Comet Comments—
Coloma High School Newsletter
October 2015
Principal, Mr. David Ehlers
MISSION STATEMENT:
We are dedicated to fostering pride in the school, the community and nourishing a positive
self-image for every student. Our belief is that all students can and will learn best when excellence is expected; educational achievement will be obtained only when students are encouraged and challenged to attain this excellence.
VISION:
TOGETHER…..
STRIVING AND
FROM THE DESK
OF
PRINCIPAL,
DAVID A. EHLERS
As the first marking period is winding
down, it is time to look forward to Parent
Teacher Conferences. We will be conducting them on November 10th and 12th from
4:00 - 7:00 p.m. This year we are trying
something new that we feel will make it
easier on you. We will be hosting conferences in the High School cafeteria as opposed to the teacher’s classrooms. All
teachers will be set up at a table and have a
computer available to facilitate the conference. You will have to enter through the
main entrance, where you will receive your
student’s report card. From there you will
exit the office and head to the cafeteria. We will have a few chairs available for
waiting at each table in case the teacher
you wish to see is already with a parent. If
you have any questions as you arrive,
please ask the office or see Mr. Paulsen or
me as we will be near the entrance of the
cafeteria.
GO COMETS!!!
COUNSELOR’S CORNER
by Mrs. Fran Megyese
Seniors: remember to start applying to colleges, universities,
junior colleges, and technical/
trade schools. After you send in
your application please let me
know so I can mail your transcripts.
Seniors, it is your responsibility to check the scholarship offerings at the college of
your choice and apply early.
Lake Michigan College is offering
several scholarships on a first
come first served basis. Apply
now if you plan to attend, if you
are undecided still apply, you may
be awarded a scholarship which
will pay for your first year or the
first two years. You can always
decline later if you decide to attend another institution. With the
job market unstable and accruing
large debt you will be glad you
received 1 or 2 years of college
debt free. The first two years are
usually basic classes.
WORKING FOR
EXCELLENCE IN
EDUCATION
UPCOMING
DATES
Nov 5 Picture Retake Day
Nov 6 1/2 day—end of
1st marking
period
Nov 10 and 12 HS Parent/Teacher
Conferences
4—7 p.m.
Comet Comments—October 2015
MORE ON ATTENDANCE POLICY
from Mr. David Ehlers, Principal
Serious Injury or Long-term Absence Defined
In order for an absence to be considered a “serious injury or long-term illness” and be exempt
from the eight (8) absences each student is allowed to accumulate during a semester, they would
have to miss at least three (3) consecutive days of school and provide a doctor’s note upon their
return stipulating that they were to be at home or in a physician’s care for the duration of the injury/
illness.
College Visits and Attendance Exemption
Students are eligible to attend up to two college visits per year that do not count toward the 8
day absence total (no more than 2 days of missed school). In order for a student to receive the exemption, s/he must provide the high school office upon return a copy of the official visit documentation that is provided by the college’s registrar office during the visit.
MACHINE TOOL AND
WELDING NEWS
from Mr. Chuck Luchies
From the Coloma metal shop we have had a fantastic start to the year! Our students are
busy working on projects with great aspirations of awards at the MITES competition in the
spring. We have added a number of new machines to our labs including a new pulse MIG
welder, plasma cutter, TIG welders, powder coat oven, and mill. Our local business’ have
been doing a great job at supporting our program with a donation of $2000.00 from the
Berrien Tool Coalition, Tooling donations from Hanson Mold, and our very own student
organization Coloma Metalworks bought and donated a Mill and a Welder to the shop, from
the sale of our sculptures. We also just got card readers installed on our CNC mills, so we
are now able to use our CNC mills in conjunction with our CAD class and our MasterCam
program allowing us to tackle much more complex parts and processes and better prepare
our students for the competitive world of manufacturing. We are very fortunate to be
supported by a community that sees the importance of skilled trades and manufacturing.
Thank you for your continued support.
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Comet Comments—October 2015
Foreign Language Department Trip
to Five Pines
by Mrs. Rebecca Marfia
Students went on a scenic hayride through Five Pines in Berrien Springs. We roasted marshmallows over an open fire and the Spanish were well represented and won the chubby bunny
contest against the French students! Afterwards students played basketball, climbed on a play
structure with swings, slides, and more. All enjoyed being outdoors with friends on an amazing fall
day. We are planning to return to Five Pines for a winter sledding adventure and are also in the
planning process for an educational trip to The Art Institute of Chicago this spring 2016.
Chubby Bunny winner Skylar Brown
representing the Spanish!
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Comet Comments—October 2015
Interactive Notebooks in the Science Department
by Mrs. Sara Glisson
Mrs. Vroon, Mrs. Kimmerly, Mrs.
VanNiel and I have embarked on a
quest to use interactive notebooking in
all the science classes this year! Beginning last spring, and during the summer, we began planning and received
professional development on how to
implement this formative assessment
tool. Every student taking a science
course this year, from Earth Science to Anatomy, was provided a free 3-ring binder and a host of notebooking materials available to each science classroom, funded
by a grant obtained by Mrs. Kittleson. These interactive notebooks are being used
to help students develop, practice, and refine their science understanding, while also enhancing reading, writing, mathematics, and communications.
The notebooks contain information about students’ classroom experiences. Students are encouraged to use them as scientists would, before, during, and after all
investigations. They are a place where students formulate and record their questions, make predictions, record data, procedures, and results, compose reflections,
and communicate findings. Most importantly, notebooks provide a place for students to record new concepts they have learned. We have found the notebook provides students who are uncomfortable with writing a safe place to practice and develop their skills and see that writing is used in all STEM fields. Communicating understandings and solutions through science notebook writing offers a powerful
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Comet Comments—October 2015
Interactive Notebooks in the Science Department (cont.)
by Mrs. Sara Glisson
strategy to help students in their work as scientists and engineers. Research teaches us that science notebook writing is a way for students to strengthen their language skills as they develop an understanding of the world around them. The
notebooks allow teachers to assess students’ understanding and provide the feedback students need for improving their performance.
Chemistry Entry
Biology Entry
Earth Science Entry
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Comet Comments—October 2015
MICROSOFT OFFICE SPECIALIST CERTIFICATION
by Mrs. Elaine Moore
Students receiving Microsoft Office Specialist certification for PowerPoint 2013 are:
Front row (L-R): Skylar Crisenberry, Morgan Wagner, Paige Derrick, Kayla Yore, Ariel DeLaTorre, Adiel
Granados, Mackenzie Ecker, Lindsey Fischer, Jason Ridge
Back row: Allen Yvinskas, Hunter Radde, Hannah Strunk, Amber Case, Braxton Duncan-Cornish, Franki
Lopez, and Jonas Bush
Students receiving Microsoft Office Specialist certification in Word 2013 are:
Patrick Guntz, Jenna Walter, Lindsey Fischer, Lindsey Robinson, and Samantha Alfaro
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Comet Comments—October 2015
ART CLUB PARTICIPATING
IN TREE DECORATING CONTEST
by Mrs. Kristen Maniscalco-Ott
Art Club is decorating a Christmas tree for the North Berrien Historical Society’s Holiday open
house. Our theme this year is “Back to the 80’s.” We have designed our ornaments to feature 80’s movies specifically. We are very excited to be participating in this community event for the second year in a
row. Thank you to the North Berrien Historical Society for letting us be a part of this fun event! The
open house runs from Thursday, December 3rd through Sunday, December 6th. Stop by and see our
tree! For more information on all of the festivities, visit: http://www.northberrienhistory.org.
NO SCHOOL
NOVEMBER 25, 26, 27
HAPPY THANKSGIVING !!
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Comet Comments—October 2015
COLOMA HIGH SCHOOL
STUDENTS SHOW THEIR
HALLOWEEN SPIRIT
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Comet Comments—October 2015
TEACHERS ALSO JOINED IN THE
FUN WITH THEIR STUDENTS!!
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Comet Comments—October 2015
COLOMA HIGH SCHOOL
OCTOBER STUDENTS OF THE MONTH !!
Congratulations to:
(l-r) Senior—, Junior—,
Sophomore—, Freshman—
Coloma High School
“Home of the Comets”
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