September 2011
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Monthly Archives: September 2011

Laptops and Learning

 

Students have been making GOOD use of our “new” laptops for all sorts of learning activities.

This week, we’ve used them to create presentations explaining important Life Skills.

We also used them to complete our District-wide math assessments.   Students were excited to use “rock-star type” headphones with microphones during the testing.

Now, the first thing I usually hear when students walk into the room is:  “Are we going to use the laptops today?”

Thanks CRVA!!

AMAZING!  Check-it out!!  We just received a donation of 20 iBooks for students to use in our classroom for educational projects of all kinds.

This summer, I contacted  several companies including a company called Computer Recycling of Virginia (CRVA) to see if they would sell me some used iBooks at a discounted rate so I could use them in the classroom to improve student engagement and enhance opportunities for learning.

CRVA replied that they normally donate laptops only to schools in Virginia (the company was formed to collect used inventory of electronics, primarily computers, from companies throughout Virginia and then “recycle” them for use in schools and nonprofit agencies).   However, they said they were impressed with our Resource program at Prairie Mountain, and they decided to support our students by donating the laptops to our program.

I am so excited about the opportunities for learning that these laptops will provide for our students – and the students can’t wait to start using them!!

Check your child’s report card

Parents of Bethel students can log into Home Access Center. Home Access Center allows parents to view student grades, attendance, assignments, registration, scheduling and more. Continue to Home Access Center.

New Middle School Schedules Begin Today

School began today with a full schedule for students.  This year, all middle school students have slightly different schedules, with electives spread throughout the day.  Below is a representative sample of each grade’s revised schedule:

2011-12 School Year Schedule Change

6th Grade Schedule

Per 1:  Reading/Lang Arts

Per 2:  Writing

Per 3:  Science

Per 4:  Math

Per 5:  Elective

Per 6:  Academic Seminar

7th Grade Schedule

Per 1:  Reading/Lang Arts

Per 2:  Writing

Per 3:  Math

Per 4:  Academic Sem./Elective

Per 5:  Science

Per 6:  Elective/Academic Seminar

8th Grade Schedule

Per 1:  Reading/Lang Arts

Per 2:  Academic Seminar

Per 3:  Math

Per 4:  Science

Per 5:  Writing/Soc. Studies

Per 6:  Elective

Locker Night – A Lock on Success

Prairie Mountain 7th and 8th graders crowded the hallways Wednesday night for our annual 7th/8th Grade Curriculum and Locker Night.  Over 200 students and parents came to hear about the expectations for the school year and were rewarded by getting to choose their own locker at the end of the evening.

This is always a popular night with middle school kids, and this year was no exception.

School Starts 9/6/11

animated-school-busWelcome back everyone!

This will be a year full of learning and new, higher expectations for all students in the middle school Resource Room.   

At all levels, students will continue to use grade-level and/or general education curriculum materials.  We are really excited about this opportunity to accelerate our students’ learning.

6th Grade Curriculum Night

THURSDAY, 9/22/11 – 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Come join us and follow your child’s schedule to find out what a day in the life of your child is really like.  You’ll get to meet your child’s teachers and find out about the curriculum and learning expectations in each class.