Pirate's Cove
News for the week of 11/22 to 11/29
Principal's Message
Pirate parents!
Thanksgiving break starts on Wednesday 11/27. December is right around the corner. This school year is quickly moving along. The second semester will begin once we return from Winter Break in January. I want to share with all families that when we have the start of a new semester, we often will have schedule changes for students. These changes are because of the semester change to new classes like our electives, or are a result of our MTSS process. Sometimes schedules are adjusted to accommodate needs within our master schedule. We try to keep student schedules consistent as much as we can when there is a schedule adjustment, since students and teachers have developed relationships with each other. If your child's schedule adjusts at the semester, that is normal. If you have questions regarding schedules at the semester change, please reach out to the Plank Main Office.
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
Top Pirates
When students are caught exhibiting one of the Six Pillars of Character, teachers nominate students to earn the "Top Pirate" designation. Staff will do a drawing on the last Wednesday of each month and pull six names; one student per pillar, any grade level. Students will be recognized over the intercom in the morning, and will then be asked to go to Student Services to receive a free donut and a "Character Counts at Plank" bracelet. Congratulations to our Top Pirates!
November's Recipients:
Avery Stults 8th grade
Dakari Moore 8th grade
Javier Ruiz 8th grade
Josiah Ramos 7th grade
Yazmine Cruz 6th grade
Eleya Ortiz 8th grade
2020-21 Course Selection
Course selection for the 20-21 school year is approaching. Current 8th grade students will be able to select their high school electives starting Friday, November 22nd through the Tyler Portal. The course selection window will close on Tuesday, December 3rd. Counselors will be going into 8th grade classrooms on Friday, November 22nd to go over the course selection process. High school counselors will be at Plank on Wednesday, December 18th to finalize students' course selection choices.
Current 6th and 7th grade students will start selecting their elective courses Thursday, December 5th through the Tyler Portal. The course selection window will close Friday, December 13th. Counselors will be going into 7th grade classrooms on Tuesday, December 3rd and 6th grade classrooms Wednesday, December 4th to explain the course selection process.
Core classes will be recommended by teachers. Students and parents are only selecting course electives at this time. You and your child will login through the website to complete the elective course selection process. Course selection can not take place on the Tyler App. To login, please use the following link https://sdm.sisk12.com/ILOS360x3/login
Look for directions on how to select courses in next week's newsletter.
8th grade elective course selection window open from 11/22/19 to 12/3/19
6th/7th grade course selection window open from 12/5/19 to 12/13/19
One Book, One School
Plank Book Fair
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.
Plank Home and School Messages
HSA News
The 2019 Plank Winter Spiritwear sale is ending soon!
Order by November 24 for for delivery the week of December 9. https://plankschool.itemorder.com/sale. Plank decals, tees, sweatshirts, pajama pants and more - they make great holiday gifts! Click on the one page image below to preview the items for sale.
The concessions booth will be open for all of our home basketball games and wrestling matches. We need Plank parents to join our concessions team! Contact Jacquie Bucher at kplankhsa@gmail.com if you are able to help with concessions.
We truly appreciate parent support in all of these events and activities!
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.
Toys for Tots
This Monday 11/4 we will be starting our annual Toys for Tots drive during homeroom. Please donate as many toys as possible from then until December 11th!
Our goal is 2000 toys this year.
Remember for every NEW UNWRAPPED toy donated, students write their name on a ticket and place it in the envelope. That gives them a chance to deliver the toys with a friend to the Fire Department on the 13th and get breakfast at the Fire Department.
Tickets will be collected each day at the end of homeroom.
The winning Homeroom will get to choose a student to smash a pie in Mr. Edwards face during the Hoops For heart Assembly!!
Please, please, please, get the word out and get as many NEW and Unwrapped toys as possible!
The Plank P.E. Department will be helping participate in the annual Toys For Tots toy drive this year. Like last year we will be giving the option for the students to donate $.25 a day to get out of warmups. All donations and optional and have no effect on students grades. The proceeds will go to the toy drive to help area families during the holidays. If you have any questions please email Mr. Edwards at JEdwards01@sd308.org.
Homework Hotspot
Fusion Project
We have a great opportunity for all the girls at Plank and I excited to share it with you. Starting Thursday, November 14, The Fusion Project will be offering their program to our girls each Thursday after school. The mission of this group is to empower young girls by building their self-esteem. They seek to help girls flourish and lower their risk of being victimized. Each week the program will focus on important issues such as bullying, anxiety, finding your voice, social media safety, healthy body image, and other relevant topics. This program has been successful in other Oswego Junior High schools and we are pleased to be able to offer this to all girls at Plank. Whether your daughter is in 6th, 7th or 8th grade, I believe this program will benefit her.
If your child is interested in the Fusion project, there will be forms available in student services. Please encourage your daughter to attend!
The program will run every Thursday 3:10-4:30 in LRC beginning November 14.
Homework and Grading
Homework is an expectation for all of our students to complete at home. Many students have a study hall, where they are able to complete any homework or receive extra help from teachers, when available. Check in with your child's teacher if you have questions regarding homework. Again, the link to homework hotspot can be found by following the link. When students keep up with their homework, they are more likely to perform better on the tests and quizzes in the classroom.
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.
Substitute Teachers Needed at Plank!
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!
2019-2020 Plank Yearbook Sales are Online!
Have you placed your order for the 2019-2020 yearbook? All yearbook orders are now placed online. The deadline for reduced cost of $25 ends in December. All orders are placed online through the link located below and on the Plank Homepage. We are getting close...whomever orders the 100th yearbook will get a FULL REFUND, as a thank you. Plank Yearbook Orders 2019-2020
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