Panther Praise winners Sept. 15th -19th

Submitted by kaye.isakson on
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Congratulations to the following students for being named panther praise winners for the week of Sept. 15th  - 19th:

7th Grade: Dallen Hunter (Mr. Vincent), Braxton Kilmer (Mrs. C. Hanks), and Zoey Young (Mrs. Harmer)

8th Grade: Cameron Capadonia (Mrs. C. Hanks), Hadley Johnson (Mrs. Hotchkiss), and Kat Larson (Mrs. Harmer)

9th Grade: Charity Pieper (Mrs. Harmer), Max Bennion (Mr. White), and Jentry Betts (Ms. Daniels)

Students Learn About Balancing Life Roles

Submitted by melissa.nielson on
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Last week, the counselors taught the 7th grade students about balancing life roles. As part of the CTE curriculum, the efforts are to help students become knowledgeable about the world of work, explore career options, and relate personal skills and abilities to education planning and future career decision making. 

Panther Praise Winners Sept. 8th-12th

Submitted by kaye.isakson on
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Congratulations to the following panther praise winners for the week of Sept. 8th - 12th.

7th Grade: Aubree Carter--Mrs. Hanks, Kenna Valdez--Mrs. Hanks, Seth Judd--Mrs. Bennett

8th Grade: Pamela Mireles--Mrs. Larsen, Macey Pierce--Mrs. Bennett--Cristian Castellon--Mrs. Larsen

9th Grade: Evelyn Jimenez--Ms. Daniels, Hannah Adams--Mrs. Kirby, Jesse Hawkins--Mrs. Larsen

Attributions
Kaye Isakson

Welcome New Teachers

Submitted by melissa.nielson on
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We have several new faces in the building this year, and now that they are all settled in, we asked them to share a little about themselves:

Ms. Westenskow- English Teacher: I teach 7th and 8th grade English. I moved around a lot growing up and have lived in Arizona, Ohio, Texas, Guatemala, and Utah, but spent more time in Utah than anywhere else and graduated from Riverton High School, so I feel like Riverton is home. I am loving MNJHS so far! I have been so impressed with the administration and the faculty, and the students have been respectful and wonderful to work with. I'm excited for this school year! 

Mrs. Hanks- Special Education/English Teacher: I have been involved with education either as a teacher or as a school board member for 22 years. I have a BS degree from BYU in Elementary Education and Special Education and a Master of Education degree from the University of Utah in Special Education. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with family, hiking, camping, and reading. This is my second year teaching at a junior high. I was glad I was able to come to MNJHS. The staff has been great and the students are amazing. 

Mrs. Wright- Math Teacher: I grew up on an apple orchard in rural Washington State. I attended BYU to receive my teaching degree. I am married and have 4 children, 3 daughters and a son. I have lived in Utah for 12 years. I have loved getting to know the wonderful students here at MNJHS.

Mr. Ford- History Teacher: More info coming soon!

Mrs. Miller- CTE Teacher: I grew up in Mapleton, Utah and live there still. I married my old boyfriend and we have two children. I enjoy reading, gardening, cycling, sewing, cooking, hunting, fishing and killing flies. 

Mr. Vincent- Art Teacher: I grew up in Parowan, Utah. My two lifelong passions have been art and music, which also became my Major and Minor at Southern Utah University. I have worked as a graphic designer, a fine art bronze foundry worker, a mural painter, a freelance artist, and now for the last few years as an art teacher. I love teaching.... especially the relationships with students, and seeing them learn and grow in their artistic abilities. Apart from school, I enjoy singing as part of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and playing the piano. I have a cat, 8 chickens, a garden, as well as a wife and 3 children. 

Mrs. Nelson- School Psychologist: I work at both MNJHS and Orchard Hills Elementary. I received my Masters in Psychology from Utah State University and am currently working on my Education Specialist degree. I was recently married over the summer, love golf, and have an adorable puppy named Dash. My favorite part about MNJHS so far is the amazing Special Education staff, the Diet Coke runs with the counselors, and the support I have received from the administrators. I hope to be able to get to know all of the faculty better this year. Stop by my office anytime to sit in the hammock chairs, get help with students, and/or just say hi! GO PANTHERS!!

Mr. Nelson- Counseling Intern: I am from Orem, Utah. I have my Bachelor's degree in Business Management and I'm finishing my Master's degree in School Counseling. I love working with children and I believe that they can all achieve great things if they have somebody in their corner. I am very happy to be at MNJHS and appreciate the way that the staff has been patient with me and accepted me into the team. 

Mr. Turnbow- Animal and Ag Science Teacher: More info coming soon!

Panther Praise Winners Sept. 1st to 5th

Submitted by kaye.isakson on
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Congratulations to the following students for being names Panther Praise Winners:

7th Grade: Danika Long--Mrs. Huff, Sarah Rogers--Mrs. Bennett, Addylynn DeGraw--Mrs. Reber

8th Grade:  Brent Laker--Mrs. Reber, McKenzie Tucker--Mrs. Bennett, NiKaedynn Finau--Mrs. Reber

9th Grade:  Abbi Coles--Mrs. Olsen, Cheyene Anderson--Mrs. Cox, Samantha Samuels--Mrs. Wilson

Attributions
Kaye Isakson

Panther Praise Winners Aug. 25-29th

Submitted by kaye.isakson on
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Panther Praise Winners for the week of Aug. 25th to 29th are:

Back Row: Corbin Vincent (9th)--Ms. N. Brady, Mason Lindstrom (9th)--Mrs. Huff, Bridger Fowden (9th)--Mrs. Capell, Kayden Walters (8th)--Mrs. Capell, Ethan Risenmay (7th)--Mrs. Bennett,  Manuel Rodriguez (7th)--Mrs. Larsen, Front Row: Candace Holdaway (7th)--Mrs. Reber, Darby Miller (8th)--Mrs. Huff, (Absent Dallin Southwick--Mrs. Reber)

 

Attributions
Kaye Isakson

Ways to Make Homework Less Stressful

Submitted by melissa.nielson on
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Students often have a hard time managing homework, especially new 7th graders adjusting to having many teachers. Here are a few simple tips to make the most out of homework each night and keep the stress level in check:

1. Establish a Time: Parents can pick a consistent work time. Kids thrive on routine, and if they know what time they have to do homework, they're able to prepare themselves mentally. 2. Get Organized:  Be sure the work area is clear of distractions. Make everything your kids need to complete their homework readily accessible. You don't want to spend 10 valuable homework minutes searching for paper or pencils. 3. Eliminate Distractions: During homework, there should be no TV, texting or other electronic devices. Electronics interrupt and stretch out the homework process. Kids benefit form learning when it's time to work and when it's time to play. 4. Build in Breaks: After a long day of school, children can become stressed by the homework looming over them. Learning specialists recommend five to ten minute "power breaks". Use a kitchen timer to keep track of time. 5. Be Available: Homework helps your child work independently, so don't hover, interrupt or offer too much input. Encourage, praise and support, but do not complete any work, no matter how tempting it may be! There is important growth associated with the process of understanding, attempting, asking questions and completing the work. 6. Use the Student Planner: All students received a planner on their first day of school. Please help your child utilize theirs. All assignments should be written in the planner each day. Review the planner with our child and help them break down big assignments, and plan ahead based on due dates. If your student is having a hard time understanding their work, contact the teacher and see if your student can get help before or after school. We also have Power Hour available after school every day except for Wednesday. Students can come and get their homework done, with a teacher available to help answer questions. 

 

Shakespeare Academy

Submitted by kaye.isakson on
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For two days, a couple of weeks before school begins, over one hundred students from all of the junior high's in Nebo School district gather together for the Nebo Shakespeare Academy.  The two day summer event features Shakespearean expert guest speakers; movement, voice and text classes; ice breaker games; open question and answer time on the Shakespearean Festival Acting Competition; Collaboration and district team spirit motivation lectures; food and FUN!  This year's Academy was held at Mapelton Jr. High School with guest speakers Jan Shelton Hunsaker and Andy Hunsaker.  Jan and Andy were both educated and trained at SUU and the Shakespeare Festival.  They've built huge Theatre programs and taken many 1st place awards at the Shakespeare Acting Competition at Lehi High School; Tuachan School for the Performing Arts; Salt Lake School for the Performing Arts and are now both teaching in Nebo School District at Spanish Fork High School.  They had the students spell bound with their optimism and top ten acting Shakespeare tips.  Students enjoyed the classes taught on the first day, and then got to work bits of their competition pieces on the second day.  They learned the value of good collaboration and healthy competition.  They all have a district Shakespeare shirt, so when we go to the awards ceremony at the end of competition, we will all be together as one team!  We have a follow-up mock Shakespeare competition the Wednesday before we leave for Cedar City and compete where students perform all of their pieces for guest judges.  The judges use the same adjudication form they use during the Shakespeare Competition and students receive feedback to fine tune their work, and also to get the overwhelming fear that accompanies competition, out of the way, so they go down confident and prepared to do their best.  They learn so much by supporting and observing each other as well as others they'll observe during that weekend.  We have the most supportive school board and administration's across the district, who support our desires to give our students this amazing experience.  Nebo School District Junior High School Theatre teachers and Shakespeare coaches are:  Kara Poulsen (Diamond Fork), Kristina Holley (Spanish Fork), Rock Hatch White (Mt. Nebo), Nichole Clement (Mapelton and Springville), David Antablian (Payson), DeAnna Ashworth (Salem), and Catherine Lyon (Salem).

Attributions
Rock White

7th Grade Day- Monday, August 18th

Submitted by melissa.nielson on
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We look forward to seeing our 7th grade students on Monday, August 18th from 7:55 to 11:20 AM.  Students will have a tour of the school, attend an informational assembly and have lunch in the cafeteria. See the schedule below:

7:55 to 9:00 Welcome and Assembly

9:05 to 9:15 1st Period

9:20 to 9:30 2nd- Advisory Period

9:35 to 9:45 3rd Period

9:50 to 10:00 4th Period

10:05 to 10:15 5th Period

10:20 to 10:30 6th Period

10:35 to 10:45 7th Period

10:50 to 11:00 8th Period

11:00 to 11:20 Lunch