Shasta OBOB Winners!
The Bookworms - Winner of the Shasta OBOB competition
85 – 80! That was the final score of our overtime Shasta Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB) competition. After months of team preparation and “battles” Shasta claimed it’s winner – The Bookworms – Grace, Maya, Daisy, Alexa, and Kaitlyn. The competition was neck-and-neck. Mrs. Greydanus described it as “very tense!”
OBOB is a state-wide reading competition. A list of 16 books are chosen and questions are written for the Middle school (6th-8th) level. Teams consist of four members, and each “battle” is composed of two teams. Participating students form teams, read the assigned books, and then compete against other teams to correctly answer questions in a “quiz show” format. Questions will begin with the words “In which book…” so that the answer will be a title and author, or it will be a “Content” question with the title of the book supplied and the team will need to provide the answer. After the team has been given 15 seconds to collaborate, the team’s spokesperson is given the chance to answer the question.
The Bookworms will represent Shasta at the regional OBOB competition, which will be held at Willamette High School on March 10th.
Writing Workshop is a Hit With Students
Congratulations to the students who are participating in this year’s workshops entitled, What the Cyclops Wished He’d Known, a series of four exciting TAG (and highly motivated writers) writing workshops. These workshops are presented by Louisa Lindsay-Sprouse, the creator of the Young Writers Association (YMA). Louisa has been presenting writing workshops in Bethel and at the TAG summer program at the University of Oregon for many years. Louisa submits some of the great writing to UpStarts, a community publication for writing from youth.
Kicking off the New Year!
Plans for the new Bethel Community Center/YMCA
Why The Y In Bethel
The plan for a Community Center in Bethel is closer to becoming a reality, but first the City of Eugene wants to hear your thoughts on the idea. Take this quick survey to share your thoughts with City staffers.
The proposal would permit the Eugene Y to build a new facility along Legacy Street, immediately south of Meadow View School. The City would lease the land to the Y for $1 a year.
Like the idea? Not so sure? Share your thoughts in the survey today.
Writing Workshop
Congratulations to those students who have been recommended for the upcoming TAG Writing Workshops. The first workshop will be Friday, January 6. Teachers who recommended students for these workshops, were given handouts to be distributed to the students they recommended.
Students participating in these workshops will be allowed the opportunity to make up any missing work they have as a resulting of missing class the following dates:
Friday, January 6, 2012 1:00 – 3:30
Friday, February 3, 2012 1:00 – 3:30
Friday, January 13, 2012 1:00 – 3:30
Friday, February 10, 2012 1:00 – 3:30
Success For All Students
Bethel is proud to host African American Student Support Night on January 12th at 7:00 p.m. at Willamette High School. Families of African American and bi-racial students will learn about the Bethel programs in place to support students at every grade level. The event will include some inspirational straight-talk and will seek your opinions on what issues future events should address and how we can all improve our schools.
Report Cards For Schools
Due to a change in state rules, we are now able to email our State School Report Cards to Shasta families. This will save the school district money, although paper copies will also be available at the Shasta school office for those who request a hard copy.
You may recall that Oregon recently raised the bar on what kids are expected to learn in math at each grade level. As a result, fewer students were able to “meet” the state math standards.
The good news is that while Shasta students continue to excel in reading, our teachers have already been implementing several new programs to improve student learning in Math. These include strengthening of the Algebra and Pre-Algebra programs. Students and staff at Shasta are working even harder to raise achievement in math to meet our own higher expectations.
Click here for Shasta’s Report Card from last school year.
Finally, thank you for staying involved in your child’s education. Middle school is a time when kids are seeking some independence but they truly need your active attention and support. As always, feel free to email or call us.
gweil@bethel.k12.or.us brady.cottle@bethel.k12.or.us (541) 688-9611
Shasta Welcomes New Staff
Five new staff members will be joining Shasta this fall.
- Brady Cottle - Assistant Principal. Brady was the Student Services Coodinator at Springfield Middle School and replaces former co-principal Bert Eliason, who retired after thirty years of service to Bethel School District.
- Mike Reetz - Band Director. Mike is from North Dakota, and more recently from Gold Beach, Oregon, where he taught band and choir. Joe Ingram retired after teaching band for 27 years at Shasta.
- Michelle Lind - Special Education Teacher. Michelle’s assignment will be working with special education students. Molly Molnar will teach at Willamette High School.
- Gina Moore – Receptionist/Secretary. Gina will work in the front office, replacing Glenda Hausler who retired after 27 years of service at Shasta Middle School.
- Tom Woods – Language Arts and Social Studies. Tom is from Prairie Mountain and will teach in place of John Krieder, who will teach at Willamette High School.
We look forward to beginning another school year with renewed energy and enthusiasm!