Summer's moving right along

Baseball and softball have officially ended and state tournaments have started or are upcoming soon. Summer is starting to move towards Fall.

School registration is tentatively set for August 12 and there will be some different things about this year's version of registration.

Remember, this year your student will be lugging around a MACbook with the latest operating system and programs on it including a school-only email address. This will come WITHOUT the $20 fee we charged last year.

With that said, we will have to meet and talk about the student and parent's responsiblities and what would happen if something DID happen to your student's computer.

Also, we'll have a drastically different cell phone policy. No we will not be banning cell phones, but we'll come to an understanding. The board has to approve the policy, but I can say now we will exercise ALL options given to us by law for those students who do not comply with the new policy.

In today's economy and climate high schools have been asked to step it up and it starts with the learning environment. To say cell phones distract and disrupt that environment is a stark understatement.

We will respect the student's right to have them if they respect our right and need to provide ALL students with an environment suitable to prepare them for life after high school.

School's out for the Summer

The school year, formerly known as 2007-2008, is officially over.

Everyone is a year older and hopefully wiser. I know we learned a lot about each other, especially this year with the triumphs and tragedy we endured together.

We introduced new computers, policies and met a new administrator in Mr. Brazell. And now we say goodbye to Mr. Kuempel and Mrs. Bucey, two important cogs in our special education program.

Conference championships in volleyball and golf as well as a winning streak in football highlighted athletic accomplishments.

All-state musicians and speech performers as well as state and national FFA convention participants were a few activity highlights as well.

Look ahead we have added Project Lead the Way, a new program for students who want an active learning experience.

And for all of CAM schools we will be one-to-one computers to students at the start of of the 2008-2009 school year.

Have a great summer everyone! Remember - "A goodbye is not forever!"

Schedule for your future

Schedule for your future. Public education works...for those who choose to challenge themselves, take advantage of the opportunities offered and who attended regularly.

But it all starts with the schedule, one that follows the student's chosen pathway and one that pushes the student each year.

We have our materials on our website this year and are offering online registration. Students and parents can sit together at home and register for classes. Then they can review them and make changes themselves or call the school.

We have new programs, dual credit opportunities, IWCC classes all to consider.

Schedule for you and not to have an easy senior year or to be with your friends.

Today's economy will demand a lot from you when you leave high school

Get all of the free education that you can now.

Cody gave us hope

After the horrifying events of Friday, April 4th and Cody Olsen's accident on hwy 148, the school was left reeling with prospect of losing Cody. For the next, almost two weeks, we as a community clung to hope.

Even though our prayers weren't answered (in our terms) and the outcome wasn't what we wanted, Cody's fight gave us hope and allowed us to come together.

Clinging to the hope brought us together in a way no lesson plan or activity ever could. And as we prepare to say our final goodbyes to Cody, and gather to share our memories, we can be comforted in the fact his memory will live on in those stories and remembrances.

Cody's funeral is Tuesday, April 22 at 10:30 at the CAM Middle School.

I'm very proud of our students and staff

In the midst of two trying situations involving Erin Steele and Cody Olsen, I have to tip my hat to both the students and staff of CAM High School for keeping a positive outlook and supporting each other.

Erin has hopefully turned the corner on what was certainly a dire situation and is working her way back.

Cody is fighting to get back to us after a horrifying accident, one which a bus load of high school students witnessed immediately afterwards.

There have been many tears but I've felt we've comforted and strengthened each other and have bonded together to believe nothing but the most positive outcomes will occur for both Cody and Erin.

We were able to dispel a despicable and distasteful rumor about Cody Friday night and continue to hope for the best.

Please continue to hold these two in your positive thoughts or prayers as they fight to get back to their families and friends.

Websites:
Cody Olsen
Erin Steele

Please! Don't quit your day job!

Tuesday night's Conference Honor band featured three numbers performed by the directors of the conference schools. This included CAM's own Neil Berry.

Together they jazzed it up, getting several solos each that got, and deserved, applause.

Standing there I thought, "this group could go out and perform professionally."

Then I thought, "What am I thinking!??!! Please, don't quit your day jobs! We need you."

Just about every teaching area in the state of Iowa is termed "a need area", but music teachers are hard to find.

I don't think the conference Principals would appreciate my suggesting they form a band and go on tour.

Great job students and directors, it was an entertaining evening.

Hollywood ending

The disgruntled coach kicks the team out of practice right before the big tournament.

Team loses the first game of the tournament.

In the 2nd game a key player gets an intentional elbow that isn't called, plays on, goes to get medical attention and comes back motivated and leads the team to a win over their fiercest rival in an exciting back and forth contest.

In the third game things come together for a complete victory.

Everyone playing clears a big hurdle, players who hadn't scored pour points in and find confidence in their contribution to the two victories.

All in all a 2nd place finish in a tournament they were slated to go 0-3 and finish fourth.

The Hollywood ending happened for the 3rd grade CAM basketball team who had one just one game going into the weekend, losing 4 times collectively to the two teams they defeated Saturday.

The crowd was great, the games were fast paced, it was just a great day. Had we lost both games we'd been just as proud of the effort.

Things just plain fell together. Everyone contributed, bruised knees, bloody lips, a lot of sweat and a lot of smiles as they hustled their way to two considerable upset victories.

Playing Saturday were: Felicity Jackson, Kayle Meyer, Emma Dorsey, Anthony Erhman, Shianne Adams, Chelsea Adams, Cane Cooley, Kyler Jacobs, Brock Watson and Collin Giegerich. Christian Kinze couldn't make it Saturday, but was there all year.

Two plus months of practice and non-basketball lessons later and I haven't been prouder of a group of young people.

A good "Hollywood" way to end the season.