Week of Feb. 28 - Mar. 4

This is an exciting week for me.  The Parent Club has provided us with enough money to purchase new computers for all the classrooms. It is very rare that we have to opportunity to provide the same level of technology to all the classrooms at once.  What a blessing!  The teachers have previously been getting new computers in piecemeal fashion, as fundraising dollars allowed us to replace older (or dead) models with new ones.  For many of of our teachers, these new computers are loooooong overdue.

I will be installing these new computers this week, so all Computer classes this week are cancelled to give me enough time to set up the new computers in the classrooms.  The computers are brand new 21" iMac computers, complete with webcams, DVD drives, camera card readers and the latest Microsoft Office.  And because they are Macs, they won't be getting any nasty viruses.  YES!!!  

Thank you, Parent Club!  You are helping us to provide the the technology tools of today to the leaders of tomorrow.

STUDENTS, DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT DUE THIS WEDNESDAY, "HANGING IN THE CLOSET".

Week of Feb. 21-25

Welcome back!  Once again, I have updated my grades.  I recommend all students check their status on OptionC.  Several students are still turning in work late or not at all and their grade reflects it.  Don't wait too long.  The third quarter will be over before you know it. It ends on March 11 and no third quarter assignment will be accepted after Friday, March 11.

Also, note that there will be no Computer classes next week so that we can install new computers in the classrooms for our teachers and students to use.

Homework (5-8):

How's it Hanging? Write about something hanging in your closet that you've had for a long time.  Write what memories you associate with that item.

• Title: "Hanging in the Closet"
• Due: Wed., March 2
• SLE: Effective Communicators
• 50-100 words, no spelling or grammar errors
• Include a complete header, including your class code

Week of Feb. 14-18

Homework (5-8):This Wednesday is International Night.  We hope you can come to it.  Here's your writing prompt about this event..

If you were able to attend International Night, what are some things you learned that you did not know about some of the countries.  Name the countries you are referring to.  

OR... 

If you were NOT able to attend International Night, what was your class's country to study and  what did you learn about your country that you did not know.  

• 50-100 words, no spelling or grammar errors
• Title: "International Night"
• SLE: "Effective Communicators"
• Due: Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011
• Please include a COMPLETE header, including your Computer Class Code.

8th grade only: For this week's class...

• Take my poll about your high school plans (see previous post)
• Watch some Mac videos at http://www.apple.com/findouthow/mac/#switcher

Eighth Grade High School Poll

The eighth graders will be completing the following SHORT poll in class this week (2/15 - 2/16) so that I may know what their plans are for high school.  This information is very valuable to me in preparing my lessons between now and the end of the year. Thanks!!

Here's the link:  http://tinyurl.com/olmhspoll

Please note: Students planning to attend Central Catholic HS (Modesto) will need to take a Computer Proficiency exam before the end of this school year.  More details will be announced in Computer Class.  If you think you MIGHT be attending Central Catholic, you should plan to take this test.  Passing this exam will allow you to take more advanced (and more interesting) computer classes at Central Catholic HS. 

Week of Feb. 7-11

I hope you all enjoyed having Monday off after a busy Catholic Schools Week.  I know I did!

Progress reports go out on Friday.  Please go to OptionC.com if you are confused about your grade.

Homework (grades 5-8):

Here's your writing prompt for this week...

Last Sunday was Superbowl Sunday.  For this assignment you will make up your own sport and briefly describe how it is played.   Of course, please observe all the following requirements.

• 50-100 words, no spelling or grammar errors
• Due: Wed., Feb. 16, 2011
• Title:  My New Sport
• SLE: Effective Communicators
• Include a COMPLETE header, including your Computer Class Code

Extra Credit Opportunity!!
I will give you 3 points extra credit if you can correctly list the words Christina Aquilera mistakenly sang during the Star Spangled Banner at the Super Bowl AND list the CORRECT words she should have sung. 

Week of Jan. 31 - Feb. 4

Catholic Schools Week is here!  My schedule can be unpredictable this week and several classes will be canceled so that students can participate in other activities.

SEVERAL students are still turning in assignments late or not at all.  Please keep in mind that not doing the homework or making up missed classwork can have a bad effect on your grade.  All students/parents should go to optionc.com and check out their status.  I do my best to post grades within a few days of receiving it.  If you don't have a grade for an assignment you turned in recently, please give me a couple more days to post it.  I'm good but I'm not THAT good.  :)

If these students do not start turning in missing work, I will be forced to issue detentions.  MAKE SURE YOU ARE UP TO DATE!! 

No new homework this week.  Enjoy Catholic Schools Week.  Oh, and GO TEACHERS!!