Pirate's Cove
News for the week of 1/17 - 1/24
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Monday January 20th
Principal's Message
Pirate parents,
On Thursday, a message went home to 8th grade families regarding physical altercations and fighting at school. Fighting will lead to significant disciplinary consequences, and can potentially lead to criminal charges. Please encourage your students to seek assistance from a trusted adult when feeling upset, and never to physically engage with others. Fighting is inappropriate and dangerous behavior that will not be tolerated at our school. It creates a significant safety risk not only to those students who choose to engage, but also any bystanders who are in the area. Encouraging, participating, or coordinating these actions can also lead to significant consequences for those parties involved. Remind your students that if they hear or see anything concerning, they should report it to an adult at school. Often times, students know about fights through social media prior to one happening. Take some time to talk about school safety, and measures that your child can also take to ensure safety at school. Safety is our number one priority at Plank. If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact the main office to speak to a member of our administrative team.
The staff at Plank Junior High is committed to serving the students and parents of the surrounding community. We want to provide multiple opportunities for students to showcase their talents, and grow as young adults through academics and social emotional learning. Our focus is to prepare our students to be ready for college and future careers. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me and we can work together to find solutions. I can be reached at 630-551-9400 and thaymond@sd308.org. We look forward to collaborating with you and your student throughout the year.
Always in partnership,
Tyler Haymond
Principal
Plank Junior High School
Dual Language Meeting - Monday January 27th, 5:30 - 6:30 PM.
Faith Dahlquist, Assoc. Superintendent, and Renee Sartore, Director of English Learners, have reserved a time to hear from families on the Dual Language program at the Jr. High, and discuss a plan moving forward to address questions and concerns.
The meeting will be Monday, January 27th from 5:30-6:30 at Oswego East High School.
If you would like to attend this meeting please RSVP by January 20th to: rsartore@sd308.org and we will let you know which room we are able to reserve at Oswego East.
ACCESS Testing Continues This Week
Continuing this week, a number of our students will take the WIDA ACCESS test, which is an English language proficiency assessment administered every year to help school districts monitor the English language development of students identified as English language learners. Students who are testing were given information regarding the test and their testing schedule last week to bring home and share with their families. A copy of the letter that was sent home can also be found here.
Dress for the Weather
8th Grade AVID Selection Starts Soon
The selection process for the 8th grade AVID elective class is starting!
AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. It is a schoolwide college readiness system of support with a structured approach to a rigorous curriculum that will help develop students’ writing, content knowledge, and academic skills. Students enrolled in the AVID elective are hardworking, determined to do their best in school and reach their goals, and like to work collaboratively with their peers. The AVID elective targets those students who are academically in the middle (earning B's and C's), have the desire to go to college and the willingness to work hard, have good attendance and little to no discipline problems, and may be the first in their family to attend higher education. Additional information can be found at http://www.avid.org/what-is-avid-secondary.ashx. Students enrolled in the AVID elective course will: be enrolled in at least one honors class participate in weekly tutorials learn academic and social skills not targeted in other academic classes attend presentations from college and career related speakers attend field trips to local colleges participate in a positive peer group Below is the AVID elective application. There is a selection process to be accepted into the AVID program that involves completing the application and participating in a student interview . Enrollment is limited. We would like to invite you to the Plank AVID Parent Information Night on Wednesday, February 5, 2020 at 6 pm in the Plank cafeteria. The meeting will provide detailed information on the AVID elective class offered to only 8th grade students next year. We encourage anyone who believes the AVID Program may be a good fit to complete the application. Applications are due to Mrs. Gannon by Wednesday, February 19, 2020, after which we will then begin the student selection process for the 2020-2021 school year. Please contact Caitlin Gannon, AVID Coordinator at (630) 551-9414 or cgannon@sd308.org, for more information regarding the AVID elective class at Plank. We hope to see you at the AVID Parent Information Night!
Illinois 5 Essentials Survey
One Book, One School
Annie Junior at Plank
Plank Jr. High School is proud to announce their Spring Musical: Annie Jr! All important audition information is located on Google Classroom. Sign up for the class using the code: k584tp
All students can play a role! Auditions are just to see where you fit best. Info about tech/crew will come later. Thanks!
Washington DC Trip for 8th grade
Hey 8th Graders!!
It's not too late to sign up for the Washington DC Trip over this school year's Spring Break, March 22-24, 2020!
Email Mr. Linden (mlinden@sd308.org), Mrs. Carino (mcarino@sd308.org), or Mrs. Beane (jbeane@sd308.org) for registration information.
2019-2020 Plank Yearbook Sales are Online - TWO WEEKS LEFT
Have you placed your order for the 2019-2020 yearbook? All yearbook orders are now placed online. All orders are placed online through the link located below and on the Plank Homepage. The cost is $30. We are getting close... there are only two weeks left to order your yearbook. Sales end on January 31st. After January 31, we cannot guarantee additional yearbook sales to students. Order yours today!
Plank Home and School Messages
HSA News
Plank Jr. High Pirate Night
The next Pirate Night will be January 31st, 6-8pm!
$2 admission includes dance floor, open gym, and game room.
Concessions will be available for purchase.
This event is for Plank students only. Must present school i.d.
Parents, please consider volunteering to help make this a safe and fun event for our students!
Sign up here: https://signup.com/go/xuGrccJ
Do you have the new box top app? The next generation of box tops is here. We still collect clipped box tops but this new app is so easy to use. Scan your receipt within 14 days and if any applicable products are bought, instant rewards.
Homework Hotspot
Parent Portal in Tyler SIS
Our new student information system is Tyler SIS. This is taking the place of eSchool. Log into the link below if you are looking for updated grades, information, attendance, and the features of the former e School Home Access. Watch for updates on how parents can use the Portal on our website and in upcoming newsletters.
Parent Toolkit
Parent Teen Connect
CHECK OUT PARENTEENCONNECT.ORG
ParenTeenConnect.org, a free website for parents and their teens created by the makers of the Second Step Program, is a great resource for middle school families. It provides expert advice and practical tools for dealing with real parent-teen issues.
GET TALKING WITH PARENTEEN CONNECT
At ParenTeenConnect.org, you can hear from real parents and teens about the issues that cause conflict in their lives—including screen time, independence, responsibility, and communication—and get expert advice. Visit ParenTeenConnect.org at home with your child, select a topic together, and get talking!
Miles of Smiles
Plank Junior High School
Email: thaymond@sd308.org
Website: https://www.sd308.org/plank
Location: Plank Jr. High, Secretariat Lane, Oswego, IL, USA
Phone: 6305519400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/plank308/?scrlybrkr=2abf877d
Twitter: @Plank308