December

Newsletter

2012

Principal Notes from Dr. Lewton

Holiday Greetings to you and your family. I hope this holiday season you find extra time to spend with family and those you love. The holiday time is a premier opportunity to spend time with your adolescent child. Research shows that children who have a strong relationship with their parents or guardians have a more successful education. Second quarter midterms were sent home with your child on December 3rd. The end of the second quarter will be January 13th. Please take time to review your child’s academic and behavioral progress by logging onto Powerschool. I also encourage you to contact teachers or myself if you have questions. I would like to invite everyone to attend our band and choir concerts this month. The 7th grade band and choir concert will be on December 11th at 7:00 p.m. The 8th grade band and choir concert will be on December 18th at 7:00 p.m. Both concerts are held in the Hagen gymnasium and are a showcase of musical talent. School will dismiss on December 21st at 3:15 for the Holiday break, classes will resume on January 2nd. Once again we wish you a Happy Holidays.

Counselor’s Corner From Jessica Friestad

As the weather changes, students will begin to need to be dressed appropriately. This includes having a winter

coat, hat, gloves, and appropriate footwear. I have access to a number of coats, gloves, and scarves in my office

for students to use or for give away. When temperatures are bitterly cold we cannot, in good conscience, let

students leave the building without a coat. If students do not have a coat to wear they will be given one to wear

home that they can return the next day, or they may keep it if they are in need of a coat. Thanks for your

cooperation and assistance in keeping all students safe and healthy. This is also cold and flu season. If your

child is ill and cannot be in school please call and let us know as early as possible. Someone is here to answer

the phone by 7:30 a.m. If you would like the office to collect assignments to be picked up at the end of the day

an early phone call is also important. If you do not call and let us know your child will be absent it could result

in an unexcused absence. Here’s hoping for health and happiness for all our students and their families this

holiday season!

The guidance lesson for December will be Career Exploration. It is never too early for your son or daughter to

start looking toward the future and thinking about what interests them!

*The Student Council is collecting money to help aid those affected by Hurricane Sandy. A money drop box is

planned to be located in each Home Base class.

Do you find yourself reminiscing about your years in junior high and then you break out the old yearbooks for a good

laugh? Treat your child to the same wonderful experience by purchasing an all-color yearbook for only $27! You may

send cash or check to school or for your convenience we have set up a link on the Hagen website so you can order by

credit card online. If you are not sure if you purchased a yearbook during registration please email Kristal Fields at

kristal.fields@dickinson.k12.nd.us.

Hagen Newspaper If anyone would like to read the student newspaper, it is on the Hagen website under Hagen Hi-Lites. There are also archived issues available to read. The staff members this year are: Payton Berg, Sara Cartmill, Christopher Dean, Skylar Dockter, Austin Karsky, Macy Mack, Abigail Moberg, Presley Weiler, and Cory Zastoupil. They are advised by Mrs. Thom.

College SAVE: Just in Time for the Holidays

Make this holiday season a time to remember with the gift of college savings. A College SAVE account is the perfect holiday gift and can be opened with contributions as small as $25. The end of the year is also the perfect time to make contributions to your existing College SAVE account. As long as contributions are postmarked by December 31

st

contributions to a new or existing account can be deducted from your North Dakota taxable income (up to $5,000 per year for single filers and $10,000 per year for married couples). In addition, you will want to explore the North Dakota Matching Grant program in which 8 out of 10 North Dakota families qualify for up to $1,500 on contributions into a College SAVE account. Go to www.collegesave4u.com or call James Barnhardt at 701-328-5882 to learn more and receive an enrollment packet. Don’t miss out on giving the gift of education this holiday season.

Kindergarten Registration The dates of Kindergarten Registration for the SY13-14 will be Monday, February 4, 2013 through Friday, February 8, 2013 at the Central Administration Office from 7:30am-4:30pm. This will take place in the west side of the board room.

Important Announcements:

! Student Council Convention, December 9-11

! 7th Grade Band, Choir and Honor Choir Concert, December 11, 7:00 PM

! Early Dismissal, December 12, 1:30 PM

! 8th Grade Band, Choir and Jazz Band Concert, December 18, 7:00 PM

! NO School, Christmas Holiday, December 24 – January 1

! School Resumes, January 2

Notes from the Superintendent Notes from the Superintendent Web site: www.dickinson.k12.nd.us

December 2012

PRAIRIE ROSE STUDENT ASSIGNMENT The construction of Prairie Rose Elementary has made excellent progress and is proceeding on schedule. The

construction is scheduled to be completed at the end of this school year with the district taking occupancy of the

building in June of 2013. The school district is currently working on identifying the employees and students

who will work at and attend Prairie Rose.

The Dickinson Press recently reported that Ms. Sherry Libis will be the principal at the new elementary school.

Ms. Libis has been employed with the district and serving Heart River Elementary for the past thirteen years.

She will provide the building with an experienced background as a principal as well as the leadership skills she

has demonstrated during her tenure in the school district. Also, we are accepting transfer requests from

employees currently in the school district who may want to transfer to Prairie Rose for the 2013-2014 school

year. All employee transfer requests were due to the Central Administration Office in November. At this time,

our plan is to proceed with student assignments soon.

There have been numerous inquiries about how students will be selected to attend the new elementary school

once it opens next year. There have been extensive discussions about this decision over the past few months.

Currently, we are planning to open the building in 2013 with K-4 students and expand the attendance to K-5

students in 2014. Our tentative plan is that students who reside north of the interstate will be the general

attendance area for Prairie Rose Elementary. However, there are issues that may impact this decision as we

begin to make student assignments.

We are all aware that the population of the community continues to increase due to the economic development

in North Dakota. Most of the new housing development is occurring north of the interstate and a significant

portion of that development is around and north of Prairie Rose Elementary. Additionally, there is an

annexation on the northeast side of the interstate as well as extensive housing being built south of the interstate

on the east side of Dickinson. Further, there seem to be weekly articles in the newspaper about annexation

requests that are being presented to the City Council. The uncertainty of future population growth and its

location continue to be issues that complicate the decision making process about assigning students to Prairie

Rose. Finally, it is the intention of the school district to notify parents in January about the students who will

attend Prairie Rose.

Hopefully this helps to clarify the elusive situation that exists regarding the decision to assign students to Prairie

Rose. As we proceed to make student assignments to the new elementary school we are hopeful the continued

growth and population increase of the community will not create too many complications. Further, we hope all

parties will understand the complications we face as we attempt to navigate the uncertainty surrounding this

decision. I welcome any comments, suggestions or questions prior to January regarding this decision.

If you have any questions about this topic or any other issue in the Dickinson Public Schools, please do not hesitate to

contact me at 456-0002 or through email at douglas.sullivan@dickinson.k12.nd.us.

Douglas W. Sullivan, Superintendent

Dickinson Public Schools

701-456-0002

douglas.sullivan@dickinson.k12.nd.us

© 2012 Resources for Educators, a division of CCH Incorporated

December 2012

The ability to pay attention and ignore distractions during class is a key trait of successful stu-dents—and it’s something your child can learn to do. Share these tips with him.

Start before the bellArriving on time and

organizing his materials will help your middle grader get focused. For example, he should take out his textbook, notebook, and pen or pencil. He can also glance over last night’s homework before handing it in—it will refresh his memory about the pre-vious day’s material and help him understand new information.

Be activeThe more he gets involved with what’s

going on in class, the more attentive he will be. Suggest that he jot down ques-tions he thinks of as the teacher talks. This will encourage him to listen closely to see if he answers them. If not, he can raise his hand to ask. He can stay focused

Up with musicDarker mornings can tempt your middle grader

to sleep longer. Help her get moving by suggesting that she wake up to music. She might set her alarm to her favorite radio station or playlist and then listen while she gets ready for school.

Winter workDoes your child have homework dur-ing winter break? If so, encourage him to look over the assignments as soon as possible. That way, he can estimate how long the work will take and set aside time for it in his schedule.

Healthy traditionsAsk your tween to help you make holi-day recipes more nutritious. She might search online for lighter versions of traditional favorites, like cakes and cookies made with applesauce instead of butter. Or she can look for new, healthy ideas like cranberry smoothies or mashed cauliflower.

Worth quoting“‘I can’t do it’ never yet accomplished anything; ‘I will try’ has performed wonders.” George P. Burnham

Just for fun

Q: I’m tall in the morning, short at noon, and gone at night, but I’ll be back soon. What am I?

A: A shadow!

Paying attention in class

Our house: The place to be!

during group discussions, too, by writing down important points that others make, and by sharing his own ideas.

Avoid distractionsRemind him to tune out activities or

noises that aren’t part of the lesson. Sit-ting in the first row can help—he won’t be distracted by people in front of him, and he’ll have a better view of the board. If he uses a computer to take notes, he will need to turn off programs and close websites that aren’t class related. Also, he should make sure his phone is silenced and put away.

Opening your home to your child’s friends creates a win-win situation—she’s safe at home, and you get to meet her friends. Help her create a tween-friendly hangout with these ideas:

■ Stock up on activities. Your youngster might fill a basket or cabinet with board games, a deck of cards, and magazines. Suggest that she add school supplies (sharpened pencils, notebook paper) so she and her friends can use the space to do homework, too.

■ Set guidelines. For example, let her know that you expect her and her friends to clean up after themselves. On the flip side, you might agree to keep siblings out of the space when her friends visit.

ShortStops

A. L. Hagen Junior High SchoolDr. Marcus Lewton, Ed.D., Principal

© 2012 Resources for Educators, a division of CCH Incorporated

To provide busy parents with practical ideas that promote school success, parent involvement,

and more effective parenting.Resources for Educators,

a division of CCH Incorporated128 N. Royal Avenue • Front Royal, VA 22630

540-636-4280 • rfecustomer@wolterskluwer.comwww.rfeonline.com

ISSN 1540-5540

O U R P U R P O S E

Middle Years December 2012 • Page 2

What to do: Say your tween’s popular friends gossip about a quiet classmate who sits alone at lunch. Your child could try

to change the subject (“So any-way, did you watch the game last

night?”) or defend the person being talked about (“You guys, she’s proba-

bly really nice”). She might even plan to join the other girl for lunch the fol-

lowing day.

Fact: Spreading a rumor about someone to make others think less of the person is an example of bullying. What to do: Your tween can help stop a rumor simply by not passing it on. If she hears friends talking about another girl’s behavior at a party, she could say, “I don’t think that’s true, so I’m not going to repeat it.” She might also approach the girl and offer to help clear things up.

Note: If your child feels threatened by a bully, she should talk to a trusted adult (parent, counselor).

Everyday science Help your middle grader find the

science in everyday life with these activities.

PhysicsExploring the

laws of physics can show your child why seat belts are impor-tant. Have him place a basketball on the seat next to him. What happens when you brake? (The ball rolls onto the floor.) When a car stops, anything inside that’s not restrained keeps moving. That’s known as inertia—the tendency of a moving object to con-tinue in the same direction unless an outside force stops it.

ChemistryCooking often involves chemical reac-

tions. For example, yeast converts the starch in flour to sugar. Then, the yeast “eats” the sugar, producing carbon dioxide bubbles. This process creates the gas pock-ets that make bread fluffy. Your teen can see how this works by stirring 1 packet active dry yeast and 2 tbsp. sugar into 1 cup warm water. Let him pour the mixture into a plastic bottle and stretch a balloon over the opening. The gas that forms will inflate the balloon!

What is social bullying?

Pass it on: gossiping and spreading rumors are examples of social bully-ing. But where is the line between harmless teasing among friends and behavior that is hurtful? Here are facts about bullying, along with ways your middle grader might handle different situations.

Fact: When well-liked students use their social status to put down less-popular classmates, it counts as bullying.

Last winter, my daugh-ter, Tamara, and I cele-

brated our first holidays with my new husband and stepson, Blake. I was a little nervous about how to make everyone feel included. Luckily, I got some good advice from a friend who has been remarried for several years.

My friend said that her fam-ily made it a point to keep old traditions while introducing new ones. So we asked our children to name favorite pas-times that they wanted to

Thumbs up for learning Now that my son is in middle school, he says it’s

not cool to be smart. How can I change his mind?

Try reminding your son of how good it feels to be

successful. You might dig up an old test or paper that

has a good grade or nice comments from the teacher.

Post it on the refrigerator so he’ll remember the sense

of accomplishment that comes from doing well. You can also show him that learning makes life more interesting. Tell him

about a friend’s teenager who is enjoying college or who landed a cool job.

Explain that working hard now will prepare him for tougher classes in high

school, which can lead to getting into college or finding a career he enjoys.

Finally, let him know that you expect him to study and do his best—even if

he doesn’t think it’s cool right now.

A special blendcontinue. Tamara mentioned our annual brunch with all of her cousins. And Blake wanted to attend our town’s win-ter carnival. Then, we came up with

some new ideas, like sharing the highlights of our year on New Year’s Eve.

Our holidays still had a few wrinkles, but the chil-dren seemed more comfort-able with the changes since they got to have a say. And I think we’re all looking forward to creating more memories this season.

Parent to

Parent

Q&A

© 2012 Resources for Educators, a division of CCH Incorporated

™Healthy Ideas for Middle and High School Students December 2012

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

A healthy diet isn’t just about what you eat—it’s also about how much you eat. Go over these tips with your child to help him figure out the right-size portions for foods.

Check the label. Have your teen read nutrition labels to find out how big portions should be. For instance, about 20 mini-pretzels equal one serving. Encourage him to put a helping on a plate instead of snacking from the bag—he will be less apt to overeat. Idea: Suggest that he write down portion sizes for his five favorite snacks and post the list on the refrigera-tor for easy reference.

Estimate portions. Your child can use measuring cups and spoons to learn what serving sizes look like. For example, have him scoop out 1–2 cup cooked pasta or rice or 1 tsp. butter. When measuring tools aren’t available, he can remember

Real energyEncourage your teen to

avoid energy drinks. These beverages are high in caffeine, which can cause jitters, headaches, and even nausea. Instead of getting energy from a can, your child could eat protein-rich foods for a natural boost. He might try a handful of raw almonds or apples dipped in peanut butter, for example.

Help out, work outYour child can help others and

stay fit at the same time. Suggest that

she offer to shovel snow or walk dogs for older neighbors.

If she takes dance or karate at a stu-dio or community center, she might volunteer to help with a class for younger children.

Tomatoes are a good source of lycopene, an

antioxidant. To help your youngster get more of this nutrient, top sand-wiches with tomato slices, or toss cherry tomatoes with skim mozzarella cheese and a drizzle of balsamic vine-gar. Also, you can use tomato paste or canned, diced tomatoes when making sauces and soups.

Just for funQ: How do you divide 6 potatoes among 15 people?

A: Mash them!

Facts about fi ber Fiber has important benefits for now and later. It takes

time to digest, making you feel fuller longer, and it helps pre-vent heart disease and diabetes. Here are ways to get more fiber into your teen’s diet:

● Beans are high in fiber—1 cup of black beans has a whopping 15 grams. Try adding them to salads, or serve them over brown rice.

● Encourage your youngster to eat whole fruits, since much of the fiber is in the skin. For example, a whole apple has about 5 grams of fiber, while a helping of peeled apple slices has only about 2 grams. Smaller fruits (grapes, blueberries) usually have even more fiber per serving because a larger percentage is skin.

● Spinach has 7 grams of fiber per 1–2 cup, and other leafy greens aren’t far behind. Chop up greens and mix into ground turkey when you make burgers or meatloaf.

Tip: Girls need 26 grams of fiber daily. Boys require more—31 grams for ages 9–13, and 38 grams for ages 14–18.

Did You Know?

Healthy portions FASTTAKES

that 1–2 cup is about the size of his cupped hand, a serving of meat should be no big-ger than his palm, and 1 tsp. is roughly equal to the tip of his thumb. With prac-tice, dishing up appropriate helpings will become second nature.

Swap plates. Even a right-size portion can look small if it’s on a regular plate! Try using smaller plates and bowls to make portions look more satisfying. If you’re at a restaurant buffet, you could use salad or dessert plates for your meal—you’ll take more reasonable portions. Tip: Consider letting your teen pick out new, smaller plates at the store. Inexpensive plates are often available in colorful designs.

A. L. Hagen Junior High SchoolDr. Marcus Lewton, Ed.D., Principal

O U R P U R P O S ETo provide busy parents with practical ways to promote healthy nutrition and physical activity for their children.

Resources for Educators, a division of CCH Incorporated

128 N. Royal Avenue • Front Royal, VA 22630540-636-4280 • rfecustomer@wolterskluwer.com

www.rfeonline.comTeen Food & Fitness™ is reviewed by a registered dietitian. Consult a physician before beginning any major change in diet or exercise.

ISSN 1935-8865

December 2012 • Page 2Teen Food & Fitness™

© 2012 Resources for Educators, a division of CCH Incorporated

This holiday season, suggest that your teens make “food jars” for a cre-ative and inexpensive gift. These ideas can help them get started.

Note: Use a 24 oz. jar for each gift.

Cinnamon pancakes. Layers of color make this jar festive. Combine 11–2 cups each white and whole-wheat flour, 3 tbsp. sugar, 2 tbsp. bak-ing powder, 4 tsp. each cinnamon and flaxseed, and 1 tsp. nutmeg. Attach a note: “Stir together 11–3 cups mix, 3–4 cup milk, 1 egg, and 11–2 tbsp. oil. To cook, put 3 tbsp. batter on a lightly oiled griddle.”

Jars of treats

While visiting relatives ● Ahead of time, your child can search online for events in the town you’re traveling to. You could sign up for a holi-day “fun run” or a charity bike ride.

● Ask relatives about places where everyone can be active, like a laser tag

arena, a bowling alley, or an ice skating rink. Or check to

see whether the local recre-ation center offers guest passes,

and work out together.

Active holidaysHelp your kids find ways to stay active during

winter vacation. Share these suggestions.

On a long drive ● Before you leave, ask your teen to

look over your route and locate a few places to stop along the way. He might see a state park or another scenic area where your family can take a walk.

● Keep a Frisbee or football in the car. Toss it around when you take a break at a rest area.

Skipping lunch?

My middle schooler, Sarah, recently mentioned that her friends skip lunch as a way of dieting. Although she said it in passing, I was afraid she might be think-ing about trying the same thing.

I talked with Sarah about why it’s important to eat regu-larly through-out the day. I explained that food gives her energy and provides nutrients she needs to grow. I also shared my own experi-ence—when I had dieted in the past by skipping meals, I ended up eating more, not less, by the end of the day.

Even though Sarah seems to under-stand the importance of eating lunch, I sometimes give her gentle reminders. In the mornings, I mention interesting choices on the school lunch menu. And after school, I tell her what I ate and ask her what she had.

A playground-style rubber ball is an inexpensive fitness tool. Find one about the size of a basketball for these moves.

1. Sit on the floor with your knees bent and heels on the ground, and lean backward slightly. With your arms straight, hold the ball above your knees and twist from side to side, touching the ball to the floor next to your knees each time. Work up to 20 repetitions. Variation: Do this exercise with your elbows bent, and put the ball closer to your hips.

2. On a kitchen chair, sit with your feet flat on the ground. Put the ball between your calves, and then hold onto the chair. Straighten your legs so that they’re parallel to the floor, holding the ball above the ground. Squeeze for 5 seconds, holding the ball in place. Lower and repeat 10 times.

PARENTTO

PARENTBreak out the ball

In theK tchen

Popcorn snack. Here’s a tasty treat that a friend or relative can enjoy with a movie on a cold night. Mix together 11–2 cups popped popcorn, 1–2 cup wal-nuts, 1–4 cup dried banana chips, 1–4 cup sunflower seeds, and 1–2 cup cranberries.

Hot chocolate. This gift is perfect for warming up after playing in the snow.

In a bowl, mix 3 cups nonfat powdered milk, 1–2 cup unsweet-ened cocoa powder, and 3–4 cup sugar. Put in a jar, and attach a recipe card: “Add 8 oz. boiling water to 1–4 cup hot choco-late mix.”

ACTIVITYCORNER

Hagen Junior High

December Breakfast/Lunch

12/3/2012 12/4/2012 12/5/2012 12/6/2012 12/7/2012

Cereal/Toast

Juice/Milk

Cereal/Muffins

Juice/Milk

Cereal/Toast

Juice/Milk

Cereal/Breakfast Wraps

Juice/Milk

Cereal/Toast

Juice/Milk

Hot Dog/Bun

Baked Beans

Pears

Chips

Milk

Tacos, Soft/Hard Shell

Lettuce/Cheese

Peaches

Milk

Sloppy Joe/Bun

French Fries

Applesauce

Pickles

Milk

Ham

Scalloped Potatoes

Green Beans

Pineapple

Milk

Salisbury Steak

Mashed Potatoes

Gravy

Mandarin Oranges

Milk

12/10/2012 12/11/2012 12/12/2012 12/13/2012 12/14/2012

Cereal/Toast

Juice/Milk

Cereal/Caramel Roll

Juice/Milk

Cereal/Toast

Juice/Milk

Cereal/Yogurt

Juice/Milk

Cereal/Toast

Juice/Milk

Chicken Nuggets

Rice

Peas

Apple

Milk

Beefy Nachos

California Blend

Vegetables

Pineapple

Milk

Pancakes

Sausage

Hash Browns

Orange

Milk

Chicken Patty/Bun

Green Beans

Pears

Milk

Spaghetti/Meat Sauce

Breadstick

Corn

Applesauce

Milk

12/17/2012 12/18/2012 12/19/2012 12/20/2012 12/21/2012

Cereal/Toast

Juice/Milk

Cereal/Breakfast Pizza

Juice/Milk

Cereal/Toast

Juice/Milk

Cereal/Scrambled Eggs

Juice/Milk

Cereal/Toast

Juice/Milk

Chicken Noodle Soup

Balony Sandwich

Carrots

Baked Apples

Milk

Cheese Pizza

Corn

Fruit Cocktail

Sugar Cookie

Milk

Crispitos

Lettuce/Cheese

Gravy

Pineapple

Milk

Corn Dog

Green Beans

Peaches

Pudding

Milk

Chicken Quesedillas

Lettuce/Cheese

Mandarin Oranges

Milk

12/24/2012 12/25/2012 12/26/2012 12/27/2012 12/28/2012

NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL

12/31/2012 1/1/2013 1/2/2013 1/3/2013 1/4/2013

NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL Welcome Back!

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

2 3 4 Girls BB -7/8

(H) St. Mary’s

5 6 Girls BB– 7th

(A) Wachter

Girls BB-8th

(H) Wachter

Wrestling (A)

Williston

7 Girls BB -7th

(H) Simle

Girls BB - 8th

(A) Simle

8

Dance Drill (H)

Wrestling

Tourney -

Horizon

9 10 Student Council

Bismarck

11 Student Council

Bismarck

7th Grade Music

Concert –7pm

12 Early

Release

at 1:30

13 Wrestling (H)

Turtle Mt.

14 Girls BB

Tournament

TBD

15 Girls BB

Tournament TBD

Wrestling

Tourney-Mandan

Dance Drill (A)

Bismarck

16 17 18 8th Grade Music

Concert –7 pm

Wrestling (H)

Bismarck

19

20 Wrestling (H)

Mandan

21 Last Day of

School

before

Holiday

break

22 State Wrestling

Tourney– Minot

23 24 No School

25 No School

26 No School

27 No School

Wrestling (A)

Bismarck JV

Tourney

28 No School

29

30 31 No School

1 No School

2 Welcome

Back to

School

Hagen Jr. High School Activity Calendar

December 2012