Meijer Community Rewards "Code"

Hopefully, when you attended PTC, you picked up an application for the Meijer's Community Rewards Program. What I didn't include or make available with the applications is the code number for SCMS.....well, here it is: 859270

If you missed the stack of applications, we have more in our office.

Enjoy Turkey Day

Youth Wrestling is being offered through our City Rec

As you might know, SCMS started a wrestling program last year that competes with other area middle schools. A feeder program to ours is the Youth Wrestling Program offered through our City Rec Department. Below is some information.

Registration On-Going!!!
YOUTH WRESTLING
Boys & Girls grades 3 – 6
A safe and enjoyable introduction to “collegiate” style wrestling. Intro to various methods of strength, agility and speed training. Member of the Mid-Michigan Youth Wrestling Association. Volunteers needed.


Open House – December 14th on-site registration accepted. Learn more about the program and sport of wrestling. Come ready to join-in or observe.

Coaches David Denny & Parent/Teen Volunteers
Duration Dec 14, 2009 - February 24, 2010
No Program Dec 21-31, Feb 15
Days/Time Mon & Wed, 6:00-8:00pm
Facility St. Clair Middle School Aux Gym – 4335 Yankee
Fee $45.00 per participant
(Family Rate $65.00 for 2, $90.00 3 or more)

For more information contact:
City of St. Clair Recreation
547 N. Carney Drive, St. Clair, MI 48079
810.329.7121
www.cityofstclair.com

PTC...Does It Get Any Better?

Woooo Hoooo...my favorite time of year. Parent Teacher Conferences. Two days of going full speed for 14 hours straight. Couple of quick things.....

We're making a big push to get all missing assignments turned in. This mini-break is a great time to tie up any lose ends and get those assignments turned in. We have two very manageable chunks of time when we get back until the Marking Period/Semester is over....short term goals....

Conferences on both days go from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm, then 5:15 pm until 8:00 pm.

Along with information regarding Ski Club and our SCMS Science Olympaid Team, I'll have out some information on the Meijer's Reward Program. It basically gives SCMS a small kickback for every time you shop at Meijers. Please take a minute and look it over.

If you get a chance, stop and say hi. I'll be the big guy wandering around looking like he has nothing to do.

Hope to see everyone at PTC and if I don't have a great Thanksgiving.

Representatives Contact Info

As all of you know, the State of Michigan is going through a very difficult time. Every family in our district has been effected in one way or another. I could go on and on regarding the funding of education and how it is effecting our most valuable resource but I do not want to use this Blog for political reasons. With that said, I've had a number of parents ask for contact information for our state representatives. Below is the info.....

Contact Information

Dan Acciavatti 517-373-8931 danielacciavatti@house.mi.gov

Lansing Office Mailing Address: N0796 House Office Building P.O. Box 30014Lansing, MI 48909-7514


Phil Pavlov 517-373-1790 phillippavlov@house.mi.gov

Lansing Office Mailing Address: S1185 House Office Building P.O. Box 30014Lansing, MI 48909-7514


John Espinoza 517-373-0835 johnespinoza@house.mi.gov

Lansing Office Mailing Address: S1187 House Office Building P.O. Box 30014Lansing, MI 48909-7514


Jud Gilbert 517-373-7708 SenJGilbert@senate.michigan.gov

Lansing Office Mailing Address:
705 Farnum Building
P.O. Box 30036Lansing, MI 48909-7536


Senate Majority Leader is Mike Bishop from Rochester. (517) 373-2417
E-mail Address: SenMBishop@senate.michigan.gov

Memorial Service

There will be a memorial service at the Immanuel Lutheran Church on Ninth and Vine @10:00 Saturday, November 21st for the two young SCHS students that lost their lives over the weekend. I wish I had the words to describe how senseless and numbing that tragedy was. The hope is that the memorial service will help our kids find some closure.

Washington DC Trip Info

For those that couldn't make the meeting on Tuesday night (or your memory is like mine), I've posted some details about next year's 8th grade Washington DC Trip on the main page of our SCMS website. Click on the Washington DC Link (lower left hand side). Any questions don't hesitate to give me a call.

Tragic News

We received some very tragic news late last evening regarding the passing of two St. Clair High School students. At this time authorities have requested that the names of these students not be released in print.

It is important to remember that death and loss affects individuals differently. We are, and will continue to, monitor our students’ reactions and connect them with the resources and services available to our school community.

These young people were solid students, excellent citizens, and active members of the student-body. They will be missed by their family, friends, classmates and school community. At this time, our thoughts are with their families in an effort to support their wishes as they address the passing of several of their family members.

If you should have any specific student concerns or need to contact the school, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Monday

Another great weekend to get some stuff done around the house/yard. I did something that I have never done this early before......put my Christmas lights up. Usually I wait until the temp is in the 20's with a strong wind and an icy roof. It feels a tad weird to see the bale of hay and corn stalks on the front porch and then to look up and see the lights on the gutters. I was feeling pretty good about myself, getting ahead of the game, until we went for a walk last night and I saw not only did a bunch of houses have their lights up, but they had them turned on and some had their Christmas trees up in their front windows (???). Seriously.....just when I thought I was a trend setter.

Anyway....big night tomorrow night (Tuesday) for 7th graders and their parents. We have our Washington DC meeting. If you're a 7th grade parent please make every effort to attend. It's a GREAT trip that we want every 8th grader to experience.

Have a great week

Adopt-A-Stream Program

After school on October 29th, seven SCMS 6th graders from Girl Scout troop 50138 participated in the 4H Adopt-A-Stream program. They chose a section of Jordan Creek that runs through the western edge of SCMS property.

They tested the water for phosphates (none), nitrates (none), and dissolved oxygen content (very low, which is good). They also picked up some trash, and identified wildlife. They learned that some of the insects and other water creatures that they found are relatively intolerant to pollution, which indicates a good water quality here.

The girls really took pride in caring for the environment outside their school. Girls were: Abby Barker, Ally DiNardo, Elizabeth Ellery, Nicole Hicks, Heather Kook, Lauryn Trombley, and Whitney Westrick.

Awesome Job Gals.....

Happenings for the Week of November 16th - 20th

Couple things happening next week that I'd like to get the word out on. First is our Washington DC meeting for all 7th graders and their parents. Even if you don't think it's for you, please come to the meeting and hear what the trip entails. Talk to any parent/student that has been on the trip and they'll tell you what an awesome educational experience it is. The meeting is at 7:00 pm in our cafeteria and won't last more than an hour. It's very informative and will answer all the questions that you might have about the trip. Hope to see everyone there.

On Wednesday, November 18th, we have scheduled the live performance "WORD" for all 7th grade students in our cafeteria. WORD takes on an incident of bullying and examines it from 3 different perspectives...the victim, the bully and a witness. It's an excellent performance/lesson for our 7th graders to see.


Bookfair sales for students Thursday/Friday the 19th/20th in the media center, and Book Fair sales during P/T Conferences on Monday/Tuesday 23rd/24th. Anyone interested in volunteering to help with the Book Fair should telephone Mr. Bialk @ 810.676.1806.

On Friday, November 20th, MCHS has invited our 6th graders (and our 8th grade drama students) down to the Performing Arts Center to see a presentation of "The Brothers Grimm". We have had an opportunity to see high school performances before and they always do an excellent job....actually, they do an amazing job. I have been told that this particular play is extremely middle school appropriate (in other words the jokes are silly). MCHS has asked for a $2 donation from each student if possible, although no one will be turned away. East China buses will be transporting the students to and from for this performance.

Enjoy the weekend....looks like another good one

Blog Check

I was at an Administrative Meeting this morning and our Director of Technology asked me if our Blog was effective. After giving it some thought I came to the conclusion that I'm really enjoying this but I have no idea how many people are reading it. I know there are 21 "Followers" (not sure what that means other than they signed up) but I also know I've had comments from people that have read the Blog that aren't on the Follower's list. If you get a second, would you please send me an e-mail at malley@ecsd.us just letting me know you check the Blog every now and then.

Thanks

SCMS Students Come Through Again....

Our National Junior Honor Society held a PJ/Hat Day today to raise money to help a school family in need. The cost was $1 to wear PJ's (school appropriate of course) or a hat, or both in some cases. $357 was raised and will be given to the family that is going through a very tough time.

Great Job NJHS

Monday's Thoughts

What a great weekend to get things done. I finally can fit two cars in our garage...there is absolutely no guarantee how long this will last but I'm all about celebrating small victories.

Couple of quick things. Tuesday, November 10th (tomorrow) we have a half day. This is only for the Elementary and Middle Schools within our district. If you have a high schooler don't let them tell you they have a half day too.

Boys' basketball tryouts start today, 3:30 - 5:30, not tomorrow on our half day but then continue on Wednesday, 11/11 and Thursday, 11/12 - 3:30 - 5:30 PM.

Next Tuesday, November 17th we are having our Washington DC parent/student meeting for all 7th graders. If you have a 7th grader, please make every effort to attend....it is an awesome educational experience.

Next Friday we have the opportunity to send all of our 6th graders and our Drama Class to see a MCHS production of "The Brothers Grimm". We've been able to see some performances in the past and they always do a great job. This particular play is geared toward middle school age kids. MCHS is asking for a $2 donation per kid for those that can afford it. Those donations can be turned into their ELA teacher.

More later as things cross my mind....have a great week.

Next Year's Washington DC Trip

In a nutshell, it is an AWESOME trip that we want every 8th grader to experience. Tuesday, November 17th @ 7:00 pm in our cafeteria we will be having an information meeting for all current 7th graders and their parents which will give you an opportunity to ask questions and to sign up for next year's trip.

Wednesday's Thoughts

Washington DC Trip....check, MEAP...check, H1N1 shots....check, Successful Volleyball and Football Seasons....check and check, First Marking Period...almost check, Garage cleaned at home....not even close to a check....(maybe this weekend)

Hard to believe that the school year, come Friday, is a quarter over. The next Marking Period is a great Marking Period because it's broken into very do-able segments (is do-able a word?). We have from now until Thanksgiving Break, then to Winter Break, then to the end of January and the second Marking Period is over. Three very do-able short term goal segments that I'm going to be stressing to the kids to focus on.

Switching gears and backtracking a tad. As I'm sure you know, we had the H1N1 shots here at the middle school yesterday (Tuesday). Wow....what a GREAT job the Health Department did. They were organized, well staffed, pleasant to deal with and efficient. With the help of our office staff who had all the forms organized ahead of time, they administered shots to 175 of our middle schoolers in 45 minutes. I was told that this was the largest turnout that they have had...roughly 1500 people received either the shot or the nasal spray. Great job to all involved.

The only downside, which was extremely minor, was people parking in the bus loop at the end of the day when the buses were scheduled to arrive. Everyone, with the exception of one man, was very helpful and moved their vehicles to a parking spot. To the one man who refused and barked at me....lighten up. Life's too short.

Have a great rest of the week........

Biddy Basketball 5th and 6th Grade Update

BIDDY BASKETBALL UPDATE 5 & 6 GRADE ONLY
Separate Boys & Girls Program
Added Friday Night Games & Date Changes
8wk Program

5-6 GRADE BOYS
Team Formation: November 7, 10:30am
Program: Saturdays, Nov 14 – Dec 12
Tentative Friday practice dates Nov 13, Dec 4


5 & 6 GRADE GIRLS
Team Formation: December 12, 11:00am
Extended registration thru Dec 11
Program: Saturdays, Jan 9 - Feb 6
Tentative Friday practices dates Jan 8, Feb 5

NOTE: NO CHANGES FOR GRADES 1-4, TEAM FORMATION NOVEMBER 7TH
Fee: $45.00, $30.00 resident discount
$5.00 late fee for on-site registration (accepted first day of program only) checks only, no cash

Register at the City of St. Clair Recreation Department – 547 N. Carney Drive
For more information call 810.329.7121

Monday's Thoughts

Pretty good weekend unless you are a football fan. Michigan, Central, MSU and the Lions all took second place. On the bright side, Saturday was a tad chilly but a good day for the ghosts and gouls. We had a pretty good turnout at our house with a number of middle school kids stopping by for treats. It's funny that a good percentage always look amazed to find out that I'm passing out candy. I guess they think that I live at school.

Couple of quick updates....

H1N1 shots on Tuesday. SCMS students from 1:30 (ish) until school gets out then it's open to the public from 4:00 until 8:00. Have your student bring in the completed form (front and back) and they will get the free shot. It's not mandatory and you are more than welcomed to bring them back after 4:00 to get the shot. See one of the what seems like 25 posts below for more information.

Friday is the end of the Marking Period. We are going to spend this week trying to clean up any missing assignments. A great topic to bring up to your kids at dinner is to ask if they have everything turned in.

Tuesday is our last football game of the year vs MCMS at the East China Stadium. Game time is 6:00 pm. We are the visitors this year.

Wednesday is our first dance of the year. It will have a Hawaiian Theme with tickets being $3.00 pre-sale and $5.00 at the door. As is all of our dances, it is for SCMS students only and it goes from 3:15 until 5:00.

Next Tuesday, November 10th, all East China Elementary and Middle Schools will have a half day. Students will be dismissed from SCMS at 11:41.

Have a Great Week.