Hi ACS Parents!
The school year is off to a great start! We welcomed 12 new students, 9 new teachers, and 1 new administrator to our Applewood family. I want to thank all of you for your patience as we train our new teachers in the way ACS works. On an average it takes a good 3 months for students coming from another school to adjust to the Applewood way of doing things. It doesn't take our teachers nearly that long but there is a bit of an adjustment in how much material can/should be covered in a week and how much homework should be given. Please be in communication with your teachers! They are interested in your input. I am often asked: "What is the 'normal' amount of homework?" On an average the following grades should expect homework to take this much time:
K: 1 hour 1st: 1.5 hrs. 2nd & 3rd: 3 hrs. 4th & 5th: 3.5 - 4 hrs. 6th - 8th gr: 4 - 5 9th - 12th gr: 6 -8 hr
Of course this is an average. Some students take longer than others. Some are very good at getting right down to business while others like to piddle putz the entire day. Here are some helpful hints to get your student into the mindset of working.
1. Keep your student's bed time and waking time consistant (within an hour or so) on MWF and TTH. DO NOT let them stay up late on MW and then sleep in on TTH. The human body develops a sleep/wake pattern. When their bed time fluxuates drastically day to day, we find that students are sluggish on school days. I get my kids up so they are ready to work by 8:00am (normal school time).
2. Make them eat and get dressed for "school". Sitting around in their pajamas does not help them get into a studying mindset. Working at the table also helps them stay more on task.
3. Turn off the TV! Distractions like the TV are just that ... distractions.
4. Listening to music while they study. Hum? That's a tough one. My oldest told me he could study better with music, although I limited this greatly. My younger two are distracted by music. You know your child best. We don't allow music in school so if you are trying to recreate an atmosphere of learning you might want to limit playing of music while doing work.
Again, please be patient as we all adjust to a new school year. We have a great group of teachers who desire to do their very best for your child. Help them do their job by praying for them, encouraging them, and communicating with them.
Announcements: I plan to update the bulletin as new things come up. Be sure to check past dates so that you don't miss anything!
Check the school calendar for lunch menu for the month.
The School Calendar and the 2006-07 Family Directory will go home Monday in your child's backpack. The calendar dates are also incorporated on the web calendar and the web directory will be complete this week.
Volleyball and Soccer season is underway. We sure to check the web calendar for home games and come on out to watch the Mustangs play!
September 23rd - Family Dinner & Movie Night - Smithton United Methodist Church. Movie: Bailey's Billions: A Hero Unleashed. Dinner 6:00, movie 7:00. Free admission.
We are still missing Medical Release Forms and/or Medical Emergency Data Cards for the following students: Allcorn, Allee, Galey, Otten, Warda
Lunch Milk selection. We are still missing milk choice from the following: Austin, Capps, Meusborn, Muhr, Shane. Reminder: please pay monthly milk fee ($3.25) with tuition NOT lunch, as milk is paid by the school and not the Senior Fund.
The tickets are in for the beef raffle. Drum roll please..............the winner is ...... Julie Robertson! (Who?) Mr. White's sister-in-law. Congratulations to Julie! Thanks to the Boatrights for donating the beef! Thanks to all of you who sold raffle tickets! Please pass on our thanks to those who bought tickets and did not win. Raffle sales brought in $1,000. The Pizza fund raiser brought in $1,100. altogther the Family Club raised $2,100 to go towards paying teacher salaries.
Seniors! Please be sure to check the bulletin board in your room weekly for scholarship news.
Central Missouri Electric Co-Op is awarding savings bonds for report cards to students (of CMEC members) each grading quarter. Grades K through 8th, report cards with atleast one "A". Grades 9 - 12, report cards with an "A" in both science and math. For further information please check Elementary or High school office.
4-H Meeting. Students interested in joining 4-H, there will be an informational meeting at 7:00 at the Central Missouri Electric Co-Op building.
School Board Meeting Monday, Sept 18th at 7:00pm in the ROC. Parents are welcome to attend.