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Nicholas Marti
High School & Middle School Principal
(7-12th Grades)

 

As we begin the second semester of the 2009-2010 school year, I would like to take a moment to remind/inform you of some of the new accountability measures that have been implemented for our 7-12 grade students this year:

¨ As of this school year, we have implemented a new promotion/retention policy for students in grades 7 and 8.  This policy adds greater accountability for students by requiring them to earn passing grades in each of their core classes (including Math, Science, Exploring Literature, English, and Social Studies).  As has been communicated regularly with the students throughout the first semester, any students who earn failing grades in one or more of their core area classes will be obligated to complete an alternative educational equivalent of the course.  Our current alternative is via our Plato online learning software.  In addition to focusing on this work, we have asked that students who have make-up work to address also participate in our after-school program, to aid them in properly addressing their current coursework.  I firmly believe that we will see improved levels of student success with this new philosophy. 

¨ At the high school level, the following attendance requirement has been established for this school year, with regard to senior students:  Seniors must not be absent from school for more than 80 class periods (10 school days) during the second semester of their senior year (excused or unexcused) in order to be eligible to participate in the graduation ceremony.  The principal may waive this requirement in severe circumstances.  This policy was established to ensure that students maintain a focus on their academics as they near the end of their tenure at Tri-County High School.  All students have an absolute minimum of one required course remaining on their schedule during the second semester of their senior year, and it is imperative to attend school regularly in order to successfully complete any of these courses needed to graduate.  It is worth noting that 10 days of absence during a 90-day semester accounts for more than 10% of the possible time that a student should be in attendance.  Absence beyond this is simply too much.  In fact, it could be strongly argued that even this level of absence would be excessive.

On a different note, I would like to provide high praises to the members of our school community, including teachers, students, coaches, athletes, parents, pep band, and booster club members, for their roles in making our Black Out Night a success on February 2.  It was a wonderful evening for our school, with JV boys basketball, varsity girls basketball, and our varsity wrestlers all winning games/matches.  The night was ended with a very close, hard-fought game by our varsity boys basketball team, which unfortunately ended in a loss.  There was a great turnout for the evening, with many fun activities taking place, delicious food being served, and excellent entertainment provided by our teams.  I hope that all in attendance enjoyed the event. 

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  2009-10 Student Handbook - Middle School
            

Middle School After School Corner by Mrs. Fletcher

The After School program has been busy this past month for the Middle Schoolers.  We have made a change in scheduling for the students.  The 5^th and 6^th graders meet on Mondays and Wednesdays with the 7^th and 8^th graders meeting on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Fridays are open for all 5-8^th grade students.  This has been a positive change with the students and staff alike.  We have been able to meet the needs of the students during the tutoring time more efficiently plus we have been able to supervise activity time better.  The 7^th and 8^th grade nights also have been offering the students the chance to complete their PLATO programs for passing grades in some of their core classes.

Speaking of the enrichment activities, the students have been involved in quite a variety this month!  They made their own root beer using yeast and letting it ferment.  This provided a different flavor but was an interesting procedure for the students to try.  We followed up with using the root beer to make root beer floats.  Since the 5^th graders are busy preparing their state reports for English, we have been “helping” them review with State Bingo.  I should mention – it has been a good review for the rest of us, too!  We have been running a competition for the 7^th and 8^th grade students using the website that allows students to choose correct answers for vocabulary or math facts.  For each correct answer, 10 grains of rice are donated to a third world country that is facing high numbers of hunger.  The website is www.freerice.org should any of you wish to visit and play at home.  The students are able to participate when they have their homework done.  Not only are they learning, having fun but also helping someone less fortunate than themselves.  We had a 7^th grade boy donate 8 bowls of rice (each bowl equals 100 grains of rice) in a matter of 10 minutes which meant getting 80 questions correct.  Way to go!   We also learned the benefits of fresh pineapple, how to cut and prepare a fresh pineapple.  Mrs. Marinack introduced us to the correct way to select pineapple at the grocery store.  It was a fun lesson.  Thank you, Mrs. Marinack.

We are very excited to introduce a new facet to the After School nights.  The Middle School students will have dietetic students from UWSP providing activities on Wednesdays and every other Friday. Thus far, we have prepared energy bars and played food games with the students.  Somehow, I think not only will we be gaining invaluable knowledge, but I see friendships already developing. 

We are looking forward to our next Family Night.  Remember these nights are for all of Tri-County students and their families.  The After School program sponsors these nights but everyone is welcome.  March 2 will be our next evening with the evening meal served at 5:30, and activities following with giveaways to be awarded at the evening’s end.  There is no cost for these family nights-think of joining us!

Middle School After School Featured Students Sydney Clapper, Natalie

Henricksen, and Wendy Blum are three sixth grade students that attend After School regularly.  They work hard, participate in activities and always offer to help when they can. Good job, Girls!