October paper - Alberton Public School

Panther Press volume 14 Issue 3
October 31, 2012
Staff Interview for the School Annual
By: Keir Sanzano
Working on our high school randoms, class pictures, and prom page, is
Hailie Bahm. She is a junior. She is working hard and enjoys being in publications. Hailie thinks that this years annual is going good so far and it should
turn out very well.
Delani Hanley is another one of our juniors. She is working to get the
homecoming pages done. Delani enjoys publications and thinks it’s a lot of
fun, and is a great way to see everybody doing their own thing, with the
people they love.
One of our school annual editors Megan Drury is currently working on
the senior pages. This is a good area for her since she is in the senior class.
Megan says she enjoys being in publications class and is looking forward to
finishing up her final year in Alberton High School on a high note. Publications it is a great skill to learn if you are somebody who wants to get into
professional news writing for local or even big time companies.
I think that Publications is a great way for people to get involved in
their community and spread the news of what is going on in Alberton.
Hailie Bahm, Delani Hanley, Megan Drury.
New Teeter-Totter
By: David Stafford
Out on the playground there is a new teeter– totter
for the elementary kids to use. It was completely finished and ready for use during the first weekend of October. It seems the kids are already enjoying the new
piece of equipment . Every day before school starts and
before every recess. The kids line up for their turn to
teeter and totter. All of them have big smiles on their
face too. Even some of the high school students are enjoying it.
The funds came from a grant, donated by Jackie
Callison for five thousand dollars. This grant also gave
us the new tables and bench on the playground. The total cost for the item was close to twenty– three hundred
dollars. Hopefully the teeter– totter gets plenty of use.
Children Playing on the Teeter– Totter and having a ball!
Entry to the Playoffs
By: Delani Hanley
In our tiny community of Alberton, in the shadow of the mountains, 30 miles
from Missoula, the passion for football can be measured by the scramble for
parking spots on our very own gridiron. Come game time, the vehicles offer
shelter from the wind, the sun, rain and snow. When the Panthers score, horns
blare and headlights flash; it’s the special atmosphere of small-town football fever.
Local fans rush to claim prime spots for watching the weekend clashes featuring, this weekend, the third ranked Valier Panthers from the Northern Division. It’s the entry to the playoffs this weekend people! So warm up the car, load
up the kids, get a spot on the field, and cheer on the second ranked team of the
six man, Western C Division, our very own Alberton Panthers.
Our football team is planning on making a deep run into the playoffs, and
shows no sign of slowing down. With a regular season record of 5-2, the pigskin
passion lives on in the souls of our Panthers. The passion lives not only in the
souls of our Panthers, but also in the community around us. Six man teams
around the state of Montana are saddling up and getting ready for playoffs. It’ll
be a tantalizing and eager matchup between the two Panther teams this Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m.
I, among many others, will be cheering for our boys. They certainly have
made this community proud in the past few years. They show no signs of changing that tradition and we are all very proud of them. We wish them the best of
luck in the playoffs, and I know they will succeed. Whatever the outcome, Alberton will love them all the same. The Panthers all play with such an enormous
amount of passion, heart, and love for the game. They are a joy to watch and
have made this regular season an impressionable one.
Update Panther Playoff
Game:
Final score against Valier was
41– 65. Thus concluding the
Alberton Panther’s season.
Alberton Panther Football Team
Alberton’s Website?
By: Elizabeth Pluth
It’s true! Alberton School has a website currently going through a soft launch, and
Mr. Kent Haab is still working out the kinks. This website will provide online information concerning sports, staff/schedules, school board, clubs, lunch menu and the newspaper. This website is for any student or parent/guardian, and is available 24/7.
“ Dr. Gary Webber bought the software and I designed, found the host provider,
secured the URL name, and launched the site,” said Mr. Kent Haab, who is the business/ technology instructor. “ It is nothing groundbreaking, but hopefully will give people basic information they need.” Mr. Haab also said that he is not a web designer, and
that his goal isn’t perfection but public information.
The website is run by Mr. Haab and the activities and lunch menu are run by junior student, Hailie Bahm. I asked Hailie her thoughts on the Alberton website. She said,
“Yes, I like the idea of the website. I think it will be helpful to keep the community involved in our school.” Hailie Bahm also runs the electronic reader board at the edge of
Alberton School’s parking lot.
This website is a replacement of previous websites that ended up being too big to
manage and expensive. Once again, this website is just basic information about what’s
going on in Alberton Schools, as said by Mr. Haab. If there are any errors or ideas
about the website, please contact Mr. Kent Haab at any time at [email protected]
or through the office, (406)-722-4413.
Alberton School’s website URL: http://alberton.k12.mt.us/
The Indian Education Act
By: Delani Hanley
The Indian Education Act focuses on teaching traditional
elements of the Native American style. These elements include
storytelling, the importance of earth and nature, and also symbolization. Through Indian education our elementary classes
learn how the land around us has developed, and also the stories of our Native American ancestors. Students nationwide, including Montana, are required to study a unit about Native
American life. The history of Native Americans is a very important part of our school curriculum.
Ms. Grebence, the fifth grade teacher, is an expert in Indian Education. I had a chance to sit down and talk with her.
She said, “ I have been teaching Indian Education for about six
years. I love every single minute of it. It’s a big part of who I
am and I think it’s great that Indian Education is required to
be part of the school curriculum. The kids seem to really enjoy
learning about it.”
This Fall, each elementary class was required to present an activity to the other classes. The 6th grade made ankle
bracelets which were made out of yarn; 5th grade made dream
catchers; and the 4th graders told the story of Thunder Bird.
The 3rd graders made headbands that symbolized the art of
storytelling, and then wrote their own version of a story to go
with it. The 2nd grade made coup sticks; 1st graders told the
story of The Beaver; and the Kindergarten kids told the story of
The First Strawberry. They each memorized a line from the
book, and then recited it to
the entire elementary. They
did an amazing job and everyone was extremely impressed! Indian Education is
a great opportunity for all of
us to learn something new
about our past.
Kim Grebence
Sophomore
Float
(right)
Senior Float
Homecoming Aftermath
This year homecoming was very exciting for our school. On
Thursday, September 27th, the Alberton Lady Panthers played Seeley
Lake in the homecoming volleyball game. The team gave the Blackhawks a run for their money, but in the end the girls
did not get the victory. Although they did not win, the players and the fans had a great time at the game! The next day
our football team dominated against the St. Regis Tigers, 52 to 6. Everybody had a great time watching the Panthers
continue to do so well in their season of football.
On Friday morning the junior high and high school classes came in early to decorate their floats for the parade.
All of the classes had great floats, but it was unofficially announced that the Senior class won the contest. There was a
great debate about whose was best, and many people thought the Junior class float was an obvious winner; some
thought that the Freshmen class would receive the honor of winning. Regardless of the winner, everybody had a fantastic time! The younger kids, parents, and the rest of the community lined the streets to watch as we showed how much
pride we had in our school and of course catch the candy.
Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors all picked a princess to represent their class for homecoming, and
the senior class picked their queen. The freshmen class chose Mia Balich as their princess, and she made their class
proud. The sophomores had Mikaila Piippo ride down the street with pride as their princess. Ryan Vicek did not hesitate
at the chance to show everybody what the Junior class is made of. Last but most certainly not least, the Senior class
chose Natasha Ball as their queen for their last year of homecoming. The escorts for the girls were Donavan Drury, Alec
Managan, Keir Sanzano, and Todd Myrstol. Respectively all in all, each of the boys and girls represented each class
very well. This homecoming was a great one and a blast for everybody who had a part of it, as it always has been and
always will be.
Freshmen Float 2012
Junior float 2012
Halloween Time!
By: Kayla Choate
It’s that time of year again; everyone dresses up and
goes trick– or– treating. Maybe you have a favorite Halloween consume from when you were younger or even
one fro the last couple of years. I know the kids at Alberton School are pretty excited for Halloween this year. I
was pretty excited myself when I asked some of the
younger kids what they were going to be this Halloween.
A Clown
Samantha Clevenger
A Dead Person
Kaylie Braae
Ice Princess
Kristina Solinger
Soldier
Gabe Kelly
A Clown
Conner Piippo
A Fairy
Samantha Piippo
The Hulk
William Tomlinson
Black Widow
Natalie Clevenger
A Witch
Lacie Cooper
A Phantom
Briar Gregory
A Phantom
Michael Spence
Ballerina Bat
Lacy Zimmerman
Ending Ages for Trick or Treating
By: Kayla Choate
There is always a debate on how old one should be when you should
stop trick- or- treating. Everybody has different thoughts. Some people say,
“never” and others say, “10 or 50”. Below are a few theories from different
ages.
Becka Braae
“I think trick or treating stops when you’re 18.”
Hailie Bahm
“17 or 18.”
Deveyn Dutt
“19 or 20.”
“16.”
(Montanna Baughman
“20.”
“15.”
Sara Knapp
Whitney Wickwire
“
“Never”
Kristina Jarvi
BPA Calendar
The president of BPA, Ryan Vicek, is organizing, approving
and getting the calendars ready. “Not only are they a good fundraiser, they are also a very good way to showcase the art program
and its talented students” Ryan says. The calendars incorporate students’ art on pages showcasing our talented students to whoever
buys them
She thinks the calendars will sell better than last year. “They
make great presents and are full of great art,” added Ryan. In past
years, the calendars have sold well, and BPA is hoping to sell fifty
this year.
But BPA has more than just the one fundraiser; they will sponsor
Pop-shot, at all home basketball games. Pop-shot is a competition at
half-time of the basketball game. A spectator may pay a dollar to
shoot a free throw, or three point shot. If he or she makes it, they win
a two-liter pop.
Also BPA will host the Herberger’s Community Day Fundraiser
where they will sell $5 coupon books for Herberger’s, BPA will also
hold a food drive for the Alberton Food Pantry.
As President Ryan expects her fellow members to be very competitive this year and to have many compete on the national and state
levels. The competitions are individual tests, interviews, and team
tests of various categories. State this year will be in Billings, MT on
March 14-16.
“State is an absolute blast. It is a great way
to meet new people and an awesome way to
hang out with your friends. It is also fun being able to give Mr. Haab a bad time for a
whole weekend,” says Delani Hanley, a
member who went to compete in State last
year.
Ryan Vicek, BPA
President
BPA Community Calendar
If you would like to have your birthday,
your child's birthday, or your anniversary
in this years BPA community calendar
please submit this form to the school or
Mr. Haab at ‘[email protected]’
If you would like any birthdays or anniversaries removed from the calendar ,
please notify Mr. Haab at Alberton school.
First name: _________________
Last name: __________________
Birthday/ Anniversary date: _____________
Dear Parents,
I am reaching out to everyone to come support
our PTA. Our membership fee is $8.00. Part of
this money goes to the National PAT and the
other helps us stay in business. We are having
out annual membership drive which includes a
contest for the class with the most members.
Their class with win as “ ice cream party”. If
you have more than one child in our school
your membership will count for each child’s
class. We desperately need new members and
helpers with our yearly projects.
Silent Auction
Quilt Raffle
Water Bottle Sale
Christmas Store
Panther Fan T-shirts sale
Spring Fun– Run T– shirts
Please fill out the form on the back.
Thank you
Alberton PTA
Alberton PTA Membership 2012-2013: $8.00
Name:________________
parent___
Address:__________________
teacher___
Email:___________________
other:___
Phone:__________________
I am interested in:
___Helping with the Christmas Store
___Fundraising
___ Other: __________________
___ Becoming an Officer
___Baking for events
___Railroad Day Booth
3rd Annual
PTA Quilt Raffle
Tickets: 1 for $1 or 6 for $5
Drawing December 15, 2012
Buy tickets: At various Panther
games, in the school office, or
from and PTA officer.
RTI News
Our first round of benchmark testing is
now complete and classroom teachers
will be sharing the results of your student’s benchmark data with you at parent teacher conferences. If you haven't
yet made an appointment for PT conferences, please be sure to do so ASAP!
Teachers have been trained to help you
understand the data, so please ask for
clarification and bring your questions!
The benchmark data will be used to
determine whether students need extra
help (or intervention). These interventions can be an intergral part of the
team making decisions for your child.
Watch for continued RTI news in the future newsletters!
Concessions
Concessions this year for sports is a little different than past years.
Money from concessions is raised for the Junior class for their prom, but
this year kids work in concessions, and they get paid individually. It’s like a
job which is good for the workers, but also it makes things difficult for the
Junior class. Class of 2014 was expecting to get money from concessions.
So, they were a little shocked by the fact they will have to raise money as a
class. I, being a Junior think it’s unfair, but we as a class have found ways to
raise money. One way we have raised some money is selling Walking Taco’s
at every home football game.
A Walking Taco is a bag of Doritos filled with meat and cheese plus
whatever else one likes on a taco. The point of a Walking Taco is to be able
to eat, walk, and watch the Panthers dominate at the same time. This has
raised the Junior class quite a bit of money so far. They are always a big hit
with the football fans. During basketball season, the Junior class will raise
money by having bake sales, pop shot, and 50/50. In my opinion, these
ideas are all good ways to raise money. Students who have worked at concessions this year all say they like it better now that they get paid individually. It’s a good way to earn some cash. Although the Juniors will not be getting money from concessions this year, we will still raise enough money to
have an amazing prom.
By: Sam Bennett
Connie Dove, Resa Briscoe
Connie and Resa help the workers every volleyball/football game. They are also the lunch ladies for Alberton
School. They both work very hard and they are always a joy to be around.
Principal’s Message
October 25, 2012
Dear Parents, Staff, and Students:
Our school year is off to a terrific start! I have had the opportunity to observe all of the classrooms on several occasions, and found all 156 students
filled with excitement and enthusiasm. I have heard several positive comments from parents, students, and staff regarding the school year. I also appreciate and welcome feedback in areas of concern, your input is important
and needed!
One of the most exciting changes implemented this year is the RTI
(“Response to Intervention”) program in grades K-8. The initial student assessments have been given and the results are in. We are very excited to share
the results of your child at Parent-Teacher Conferences on November 8
(2:00pm-8:00pm).
In order for Alberton School District to have a successful RTI program,
parent-involvement is crucial. Parents need to be informed on the educational
growth of their children. Parents and teachers must work together to push the
kids to be at their best, hold them accountable for learning, and encourage
academic growth every day. At Parent-Teacher Conferences the teaching staff
will provide you with important information regarding your child’s current
reading and math levels (grades K-8). It is very important that you attend
Parent-Teacher Conferences on November 8!
A special congratulation’s to the High School Football team for making
the playoffs for the second year in a row! Coach Giffin, Coach Johnson, and
Coach Rausch have prepared our student-athletes well, and we are very proud
of the young men that represent our community. Please help support our Panthers as they head into post-season football.
Thank you for the support, GO PANTHERS!
Chris Clevenger
Principal
Alberton Joint School District #2