Happy New Year!

The new year is always a chance for fresh starts.  Lots of people set New Year's Resolutions each year.  I'm not one of them, but if you are--good luck!  If not, enjoy the football, sauerkraut, or any other tradition you have for ringing in the new year.  I hope 2014 is your best year yet!



Hello Winter Break!



Just a reminder that our Winter Break begins at the end of the school day on Friday, December 20th.  Make sure you return to school on Monday, January 6th!!



Believe it or not, but December has arrived!  Please remember in the midst of all the holiday fun that this month brings, we're also finishing up the first semester of classes.
Stay focused and earn those half credits!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you all enjoy your break from school.  More importantly, I hope you're able to spend some time with family and friends and truly appreciate all we have.  See you next week!

Annual JVS Food Drive

Each year, students at the Lorain County JVS collect food to donate to our local food bank.  While all donations go to Second Harvest, please be aware that they also supply the smaller food banks across our county.  Our yearly food drive is one of the largest, so please donate!

Recognizing Our Veterans

Take time on November 11th to thank those that have served for their committment to our country.  We're lucky to have a military that is made up of volunteers, some who have put their lives on the line for our freedom.  Show your appreciation by thanking a Veteran today.

Caption Contest!



Are you interested in some bonus points to start the second quarter?  Just think of a creative caption for this adorable picture and share it below.  Remember to include your name.  Post your captions by the end of the day on Friday, November 8th, and you'll earn five bonus points!



Election Day!

On Tuesday, there are a number of communities holding elections.  If you're unsure of your own, check the Board of Elections to see what races will be held in your town.  If you haven't registered to vote, there's a link at the Board of Elections webpage or you can pick up a form in my classroom.  Be a great citizen and exercise your right to vote!

Turn Your Clocks Back an Hour!

Sunday marks the end of Daylight Savings Time.  Before you go to bed on Saturday, turn your clock back an hour.  This is the time change we like--we get an extra hour of sleep.  Enjoy!

Happy Halloween!

Do you know how our Halloween traditions came about?  It wasn't as popular in the United States until the middle of the 19th century.  While I'm not a huge fan of Halloween, a lot of people are.  It's pretty obvious since almost every house on my street has had decorations up since the beginning of the month.

If you're a huge Halloween fan, share one of your favorite memories.  Post by midnight on Halloween night to earn five bonus points!

What a busy month!

October has been a very busy month.  In addition to completing lots of work, we're also nearing the end of the first quarter on November 1st.  Students are hopefully on their way to earning a half social studies credit. 

Evening Conferences



Evening Conferences will be held on Thursday, October 24th.  I will be in my classroom from 4-7:00 if you have any questions or concerns.  If you're unable to attend, please call or send an email .  You can also contact our guidance department to reschedule a parent conference.



We celebrate WHAT in September?

Some of you may know that we celebrate Black History Month in February and Women's History in March. But did you know there are some special celebrations in September too?

To start off, this month is blueberry popsicle month, national honey month, and chicken month! In addition, it's Hispanic Heritage Month, National Piano Month, and International Square Dancing Month. That's a lot to celebrate. Hopefully you all recognize National Courtesy Month, because we can all use a little kindness in our lives. Enjoy!

Constitution Day 2013

 On September 17th, we celebrate Constitution Day.  This is our chance to celebrate this most important document in our nation's history.  In addition, it's still the supreme law of our land.  No city, county, or state can pass a law that trumps the U.S. Constitution.
In American Civics, we will have the opportunity to explore the Constitution and become experts in knowing and understanding our rights and responsibilities as American citizens.


This is our Constitution Flag



Our Constitutional Delegates



Thoughts on Psychology?

What do you think of psychological disorders?  We've had a few discussions that preview this topic.  In addition, our notes on the history of the field show that this hasn't always been a trusted field of study.  This cartoon shows that for some people, it's not only a trusted field, but one that can almost be celebrated.
Share your opinion below, by Wednesday, September 18th, and you can earn five bonus points!

Labor Day Follow-up

Labor Day was created by the labor movement in the United States. In our early history, workers had few rights and were at the complete mercy of their employers.  We have had many social and economic achievements as American workers because of all those that came before us. They paved the way for us to have some legal protections (no discrimination, a minimum wage, etc.) in the work force.
This day is a national tribute to teh contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country!
Information courtesy of the U.S. Department of Labor.

Why Celebrate Labor Day?

I know we're not going to argue, but why do we always have the first Monday of September off of school? We just started, do we really need a day off? (I'm fully aware that we DO need the day off, I'm just asking if anyone knows why.
If you care to take a minute and do some research, look up a brief history of Labor Day.  Email me a 3-5 sentence summary and earn five bonus points! Be sure to email a response before school starts on Tuesday. And check back for the answer.

TGIF!

We made it through the first week of school! While I know everyone (myself included) is looking forward to our three day weekend, I hope this week wasn't too stressful or painful. It's my hope that we all have an amazing year. While we have a ton to learn and a lot of work to complete, there's no reason it can't be fun and enjoyable at the same time.

Enjoy your weekend.  I'll see everyone Tuesday!

Follow Me!

I suggested to all students that they visit my classroom website as well as this blog. If they sign up to receive notifications at my website and sign up to follow my blog, they will have the chance to earn some bonus points.  While the bonus points are helpful, the information at these sites will be important throughout the year.  Welcome back to school! 



Welcome Back!

Welcome to the 2013-2014 school year! I want to take a little space to introduce myself and the classes I'll be teaching today.  Hopefully you are all excited to head back to the classroom.
All students will receive a letter of introduction that includes my contact information.  I have been teaching at Lorain County JVS for fifteen years; this year I'm welcoming my 17th group of students. 
This year I have three American Civics classes, two Psychology/Sociology classes, and one study hall.  Whatever class you're enrolled in, you will be able to find helpful resources and information by visiting my blog.
In addition to Our Classroom Connection, I have a JVS website with links to all my classes.  You can also leave voice mail messages by dialing the school (440/774-1051) and asking for extension 2498. Finally, I have an email address: jpluta@lcjvs.net.  Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Unbelievable!

Someone has really dropped the ball here, and that someone is me!  My apologies for not keeping up with Our Classroom Connection for the fourth quarter.

Quickly, we are taking finals the week of June 3rd.  Juniors will be finished on June 7th!

Since you're all excited to return, mark your calendars for SENIOR orientation on August 14th.  Underclassmen begin school on August 26th and seniors return on August 27th.

Have a wonderful, relaxing, and especially safe summer!  See you in the fall.

New 4th Quarter Projects

This quarter, students will again have a project to work on

throughout the 4th Quarter.  We will have the netbooks in class each Friday to complete the projects. 
Students received the assignments before Spring Break.  We'll review the assignments this week.

Welcome Back!

To celebrate the Cleveland Indians home opener, everyone is encouraged to wear Indians shirts and jeans tomorrow to show support for the Tribe.

Go Cleveland!

Happy Easter

For those of you that are celebrating Easter, enjoy your day!

Hopefully you'll receive a basketful full of candy and surprises.



At 2:14 today, students will begin their Spring Break.  As this clip art shows, they are ready for some time off school!

It is my hope that everyone enjoys their time off and is able to relax and have a bit of fun!

Don't forget to come back to school on Monday, April 8th!

Passover Begins

At sundown today, the Jewish holiday of Passover begins.  Passover is an eight-day celebration of the freeing of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.  On the first two nights, families will enjoy a Seder. This is a combination of traditions, rituals, and food.

3rd Quarter Ends

Today marks the end of our 3rd Quarter of the 2012-2013 school year!  It's difficult to believe that the year is almost finished, especially for the seniors.
Final grades will be due on Monday, so you will be able to check for final quarter grades in PowerTeacher then.
A final reminder that students must have two passing grades each semester in order to earn the half credit for the class.

Welcome Spring!

Spring arrives this Wednesday, March 20th.

For five bonus points, post a comment about what you're looking forward to this Spring.  Make sure to include your name and post your comment by the end of the day on Wednesday.

Enjoy!

Women's History Month

March is recognized as Women's History Month.  I cannot tell you how much has changed since my childhood, and gladly I think gender equality is something many of my students take for granted.

One of our science teachers, Mrs. Karbler, shared this book with me.  In Heroes for my Daughter, Brad Meltzer recognizes inspirational women.

For five bonus points, post a comment about a woman that has inspired you.  This can be someone famous or not-so-famous.  Just list the person and give us a quick explanation.  Post before school starts on Monday, March 11th for your extra credit!

Spring Conferences

On Thursday night, we will be holding our second evening of parent-teacher conferences.  While the teachers have requested conferences with certain parents, everyone is welcome to stop by.  Most teachers will be in their classroom and someone will be available to pass out schedules if needed.  I hope to see you Thursday, between 4 and 7 o'clock!

Vocational Youth Clubs

 

An important item for students and parents to understand is the roll of Vocational Youth Clubs at Lorain County JVS. All students become members of a specific club, determined by their vocational program. 

This Spring, students are participating in regional contests with the hopes of advancing to State Competitions.  Every year we have a large number of students that advance to the state level, and we have had students continue to Nationals. Good luck to all students participating in contests!

PowerTeacher Reminder

Just a reminder that parents and students should be frequently checking PowerTeacher for updated assignments and grades.  While we will still send the occasional progress report home, this is the best way to keep informed of a student's performance.  The website can be found by looking under Links of Interest at the JVS Webpage or by clicking here.

For students: log in to PowerTeacher by using your school ID and regular password that you log into the computers with.
For parents: please contact the school office if you need login information or assistance.

No School!

There is no school this Monday, February 18th.  This day has been set aside to honor our American Presidents.  While most of us dont' take the time to think of our presidents, it's not a bad idea.
So for five bonus points, post a comment on which U.S. President is the most influential.  Share your choice and a reason why by the end of the day on Wednesday, February 20th.  I can't wait to see who you choose!

Extra Credit Opportunity

If you're interested in earning some bonus points and you're enrolled in my American Civics class, visit my JVS website for a Presidents' Day trivia assingment.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day is usually seen as a day of romance.  It doesn't have to be though!  In our house, Valentine's Day is a chance to let everyone you love--grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins--how much you appreciate them.
Hopefully your Valentine's Day is enjoyable and you have the chance to let others know you're glad they're a part of your life.  And hopefully others will let you know how special you are too!

JVS Tries to Stop Bullying

This year, our principal Mrs. Petitti has made it a priority to stop bullying at JVS.  With this in mind, the JVS has recently established a telephone tip line for students to call to anonymously report a bullying incident or safety issue.
A student who prefers to report anonymously can call 440/774-6959 and select Option 7.  An automated system will allow the caller to choose an incident number so he/she can call back at a later time to receive an update on the status of the incident or provide new information. Students are encouraged to report verbal, written, physical, or electronic abuse. All reports are taken seriously.
We understand that not everyone is comfortable speaking directly to an administrator, teacher, or counselor.  It is our hope that this number will allow students to protect themselves and their fellow students.
Since JVS is a school of choice, we want everyone that makes the decision to attend JVS to be happy.  By establishing this tip line, we hope to make everyone aware that we will not tolerate bullying of any kind.

Open House

On Sunday, Lorain County JVS will host our anual open house.  This is a wonderful opportunity for community members to visit JVS and see all we have to offer.
We hope to see:

• Sophomores who are interested in attending JVS for the 2013-2014 school year.  Please come out and visit the different programs you may want to join.
• Adults who need additional training.  We have a lot to offer!  You may be interested in training for a new career, acquiring new skills to advance in your current job, or learning something for fun.
• Tax payers should come out and see what we're doing.  We have purchased new equiptment for our students to train in their future careers.  We have a variety of labs helping students learn more about the building trades, medical careers, the business world, service jobs, and transportation.

We are very proud of our students and all they accomplish.  If you're free this Sunday, come see what we have to offer Lorain County.

Caption Contest #2

Interested in some bonus points for class?  Check out this picture.  Post a caption for it in the comment box.  Be sure to include your name and I'll give you 5 bonus points.  Be sure to post your comment by the end of the day on Thursday, February 7th!

Welcome February!

February is our shortest month, but it's also one of our busiest.

We started it off right though on Saturday.  There are a number of groundhots out there that were being watched and most of them didn't see their shadows.  That (despite our wonderful snowfall on Saturday) means an early spring.  I'm OK with that!  Hopefully you're all ready for some warmer weather too.  Enjoy the snow while we have it, it won't last forever.

3rd Quarter!

I cannot believe that our school year is already half over!  I am only going to assume that you're all alright with it--you're probably ready for summer.

This week is a special one at JVS.  First, no school Monday for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  Wednesday and Thursday are Sophomore Career Days.  10th graders from around the county will have the chance to come out and visit different programs.  Students will not have academic classes either day.

Since it's the beginning of the second semester, students may have new classes.  If schedules need to be changed, students will have the chance to meet with guidance counselors this week.