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.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Sunday, April 6, 2008
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
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
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
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.
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.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
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.
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.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Unexcused absences and tardies
Unexcused absences or unexcused tardies are down this year.
However, we have policies to motivate students to get to class, stay in class and be responsible about owning up to being unexcused tardy or absent.
Those policies dictate that if you get three unexcused absences in one class you can be dropped from that class. Policy also dictates that if you have three unexcused tardies they turn into an unexcused absence.
Any form or truancy is a classic example of an unexcused absence. You skip out of the last block class or decide to go to another classroom for the whole period. Both of those instances will get a student an unexcused absence AND extra detention/Saturday school time for truancy.
Another way students can earn an unexcused absence is if their parent does not call them in absent the day they miss and we can't get a hold of the parent that day AND they do not send a note in with the student the next day. We will not call the day the student returns. We have informed students and parents as we talk to them and it's been effective.
An unexcused tardy is simply a student not being in the room at the bell without good reason.
Students who receive an unexcused tardy or absence were given a slip of paper taped on their locker to talk to Mrs. Meyer and to set up a detention.
Serving time for either one made the absence or tardy "non-permanent" or soft. Meaning it wouldn't move the student towards being dropped from the class.
Now some students may say the system is flawed because some slips were taken from lockers before the students got to see them. Now it's unfortunate that some students find enjoyment in messing with the slips, but the student who missed should know what their responsibilities are when they miss. We go over these procedures early in the year and communicate them every opportunity that we can. Not getting the slip of paper doesn't absolve the student from the absence and being accountable for where they were.
So letters have now gone home to parents of students who have moved towards 3 unexcused absences in a class or several classes and are giving students multiple opportunities to serve their detention time.
Because if students don't serve their time by March 14th (one week after the end of the 3rd quarter) their 3rd quarter unexcused tardies and absences will go permanent. Any student with more than 3 in a particular class will be called in with their parents and dropping that student from those classes will be discussed.
Students who had time to serve for other teachers or for receiving blue slips were also sent letters. These students must serve the time or they will receive Good Conduct Policy violations fore insubordination. Students with absence or tardy detentions may also be cited for Good Policy violations if detentions are not served.
This means no Prom, no activity or athletic participation for the violation.
Any student with 2 unexcused absences in a particular class the student's parents will be called and if they have one unexcused absence a letter will go home.
This policy is located in the board policy book on the school website if you are curious and a list of all unexcused absences are located in the student-parent handbook. If you would like a copy of it have your student stop in the office or email me and I'll send you an electronic version.
However, we have policies to motivate students to get to class, stay in class and be responsible about owning up to being unexcused tardy or absent.
Those policies dictate that if you get three unexcused absences in one class you can be dropped from that class. Policy also dictates that if you have three unexcused tardies they turn into an unexcused absence.
Any form or truancy is a classic example of an unexcused absence. You skip out of the last block class or decide to go to another classroom for the whole period. Both of those instances will get a student an unexcused absence AND extra detention/Saturday school time for truancy.
Another way students can earn an unexcused absence is if their parent does not call them in absent the day they miss and we can't get a hold of the parent that day AND they do not send a note in with the student the next day. We will not call the day the student returns. We have informed students and parents as we talk to them and it's been effective.
An unexcused tardy is simply a student not being in the room at the bell without good reason.
Students who receive an unexcused tardy or absence were given a slip of paper taped on their locker to talk to Mrs. Meyer and to set up a detention.
Serving time for either one made the absence or tardy "non-permanent" or soft. Meaning it wouldn't move the student towards being dropped from the class.
Now some students may say the system is flawed because some slips were taken from lockers before the students got to see them. Now it's unfortunate that some students find enjoyment in messing with the slips, but the student who missed should know what their responsibilities are when they miss. We go over these procedures early in the year and communicate them every opportunity that we can. Not getting the slip of paper doesn't absolve the student from the absence and being accountable for where they were.
So letters have now gone home to parents of students who have moved towards 3 unexcused absences in a class or several classes and are giving students multiple opportunities to serve their detention time.
Because if students don't serve their time by March 14th (one week after the end of the 3rd quarter) their 3rd quarter unexcused tardies and absences will go permanent. Any student with more than 3 in a particular class will be called in with their parents and dropping that student from those classes will be discussed.
Students who had time to serve for other teachers or for receiving blue slips were also sent letters. These students must serve the time or they will receive Good Conduct Policy violations fore insubordination. Students with absence or tardy detentions may also be cited for Good Policy violations if detentions are not served.
This means no Prom, no activity or athletic participation for the violation.
Any student with 2 unexcused absences in a particular class the student's parents will be called and if they have one unexcused absence a letter will go home.
This policy is located in the board policy book on the school website if you are curious and a list of all unexcused absences are located in the student-parent handbook. If you would like a copy of it have your student stop in the office or email me and I'll send you an electronic version.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Mid-term, eligibility, attendance and prom
Half-way through quarter number three. Grades and progress reports have been mailed and eligibility, more specifically ineligibility lists have been compiled.
Normally eligibility affects only those students involved in activities. Those not involved really face only the wrath of home pressures and consequences there.
However, CAM High School does use eligibility as a criteria for being able to attend prom. The past years we have used the end of the third quarter to determine if students are eligible to attend prom. We will do this again this year.
Prom is Saturday, May 3rd and the end of the third quarter is March 7th. Juniors and seniors who are eligible are invited to prom. However, many sophomores and freshmen are asked as dates and each of the past two years we've seen students who are ineligible asked unexpectedly only to be disappointed that they couldn't go because of grades.
There isn't much a student can do once March 7th passes and a student is ineligible.
There also are issues with unexcused absences or habitual attendance violators. Unserved detentions will keep a student from being eligible to attend prom.
I would encourage everyone to be aware of their situation and that things get taken care of sooner rather than later. Pass your classes and get to school and class on time.
Normally eligibility affects only those students involved in activities. Those not involved really face only the wrath of home pressures and consequences there.
However, CAM High School does use eligibility as a criteria for being able to attend prom. The past years we have used the end of the third quarter to determine if students are eligible to attend prom. We will do this again this year.
Prom is Saturday, May 3rd and the end of the third quarter is March 7th. Juniors and seniors who are eligible are invited to prom. However, many sophomores and freshmen are asked as dates and each of the past two years we've seen students who are ineligible asked unexpectedly only to be disappointed that they couldn't go because of grades.
There isn't much a student can do once March 7th passes and a student is ineligible.
There also are issues with unexcused absences or habitual attendance violators. Unserved detentions will keep a student from being eligible to attend prom.
I would encourage everyone to be aware of their situation and that things get taken care of sooner rather than later. Pass your classes and get to school and class on time.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Where did Quasemoto go?
We missed the bells.
For two weeks the halls of CAM High School were quiet. Well, quiet from the interruption of the hall bells telling students, teachers and everyone it's time to move.
Our "Quasemoto" blew an amp, a system as old as the original "Hutchback of Notre Dame". Brought from the former high school, it was gutted of it's wires, dust, transistors and all that remains is a brand new amp. Combined with the new phone system we have more power, features and capabilities in 1/4th the area.
The bells will sound different, weird, almost wrong. But they will sound.
It was interesting watching everyone, drifting from class to class. Personally I think everyone did a good job considering our clocks have their differences. Our five minute passing period was more like 10 and I'm sure the number of "tardies" decreased as our kind hearted staff couldn't hold students who were a minute or two tardy...they may have been released late.
It's funny. The kids that would be tardy in 6 minutes were tardy after 11. What's the saying about giving an inch?
For two weeks the halls of CAM High School were quiet. Well, quiet from the interruption of the hall bells telling students, teachers and everyone it's time to move.
Our "Quasemoto" blew an amp, a system as old as the original "Hutchback of Notre Dame". Brought from the former high school, it was gutted of it's wires, dust, transistors and all that remains is a brand new amp. Combined with the new phone system we have more power, features and capabilities in 1/4th the area.
The bells will sound different, weird, almost wrong. But they will sound.
It was interesting watching everyone, drifting from class to class. Personally I think everyone did a good job considering our clocks have their differences. Our five minute passing period was more like 10 and I'm sure the number of "tardies" decreased as our kind hearted staff couldn't hold students who were a minute or two tardy...they may have been released late.
It's funny. The kids that would be tardy in 6 minutes were tardy after 11. What's the saying about giving an inch?
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