Pirate's Cove
News for the weeks of 5/25 - 5/31
Principal's Message
Good afternoon, Pirate families!
Can you feel it? Summer is right around the corner! I know that the students are excited for summer to start. Our teachers have been busy planning the end of year activities and celebrations. I can tell you that I am looking forward to some time with family. We still have one week of school left, and grades are due by Friday. If a teacher has reached out regarding grades, there is still time to get any missing or incomplete work turned in.
As the end of the year nears, there are a lot of activities and events that mark the end of the school year. There is a lot of information for families below on what is upcoming for all of our students. In March, a form went out to families for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders on guidelines and expectations on these events. If your child has not signed or completed this form, follow the grade level link above to print a copy and send in to the Plank office. If you have questions, please feel free to contact the main office.
As principal, I am always looking to grow and improve. I have linked a parent survey here to get some feedback regarding this year on involvement and communication. Please let me know your experience with Plank in order to make adjustments. For those who have provided feedback already, thank you! I will be using this information to improve in the future.
Tyler Haymond
Principal
Plank Junior High School
Plank Home and School Elections and Openings
President - Jacquie Bucher
Vice President - Rachel Keys
Robyn Mellas - Treasurer
Secretary and Corresponding Secretary are open positions. If you want to get involved, Plank HSA will provide the opportunity!
8th Grade End of Year Events
On May 29th, we will hold 8th grade celebrations and Recognition Night practice during the school day. We will have the opportunity to run through the Recognition Night program and expectations, and spend some time celebrating with each other during the afternoon. This will be running through the school day.
Finally, on May 30th, we have our annual Pirate Palooza during the school day and 8th grade Recognition Night at Oswego East High School in the evening. Our recognition night is celebrating the accomplishment of completing a successful elementary and junior high experience, and transition students onto their respective high schools. It is a celebration of student accomplishment, but not a formal graduation. Our Recognition Night will start at 6:30 PM. More information on Recognition Night can be found at this link.
Pirate Palooza May 30th
Our Annual Pirate Palooza celebration will take place on May 30th for all students. Sign up to volunteer at our stations during our event below.
Summer School opportunities
District 308 Summer School 2019 Catalog
Registration for summer school courses is open now through June 3rd. Courses offered include credit recovery, Honors Prep, and enrichment. Course listings and additional information regarding summer school can be viewed in the catalog at the link below.
Summer School Link: https://www.sd308.org/Page/8978
Further questions regarding summer school should be directed to Christopher Grays, Secondary Summer School Coordinator at cgrays@sd308.org or 630-636-3481 or Jamie Max at jmax@sd308.org or 630-636-4520.
Summer School “Bridge to Spanish 2” Course
Current 8th Grade Spanish 1 students - please consider signing up for the Bridge to Spanish 2 course offered in District 308’s summer school program. This course will be a comprehensive review of grammar topics and the skills needed to be successful in a World Language classroom at the high school. The course will be three hours long and will run for three weeks.
High School World Languages - Updated Board Policy
1 - A student who is taking a language course at an Ethnic school (i.e., - Greek School) can receive high school credit so long as they pass a proficiency test.
2 - A student must receive approval from the superintendent or his designee (HS principal) to receive credit for an online course.
PE Exemption or Home School PE
The Board of Education recently updated and clarified the policy as it relates to junior high students being exempted from PE. Board Policy does not (except in a couple of instances) allow for junior high students to be exempted from participating in Physical Education.
While we have had a number of parents of students who, due to significant numbers of hours spent in club sports, have chosen to Home School their student for PE, it is often confused as a PE Exemption. Should a parent choose to Home School for PE, a student's instructional day will be 8 periods in length, instead of 9. The student would not have the option of enrolling in an additional course or study hall. This may be different from what has been in practice this year.
Appeals Process for ELA/Math Recommendations
If you have questions regarding a recommendation, please contact your student’s teacher directly. For information regarding the appeals process for a Math or ELA recommendation, please click the link below.
Shane's Kits
Plank Jr. High is once again partnering with Shane's School Supply Kits. You can make 1 purchase and have your school supply needs taken care of and ready for August. 2019-2020 Kits are available here.
2019 - 2020 School Health Requirements
2019-2020 School Health Requirements
If you have a student attending Plank Junior High during the 2019/2020 academic year please review the following health requirements. If a student does not submit proof of meeting these requirements they will not be allowed to pick-up their schedule and will be excluded from school until documentation has been received in the school health office.
*Appointment cards and notes from a physician indicating future appointments and immunizations will not be accepted unless there is a documented medical exemption.
An annual health history form is required for all students and must be completed prior to the start of each school year. The information is shared with paramedics in the event of a medical emergency and it is important for health services staff to be aware of current medical diagnoses and needs. See attachment.
A physical examination as prescribed by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois State Board of Education is required for all students entering 6th grade. The physical needs to be dated on or after August 14th, 2018.
Any child entering 6th grade shall show proof of having received one dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine on or after the 11th birthday, and one dose of the Tdap vaccine, after age seven.
All students entering 6th grade are required to present proof of a dental exam before May 15th, 2020.
Please submit all forms and documentation to the Plank Junior High School Health Office in person or via fax or email. Feel free to contact the nurse with any questions or concerns.
Thank you for your cooperation.
The Health Office
Phone: 630-551-94000
Fax: 630-551-9691
AVID Schoolwide at Plank Junior High
AVID schoolwide brings together instruction and the culture of our school to ensure the college readiness of not only the AVID elective students, but the academic performance of all students. All teachers are using WICOR strategies to develop and strengthen students writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading skills. Each parent newsletter we will be highlighting a WICOR strategy we are using at Plank.
AVID Spotlight: Collaboration
Collaboration is a HUGE part of AVID School Wide...Collaboration is not "group work" that most of us grew accustomed to in elementary school and junior high. Rather than a typical group of four working together would be one student taking on the leadership role, two students doing their part, while the fourth student would typically avoid work, or do the bare minimum, knowing that the leader would end up doing the work to get the grade the whole group would ultimately get in the grade book. With AVID Cooperative Learning strategies, students are held accountable to all do their part. This collaborative work is rarely done for a grade, but rather done through discussion and peer interaction. This creates opportunities for students to interact without the pressure of a grade attached and gives students a better chance to buy into their learning. Some popular strategies used at Plank are Round Robin, Fan and Pick, One Stray, Talking Chips, and Stand Up, Hand Up, Pair Up.
The dangers of smokeless tobacco products, vaporizers, and electronic cigarettes.
Student Reminders and Parent Notifications: Student Dress
Student Dress
The Winter weather is starting to turn to spring, and warm weather is on the way. As a friendly reminder, there are some dress guidelines that we want all students to be sure to adhere to, right out of the student handbook.
Student dress and personal hygiene is the responsibility of the student and his/her
parent or guardian. Student dress and/or accessories should not be disruptive to the school environment and/or education process and personal hygiene must meet reasonable standards of health, cleanliness, and safety. Wear clothing as it is intended to be worn; undergarments should not be visible. The following provides examples of clothing and/or accessories that cannot be worn and/or must not:
Display comment, picture, or contain slogans, weapons or designs that are obscene, profane, lewd/vulgar, symbolize or represent profanity or sexual innuendo; may reasonably forecast disruption to the educational process;
a. Displays or references drugs, tobacco products or alcoholic beverages;
b. Is suggestive and/or disruptive (e.g. extremely tight fitting, cleavage-baring, fails to cover the midriff, halter-tops, sheer/see-through, strapless, tops with thin straps, short shorts, skirts, or dresses that are above mid-thigh), and/or shredded clothing,
c. Hats, headwear, sunglasses, unsafe footwear, coats, bandanas, gloves, chains, and spikes must be removed upon entering the building.
Inappropriate student dress may result in a conference with an administrator, a change into proper attire and/or parent/guardian contact. Students may be asked to remain in the office until proper attire is obtained. The administration has final determination on appropriate dress and consequences for inappropriate dress.
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
Twitter: @Plank308