PTS News
Portage Township Schools | An Indiana "B" School District!
November 8, 2019
Speaking of calendars, there is an important change to the PTS calendar. Make sure to read about the Red for Ed Action Day on November 19 and note that there will be no school that day. More information is available below.
NOVEMBER 19 - RED FOR ED ACTION DAY
Portage Township Schools will be closed to students on November 19, 2019 to allow our teachers the opportunity to participate in the Red for Ed Action Day at the Indiana State House in Indianapolis. A large contingency of our teachers have elected to join their fellow educators from across the state as they assemble and petition our state legislators to provide the best educational environment for our students. They will be joined by parents, administrators, and community members across the state who will be fighting for our students as well.
Please know that our students have been our first priority when making the decision to cancel school on November 19, we simply cannot host school on a day in which such a large number of our teachers will be elsewhere. Therefore, this will be a day for our teachers to advocate for our students’ long-term educational opportunities and a quality learning environment.
All PTS students and staff will make up this day on January 10, which was originally a Teacher Records Day. (Please note that these are not E-Learning Days.) Although this was not part of our school calendar, we are hoping that we are providing families with enough notification to make alternative arrangements for your child that day. The Portage Boys and Girls Club will have their Kidstop program available on November 19 from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. for families who sign up.
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DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP: HOW TO AVOID DIGITAL DRAMA
Common Sense Media is an organization that offers a wealth of information to families and educators regarding good digital citizenship, the practice of being an upstanding citizen in a digital world. Their article on avoiding digital drama features four steps parents can take to help their children avoid engaging in arguments, tiffs, and other types of drama while online.
Set boundaries
Help you child understand the features of a healthy relationship and how they can apply those to their online relationships.
Take a technology time-out
With the constant access to technology, our students may not get a break from the digital drama. Schedule some device-free time with your child every day.
Be available to talk
Remind your child that they can come to you with any problems they may have and can rely on you to help them. You and your child are always welcome to seek help from your child's school as well but contacting the principal, the school adviser, or your child's teacher.
Talk about television
Violence is often depicted to be the norm in the media and entertainment television. Talk to your child about how these shows perpetuate stereotypes and don't showcase positive conflict resolution.
NOVEMBER LATE START: ENFORCING RULES AND PROCEDURES
The Portage Township Schools High Quality Professional Development series for teachers continued on this month's Late-Start Wednesday with training on rules and procedures. When students have a clear set of rules and expectations, learning can take place. We often refer to this as classroom management, which also encompasses responding to each students' needs in a way that encourages learning.
During this week's Late-Start Wednesday, teachers at each school learned more about setting rules and procedures, ways of organizing the physical layout of the classroom, how students demonstrate "withitness," and the best ways to address students who are following the rules and those who are not.
The staff at Myers Elementary School spend their morning sharing ideas and learning more about Learning Walks, which provide teachers with ways to grow professionally by observing and learning from their fellow teachers.
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GOOD NEWS AT PORTAGE
Willowcreek's Spell Bowl team qualifies for State
Congratulations to our Willowcreek Middle School Spell Bowl team, who qualified for the State Finals for the first time in 15 years! The team placed 4th at the area competition on Tuesday, qualifying them for the State competition at Purdue University on November 16. Great job to our WMS Spell Bowl team!
Fegely students making connections with pen pals
Ms. Fuller’s sixth grade students at Fegely Middle School have been busy writing their new pen pals! This activity is allowing students to make new connections while developing their writing and interpersonal skills. They have enjoyed writing to and receiving letters from their 6th grade pen pals from Lone Oak Middle School in Kentucky!
Kyle kindergarten students have rhythm!
Our Kyle Elementary kindergarten students are learning about rhythm and notes in music class! Ms. Burden's music class participated in a drumming activity in which students performed rhythms using quarter notes, eighth notes, and quarter rests. They had fun and did a great job!
Fegely Middle School hosts Family Fun Night
Fegely Middle School welcomed their families to celebrate literacy at their Family Fun Night Title I event! Guests shared dinner, games, sports, friendship and fun by participating in a variety of activities planning by the Fegely staff. This provided an opportunity for faculty and families to enjoy each other's company and celebrate their students together. Thank you to everyone who attended! Visit our Facebook page for more photos of the event.
Willowcreek's PLTW hosts Pull Toy Showcase
The eighth grade Project Lead the Way classes at Willowcreek Middle School hosted a Pull Toy Showcase as their culminating project for their robotics unit! The students designed and manufactured their functioning pull toys and created a video to advertise them as well. They set up their displays in the All-Purpose room, where the seventh and eighth grade students could see demonstrations of the class's work. The PLTW students did a great job on their showcase projects, and rest of the school enjoyed seeing what they can do in their future PLTW class! Take a look at some photos from the Showcase in the slideshow below.
Girls Cross Country finishes strong at the State meet
Senior MCJROTC student accepted into Navy nuclear program
Congratulations to Portage High School senior Brandon Cooper on being accepted into the U.S. Navy's nuclear program! He was awarded a signing bonus this week by the Navy for this achievement. Brandon inspires others with his leadership and dedication to all that he does. Awesome job!
Willowcreek celebrates their Quarter 1 successes
Our Willowcreek Middle School students enjoyed an Orchestra performance of the song "Creatures" as well as a Dance-Off during their Quarter 1 Celebration! The students learned about balancing work and play and had a lot of fun rewarding themselves their hard work so far this school year. Great job to our Willowcreek students!
Aylesworth students learn all about pumpkins
Mrs. Miles class at Aylesworth Elementary is learning all about pumpkins! In addition to creating pumpkin projects in class, the students took a trip to Coulter's Farm to investigate pumpkins in person. The students had a great time on their trip and learned a lot.
Fegely Warriors wear pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, our Fegely Middle School Warriors showed their support to all affected by wearing pink! They recognized the fight of their family members and staff by adding names to pink ribbons on their Pink Warrior Bulletin Board. This was a wonderful way to honor those who have been through this fight and bring awareness to breast cancer!
Myers fourth grade attends Mighty Acorns
Our Myers Elementary School fourth grade students recently attended the annual Mighty Acorns Canoe Trip! Students were able to test their rowing skills as they canoed around Lake George. When students were not on the lake, they were completing their stewardship by removing invasive species from the wooded area that surrounds the lake. This field trip was a great learning experience for our students while teaching them how to better their environment.
Porta-Botz compete in first tournament of the year
The PHS Porta-Botz Robotics Teams competed in their first tournament of the school year last weekend! Team M earned the tournament Excellence Award, qualifying them for State, the Night in the Museum in Washington, D.C., and U.S. Nationals. Team K earned the Judges Award and placed 4th in Skills. Team Z did a great job with some early wins in the tournament, and Team A finished 8th qualifying. All of the teams qualified for the Eliminations round, and Team A made their way to the Semi-Finals. Great job to our Porta-Botz!