Oct. 24 Portales Junior High News

Parent conferences Monday

All Portales schools will be open for parents from 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Monday as parents and teachers review students’ progress this year. Parents may pick up students’ report cards from first period teachers.

Elections nearing

Nov. 2 is the last day people can vote in the 2004 presidential election. Additionally, voters will decide on several General Obligation Bond issues. GO Bond C is for library acquisitions for public, academic, and school libraries. The junior high’s share of this will be about $8,500 if it passes. The cost of this bond will be only $1.70 each year per $100,000 assessed property evaluation. The last bond issue which passed in 2000 gave school libraries the opportunity to begin replacing obsolete and worn out books.

Bus evacuation conducted

Each year all students participate in a bus evacuation drill. Wednesday found junior high students boarding buses and following directions of the safest evacuation in an emergency.

Red Ribbon Week

Amanda Burnett, student council sponsor, reports the activities for the anti-drug campaign during the week of Oct. 25-31. Student council representatives will have “bricks” students can sign to show their choice for a drug-free life. These will be posted on walls in the school. Burnett reports that a former student came to her and told her how much students need the message stressed that drugs are “messed up” and they will “mess you up.” Junior high students will also distribute drug awareness treats to the Steiner Elementary students on Friday.

No nullying allowed

Students completed surveys this week about bullying they either witnessed or in which they participated. As part of the zero tolerance on bullying, the school begins a school-wide training Nov. 3 with an assembly. Other training activities will enable students to recognize early signs of bullying and help stop those activities by showing disapproval and making sure that teachers know about any incidents.

Sports season changes

This week found the football teams completing their season with games at Clovis, and volleyball teams finished their season last week. Coaches are inviting all basketball players to try out for the junior high teams. Students must have three forms before they can participate: physical, random drug-testing permission, and proof of insurance.

After a few short weeks of practice, the season opens with the Portales seventh grade tournament Nov. 18-20. Eighth grade teams participate in the Friendship tournament in Clovis those same days.

Fund Raiser Completed

Principal Steve Harris thanks students, parents, and the community for helping raise money for student activities with the fundraiser. Students turned in order forms, and items will be mailed directly to the purchasers.

Every Day Counts

Assistant Principal Glenda Meeks reminds parents to call the school office if their child is ill, has a doctor’s appointment, or the family will be out of town.