Sunday, December 23, 2012

The dangers of PDA at Joplin High School

During their visit to East Middle School Wednesday, Joplin High School freshmen Ashton McGehee, Stella Ndauwa, Jamie Sullivan, Alyssa Wescoat, and Desiree Hawkins warned about some of the things the eighth graders will see next year, including a certain hallway where PDA occurs on a regular basis.

JHS graduates speak about high school, college activities

Saturday, December 22, 2012

High school, college students return to EMS for special project

Former East Middle School students returned Wednesday to deliver lessons on preparing for high school and college to eighth graders.

For two and a half hours, the students attended five half hour seminars on topics including "The Freshman Year," "How to Prepare for High School," "How to Prepare for College While You Are in High School, "Technology," and "High School Activities and Volunteerism."

Those presenting included students from Missouri Southern State University, Drury, Missouri State University, and Joplin High School.


Thursday, December 13, 2012

Talon ticket parties set for next week

By MASON CORL,
TRINITY HAWKINS and
BROOKLYN ROBERTSON
EMS Roundabout Staff Writers

East Middle School students will hold second quarter talon ticket parties next week in the commona area.

"It's to celebrate the students who showed Eagle pride by following duty, honor, peace, and pride, said eighth grade PBIS (Positive Behavior in Schools) member Tyler Shifkowski.

The time of the talon ticket parties will be first hour Monday for sixth graders, first hour Tuesday for eighth graders, and second hour Tuesday for seventh graders.

Junior National Honor Society delivers canned food to Souls Harbor

By NICK SHELLENBARGER
EMS Roundabout Editor

Members of the East Middle School National Junior Honor Society delivered canned foot items to Souls Harbor in Joplin this morning.

Fourth hour classes have been collecting the cans for the past two weeks.

EMS Roundabout will have more information later.

JHS graduates perform at benefit show

Keith and Mason's Sixth Grade Report

By KEITH LOGAN and
MASON CORL
Staff Writers

Math points for the pizza party at the end of the quarter- First Hour, 27; 2nd hour, 34; 4th hour, 13; 5th hour, 26; 7th hour, 37 points.

A Christmas dance was held last Friday.

The Sixth Grade Band is held its first concert at South Middle School this week.

The sixth grade communication arts class is learning about argumentative writing.

That wraps up this week's sixth grade report.



Thursday, December 06, 2012

Winter Wonderland Dance scheduled for Friday night

By DESIRAE ORLASKI
EMS Roundabout Editor

East Middle School Student Council will be hosting another EMS dance on Friday, December 7th from 6:30 - 9 p.m. in the Commons area.
Admission is 5 dollars.

Tuesday, December 04, 2012

Joplin, Missouri schools ready for computerized standardized testing

(From the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education)


A new report shows that a majority of Missouri's public schools (including East Middle School) have the technology necessary to conduct computer-based achievement testing set to begin during the 2014-15 school year. 

Missouri schools reported in a survey that about 95 percent of their computer devices provide the level of technology necessary to handle the testing.

"We were pleased to see that most schools in the state have been able to invest in the technology they need to help prepare students for the future," said Commissioner of Education Chris L. Nicastro.

The new tests will be given to students in grades 3-8 and grade 11 and are aligned to the Common Core State Standards for English language arts and mathematics, adopted by the State Board of Education in 2010.

The report, Smarter Balanced Technology Strategy Framework and System Requirements Specifications <http://www.smarterbalanced.org/smarter-balanced-assessments/technology/#specifications>, will help states and school districts across the country determine if their current computer technology - including desktop, laptop and tablet computers - meets the requirements needed for the new tests. 

Online assessments offer states and school districts clear advantages, including more types of questions, timely feedback to inform instruction and improved accommodations for students with special needs.

Nearly 98 percent of schools in Missouri provided information about their computer technology prior to the October 2012 cutoff date for the report. However, schools can continue to submit their technology information to determine their ability to administer the tests.

The Department is currently working with schools across Missouri as they prepare to implement the state's new academic standards. The new standards, which will be assessed beginning with the 2014-15 school year, are designed to better prepare students for college, other postsecondary training and careers.

College and career readiness is a primary goal of Missouri's Top 10 by 20 initiative, which calls for education in Missouri to rank among the top 10 states in the country by 2020.

More information about the Smarter Balanced Assessment can be found at <http://www.dese.mo.gov/divimprove/assess/sbac.html>.

Mr. Turner, Natural Disaster perform at benefit talent show

MIchaela West at the benefit show

Saturday, December 01, 2012

Time approaching for Benefit Talent Show

In about 20 minutes, the Benefit Talent Show will begin in the East Middle School commons area. The JEMS Show Choir, shown preparing moments ago, will lead off the program.

We will be here until 8 p.m. Join in the fun. Concessions are available and there will be a silent auction. All proceeds go for toys for the Joplin Fire Department's Toys for Tots program.