NOVEMBER 2015

Puma Team, This time of the year is one of my favorite periods because the students are settled into the school year, the weather is cooler and less humid (perfect for recess break), and the students are show-ing excellent character daily. Some examples are: students helping students with disabilities with lockers, getting to class, students assisting others with homework, working together on projects, and just supporting each other in the day to day happenings at school. Parents, I commend your children and you for teaching them the importance of following the “golden rule”. Thank you! Congratulations to the PUMA lady cross country team for earning the 2015 cross country cham-pionship! Outstanding preparation determination and team work were hallmarks of this year’s team. Thank you students and parents for your outstanding efforts in making of annual fundraiser a success. Your participation greatly appreciated. Students were recently treated to a special assembly highlighting stunts by the Chinese acro-bats. I believe the presentation was enjoyed by all and was very entertaining! On November 9th, Helfrich Park will have an assembly to recognize all military veterans, past and present. Relatives of Helfrich Parks students who have served are welcome to attend a small re-ception and take part in the assembly. Guest speakers and musical video presentations will be a part of this celebration. Please call Helfrich Park at 812-435-8246 to make a reservation. The reception will begin at 1:00 and the assembly at 1:35. Have a great day! Mac

CONGRATULATIONS CITY CHAMPS! Our Girls Cross Country Team has won the city champtionship! Way to go girls!

Team members include: Claire Mattes, Kennedy Motz, Kyliana Williams, Hunter Mattes, Haley Mattes, Julieanna Scott, Allison Herr, Whitney Reiter, Ella Talley, Grace Paul, and Faith Jochim.

Kyliana Williams (grade 6) and Claire Mattes (grade 8) placed first overall in their grade level.

The girls were coached by Mr. Hartmann and Mrs. Dillow. Congratulations!

HELFRICH PARK CLUBS

Computer Club Computer Club is starting up and

will be on Mondays until early

March. Our focus will be on pro-

gramming, gaming, video editing, and other topics of

interest for the students.

Archery-HPSA Arrows

Archery is over until spring. We had a great

group of student that improved each week.

In Physical Education we are starting a new unit. 6th grade will begin Triangular Soc-

cer. This unit will focus on team work, passing, trapping etc. 7th and 8th grade will be out-

side playing an actual game of Soccer on rainy days and cooler days they will be in side

playing Triangular Soccer. This unit will last the duration of the grading period. When all

classes rotate we will begin our Basketball unit. Just a reminder the weather is getting cooler, please

dress appropriately. Mrs. Redd and Mr. Mahan

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Sixth grade math students have been working with fractions! Multiplying and dividing have gone well and we look forward to adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers very soon. Advanced Honors math students just finished up a unit over real numbers and will jump right into expressions. Honors math students have been working with integers. Everyone also had a special lesson in preparation for Land Between The Lakes. Students learned about the Global Positioning Sys-tem (GPS) and practiced using receivers to navigate a course on the playground. This knowledge will be applied in the woods at LBL for those students who signed up for the GPS activity. Please continue to work with your student and us to make sure homework is coming home and being completed every night. We want to help every student achieve and have success this year at Helfrich Park!

In science class, students have been learning to read and record accurate measurements. Students learned how to read and use graduated cylinders, volumetric shapes, meter sticks, and triple beam balances. We will soon begin our LBL unit learning all about vertebrates. In health class, students were taught the importance of good hygiene. How to avoid unnecessary germs and we had several character education lessons reminding students how important it is to be nice and treat everyone with respect.

Remember LBL is November 20-22. Land between the Lakes money is due by Monday, November 16. Don’t forget there is an LBL parent meeting on Monday, November 16 at 6:00 pm in the Helfrich Park cafeteria. If your child has not turned in their Land Between the Lakes medical paper, that needs to be returned to school as soon as possible. Payment for this trip can be turned in at any time to your child’s science teacher. Payment is due on Monday, November 16 and checks should be made payable to Helfrich Park. If you have any questions regarding this trip please contact Megan Wright or Nate Scherry.

The sixth grade language arts classes are currently writing the Patriot’s Pen essays for the VFW. The topic is What Freedom Means to Me. In literature, all classes are reading the novel, When Zachary Beaver Came to Town. Our emphasis is on central idea and supporting details. In social studies we are studying culture.

Congratulations to the following Citizens of the Week: Jaycie Fenwick, Zach Zell, Natalie Downs, Connor McClarney, Cooper Ashby, Hannah Dunn, Faith Jochim, Riley Hodgson, Pierce Barber, Dalton Bray, Sydney Hart, Ava Roblero , Alex Clark, Nick Kornberger, Hunter Mattes, Grace Wagnor, Garret Wirth, Eli Simms, Alyssa Haynes, Julieanna Scott

6TH GRADE STARS

Boys Cross Country finished second in city!

Congratulations to these awesome boys!

Connor McClarney, Logan Martin, Jack Weinzapfel, Alex Clark,

Eric Dietsch, Kyle Hartmann, Carter Loveless, Ethan Morrison,

Robbie Cain, Tensei Nakamura, and Zion Greenwell.

Connor McClarney (grade 6) placed first in his grade level.

Playonwordswebsight.com

If you can’t guess

the title of this piece,

ask Mr. Combs.

Keith Carter, Artist

General Music 6th Grade students have been singing and playing guitar as they learn the importance of playing and singing in tune. 7th Grade students have been playing guitar and learning how to tune and read and compose music. 8th Grade students have been creating and presenting family music projects to the class.

Choir Winter Concert December 3, 2015 in the Helfrich Park Gym @ 6:30pm.

7th Grade Choir class will start November 9th 4th period in room 116 with Mr. DeKemper. If there are any 7th grade students still interested in being in choir please see Mr. DeKemper.

The seventh grade ELA classes are currently reading short stories working on the stand-ards of character analysis, context clues, inference, and central idea. The students will begin an autobiog-raphy during the month of November. The students are completing short writings and research to prepare for discussions using the material to back a position without using opinions.

The seventh grade science classes are studying cell processes, such as photosynthesis and respiration. The next topic will be cell reproduction with an emphasis on mitosis. All of the cell knowledge we have learned will enable 7th grade students to learn how different cells are organized and allow an organism to func-tion. Please remember to start thinking about science fair projects. It will be here sooner than you think!

Mrs. McDurmon’s math classes have just completed studying exponents and scientific notation. We have be-gun studying the Pythagorean Theorem and plan to do an art project to prove this theorem. Ask your student how old the Pythagorean Theorem is…..you’ll be surprised!

Mrs. Todd and Mr. Hartmann's math classes have been very busy working with proportional reasoning and unit rate. Students have practiced unit conversion as well as dimensional analysis. Students will extend this knowledge as they practice slope and rate of change.

Social studies will finish up their studies of Ancient Egypt and Kush and move into Ancient India and China. In these Units, the history, important people, geography, government, culture, and religions of these societies will be studied. Check out mrsanteyhistory.weebly.com for all of your student’s Social Studies les-sons!

Congratulations to the following Citizens of the Week: Jolea Welch, Ariana Smith, Carter Loveless, Isaak Riggin, Spencer Evans, Mohammed Alhayani, Raelyn Kelle, Tori Deig, Krissy Peralta, Grace Kelly, Jaydon Taylor, Mikhel Adamson, Patricia Blumer, Reece Meyer, Reece Harper, Austin Barnes, Reece Wines, Matt Robey, Addison Fritz, Elise Umbach

7TH GRADE M&M’S

From the Cafeteria If you are sending a check for lunch/breakfast, please make it payable to “Helfrich Park Café”, use blue or black ink only, and include your phone num-ber on the check. Thank you. Mrs. Gries

From The Attendance Office

Please call in sick for your student by 9 AM. At that time, please request any homework for your student that needs to be picked up after 3 PM that day. Home-work requested after 9 AM will be ready the following day. Also, please remember to put your student’s name in their jackets and on their lunchboxes.

We are off to a great start with PTSA. Our membership is growing each and every week. Please join

now! Membership is only $6 a person. There are envelopes located in the office and in the hallway, where the newsletters are located. Don't forget to send in your Box Tops now! We will be collecting them all year. We would love to have a record breaking year with Box Tops. Remember to put your homeroom teacher's name on your baggie. The homeroom that brings in the most Box Tops will win a pizza party. Good Luck to all and thank you for your participation!

PTSA

FUNDRAISER WINNERS

Top Seller: 6th grade – Brayden Tevault – 11 Boxes!

Top Homeroom—Pizza Party: 6th grade - Mrs. Lomax (37 Boxes)

Top 6th Grade Sellers:

1st – Kayden Pierson (Mrs. Lomax) – 10 Boxes

2nd – Ethan Hahn (Mr. DeKemper) – 5-1/2 Boxes

3rd – Damion Dillon – (Mrs. Lomax) – 5 Boxes

Top 7th Grade Sellers:

1st – Johnthan Payne – (Mrs. McDurmon) – 7 Boxes

2nd

–Dillon White – (Mrs. Bateman) – 6 Boxes

3rd – Konnor Dillman – (Mrs. McDurmon) – 5 Boxes

Top 8th Grade Sellers:

1st – Faith Bastain – (Mrs. Todd) – 8 Boxes

2nd – Ashley Gonzales – (Mr. Loveless) – 6 Boxes

3rd - Brianna Kloenhamer – (Mr. Magee) – 5 Boxes

All students who sold at least one box will get one scratch off card for each box sold for an opportunity to win a cash prize!

The science students have been enjoying the beginning of our chemistry unit. They have learned about the states of matter, physical & chemical properties of matter, elements, compounds and molecules. We have completed many experiments and activities in class. Students were able to test their Fall Festival food to see which types of macromolecules were found in the foods that they ate. We also enjoyed our field trip to USI where students burned a Cheeto in order to calculate calories. We owe a big thank you to Fort Wayne Metals for sending samples of Nitinol. The students had a blast playing with it and learning about its unique properties and practical uses.

Math students have had a busy month! They traveled to the Fall Festival to go through an interdiscipli-nary unit. Students learned about the history of the west side and worked on math problems pertaining to the Fall Festival, like calculating the probability of winning the mouse games. In the classroom, students have been working on exponent rules and scientific notation. In the near future, they will work on volume and square roots.

The 8th grade Honors We The People groups are gearing up for their District competition on November 17th! Each Unit is getting ready to practice their prepared statements and “follow up” questions in front of the class! Best of luck, We the People PUMAS!

Mr. Whipkey's U.S. History classes are marching through the American Revolution learning the causes of the Revolutionary War and the effects it had on our nation.

The ELA team is working on argumentative essays. Each student has a topic they are researching and structur-ing an essay with good evidence to support their argument. In Literature, we are beginning a unit on Poe, spe-cifically focusing on theme, dialogue, similarities and differences. We will wrap up Poe at the end of October and begin another unit with our focus on non-fiction texts.

Congratulations to the following Citizens of the Week: Victoria Garland, Emily Jarvis, Daniel Knight, Arshdeep Singh, Brayden Baer-Brown, Ayanna Dulin, Baylee Lynn, Caleb Jourdan, Ayanna Dulin, Corina Durham, Hayden Gauer, Dylan Guffey, Breanna Bailey, Cara Crosser, Giovanni Hawles, Jesse Meierm, Kody Wilke, Noah Jones, Elena Jackson, Emily Jarvis

8TH GRADE G.8.T.O.R.S.

Digi Comm We are wrapping up our

lessons on Digital Citizen-

ship. Using topics from Com-

mon Sense Media, we have dis-

cussed are Cyberbullying, Copyrights, and

Proper Search Methods. Public Speaking is a

skill that will be used throughout everyone’s

life. We will be finishing our oral presentation

using the PowerPoints that were created about

our classmates, landmarks, and leaders of the

world. The students are being critiqued on

Body Language, Eye Contact, and Verbal

Presentation. We also take the time to discuss

overall design of the actual PowerPoint, includ-

ing: layout of text and images, color choices,

grammar, and proper punctuation.

Our ePal program is going strong. The

7th and 8th graders have created PowerPoints of

local attractions and have sent them to their

pen-pals.

Digital Citizenship October is Anti-Bullying month and with having

access to cyberspace, cyberbullying has become a

big issue. The definition of a cyberbully is some-

one who emotionally hurts others by making fun

of them or insulting them through social net-

working, email and texting. Signs of cyberbully-

ing vary, but may include: being emotionally up-

set during or after using the Internet or the

phone; being very secretive or protective of one's

digital life; withdrawal from family members,

friends, and activities; avoiding school or group

gatherings; slipping grades and "acting out" in

anger at home; wanting to stop using the com-

puter or cellphone; being nervous or jumpy when

getting an instant message, text, or email; avoid-

ing discussions about computer or cell phone ac-

tivities. If you are cyberbullied: talk to a trust-

ed adult; block the bully; be civil; be a friend, not

a bystander; save the evidence. Do NOT respond

or retaliate to the bully.

◄ October November 2015 / Helfrich Park December ►

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2 -Robotics, Cheer, Choir, Computer Club 2:30-4 -PTSA 3 PM (Media) -Girls Basketball Practice 2:45-5 -6/7/8 Boys Jr Prep 5-6:30 PM

3 Dance, Guitar Club 2:30-4 -Girls Basketball Game (Wash) @ 4:30 -Spell Bowl (MVJH) 6 PM -Hockey 4:30-5:45 -6/7/8 Boys Jr Prep 5-6:30 PM

4 -Robotics Comp at HP 6 PM -Art Club (gr. 8) 2:30-4 -Girls Basketball Practice 2:45-5

5 -Dance Team 2:30-4 -Girls Basketball Game (NJH) @ 4:30 -8 Boys Jr Prep 5-6:30 PM

6 -Girls Basketball Practice, Chess 2:45-4

7

8

9 -Veterans Program 12:45-2:30 -Computer Club, Student Council, Choir, Cheer 2:30-4 -Girls Basketball Practice 2:45-5 -6/7/8 Boys Jr Prep 5-6:30 PM

10 -Dance Team, Guitar Club, 3 on 3 (Burkhart) 2:30-4 -Girls Basketball Practice 2:45-5 -Hockey 4:30-5:45 -6/7/8 Boys Jr Prep 5-6:30 PM

11 NO SCHOOL -8 Boys Jr Prep 9-10:30 AM

12 -Cadet Band & Or-chestra, 3 on 3 (Burkhart) 2:30-4 -Girls Basketball Game at HP (v Thompkins) @ 4:30 -Dance Team at game

13 -STEM/USI (gr. 6) 9:10-1:45 PM -Girls Basketball Practice, Chess 2:45-4

14

15

16 -Picture retakes -Advanced Band & Orchestra 2:30-5 -Computer Club, Cheer, Choir 2:30-4 -LBL Parent Meeting 6 PM (café) -Girls Basketball Practice 2:45-5 -8th grade enrollment at Reitz 5:30-7:30 -6/7/8 Boys Jr Prep 5-6:30 PM

17 -We The People Competition 7:30-2:30 -Girls Basketball Game at HP (v Ce-dar Hall) @ 4:30 -Dance Team at game -3 on 3 (Burkhart), Student Council, Guitar Club 2:30-4 -Hockey 4:30-5:45

18 -Staff Meeting 2:45-3:30 -Girls Basketball Practice 2:45-5

19 -Dance Team 2:30-4 -Girls Basketball Practice 2:45-4 -Band/Orchestra Concert (gym) 6:30-8 PM -8 Boys Jr Prep 5-6:30 PM

20 -LBL Trip Depart -STEM/USI (gr. 8) 8:15-11:20 AM -Girls Basketball Practice 2:45-4

21 -LBL Trip

22 -LBL Trip Return

23 -Girls Basketball Game at Plaza Park @ 4:30 -Choir, Cheer 2:30-4 -8 Boys Jr Prep 5-6:30 PM

24 -Girls Baskerball Game at HP (v NJH) @ 4:30 -Dance Team at game -Guitar Club 2:30-4 -Hockey 4:30-5:45

25 NO SCHOOL

26 NO SCHOOL

27 NO SCHOOL

28

29

30 -Choir, cheer 2:30-4 -Girls Basketball Practice 2:45-5 -6/7 Boys Jr Prep 5-6:30 PM