MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER January 2016 MORGAN TOWNSHIP 299 S SR 49 VALPARAISO, IN www.eastporter.k12.in.us/schools/mmhs (219) 462-5883 Dear Parents/Guardians: Hello and welcome to this month s newsletter. Happy New Year! We are coming to the end of the first semester and preparing for semester two. Please take a few moments to read about some of the great things that are happening in our school. Here s to a safe and bountiful 2016 for you and your family! Sincerely, Mr. George, Principal Classroom Connection Upcoming Events January 12 Final Exams Begin January 14 Final Exams End and Last Student Day Semester 1. January 15 No School Teacher Records Day Important Announcement Please review pp. 17-18 of the East Porter Student Handbook with your children. This refers to the administration of medicine at school. Students are not permitted to carry medication including aspirin, Tylenol, Advil, etcetera on his or her person, in purses, pockets, backpacks, lockers, etcetera. Please contact the school nurse, Mrs. Julie Fleming with questions about protocol for medicine. MT M/HS Newsletter Page 1 of 12
Mrs. Long s Spanish Classes visited several classrooms and the office for some friendly caroling in Spanish prior to break on December 18. The carols they sang were Cascabeles (Jingle Bells), Rudolfo el Reno (Rudolph), Noche de Paz (Silent Night), Gatatumba (Traditional), and Feliz Navidad. Mr. Schwanke even joined in for part of the fun during his plan period. MT M/HS Newsletter Page 2 of 12
Recently in Mr. Floran's English 12 classes, students completed a creative project in which they produced a music soundtrack for Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Macbeth. Using Google Slides and the narration app Screencastify, students linked lyrics from songs of their own choosing to lines from five different scenes from the play. They were supposed to find song s lyrics and play passages that matched up with the play's themes of ambition, loyalty or betrayal, sanity/insanity, revenge, or the occult. On each slide, students explained the connection between the song lyrics and Shakespeare's lines, and they could've supported this explanation with images, background music, or any other creative displays. Moreover, students were expected to demonstrate proper digital citizenship by correctly citing the lines from the play, the song lyrics, and their images. In the end, these projects were posted to the students' YouTube accounts for inspection and grading by the teacher. The projects turned out great! It was a fun way to try to make Shakespeare more meaningful for today's audience. MT M/HS Newsletter Page 3 of 12
Winter Music Concert On December 10, the Morgan Township Music Department presented the Sounds of the Season for a capactity crowd of friends, and family members. The sixth grade band started off the festivities with a four song set featuring Jingle Bells, Jolly Old St. Nicholas, The Theme from Beethoven s Ninth Symphony and concluding with Santa s Angry Elves. The Middle School Choir next took center stage and entertained the crowd with their melodious singing and awesome dance moves. Their songs were Getting Ready for Christmas, Merry Christmas Mozart, and Holly Jolly Christmas. The 7 th and 8 th grade Bands chose an ecelectic list of songs for this year and wowed the crowd with their renditions of Crazy Train, African Bell Carol, and the Captain America March. Rounding out this pleasant and entertaining evening were the High School Choir and Band. The choir performed Gentle Mary, Tender Mary, Deo!, and the Christmas Waltz. While the bands songs were The Nightmare Before Christmas Theme, Good King Wencelas, and the always enjoyable and festive Sleigh Ride. Each group did a phenomenal job of getting the crowd into the holiday spirit, and a huge thank you goes to Mr. Thompson, Mrs. Snyder and the music students for these great perfomances! Hoosier Family of Readers and Free e-books Core Values Responsibility This year we have talked with students about Core Values. Each day of the week has been assigned a different Core Value. Monday is enthusiasm, Tuesday is appreciation, Wednesday is positivity/optimism, Thursday is responsibility, and Friday is unselfishness. Here is a link to an interesting and thoughtful article written by a student in one of our neighboring schools. Please click on the following link for information about a great opportunity for free book downloads for Indiana Students. http://www.doe.in.gov/news/indiana-department-education-promotes-literacy-offers-thousands-freebooks-hoosier-students http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/valparaiso/accept-responsibility/article_06dc69a9-5a25-5cce- 9cec-35286159955e.html Porter County Substance Abuse Council The Porter County Substance Abuse Council is hosting a My Kids Matter event on January 25 at 7 p.m. The program will be held at the PCSAC office, 65 S Valparaiso Street and is open to the public. Please share this information with your networks. If you know of parents that are struggling with their children's use, or who may be thinking of using or parents who have small children that are entering or near the critical tween years, this event is tailored for them, please let them know about it. We are asking participants to register so that we know how many will be attending and can have the appropriate number of handouts. Anyone interested in attending can register at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/my-kids-matter-tickets-20388953910. MT M/HS Newsletter Page 4 of 12
Sports News Arthur Ailes Dedication Morgan basketball is proud to display a bit of school history, thanks to the generous donation from the family of Arthur Ailes. Mr. Ailes' family gathered at the Homecoming game on December 18 to pay tribute to the longtime fan and supporter, and former player. Stop by the concession stand the next time you attend a game to see his original 1935 uniform and shoes. Winter Senior Nights Come out and celebrate our graduating Varsity girls basketball players on 1/26/16 and senior members of boys basketball, cheer, dance, and pep band on 2/11/16. Please contact the athletic department if you have any questions. Middle School Night The 6th, 7th, and 8th grade boys basketball teams will be honored at the boys basketball game on 2/19/16 for their incredible success this season. All team members are invited the game free of charge with one paid adult. Please contact the athletic department if you have any questions. Congratulations to the following teams: JV Boys Basketball advanced to PCC Finals at Westville on Monday January 11 (7:00 pm). Varsity Girls Basketball ranked #7 in ICGSA basketball polls! Varsity Boys Basketball ranked #16 in Class A! MT M/HS Newsletter Page 5 of 12
Boys Basketball Program Chili Dinner The boys basketball program is hosting a Chili Dinner fundraiser from 4:30-6:30 pm on January 15 in the Morgan Township Cafeteria. Tickets can be purchased from any high school basketball player and walk-ins are welcome! Come out and Support Morgan Township Boys Basketball, and get warmed up for some Boys and Girls PCC Basketball as we host LaCrosse for a 6:00 pm Varsity Girls tip-off! Message from The Indiana Department of Education MT M/HS Newsletter Page 6 of 12
Congratulations to this year s Homecoming Court: Prince and Princess Court (left to right) : Brett Lemmons, Kia Holder, Ryan Rassel, Hannah Swivel, Luis Rinconeno, and Hannah Bormet; King and Queen Court (continued left to right): Zach Bormet, Kylee Maxwell, Jacob Koselke, Dani Polito, Dalton Kizior, and MiKayla Duzan Homecoming King, Queen, Prince and Princess Jacob Koselke, Dani Polito (King and Queen), Brett Lemmons and Hannah Bormet (Prince and Princess) Great Job Cherokee Basketball teams and coaches on your Homecoming victories versus Hebron!!!! MT M/HS Newsletter Page 7 of 12
In December, the Student Council celebrated Secret Santa with our faculty members. One of the highlights is surprising staff with door decorations to get them into the holiday spirit here are a few examples. The students did such a great job and were so creative!!! Another exciting Student Council activity is the hallway decorating competition between classes to get us into the Homecoming Spirit. The theme for this year s dance was A RED CARPET EVENT. MT M/HS Newsletter Page 8 of 12
Because of this, the Homecoming Committee decided to assign a fun movie to each class to prepare for the event. The freshman class was assigned Despicable Me, the sophomore class had Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, the juniors had Finding Nemo, and the seniors had the movie Up. Everyone who took part did such an amazing job with the decorations! MT M/HS Newsletter Page 9 of 12
And our winners were the JUNIOR CLASS with FINDING NEMO!!! Congratulations!!! MT M/HS Newsletter Page 10 of 12
Upcoming Events Final Exams January 12-14 Teacher Records Day-No School January 15, 2016 Report Cards January 22, 2016 PCC Basketball Tourney Girls January 18, 19, 22, 23 (all but 23 rd at Morgan) Boys January 20, 21, 23 (Hebron High School) January 30 District Vocal Contest Dance for a Day (performance at JV Halftime) MT M/HS Newsletter Page 11 of 12
Senior Class Trip Fundraising Meal Featuring the always delicious chicken from When: February 11, 2016 Where: Morgan Township High School Cafeteria Time: 4-6 P.M. (Before the Morgan vs. Kouts basketball game) Cost: $10 (includes ½ chicken, applesauce, green beans, dinner roll, and drink) Come early and eat before the game!! MT M/HS Newsletter Page 12 of 12