Hi Everyone,
Every community has a hub. In my view, our schools are the hub and our high school is where the community focus turns most of the time within the school district because the end result of all the work of parents, coaches, teachers and administrators dwell here...the students of MHS. Students are ending their K-12 "careers" and getting ready to launch...the final countdown to their adult lives is close to beginning. At MHS we benefit from all the labors of pre-K teachers, elementary teachers aides, lunch ladies, nurses, counselors, custodial crews putting their labors into
keeping kids first.
I'm so proud of the young adults we are privileged to guide at the end of their K-12 careers. They're a solid reflection of our community and all the effort of adults to guide them well. I'm thankful to be a part of the group of adults that get the privilege to guide young people in our community. To me, there is no higher calling than to serve others by focusing your lifework on serving others. We can find so many people who are meandering and seeking to find their calling, to refine their talents to serve -- I'm thankful we have so many teachers and support staff at MHS willing to serve in guiding them, it makes such a difference to so many lives for so many years to come.
I've shared our November board report below. Many things we have accomplished at MHS over the past years have focused on creating an encouraging culture for teachers, staff and students. We continue to grow.
I encourage you to read the Growl from this past week- an informative article about our math department by our student Michaela Grubb can be found there. Our math department has been focused on student learning by adding extra tutoring opportunities and identifying learning targets all students should achieve to mastery for later success in math. The department is leading the way in making math grades a better reflection of learning and focusing on students addressing their deficient areas so no learning is lost.
Be thankful for your teachers at MHS. They are making a difference for young people.
T.
November board report follows:
Month/Year: November 2014
Current Enrollment: 651
Free/Reduced Lunch Enrollment: 224/40
Student Services Listing: 69
Students of the Month October: Lauren Ransom and Matthew Brown
Teacher of the Month: Jennifer Silver
Bronze Bulldog Peer-to-Peer Award for Making A Difference at MHS: Bill Weldon
Academics - What have we learned?
Dr. Terry Robinson, Principal
All classes gave midterm assessments this past month. We continue to refine assessments to measure what was taught to students and inform our teaching practices. Teachers perform analyses to determine areas students are struggling and make adjustments when needed. They also note areas of strength for students. The English department provided a brief synopsis below noting student improvement on high school English standards (informed by the Missouri Learning Standards and ACT’s College and Career Readiness Standards). Last year they fully adopted an ACT-like format for all midterms. Other teachers have also included noteworthy co-curricular student achievements. It is my firm belief our co-curricular activities are strong part of our overall educational experience at MHS. Finally, the math department continues to see the number of Fs decrease. At the time of this report, the number of failing grades had been reduced by 38% and we adjusted our seminars to ensure all math teachers are available every seminar to assist students - we’ve gone from three teachers to all five now available during seminar.
Jennifer Silver - MHS English Department Chair
We have reviewed our first semester mid-term data and compared it to last year’s data. We have made significant improvements. Last year’s department midterm student average was in the 40% range. This year the department average is in the 70% range. The students are becoming more accustomed to the ACT-like format and as a department we are refining how we teach essential content to yield better results. Ms. Ford led the way for our department with her sophomore class having an 83% mid-term assessment average. In addition, Mr. Clow reported he attended the break out session presented by the Wright City assistant superintendent - David Buck. During the session the presenter recommended the same format that we are already using as a department for testing students (ACT/EOC format).
Mrs. Sara Given - Speech and Theater Congratulations to the MHS Speech team on another successful Saturday at School of the Osage! Our small team of 8 this week represented well with fantastic scores and 3 medalists. Please Congratulate Brooke Ransom 4th Place Original Oratory, Abigail Hoer 5th Place Radio Speaking and Terran Bealmear 6th Place Dramatic Interp. Way to go Mexico! The Vocal Music and Theatre Departments are collaborating on another musical. “When in Rome” will go into production on Friday, November 21, Saturday, November 22 and Sunday November 23. Tickets are $10 for Adults and $5.00 for students 12th grade and under. “When in Rome” is a musical comedy that features zany characters, upbeat music and an adventurous plot. Anyone wearing a Roman costume to the production will be discounted $2 on their ticket price.
Ms. Kendra Allen - FFA Sponsor
The Mexico FFA Chapter has had a few successes over the last week.
American Degree recipients at National Convention: Sarah Smith, Nick Stumpe, Kylie Sargent
The American Degree is the highest degree a member can earn in our organization. To obtain such an honor it takes hard work and dedication. Please congratulate the above members on their achievement!!
On November 4th at the Area 4 Fall Public Speaking Contest we had three contestants. Lauren Ransom - 3rd Place Alt in Cattlemen's Division, Shelby Allen - 4th Place in Sheep Division, Kymberlynn Tessman- 2nd Place & Moving on to Districts in Pet Breeders Division
Mr. Robert Cortez - Band
Congratulations to Allison Heckman, clarinet player for the Mexico High School Band. Allison successfully auditioned for the highest Northeast Missouri All-District Band at Moberly High School on Saturday, November 8. Allison was one of almost 400 students who auditioned for a spot in the band, and is now eligible to Audition for the All-State Band this December. The Northeast Missouri All-District and Honorable Mention Bands will hold their concert at Moberly High School on Saturday, January 10.
Mr. Garry Hagedorn - American Government/AP American Government
Current Event: students have been actively reviewing the results of Tuesday's state and national elections by reviewing the outcome and exploring the potential motivations behind the final voting including the ramifications of the change in the majority party of the Senate, as well as targeted state issues. Content: students are currently reading the Constitution in its entirety, and applying the 4-2-1 Collaborative Learning Model to their studies.
AP American Government: In addition to current events and content topics listed above, AP Gov students are prepping for a "Politics and the Media" unit which includes creating a data/statistics-based study of mainstream and non-traditional news media and their role in politics.
Science, Key Club and Youth in Government - Mrs. Christine Beshears
Earth Science: We set up an erosion lab east of the lake. The students are studying topography, land movement, and learning basic mapping skills.
Key Club: The Rake and Run was a huge success - one house netted 33 bags of leaves. The Socks for Tots project was also completed this week with delivery planned for 11/8 - this was a joint effort with Columbia Key Clubbers to provide hand made non-slip socks for the Children's Hospital. The Personal Product Drive is under way and will be presented to the Help Center - we are providing items that can not be purchased with federal food cards.
Youth In Government: The State Convention will be held 11/11-11/13 in Jefferson City. We have 40 students from MHS, MMS, St. Brendan's, and new members from the MMA, that will be attending. Special thanks for Paul Siegfried for working with the Judicial group.
Family and Consumer Science - Ms. Karen Ford
We are sending out 3 electronic babies every weekend with students, and the simulation babies are doing their job. When the students come back to school on Monday morning, they are exhausted, tired, and not ready to have baby for now. One mother noted on on her Facebook page that the simulation babies are great and doing their job of providing a near real life situation for her daughter related to taking care of a baby.
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America is a national Career and Technical Student Organization that provides personal growth, leadership development, and career preparation opportunities for students in Family and Consumer Sciences education. Our MHS FCCLA met on 11/6/14 with VanFar's FCCLA. They brought 9 officers and their teacher-sponsor Mrs. Klott. Currently MHS has 7 members of FCCLA. VanFar's FCCLA officers talked with my students about what FCCLA is all about, how to do many tasks, jobs, and fundraisers, and about volunteering. Our students are very excited about FCCLA and student-leadership possibilities.
MHS Student Council - Mr. Jason Clow On October 24th Mexico High School Student Council attended the Northeast Student Council District Meeting held at Paris High School. While there the Student Council members learned numerous leadership traits and brought back a variety of ideas to improve student engagement and involvement in our school spirit. Also they successfully ran for District President. We were voted into this position by the other 40-50 districts represented at the meeting. This was accomplished through a video (with the help of Jami Williams) highlighting the various events and activities we host and campaigning for votes from the other councils. Dr. Robinson also added his dance moves to our video and Ms. Williams added her vocal talent. :) This means that next year in October (date- TBD) our MHS Student Council will be hosting the area meeting at MHS for over one thousand student leaders from the Northeast District.
Brad Ellebracht - Assistant Principal
The number of MHS discipline incidents have held steady since the corresponding time of a year ago. This follows a substantial decrease between 2012 and 2013.
Discipline Incidents from Beginning of School Through November 4th
|
Total Discipline Referrals
August-November 4
(excluding excessive tardiness)
|
2012
|
207
|
2013
|
102
|
2014
|
101
|
Guidance and Counseling Team
Kaitlin Hopke attended an ACT College Workshop on October 1.
Mark Holman and Kris Turlington attended Best Practices Meeting in Moberly on October 1.
ASVAB Testing was administered to all Seniors on October 7
PSAT was administered on October 16
Senior Parent Night was held on October 22
ACT test was given at MHS on October 25
Mark Holman led the activities for Red Ribbon Week. Mrs. Troesser's seminar class won the door decorating contest. A pizza party was enjoyed by the seminar for their incentive.
Kaitlin Hopke administered the ASPIRE to all Sophomores on October 28 and 30
We hosted 8 college/university/tech visits to MHS
We hosted 5 military lunch visits in MHS cafeteria
During the month of October we supervised 8 agency visits.
Mark Holman attended interagency on October 28
Kris Turlington and Kaitlin Hopke attended a Work Ready Community Meeting held at the Chamber.
Upcoming Events:
11/14 - Girls & Boys Basketball Jamboree@ Mexico HS 5:00 PM
11/21 - 11/22: “When In Rome” MHS Fall Musical 7:00PM
11/23 - “When In Rome” MHS Fall Musical 2:30PM
11/22 - MHS Academic Bowl @ Centralia
11/24 - Junior and Senior Practice ACT test
11/25 - Winter Sports Pictures
- Red & Gray Scrimmages 6:00PM
11/26 - 11/28 - No School
11/29 - Mexico Holiday Parade
12/3 - Noteworthy Performs “Tree of Love” Ceremony @ SSM
12/5 - 12/6 - Speech & Debate Tournament @ MHS
12/7 - Varsity Boys Basketball @ Norm Stewart Classic 11:00AM @ Columbia College
12/10 - MHS Student Council Holiday Party for Elementary Students 2:30PM
- MHS Choir Concert 7:00PM in Emmons Hall
12/12 - Dixie Gray Christmas Concert & Band Dance 7:00PM Emmons Hall
Mr. Jeff Anderson – Vice Principal/Activities Director
Congratulations to the Mexico HS Football Team on an outstanding season with a 9-3 Record & Class 4 District 7 Runner-up. There has only been two other teams in School History going back to 1928 that have won 9 games in a season. Great Job Bulldogs!
Congratulations to the Mexico Bulldog Softball Team finishing 4th in the State, District Champs, Sectional Champs & Quarterfinal Champions. Great Job.
Congratulations to Malik Holman on finishing 7th Place @ the MSHSAA State Cross Country Championships. Malik becomes an All State Athlete.
Congratulations to Allison Heckman, clarinet player for the Mexico HS Band. She auditioned and was chosen for the NE MO All District Band & has the opportunity to audition in December for the All State Band.
