The Heartbeat
Spring Edition
Greetings!
"Inside every TITAN beats the heart of a WARRIOR!"
The end is near! No, this is not a bad intro to a sci-fi movie! The end of the school year is quickly approaching, and this is an exciting time for our 8th graders. They are wrapping up their last year of middle school and preparing for their next stage in life -- high school! For some students (and parents) this is hard to believe. Even though the school year is coming to a close, the 8th grade staff is dedicated to helping our students finish their middle school experience in a positive manner. Over the next few weeks, the students will complete their studies with final exams, take MAP tests, and participate in KPREP. Most of all, together, we get to celebrate their successes.
Upcoming Events
End of Year Activities
- KPREP: May 7th - 11th
- Chromebook turn-in starts May 17th
- 8th Grade Awards Day: Wednesday, May 23rd at 1:00pm (see below for the letter from Ms. Jones for more information)
- 8th Grade Finals: Thursday, May 24th (1st, 3rd, and 5th periods) and Friday, May 25th (2nd, 4th, and 6th periods)
- Summer School starts June 4th and continues through the 15th.
End-of-Year Testing
Testing Tip: Do Not Schedule Appointments
8th Grade Awards Ceremony
Letter from Ms. Jones
Dear Parent/Guardian:
The time has finally arrived for us to recognize the many achievements of our 8th grade students. Our 8th Grade Awards Ceremony will be held Wednesday, May 23rd, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. We hope you can join us for this very special event.
Students will have a dress rehearsal at 8:45 a.m. before eating lunch with classmates before the ceremony. We ask that all students be on time and in attendance to participate. While we do expect our students to dress appropriately in their best, formal wear is unnecessary and discouraged.
Due to student and staff use of our front lots, we ask that parents also utilize our back bus lot and enter through the back doors. The main gym and rear doors will open at 12:15 p.m. and it is essential that all those attending are seated before 1:00 p.m. Our large gym doors will be closed at that time for the student processional. Those arriving after that time will need to wait for the processional to end before entering the gym. While there will be open seating in the gym, we will have a reserved row in the lower level section for those who may have difficulty navigating the stairs or who utilize crutches, walkers, or wheelchairs. Tables will be located in the gymnasium lobby for any parent who would like to sign their student out at the conclusion of the program.
This ceremony will be a very memorable event. We hope you can join us in recognizing the achievements and accomplishments of this exceptional group of students. If you have any question, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Respectfully,
Donna R. Jones-Hocker
Associate Principal
Spring Star Students
Brittany Richard
"Brittany Richard is always prepared and organized so she can focus on the day's work. She gives her best effort on all assignments."
– Mrs. Germano
Abigail Howard
"Abigail works really hard in the classroom and is always willing to step up and be a leader to help other students understand a concept. She is respectful and positive."
– Ms. Sparks
Madalein McIlquham
"Madalein is an excellent student who puts forth 110% everyday. She is friendly and helpful with her classmates. She is a young lady with a very kind heart." – Mrs. Wilson
Abby Varney
"Abby is a very dedicated student. She approaches each assignment with determination and positivity. Abby is a role model to her peers!" – Ms. Robinson
Patrick King
"Patrick works hard and is passionate about his viewpoints while being open to listening to opposing arguments."
– Ms. Kuykendall
Emma Garland
"Emma exhibits maturity, responsibility, creativity, humor, and focus each day. She's a joy to have in class."
– Mrs. Smith
Sofia Cha
"Sofia works hard and takes on any challenge she faces with optimism that she will overcome the obstacle." – Ms. Byard
Kaitlyn Conway
"Kaitlyn works hard and stays on top of her assignments. Her work is always her best effort." – Mr. Watts
Isaac Belcher
"Isaac is very motivated and has a positive outlook. He enjoys leading, learning and is always willing to answer questions." – Ms. Peterman
Gisella Plata
"Gisella has shown so much improvement since the beginning of the year. She works hard and tries her best always." – Ms. Pennington
Kennedy Rice
"Kennedy is kind and incredibly hard working. She always asks questions in class that challenge her own thinking and curiosity." – Ms. Tickle
Tyler Harrel
"During our Mock Congress, Tyler ran the sessions and did a very good job. He also helped other groups with their bills." – Mr. Traylor
Teacher Spotlight
Mr. Matthew Watts
Mr. Watts is from Shelbyville, Kentucky and graduated from Shelby County High School. He attended Morehead State University and received a bachelor’s degree in Parks and Recreation Management. Later, he attended Campbellsville University where he obtained a master’s degree of Education in Learning Behavior Disorders. At the University of the Cumberlands he earned a second master's degree in Instructional Leadership. In his spare time, he loves to be outdoors hiking and fishing. He also loves spending time with his daughters.
Ms. Wilson
Ms. Wilson is the current Gifted and Talented teacher for Collins High School and loves working with all the awesome students! She graduated from Murray State University many years ago with numerous certifications and endorsements. She has two children, Jessica, 22 and James, 26. She has a 12-year-old Westie that keeps her busy every day. She loves to travel, and has been to Europe many times. Greece and Germany have been her favorite travel experiences.
REMINDER: Academic Support
Tutoring is offered after school every Monday and Wednesday from 3:30-4:30. On Thursdays, tutoring is from 3:30-5:00 with transportation to designated drop off zones. Transportation is provided on Thursdays ONLY.
BUS DROP OFF ZONES:
Cracker Barrel Area
Catalpa & Greenland Park
Martinsville Area
Washington & 10th Street
Lynne Acres Area
Mack Walters & Valley View
Hardees Restaurant Area
Midland Blvd & Baker Street
Simpsonville Area
Meadow Ridge
Parent Academy
How to Prepare for State Test Taking
BY TISHA RINKER · PUBLISHED MARCH 11, 2013 · UPDATED DECEMBER 20, 2016
It’s that time of year again. Kids all over the country are sharpening their #2 pencils and anticipating their state tests. Whether your child has a standardized test coming up in a few days or in a few weeks, these test-prep tips and strategies will help you to help him or her relax and do his or her best.
Test-Prep Ideas for Grade K–5 Students
Make testing more fun by having younger students wear a special outfit each day in the week before the test to signify a specific testing tip. This is an effective way to introduce and reinforce important testing techniques, and the element of fun it provides can decrease student stress.
Monday – wear your pajamas to signify how important it is to get a good night’s sleep the night before a test.
Tuesday – wear bright, fruity colors such as orange, red, and yellow as a reminder to eat something healthy before taking a test.
Wednesday – wear your shirt backwards to remind yourself to always go back and check your work.
Thursday – wear something with words on it to signify the importance of reading each question thoroughly.
Friday – wear all black to remember to completely fill in the test circles with your pencil.
Another tip is to introduce your student to light physical activity with a simple, fun routine like this:
- Do twenty jumping jacks.
- Touch your toes ten times.
- Do windmills for a minute by swinging your arms forward from the shoulder.
- Shake your whole body for a minute.
- Turn on your favorite song and dance!
Make sure you ask your student to do this the morning of the test to boost energy and alertness.
Test-Prep Ideas for Grade 6–12 Students
A great way for teens to reduce stress before the test is to exercise. But don’t let them overdo it, especially if they’re not in the habit of exercising regularly. Encourage your student to browse this list of indoor physical activities to find a light workout to try.
Here are some other ways for older students to relax in the week before the test:
- Laugh – have fun with friends, watch a funny TV show, or play a game.
- Dance – with friends or alone in your room.
- Engage in a hobby – take your mind off of school by focusing on one interest, such as listening to music, reading, or playing video games.
- Talk – express your opinions or concerns to your family or friends.
- Breathe – take in a deep breath whenever you feel negative emotions, and practice this technique so you know how to calm down during the test.
Test-Prep Tips for Parents and Learning Coaches
The best way to help your student prepare for the test is to review the format. The more familiar he or she is with the structure, the less anxious he or she will be to face it.
Review the following tips with younger kids, and ask older students to go over them on their own:
- Double-check to make sure you have the right time, date, and location of the test.
- Do a relaxing activity the night before the test, and go to bed early to get plenty of rest.
- Know what types of questions will be asked. Usually you will be asked a combination of multiple choice, reading passages, and written response questions.
- Return to those lessons that have been pointed out as state assessment preparations, and practice some questions, especially on topics that were confusing or more difficult.
- Prepare the materials you need for the test on the night before.
- Read each question carefully.
- Ask for help if you don’t understand the directions.
- Skip a question if it takes you too long to figure out. Answer the questions you know first before coming back to the skipped questions.
- Try to answer every question by making the most intelligent choice you can.
- Double-check your answers if you finish early.
- Take the time to eat a healthy breakfast before starting the day. A well-fueled body functions better.
- Bring small, healthy snacks for the breaks to maintain your energy.
Source: Connections Academy - Virtual Learning Connections Blog
http://blog.connectionsacademy.com/how-to-prepare-for-state-test-taking/