Simon Estes to perform in Atlantic as part of his "Roots and Wings" tour

He is asking Iowa students to help save lives

One of Iowa’s most iconic figures is coming to Cass County and will be singing at a concert that will also feature our All-State vocalists on Sunday, October 27 at 3 p.m. in the Atlantic High School Auditorium.  Simon Estes will perform at the concert along with students from all of the schools in Cass County and a limited number of tickets will go on sale October 1st for $20 at locations in Anita, Atlantic, Griswold and Massena.

On October 28th he will be meeting with high school students from Atlantic, Griswold and CAM to deliver a message of motivation.  He believes Iowa has the best students in the country and that they have many skills and wants to encourage them to set high goals and work hard to achieve them.

Estes is also launching a campaign to raise money to help combat malaria in Africa.  He has released a CD of 15 songs and has asked the students of Iowa to sell three of them by the end of November.  He will donate $5 of every $15 sale to buy nets for the children in Africa to sleep under protecting them from the malaria spreading mosquitoes.  He is also donating $1 for every CD sold to participating school districts.

In celebration of the CD sales he has organized an event December 15 at 3 p.m. at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, that will feature a chorus of students from across Iowa.  Each district has been invited to send between five and ten students to the event to perform several songs, again with Estes performing along with the Iowa student chorus.  Songs will include Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus”, performed with the Des Moines Symphony Youth Orchestra , as well as standard Christmas Carols.

CDs will be on sale at CAM beginning October 14th and running until November 30.  We will be selling at events like the variety show, at churches and other locations, but please contact the high school at 712-762-3231 if you are interested and would like a copy of the CD.  Some will be on hand to sell, but we may also be taking orders and getting them to you before Christmas in case you want to give one as a gift.

This is an unique event that we’re hoping to use to raise funds for the music programs, specifically the purchase of new band uniforms.  

Common sense on sleep can yield big results in the classroom

-->Students want to learn.  There isn’t a soul out there that starts the year with a desire to fall behind, to perform at an average level or fail.  Parents can go a long way in helping their kids by doing just a couple things, and they don’t require you to know anything about Algebra or writing bibliographies.  It just involves making sure they get to bed, turn off the electronics at times and get up in the morning.

Sleep goes a long way towards assuring a student has a good day at school.  Many students drag themselves into school tired, for various reasons, and spend the day watching the clock, unfocused and inattentive.  When asked many will indicate they were up watching TV, on the Internet (or phones); while some have jobs and work late, are up studying or have a late school activity.  The first reason is unacceptable, while the others need careful watching and management.

Treat all electronics as a privilege not a right to have and you dictate when they are acceptable to be turned on.  Having to fall asleep with the TV on should not be an option, and if a student claims they MUST have it on or they CAN’T get to sleep before a certain time, it’s time to adjust things.  Eight hours of sleep is recommended, while six is a minimum.  It’s pretty easy to adjust bed and waking up times to fit these hours into a busy teen’s schedule. 

The other issue is some leave their cell phone on and receive and send multiple texts into the wee hours of the night.  Harmless or not they’re in bed but they are not sleeping.  Cell phones can be turned off and left in a spot that isn’t beside their bed where the temptation to use them can be strong.  Buy them an alarm clock if they insist they have to use their phone to wake up and are caught using their phone at night when they should be asleep.

Lastly, have a time when they turn off all electronics to study, do homework, or simply review the upcoming day and get things prepared.  To read and comprehend the mind cannot process right with most types of music playing.  Music is fine if they are creating things (videos, some types of writing and reviewing) but the first couple times they read something or study facts, having a calm mind is essential.  And put the phone away so the temptation to text or do other things is minimal.

Good luck in the upcoming school year!

"In Their Words"

Here is my 2013 Commencement Speech "In Their Own Words"

Each year I get a little nervous thinking of the proper things to say in regards to the graduating class.  Our superintendent and class speakers have shared words of wisdom, advice and some funny memories.  Traditionally I try to characterize the group, give you all a look into the impression they left on everyone at school as they graced our hallways.  This year instead of choosing my own words, I surveyed the class and asked them to describe their classmates in a one simple word or phrase.  

May I present to you the Class of 2013 - In  Their own Words.

Hannah - Sweet, Smart, Musical

Hunter - Funny, Cool, Outdoor-sy

Ryan - Class Clown or Two words Mud-Kip

Emily - Smart & Athletic, Beautiful

Tyler B. - Artistic, Reserved, Geniune

Jarrad - A Sweetheart, Cool and Kind-Hearted

Ashlyn - Quiet, Very nice, Generous

Chance - Motivated, Comical, Hard-worker

Shelby - Nice hair, very fun, Pretty

Veronica - Artistic, Colorful, caring

Dustin - The Ferg, Loud, Care-free

Kassidy - Strong Minded, Hard-worker, Funny

Carson - Outgoing, social, free-spirit

AhLEEsha - Responsible, giggly, Kind

Jenna - Organized, Good Dancer, Spanish Guru

Kaley - Sweet, Pretty Eyes, Photogenic

Ashlynn - Nicest person, friendly, colorful

Trevor - Determined, studious, Athletic

Alex - Mischievous, fun, DUUUUDE!

Amber - Rural, Outgoing, Country

Tyler S. - Farmer, Strong, Mellow

Nichelle - Unique, Friendly, Quiet

Matthew - Intelligent, dedicated, Rippped!

Shaley - Inspiring, A Cool Cat, Lots of Fun

Graduates, you are all of these adjectives and so much more.  Thank you for an incredible four years, you certainly have a lot going for you.  

Thank you.