Marauder Update
9-25-23
End of September - Already?!?
Building Happenings
Informational Graph Analysis Exercise
Earlier this week in Mr. Danic's Earth Science class, students worked on Informational Graph Analysis. They did this by grouping up and traveling to various stations throughout the room where they were able to analyze, interpret, compare/contrast, and create Informational Graphs. One interesting station was where students watched a video and discussed the misleading use of graphs. Through this example and discussion, students learned the importance of using critical thinking skills to analyze and evaluate information.
Geometry Inquiry Activity
In Ms. Huber's Geometry class, students worked together to figure out geometric figures and their symbolic representations. They used their prior knowledge, intuition, and problem solving skills to identify the correct matches between these two items. Once they finalized their matches, they came back together as a class to ensure their matches were correct and to explain the matches. They ended with practice problems to show they could apply what they learned. This student engagement activity allowed students to collaborate and discuss their thinking process in order to learn about geometric figures and apply what they learned.
ADVISORY PERIOD: WHAT TO EXPECT FOR MY STUDENT
Advisory: What it is
Every student has an advisory period as an extension of his or her second hour class. The second hour teacher will serve as an advisor/mentor to the students and meet with them regularly on an individual and small group basis. Students will fill out grade check forms for their advisory teacher and use that teacher as a resource to help them achieve academic success. Ultimately, it is our aim to build direct, personal connections with every student in school and help him or her achieve success in their high school experience while building their personal post-secondary plans.
Students who need one-off homework assistance or a quick question answered will be directed to peer-to-peer tutoring in the media center during this period. While students that need specific re-teaching in core academic areas will be directed to intervention teachers during this time period. Those intervention teachers will be providing these students with small group direct instruction and practice that is designed to help the students see improvement and successes in a class that they may be falling behind in.
FEEDBACK CORNER
What does the zero mean?
As you and your child begin to see grades for classes in MiStar, one item to notice is when you see a "zero" for the grade. If you only see a "zero", that means your child received that grade. If you see a "zero" for the grade with the comment of "missing" and a "red" highlight around the "zero", this means the assignment has not been turned in yet. A missing assignment will stay that way until the student turns in the assignment and the teacher grades it in the time allowed.
More feedback in MiStar
Another item you and your child will notice is more feedback on assignments provided in MiStar. This is to help you and your child understand the reasoning behind the grade and provide more communication about grades. This information might be provided in the comment section or in the assignment information.
Assessment Wrapper
Besides receiving teacher feedback, we are also helping students reflect and provide feedback to their teachers. After each major assessment, students will be given a short survey (assessment wrapper) to reflect about their preparedness for that assessment. This includes reflecting on their own studying, the feedback from their teacher, and how they can improve for a future assessment. We are excited to use these survey results to drive classroom instruction and help students be more reflective in their own learning.
Updated Grades
Grades will be updated weekly and can be found in Mi-Star. Although some of our students will access and look at their grades in Schoology, the grade that leads to credit (or no credit) is the one that is found in Mi-Star. If you have a question about any grade, the first place to start is with the teacher in the class. All teachers are easily accessible through Parent Square or email.
Not Feeling the Breeze
Vaping
As so many have reported and you can see when you walk in stores, vaping has changed the market in terms of products that people purchase. Unfortunately, what we are seeing is that many of those products continue to be marketed to and purchased/used by our teens and those who are underage (See clip/article here for more info).
This plays out in school in vaping being one of the top offenses at Carlson leading to discipline. Not only are we seeing students use during school, we are seeing students actively share with other students, and have an inordinate amount of vapes or empty cartridges on their person, in their backpacks, and in their cars. We are also seeing the increase occur equally in possession and use of both nicotine and THC vapes.
Beyond my own personal concerns for their health and the unknown impact that these products may have, I'm concerned for the lack of control that students appear to have over their consumption of these products and concerned for the amount of distraction that this is causing for them.
For this reason, I'm asking all of our parents, guardians, and other loved ones who are taking care of our Marauders to please be vigilant in checking your kid's rooms, backpacks, and cars for these types of products. Repeatedly surveys have reported that between 15 and 20% of high school age students are currently using vape products. In my experience, this usage spans across ages, grades, and social groups. We have found users who have straight As, straight Es, and everything in between.
I firmly believe that if we can work together, we can make a significant impact on our student usage and potentially stop a harmful and expensive habit from forming.
Resources for parents to help support their teens in quitting can be found at the following links:
- 9/25 - Soccer @ Trenton, 6pm
- 9/26 - Volleyball @ Trenton, 7pm; Swim Home v. Southgate 6pm; Tennis Home v Allen Park, 4pm
- 9/27 - Half Day of School, afternoon staff development, dismissal at 10:50 am; Swim @ LP, 6pm; Golf @ Riverview Highlands, 2:30pm
- 9/28 - Volleyball Home v. LP 7pm; Tennis @ Southgate, 4pm
- 9/29 - Football @ Trenton, 7pm
- 9/30 - Cross Country Marauder Invite @ Lake Erie Metropark, 9am
- 10/2 - Tennis League Meet, 8am
- 10/3 - Swim Home v. Grosse Ile, 6pm; Golf @ Dearborn Hills 2:30pm; Cross Country @ Patriot Park, 4:30pm
- 10/5 - Volleyball Home v. Wyandotte, 7pm; Swim Home v. Woodhaven 6pm; Soccer @ Riverview 6pm; Golf @ Fellows Creek (league meet) 9am
- 10/6 - Football @ Woodhaven 7pm
A full calendar can be found at www.gibdist.net
Shout Outs
Students
Dylan Davis
Dylan is a junior at CHS that excels in both the classroom and on the playing field. He is currently ranked 4th in his class and plays both soccer and golf. He also has plans on being a pilot! The sky is literally the limit for Dylan!
Janae Rock-Marshall
Janae is an active senior at CHS. She is one of the best dressed Marauders, known for both her fashion sense and positive attitude! Last year, she was the face of CTV News. You can also see Janae performing for our Marching Marauders and on stage in our drama productions.She is also embarking this year on a new leadership role as a PBIS Ambassador!
Maraya Finklea
Maraya is an active junior at CHS. She currently plays basketball and runs track here at CHS. She is a strong academic student that is known for her postive and upbeat personality! We are happy to welcome Maraya in her new leadership role as a PBIS Ambassador!
Staff
Our staff is second to none from our faculty to our secretaries to our cafeteria, custodians, and other support staff. They are just another reason we are lucky to be a part of Marauder Country!
Ms. Heath
Sophia Payne, 11th grade Marauder, says that since the first day she had Ms. Heath, she was like a mom. She says that she always understood and looked for ways to support her, especially with reading. Sophia misses Ms. Heath this year and is grateful for the time that she spent in her class. Thank you for creating such a positive and nurturing environment for our students, Ms. Heath!
Mrs. Gouin
Mrs. Gouin, social worker and MTSS coordinator at CHS, is always willing to go the extra mile to help and support all students at CHS. She demonstrates care and compassion with just the right amount of expectation for growth and positive choices for all students. She has made a difference in her work with CHS students and often is in the background making our building a more supportive community.Thank you for demonstrating a high level of care and thoughtfulness as you work with our students, Mrs. Gouin!
Ms. Laginess
Shyann Copeland, 11th grade Marauder, says that she had a tough year her freshman year that was made a little bit brighter by the kindness of Ms. Laginess. Although she was struggling and made some mistakes. Ms. Laginess always encouraged Shyann and helped with her motivation. To this day, Shyann still looks forward to her visits with Ms. Laginess.Thank you for pushing our students to never give up and showing the kindness that so often helps them not give up, Ms. Laginess!
Counseling Information
Our counseling department puts together a counseling newsletter that gives the most up-to-date information for students as it relates to their career and college readiness as well as tips and tricks to make this process easier and smoother. The website link can be found below. Also, please check out our College Fair. This is one of the only ones in the area and MUST be PRE-REGISTERED for. Please sign up to check out the many different organizations who come to provide opportunities to our students.
Upcoming Bond Information
We have exciting news for all GSD Community!
This summer, the Gibraltar School District Board of Education has approved placing a no tax-rate increase bond proposal on the November 7th ballot. Voter approval of the bond proposal will not increase residents' current tax rate.
The $81.5 million no-tax-rate increase bond proposal is designed to improve the learning environment and update the interior and exterior of school buildings.
The bond proposal will allow the school district to make improvements in five key areas:
1. enhancing elementary educational programming;
2. enhancing student safety and security;
3. improving the learning environment;
4. expanding arts, athletics, and play areas; and,
5. addressing aging facility infrastructure and increasing building efficiencies.
In the meantime, to learn more about the bond proposal, click HERE
Amy Conway- Superintendent