Cougar Campus News

October 2006

 

 

Important Dates:

 

From the Desk of Dan Goggins:

Welcome to a whole new school year!  Without question this has been an extremely smooth and productive beginning.  Your students have been great and the faculty is well prepared to serve them.  I want to thank you, parents / guardians, for making new student orientation and curriculum night a huge success.  For the third year in a row we saw increased numbers of parents in attendance at both events.  In addition, the consolidation of our parent organization into the Cougar Boosters is going very well.  They have been able to provide numerous services to our school already this year.  Again, I encourage you, if you have not done so already, to join and become as active a member as possible.  Lastly, I ask you to assist us and play your part in meeting our school improvement goals for the 06-07 school year.  The school improvement goals are as follows:

1.                   95% attendance rate and reduction in tardies by 50%.

2.                   100% of parents involved and communicated with.

3.                   80% of all students and by subgroup (white, black, Hispanic, IEP, etc.) meet or exceed cut scores (70%) on all quarterly common assessments.

4.                   80% of all students and by subgroup meet or exceed cut scores on all reading and writing assessments.

The number one value of our school says it all; “The kids come first!”  We only need to ask ourselves two questions; “Is it good for kids?” and “Does it improve student achievement?”  From my perspective we are on the right track. It is Good to be a Cougar!  Have a great school year!

 

From District #202 Administration:

Plainfield School District #202 is looking for substitute teachers.  A bachelor’s degree and a substitute certificate are the requirements for substituting in District #202 schools.  Interested individuals can call the Administration Office at 815/577-4000 for further information.

 

New Illinois State Law:

As part of a new Illinois law, schools are to notify parents that they may access information regarding registered sex offenders that is available to the public. This law is intended to increase awareness of the Illinois Sex Offender Registry (I-SOR) and to encourage parents to review information available to them. The Illinois Sex Offender Registry is available through a link on the Illinois State Police Web site (www.isp.state.il.us/). Individuals may search the database by name, zip code or county. Access is free.

 

Our school is committed to keeping our children safe. We enforce State regulations for access to school grounds by registered sex offenders. This includes prohibiting those who do not have students enrolled at the school from being on school grounds or loitering within 500 feet. The law also requires those offenders who have students enrolled at the school to notify the administration if they will be at the school for an activity related to their child. The individual must check in with the administration when he or she arrives and departs from the school. If the individual is to be in the vicinity of children, direct supervision by a school official is required. Also, a registered sex offender cannot live within 500 feet of a school, unless the property was purchased before July 7, 2000. A violation of this law is a Class 4 felony.

 

The Illinois Sex Offender Registry is continuously updated, and given the mobile nature of our society, it is not uncommon for individuals to relocate to new residences.  It is important to keep the lines of communication open between the school and community.  If you suspect or have knowledge of a registered sex offender loitering near school, or relocating to a residence near school or a school bus stop, please contact the principal of the school.

 

Our goal is to keep our students safe at school and in the community. We can accomplish this by working together with parents and the surrounding community.

 

Industrial Technology Class:

Introduction To Industrial Technology

 

Mr. Davis’s classes are finishing up their first rotation, having created products to present.  They are looking forward to the next rotation, when they advance to the next harbor and change up partners.

 

                  

Tech CAD 1, Mechanical CAD, Architectural CAD.

 

The Tech CAD 1 students are almost done with the manual drafting section and soon will be getting on the computers to learn AutoCAD.  In Architectural CAD, Robert Lukso is helping design a storage loft in PSHS’s set construction room.  And the Mechanical CAD students are updating some of the building’s older drawings to use for fire plans.

 

 

 

Student Services:

·      Senior interviews are being held over the next few weeks.  Students will meet with their counselors and receive a packet of information regarding the following topics: ACT retakes, how to apply for college or career schools, where to look for financial aid, career and job market exploration, other job options and a list of resources.  Please review this packet with your child and contact your child’s counselor if you have any questions.

 

At this time seniors should be applying to 4-year colleges and universities, career schools and searching for scholarships.  All students have access to the College Career Center, where they conduct college/career research, apply for admission, search for scholarships and much more.  Students may also set up an appointment in Student Services to meet with a college representative.

 

·      Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors:  Do you know what career you want to pursue after high school?  Have you been trying to figure out how you can turn your interests and unique abilities into a paying job?  Then you may want to sign-up for the ASVAB test (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) given on Wednesday, November 15th.  This test includes a multiple aptitude battery and an interest inventory, widely recognized as essential components in making comprehensive career choices.  This test is extensively recognized as the number one indicator in helping students identify career choices with abilities and knowledge.  Most high schools across the country use the test to guide and assist students in planning their future.  The military services use it to identify students who potentially qualify for entry into the armed services as well as for assignment to specialized military occupational training.  Students my sign-up for this test in Student Services, beginning Monday September 27, and all students must be signed up on or before Friday, October 27th.  Students may sign-up only during their free time (before or after school or during passing periods) to take this FREE exam.  Begin to explore some of your interests and abilities and plan your future!  

 

Applied Arts Department:

 

Also, the class will be taking a field trip to the Will County Courthouse on October 18th where they will have the opportunity to talk to the Honorable Carla Alessio-Goode, a Judge on the 12th Judicial Circuit Court.  After meeting with Judge Goode students will then observe the trial process by watching court cases and interacting with professionals in the field of law.

 

 

·     Culinary Arts News: Head Chef Tom Hiestand of the Harrington Hotel in Geneva, IL visited the Foods II and Culinary Arts class on September 13th to demonstrate food-handling techniques and talk about his experiences in the food service industry. Chef Tom has written two cookbooks and also teaches Culinary Arts at the College of DuPage. He was formerly head chef at the Drake Hotel and the Hiatt Hotel in Chicago. On September 18th Chef Dwight from Robert Morris College visited the Foods I, Foods II and Culinary Art classes to demonstrate knife handling and to talk about his culinary arts program. Chef Dwight also shared stories of being a personal chef and working with the Chicago Bears.  Both speakers gave students insight into the numerous career opportunities available in the food service industry.

Social Studies Department: We are starting off the year great.  Everything is running smoothly and classes are going really well.  Right now, we are beginning to get students associated with the content and the environment of the classes.  However, at the end of the month, the Economics teachers are putting their classes together to do the Apprentice Project.  For this project, the students will work together in groups to create an advertisement campaign for a certain good or service.  In addition, in some of the U.S. History classes, they will be holding a simulated town meeting. This meeting will be set in the Revolutionary War time period, and each student must play the role of either a Loyalist or a Patriot, many being famous Americans and people in history.  Something new this year that every department is doing is a mid-term exam.  On October 25 and 26, all students will be taking a mid-term exam in each of their classes.  The Social Studies Department has been collaborating and working hard on writing the exams, aligning exam questions to state standards, and creating study guides for the exams.  Our department will use the scores to determine what the students know and understand well and what areas need improvement.

 

 

Literary Magazine Club: Metamorphic Expression in Blue and White is the new title of the literary magazine club. Club members meet weekly; and members will begin accepting and judging submissions from all students in mid October. All submissions for poetry and short stories must be emailed to Donna Hornik as well as submitted to www.turnitin.com. For directions and passwords, have students contact Donna Hornik.

Artists are encouraged to submit original artwork for magazine publication consideration as well. Chosen writers and artists will be informed in the spring. The magazine will be available to the entire student body in the spring.

 

Fine Arts/Modern Language Department:

 

 

Cougar Boosters:  The 2006-2007 school year is off to a great start!  The Cougar Boosters welcomed the PSHS staff back with a breakfast on August 21st.  Since then we have been busy ordering and selling Cougar Wear, providing concessions at home sporting events and planning Homecoming events that all students and families will enjoy.  Other events in the planning stages include our annual Golf Outing and After Prom activities.  If you would like to share ideas or volunteer your time in any way, please contact us. 

 

Join us in celebrating Homecoming at PSHS!  Many activities are planned for Homecoming week, including the Jesse White Tumblers and Faculty Sumo Wrestling from 7:00-9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 10th.  On Wednesday the Speed-Away Game featuring senior girls versus junior girls will be played in our stadium.  Join us on Thursday for a “Movie Night” featuring a sixty-five foot screen showing “Pirates of the Caribbean II”.  Friday features our Homecoming football game against Oswego East High School.  At this time the senior athletes and parents will be introduced and honored.    During halftime the introduction and honoring of the Homecoming court and king and queen will take place.  Immediately following the game a fireworks display will be presented.  Homecoming Week culminates with the Homecoming Dance on Saturday evening from 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

To commemorate Homecoming and show our incredible school spirit, one-of-a-kind Homecoming t-shirts will be sold during lunch periods Homecoming week.  Purchase a t-shirt for yourself or your student and proudly display that Cougar Pride!  As an exclusive Homecoming treat, this special t-shirt may be worn during PE in place of the Fit for Life shirts and will be considered as part of the uniform.  The Homecoming t-shirt can be worn as part of our uniform ONLY during Homecoming week (Oct 10th-13th).

 

There are so many outstanding clubs, sports and activities available to our students—please encourage your child to get involved and if you have not yet joined the Cougar Boosters, please consider joining and help us make at difference at PSHS!