AAA Winners

PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES HERE

Sara Emery, Aaron Elliott, Jesse Ellis, Nicki Garside

  Conferences are scheduled for September this year. These are an opportunity for parents to see first hand what their student is learning.

  Conferences are set for Thursday, September 18 from 4 to 8 PM and Friday, September 19 from 8 to 11 AM.

  The eight grade will be conducting student-led conferences. The purpose of student-led conferences is not to meet with all of student’s teachers, but rather to understand what the student is learning from his/her perspective. Each student will lead parents through the conference from a prepared format. This will give the student the opportunity to show the progress he/she has made in all of his/her classes.

  Each conference should last approximately fifteen minutes. Notices will be sent home prior to conferences asking parent to schedule a convenient time to meet. Please return the session selection as soon as possible.

  Every month teachers choose four grade level winners.  These students are chosen for their positive display of our school-wide rules/expectations.  They are recognized at a school-wide assembly, receive a community-sponsored t-shirt, enjoy a pizza luncheon, and their names will placed in the “Count on More” drawing sponsored by UMB Bank. 

  The first spirit assembly was held on August 27. Eight grade teachers recognized Jesse Ellis, Sara Emery, Nicki Garside, and Aaron Elliott.

Classroom News Briefs

Q & A for Parents

Reading News:

  Students are to read 5 books per quarter and pass each AR test with a 70% or higher. So far, after 13 school days 8th grade students have taken 72 AR tests. Way to go 8th grade readers! Keep reading!

  Reminder: Historical fiction and non-fiction books dealing with the American Revolution are doubled for Quarter 1 only!

Mrs. Lang

English News:

  In English class, we are working our way through the 6-Traits of Writing.  We have completed Ideas, and are currently working on Organization.  Students have been working on writing inviting openings, sequencing, and effective endings.

Mrs. Kottman

Science News:

In Science class we are getting dirty! We are learning about soil formation and composition. We also have bean plants growing and we are observing them as a class.  We are working our way through the textbook Earth's Changing Surface.

Mrs. Stone

Where can I go to access district information and my student’s grades?

            The district website is www.usd409.net.  To access your student’s current grades you will need to go to Powerschool.  The Powerschool link is located on the district website.  You will need a username and password, which will need to be obtained through the AMS office.  Attendance, lunch accounts, and notes from the teachers may also be accessed through Powerschool.

What does my child need to be prepared and do well?

            We encourage students to carry a binder with paper, pencil, and dividers for all subjects.  Students need to bring their binders with the necessary supplies, planner (provided by AMS), and AR book to all classes.  Classes that require homework using a textbook will send a textbook with the student to keep at home throughout the school year.  Students will need to read from their AR book Monday-Thursday evenings and fill out their planners and have a parent sign it each day.  Students are expected to read 5 books per quarter at their appropriate reading level.  If a book is not AR and a student wants to read it, they may visit with the teacher and have the book approved.