Regina Jr Sr High Newsletter
January 2020
From the Principal
Happy New Year! I hope everyone was able to have a wonderful Christmas. Believe it or not, we are into the 3rd decade of the 21st century.
First semester ends next Friday with semester assessments being 1/15-1/17. Students will be dismissed at 12:30 on Wednesday and Thursday and 11:00 on Friday. Lunch service is not available for 7-12 grade students these days. Bus service will run at its normal time.
We finish up January by celebrating Catholic Schools Week. This is highlighted by our K-12 Catholic Schools Week Mass and our activities day. We are finalizing details for the week. The schedule will be sent out as soon as things are set in stone (or close to it).
January also marks the feast day for Saint Thomas Aquinas. He is the patron saint of catholic schools and my confirmation saint. The prayer below is from St. Thomas Aquinas. This quick prayer helps me focus (usually re-focus) on my priorities.
Grant me, O Lord my God,
a mind to know you,
a heart to seek you,
wisdom to find you,
conduct pleasing to you,
faithful perseverance in waiting for you,
and a hope of finally embracing you. Amen.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Glenn Plummer
Upcoming Events
Monday, Jan. 6: JV wrestling at CPU @ 5:00
Tuesday, Jan. 7: F-S/JV/V girls and boys basketball at Cascade @ 4:00
Wednesday, Jan. 8: 7-12 prayer service @ 2:15, PISA meeting @ 5:30
Thursday, Jan. 9: V wrestling at Anamosa @ 5:30
Friday, Jan. 10: F-S/JV/V girls and boys basketball at West Liberty @ 4:30
Saturday, Jan. 11: V wrestling at Highland @ 10:00, JV/V girls basketball vs. Monticello at 12:00
Monday, Jan. 13:
Tuesday, Jan. 14: JV/V girls and boys basketball at West Branch @ 4:30
Wednesday, Jan. 15: 7-12 Semester Assessments
Thursday, Jan. 16: 7-12 Semester Assessments, V wrestling at Northeast-GL @ 5:30
Friday, Jan. 17: 7-12 Semester Assessments, F-S/JV/V girls & boys basketball vs. Tipton @ 4:30
Saturday, Jan. 18: Speech & debate conference contest at Northeast-GL @ 9:00, V wrestling at Cascade @ 9:00, F-S/JV/V girls & boys basketball vs. North Cedar at 4:30
Sunday, Jan. 19: Dance Marathon @ 12:00
Monday, Jan. 20: No classes, JV wrestling at Solon @ TBD, ZAPS/ACT seminar @ 8:00
Tuesday, Jan. 21: F-S/JV/V girls & boys basketball vs. Wilton @ 4:30
Wednesday, Jan. 22: 7-12 prayer service @ 2:15
Thursday, Jan. 23: 7th (home)/8th (away) boys basketball vs. Tipton @ 4:15, V wrestling home @ 5:30
Friday, Jan. 24: F-S/JV/V girls & boys basketball vs. Anamosa at 4:30
Saturday, Jan. 25: Speech large group districts at TBD, V wrestling at Midland @ 10:00, F-S/JV/V girls & boys basketball vs. Solon @ 12:00, Family Fun Night @ 6:00
Monday, Jan. 27: 7th (home)/8th (away) boys basketball vs. Durant @ 4:15, JV wrestling at Mid-Prairie @ 5:00, F-S boys basketball at North Cedar @ 4:30
Tuesday, Jan. 28: F-S/JV/V girls & boys basketball vs. Mid-Prairie @ 4:30, Regina Board of Education meeting @ 6:30
Wednesday, Jan. 29: K-12 Catholic Schools Week Mass @ 9:30
Thursday, Jan. 30: 7th (home)/8th (away) boys basketball vs. West Branch @ 4:15, V wrestling home at Vinton-Shellsburg @ 6:00
Friday, Jan. 31: JV/V girls & boys basketball at Durant @ 4:30
Saturday, Feb. 1: V wrestling conference tournament at Tipton @ 10:00, F-S/JV/V boys basketball vs. Monticello @ 12:00, JV/V girls basketball at Xavier @ 2:00
Semester Assessments are January 8-10
Discover Regina Nights
More information will be coming in the near future.
2020 Regina Blue and Gold Gala
Register now for the 2020 Blue and Gold Regina Gala
Saturday, February 1, 2020
Evening Events
5:30 Cocktails, hors d’ oeuvres, silent auction opens
7:00 Dinner is served
8:00 Live auction presented by Mark Sharpless
9:00 Silent auction closes with DJ Music Reception following the end of the Live Auction
Hotel Rooms available at a special rate for Gala attendees. To make a reservation, contact the Coralville Marriott Hotel at 319-688-4000 by January 27, 2020.
Registration for the Regina Blue and Gold Gala is now open!
To make your reservation, visit https://one.bidpal.net/reginagala2020/welcome. You may register, become a sponsor, and select a group name for your table. Enjoy delicious food, drinks, and cheerily bid on your favorite items! Dinner tickets include a sit down meal, silent and live auctions, and complimentary wine and beer through the live auction.
Dinner Reservation: $125 Per Person
First Time Gala Guest Reservation: $65 Per Person - Special Offer for new Regina families and first time Gala guests! Limited seats available on a first come first served basis
Table Reservation: $1,250 Private table of 10 Guests
Gala Attire: Blue is for denim and Gold is for gown. Dress it up or dress it down with fun and festive cocktail attire as we celebrate together! Join the live and silent auctions to benefit Regina.
Buy a Brick
Regina Student Receives Honor
Regina Musical
Junior High Spring Play Meeting
Meeting on Thursday, 1/9 for the Junior High Spring Play (Students Interested in Cast and Crew)
Mr. Richard Tiegs will be directing the junior high spring play. He would like to have a short meeting on Thursday, 1/9 in Mrs. Hill's room (2:20-2:50) to meet people interested in being in the cast and crew of the junior high spring play.The play will be Friday, April 24th at 7 pm and Saturday and Sunday, April 25th and 26th at 2 pm. The Saturday show is a matinee because high school students often handle a lot of the technical duties for the play, and Mr. Tiegs didn't want them to miss Prom that night.
Ave Explores: Stress, Anxiety, and Mental Health
Book Challenge
Job Shadowing Information
The Job Shadow Portal is now open on Monday, January 6th.
· All group days – NO INDIVIDUAL
· Students can sign up for the spring session …. Even if they participated in the Fall
· FIRST COME to all the job shadows – there will be a cap on the job shadows
- Closes January 24th @ 3:00
This link will directly send the students to the JOB SHADOW PAGE on the website. The page will have ONLY the group job shadows that are offering for the spring session.
https://www.kirkwood.edu/wlc/jswinter2020
This link will send the students directly to the JOB SHADOW VIDEO.
Theology and Via Updates
VIA
The VIA sections continue to work through Church History using a variety of resources such as articles, videos, the text and lectures. They spent much time in December also celebrating the season of Advent and learning about the many saints and feasts that occur!
Theology 10
Students did a project on Saints, they had to find a saint for each letter of the alphabet, then find patron of , place born, date of death, how died, 3 facts about the saint, and a picture.
We are also studying the Prophets of the Old Testament. The Soph's did a fantastic job of helping their Christmas Basket project family.
Theology 11
In Theology 11 we will continue to analyze the Ten Commandments until Finals. We will finish the morality half of the class by watching the Truman Show. We then shift to Vocations. Also, at the end of the month, during Catholic Schools Week, the Junior class will host a SOUPer bowl to bring in canned goods for the Crisis Center. .
Theology 12
Seniors wrapped up Christmas Basket Project and helped 16 families in the area enjoy a little brighter Christmas season. At the same time they have been working in small groups to present on one of the seven Sacraments of the Catholic church. Presentations will take place just before finals and then a test over the Sacraments will round out this unit.
Art Department News
Also don't forget our High School Art Instagram, where you can see amazing works of art by our students. Follow us at regal_art.
Science Department Updates
7th Grade Science:
We are currently working on problem-solving issues with getting our class-sized Rube Goldberg machines to work. This project will wrap up the first semester. Parents are welcome to attend the final reveal of our machines. Watch for teacher emails!
We focused the first semester on problem-solving, acting/thinking like scientists, and physical science. The upcoming semester will focus on human biology, genetics, and ecology.
8th Grade Science:
Students are learning about waves, light and sound. We will finish up Ch 16 this week (Sound and Light) and then begin prepping for the final exam. For the start of the new semester, we will switch gears and begin studying the Solar System and our Universe!
The pictures below are from when Dr. Behrendt came to discuss the heart. Students were able to have some hands-on time with pig hearts and really study the physiology of that amazing organ up close!
Earth and Space Science:
The first semester focused on Earth's place in the universe. Students were challenged with learning to think about the nature of science, evidence to support the theory of the Big Bang, star formation/death, and the formation of the Earth. The second semester of Earth Science will focus on Earth's systems and how humans interact with those systems. The focus on the instruction will be on sustainability and resiliency. I am looking for volunteer/guest teachers who would be interested in sharing information with the students about these issues. If you would like to share your knowledge with the class, please contact diane.coffin@icregina.com.
Biology:
The students are learning how plants are important for our survival through the interaction of photosynthesis and cell respiration. We will be reviewing these processes as we prepare for next week's final exam.
Chemistry:
Moles, moles, and more moles! Students are learning about the quantity known as the mole and how we can use it in Chemistry. We did a chalk lab to go along with this unit. Semester 2 will kick off with studying chemical reactions and lead to one of my favorite labs of the year: Qualitative Analysis (Determining an Unknown) Lab.
AP Biology:
We are embarking on the journey of genetics and why/why not we look like our parents, grandma, or gramps. Everyone has probably heard something like this at some point, "You have Granny Gertrude's pointy nose and smile". Now the students will know why.(or who to blame!).
AP Chemistry:
We are finishing up our unit on Atomic Structure and Bonding. After the final exam, we will start Unit 5: Intermolecular Forces and the Properties of Solids, Liquids, & Gases. We will be halfway through AP Chem at the start of semester 2 and will have approximately 112 days until the AP Exam on May 7.
Anatomy and Physiology:
Before the break we started the respiratory system. Now the students get to take a deep breath before they start their research project about a disease of the respiratory system that I haven't told them about yet. This might have them "gasping" for air.....
Biomedical Science:
Students are evaluating the diet of Anna Garcia to see if it may have contributed to her fictitious death. After what they ate over the holidays, they may be wondering if they should evaluate their own diets and make some New Year's resolutions!!
Math Club Announcements
We will do a written competition each month that has Junior (7th to 9th grade) and Senior (9th to 12th grade) divisions. Competition dates are 1/10, 2/14, and 3/13.
You can sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0C4FAAAD28A1FE3-math1
Regina will be hosting an Elementary/Junior High Math League Competition on 1/25 in the Regina Cafeteria. Registration starts at 8 am. The competition starts at 8:30 am, and we should be done with awards by 12:30 pm. Please sign up (and include grade level) on the Sign-up Genius link.
In addition, we will compete in High School Math League competitions. These are the currently scheduled competitions (more information is given on the Sign-up Genius site):
Saturday, 2/1 (UNI)
Saturday, 2/22 (Carlisle, Iowa)
Additional competitions are yet to be scheduled.
The attached picture shows the Regina Math Club at the City High Math League Competition in December. Regina finished second in the Small School Division (with our oldest students being 10th graders, so we should have great success for many years to come!). In addition, the following students received awards:
Riordan Smith - 1st Place Sprint - Junior High
Benjamin Ximing Bian - 2nd Place Sprint - Junior High
Genevieve Burger - 1st Place Sprint - 9th Grade
Adam Boblenz - 1st Place Sprint - 10th Grade
Riordan Smith - 1st Place Target - Junior High
Benjamin Ximing Bian - 2nd Place Target - Junior High
Kangnan Ye - 1st Place Target - 9th Grade
Peter Burer - 1st Place Target - 10th Grade
On 2/5, Regina will administer the AMC 10 Exam to students in 10th grade and below. This competition will be administered during the school day.
Regina had students participate in the AMC 8 Exam in November. Riordan Smith scored in the top 5% of students nationally and Benjamin Ximing Bian scored in the top 11% of students nationally.
Math Department Updates
Prealgebra: We will be finishing our graphing unit of y=mx+b and will begin Geometry. This will focus on identifying angles and then, area and volume of various shapes.
Hill - All classes will spend 2 days reviewing for their cumulative semester final (students have had their review packets since before Christmas break).
Algebra 2: We are starting Polynomial Functions, which will involve using previously learned factoring techniques. I'm excited to see all of the students back in class after break!
High School Calculus: We'll be testing on Product Rule, Quotient Rule, and Chain Rule and then moving on to Differentiation Techniques for second semester.
AP Calculus AB: We'll be testing on Applications of Derivatives and then starting Integration second semester.
AP Calculus BC: We'll be testing on Polar and Parametric Function and then starting Sequence and Series second semester.
Spanish News
Spanish I
We are learning how to talk about daily schedules, ask and tell time, say what we have and have to do, and how to use expressions of frequency. We also are learning how to conjugate the verb "tener" (to have) and -ar verbs. We are reviewing after-school activities and days of the week. In addition, we are learning about the Jardín Prinicpal in San Miguel de Allende, the ruins of Chichén Itzá, and Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM).
Spanish II
¡Feliz Año Nuevo! Last fall we made great progress in level 11. Students are doing well at writing simple sentences that will become more complex as we move on to second semester. They are also working hard at mastering reading comprehension questions. We are closing first semester with an overall review of what we studied.
We will start the new semester with writing 3-4 resolutions to help us improve our Spanish skills. We will work with the preterit tense of regular and irregular verbs and move on to the imperfect and simple future Tenses. We also have plans for more oral presentations and skits as well as a culture unit.
Spanish III
We learned fashion and pastime vocabulary, verbs like "gustar" (to like), how to use "por" and "para," the future tense, and the future tense to express probability.
Spanish IV
¡Feliz 2020! We are closing first semester with a full review of most verb tenses, including
regular and irregular verbs, as well as an all vocabulary review. Students did a fantastic job with their oral presentations using the future and conditional tenses. It was challenging for some students, but they did it without notes! I was happy and very impressed!
Students practiced their grammar structures and vocabulary by writing letters to Sra. McAndrew. They also practiced reading comprehension and listening comprehension skills as they listened to Spanish music. As we enter second semester, one of our goals is to do more speaking activities at a higher level as well as reading some literature passages.
I am looking forward to a great second semester with Spanish IV!
Regina Junior Senior High School
Email: glenn.plummer@regina.org
Website: www.regina.org
Location: 2150 Rochester Avenue, Iowa City, IA, United States
Phone: (319)-338-5436
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReginaEducation/
Twitter: @gap_4