Regina Jr Sr High Newsletter
February 2023
From the Principal
We are in the middle of Catholic Schools Week. This week we celebrate the gift of Catholic education with out of dress code days, K-12 Mass, career presentations from alumni and parents, teacher mini-courses, and a talent show. That gift would not be possible without the support of many people. Many thanks to:
- Our parishes for their spiritual guidance and financial assistance
- Our benefactors for giving to Regina so generously
- Our parents for choosing a Catholic education for their child(ren)
- Our students for making Regina such an enjoyable place
- Our staff for their hard work and being more than just co-workers
Many of you probably know that Governor Reynolds signed the Students First Act into law last week. Rules for this program are being set up. Please visit https://educateiowa.gov/pk-12/education-savings-accounts to stay up-to-date on new information.
This month's newsletter includes:
- Gala Silent Auction
- Musical Information
- Discover Regina Jr High and High School
- Booster Updates
- InQUIZition
- Department Updates
As I was looking for a prayer this month I came across something I knew nothing about. The Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order are honored with their feast day on February 17. These seven men were all connected through their strong dedication to Mary. In the early 1200's, these men wanted to escape the continual conflicts over money and power that existed in Florence. They each experienced an apparition of Mary separately and followed the call by the apparition to give up all of their wealth and possessions and dedicate their lives to the service of God. As a result of their actions, the Servite Order was founded. The following prayer speaks to their calling.
Dearest Founders of the Servite Order, you were called and you responded.
You were given direction by Our Lady herself, and you obeyed.
From that obedience, God raised up an army of servants
who have spent centuries sharing His love and mercy with the world.
Pray for me, that I may always obey God's will
and seek to serve Him alongside those whom God has placed in my life.
Seven Holy Founders, pray for me.
Jesus, I trust in You.
Yours in Christ,
Glenn Plummer
Upcoming Events
Our Activities Calendar can be found at https://www.rivervalleyconference.org/public/genie/628/school/9/.
Regina Spirit Days
We will have Regina Spirit days throughout the year. The dates below will be Regina Spirit Days.
Students are allowed to wear Regina Activities, Club, or other Regina clothing on these days. Bottoms can be jeans or any dress code bottom. (No sweatpants, yoga pants, or athletic shorts.)
Feb. 3, 10, 17
Mar. 10, 24
Apr. 14, 28
May 12, 26
Monthly Adoration
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F054DAFA72CA75-eucharistic
2023 Gala Silent Auction
The 2023 Regina Gala Silent Auction is LIVE Online and you can start viewing items and bidding now!! A special thanks to all the families and businesses who donated auction items to help make our Gala a success. You can view all of the auction items up for bid and start making plans for winning the trips, experiences, and so much more! Just scan the QR Code or go to www.reginagala.com and select browse all items! Bid high and bid often! Don't miss out on the excitement!
We will also have Auction Preview nights on Wednesday, Feb 1st 3:30-5:30 PM and Friday, Feb 3rd from 5:30-7:30 PM, if you would like to see the auction items in person, in the Regina Multi-Purpose Room (MPR) upstairs above the cafeteria.
Discover Regina Night
InQuizition
5. “Synoptic” as in “synoptic Gospel” means:
written without error
with a pure heart
grammatically correct
looks good (i.e., favorable optics)
seen with one eye
Matthew, Mark, and Luke are known as the synoptic Gospels. The term “is derived from the fact that these Gospels admit, differently from the evangelical narrative of St. John, of being arranged and harmonized section by section, so as to allow the eye to realize at a glance (synopsis) the numerous passages which are common to them, and also the portions which are peculiar either to only two, or even to only one, of them” (Catholic Encyclopedia, vol. XIV, p. 389-390).
6. Who said, “Charity covers a multitude of sins”?
St. Peter
St. Paul
St. James
St. Jude
Jesus
See 1 Peter 4:8.
Math Club
Mondays 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm - Mrs. Carmichael's room (610) - 6th through 8th grade students
Wednesdays 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm - Mrs. Hill's room (609) - high school students
Fridays 7:30 am - 8:30 am - Mrs. Hill's room (609) - 6th through 12th grade students
There will be a High School Math League contest at West High on 1/21 (time to be determined).
Department Updates
School Counselor
Kirkwood Info Nights--2 online opportunities
There are two opportunities for families considering having their students take college credit courses during high school. This will be most relevant to this year's sophomores and juniors as they plan their junior and senior years, but all families are invited to attend. Zoom link: https://kirkwood.zoom.us/j/95999850653
Summer Internships Available for Sophomores and Juniors
Workplace Learning Connections are accepting applications for their summer internship program. Internships are a great way for high school students to get experience, gain new skills, and learn more about different jobs and career fields Students who successfully complete 60 hours or more will earn 0.50 credit on their high school transcript. Deadline for all parts of the application is February 10th. To apply, go to this link.
Upcoming 10th grade field trip
Monday, February 6th, from 9-11 AM, all 10th graders will take a field trip to the Kirkwood Regional Center in Coralville. There, we will get a tour of the facility and answer questions about college course offerings in high school. The field trip permission form is here.
Young Women in Leadership Conference Open to all 9-12 grade girls
Registration is now open for the 2023 Young Women in Leadership Conference at the University of Northern Iowa on Thursday, March 9th. This fifth annual event, hosted by the University of Northern Iowa Women in Business, is open to all high school students and is geared toward developing young leaders. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from a variety of speakers focused on topics relating to leadership, as well as personal and professional development. For more info, go to http://www.uniwomeninbusiness.com/ywil-conference.html Registration fees will be $15 per attendee (scholarships available), which will include lunch, a t-shirt, and - of course - training! Sign up with Mrs. Zoulek. Space is limited to the first 10 students.
Save the Date: April 25th Build My Future Career Fair
For interested high school students:
Build My Future, hosted by Architecture, Construction and Engineering businesses provides high school students the opportunity to spend a day with construction professionals through an interactive showcase. There will be hands-on activities provided by industry partners. Students will engage in learning labs for carpentry, electrical, masonry, welding and many more skilled trades careers. This event will be held at Johnson County Fairgrounds. Lunch will be provided. Sign up with Mrs. Zoulek.
English
English 7: We are continuing to read The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton and continuing to explore how assumptions about others can lead to negative interactions. We analyze how the characters are written and if their actions match up with how they have been introduced to us.
LA 7: Students in LA 7 are revisiting the plot diagram and how it relates to the development of a story. The students are reading the story Rikki Tikki Tavi as they complete the plot diagram details. They shall examine additional stories in order to develop their mastery of the concepts involved.
ELA 8: In English 8, we are in the middle of our hero journey novels, The Hobbit and The Ear, The Eye, and the Arm. We are crafting posters that show our heroes as they progress on their journeys. In LA 8, we are working on using our knowledge of subjects and verbs to determine whether or not a group of words is a clause. Next, we will be learning how to punctuate clauses in simple, compound, and complex sentences. In February, we will begin a new nonfiction book and use that book to start developing our research skills and writing formal paragraphs and essays.
English 9: After a brief poetry lesson, we will explore The Odyssey. Beginning with a brief mythology overview, we’ll read excerpts from this epic and discuss the hero’s journey in literature. Additionally, after reviewing the parts of speech, we are going to review sentence structures and convention rules. Vocabulary study continues as well.
English 10: The students in English 10 have just completed their unit on Greek Mythology by providing presentations on their individual deity or monster to the class. The students will begin a unit on the novel Dracula by Bram Stoker. The completion of the novel and the research assignments associated with it should take about 4 weeks.
English 11: The students in English 11 will complete their unit on literature in music and film during the first week of February. The students will move on to the analysis of the novella Something Wicked This Way Comes, by Ray Bradbury.
AP English Language & Composition: We’re wrapping up our argument unit, and will go into our synthesis essay unit. We are finishing reviewing Elements of Style and will test on well-known allusions. Additionally, we are starting The Great Gatsby, which the students usually enjoy.
AP English Literature & Composition: We are reworking some of our essays and trying to improve our line of reasoning. Next up is close-reading of passages which will assist with Q2 on the AP test, as well as the multiple choice section.
English 12: Seniors are starting 1984. Additionally, we will be reviewing the elements of research and components of strong argument.
Family and Consumer Science
FACS 2 is working on the Hand Sewing Unit and will soon be bringing home a creation they did using only 3 different hand sewing stitches. They also learned how to sew on a button, so when those fall off have them sew them back on! I would also suggest to keep having them do small chores in the kitchen if they haven't yet. For example, chopping, helping with other prep, setting the table, wiping down the counters. They can do it because those are the expectations in the FACS cooking unit.
The FACS Department is getting old (not the teacher, just the appliances and utensils). This may be a stretch, but if anyone is remodeling their house and has a decent refrigerator or even washer/dryer combination, I would gladly take those off your hand. Mine are both 25 plus years old! I tell the students they were both built before they were. I am also looking for gently used cookie sheets, 9x13 pans and even square baking pans. A couple of years ago I bought "airtight" brown sugar and powdered sugar containers and needless to say that was false advertising as they are not air tight whatsoever. So if you have some rubbermaid or Tupperware containers that you aren't using and actually are airtight - please send them my way.
THANK YOU!
Health
Topics in Health - students are choosing a specific topic they will research throughout the semester culminating in an essay and final project in May. We will also focus on topics the students have identified they would like more information on throughout the semester.
Math
Carmichael
Math 7: Students will start working on percents.
Algebra: Students will be solving systems of equations and graphing.
Algebra 1B: Students will be working on properties of exponents.
Hill
Algebra 2: We are currently working on equations with rational exponents and solving polynomials. Next, we'll move on to solving radical equations, absolute value equations/inequalities, and linear inequalities.
Statistics: We are finishing up our study of Sampling Distributions and are moving on to Inference (confidence intervals and hypothesis testing). We have been incorporating Skew the Script lessons and have started using Desmos to deliver those lessons.
AP Calculus AB: We are working through Unit 6 (Integration and Accumulation of Change unit).
AP Calculus BC: We are finishing our Polar Unit (students should receive their well-earned polar bears next week) and will be starting work on the final unit (Infinite Sequence and Series).
Staab
Pre-Algebra: This month we start working on exponents and scientific notation.
Geometry: For Geometry we start starting our unit on simplifying radicals, special right triangles and Trigonometry.
Pre-Calculus: Students will be working on Radians, Angular movement, Trigonometry, Unit Circle, and Laws of Sines and Cosines.
Welter
PreAlgebra: We have ended our graphing unit and will move on to exponents. This will include the properties of exponents, multiplying and dividing them, power to a power, and scientific notation.
Orchestra
This year we have built a strong, student-led community of chamber groups for orchestra. It has been exciting to see students really taking charge of their learning and developing their skills in performing together and working through interpersonal challenges to create beautiful music for God's glory!
The students are working so hard at learning new pieces that we will probably have enough material for three concerts this semester rather than just one.
It has really been exciting to start collaborating more with band and choir to bring together the talents in each group to create a more beautiful whole and build a stronger community for the arts. I have really appreciated Megan Glass, Tom Nelson, and Travis Richter's support with putting on shared concerts.
Physical Education
Semester 2 has arrived! A few good reminders as we start a new semester include: students are required to dress out each day for class (A Regina affiliated shirt, school appropriate athletic shorts, and athletic shoes), PE uniforms are available for purchase ($10 for shirt, $15 for shorts), used PE uniforms are free if we have your size (donated back by past alumni/parents), it is highly recommended each student gets their own PE lock to secure their belongings, all students must register their lock with their PE teacher, and practice proper hygiene (deodorant applied after class, clothes taken home to be washed, etc.).
Students have learned the routine of our dynamic warm-up. The first unit for this semester is floor hockey! This a popular, fast-paced, team game. Floor hockey is a great way to increase our heart rate. Students will be working on 3 key skills of floor hockey: passing, shooting, and stick handling. Students will also learn the rules, effective strategies, and tactics related to the sport. I enjoy seeing the teams work together, strategize, communicate, and encourage one another while playing. The classes have also participated in fitness activities on block days. Most recently, they completed a 12 minute HIIT (high-intensity interval training) workout in groups of four. The four movements for this workout were step-ups, jump rope, PVC pipe front squats, and resistance band military press. Sports are fun, but learning how to move functionally and properly is more important in the grand scheme of life. P.E. rocks! Woo!
Science
7th grade science - Mrs. Coffin
The 7th grade science students have been learning about Genetics and Heredity. We started by learning the vocabulary and how to make/use flashcards. Using SpongeBob Squarepants and Zorks, we are learning how to predict heredity of offspring! The next step is to use Frankenstein’s Lab to work as Dr. Frankenstein’s assistant; to help her build new creatures to study. The goal is to explore a variety of creature combinations, and figure out which works best and why. Also, the students will make DNA models and monsters as we continue to learn about heredity.
8th Grade Science - Mrs. Goldsmith
It is chemistry GALORE for 8th grade science students this month! Second semester commenced with students learning how to write chemical formulas and name compounds. There was a great lab that involved mixing various chemicals to see how they reacted--two solutions that were clear and colorless (like water) suddenly became bright yellow! Some also bubbled or became blue, white, or various shades of brown. In February students will discover how to write and balance chemical equations. So much fun to be had in the wonderful world of chemistry!
Earth & Space Science - Mrs. Coffin
The Earth Science students have just completed a scale-model of Earth’s atmosphere. This helps the students to learn about what takes place in each layer of the atmosphere, and how the atmosphere is ordered. After a brief trip below ground, to review the layers of the Earth, we are going to move onto plate tectonics.
Biology - Mr. LaKose
Biology students are investigating taxonomy and how we go about classifying living organisms. We will also discuss how viruses fit into this conversation, and begin with the simplest forms of life: bacteria. Students will perform a lab where they extract bacteria from yogurt bought at a nearby grocery store as well as swabbing various surfaces and applying it to a petri dish to see if anything grows!
Chemistry - Mrs. Goldsmith
Chemistry kids are finishing up their introduction to The Mole! No, not the furry little critter, facial blemish, or government spy. A mole is a very important number in our class: 6.02 x 1023. It is a pivotal unit that allows us to convert between all kinds of values - volume, mass, and particles just to name a few. Also in this unit is percent composition, which means students got to do the Percent Sugar in Gum lab. This involved a lot of happy chewing and great group work. After the mole unit, we will move on to Chemical Reactions (and my favorite lab of the year) and then Stoichiometry, both of which allow us to predict what will happen with chemical reactions. It’s almost like magic, but real!
Anatomy & Physiology - Mr. LaKose
Students will be finalizing their investigation on the physiology of muscle tissues and begin our investigations of the nervous system. The labs over the special senses (vision, hearing, etc) are traditionally a hit and should be again this year!
AP Biology - Mr. LaKose
Unit 5 is in full bloom, moving into inheritance. We’ll dig deeper into Mendelian inheritance (dominant vs. recessive), special forms of inheritance (e.g. Co-Dominance, Incomplete Dominanc, X-linked traits,, polygenetics, etc). This ties in nicely with our future conversation of molecular genetics, such as gene expression and biotechnology!
Principles of Biomedical Science - Mr. LaKose
Unit 2, entitled “Clinical Care,” sees the students taking a variety of roles. This has included taking patients vital signs common at a typical physical, ensuring patient confidentiality by researching HIPAA laws, and even a newer development of health care: telehealth. The coolest lab was drawing “blood” from a synthetic arm!
Physics - Mrs. Goldsmith
Physics students have just finished up Gravitation and are moving on to Momentum. Lots of fun collision scenarios will be analyzed, which is always a physics fan favorite. From there we will move on to Work, Energy, and Machines!
Social Studies
Osweiler Classes
Government: The year 2023 is starting off with some deja vu. Or at least for me it is. Government is only a semester class so students are studying the very beginning of the United States government. The class first starts out with understanding the basics of government, the differences between governments, and the different economic systems. This month will also be focused on the American Revolution and how our founding fathers set up the Constitution we know today. Unit 1 will end with learning about the six key cornerstones of the Constitution's Preamble and the setup of the Constitution.
World History: Students are beginning to question the world around them and the government. The Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment are in full force in the classroom. The question of WHY is being analyzed in both of these realms. Students will then apply their knowledge of the Enlightenment to the causes and outcomes of the Atlantic Revolutions which include: the American, French, Haitian, and Latin American.
AP World: Students finished the semester with the start of the Industrial Revolution and the effects it had on society. Know students are focusing on the impact the Industrial Revolution had on imperialism. Students are learning about the motives for imperialism, the expansion of empires, the effect on those impacted, and the effects of imperialism.
AP Government: Students explored the Constitution by going through different stations. Are learning about the types of democracy, the challenges of the articles of confederation, the principles of the American Government, and the relationship between state and federal governments.
Moeller Classes
Economics: We are off to a great start for the semester. The students are getting a crash course on what Economics is and how it impacts our life. We attempt to make a connection to real-world experience to help us solve the question of how people make decisions when we all face scarcity. One thing I am doing differently this semester is I am having the students complete “choice board” assignments. What this means is that students will have options of different things to do instead of completing ALL the “busy work”. They are still welcome to do all if they want but will only be graded on the criteria required. For instance, on chapter 1 they had 4 required categories: a) book work, b) vocabulary, c) worksheet and d) video review…for all 4 requirements they were able to choose amongst two different options to complete the task. My hope is this minimizes “busy work” but also gives students ownership of their own grade a little more. I am also trying to give students the tools necessary to be successful in their future academic endeavors.
Wallace Classes:
AP US History: As second semester has started, we have jumped into Period 6 which covers the Gilded Age, Industrial Revolution, and the lingering effects of Reconstruction on American society. The students have also been working on a DBQ essay which was due at the end of January. As we work towards the AP US History exam on May 5th, our main emphasis during this semester will be on APUSH writing skills required for the exam. At the conclusion of Period 6, the students will also be completing their first timed-LEQ essay as well.
7th Grade Global Studies: At the end of 1st semester, the 7th graders finished up their unit over Southeast Asia. The students completed a project in which they designed and created a Netflix series over a topic of interest from Southeast Asia while we also studied a chapter over the history and contemporary issues within China. As a concluding activity, the students will be completing another mini-DBQ essay on water scarcity in China as well. We will then start our unit over Central & Southwest Asia while focusing on the issue of the refugee crisis throughout the world.
Kahler 8th History:
We finished up Lewis & Clark right before the semester. Our next unit was inventors/inventions- we researched an inventor, did a mini invention convention that the kids enjoyed doing. They are doing another biography this month. Everyone wrote an assessment for the James Madison and War of 1812 unit. We are going to research some scandals in U.S. History.
Spanish
Spanish I: Students are able to go shopping in a clothing store in a Spanish country. They are able to ask how much various items of clothing cost and tell which one(s) they prefer. They can talk about various types of transportations and tell what they are going to do; They can describe places and events in town; They can order from a Menu in a Spanish restaurant.
Spanish II: Students can give instructions politely to various people
using Usted and Ustedes commands. They can discuss food preparations and identify
ingredients in food. They can order from a Menu in a Spanish restaurant.
Spanish III: We will be starting the conditional verb tense and learning subjunctive phrases.
Students will also be studying the uses between por and para. The vocabulary for our
next unit will be about obligations and responsibilities. On the second week in February
students will be tested on words that require an accent. Looking ahead, students will be
doing an oral presentation at the beginning of March.
Spanish IV: We will be starting unit 7.1 in February. The vocabulary for this unit is over school
activities and events. We will continue with expressions of past assumptions and
emotions and the imperfect subjunctive. Students are also getting ready for an all
vocabulary test of words/phrases learned so far this school year. By the end of
February, students will be working on an oral presentation using the subjunctive mood.
Religion
Theology 12
Seniors wrapped up their study on the Eucharist and have moved into Ch. 6 over the Sacrament of Reconciliation. As a class, we are using a new approach to the study of this sacrament and allowing seniors to select from a “Playlist” of activities and assessments. They are able to move at their own pace as well as to go deeper into a topic that interests them if they feel ready. Their “Playlist” choices have opened up some great discussions on the Sacrament that we might not otherwise have had an opportunity to discuss.
In January, Dani Laughlin, Dylan Vittetoe and Brooke Gonzalez assisted at the Iowa City Free Lunch program. Former Regina teacher, Diane Platte has been instrumental in allowing small groups of seniors to assist with the Free Lunch every month.
Theology 11
We have ended the first semester by watching the Truman show and relating it to Morality. This second semester will focus on vocations and the students will be looking at their gifts and talents and thinking about what career they could choose based on them. They will also explore some colleges with majors that they want and see what could be a good fit for them. We will also continue reading some articles about different people discussing their vocation, Mark Wahlberg for one. The Junior class during Catholic Schools Week will also be hosting the SOUPer bowl again!
Theology 10
The Soph’s are just finishing up the Old Testament, the researched 3 characters that we have studied in depth. We have the Feb 8th Mass. We are continuing Character Strong. They have done a couple divinity quizzes, still journaling and interpreting bible passages. We answered reflecting questions from Our Life Ch 1-4.
Theology 9
Theo 9 students start class with a reading and response to the daily Scripture. It’s amazing and so inspiring to read the insights they are able to pull from God’s word. They are also learning about the Pentateuch in Ch. 4 of their textbook. We will discuss what it is, where it came from and what it reveals about God.
VIA
VIA students are learning about the 10 Commandments and sin. This will allow a deep dive into a greater understanding about each commandment as well as an understanding of the difference between venial and mortal sins. We will also look at the Sacrament of Reconciliation to understand forgiveness. We will continue to learn about the Liturgical Calendar with the season of Lent.
In Mrs. Sprengelmeyer’s Via, students are wrapping up a unit on human dignity and the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. We are beginning our unit on the 10 Commandments and focusing on the first three commandments. We will use our understanding of the 10 Commandments and human sin as we move through Lent at the end of February.
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