Congratulations Coach Palan and Coach Reiniche!!!
The Dragons defeated Elwood last night 25-20, 25-15 to earn the Sectional Championship. Our girls are now going to the Class 2A State Volleyball Tournament to be held in Heyworth, IL on Saturday, March 9th, 2013. The Dragons will play Lewistown Central @ 3:30p.m. If victorious the Dragons will play again @ 5:15p.m. The Administration, Faculty, Staff, and Student Body are extremely proud of their accomplishments and wish them BEST OF LUCK at STATE.

Dear Parents,

Your child will begin taking the state required achievement tests beginning on Wednesday, March 6th. (There is no school on Monday, March 4th and a Snow Day on Tuesday, March 5th.) Students in grades 6 and 8 will be tested in reading and mathematics. Students in grade 7 will be tested in reading, mathematics, and science. The tests are a part of the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) program. The results of state tests will be reported in the fall on the School Report Card. In addition, you will receive information about your child’s performance on the state tests he/she took.

The Staff planned fun activities for the week of February 25th- March 1st to help get students “pumped up” for ISATS. The theme for the week was “ISAT BOOT CAMP!” We will also be purchasing incentives for a school wide drawing for students who Meet or Exceed on thier tests.

You can help your child do his/her best on the test by:

1) Making sure that your child attends school on the days of testing.
2) Making sure that your child gets a good night’s sleep the night before testing.
3) Encouraging your child to eat a healthy breakfast on the mornings of testing.
4) Reminding your child to ask the teacher questions if he/she does not understand the
Test directions.
5) Letting your child know that you have confidence in his/her ability to do his/her best.
6) Advising your child not to worry about the test-just do the best he/she can.

Please feel free to contact your child’s teacher if you have further questions about these tests.

We look forward to sharing the ISAT results with you in the fall. With your help and support, we will continue to make progress.

Sincerely,

Grant Park Administration & Staff

Dear Parent(s) or Guardian(s):

The safety and welfare of our students and staff are our highest priority at Grant Park Middle School. Today at our school, we conducted a brief lockdown drill under the direction of Dr. Palan, school administrators and local law enforcement. The goal of the drill was to improve our ability to protect students, save lives, and reduce injuries. These practice drills allow us to evaluate our emergency safety plans and improve our response skills. There was no threat to students, staff or visitors at any time. Our children always do a great job because everyone works as a team to practice safety.
I hope this letter helps you better understand our desire to keep our children safe in all circumstances. While we do not like the idea of having to be prepared for these kinds of unfortunate situations, times are changing, and we want to be ready to do whatever it takes to keep everyone safe.
If you have any questions about this matter, please feel free to contact me at any time. Thank you for your support and partnership.

Sincerely,

Tracy Planeta, Principal

The 7th grade volleyball team is off to a great start for its 2013 season. After three weeks of play, the girls have worked hard to earn a record of 11-2. This finds them with a second place finish in the very competitive Kan-Will conference. The Dragons defeated all but one team in only two game contests. On Saturday, January 26th, the Dragons played in the conference tournament and brought home a third place finish after falling to Manteno in three games, 12-25, 25-20, 14-16. The wen on to defeat Limestone soundly in two games, 25-12, 25-20. They are looking forward to the final weeks of play before beginning their regional on February 25th. Expect amazing things from this group of girls. They are making huge improvements every day through their hard work and determination!

Due to an unforeseen emergency, Grant Park School District #6 will be required to run a “double route” on Thursday, January 24th (on the a.m. route only). Therefore, your son/daughter who rides Blaine’s bus-#5 will be picked up at a later time tomorrow morning. You can anticipate the bus to pick your child up between 7:50 a.m. and 8:20 a.m. If you have any questions please call the high school at 815-465-2181.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Discovery Education testing took place prior to the Holiday break. This winter benchmark cycle will present us with valuable data. Testing before the Holiday will allow for data to be disaggregated during break. We will then be able to focus on improving skills our students are lacking. We continue to identify students through data we have collected on each and every one.

Our 6th grade boys’ basketball team took part in the St. Paul Tournament that took place on December 7th and 8th. The boys, under the coaching of Mr. Dillman, brought home a third place trophy. Congratulations boys, we are very proud of your accomplishment.

Mrs. Bird and her NJSH students collected enough materials to fill 32 shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. The boxes are filled with small toys, hygiene supplies, etc. and will be sent all over the world to needy children.

The NJHS students also rang the bell for the Salvation Army at Northfield Square Mall on Saturday, December 22, 2012.

Mrs. Palan, Mrs. Bird, Ms. Anderson, and the middle school student council members went caroling around town on Monday, December 10, 2012. They visited many homes to share the spirit of the hloidays through songs of the season. The kids enjoyed thier time out and about; they were so excited becasue there were snow flurries in the air.

Mrs. Bird and her NJHS students helped the town of Grant Park decorate the windows of local businesses. The NJHS was in charge of the windows at the Music Room, Dillman’s Hardware, and Lalich Resources. If you get a chance drive by the local businesses and check out the art work of our students.