Mr. Ruppert's Week in Review
May 2, 2008

Monday      5/5        Day 1
Tuesday    5/6        Day 2
Wednesday 5/7     Day 3
Thursday   5/8        Day 4
Friday         5/9        Day 5

Week in Review

Parent Portal Offline for Maintenance (Saturday, May 3)
Our provider for Parent Portal, K-12/Sapphire has informed us that the portal will be offline for maintenance on Saturday, May 3rd from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Reading Requirement Change for Next Year
Yesterday, I informed our 7th and 8th grade students about a change to our reading requirement program for junior high. The reading requirement will still be a total of ten books read over the course of the school year. However, we are requiring that students complete one of the books over the summer. The purpose of the summer reading is to continue the development of reading strategies and to support vocabulary enrichment as well as spark interest in some great books. In an effort to make it as easy as possible for students and parents desiring to purchase the novels, we are making them available for sale through the school. Please read the letter that your child received from his/her English teacher yesterday or today. Feel free to e-mail or call me with questions.

Geography Posters
As the concluding activity for the geography unit, “Human World,” students worked in groups to conduct research via the Internet to learn about world hunger; the causes, what countries are most affected, the types of people most vulnerable to suffer from hunger, and solutions - what countries and organizations do to combat the issue of poverty and hunger. Each group designed a poster to educate others regarding the issue of world hunger. The posters are very powerful. We currently have them displayed in the eighth grade hallway. Thanks to the students and Mrs. Magners for making us aware of this international issue.

Positive Poetry
There are several great poems hanging in the halls these days. Mrs. Rossiter’s seventh grade English students wrote poems in small groups based on a prompt of diversity and acceptance. Thanks to Mrs. Rossiter and her students for sharing their positive messages with us.

PSSA Science Test (Tuesday, April 29)
On Tuesday, the eighth grade students took the state science assessment. Last year the state field tested the assessment. This year will be the first year that the scores will be reported. When we receive the results, we will share them with you.

BCTC Visitation (Tuesday and Wednesday, April 29 & 30)
Eighth graders toured the Berks County Technical Center – East Campus this week. The visit is part of our improved career exploration program at the junior high level. The visit gave the students some information about the programs available, allowing them to make more informed course selections as they continue their high school education.

Autism Awareness (April 2008)
As April came to a close this week, I wanted to again thank the Diversity Club for distributing ribbons to students and staff in recognition of Autism Awareness Month. Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the world, affecting as many as 1 in 150 children. For more information, please visit http://www.worldautismawarenessday.org/

Upcoming Events

Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week (May 5-9)
This week is Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week. I want to take the time to thank the dedicated professionals who work every day with our students. They do an awesome job preparing children to lead productive lives. Thank you!!

No Place for Hate Activities – Junior High East and West (May 5-7)
We are very excited about the opportunity this week provides to emphasize the importance of unity and diversity. The teachers and administration have worked together to plan some cooperative writing activities during flex period to reinforce those goals. I’m purposely being a little sketchy right now since the activities have a little twist. I will explain more in next week’s edition after we have completed the activities. You can help by asking your child what they are doing in flex period when they come home on Monday and Tuesday. I also want to remind those students who purchased No Place for Hate Day t-shirts to wear them on Tuesday. Thanks in advance for your participation!

No Place for Hate Day (Tuesday, May 6, 2008)
On Tuesday May 6th, the entire Boyertown Area Community will be celebrating “No Place for Hate Day.” This day has been established for the entire community (schools, businesses, churches, etc.) to show support for continuing efforts in Boyertown to celebrate both our Unity and Diversity. Many businesses will give their employees the opportunity to sign the Resolution of Respect, wear T-shirts promoting the day, and be involved in various other functions. Students in schools and at the Boyertown YMCA will have some special programs surrounding this theme and also have the opportunity to obtain t-shirts and other items to support the cause.

East-West Orchestra Concert (Tuesday, May 6)
The annual spring combined orchestra concert will be held on Tuesday, May 6th at 7:00 p.m. at Junior High West. The show will feature the talents of both the East and West instrumentalists. Mr. Merkley and his players have been working hard on their set list. Come on out to hear some great music!

Midquarter Notices
It is hard to believe that Wednesday, May 7th is the halfway point of the fourth marking period. Midquarter failure notices will be in the mail by Friday, May 9th. Please talk to your child about finishing the year strong. Thanks in advance for your support.

6th Grade Visitation (Thursday, May 8)
On Thursday, we will have special visitors to East. The 6th grade students from Washington, Gilbertsville, and New Hanover – Upper Frederick Elementary Schools will be here for a tour of the building. We are looking forward to their visit.

JHE Instrumental Concert (Friday, May 9)
Our annual spring instrumental concert will be held on Friday, May 9th at 7:00 p.m. The show will feature the talents of both our band and orchestra. Mr. Benn, Mr. Merkley and their players have been working hard on their set lists. Come on out to hear some great music!

Orientation Night at Berks Career & Technology Center (May 6th and 7th)
Ninth grade students who are accepted to BCTC for the 2008-2009 school year are required to attend an evening orientation at BCTC on either May 6th or May 7th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Students will receive a letter in the mail specifying their particular program’s orientation night and location. Again, this orientation is required for all students who are accepted to BCTC for next year. Please contact your child’s counselor with any questions.

JHE Library Book Fair
The Library is having a Book Fair from May 12th to May 16th and everything is on sale. When you buy one book at the regular price, you get the second book free. Choose from hundreds of titles including mysteries, classics, biographies, sports, adventure, and humor. Stock up on books for summer reading. For additional information check out the following website: http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bookfairs/cptoolkit/publish/boyertownjhseast

Ninth Graders Visit BASH (Friday, May 16)
The ninth graders will get a guided tour of the high school on Friday morning, May 16th. It will be an opportunity to get familiar with the layout of the building and meet some of the high school students and staff, including Mr. Cooper. Mr. Cooper, BASH assistant principal, will be working with the Class of 2011 through graduation.

Reading Requirement
Due to several No Place for Hate Day activities throughout the week, we will be changing the completion date for the requirement to Friday, May 16th. Remember that students cannot move to the next grade unless the requirement is fulfilled. Please encourage your child finish their reading requirement as soon as possible.

Bear Fever Update
The Bear Fever committee is moving right along. Mr. Fegely informed me today that the painting of the bear is proceeding nicely. We are hoping to have our bear finished by the end of the school year.

Ninth Grade Dance Information
We sent the attached letter home last week with ninth grade students explaining the rules and dress code for the ninth grade dance. The dance is for Junior High East and West students only. It will be held on Friday, May 16th in the Senior High dining room from 8:00 to 10:30 p.m. The dance is meant to be a mixer – a chance for the students to celebrate the conclusion of ninth grade and get ready to move forward together at the high school – not a fashion show. Please help us by following the dress code outlined in the letter. Thanks in advance for your cooperation.

Early Dismissal – May 30, 2008
We are going to change the time of the May 30th early dismissal, delaying it by 1 hour, in order to compensate for some lost time due to weather. That means our students will eat lunch here and be dismissed at 12:35 p.m. Information will also available on the district website.

Unity Walk
Next year’s Unity Walk has been scheduled for October 12, 2008. Mark your calendar! The committee has been working hard since November to make the walk even better.

Magazine Subscription Drive
Magazine orders can still be placed online to support our schools. The website is www.qsp.com and our online Internet account number is 425028189. Online orders may be placed year-round. Thanks in advance for your support.

2008-2009 BASD Enrollment Review Process (Redistricting)
The district has announced a review process for enrollment considerations, including possible redistricting plans. Part of the process involves gathering public input. A series of public meetings has been scheduled. Please visit the district website at http://www.boyertownasd.org/index.aspx. Near the bottom of the homepage, there is a link entitled “Enrollment Review Committee Chart” that has more information about the process, including the list of meeting dates.

Attention Senior High Music Department students and Ninth grade students going to Italy
The jewelry, sunglass, and candle fundraiser is finally arriving. Pick up will be on Thursday, May 8 in the senior high Band Room. Pick up will start at 2 pm until 4 pm. Senior high students should be able to take the items with them on the bus. The second Italy payment of $675 is past due. Payments can be made in room 615 at the senior high, to Mr. Jordan at West, in the office at East, or sent to Mrs. Prutzman’s attention at BASH, 120 North Monroe Street.
The last fundraiser for the school year is now under way. If you have not gotten info on it ask your son or daughter to get info at their school. The turn around time on this one is short. Students do have two weekends to get out there and sell. Orders with payment are due on Wednesday, May 14. Delivery will be the week of June 2. The exact date of delivery will be determined at a later time.
There should be balances posted for students at each school. This balance does not reflect the sunglass sale and does reflect a deduction of $200 which we have sent to the travel agency. These balances will be updated shortly to include May 1st payment and the sunglass fundraiser. Thanks for your patience.
Also, Student Travel Insurance information is available from Amy Flannery at 610-473-3464 or aflannery@boyertownasd.org 

School Calendar for 2008-2009
The school board has approved the calendar for next year. A copy is attached. Please note that school will again begin after Labor Day.

• August 21 – New Student Orientation (walk around building, try your locker) 1:00-3:00 p.m.
• August 26 – New Student Orientation (same as above) 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
• August 28 – 7th Grade Orientation Night (meet with HR teacher, walk around bldg., try out locker) 7:00 p.m. to ??
• September 2 – First Day of School

Have a great weekend!


CALENDAR
Note: Since the calendar rarely changes, new entries or changes will initially be in bold.
May 6 East/West Orchestra Concert @ JH West – 7:00 PM
May 8 Sixth Graders visit JH East 9:00 AM
May 9 JHE Band/Orchestra Spring Concert 7:00 PM
May 14 JHE Art Show and Choral/String Ensemble Spring Concert - 6:30 PM
May 16 Ninth Graders visit BASH & East/West Ninth Grade Dance at BASH 8:00 to 10:30 PM &
Reading Requirement Completion Date
May 18-21 Gifted trip to Wallops Island
May 26 No School - Memorial Day Holiday
May 30 Early Dismissal – PM Staff Development
June 9 JHE Service Awards Assemblies
June 10 JHE Academic Awards Assemblies
June 11 Early Dismissal – Last Day of School & BASH Graduation – 7:00 PM


Procedures

Student AM Drop-Off Procedure
Just a reminder that students should be dropped off between 7:20 and 7:30 AM. Please use the east entrance into the loop in front of the building. As you enter the loop, stay to your right and circle around to the front of the building. Pull up to the curb to drop your child off. After drop off, use caution when pulling away from the curb. Continue ahead to the stop sign and make a left to get back to Route 73. The procedure worked smoothly last year. However, if you are on a tight time schedule, you are probably better off having your student ride the bus.

Student PM Pick-Up Procedure
Students getting picked up from school are dismissed at 2:43 PM. When picking up your son or daughter, please exercise caution and courtesy. Use the east entrance into the loop in front of the building. As you enter the loop, stay to your right and circle around to the front of the building. If you arrive before students are dismissed, please pull into a parking space to wait for your child. Last year we were getting a “traffic jam” in front of the building as parents were waiting along the curb, preventing other vehicles from getting through. Thanks in advance for your cooperation.

Parking/Entry During the School Day
Due to the security system we have in place, the only doors available for public access are the front doors. Please use the spaces in front of the building when parking during the school day. When picking up or parking during extracurricular activities, you may park in the back lot as long as you will not be there during bus arrival and dismissal times (7-8 AM; 2:15-3:15 PM). You may always park at any time in the west parking lot next to the tennis courts.