July-August 2008 Newsletter
Warrior Words July-August 2008 The Newsletter For Washington Junior High School "Always do what you say you are going to do. It is the glue and fiber that binds successful relationships." Jeffry A. Timmons Principal's Message: Welcome Back By Mark R. Hepner, Principal It is hard to believe, but the 2008-09 school year is upon us. Time really flies! We are powering up at Washington for what we believe will be a very exciting year here. First, we have some new staff members who are joining us. We welcome Ms. Courtney Kipp as a new Math and Literature teacher and Mrs. Kathleen Hartzler as a new Science and Social Studies teacher. Also joining us will be Mrs. Mary Jo Reed, who is a new Special Education teacher. These three teachers will be filling new positions at Washington. Finally, Mr. Matt Manweiller will be replacing Mrs. Wegener in Orchestra. As of this writing, all of the other WJHS teachers and staff members will be returning. In addition to new teachers, we are making some fundamental changes in our academic program. While the scores are not yet official, it appears that our 2008 Illinois State Achievement Test (ISAT) scores are not as high as we would have liked. Therefore, we have done some internal restructuring to better meet the needs of all our students. Probably the biggest new thing we are doing is the creation of a "second" Reading and Math class for the students who have struggled in those areas. Instead of attending an "elective" or Social Studies class, identified students will be placed in this "second" class. Initial placement in these classes was based on past ISAT scores. These classes will be a semester in length and taught by the students' regularly assigned teacher. It is the expectation that there will be active instruction throughout the period and that this will not be a study hall or a tutoring session. Finally, students will be assigned quarterly and final grades which will bear equal weight with all other classes. It stands to reason that the more time students spend at a subject, the more likely they will be successful at it. Another new thing will be the use of the "Think Link" on-line assessment program. This service is tailored especially for Illinois standards and the ISAT. The questions asked are very similar to the format used on the actual ISAT. The students will take this online assessment four times prior to the ISAT in March. Not only does it strengthen and re-enforce classroom instruction, it will serve as an indicator of student progress and can predict ISAT performance within 90%. This assessment will also identify problem areas in instruction and/or those students who are struggling and starting to fall behind. These are just a two examples of the many different things that we are going to be doing differently in this school year. But none of that is a substitute for your involvement as a parent in your child's education. I urge you to check your child≠s assignment notebook every day to see what homework has been assigned or what test is coming up. Create quiet time in the evenings where your child can do their homework. Sit down with them at the kitchen table while they are doing it to provide assistance. If you have questions, call or email the teachers here at school. The teachers all have telephones in their classrooms and email addresses through their computers. Please communicate with them on a regular basis to monitor how things are going. In other words, ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS! Studies show that the single biggest factor on the success of a child in school is the amount of time the parent is directly involved. Please take full advantage of this power you have to make your child successful. Of course, if there is anything I can do as Principal, please let me know. Let≠s have a great year! New Student & Parent Orientation Set A orientation for the parents of 7th grade and new 8th grade students will be held on Tuesday, July 29 in the WJHS Cafeteria. It will start at 6:30 P.M. and should last about an hour. It is open to both parents and students.The purpose of this orientation is to give parents and their children an opportunity to learn more about Washington, the important rules to remember, and how to be successful while here. The presentations will cover such topics as to when and where to report in the morning, how to handle confrontations with other students, the school lunch program, PTA, the various reward activities, and much more. Of course there will also be plenty of time to answer questions during and after the orientation. For more information, please feel free to call Principal Mark Hepner at 793-5915 or email him at mark.hepner@risd41.org. PTA Wants You! The WJHS PTA is ready for another year at WJHS and is asking all parents to join and participate in one form or another. This year, all of the meetings will be on the 2nd Wednesday of the month in room 102. The meetings start at 6 P.M. and last about an hour.Each meeting is followed by a NOW Session (Needs Of Washington), during which the group meets with Principal Mark Hepner to discuss school matters. The PTA is the ≥official≈ sounding board for the parents regarding all aspects of the school and District #41. The group has been very active in raising money for school programs, adding to the Reward Fund, providing refreshments at the school dances, securing curtains in the restroom stalls to enhance privacy, providing input on the District #41 Building Excellence initiative, selling spirit wear to the students, providing additional concessions at the WJHS sporting events, and much more. Parents can be a involved as little or much as they want. It could be just serving on a committee or donating cookies. Or, parents are invited to assume leadership positions like serving as committee chairs or club officer. Last year WJHS was proud that a large percentage of our parents and 100% of our teachers and administrators belonged to the PTA. There is a lot going on and the PTA is always looking for some extra help. Please join in the fun! The Reward Fund Needs Your Support WJHS will continue its program to honor and reward kids for being successful. Our program includes such things as evening dances with a professional DJ, PBIS Rewards for good behavior, Winning Warrior Breakfasts, field trips, all-school parties, the 7th Grade Awards Breakfast, the 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony, and much more!But like everything else, it does cost money. WJHS will not have an all school fundraiser. This will be our only appeal for money. All donations will be used to finance these activities, all donations are tax deductible, and all donors will be acknowledged in our bi-monthly school newsletter. There will be no all-school fundraiser (Please note: Some clubs or groups may still do a small scale fund raiser for their members). Please make your checks payable to the WJHS Reward Fund. We thank you for your generosity. 2008 Open House Planned Parents and Students are cordially invited to the annual Washington Open House on Tuesday, August 19. It will begin at 6:00 P.M.Upon arrival, parents are asked to report to their child's Advisory class by 6:00. Please be sure to get the Advisor's name and room number from your child if they do not attend. There, parents will receive their child≠s schedule to follow, information about the upcoming Student-Led Conferences, and other relevant news. Beginning at 6:15, everyone will move to 1st period, followed by 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and so on. Parents will experience their child≠s school day in about a two hour period. Each period will last ten minutes, with a three minute passing time. The bells will ring, signaling when it is time to move on to the next period. The final (7th) period will be a little longer, during which we would like for all parents to fill out an evaluation form. It will end at 7:50. Everyone is then invited to join our staff for refreshments in the cafeteria, which is sponsored by the PTA. Those who arrive late should stop in first at the main office. From there, the staff will get the information they need, and help them smoothly join the rest of the evening≠s activities. . We do ask that parents please fill out an evaluation form during the final period. this feedback is very important since it helps guide us in organizing future open house events. Parents are reminded that the Open House is not a good time to speak with teachers about specific issues regarding their child≠s performance in class. Time and format will not allow for any type of prolonged discussion in a confidential setting. If parents do have a concern of some type, please feel free to call or email the school and set up an appointment for a conference. Hand-outs will be available listing our telephone numbers and email addresses. EVERYTHING WILL BEGIN PROMPTLY AT 6:00, SO PLEASE COME A LITTLE EARLY SO YOU DO NOT MISS OUT ON ANYTHING. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the school at 793-5915 or email Principal Mark Hepner at mark.hepner@risd41.org. We hope to see you on August 19! Important Dates To Remember Student Registration 12 noon to 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday, July 23 And 8:00 A.M.- 12 noon on Thursday, July 24 New Student Registration 8:00 A.M-12 noon & 1:00-3:30 P.M. on Friday, July 25 Parent Orientation WJHS Cafeteria @ 6:30 P.M. on Tuesday, July 29 Teachers Report Friday, August 1 First Day of School 8:13-10:13 A.M. on Monday, August 4 1st Full Day of School 8:13-2:20 P.M. on Tuesday, August 5 PTA Meeting Room 102 @ 6:30 P.M. on Wednesday, August 13 Student Picture Day Thursday, August 14 Half-Day Inservice 11:30 Dismissal on Friday, August 29
This Page was last update: Wednesday, August 6, 2008 at 12:06:13 PM This site is using the Washington Junior High School theme.
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