A New Post Finally

Dear students,
It has certainly been a long time since I've posted on this blog.  Sometimes it is good to take a break from things, and then dive back into them.  I think I will start using this blog as a diary of sorts as we near our pasta dinner and our relay for life event in May.

Three things prompted me to write tonight.  One, I was totally amazed today at how much money was raised by Nicholas T. and his family.  I was showing my first period class this morning, and by this afternoon Nicholas has topped the $1000 mark.  As I have said to all of my classes today, and I mean this with all my heart....it is not the amount you raise, but the heart and soul that you put into it.  I am very proud of those of you that have joined the team and have made a commitment to work at fighting back at cancer.

Secondly, four girls in my ASE class finished their PSA and showed me, right on the heels of our jumping over $2000 in a couple of days.  The video is meaningful.  I've watched it a couple of times and I really like it.  I have also liked the others that have been turned in too.  I am displaying this one because I have it on my laptop desktop, and I brought my laptop home from school.  I am hoping that I can figure out how to get the video on here!

Thirdly, read some of the blogs that students have posted on their relay for life pages.  They are touching and powerful.  I will put a link here to one student's from 7th grade who was a team member last year, as well as this year.  CLICK HERE to read her personal page.  If you'd like me to view your personal page, let me know.  There are so many to read now, (which is a good thing), and I need you to point it out when you've updated your page.

Keep up the good work everyone.  Today I caught that Venturer spirit...we are making a difference!

~Mr. McEwen

Classics Expo

Students,
The Classics Expo was great!  As Mrs. Cook's official photographer, I managed to get a lot of you with your project, but I didn't have time to get everyone.  Wow.  You really did a great job, and you read a classic piece of literature!  I have seen a creative side of you!  I am looking forward to your information brochures and PSAs with Relay for Life!

Enjoy the pics!

Our Relay for Life Expedition Now Becomes Our Focus

Students,
We now are going to focus our energies on our Relay for Life expedition.  In ASE class we will learn more about how to join the team so that you have the option of spending the night at James River on May 19th.  We will be sending information home about this as the date gets closer.  Our first focus will be on researching cancer and creating informational posters or brochures.  Once that is done, we will begin making PSAs, getting the word out about cancer.  I will show you some PSAs from last school year that were outstanding.   Hopefully you will learn a lot about yourself and how one person can certainly make a difference.  Below you can watch an informational video about the Relay for Life program.

Stay posted for further updates as we get closer and closer to May 19th!

KMO Results Are In!

Congratulations to my KMO students for doing very well last Tuesday in the competition.  We almost beat our competition from Northern Virginia, but just 5 points!

Below are the results from Virginia.  We beat Midlothian and Manchester!

The next KMO competition is in March.  Can my new class top my first semester class?  Time will tell.

Colony Commercials

Check out the two colonies commercials from my first-odd class.  We have some top-notch actors and actresses in our midst!   Two posts in two days!

I hope that you had as much fun making these videos as we did in watching them!!!!

It's Been a Long Time! Biz World and KMO News!

Students,
Sorry for not posting more.  I will make it a point to be more current as we work our way into the second semester.

The BizWorld bazaar was on Friday.  Students will spend time in class this week "breaking up" their companies and discovering which group made the most profit.

Thank you Mrs. Cook's and Mrs. Moore's ASE classes for helping to chose the best video (Candy Bandz) and the best mall display (Spark)

Here are some pics below of each company.....

Candy Bandz

Arm Candy

Spark

Fruity Bandz

Aqua Lights

Here are a few pics from DC and the Holiday Bazaar.  The Holiday Bazaar was a resounding success!

Riding on the train up to DC

Going up to DC!

A Great Idea!

Our KMO competition is on Tuesday!  Wish us luck!  I'll post the results on the blog.