’s autograph. Then, the students are each picking a favorite rock star to write to, using proper business letter format. We look forward to getting a response.
Grades seven and eight will hold the annual Junior High School National Geography Bee on Jan. 16 at 9 a.m. in the Houlton High School auditorium. The winner of the school bee will take a written exam to qualify for the Maine State Bee in March to be held at the University of Maine. Good luck to all participants!
Art Class News
Junior and Senior High art students were honored to create the backdrops for Houlton Regional Hospital Pediatric Centers’ Polar Express theme Christmas decorations. Students were very excited to learn the pediatrics center won first place in the hospital’s Christmas decorating competition.
If you did not get the opportunity to see the set up during December, please attend the Jan. 24 art/quilt show at Houlton High School where they will be on display. Also on display will be all the art students’ work for the first semester. The art/quilt show will run from noon to 7 p.m. Please mark your calendars and plan to stop by to support the students’ efforts. We would really love to see you there.
Mrs. Richardson’s Textile Art classes are busily finishing projects to exhibit in the art/quilt show. A new display this year will feature recycled jean items. Mark your calendar and join us in the small gym.
Science Class News
Dr. Hannigan’s biology students may work on their science fair projects after school on Wednesdays from now until the science fair. The lab will be open from 2:30 p.m. to at least 3:30 p.m. Assistance will be available with writing, doing experiments, or using equipment. Students are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity.
