Barton Junior High School
November 2023
INFORMATION ABOUT THE WILDKITTEN WAY NEWSLETTER
Welcome to the Wildkitten Way!
Here is the month of November's layout:
Principal's Note: Mrs. Henry
News Articles:
- 7th and 8th grade Volleyball Game
- Homecoming Parade
Feature Articles:
- BJHS 7th Grade Football Game
- Musicfest
- Red Ribbon Week
- National Coaches Day
- Halloween
Yearbook Information
National Native American Heritage Month
Calendar
PRINCIPAL'S NOTE: MRS. HENRY
Our students and teachers have wrapped up the first nine-weeks of this school year! Barton staff is proud of how focused our students are on learning. We know this will continue for the second nine-weeks and are excited to see how far our students come this year!
Students got to participate in the Powder Puff Game activities on October 27, which raises money forTeam Corrie, which provides assistance to breast cancer patients. A fun time was had during this activity to wrap up Red Ribbon Week's "Be Kind to your Mind" dress up days for drug awareness.
We have the ending of Daylight Savings Time on November 5. Please remember to set your clocks BACK one hour so that you are on time for school. In addition, we will have our annual Veteran's Day Assembly on November 9 at 9:30am and Thanksgiving break the week of November 20-24.
Looking ahead so you can plan accordingly, Barton will have first semester exams on December 13, 14, 15 with an 11:30am dismissal and December 18 with a 9:30 dismissal. December 19 will be a day for make-up exams from 8-9:30.
We hope you and your child are having a great school experience this fall. We appreciate our students and parents!
NEWS ARTICLES
7th & 8th Grade Volleyball by Jasmine Edwards
The Lady Wildkittens played against the Harmony Grove Hornets at the El Dorado High School Arena on October 10th.
This was the last game of the 7th and 8th grade Lady Wildkittens volleyball season.
With this being the 7th graders first year playing at the junior high level, there are things that could be improved for next year. The team manager, Aileen Mondragon said, “7th graders could work on moving their feet more, going to the ball.”
Some who have more experience on the team can give an insight on how teamwork can be established. 8th grader, Aubrie Austin said, “Calling the ball more.” Overall, she was pleased with how the game went. Austin said, “We did pretty good.”
7th grade won their second set 25-11 and 8th grade won their second set 25-20. Coach Italei Gray has helped the program grow in a positive direction.
Photographed by Jasmine Edwards
Photographed by Jasmine Edwards
Photographed by Jasmine Edwards
Homecoming Parade by Lynley Miller
On Friday, October 20th, our Barton Cheerleaders participated in the El Dorado High School Homecoming Parade, downtown.
The traditional parade route was changed since the event was held downtown this year. The cheerleaders walked from the Auditorium to the back of Memorial Stadium. The BJHS cheerleaders handed out shakers to the little kids who were in attendance. They won first place in the walking float division.
Homecoming is a time for dressing up for some, but for others it’s school pride. 8th grader, Anna Claire Ewing says, “It’s a time to celebrate our school and our students in school.”
Homecoming ended with the Wildcats winning against the Sylvan Hill Bears.
FEATURE ARTICLES
BJHS 7th Grade Football Game by Lillian Smith
What’s an exciting way to kick off the month of October? A win for our Barton Junior High School’s 7th grade football team! The game was on Tuesday, October 2nd. The Wildkittens faced off against the Magnolia Panthers. With a final score of 38-6, the Wildkittens were victorious!
October was the last month of the Wildkittens regular season. BJHS has had a phenomenal season where the athlete’s truly have tried their best in every game. Both the offensive and defensive lines have grown every game to learn how to better work together and collaborate.
The BJHS quarterback for the 7th graders, Lucas Vinson, has shown some promising growth this year. It was on full display during this game. Vinson was asked what he felt like his team did the best to prepare for this win against the Panthers. He said, “To keep practicing and keep getting better, so we hope to continue to have a great Wildkitten season!”
With our football season closing out, there are many other sports teams to support still during this year at BJHS! We are now entering our Basketball season!
Remember, Wildkittens, if you fail to prepare, you’re preparing to fail!
Photographed by Dallas Dumas
Photographed by Dallas Dumas
Photographed by Dallas Dumas
Musicfest by Billy Mabry
Have you ever attended MusicFest? During this exciting event, Barton Junior High had some performers from our orchestra, band and chorus.
MusicFest is an annual festival held to celebrate a variety of talents in the area. There are several musical opportunities to enjoy from vocal performances to instrumental indulgences. The ages range from fourth graders to high schools in the El Dorado School District.
The orchestra had a good performance during their set. However, there were some volume technicalities that could be improved for next time. Aubrie Austin, an orchestral 8th grader, was one of the performers during the festival. Austin said, “I feel like it could have gone better, we could have played louder.”
With outside events, weather is always a factor that can affect performances. Melissa Greer, the BJHS band director said, “The wind is always a problem because we have music flying off the stage.” However, she nor the band were discouraged as Ms. Greer went on to say, “We make it work.”
In order to participate in MusicFest in the future, consider joining the school’s orchestra, band, or chorus class.
For smell good food and music that graces your ears, attend MusicFest next year!
Photographed by Hayven Norris
Photographed by Hayven Norris
Photographed by Hayven Norris
Photographed by Hayven Norris
Photographed by Hayven Norris
Photographed by Hayven Norris
Red Ribbon Week by Cayden Adams
Have you ever seen a school filled with students and staff dressed in bizarre themed clothing? At Barton Junior High, during Red Ribbon Week, you can expect just that! Students and staff were given red ribbons to rock as well as participate in appropriate, wacky dress up days.
Red Ribbon Week is held annually in order to raise awareness against drug and alcohol use. It is held from elementary to high school in schools across the state. In other states, there is a program known as D.A.R.E., which represents the same foundations.
Monday students wore their Wildkitten gear. Tuesday was “Predator vs. Prey” day, where students either wore hunting clothes or animal related clothing. Wednesday was “Country vs. Country Club” day. Thursday was “90’s/Throwback” day. We saw students dressing like famous celebrities from the 90s and their parents alike! Friday was “Pink Out” day, where students were encouraged to wear any ounce of pink they could find!
With this event meant to educate students about the benefits of being drug free, does having these themed days make it exciting for the students? Kalee Cook, Career Development teacher at BJHS said, “I think it's a great way to encourage the students to have fun and be aware of their own actions!”
Even our Principal, Michelle Henry, enjoys Red Ribbon Week and what all it represents. Mrs. Henry said, “My favorite dress up day is pink out because of what it represents and that is breast cancer awareness.”
Spirit week at Barton is always a fun time to get students to show their creativity and learn important life values.
Photographed by Cayden Adams
Photographed by Cayden Adams
Photographed by Cayden Adams
Photographed by Cayden Adams
Photographed by Cayden Adams
National Coaches Day by Izzie Smith
Do you remember the coach that had an impact on your life? Do you see football players, basketball players, and others that get so successful? It’s because of the coaches and how much effort they put into what they do.
National Coach’s day is celebrated on the 6th of October. Coach’s day is an important day where you can show respect and appreciate how much work and love they put into what they do. Coaches are what guide the kid’s to be what they are today.
Athlete’s don’t just learn from the coaches. The coaches can also learn some valuable lessons that assist them in bettering our future generation. Dominic Jenkins, coach at Barton Junior High, said, “I’ve learned to be adaptable to help reach these kids and help them reach their full potential.”
With each child being unique, it is important to figure out the best way you can motivate them to be the best they can be! Robert Kersh, 7th grade football Head Coach, said, “I’ve learned every child athlete is different and it takes different things to get them motivated with some, you have to ‘push their buttons’ so to speak.” This, however, does not mean you have to yell at your athletes to get them to understand what you are trying to say. Coach Kersh also said, “They’re probably not doing it because they don’t understand the way you explained it so you have to take a different approach, explain it a different way.
Ways you can show appreciation for your students' coaches is: ask them what supplies they need for the team, what support they need, or any volunteer opportunities.
For all that they do, we should do all we can to show them praise.
Halloween by Abigail Davis
Boo! Are you scared? What is driving that feeling of fear and excitement combined? Halloween time of course! Halloween is a spooky time of the year.
Many people put up scary decorations. Kids have the chance to go trick or treating. Delicious, and gross grandma candy alike is handed out. The average child eats about 3.4 pounds of candy every year!
Halloween is a time where people have the opportunity to be the funniest and most authentic version of themselves without any reservations. Morgan Minchew, 8th grader at BJHS, says, “My favorite thing about Halloween is the costumes and how they represent our personalities.”
There are many festivities that surround the holiday so that people can have fun in a variety of ways. Rebekah Ibert, 8th grader at BJHS, said, “I go to the Haunt and I go trick or treating!” Not to mention, trunk or treat that is held by several organizations in the area.
Even if you don’t conventionally celebrate Halloween, there are different things you can do to get into the fall spirit! There is pumpkin picking and carving that are fun, family activities.
Fall time with leaves hitting the ground is enough to excite anyone!
Photographed by Rebekah Ibert
Photographed by Rebekah Ibert
Photographed by Rebekah Ibert
YEARBOOK INFORMATION
YEARBOOKS ARE OFFICIALLY ON SALE! They start at $27 plus taxes. You can either place an order in person with Ms. Smith in room 114, or online at jostens.com/ybk or jostensyearbook.com! PLEASE FILL OUT A FORM PRIOR TO PURCHASING AND GIVING YOUR PAY! Get yours by December 15th, 2023! If you would like to purchase a recognition section for your student, the cost is $25. If you would like to purchase a section for an ad for your business, the cost is $25. For any questions, please feel free to email Kayla.smith@esd-15.org or Kalee.cook@esd-15.org.
AMERICAN INDIAN (NATIVE AMERICAN) HERITAGE MONTH
History of Native American Heritage Month
This is a time meant to celebrate language, traditions and stories of Native American's across the nation. This month encompasses recognizing Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian island communities. We honor the remaining and past Tribal Nations that continue to exercise their right of sovereignty in the United States. In 1916, New York was the first state to recognize a Native American Day. Then in 1976, President Gerald R. Ford signed the "Native American Awareness Week." Finally, in 1990 Congress passed and President George H.W. Bush signed into law designating "Native American Heritage Month." Native Americans were the original inhabits of this country and we still utilize many of their contributions today.
NATIVE AMERICAN INVENTIONS
KAYAKS
The Inuit tribe in the Arctic developed a small, narrow boat. These boats were made of wood and whalebones, covered by seal skin or other animal hides.
SNOW GOGGLES
The Inuit tribe in the Arctic were also responsible for developing protective eyewear from overexposure of the sun. The materials used to make them consisted of either: wood, bone, antler or leather with a slit to simulate squinting.
BABY BOTTLES
The Iroquois used dried and greased bear gut and added a top made out of bird's quill's that would be used to feed babies.
SYRINGES
Before the invention of the European needles, Native Americans created their own syringes. They used animal bladders and hollow bird bones to inject their medications.
MOUTHWASH
Like many herbs that were used for topical relief, Native Americans also fashioned the first uses for mouthwash and oral pain. Various tribes used a wildflower called "Goldthread" for this purpose.
CALENDAR
Shiver Me Timber, it's already November?
November 9th: Make-Up Picture Day!
November 11th: Saturday School
November 15th: Progress Reports
November 17th: Early Dismissal @ 2:25 P.M.
November 20th-25th: THANKSGIVING BREAK! NO SCHOOL!
Support your BJHS Sports Teams!
Below are the current sports teams home schedules for November! Come out and support your Wildkittens!
2023 7th/8th Grade Wildcat Basketball: Head Coach- Aaron Smith
November 9th: Time TBA at EHS
November 11th: Tima TBA at EHS
2023 7th/8th Grade Ladycat Basketball: Head Coach- Makara Frazier, Assistant Coach- Dominic Jenkins
November 14th: 5 PM at EHS vs. Liberty Eylau
Holidays in November
November 1st: National American Indian Heritage Month
November 11th: Veteran's day
November 23rd: Thanksgiving Day
November 24th: Native American Heritage Day
Location: 400 W. Faulkner Street, El Dorado, AR, USA
Phone: 870.864.5051