Thomas Ryerson

I would like to welcome everyone back from Winter Break.  I hope everyone is feeling recharged and ready to roll!     Students as we move into 3rd Qtr- What goals would you like to set for yourself?  Teachers- What goals do you have for 3rd Qtr?   Parents- What are your hopes for 3rd Qtr?   Please be sure to share.

My personal hope is that I can continue to create a positive environment in which everyone continuously learns from one another.   Again- Welcome back and Happy New Year!

If you could wish for 1 thing this holiday season what would it be?  This can be school related or nonschool related!  The first 3 students to respond to this will receive a small holiday present!

“If we always do what we’ve always done, we will get what we’ve always got.’ Adam Urbanski

“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss it you will land among the stars.’ Les Brown

“Home is the first school for us all, a school with no fixed curriculum, no quality control, no examinations, no teacher training’ Charles Handy

What did Hyman Lipman do in 1858 that made life easier for students?

How many grooves are there on the edge of a quarter?

What day is the middle day of the year– in non-leap years?

How many teaspoons are there in a cup?

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Please be sure to eat lots, relax, and take time for your family!

“Thanksgiving, man. Not a good day to be my pants.” ~Kevin Jame~

Here are some links you might find useful when working on homework. Please give any feedback you may have on these sites!

Discovery School
Discovery School is dedicated to making teaching and learning an exciting, rewarding adventure for students, teachers, and parents.

The History Channel
The History Channel web site provides additional resources for teachers and students that tie into their daily programming.

How Stuff Works
How Stuff Works is widely recognized as the leading source for clear, reliable explanations of how everything around us really works.

Microsoft Encarta
MSN Encarta you will discover a selection of Encarta Encyclopedia’s 35,000 articles and awe-inspiring multimedia

A+ Math
This web site was developed to help students improve their math skills interactively.

Jiskha Homework Help
This website assists thousands of children and teenagers with schoolwork everyday by publishing educational content and providing instant-answer services for students who need urgent help.

RefDesk Homework Helper
My Homework Helper is an excellent place to start your internet search.

The Geneseo Middle School Peer Tutoring Program officially started on November 17th.   This after school program allows peers to tutor peers to help them with school work, prepare for upcoming quizes and tests, and organization.  We had a very successful first day and we are looking forward to continuing this positive program all year long.

This week Geneseo Middle School had our student presidential election.  The students selected Barack Obama by a very narrow margin over John McCain.  Great job to all the teachers who were involved with teaching students the process of voting and the importance of placing “your vote”.   The students had a great time learning about this and being involved in a mock election!

Starting this November, Geneseo Middle School will be implementing a new Peer Tutoring Program.  Specially trained and selected students will tutor other students after school from 3:15-4:00.  Students will get help with homework, projects, organization, and study skills.   Generally the program will be Monday-Thursday and will take place in the large group room located at the middle school.   Students who are in the program will be provided snacks, and quarterly parties will be planned to celebrate success.  We look forward to starting this program and all the positives it will bring to everyone involved!

We had 27 pre-ferrals sent to the office for 1st Qtr!  These students recently were recognized for their positive behaviors at a special pizza party.  They will also have their picture in the Geneseo Republic Newspaper coming up!  I hope everyone finds this to be a positive program here at the school.  Please share your thoughts and ideas to positively recognize students for doing the right thing!