Weekly Press Release

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Good day to each of you.  Welcome to Weekly press. What is new in Biology? Some important information as the nine weeks ends this week.

1. Students are taking nine week exams in all of their classes. Schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, March 25th: 5th and 6th period

Wednesday, March 26th: 1st and 2nd period

Thursday, March 27th: 7th and 8th period

Friday, March 28th: 3rd and 4th period

We will be on regular schedule and students will take their nine week test in their regular classroom with that teacher. For example, if they have biology 3rd period, they take biology nine week exam that period. If they have world geography 3rd period, they take that exam during 3rd period.

2. Students binder test will be this week in my class. Students will take their binder test on Thursday and Friday. For biology, the nine weeks test is 37 questions so students should have enough time to complete the nine weeks test and the 10 question binder test in my class within the 90 minutes we have class if they happen to take their nine weeks test that day.

3. Projects are due this week. This is a major grade. Students were given an assigned virus or bacteria a week prior to spring break. The project consist of 7 power point slides. Students can use the library before school, during lunch, after school if need to. In addition, they may email me the project but it must be printed out. Students can see examples of formal students projects if ask. If you would like a copy of this project, please email me and let me know and I will send it to you.

4. We have completed the unit of viruses and bacteria. We did two huge labs in class. One lab showed how easy viruses can spread within a small population. We discussed how it could the cold, AIDS or even ebola. The other lab involved 23 microscopes and lots of different types of bacteria, mold and germs which students observed. We discussed how bacteria plays a role in our lives and the amount of bacteria that is found throughout our daily lives.

5. Patches and Sparky, the proud gerbil parents, are doing great. They had their second liter on Feb. 25th and all 7 babies are doing well. The Boys: Tiny, Blacky and Scottie. Girls: Dottie, Arrow and then the twins - Sandra and Sandra Dee. Currently, the babies are being winged off from Patches. The baby of the first liter is named Sunshine and has been adopted by my brother. He has also adopted Arrow. The class has adopted Blacky. This remains five other gerbils that will be adopted. Depending on if Patches has a third liter, we may keep at least one of the females. This is due to placing Patches and Sparky in different cages so we do not have reproduction concerns literally every 28 days! As many of you know, when I got Patches and Sparky, I was told I had two male gerbils but as nature has shown us… Patches is a female and Sparky is a male and they can reproduce once every month for the next 3 years. So after a couple liters, I have taken measures to prevent additional family members. First, gerbils will be adopted to teachers who want class pets and then to students only after personal discussion and reflection involving parents, students and myself.

6. Our other pets are doing great. Crackle and Snap, our turtles, got a new tank as they out grew their tank. They now enjoy a 40 gallon tank of water where they can swim and enjoy the sunlight. Crackle is the larger turtle and more outgoing as she loves to smile and see the world. Snap is more of the bashful turtle but loves to have his chin rubbed and will smile as he feels comfortable. Bubbles, our betta fish, is enjoying his tank as he has his own area that he claims his own.

7. Students were given extra credit the Monday/Tuesday prior to Spring Break (March 10/11). It was due on Friday, March 14th by the time I left campus. If students did this, they could earn up to 15 points on a test grade.

8. About three weeks prior to spring break, I had a horrible cold. I was able to get feeling better the week before spring break but fell ill during spring break. I wore a mask on Monday and Tuesday when we returned to school this week to help protect students from any germs that I have. I am doing better now and am glad to get some energy back. I have most papers graded and am currently placing them in the grade book as fast as I can. I do apology for any inconvenience this may have caused. When you are a teacher and are surrounded about over 100 students, sometimes you just get sick as they are sick. I may wear medical mask throughout the remaining year to try to prevent as much of germs exchange as possible. I wanted you to be aware of the situation in case your child is concern.

Lesson plans: Monday: A day. Microscope lab and virus lab. Tuesday - Friday: Nine weeks test when it is your period. Binder test on Thursday/Friday. Projects due Wednesday/Thursday. Start plants unit - 3 wksts.

Have a great day,