Catholic School Entrance Exam preparedness

[doctorwho]

This is the Hill newsletter today and here is the program I was referencing that my daughter took part in @ Hill that proved very helpful when trying to score on the mid 90's to get accepted @ Benet. They did an excellent job with this...you maywant to check to see if something similar is offered @ your MS.

HILL DAILY ANNOUNCEMENTS – 11/9/2009

8TH GRADE WASHINGTON DC TRIP

Attention 8th grade students who are going on the Washington D.C. trip. Please check the board outside the PE locker room and begin signing up for your roommates. If you do not choose your roommates within the next 2 weeks, you will be placed into a room by the trip chaperones. You can also check the trip website for more information at 204trips.com. See Mr. Ike or Mr. Kelsey if you have any questions.
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“DO SOMETHING CLUB”

Do Something Club is looking for people who want to make a difference! Do you see a need in the community? Do you like to work with your friends on worthwhile projects? Enjoy having fun while do something you can feel good about? Here’s your chance! We’re looking for students who can brainstorm new projects, create posters & flyers, and volunteer their time and so much more. There will be an informational meeting Monday, November 16th where we will be making posters for a new project and discussing some ideas for the future – Hope to see you there!

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HILL BOOK FAIR

Are you looking for holiday gift ideas? When you visit the Hill book fair, you’ll notice great titles for middle readers as well as for older readers, adults, and preschoolers. A book is such a special gift for someone in your life.



Thanks for your support. 100% of the proceeds will be used to buy books for the Hill LMC.

SEE YOU AT THE FAIR!

BOOK FAIR HOURS IN THE LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER

November 9 from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
November 10 from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

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2010 YEARBOOKS

We are taking final orders for the Hill Middle School 2010 yearbook. Please check the list posted in the office window to see if you’ve ordered a yearbook. If your name is not on the list, pick up a form in the office if you would like to place an order. The last day for ordering a yearbook is November 30, 2009.

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TEAM 7-1 FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN

O.k., Team 7-1! Get psyched up! Next week is your field trip to Feed My Starving Children. We need you to set the bar on preparing meals for children in need. There are still a number of you who have not turned in your permission slip. Please take care of this as soon as possible. If you have any questions, see your teachers or stop in the Guidance Office to see Mr. Pedersen.

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CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

ENTRANCE EXAM



Students interested in attending a Catholic high school in this area must take the Catholic High School Entrance Exam on Saturday, January 9, 2010. Please join me for 4 test prep sessions to become familiar with the test format, to learn test strategies, and to build confidence.

Stop by room 212 to sign up before November 24, 2009!!


TEST PREP SCHEDULE

SESSION 1 – TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1_______________7:15 – 7:55AM

FOCUS: Introduction to the test

Test Strategies

Verbal Skills Section

Take home practice test

SESSION 2 – TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8______________7:15 – 7:55AM

FOCUS: Review of practice test

Reading test strategies

Math test information

Take home practice tests

SESSION 3 – TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15______________7:15 – 7:55AM


FOCUS: Review of practice tests

Language Skills test strategies

TAKE HOME FULL EXAM TO COMPLETE OVER

WINTER BREAK!

SESSION 4 – TUESDAY, JANUARY 5_________________7:15 – 7:55AM


FOCUS: Review exam

Final questions

Prep for Saturday

See you then!

Mrs. Ippolito

[e-mail]

428-6220

[concerned2]

The district told Mr. Ippolito that she can not use district space for this class.

[doctorwho]

Nov 9, 2009 15:26:29 GMT -6 concerned2 said:

The district told Mr. Ippolito that she can not use district space for this class.

I hope that did not occur - but if it did - they better be ready for that slippery slope --

district space for parties ? ( not everyone attends those either ) -
district space for anything that 100% of the people view of exclusive in any way -- yet this does not surprise me at all....

any session taught from here on in better be in a curriculm somewhere - or else someone may decide to challenge...

[Arch]

The district is no longer renting out facilities to any religious organization or any 3rd party or using space for anything outside of school hours?

[casey]

You've got to be kidding me! They canceled the use of the room? Really? I'm disappointed that our District doesn't see the reason to provide the space for such a class. Why in the world would they cancel the room? It reminds me of the whole scout rental agreement. Remember that? They were going to charge an astronomical amount for the scouts to rent space (in what had been free). Enough people complained and then they reversed their foolish decision. Let's hope the district reverses this decision too.

Ironically, they should be thrilled to have the kids leaving the district to go the private school route - people paying into the district but not using services. That's a win-win.

[doctorwho]

Nov 9, 2009 16:18:36 GMT -6 casey said:

You've got to be kidding me! They canceled the use of the room? Really? I'm disappointed that our District doesn't see the reason to provide the space for such a class. Why in the world would they cancel the room? It reminds me of the whole scout rental agreement. Remember that? They were going to charge an astronomical amount for the scouts to rent space (in what had been free). Enough people complained and then they reversed their foolish decision. Let's hope the district reverses this decision too.

Ironically, they should be thrilled to have the kids leaving the district to go the private school route - people paying into the district but not using services. That's a win-win.

let's hope this is not another childish knee jerk reaction and that the info is wrong...or else they need to be consistent in how they treat everyone...
( I realize the irony in that statement - yes)

[doctorwho]

Nov 9, 2009 16:22:54 GMT -6 doctorwho said:

Nov 9, 2009 16:18:36 GMT -6 casey said:

You've got to be kidding me! They canceled the use of the room? Really? I'm disappointed that our District doesn't see the reason to provide the space for such a class. Why in the world would they cancel the room? It reminds me of the whole scout rental agreement. Remember that? They were going to charge an astronomical amount for the scouts to rent space (in what had been free). Enough people complained and then they reversed their foolish decision. Let's hope the district reverses this decision too.

Ironically, they should be thrilled to have the kids leaving the district to go the private school route - people paying into the district but not using services. That's a win-win.

let's hope this is not another childish knee jerk reaction and that the info is wrong...or else they need to be consistent in how they treat everyone...
( I realize the irony in that statement - yes)

SO the 'reality' of the story is the class cannot utilize the the email blasts to advertise but Yes, Mrs' Ippolito will be able to run the class sessions - I find that kind of petty - but can live with it as the kids at Hill know about it so they will attend and that is what really matters.

They also have to realize that these kids are getting help preparing for a very tough exam ( for any Catholic HS) - and even if they stay in 204 - they likely become better ISAT and ACT takers as well


everyone wins

[slp]

Do you know...Is the course open to all District 204 kids or only Hill Ms kids?

eta: also, is there a cost? I don't see that listed but I am sure there is one.

[doctorwho]

Nov 9, 2009 20:27:22 GMT -6 slp said:

Do you know...Is the course open to all District 204 kids or only Hill Ms kids?

eta: also, is there a cost? I don't see that listed but I am sure there is one.

My daughter took this 2 years ago- there was no cost I remember ( although I remembered 5-6 weeks vs 4- but I could be wrong) -- had about 22 kids in it. I don't think anyone from outside of Hill was in it but I'll ask her.
Mrs. Ipolito taught the class - and did an excellent job.

[doctorwho]

Well as the worm turns in 204 - I have just received a copy of a note ( that for privacy sake I am not going to print here) - that went from Mrs Ippolito to a parent saying she has been informed by the district she can no longer provide this session ( that she has been doing for 8 years) during school contract hours.

I cannot believe our admin would do this to their kids - but I guessI may be wrong. Someone is checking on this... which btw as I mentioned leaves these kids ( the majority of whom stay in 204), with better test taking skills for ACT - SAT etc that benefits 204 also) -

. A teacher volunteering their hours and knowledge - with no extra cost to the district at all- not one damn penny !
These parents and kid may assume that the admin doesn't about them - ... and all decide to leave.

[EagleDad]

Nov 9, 2009 16:15:16 GMT -6 Arch said:

The district is no longer renting out facilities to any religious organization or any 3rd party or using space for anything outside of school hours?

So they kicked Crossroads Community Church out?

If so, about time in my book - letting a church run their revenue generating activities for years on end on taxpayer dollars, using taxpayer facilities is just wrong. This same church (crossroads) has plenty of land to build a modest sanctuary for many years, but instead has monstrosity plans for a Jesusland style amusement park.

That said, I see nothing wrong with running a generic exam prep course as that is education related.

[lacy]

Nov 9, 2009 16:18:36 GMT -6 casey said:

You've got to be kidding me! They canceled the use of the room? Really? I'm disappointed that our District doesn't see the reason to provide the space for such a class. Why in the world would they cancel the room? It reminds me of the whole scout rental agreement. Remember that? They were going to charge an astronomical amount for the scouts to rent space (in what had been free). Enough people complained and then they reversed their foolish decision. Let's hope the district reverses this decision too.

Ironically, they should be thrilled to have the kids leaving the district to go the private school route - people paying into the district but not using services. That's a win-win.

I'm not sure they are so glad to have these kids leave. They still get the tax revenue, but they lose the parental support for boosters and the myriad of other fees they collect. Don't they also lose the state funding for each student? And probably most importantly to them, they lose some high achievers.

Any parent interested in their child taking the test can buy a prep book at the bookstore. There are also independent educational companies who provide classes (Reading Tree, etc.). The test is January 9.

[doctorwho]

Nov 12, 2009 7:29:36 GMT -6 lacy said:

Nov 9, 2009 16:18:36 GMT -6 casey said:

You've got to be kidding me! They canceled the use of the room? Really? I'm disappointed that our District doesn't see the reason to provide the space for such a class. Why in the world would they cancel the room? It reminds me of the whole scout rental agreement. Remember that? They were going to charge an astronomical amount for the scouts to rent space (in what had been free). Enough people complained and then they reversed their foolish decision. Let's hope the district reverses this decision too.

Ironically, they should be thrilled to have the kids leaving the district to go the private school route - people paying into the district but not using services. That's a win-win.

I'm not sure they are so glad to have these kids leave. They still get the tax revenue, but they lose the parental support for boosters and the myriad of other fees they collect. Don't they also lose the state funding for each student? And probably most importantly to them, they lose some high achievers.

Any parent interested in their child taking the test can buy a prep book at the bookstore. There are also independent educational companies who provide classes (Reading Tree, etc.). The test is January 9.

some of us driven away were huge boosters and supporters of the schools - - and yes they lose significant high achievers..but alas they care for nothing but whatever the current agenda is...MV out trumped everything and anything...neither money / taxes/ real attendance figures/safety concerns/ transportation nightmares/ splitting siblings - let alone any of us parents or our kids mattered in the least.

btw- I recommend the McGraw Hill workbook - comes child endorsed - LOL !


also I am still awaiting clarification of if the Hill class is being cancelled or offered courtesy of your kind and gentle admin.