October 15, 2011
North Border News
“Alert Now” Notification
The North Border District uses a phone notification system called “Alert Now” to notify parents and students of postponements or cancellations of school or activities because of weather or other unforeseen circumstances. This system has been in use for a couple of years and has been an asset to getting information out promptly to the public. Each family has given the school contact phone numbers. If your phone number has changed recently contact your local school with the new information.
Steve Porter’s Trophy Whitetails
Steve Porter and his son from Lake Bronson, MN were in the Neche and Pembina buildings recently with three of their home-raised whitetail deer. Steve gave presentations to different levels of students as questions vary according to age. Steve gives people a good look at these incredible animals though the eyes of both a deer farmer and a hunter. If you want more info on Steve's trophy whitetails, visit his website at www.porterwhitetail.com.
October is "Breast Cancer Awareness Month"
Book Fair is coming to Walhalla School Library on Nov. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Students and Parents will be viewing and purchasing at the Scholastic book fair. The book fair will be in the school library. Parents can also check it out during Parent/Teacher conferences on Nov. 3rd.
Fire Prevention Week is October 9th-15th. Students around the district will be reviewing fire safety practices and may be bringing things home to review with their families. Please review escape plans in case of a fire at home.
Do you k now why we always observe Fire Prevention Week during the week that always contains the date Oct. 9th? This was the day of the great Chicago Fire!
Red Ribbon Week is October 23rd-29th. Several activities will be stressing prevention of drug usage.
“Tis the Season” for Standardized Testing
Recently our students in grades K-11 completed the Northwest Evaluation Association’s (NWEA), Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) testing. The NWEA computerized MAP tests provide teachers, students, and parents with an accurate assessment of a student’s ability, measuring what a child knows and needs to learn. Teachers will use this information to hone lessons to meet the strengths and weaknesses of the child.
With NWEA testing complete, we know prepare students for the high stakes North Dakota State Assessment (NDSA) which measures the child's educational progress to the state educational standards and benchmarks. This information is then used to build a profile report for the school district related to Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). The NDSA test is given to students in grades 3-8 and 11, with the testing window from October 24-November 31.
11 Ways to Help Your Child Prepare for Tests
by Family Education Staff
To help children prepare adequately for tests (whether teacher-made or standardized), you can do several things to provide support and create a positive test-taking experience.
1. The best way to prepare for tests is to study, know the work, and take the right courses.
2. If your child is nervous at test time, ask her teacher for tips on helping her relax.
3. Make sure that your child is in school during the testing sessions. Do not plan any doctor or dental appointments on test dates.
4. Make sure that you are aware of your child's performance and that you can help interpret the results when they become available.
5. Remember to keep well-informed about your child's tests. Know how test results are used, and how they will affect your child's placement in school.
6. If there are major differences between standardized test scores and school grades, find out why.
7. Encourage your child to study over a period of time rather than "cram" the night before.
8. Encourage your child to listen carefully to all test-taking directions given by the teacher and to ask questions about any directions that are unclear.
9. See that your child gets his/her regular amount of sleep before the tests and is well-rested.
10. Make sure that your child eats his/her usual breakfast on the day of the test. Hunger can detract from a good test performance.
11. Encourage your child to do his/her best.
Brought to you by the American School Counselor Association
North Border High School-Pembina Tidbits
The NDSU Choral Festival attendees-Jessica Hager, Sara McGhee, Lisa Cosley, Emmalee Hall and Kristen Halley
Homecoming Royalty-King Jake Cosley, Queen Kara Wilwand, the Court was Brenna Carpenter, Jadeyn Symington, Reed Erickson and Jon Wilmer
Friday Night Lights
The "Friday Night Lights" project, which updated the lights on the football field in Pembina, is complete. The final payment was submitted to Musco Lighting on Monday, October 3rd. I would like to thank the committed patrons, businesses, and the city of Pembina for their donations and to the players for all their hard work to make this a success.
North Border Students attend Occupational Fair in Devils Lake
The Junior Class in Pembina attended the 18th annual Occupational Fair held in Devils Lake, September 27. This year 31 occupations were represented from across North Dakota. The students were able to choose up to six different occupations to listen to. Occupations represented included Energy Careers, Automotive, Law Enforcement, and Nursing. The students had hands on experiences and were able to ask questions of the presenters. Over 450 students representing 20 schools attended this year’s Occupational Fair.
In the afternoon the students attended the college fair also offered on the Lake Region campus. Over 40 colleges were represented from North Dakota, Minnesota, and South Dakota.
North Border Pembina to Celebrate Red Ribbon Week
Grades 7-12 in Pembina will celebrate Red Ribbon Week October 24-28. Listed below are just a few of the activites the students will be participating in. The Neche Elementary has also been busy making posters for the hallway and decorating their lockers. This year’s theme is Keep your Paws off Drugs.
Monday: Wear "Red" day
In honor of all the men and women who fight the “War on Drugs”
Tuesday: "Camouflage" day
Join the hunt to eliminate drugs
Wednesday: "Wear Black Day"
Mourning those who have lost their lives to alcohol, tobacco, or drug use
Thursday: Sports/role model day
Dress as your favorite sports/role model staying off drugs
Friday: "Scare Away Drugs Day"
Students can wear their favorite ghoulish costume
North Border Walhalla Tidbits
Homecoming Royalty - King-Chris Danielson, Queen-Jamie Clark, Court - Cristen Gapp, Brooke Schurman, Crystgal Shablow, Brett Schurman, Garrett Fraser, and Alek Berg.
The following students will be participating in "Surround the State in Song" on Saturday, October 15th: Nyla Roberts, Landry Peterson, Ciarra Lafferty and Dominic Calvillo.
"Surround the State" is a select honor choir with 61 students registered from Adams-Edmore, Dakota Prairie, Grafton, Grand Forks J. Nelson Kelly, Grand Forks Winship, Leeds, Manvel, North Border Walhalla, North Border Neche, North Border Pembina, and Park River. They will rehearse and perform at Grafton High School.
Dr. Charlette Moe is our guest director from North Dakota State University and Connie Sjostrom from Grafton is our accompanist.
There will be three other sites around the state where the same concert will be performing simultaneously.
Upcoming Events:
Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Thursday, November 3 from 3:30-9:00
Pembina County Honor Band at Cavalier Oct. 25th.
Flu shots at Walhalla Oct. 26th
Girls District VB at Grafton Oct. 27th, 28th, and Nov. 1st.
Girls Region 2 VB at Grafton Nov. 7th, 8th, and 10th.
Wrestling Practice Begins Nov. 7th.
BBB Practice Begins Nov. 14th.
Neche News
NWEA Testing Complete
Fall NWEA testing has been completed here in Neche, and our reading strategist, Carrie Hope is busy getting data broken down so a better understanding of results can be given to teachers and parents when she returns on October 17th. Carrie is also working on writing skills with kids in grades K-3 and working with the Langdon strategist to get a teacher "get-together" organized for area teachers to share ideas, resources, and strategies.
Neche 3rd Grade Takes Field Trip to Developmental Center in Grafton
The 3rd grade class along with their teacher, Mrs. Margerum, and one of our aides, Mr. Kuster, spent a very interesting day in Grafton on October 4th at the Developmental Center. They visited with counselors, therapists, and other staff members to learn what life is like for the residents there. They also got to spend some time with Art Heinz, a Thief River Falls, MN man who lost both arms in an accident. Mr. Heinz gave the kids a lot of insight about how his life has changed since the accident and what he and other people with his type of handicap have to endure on a daily basis. Very interesting trip for all. Go if you get the chance!
CTB Testing Coming Up
CTB testing will be starting on Monday, October 24th. If at all possible, try to avoid making appointments for your children during the testing window. Also, getting a good night's sleep and a good breakfast in the morning are key to scoring well on these tests.
Before/After School Program Up and Running
The before and after school program got started the first week in October, and everything is going smoothly. There are kids coming for the before school portion Monday through Friday, and the after school part runs Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.
Neche Building Gets Award From USDA
The Neche School received the "Gold With Distinction" award from the USDA's Healthier Schools Program. It's based not only on the kitchen staff, meals and menus, but also what things are going on in the classrooms. Things teachers are doing with their classes about healthy eating choices, exercising, avoiding drugs and alcohol, etc. also play a big part in this award. A plaque, a banner, and $2000 to be spent in the kitchen go along with the award. Congrats to everyone!!!!!!!
Neche Students to participate in "Surround the State in Song"
Joseph Brooks, Joel Miller and Maryah Pelletier will be representing the Neche School in the Surround the State in Song on Saturday the 15th of October in Grafton. There will be 61 students from several area schools participating. There will be concerts going on in Grafton, Dickinson, Jamestown, and Underwood simutaneously starting at 4:00. The kids rehearse all day prior to the concert. Concert prices are $5 for 13 year-olds and older. Grafton concert is at the Grafton High School.