Blue skies from here on out

Someone mentioned to me recently that, in the last two weeks, the people in  Michigan have seen snow, hail, rain, 76 degrees, 14 degrees, and an earthquake! Well, this may be true, but today was absolutely beautiful so I'll take living here in Michigan. I hope you had a chance to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather and sunshine. I'm choosing to take it as a symbol that it's blue skies from here on into June! 

Calendar:

4/24 - PSAT 9 make up

          SAT make up

4/25 - PSAT 10 make up

4/26 - M-STEP make up

          School Improvement meeting @ 2:30 pm @ SHS

Hello, my name is Cathy Kava and I am a Resource Room Teacher in the Special Education Department. I graduated with my Bachelors degree in Cognitive Impairments and my Masters degree in Special Education from Eastern Michigan University. This is the start of my 35th year of teaching. I believe that all students can and will learn, given the time and accommodations necessary to access the curriculum.

My personal goal is to live a healthy, loving, life with my children and grandchildren, surrounded by family. Professionally I have met my goals by not only teaching at all levels age 3-18, but also teaching at EMU to undergrads and graduate students.

I am number nine of eleven children and grew up in Livonia. I have three children who attended Salem High School; Kristen Dobias-2005, Justin Dobias -2007, and Anna Dobias- 2013. All of my children are out of the house and living on their own. Kristen is in Indiana with her husband and my two adorably cute grandsons; Lucas and Everett, Justin is in California avoiding the snow, and Anna is living on her own in Garden City. I enjoy traveling and spending time with my kids and grandkids. Each of my children took a different path in their lives after high school and I am passionate about supporting them in their choices. In my spare time I enjoy outdoor activities. I moved to a farm in the country a year ago and help my partner, Glen, grow and sell hay and goats. I have chickens who play hide-and-seek with their eggs, but when I find them I enjoy baking and cooking. I enjoy swimming and reading, and am anxious to get back to riding my bike.

Five words that describe Plymouth High school would be friendly, diverse, accepting, caring, and fun!

1. K12 Insight Student Survey: Students received a personal invitation and survey link in their school email account from the district’s survey partner K12 Insight. Please have students complete the survey using a connected device of any kind, including a smartphone, chromebook, or tablet during 3rd hour announcement time. The survey will take between 5 and 10 minutes to complete. Thank you in advance!

2.  Entering District Provided Professional Development: You can access directions on how to input the hours HERE. This year's PD is listed below for you to reference.

     8/29/17 – 6.5 hours
     8/30/17 – 3.25 hours
     8/31/17 – 3.25 hours
    11/7/17 – 6.5 hours
     3/14/18 – 3.25 hours
     3/15/18 – 3.25 hours 

Four 1 hour staff meetings will count as PD: 9/27/17, 11/29/17, 2/28/18,     and 3/21/18

Plus 3 additional work hours entered into RESA.

3. Guest Speaker form: This is more formally called the Educational Resource Form. It's under the regular links on the right side of this blog. Please use this form for any guest speaker you are inviting to come in to your class. Thank you!

4.  Going through your closets? If you have any long shorts (i.e, basketball) you would like to donate then please send them to Rachelle. She has a supply of clothes for students who are in dress code violation.

5. Grant Opportunity: Please see the grant opportunity from the Meemic Foundation. Apply today for classroom funding with their $100 Back-to-School Supplies grant. Apply at: MeemicFoundation.org/BacktoSchool Need new books? Math manipulative?  Microscopes? Art supplies? A special school-wide speaker? Whatever the need, our second quarter Traditional grant provides funding up to $500. Apply at: MeemicFoundation.org/Traditional. Deadline for both grants is June 30th. 

6.  College Decision Day: As a reminder, College Decision Day will be celebrated on May 4th during 5th hour at the Varsity football field. The goal of College Decision Day is to recognize high school seniors for their post-secondary educational plans whether it's trade school, military, workforce or college. 

7.  Scholastic Book Fair: Warehouse sale is from June 6-June 16 at the Scholastic Book Fairs Warehouse at 41873 Ecorse Rd, Suite 260, Van Buren Twp, 48111. 

Spring Break!

Whether you're traveling or in town for the break, I hope you're getting a chance to do things that really feed your soul. This may be different for each of us, but you know what I mean - whether it's spending time with family and friends, sleeping in, or cleaning out that messy closet - I hope you're having the break that you need to finish strong. 

This week's calendar:
Tuesday, 4/10 - SAT (11th); PSAT (9th) 
                       Report card window closes @ 11:59 pm 
Wednesday, 4/11 - Workkeys (11th); PSAT (10th)
                           Adjusted schedule (CLICK HERE) for PM 

Upcoming
Monday, 4/16 - Lock-down drill
                       report cards distributed to 3rd hour
Tuesday, 4/17 - M-STEP (M-STEP ALPHA SCHEDULE) 
Wednesday, 4/18 -  M-STEP
Thursday, 4/19 - M-STEP
Friday, 4/20 - M-STEP make-up 

Hello, I am Henni Marek and I am a math teacher at Plymouth High School. I have been teaching at the Park for seven years. Teaching is a second carrier which started in England at Magdalen College School, Brackley (www.magdalen.northants.sch.uk/). This is my 15th year of teaching and a life long dream come true. After 'retiring' from opticianry I was a stay at home mom while pursuing a degree in mathematics and secondary education. Born and raised in Germany, I now have been living in the USA for more than 30 years, with the exception of living in Northampton, UK for about four years. There I was able to finish my studies, student teach and complete my first teaching assignment.

One of my goals this year is, when working with struggling students in my support class, to continue to integrate effective instructional strategies to engage all students in learning and reaching their potential.

My husband, David, and I have two grown sons. Philip, the oldest is living in South Carolina, where we like to visit him as often as possible, especially during the Michigan winter. Peter, our youngest son is currently living with us and we enjoy his company, he is an excellent cook. Traveling is one of our passions and keeps us connected with our families and friends. 

1. K12 Student Survey: The district is launching a K12 student survey on the morning of April 10th. Each student will be sent a direct link to their school email. The survey takes 10 minutes (maximum) to take and can be taken on a phone, chromebook, or computer. Please ask students to take this survey in your 3rd hour class on 4/24 and 4/26, utilizing the extra 10 minutes for announcements.  

2. PD Survey: Please provide feedback on the presentation on 3/15 by Max McGee. The survey link is https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W8QL8VB. The survey can be completed in 3 minutes or less. Also, here is a link to his presentation.

3. ASD Walk 2018 - This year's Walk for Autism will be held on Saturday, April 21, 2018. Come and celebrate Autism Awareness with food, raffle, and fun. All proceeds from this event go towards our Center Based ASD programs. Here is a link to a flyer