World Trade Center Memorial Ceremony

The Lorain County JVS held a ceremony on Monday to begin the process of building a memorial to the September 11th bombings.  View pictures at the JVS webpage. 

One of the supervisors at JVS was instrumental in bringing a large piece of metal from the World Trade Center that will be used to construct a memorial.  Our students will be involved in designing and creating this important remembrance.

March Madness

At a staff meeting last week, we spoke about March Madness.  Any sports freak immediately thinks about the NCAA basketball tournament that kicks off this week.  Our administration was talking about the students though!  March tends to be a long month--no days off until Spring Break--and everyone gets a little restless.  It's difficult to remember there is an end in sight, especially with the way our weather has been.  Who isn't feeling a little restless?

So, don't be one of the crazy people adding to the school's March Madness.  Make sure you keep up with your school work and study for all your tests.  My Civics students have the big Last Lecture project to work on and we're also still learning about World War II.  Sociology just finished their Cultural Diversity projects and is going to learn a little about different types of societies.  Computers has learned about Word, Publisher, and Paint.  Next up will be a fun Internet-based program and looking at all that Google has to offer.

I will be watching lots of basketball in the upcoming weeks.  My apologies now if I'm behind in grading papers!  You know me, I always have an excuse. 

Leave me a comment and let me know--who do you have winning it all?

Should Parenting be a Battle?

Students in my Sociology class have been discussing Cultural Diversity.  Students have shared wonderful presentations and we have all learned a lot about different societies and subcultures.  In the midst of this, one of my students recommended that I read Amy Chua's novel Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother.  In this book, Chua shares her views of parenting and the story of how she raised her own two daughters, Sophia and Lulu.

Here's a short list of what Chua's daughters couldn't do:

• attend a sleepover
• watch TV
• choose their own extracurricular activities
• play any instrument other than the piano or violin
• earn any grade less than an A

What were her daughters allowed to do?

• practice piano or violin for no less than five hours a day
• give their parents complete respect
• come in first place for any competition
• leave school during recess, music, or gym to practice piano or violin

As  a parent, I can honestly say I have nothing in common with Chua.  I would be the parent she describes as a Western Parent.  Throughout the book, she refers to this parenting style with negativity.

For five bonus points, let me know what you think.  Leave a comment below by Friday, March 11th.  What kind of parenting style do you believe is the best?

A Last Lecture Project

Students in my American Civics classes have been working on a major project that also counts towards Mrs. Bilczo's English class.  Titled A Last Lecture, the project combines the book The Last Lecture with A&E's Biography of the Millennium series.

Students had the opportunity to choose one of the one hundred most influential people of the last millenia.  You can see the list HERE.  Each student is learning about a different person from this list.  They will be reading a biography on their person and then preparing a paper and a presentation.

The presentation is connected to the novel they've read in English.  In The Last Lecture, Randy Pausch shares life advice.  You are able to view Pausch's actual last lecture at the Last Lecture website.  The video is very moving, because he was dying of pancreatic cancer.

In addition to all the hard work, students will have the opportunity to shop at Goodwill and Great Northern Mall on Friday, March 11.  For their presentations, students must dress and act as the subject of their biographies.  Hopefully they'll be able to find some clothes and props to use on this field trip.  A big thanks goes out to the JVS Educational Foundation.  They are providing each student with some money to use on this field trip.

Halfway There!

It may be hard to believe, but this quarter is almost halfway over.  This whole school year is going so quickly.  Since the snow has returned, there's nothing to do but complete homework and study of course.  I'm sure your Interim grades will be absolutely perfect!

Remember to complete all your class work, including the daily assignments.  Those five points can really add up.  And for those in my American Civics class, continue reading your biographies and working in your journals.  Those projects will be due in no time.



Don't let this happen to you!



Parent Conferences

This Thursday, parents are invited to visit with teachers between 4 - 7:00.  This is an excellent time to meet with one or all of the teachers.  Most will be available and in their classrooms.  Third Quarter interims will be entered at the end of February, so this is a great time to get students back on track. 

I will be in my classroom, B-104, which is in the basement.  If you have any questions or concerns, please stop by and see me.  You're also welcome to send an e-mail (jpluta@lcjvs.net) at any time.   I promise...no lectures!

Support Community Theater

Mighty Goliath Productions, a community theater in Avon Lake, is presenting The Sound of Music.  Performances begin this Friday, February 11.  Shows are performed at Avon Lake High School's Daniel B. Ross Performing Arts Center.

As an English teacher and supporter of the arts, I would love to encourage all of you to attend one of their productions.  For students enrolled in my classes, attend any local theater production for extra credit.  Simply bring in your ticket stub and write a short review to earn ten bonus points.

You can find out more information on this production by visiting the the MGP website.  Please attend and enjoy!