Week of February 21, 2011

Hello,

Below I have updated everyone on several things that occurred this week. I have also shared upcoming events.

8th Grade NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) Testing
On Wednesday of this week about 60% of our 8th grade students took the NAEP test. The test took about 75 minutes. A thank you to the the students that participated.

6th Grade Workplace Learning Tours
On Wednesday of this week our 6th grade students visited the University of Iowa Hospitals. The students were split into five different groups and visited one of the following areas; MRI, Gross Anatomy Lab, Safety and Cancer Prevention, Pathology, and Rehabilitation Therapies. This visit is in cooperation with Kirkwood Community College and the Workplace Learning Connection.

Boy's Basketball
We are concluding our boy's basketball season today. Thanks to the coaches, players, and parents for a great season. It's fun to see the improvement throughout the season.

Reminders
Tonight there is a middle school dance from 7 to 10 PM
Monday, February 21 is a snow make-up day

Events in our school next week
Tuesday, February 22- 7th/8th Swimming @ Muscatine, 4:30 PM
Thursday, February 24- 7th/8th Swimming @ Bettendorf, 4:30 PM
Saturday, February 26- CCAMS Solo Band Concert, 8:00 AM

Events in our school "down the road"
February 28- No School/Teacher Professional Development
March 2- 7th Grade Students to Visit Iowa City Workplace Job Sites
March 8- CCAMS Band Concert, 7 PM
March 9- 8th Grade Financial Literacy Fair, Coralville Library
March 11- CCAMS Drama Production, 7 PM
March 14-18- Spring Break
April 7- CCAMS Vocal Concert, 7 PM
April 8- CCAMS Dance, 7-10 PM
May 31- 8th Grade Celebration, 7 PM

Have a great weekend,
Brad

Yesterday we went to the U of I research center and got to see an MRI. I had a lot of fun there. I thought it was cool that they used fruits and plants to test out the MRI. The only thing that I didn’t like was how they included that there was a boy that had died in the MRI when he was 6 years old. That was kind of scary at first, but I also realized that they were doing it for safety also. Before I didn’t even know what an MRI was. I learned a lot and I think it was nice to get out of the class room.

Thank you for letting us go to the hospital. I liked the surgery videos even though they were really discusting. I also liked the vitural soldier that was pretty cool. I can’t believe i got to see and touch a real brain!!!!!!!! My favorite part was the vitural soldier. It was very awesome. It was way better than having school.

I liked the Pathology Lab. It was cool when we got to do the blood glucose meter and see how you guys diagnose people with sicknesses and diseases. I had a lot of fun and I learned that there are tons of different jobs in health care. Thanks for letting us come.

7th/8th Basketball
Tonight marks the end of the 7th and 8th grade basketball seasons. I would like to thank all of the coaches, athletes, and parents for great seasons. It's really rewarding to see the improvement from the start of the season to the end. Great job!

Personal Learning Plans
The middle school does not have scheduled face to face PLP meetings during February. Our next face to face PLP meetings will be in May. Over the next couple of weeks you should receive either a phone call or email from your child's adviser. If your child is struggling in school you can request a face to face meeting. If you have questions, contact me.

Events in our school next week
Tuesday, February 22- 7th/8th Swimming @ Muscatine, 4:30 PM
Thursday, February 24- 7th/8th Swimming @ Bettendorf, 4:30 PM
Saturday, February 26- CCAMS Solo Band Contest, 8:00 AM