Dear physics students and parents,
Spring Break has arrived here at Chieftain Nation! Some of you will be heading out on vacations. Others will be staying at home, hoping that our fickle Nebraska spring weather will cooperate enough to let us enjoy some much needed fresh air and sunshine. It's a great time to rest and recharge, before we begin the home stretch towards the end of the school year.
I certainly want our students to enjoy some downtime, but this is also no time to take your foot off the gas. In some cases, this can be a great chance to work ahead. Or, it might be time to play catch up for some of you. I would like you to consider some of these ideas over spring break:
Spring Cleaning. Unfortunately, I have a great many students who have fallen behind in their work. They lost momentum over the holiday break, and never got it back. This is a good time to go through Powerschool - in my class for sure, but other classes of course.
Mr. Mason
Spring Break has arrived here at Chieftain Nation! Some of you will be heading out on vacations. Others will be staying at home, hoping that our fickle Nebraska spring weather will cooperate enough to let us enjoy some much needed fresh air and sunshine. It's a great time to rest and recharge, before we begin the home stretch towards the end of the school year.
I certainly want our students to enjoy some downtime, but this is also no time to take your foot off the gas. In some cases, this can be a great chance to work ahead. Or, it might be time to play catch up for some of you. I would like you to consider some of these ideas over spring break:
Spring Cleaning. Unfortunately, I have a great many students who have fallen behind in their work. They lost momentum over the holiday break, and never got it back. This is a good time to go through Powerschool - in my class for sure, but other classes of course.
- Look for any missing or incomplete assignments that you can catch up on. In my class, look for the "NHI" code ("Not Handed In") on the far right hand side, in the "Grade" column. Anything I have listed as NHI can and should still be completed and turned in.
- Look for any low summative test scores that you are not satisfied with. Complete any missing work that led up to that test, and put together a plan to re-learn the material. When you come back from break, set up a meeting with me to set that plan in motion and set up a test retake. This webpage offers several online resources to help you with any material you might be struggling with.
- Review the syllabus of each class. What units are coming up? Any major assignments or projects that I can be working on now? For example, my AP1 class has a major summative project due the day they come back from break. Schedule time to get this done.
- In my class, this is a good time to review the assignment sheet for the next unit. Maybe you want to find some time to work ahead.
- If you are a senior, there isn't much left (Did you fill out a FAFSA? If not, DO!).
- The extra time you have during a week off is the PERFECT opportunity for juniors to start looking ahead to the college process. Are there any college fairs you could attend over break? Or plan for after that? (EducationQuest is a great resource!)
- Better yet, schedule some college visits - either locally, or any you will be near during a vacation. Do some research on possible colleges, scholarships, majors and careers.
- The ACT is coming up in April: plan some prep time! Go to act.org, or Khan Academy, or look into a paid program like John Baylor Prep. Take a practice test, or a couple of sections, under test conditions.
- Resources: What else should juniors be doing this spring? Listen here and here for a college prep expert's advice.
- However, if you already have a job, work as many hours as you can over break. Then cut back once school starts again.
- Planning on a summer job? Start your search NOW. Beat the competition! Then work as many hours as you can reasonably fit in over the summer. Bank that money away so you can go back to focusing on school in the fall.
- Consider researching internships, summer camps, or any other activities that will allow you to explore potential careers and interests.
Mr. Mason