March 24, 2016

• Spring break will  begin with a 221 Dismissal TODAY!  Students will return on 4/4.
• Just a few reminders for parents as we will continue to enforce these expectations when we return from break.

1. Cell phone use is allowed during passing periods and lunch.  Students should use the phone in the office to call home.  Students should not have their phones out during class OR in the hallways during class periods.
2. Backpacks and purses are to carry books and belongings to and from school.  Backpacks and purses should remain in lockers or in homerooms during the school day.
3. Parents please help us make sure you student is dressed appropriately for school.  The biggest issue we will run into is shorts (should be past fingertips), leggings (bottom must be covered), and tank tops (shoulders must be covered).

• Your chance to order a Jr. High yearbook for the 2015/2016 school year is running out!  Pick up an order form in the office or order online at ybpay.lifetouch.com with the yearbook ID code: 1523116
• 8th Grade students will be participating in "Welcome to the Real World" on 4/5 in Jacksonville as part of the University of Illinois Extension office.
• There will be a student/parent meeting immediately after school on 4/7 for 8th grade girls interested in participating in Football and/or Competitive Cheerleading next year.
• If you don't have FAMILY ACCESS please contact Mrs. Owens to get setup - this is an invaluable resource!
• The character for the month is RESPECT:  A person of character values all persons, lives by the Golden Rule, respect the dignity, privacy, and freedom of others, is courteous and polite to all, and is tolerant and accepting of others.
• The student of character nominees for this week are: Ethan Mudd (7th), Kenna Bixby (6th), Colin Willhite (7th), Kavan Hadra (6th), and Abby Roberts (7th).
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March 17th, 2016

• Spring Pictures will be Monday, 3/21. No pre-ordering packages;  simply choose the background of your choice and we will send home portrait packages a few weeks later that you can review and purchase if you’d like.
• Spring break will  begin with a 221 Dismissal on 3/24.  Students will return on 4/4.
• Your chance to order a Jr. High yearbook for the 2015/2016 school year is running out!  Pick up an order form in the office or order online at ybpay.lifetouch.com with the yearbook ID code: 1523116
• 8th Grade students will be participating in "Welcome to the Real World" on 4/5 in Jacksonville as part of the University of Illinois Extension office.
• We will be holding a handbook committee meeting on 4/6 in the library.  If you are interested in participating, please contact Mrs. Doerfler (mdoerfler@pretzelpride.com). 
• If you don't have FAMILY ACCESS please contact Mrs. Owens to get setup - this is an invaluable resource!
• The character for the month is RESPECT:  A person of character values all persons, lives by the Golden Rule, respect the dignity, privacy, and freedom of others, is courteous and polite to all, and is tolerant and accepting of others.
• The student of character nominees for this week are: Jake Ferguson (7th), Dalton Dawdy (6th), and Ethan Copeland (6th).
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March 10th, 2016

• Tomorrow is an 1145 Dismissal!
• The 3rd Quarter Reward Trip is tomorrow (3/11).  
• JH MAP testing will begin Monday (3/14) and take place throughout the week.  Please help students be successful  by having them start out with a good night's rest and a healthy breakfast!  This will be our 3rd and final round of bench marking for our students for the year with this assessment.
• 6th Graders will be on a field trip to the UIS Sangamon Auditorium for Number the Stars on 3/15.
• The 6-12 Spring Band Concert will be Tuesday, 3/15 at 7PM at NBE.
• Spring Pictures will be Monday, 3/21.
• Spring break will  begin with a 221 Dismissal on 3/24.  Students will return on 4/4.
• 8th Grade students will be participating in "Welcome to the Real World" on 4/5 in Jacksonville as part of the University of Illinois Extension office.
• We will be holding a handbook committee meeting on 4/6 in the library.  If you are interested in participating, please contact Mrs. Doerfler(mdoerfler@pretzelpride.com). 
• If you don't have FAMILY ACCESS please contact Mrs. Owens to get setup - this is an invaluable resource!
• The character for the month is RESPECT:  A person of character values all persons, lives by the Golden Rule, respect the dignity, privacy, and freedom of others, is courteous and polite to all, and is tolerant and accepting of others.
• The student of character nominees for this week are: Brady Barker (8th), Tessa Peecher (8th)
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March 4th, 2016

• 6th Grade Parents: Permission slip and money is due by this Friday (3/4)for the Field Trip to UIS on 3/15.  Contact Mrs. Beard with questions.
• The 3rd Quarter Reward Trip is Next Friday (3/11).  Student council thinks this one is right up your alley!  We are going to King Pin Lanes for 2 hours of bowling.  The cost is $5 per student.  The permission slips should be turned in by this Friday (3/4).
• The students of the month for February - RESPECT are: Jackson Rhodes (6th), Kirsten Tolliver (7th), and Jack Rogers (8th).
• Next week is spirit week leading up to MAP testing the 14th: Monday (Spirit Day), Tuesday (Decades Day), Wednesday (America the Beautiful), Thursday (Twin Day), and Friday (Pretzel Pride).
• Sierra Eigenmann was the winner at the Sangamon County Spelling Bee for 8th grade!  All of our students did a fantastic job!  Congratulations!
• On Monday, 3/7, Dr. Nicole Florence will be here to speak to the 7th grade class about brain development which coincides with their current English unit of study.
• The Pretzels fell to the Bunnies in the Mascot Challenge in the Elite 8 round!  I would like to thank everyone that voted in support of our unique mascot.
• JH MAP testing will begin on 3/14 and take place throughout the week.  Please help students be successfully  by having them start out with a good night's rest and a healthy breakfast!  This will be our 3rd and final round of bench marking for our students for the year with this assessment.
• Attention 6th and 7th grade girls!  The South County Vipers will run a BASKETBALL CAMP in Waverly on 3/14-3/19.  If you are interested, registration forms are in the JH office.
• The 6-12 Spring Band Concert will be Tuesday, 3/15 at 7PM at NBE.
• If you don't have FAMILY ACCESS please contact Mrs. Owens to get setup - this is an invaluable resource!
• The character for the month is RESPECT:  A person of character values all persons, lives by the Golden Rule, respect the dignity, privacy, and freedom of others, is courteous and polite to all, and is tolerant and accepting of others.
• The student of character nominees for this week are: Alex Scott (8th) and Macie Rogers (6th).
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