GEAR UP Parent Survey

Thanks to all the students and parents for handing in a GEAR UP Parent survey!  We achieved a 53% rate of return (we needed a 50% rate of return) , which means that 53% of our junior high  parents filled in a survey.  As previously announced, one junior high student whose  parent filled in a survey would win a GEAR UP flash drive wristband:  Congratulations to Taralyn Colgan for being the lucky winner!

The GEAR UP team at the school will use the results to improve the GEAR UP program for the upcoming school year.

Survey Results: Flathead Valley Community College Visit

After the trip to Kalispell on Thursday,  January 10th, all students filled out a survey to review the trip. Here are some of the  results:

· 96% of all students said they gained valuable information about college life and admissions.

· 73% of 7th graders and 56% of 8th graders would consider attending FVCC after high school.

· 80% of 7th graders and 64% of 8th graders reported this visit influenced their decision to attend college.

· 58% of 7th graders and 72% of 8th graders said that college staff answered all their questions.

· 73% of 7th graders and 48% of 8th graders thought FVCC felt like a good fit for them.

HEY JUNIOR HIGH STUDENTS!

Want to try your hand at writing or drawing about something related to GEAR UP for the monthly newsletter?

You can submit a comic, puzzle, story, photograph, or anything else to be considered for the newsletter.  Talk to Ms. Davis during first lunch study hall to get started!

January in Review

On Thursday, January 4th, there was a college student panel at the high school. Mr. Palmer moderated a panel of Troy graduates who are currently college students.  They answered questions about their college experience in an assembly for students in grades 7-12. Later that day, all 7th and 8th grade students attended a college student fair.  JH students had to interview at least five of the college students about their experiences living far away from home, how they pay for college, as well as ask for advice on choosing the best college for the JH student.  

The feedback from the junior high students was very positive.  For some JH students, these were the first college students they had ever spoken to.  The college students enjoyed sharing their experiences with the junior high students and hope the younger students learned that college is an achievable and important goal.

Geography Bee and Spelling Bee Winners!

Troy Junior High students were very busy this month preparing for two competitions—the National Geographic Bee which was held on Tuesday, January 15th, and the local Spelling Bee which was held on Thursday, January 31st.

32 students in grades 4-8 signed up for the National Geographic Bee, with 12 of those being junior high students.  Annie Day, a 6th grade student won the competition.  The next step for Annie is to take a multiple choice written test to qualify for the state bee, the time and date of which is TBD.

State winners are invited to National Geographic headquarters in late May to compete in the national finals for scholarships in the amount of U.S. $25,000, $15,000 and $10,000.

For the Spelling Bee, 20 students in grades 5-8 participated.  12 of those students were junior high students.  Junior High winners were Sarah Pierce and Jonathan Jex, with the alternate being Alaina White.  The county competition is in Libby at 1pm on Thursday, February 21st.

Congratulations to all the winners and the participants of this year’s bees!