8 Things I Know for Sure About Middle School Kids

One of my favorite blogs to follow is called the Cult of Pedagogy.  It is a blog written by a lady that spent a few years as a middle school English teacher and then moved into higher education.  She writes great, pertinent articles that pertain to the craft, the theory and the teacher soul of education.  This week, I noticed a post about middle school students.  One of the biggest transitions I believe our students make is between the 6th & 7th grade.  As 6th graders, students are part of our elementary school; they switch classrooms occasionally but are on the elementary schedule and are treated as such. When they move to the 7th grade, students have to try to mange seven teachers everyday and because we share teachers with high school students, many students are hit with very high expectations.  As teachers and administrators, I think it is easy to forget about the adolescent brain development and what students at this age are dealing with.  Even though we would love for their main focus to be academics, it really is not.  Students are very caught up in the social aspects of their lives and working to figure out how they fit into the world.  While it can be a very trying time, it can also be very rewarding!    

With this in mind, I thought I would share this blog entry!  It is just a quick reminder of what our junior high students are facing everyday as they move through adolescence.    Happy reading!!

Blog can be found HERE.  

School Notes:

Spring Calendar - You can find a link to the spring calendar HERE.  This document will be updated with a few more dates, but will hopefully help with planning for the rest of the school year. This document is also in the Teacher Resource folder in your Google Drive!

ISTEP Testing - Last day of math ISTEP testing is this Monday!  Social Studies 7 and Biology will test later in the week during their assigned classroom times. All testing has to be finished by Friday, May 4th.    

The PBIS team is planning an ISTEP Celebration for students. Students will have an ice cream sundae party!  We are watching the weather closely as we would love for students to go outside.  We are potentially looking at Thursday, May 3rd.  Students in grades 9 & 10 will get their ice cream during WIN and students in grades 7 & 8 will celebrate during 7th period, with 8th graders being released the last 10 minutes of 6th period.  We will share more details as we watch the weather closely this week!  

 ISTEP Groups       ISTEP Schedule 

RISE Domain 1 & 3 - Just a reminder that Domain 1 & 3 will be due by April 30th in the SFS System.  If you filled out these domains last year, we will the information you shared with us at that time.  (You are always welcome to update and add to it!)  If you are new to Perry Central, I will be reaching out to you to see how I can help support you through this process.  This is a very important piece to your evaluation.  Looking forward to supporting you anyway I can!  

Mock Car Crash - Students in grades 10-12 will be participating in a mock car crash on Thursday, May 3rd.  The program will begin during 6th period.  We will release students by intercom.  

Academic Awards Program - Just a reminder that the Academic Awards Program will be Wednesday, May 9th at 6:30 p.m. in the high school gym.  Looking forward to seeing everyone there!

Prom/After Prom - This weekend will be Prom!  Saturday the evening will begin with Grand March at 7:15 p.m. Prom activities will run from 8:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. with after prom beginning at 12:30 a.m.!  Thank you to Mary Jo Hagedorn and the student council for their hard work along with Tara Bishop, Pam Hilgenhold and the after-prom committee for working so hard to put together such a great evening for our students!

Important Dates: 

Monday, April 30 - Varsity Golf @ Springs Valley 4:00 p.m./ Varsity/JV Baseball vs. Paoli 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday, May 1 - Varsity Golf @ Lucas Oil 4:00 p.m.

Wednesday, May 2 - Varsity Softball vs. Lanesville @ home 4:30 p.m./ Varsity/JV Baseball @ Tell City 5:00 p.m./ Unified Track @ North Harrison 5:00 p.m.

Thursday, May 3 - Varsity Baseball vs. Springs Valley 4:30 p.m./ Varsity Softball vs. Heritage Hills 5:00 p.m.

Friday, May 4 - ISTEP Celebration/ Varsity Track PLAC @ Mitchell 4:30 p.m./ Varsity Softball vs. North Harrison 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 5 - Grand March 7:00 p.m./ Prom 8:00 p.m.- 12:00 a.m./ After Prom 12:30 a.m. - 3:00 a.m.

Wednesday, May 9 - Academic Awards Program  6:30 p.m.

May 12 & 13 - School Play   "Our House"  

The Glorious Freedom of "Unlearning"

You have always heard the saying, "out of the mouth of a babe."  Children of all ages teach us new things everyday; Justin likes to show me a new and better way to do work by using technology, Jace's teen perspective is always intriguing and little Josie, my 2 year old niece, is always reminding me the importance of persistence with a cute smile (she is good at that!)  It seems as though every generation finds a better way of navigating the world, even though we older folk are quick to judge and put down their untested perceptions.  

Jennifer Mitchell shared a blog this week titled, "The Glorious Freedom of Unlearning."  The article talks about how we are all learners, and sometimes unlearning is just as important!  Even though children do not have the life experiences we have, their untrained minds allow them to see the world from a totally different view!  We can be like them if we are willing to "unlearn" and keep an open mind.   
       I encourage you to take a few minutes to read this article and hope it will inspire you as much as it did me!  Happy Unlearning!!

"You can't become who you want to be by staying who you are."    Article Link HERE 


School Notes:

Spring Calendar - You can find a link to the spring calendar HERE.  This document will be updated with a few more dates, but will hopefully help with planning for the rest of the school year. This document is also in the Teacher Resource folder in your Google Drive!

ISTEP Testing - ISTEP Testing starts today!  Below is a copy of the new ISTEP schedule and group lists for your convenience.  The schedule will be the same Monday - Wednesday this week, as we will be taking the English test.  Thursday - Monday will bring a slightly different schedule for math tests.  Monday - Wednesday we will be extending periods 1,3,5 by an average of 10 minutes or so.  Thursday - Monday, we will be starting 2nd period at 8:30 (so beginning 2nd period early) and then extending periods 3 and 5.  We will keep you up-to-date via email!  Please see Jody if you have questions.  Thank you for your flexibility during this time. 

 ISTEP Groups       ISTEP Schedule 

RISE Domain 1 & 3 - Just a reminder that Domain 1 & 3 will be due by April 30th in the SFS System.  If you filled out these domains last year, we will the information you shared with us at that time.  (You are always welcome to update and add to it!)  If you are new to Perry Central, I will be reaching out to you to see how I can help support you through this process.  This is a very important piece to your evaluation.  Looking forward to supporting you anyway I can!  

Trig-Star Testing - Mr. Linne will be giving the Trig-Star exam this Wednesday during 1st period!  Good luck to our students!

Interviews - All juniors and seniors participating in the Work Ethic Certification will be participating in interviews this Thursday and Friday.  Mike Bishop has arranged for 15 individuals from our community to come in and provide students with this first hand experience!  Some students will be interviewing for internships they will participate in their senior year!  Good luck to all of our students!

Important Dates:

Monday, April 23 - First day of ISTEP/ Varsity Golf @ Tell City 4:30 p.m./ Varsity Softball vs. Paoli 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday, April 24 - Varsity Baseball @ Paoli 4:30 p.m./ Varsity Track @ Northeast Dubois 4:30 p.m./ Southern Hills Writing Awards Ceremony  6:00 p.m. @ EUCC Church

Wednesday, April 25 - Band Banquet  6:30 p.m./ Varsity Softball vs. Cannelton 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 26 - Junior Interviews, Varsity Golf @ Lucas Oil, Boys Track @ Home 4:30 p.m./ Girls Track @ Southridge Invitational 5:30 p.m./ Parent Safety Meeting - Alan Malone & Mary Roberson - 6:00 p.m.

Friday, April 27 - Juniors Interviews/ Varsity Softball @ Tell City 5:00 p.m./ Varsity Baseball @ Wood Memorial 5:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 29 - Captain Club Top 10 Banquet @ Patio 1:00 p.m. 

Perry County Day!

Friday, April 20th is the first annual Perry County Day!  The purpose of this day is to take time to celebrate the wonderful place we get to live, work and play.  Perry County is a special place for me. Growing up in the small, river community of Magnet brings back many fond memories of meeting my grandparents at "Tom and Helen's" (now called Betty Ray's Landing), visiting the general store owned Raymond and Mary Jean Cassidy (where you could buy groceries & stamps), and watching barges go down the Ohio River from Buzzard Roost. Growing up, it seemed as though everyone was your neighbor!  I even remember my mom dropping me off with all of the Labhart boys to get on the bus (they lived next door)!    This is just a short list of the fond memories I had as a little girl.   

Perry County is a beautiful place to live.  We are fortunate to house the Hoosier National Forest and Ohio River with many places camp, rent cabins, boat and fish.  Not only is the scenery beautiful, but so are the people!  Perry County is often recognized as a community that knows how to work together for progress as well as always being helpful and kind their neighbors. 

    I feel so fortunate to be able to come back and live in a community that has given so much to me!

Perry County Day is Friday, April 20th.  The goal of Perry County Development Corporation Marketing Committee is to celebrate Perry County in a fun way!  Individuals, families and organizations are encouraged to wear their Perry County shirts and post pictures in many locations throughout the county, along with other activities.  You will be able to find activities listed on the Pick Perry Facebook page starting tomorrow afternoon!  

Perry Central is going to participate!  We are giving away Perry County T-shirts and encourage everyone to wear them on Friday for a picture!  (Below are the teachers who are winners - we drew names of teachers who have posted to Google Classroom about the books you are reading!)  We will also be encouraging all Sophomores to wear their shirts on Friday along with some other activities to come!  

T-shirt Winners:  Diane Plassmeyer, Dana Harris, Stephanie Walsh, Pam Hilgenhold, Nancy Poehlein, Julie Berkhouse, Andrea Clark, Mackenzie Petty, Hilarie Hahus, Catherine Burst, Kevin Koelling)  (Winners, please see Jody to order your shirt sizes TODAY!  I do have some shirts in my office if you want to look at how the shirts run.)  

Happy Perry County Day!


School Notes:

Healthy Relationships: We want to thank Crisis Connection for coming in on Tuesday, April 17 to speak to 10th and 11th grade students during their science and history classes.  They are going to talk about the importance of healthy relationships.  Thank you to Mr. Reese, Ms. Hahus and Ms. Johnson for allowing them to join their classes!  

E-Cigarette  Presentation:  Liz Moskos will be speaking to 7th and 8th grade students on Wednesday and Thursday this week during 1st and 2nd periods about the dangers of E-Cigarettes.  Each presentation will last about 20 minutes and students will be scheduled to visit her one time.  A schedule will be sent to teachers by the end of the day tomorrow.  Thank you to Jackie Colucci for setting up the presentations.  

Spring Calendar - You can find a link to the spring calendar HERE.  This document will be updated with a few more dates, but will hopefully help with planning for the rest of the school year. This document is also in the Teacher Resource folder in your Google Drive!

ISTEP Testing - The window for ISTEP testing will be April 23 - May 4th with a few groups starting this week.  We know that this can be a stressful time and many students will be in and out of your classrooms.  Thank you for your flexibility and help!  The updated schedule and list of students are attached to the email.  Please note there have been a few small changes!  

RISE Domain 1 & 3 - Just a reminder that Domain 1 & 3 will be due by April 30th in the SFS System.  If you filled out these domains last year, we will the information you shared with us at that time.  (You are always welcome to update and add to it!)  If you are new to Perry Central, I will be reaching out to you to see how I can help support you through this process.  This is a very important piece to your evaluation.  Looking forward to supporting you anyway I can!  

Paper Mache Show - Nancy Poehlein's Art Classes have been working hard!  This week they will begin tours of the famous Paper Mache Show!  Thanks to Nancy and all of her hard work!
Important Dates:

Monday, April 16 - Varsity Golf @ Lucas Oil - 4:15/ Varsity Baseball @ Cannelton 4:30/ Varsity Softball @ Forest Park  5:00 p.m.

Tuesday, April 17 - Girls Track @ Home 4:30 p.m./ Varsity Baseball @ Boonville/ Crisis Connection Presentations/ Unified Track @ Jasper  

Wednesday, April 18 - 7th & 8th Grade E-Cig Presentation/ Varsity Baseball @ Home 5:00 p.m.

Thursday, April 19 - 7th/8th Grade E-Cig Presentation/ Varsity Golf @ Wood Memorial 4:30 p.m./ Varsity Track @ Home 4:30 p.m./ Varsity Softball @ Southridge 5:00 p.m. 

Friday, April 20 - Pick Perry Day! (Wear your Perry County T-Shirt)/ Varsity Baseball @ Home 4:30/ Varsity Softball @ Tecumseh 5:00 p.m.  

Saturday, April 21 - Varsity Softball Vs. Crawford County 10:00 a.m./ Varsity Baseball vs. NE Dubois 11:00 a.m. 

"Most People are Good"

Luke Bryan - "Most People are Good"

I believe most people are good I noticed a lot more students moving back to WIN this week, and I really appreciate your help! We will read these changes to students on Monday before WIN.  (

And most mama's oughta qualify for sainthood

I believe most Friday nights look better under neon or stadium lights

I believe you love who you love

Ain't nothing you should ever be ashamed of

I believe this world ain't half as bad as it looks

I believe most people are good

I believe that days go slow and years go fast

And every breath's a gift, the first one to the last

One of my favorite songs in country music right now is Luke Bryan's "Most People are Good."  The lyrics were written in a desperation attempt to find the silver lining after the intensely negative 2016 Presidential election. They hoped it would inspire optimism, hope and love for our country.   

I personally love this song as it does provide a sense of peace and happiness for me.  Sometimes it is easy to fall into the pit of hopelessness and despair after watching the evening news or reading on social media sites; BUT I have found that there is evidence that this song is true - most people really are good!  It is easy to look around and see that we live in a community that still believes in helping a neighbor, supporting our children and volunteering for many community events. We have generations of goodness right here in Perry County and we can find many of this right here in our own school! 

I would challenge all of you to find "good" this week in your children, students, family, friends and strangers.  Reflecting on the positive parts of our day can fill our hearts and remind to be grateful for what we have.


School Notes:

Updates for WIN:    We have made some changes to our WIN attendance for the last few weeks of school.  Starting on Monday, April 9th, WIN instructors will be taking attendance in Skyward to help us keep better track of students. 

Here are some other changes and updates that will occur:
  * Students are no longer allowed to have a pass to go to another WIN group or to work in the elementary.  All students are required to be in their assigned WIN location.
  * Students who are reporting to another classroom during their WIN time MUST be coded or they are subject to lunch detention.
  * Teachers are highly encouraged to pull students into their classrooms who need accountability for work.  To help balance numbers, each teacher needs to pull at least 10-12 students each day.

      Your Help is Requested:  Below you will find a link to an updated WIN document. Please post these lists on your board or print them out so students will know for sure where their WIN assignments are. (You can also find the document in the Teacher Resource folder in your Google Drive.)  Click HERE for the link.  Please let Jody know if there are students names that are missing so they can be added to the attendance lists. 

        I noticed a lot more students moving back to WIN this week, and I really appreciate your help!  We will read these changes to students on Monday before WIN.  

Spring Calendar - You can find a link to the spring calendar HERE.  This document will be updated with a few more dates, but will hopefully help with planning for the rest of the school year. This document is also in the Teacher Resource folder in your Google Drive!

ISTEP Testing - The window for ISTEP testing will be April 23 - May 4th.  English will be at the beginning of the week, followed by Math, Social Studies 7 and Biology!  A more detailed schedule will be out soon.  Thank you for your flexibility and help during this busy time!  Math and English teachers will be conducting remediation sessions for the next three weeks!

Important Dates:

Monday, April 9 - Varsity Softball vs. Tell City @ 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 10 - Varsity Golf @ Christmas Lake 4:00 p.m., Varsity Track @ Southridge 4:30 p.m.
                                  JV Baseball vs. Southridge 5:00 p.m. 
Thursday, April 12 - Varsity Track @ Crawford County, Varsity Baseball vs. Crawford County

Friday, April 13 - Varsity Softball @ Jasper 5:00 p.m., FFA Livestock Judging Event @ Perry County 4-H Fairgrounds

Saturday, April 14 - Varsity Golf @ Lucas Oil, Varsity Track @ Tell City 9:00 a.m., Varsity Softball @ Jasper 9:00 a.m.,  ISSMA Band Contest 


April 18 & 19 - Luz Moskos will be here during periods 1 & 2 on both days to speak to 7th and 8th grade students about e-cigarettes and the harm it can do to their bodies.  We will be creating a schedule very soon.  Thank you for your flexibility and allowing us to speak to our students about this important topic!  Students will be placed in groups and presentations will only be 20-25 minutes each.  More information will be coming soon!

Welcome Spring!

I don't know about you, but I LOVE spring!!  We have had new born calves and lambs, flowers slowly peaking out of the ground, trees starting to bud, and golf balls flying around my house. . . all of these things start to get me excited about breaking out of the cold, dark winter.  Even though old man winter is trying to hang on longer than normal, I am still excited about longer days and some warmer temperatures. For me, spring is a reminder that even in times of struggle there is hope and if we hang on long enough beauty will flourish! 

As a teacher, I always looked forward to the last few months of school; not because summer break was coming but because I felt like it was a time I could really see my students grow and bloom!  Relationships are strong and students are full of hope and excitement as they start to think about putting another year behind them and continuing to grow in maturity and knowledge. Spring is a great time to reflect and celebrate success! 

I hope all of you had a restful break and are ready to finish this fourth quarter strong!! 


School Notes:

Updates for WIN:    We have made some changes to our WIN attendance for the last few weeks of school.  Starting on Monday, April 9th, WIN instructors will be taking attendance in Skyward to help us keep better track of students. 

Here are some other changes and updates that will occur:
  * Students are no longer allowed to have a pass to go to another WIN group or to work in the elementary.  All students are required to be in their assigned WIN location.
  * Students who are reporting to another classroom during their WIN time MUST be coded or they are subject to lunch detention.
  * Teachers are highly encouraged to pull students into their classrooms who need accountability for work.  To help balance numbers, each teacher needs to pull at least 10-12 students each day.

      Your Help is Requested:  Below you will find a link to an updated WIN document.  This week, please make sure students know where their WIN assignments are (some have changed due to changes in teaching assistants.)  We will read these changes to students later in the week, but please also help us prepare students for the changes listed above.  (You can also find the document in the Teacher Resource folder in your Google Drive.)  Click HERE for the link.  Please let Jody know if there are students names that are missing so they can be added to the attendance lists. 


Spring Calendar - You can find a link to the spring calendar HERE.  This document will be updated with a few more dates, but will hopefully help with planning for the rest of the school year. This document is also in the Teacher Resource folder in your Google Drive!

ISTEP Celebration - Due to snow, we were unable to follow through with our ISTEP Celebration for students in grades 7,8 and 10.  We are going to post-pone this celebration until May 4th.  May 4th will be our last day for testing so we will celebrate that afternoon!  More details will follow closer to the time.  We are thinking Ice Cream Sundaes are in our future!!   Please share this information with students!

ISTEP Testing - The window for ISTEP testing will be April 23 - May 4th.  English will be at the beginning of the week, followed by Math, Social Studies 7 and Biology!  A more detailed schedule will be out soon.  Thank you for your flexibility and help during this busy time!  Math and English teachers will be conducting remediation sessions for the next three weeks!

Spring PBIS Lessons - Just a reminder that we will be asking teachers to conduct a short PBIS lesson on Tuesday, April 3rd right after morning announcements.  Links to these lessons will be sent soon!

Career Day - We will be hosting Career Day on Friday, April 6th during 3rd and 4th periods for students in grades 7,8 and 9.  Several members from our local community will be here to speak with students.  More information will be coming soon!

Early College Update:  Thank you to Dana Harris, Vanessa Johnson, Bo Gibson, Mackenzie Petty and Mary Jo Hagedorn for working on their 18 hours of master level work so they can become dual credit instructors!  We truly appreciate their extra work and commitment to our students.  If anyone has questions about this process or incentives that are available, please see Jody!

Important Dates: 

Monday, April 2 - Varsity Baseball @ Springs Valley  4:30 p.m./  School Board Meeting 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 3 - Varsity Track @ North Harrison  4:30 p.m. / Varsity Baseball @ Home vs. Corydon 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday - April 4 - Congressman Bucshon visiting Commodore Manufacturing 2:00 - 3:00 p.m./ Varsity Baseball @ home vs. North Harrison  Varsity Softball @ Corydon 4:30 p.m.

Thursday - April 5 - Varsity Golf @ Southridge  4:30 p.m./ Varsity Track @ Home 4:30 p.m.

Friday, April 6 - Career Day 3rd and 4th periods

Saturday, April 7 - Varsity Baseball @ North Posey  11:00 a.m. / Varsity Softball vs. Providence 11:00 a.m. Home