In response to requests from parents, and in order to make this blog easier to use, only general information will be posted in the center of the blog. To view posts about Language Arts or Social Studies, it will be necessary to click on the appropriate subject under "Categories" on the left side of the page. Only posts related to that subject will be visible.
May 13, 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
PLEASE READ THESE IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS CONCERNING THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR!
The end of school year is almost here. We are reviewing for our Geography Post Test which will be given on Thursday, May 22, 2008. We are also finishing up our novel study on The Kite Rider. We will be concluding our study with a computerized AR test on Friday, May 16, 2008. All students should have finished the book by the beginning of class on Friday. Copies are available for students to take home.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: STUDENTS SHOULD BRING IN THEIR SOCIAL STUDIES TEXT BOOK BEGINNING ON THURSDAY, MAY 15. LOST OR DAMAGED TEXTBOOKS MUST BE REPLACED. REPLACEMENT COPIES CAN BE PAID FOR IN THE FRONT OFFICE, AND ARE $44.99 EACH. ALL SOCIAL STUDIES TEXT BOOKS KEPT AT HOME MUST BE RETURNED TO MR. O'BRIEN BY MONDAY, MAY 19. THANK YOU.
ALL STUDENT LOCKERS WILL BE CLEANED OUT ON TUESDAY, MAY 20. ALL MATERIALS NECESSARY FOR REMAINING CLASSES, INCLUDING PENS OR PENCILS, WILL BE PROVIDED IN CLASS. ALL PERSONAL ITEMS ARE TO BE BROUGHT HOME AND LEFT AT HOME. NO ITEMS ARE TO BE BROUGHT TO SCHOOL THE LAST TWO DAYS.
BUS NOTES WILL NOT BE APPROVED ON THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL. ALL STUDENTS WILL RIDE THEIR OWN BUS HOME.
May 01, 2008
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Parents: Please Read This Message...
We are reading the novel, The Kite Rider, by Geraldine McCaughrean in class.
This book, winner of the Carnegie Medal, is a highly acclaimed novel full of the sights, sounds, and smells of Ancient China. Written for students in the 7-8 grade reading level, it touches on the themes of, "Family, responsibility, coming of age, friendship, different cultures/clash of cultures..."
There has been some confusion concerning a similar sounding novel called, "The Kite Runner," by Khalid Hussein. That novel, set in Afghanistan, features controversial and/or objectionable subject matter that may concern some individuals. WE ARE NOT USING THIS BOOK IN SOCIAL STUDIES CLASS!
I apologize for any confusion or concern this may have caused. Thanks You.
April 22, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
TO: ALL STUDENTS AND PARENTS
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22 THROUGH TUESDAY, APRIL 29 ALL DICKERSON MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS WILL BE TAKING THE CRCT.
REMEMBER:
ALL STUDENTS SHOULD BRING AT LEAST TWO (2) WOODEN NO. 2 PENCILS AND A BOOK FOR SILENT READING TO HOMEROOM.
ALL STUDENTS SHOULD ARRIVE ON TIME. LATE ARRIVALS WILL NOT BE ADMITTED TO HOMEROOM FOR THE FIRST PART OF THE TESTING SEQUENCE.
TESTING BEGINS AT 9:10 AM.
GET PLENTY OF REST, EAT BREAKFAST AND COME READY TO EXCEL!!!
DMS STUDENTS ARE THE BEST!!!
April 18, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
Parents of students in Mr. O'Brien's Homeroom:
Has your child asked you to fill out a registration form for next year. An accurate estimate makes the beginning of the year much easier for students. Please complete the form sent home with your student even if you are not coming back next year. There are still a few not returned.
Thank You.
CRCT EXAMS BEGIN WEDNESDAY, April 23rd. Plenty of sleep and a good breakfast will help your student perform to their fullest potential.
March 31, 2008
Monday, March 31, 2008
THERE WILL BE AN EXTRA HELP SESSION TOMORROW MORNING AT 8AM FOR ANY INTERESTED STUDENTS.
March 25, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Announcement:
There will be extra help sessions on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings beginning at 8AM. All interested students are encouraged to attend at least on. A Study Guide will be handed out in class for each section of the test and we will review material in class beginning on Wednesday.
March 13, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
DOES YOUR STUDENT HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO SUCCED IN SOCIAL STUDIES?
ALL STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO BRING CERTAIN ITEMS TO CLASS EVERY DAY. THERE ARE MANY STUDENTS WHO DON'T. THIS NOT ONLY TAKES TIME AWAY FROM ENGAGED LEARNING, IT ALSO CAUSES DISTRACTIONS AND OTHER STUDENTS TO WIND UP WITHOUT THE NECESSARY SUPPLIES.
PLEASE ASK YOUR STUDENT WHAT THEY HAVE OR NEED IN THEIR PENCIL POUCH.
THANK YOU!
THIS MESSAGE HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO YOU BY A TEACHER WHO HAS "GONE THROUGH" THE FOLLOWING SUPPLIES TRYING TO HELP STUDENTS WHO HAVE "FORGOTTEN", "LOST", "LENT", "USED UP" AND/OR "LEFT AT HOME" THEIR PENCIL POUCH MATERIALS.
500+ PENCILS
3 BOXES OF FINE POINT SHARPIES
80+ GLUE STICKS
28 ROLLS OF SCOTCH TAPE
75+ HIGHLIGHTERS
20 12' RULERS
50+ BALL POINT PENS
18 PAIRS OF SCISSORS
February 27, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
I-Parent Concerns:
I apologize for any unecessary concern resulting from 'M's or 'O's appearing on I Parent under the heading of Test for Chapters 20 and 21 on South Asia. In order to post grades, a catagory with an assigned point value must first be created. Once done, any student without a numerical grade posted, will automatically display an 'M' or a '0' under this column heading. Grades are still being posted and I appreciate your patience.
Thank you very much.
Mr. O'Brien
February 13, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Students recieved progress reports today. Please review with your student, sign, and return.
Homeroom students will be bringing home letters explaining their situation regarding Foriegn Language Classes for next year. Please read this letter and return it with both yours and your student's signiture as soon as possible.
Also, with all the students coming and going with the recent rash of flu outbreaks, our hand sanitizor and facial tissue supply has been used up. If you have already donated an additional contribution of these necessary classroom supplies, thank you so much. If not, we could sure use it.
THANKS
MR. O'BRIEN
January 24, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
THERE WILL BE A QUIZ ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 29 ON THE PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY OF SOUTHERN ASIA. THERE WILL ALSO BE A QUIZ ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 31 OVER THE POLITICAL MAKEUP OF SOUTHERN ASIA. STUDENTS SHOULD REVIEW THEIR MAPS, STUDY VOCABULARY AND BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY LOCATIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS OF THESE TERMS.
I WILL BE HOLDING STUDY SESSIONS BEGINNING AT 8AM MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY OF NEXT WEEK. ALL STUDENTS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND. THESE STUDY SESSIONS ARE VOLUNTARY.
