And The Winners Are...

Ms. Beal and Mrs. Miller's advisory classes were the winners of the survey contest!  They will have a donut and juice party on Thursday, December 20th to celebrate their hard work in returning the most parent surveys.

All students did a great job--we had 53% of parents fill out a survey either online or a paper version and therefore achieved the goal of having at least 50% of parents fill out a survey.

There is still time to fill out a survey, if you haven't done so already.  The deadline has been extended to January 28th, 2013.  Students whose parent/guardian fills out a survey will be entered into a drawing to win a GEAR UP flash drive wristband.  The drawing will take place on Tuesday, January 29th.  Good luck to all students and a big thank you to all the parents!

Instructions on filling out the online survey are here.

Resources for Talking to Children about Tragedies

Due to recent events in Newtown, Connecticut, parents may be wondering how to talk to their children about this tragedy.  The American School Counselor Association has compiled a number of resources which can be found here.

GEAR UP Parent Survey

A requirement of the GEAR UP grant is to have 50% of all 7th and 8th grade parents complete a survey. The survey can either be taken online or in a paper version. There is a paper version being mailed home with the newsletter.

In order to encourage parents/guardians to complete the survey by Tuesday, December 18th, 2012, the two advisories who have the most parents/guardians complete the surveys will have a donut party on Thursday, December 20th.

To fill out the online survey, here are the steps to complete it:

1. Go to the website:

http://praed.net/mt_parent/

2. The username is your son/daughter’s last name.

3. The password is your son/daughter’s date of birth. For example, July 1, 2000 would be typed in as: 07012000 

If you prefer to complete the paper survey, simply fill out the enclosed survey and either drop it off at the school, or have your child bring it to school and give to his/her advisory teacher. Please make sure your son/daughter’s name is on the survey.

Thank you for your cooperation and for taking the time to fill out a survey!

Junior High Students to Visit Flathead Valley Community College

On Thursday, January 10th, 2013, all of Troy’s junior high students will go to Kalispell to visit Flathead Valley Community College.

College visits are a vital part of the GEAR UP program because it exposes students to a college campus at a young age, gives them time to ask questions of college admissions employees, and introduces them to current college students.

Our students will learn about the options to attend college close to home and learn that a college education is affordable and vital to succeeding in today’s world. By learning about the diverse programs available to them, students will gain confidence that their futures are bright and open to the many possibilities awaiting them.

As for the immediate results after a college visit, students will be more educated about college and financial aid options and see the link between doing well in school now in order to be able to continue their education in the future.

Interpreting 8th Graders’ EXPLORE Results

On Thursday, December 6th, Mr. Palmer and Ms. Davis spoke to all the 8th graders about their individual EXPLORE results. All 8th grade students took the EXPLORE assessment on October 10th. The EXPLORE test is a test similar to the ACT and is provided to our students by GEAR UP.

All students received a personalized score report, a booklet titled “Using your EXPLORE Results,” and the test booklet they used to take the EXPLORE.

Looking at the students’ EXPLORE results helps answer three important questions for each student:

1. Where do I stand right now?

2. What are my plans and goals after high school?

3. Am I on track for college?

On the front of the personalized score report, there are five main scores reported: Composite Score, English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science. In the box below that one and to the right, there is a box that shows whether or not the student is college ready. The EXPLORE benchmark score is in the purple line and depending on which box is checked, you can tell whether or not the student is below, at, or above the benchmark.

The bottom of the page shows which careers the student may be interested in based on his/her responses to an interest inventory.

The back of the sheet tells which was the right answer for the question and which one the student answered. Students were given the test booklets so they can go back and look at the correct answers. Skills the student may need to improve upon are listed on the right side of the back page.

Parents will have the opportunity to attend a workshop during second semester on interpreting these scores. Mr. Palmer and Ms. Davis will work with students in more depth about this assessment as the year continues.

National Geographic Bee Date Set for Tuesday, January 15th

The rules for the National Geographic Bee are different from a spelling bee, so here is a brief summary of the rules:

· The Preliminary Round is for up to 35 students. There are 7 rounds and in every round, each student is asked a question (most questions give the students two choices for the answer). At the end of 7 rounds, the students with the most points move onto the Final Competition. So, students are not eliminated after a wrong response but instead participate throughout all 7 rounds.

· The Final Competition is for up to 10 students (there are tiebreaker questions at the end of the Preliminary Round if there is a tie). Students answer questions until they answer two incorrectly at which time they are eliminated. When only one student remains, that winning student receives a medal and will take a written test at a later date to qualify for the State National Geographic Bee.

If you are a student interested in participating, either speak to your teacher or to Ms. Davis to get access to some resources. Parents and guardians—you can help your student revise at home using atlases and maps or the National Geographic Bee website or geography games on this website. Or you can contact Ms. Davis for some other ideas on how to prepare.

The location and time of the Bee will be set once we know how many students have signed up. Parents and family members are welcome to attend! 

Preparing for High School Success

All 7th grade students are currently enrolled in “Preparing for High School Success,” a one semester half block class taught by Ms. Davis.

The first unit of study was Career Development.  Students used the Montana Career Information System to learn about their skills and abilities as they relate to careers.  Then, students completed a PowerPoint presentation on a career of interest to the class.

We are now learning about study skills.  Working with the S.O.A.R. book, students have learned to take notes using the Cornell Method, learn about time management by tracking how they spend their time in an average week, and set priorities and goals related to school and being healthy.  Future topics include test taking strategies, writing research papers, interacting with teachers, and organization.

The study skills they are learning about are important for students of all ages.  Here are some excerpts from the S.O.A.R. book to help all students improve their study skills:

· The key to being a good student is finding a balance between school work and activities.

· The best thing you can do to prepare for class is to review your notes or read about the topic in your textbook before class.

· Review all notes within 24 hours of each class.

· Include drawings and visuals in your notes.

· Create questions that review concepts covered in notes to help you predict test questions.

· Study your notes by reading them out loud.

Woodcock Kruger, Susan, M.Ed. S.O.A.R. Study Skills. Grand Blanc, MI: Grand Lighthouse, 2011.

Many Free Tutoring Options Available for Troy Students

Most days, there is a studious atmosphere in Mrs. Willis’ room after school.  The room is full of students who have come to get extra help for their classes.  These students may be struggling and need help raising their grade or they may just want some extra time with a teacher to do well on an upcoming test or assignment. 

Make the most of this free opportunity to get some help for your classes.  The activity bus leaves the high school at 6:00pm and goes from Little Joe’s to the Yaak hill, so students concerned about how they will get home if they stay late do not have to worry.  And, snacks are always available at after school tutoring.

BEFORE SCHOOL:

7:30am-8:00am Monday through Friday in Mrs. Miller’s room

AFTER SCHOOL:

3:30pm-5:30pm Monday through Thursday in Mrs. Willis’ room

7th Grade Student Interview: Sarah Osborn

What do you like most about 7th grade so far?

I like how Ms. Drury helps explain math well and that we get to go on more college trips.

Describe your experience at the GEAR UP summer camp last year:

I went to the CSI camp.  It was fun.  I met new friends.  Some of them live around here like in Libby.  I liked having all the activities planned before we did anything else—our whole day was scheduled.

What are your favorite things about school?

I really like doing art and hanging out with friends.  I like having math because I like doing math and I want to be a kindergarten teacher.

What activities are you involved in outside of school?

I help coach 1st and 2nd grade soccer.  I’m a Daisy leader for Girl Scouts and I play volleyball.

7th Grade Student Interview: Tyler Ekstedt

What do you like most about 7th grade so far?

I like the teachers.  They are very supportive of what I do.  And it’s not as hard as I thought it would be.  I like how I get to choose what my lunch is instead of being told what to have.

Describe your experience at the GEAR UP summer camp last year:

I went to the College Semester in a Week program in Glendive.  I thought it was really fun.  You got to pick all your classes and if it was full, you couldn’t get the class.  So you had to choose between other classes.  The counselors in the dorms were nice as well as all the teachers.  They brought us to a lake to go swimming and to a big park and we helped do a community service there by picking up trash.  We also picked weeds.  It was worth the long trip over there—it took almost ten hours to get there!

What are your favorite things about school?

My favorite thing would be the teachers.  If you don’t really like one teacher, you don’t have to have him/her the whole day because you get to have other teachers through out the day.

What activities are you involved in outside of school?

I play football, baseball, and wrestling.  I’m in the North America Hunting Club.

What do you want to do after graduating from high school?

I want to either go to the military to get help paying for college or go straight to college and get my pilot’s license.  Then I want to fly helicopters and fight fires and fly things out  for people.

Be in the Geography Bee!!

This year, 4th-8th grade students in Troy are eligible to enter the National Geographic Bee.  It is a contest similar to a spelling bee in that students will be required to answer questions prepared by the National Geographic Society.  The goals of the bee are to have teachers include geography in their classes, create student interest in geography, and increase the public’s knowledge of geography.

We will receive contest materials by mid-November and at that time, teachers will use the material in their classrooms to help prepare students.  Students who are interested in participating can also study by visiting the contest’s website and taking the daily ten question quiz or by studying an atlas or National Geographic magazines!

The date of the bee will be published as soon as it is chosen.  The bee will take place before January 15, 2013.

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geobee/

Career Speaker on November 9th

On Friday, November 9th, Robert Warrington of Northwest Harness and Leather will speak to the 7th and 8th graders about his career and business.

The purpose of the monthly career speakers is to invite local professionals into the school to increase awareness of career options to students, as well as to increase their exposure to adults in the community who have attended postsecondary education.

Last month, Ms. Davis spoke to students about her career path in education.  Future career speakers will come from the fields of science, technology, engineering or mathematics, a trade, a professional degree (a 4 year college degree or higher), a medical career, and the USFS.

Students listen to a short presentation about the speaker’s career path and education and then have time to ask questions.  These events will prove to be useful to students and  show them the wide variety of careers out there in order to live a fulfilling life.

GEAR UP's New Camera!

GEAR UP Troy received a new camera as a part of the grant.  This camera will be used to captures pictures of this year's 7th and 8th graders at GEAR UP sponsored activities and other school activities.  The camera also has an HD video function to capture presentations at school to be posted on this blog.  Parents will then have the opportunity to view those videos and discuss them with their son/daughter.
The photo to the left is the view from the GEAR UP office in the high school.

Welcome to the 2012-2013 School Year!

Another school year has started and this year we have 7th and 8th graders who will benefit from GEAR UP programs.  Our grant for the 2012-2013 school year has been approved.  Some highlights of our grant proposal are:

· College trip for all 7th and 8th graders to Flathead Valley Community College

· Field trip to the Mobius Science Center in Spokane

· Monthly Career Talks from local professionals

· Career Fair

· College Student Panel

· Before school tutoring daily from 7:30am-8:00am

· After school tutoring Monday through Friday from 3:30 -5:30.

· 8th graders take the EXPLORE assessment (in preparation for the ACT which they will take in 11th grade)

· Geography Bee

· All 7th and 8th grade students received a planner

· Mock College Application Week

· Strut Your Stuff for 7th and 8th graders

· I Pledge to Graduate Ceremony for 7th graders

· And many more!

Currently, all 7th graders are enrolled in "Preparing for High School Success," a class that will explore career development, enhance study skills, and develop leadership skills in all students.

There will be many exciting opportunities for 7th and 8th graders during this year.  A newsletter will be mailed monthly and you can also check out the GEAR UP Troy blog: http:// gearuptroy.blogspot.com

If you have any questions about GEAR UP or would like more information about the benefits it will bring to Troy and its students, please email me: sarah-k-davis@lycos.com or call me at the school 295-4520. 

GEAR UP Summer Camps

Did you know that some of our students spent last summer solving crimes, looking at bones, and living in a college dormitories? 

Twelve junior high students participated in GEAR UP summer camps that were held at MSU Northern, the University of Missoula, The University of Montana Western, and Dawson Community College. 

Students were given the permission forms for these FREE camps back in the spring.  They lived in real dormitories, ate food in the cafeteria, and participated in activities ranging from archaeology to academic skill building with students from all over Montana.

Next year, the 6th and 7th grade students will be eligible for these camps.  Information will be available in the spring.

Read the interview  for one student’s opinion of one of the camps!

Advisory Period

Every day, students in grades 7-12 meet in the same classroom during advisory.  Mondays through Thursdays are for silent reading.  On Fridays, the groups complete an activity together.  For the month of September, the theme was teambuilding.  Activities are designed to be fun, engaging, and help students get to know each other.

Research has shown many benefits of advisory in a school setting.  Some of those benefits include:

• · Improved relationships between students and teachers
• · An increased sense of trust and belonging
• · Better communication among all members of the school community
• · A strong atmosphere of equality
• · Reduced student smoking and alcohol use

   Students will stay with their advisory teachers throughout their junior high and high school

    career.  October’s topic will be goal setting to help students reach their academic and personal 

    goals.

Source: http://essentialschools.org/resources/282