January 2015 Volume 13 Issue 5 The Voice A Mt. Carmel High School Publication Eighth Grade Tours All eighth grades students from Allendale, Mount Carmel Middle and St. Mary’s Schools have been invited to tour and sample the courses at Mount Carmel High School (MCHS) on January 21st. This year MCHS students will be presenting projects, presentations, experiments and other instruction to the 8th grade students as they tour the school led by MCHS students in very small groups. Each department at MCHS has the responsibility to highlight their curriculum. Any parent interested is also invited to attend and view the presentations. Any parent who does want to attend please notify the main office at MCHS, 262-5104 and speak with Lisa Dillard. At the end of the day MCHS Food Occupation Class will have a meal for all 8th grade students, presenters and others. Mr. Pat Cheesman Principal PARCC The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) is the new computer based testing for students throughout the State. At Mount Carmel High School the following students will be testing all English 3 and all Algebra 2 and Algebra 2a on March 16th through the 20th and then again on May 4th through the 8th. It will be assessed in English Language Arts and mathematics, regardless of grade level. MCHS will begin practice assessments in these subjects during class time over the next few months. This assessment is a computer based test with attached calculator and several other tools necessary for the students. PARCC replaces the ISAT and PSAE assessments in Illinois. The new assessment adds new elements to the old multiple choice format and allows for a better measure of students’ skills and abilities. Using technology enhanced items and various other innovations, students will get the chance to better showcase their skills. The results will provide teachers, schools, students, and parents with more accurate information on whether students are on track for college and careers. ACT Juniors will be given the ACT on March 3rd and WorkKeys on March 4th during the morning on both days at Mount Carmel High School. Seniors who have not taken the PSAE (combination of the ACT/WorkKeys) will not be required to take the test for graduation. This assessment is only offered to juniors. There is no cost to the student. Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities (CEO) Course Mr. Pat Cheesman Principal [email protected] 201 Pear Street Mt. Carmel, IL 62863 (618) 262-5104 www.mchs.wabash348.com Mr. Michael Brewer Assistant Principal [email protected] January 2015 Volume 13 Issue 5 This course is open to both Juniors and Seniors, it is taught off campus at surrounding area businesses and offers dual credit through Wabash Valley College. Students are given opportunities to create, market and manage a group project and individual business projects. Interested students must complete an application, have three references and return their transcript. Health Care Occupations Course This course is for Seniors only, who are interested in a career in the health care field. Th eral Hospital and Wabash Valley College be ginning at 7:30 am until 9 am. Students inte rested must complete an application, references and transcript before a selection committee determines the students selected to complete an interview process. There is a limit to the number of students selected for this course due to the ratio of students to instructor for the Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) portion of the course. Advanced Metal Manufacturing This course is for Juniors and Seniors, who are interested in a career in metal manufacturing, industrial electricity, blue print reading, computer aided drafting, and practical welding. This course is off campus at the Advanced Manufacturing Building of Wabash Valley College beginning at 7:30 am until 9 am. Students interested must complete an application, references and transcript before a selection committee determines the students selected to complete an interview process. Project Lead the Way Courses- STEM The importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) is causing a buzz in education. But it is not only in education that notice is being taken. Corporations are saying “This is really important to us and to our workforce of the future. We need students with those skills therefore we are willing to invest money in getting STEM teachers trained to be proficient, as well as bringing teachers in from the industry to teach STEM in the schools,” says Jenny House, COE and founder of Red Rock Reports, an education funding consulting group. Business partnerships want to ensure that today’s teachers get high quality professional development to help students reach a deep understanding and for teachers to find useful application methods of engaging work in STEM classes. Five major public-private partnerships have formed to harness the power of media, community volunteers, and interactive games to reach millions of students over the next four years as part of the Obama administration’s STEM campaign, “Educate to Innovate”. This move is to shift American students from the middle of the road to the top within this decade by focusing on STEM literacy to improve critical thinking for all and to create STEM career opportunities for all students. The issue is not preparing students for STEM futures but inspiring those most qualified to take interest in these fields. There is a whole heart-hearted push toward expanding STEM programs and encouraging students to achieve their highest potential! Mount Carmel High School (MCHS) has introduced two courses in STEM this school year. They are sponsored by Illinois Project Lead the Way (PLTW). We offer Bio-medical Sciences and Introduction to Engineering & Design. January 2015 Volume 13 Issue 5 These two classes are based upon a hands-on, real-world problem solving approach to learning. The students develop organizational, critical-thinking, and problem solving skills. Corporations like Intel, Lockheed Martin, and Pixar have sponsored teacher trainings to incorporate STEM curriculum. The framework of this curriculum consists of scientific and engineering practices, with crosscutting concepts, such as cause and effect: mechanism and explanation and disciplinary scientific core ideas that include guidance on how and when they should be developed. This framework is designed to engage students and ensure they build on prior knowledge and experience throughout their school careers. We will continue to integrate and incorporate STEM programs into our core curriculum. MCHS will expand its STEM offerings next year to include the Principals of Engineering and Human Body Systems. Incoming freshmen from the Class of 2019 will be encouraged to register for one of these pathways. Students are required to be enrolled in both a science and a mathematics course to be involved in STEM curriculum. Parents who want more information please check out the MCHS website or contact Pat Cheesman. These pathways are designed as a four year track for our students. Freshmen begin registration for High School classes in February 2015. Welcome back! After a brief delay, we are ready to begin the second semester of our school year. As the second semester begins, students get a fresh start with their grades, tardies, truants, etc. This is a great opportunity for Mr. Michael Brewer students to stay ahead of some these issues; keeping up with homework and Assistant Principal grades is critical for student success. There are several students who have a tendency to procrastinate when it comes to completing homework assignments. This is an ideal time to establish new habits and get work turned in on time or even early. Parents/guardians, please talk to your student about using Lumen to keep track of grades and assignments online. There is a parent portal available that allows you to track your students’ grades and homework; if you have questions about the Lumen parent portal, please contact the high school. Attendance will also be a key to your students’ success during this second semester. As winter sets in, students will get sick and not be able to make it to school; if your student is going to be absent from school, please call the office (262-5104). Any student who is absent and has not received a phone call will receive a truant absence, which will result in the student being assigned AER, out of school suspension, and removal from classes. If the student receives a phone call, they will receive a verified absence and no immediate consequences will be given. If your student sees a doctor or attends a funeral, please send them to school with documentation, and they will be excused. I hope everyone is excited and ready for a fresh start to the second semester! January 2015 Volume 13 Issue 5 Mrs. Karen Stansberry Art Instructor Four MCHS students will have a total of 20 pieces exhibited in the 41st Annual Scholastics Arts Regional Competition at Cedarhurst Art Museum in Mt. Vernon, IL. The show is part of a nationwide talent search for student visual artists and writers sponsored by Scholastic Arts with many winning major scholarships awarded to some of the top arts schools in the country. Lacy’s collection of self portraits entitled “Life Inside Bipolar Disorder” was awarded the top prize, a $2,000 scholarship to be used her freshman year in college. It was also awarded a Gold Key and is in the running for national awards. Her second portfolio of still life drawings “Observational Studies” was awarded a Silver Key. A colored pencil still life “Jeune” won an individual Gold Key from that portfolio. Senior Chelsea Gunzel won an honorable mention for her painting “Bashful Lulu.” Senior Elise Thomason had two pieces accepted, a pencil drawing entitle entitled “Jars” and a mono-print “Soft Beast”. Both received honorable mentions. Tegan Henne, a sophomore, won a Silver Key for her scratchboard “Hopelessly Exhilarating”. Fifteen schools from Southern Illinois participated in the juried exhibition. Five hundred and sixty-two individual works and 21 individual portfolios were entered with 193 individual works and six portfolios chosen. Only two gold and one silver portfolios were chosen. (Lacy had one each.) All Gold Key winners will advance to the national competition in New York. The exhibition will open with a reception on Saturday, January 17 and remain at Cedarhurst until the closing ceremony on Sunday, February 15 at 3:00 p.m.
© Copyright 2024