Feb. 20 Portales Junior High News

No school Monday

Students and employees alike celebrate Presidents’ Day Monday with a school holiday. All will find a rather intense schedule when school resumes Tuesday as students prepare for the state mandated tests as well as the third quarter tests. Before spring break students will begin the registration process for next school year.

Brady wins bee

Derrek Robinson and Mathew Brady eliminated 34 other students from competition before they faced off to claim the local championship. They struggled through arrears, filibuster, antebellum, lustrum, asynchrony, and synchroneity before Robinson misspelled pilothermic. After Brady correctly spelled that one, he spelled “dilatorily” to claim first place. He will compete in the regional spelling bee held at Clovis Community College. Donna Hammons directed the spelling bee and instructed students and judges on the rules of competition.

FCCLA

Eva Dean Stephens, family and consumer science teacher, recently organized a junior high chapter of Family Consumer Career Leaders of America.

Fifteen to 20 students meet after school on Tuesdays for training with Jacque Madrid, Roosevelt County Nutrition Specialist. Students are learning to teach good eating habits to third grade students at James school in March. The program, called “Eat Smart, Play Hard,” is designed to make students aware of good food choices and to encourage a healthy life style. FCCLA members will make an illustrated presentation about their project at the district meeting in Clovis April 2. There are plans for students to present this at the state meeting in Albuquerque. Students are gaining experience in leadership, communication, and community service as well as learning better nutrition for themselves.