Marion High School

February 2015 Report to the School Board

Students of the Month

L-R: Rachel Finch (10th), Tim Donnelly (12th), Emma Perez (9th), and Michael Glass (10th)

Staff Recognition

James Honeycutt Andrea Copeland Dwayne Reiley

English Department

English 1

English I is beginning Animal Farm this six weeks. Classes will look at the two levels of the

story and discuss the significance of the novel. Students will have an understanding of the

connection between the novel and the Russian Revolution. Students will be spending time

working on STAAR material and preparing for the upcoming test.

English 1 Pre-DC

English I Pre-DC is continuing to work on their independent reading of “The Adventures of

Huckleberry Finn.” Students are also beginning to read “Animal Farm” in class and

discussing the two levels of the novel. Students will have an understanding of the

connection between the novel and the Russian Revolution. English 1 Pre-DC will be

spending time working on STAAR material and preparing for the upcoming test.

English 2

English 2 classes just concluded a unit on poetry where they analyzed the use of figurative

language in various songs. Students are now working to improve their writing for

persuasive essays. The grade 10 students are expected to write a persuasive essay on

STAAR.

English 2 Pre-DC

English 2 Pre-DC classes concluded a unit on poetry where they analyzed the use of

figurative language in various songs and poems. In addition, the students completed an

independent song analysis project. Students are also moving into a unit on dystopian

literature with the novel “Anthem,” by Ayn Rand. Students will be writing a literary

analysis essay for this novel, and they will have the opportunity to submit it to a contest

through the Ayn Rand Novels website.

English 3

English e classes are reading short stories from the American Literature time period

"Realism."

English 3 DC

English 3 DC have been reading short stories. This week they have an analytical literary

paper on one story due. These new 6 weeks the English 3 DC students will be reading

poetry.

English 4

English 4 students are still reading Frankenstein. Students are researching social issues in

preparation for writing an argumentative essay.

English 4 DC

English 4 DC students have been reading "Frankenstein" and just took the test. Students

will be writing a paper on a theme or symbol from the story. They will also work in groups

to write a paper and make a presentation how the novel is an example of Romanticism or

Gothicism. Following this unit, students will begin reading "Jane Eyre."

History Department

The history department is always busy getting students ready for STAAR. Students have

been working diligently in class learning history concepts and facts. This month the history

department is reviewing sample text books for the upcoming adoption. The department is

excioted about new textbooks which are a needed resource for our students. History is

being made every day, so new text books will help our students keep up with our living

history.

Math Department

In Algebra I, Mrs. Reagan is currently finishing Chapter 5 over the point-slope formula.

Classes will begin using the IXL software on Fridays for STAAR review.

In Algebra II, Ms. Paschal and Miss Ernst have just finished lessons over polynomial

functions such as adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing. The students have also

begun factoring polynomials.

In Geometry, Ms. Walsingham's students are currently working with Pythaorean Theorem

to find the lengths of missing sides of a triangle. Next, they will study Special Right

Triangles.

Miss. Lehmann's AP Calculus students are currently working on application problems using

derivatives in preparation for the AP Calculus Exam which is scheduled for Tuesday, May,

5, 2015. Students will begin the unit on integrals next week.

Miss. Lehmann's Precalculus students are in the middle of the trigonometry unit.

Miss Lehmann's FCM students are working on solving higher degree polynomial functions.

Miss. Lehmann's PreAP Precalculus students are currently working on verifying trig

identities and using the identities to solve equations.

Science Department

Teachers Mr. Hermes, Mrs. Allen, Mrs. McWhinney and Mrs. Schultze have been diligently

working to get our students to put their problem solving skills to work in the arena of

science.

Physics classes have been studying thermodynamics, while IPC classes have been learning

about work, power, and simple machines. Anatomy and Physiology has just begun

studying the Central Nervous System. The students will be dissecting brains during this

unit and learn what happens when things go wrong with the structure or the function of

the human brain. Chemistry classes are working with molar mass and calculations with

moles, mass and particles. Students will be moving into stoichiometry soon where to learn

about limiting reactants. Students will use recipes (for cookies, cakes, etc.) to demonstrate

their understanding.

Freshmen biology students have started the month with a lesson on DNA, including

'reading' the DNA code into polypeptides. Students finished the six weeks with genetics

where students used Punnet squares to predict offspring of fictitious and real organisms,

including the analysis of their own human genetic traits.

UIL Academics

Student materials arrived and students have begun studying and practicing for the UIL

academic competitions scheduled for March 26th & 28th. MHS is still recruiting students for

the competitions. The students and teachers are excited about this year’s UIL competition.

MHS will have an opportunity to attend prep competitions in the surrounding area.

Counseling Department

The Counselor's Office webpage is now up and fully functional. On the new webpage,

students can request transcripts, find scholarships, access FAFSA, Apply Texas, NCAA

Eligibility Center and many other places of interest. The page also contains information for

Students with Disabilities, Military and summer employment opportunities.

Students will begin registering for classes for the 2015-2016 school year in the next few

weeks. TSI testing has been scheduled for next year dual credit applicants as well as

current Seniors who need to test as well.

Communities in Schools

Communities in Schools (CIS) continue to facilitate the “Reading Buddies” Program

between the high school and elementary students. Project Success meetings continue to be

held on a weekly basis. In January Project Success students toured the campus and dorms

at UTSA and the University of Incarnate Word, received pointers from Project Success

alumni in regards to the transition from high school to college, and were treated to lunch.

Agriculture (FFA)

The letters “FFA” stand for Future Farmers of America. These letters are a part of our

history and our heritage that will never change. But FFA is not just for students who want

to be production farmers; FFA also welcomes members who aspire to careers as teachers,

doctors, scientists, business owners and more. For this reason, the name of the

organization was updated in 1988 after a vote of national convention delegates to reflect

the growing diversity and new opportunities in the industry of agriculture.

Today, the National FFA Organization remains committed to the individual student,

providing a path to achievement in premier leadership, personal growth and career success

through agricultural education.

FFA continues to help the next generation rise up to meet those challenges by helping its

members to develop their own unique talents and explore their interests in a broad range

of agricultural career pathways. So today, we are still the Future Farmers of America. But,

we are the Future Biologists, Future Chemists, Future Veterinarians, Future Engineers and

Future Entrepreneurs of America, too.

MARION FFA RESULTS FROM GUADALUPE COUNTY YOUTH SHOW:

Grand Champion Steer - Reagan Langemeier

Reserve Grand Champion Steer - Kaylie Cerda

Grand Champion Market Swine - Reagan Langemeier

Reserve Grand Champion Market Swine - Kaylee Musgrove

Grand Champion Broilers - Kendyl Zunker

Grand Champion Gilt - Mayson Schulze

Reserve Grand Champion Gilt - Reagan Langemeier

Grand Champion Heifer - Addison Rudloff

Reserve Grand Champion Heifer - Reagan Langemeier

Grand Champion Turkey - Toryn Autry

Grand Champion Ag Mechanics - Cody Engel

Reserve Grand Champion Ag Mechanics - Mason Reasor

Champion Senior Cattle Showman - Amy Stoermer

Champion Intermediate Cattle Showman - Taylor Mills

Champion Junior Cattle Showman - Kyla Beck

Champion Senior Swine Showman - Kaylee Musgrove

Champion Intermediate Showman - Karson Kelso

Champion Junior Swine Showman - Kyla Beck

Champion Junior Goat Showman - Amber Niles

Steer Division Champion - Taylor Mills

Steer Division Champion - Kolton Kelso

Steer Reserve Division Champion - Amy Stoermer

Swine Division Champion - Holly Alderson

Swine Division Champion - Ashlynn Haese

Swine Reserve Division Champion - Mayson Schulze

Swine Reserve Division Champion - Kambrie Miller

Swine Reserve Division Champion - Taylor Mills

Sheep Division Champion - Haylyn Gembler

Goat Reserve Division Champion - JD Raggio

Ag Mech Reserve Division Champion - Camden Thompson

Ag Mech Reserve Division Champion - Alexis Anderson

Homemaking Reserve Division Champion - Kendra Doege

88 students made the sale and brought home a total of over $200,000!!! Students are busy

getting ready for San Antonio, San Angelo, Houston and Austin shows.

AP Art

AP Art students are working on their Concentration Portfolio. Students have written their

first draft of their statements and working on their photos. The AP Art class is in the

process of planning their portfolio trip.

Athletics

The 2015 baseball season kicked off on Friday Jan. 30th. The boys have been working hard

and are very determined to win a 10th straight district championship and get back to the

Regional Finals. The team is having an inter-squad scrimmage on Feb. 10th and a

scrimmage against La Vernia on Feb. 13th at home. Our first game will be Feb. 24th at

home vs. a very good Blanco team.

The boys basketball team just finished the first round of District 5-0 and is in first place.

With 5 district games left the Bulldogs are 19-4 overall and riding a 12 game winning

streak. One more win will clinch a playoff spot, but 5 more will clinch a second district

championship in a row.

The Girls’ Basketball team is 18-10 (6-1) and has a HUGE game coming up against Cole,

who is #5 in the State. The team will recognize 4 seniors at the start of their next home

game as they play their last home game of their careers. The Lady Bulldogs look to knock

off the Cougars to put themselves in position to share the district title.

Powerlifting is off to a good start. So far students have been to three meets and placing in

various weight classes. As the powerlifting team continues to improve some students have

a great shot at making the regional meet. The next meet will be at Somerset High School on

February 7, 2015.

Softball is coming along great. The girls got stronger during the off-season and are anxious

to get the season underway

Spring tennis is officially underway. The team began practice on January 26th and will take

part in their first tournament on February 12th with our JV players, and will continue

through the 13th with our Varsity players in San Antonio at the 5th Annual Edison Bears

Spring Tennis Invitational. This tournament will take place at McFarlin Tennis Center and

the finals for all divisions will be held on February 14th. The tennis team is very excited

about this upcoming season, and look forward to working hard for a successful season.

Track season is in full swing. The runners have been working very hard in the mornings

and afternoons every day. The first meet will take place at Wiemar High School on Feb.

19th.

Band

Marion ISD had 5 students compete at the UIL Solo and Ensemble contest held at Sam

Houston HS. The results were:

Rylan Schwab - 1st division

Banner Bradshaw - 1st division

Colton Bill - 1st division

Morgan Kunde - 2nd division

Alex Rojas - made a 1st division on his Guitar solo, played it from memory, and will

continue on to state.

February 11th-14th Rylan Schwab will participate in the Texas Music Educators

Association Clinic. This is the All-State rehearsals and concert.

Feb. 18th – the band will be going to Canyon Lake HS for band rehearsal - 9:30 - 2:30

Feb. 24th – MHS/MMS will be hosting a pre-UIL invitational - this will be for the HS and MS,

plus Randolph and Stockdale.

Feb. 26th - HS students will be playing at the Marion Education Foundation dinner

Bowling Club

The Marion High School Bowling Team continues with its matches through the month of

February. The Varsity team continues to improve their record and move up in the

rankings. They are in fourth place. The Junior Varsity is in third place. All the bowlers

continue to improve as the weeks progress. Matches are on Thursdays at Fiesta Bowling

Lanes in New Braunfels, Texas at 4:30PM.

Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)

The FCA has been gathering regularly for weekly prayer and testimonial meetings.

Members are still in the process of planning an outing to “Main Event” which will be great

time of food, fun and fellowship. This event will be open to anyone who is currently part of

the FCA.

History Club

The history club is working on a field trip to the National Museum of the Pacific War in

Fredericksburg. Students will have an opportunity to view live war time maneuvers which

will be a great learning experience.

Photography Club

Youth Show results:

Ty Bateman - Grand Champion

Jenna Line - Reserve Champion

Best Of Show

Abbey Osborne

Nick Tuttle

Allie Burns

Dakota Timmermann

SA Rodeo Best of Show - (Out of 12 catagories MHS took 8 of them!)

Dakota Timmerman

Jacob Immel

Becca Nyul

Abbey Osborne

Jenna Line

The students are doing their research for their next two trips which may include the

Southwest Craft Center and Enchanted Rock. They also completed their fundraiser. They

have raised enough monies to buy studio lighting, camera lenses, and reflectors.

Science Club

The Science Club members are preparing for District UIL Science competition. Plans have

begun for a Spring Field trip. Most students would like to visit NASA as space travel is

always an exciting prospect.

Student Council (StuCo)

Student Council continues to pave the way in developing school-based projects that are

both service-oriented and develop leadership skills in its members.

A group of students recently walked over to the Marion Police Department on 1/28 to

deliver homemade goods as part of our monthly Cookies for Courage campaign. In addition,

students are currently brainstorming ideas for a “Promote Marion” project that will work

to advertise the local businesses that are currently suffering from the road construction

that blocks their storefronts. These business are always supporters of the school and we

want to give back to them in this time of need.

StuCo’s "Teens for Jeans" drive will conclude on Feb 13th. On that date, the project leaders

will meet to count the number of jeans collected, box them up and prepare them for

delivery to Aeropostale to be joined with other school's jeans. Aeropostale will deliver all

jeans to homeless teens in our area. On February 13th, members will also deliver our

annual Vale-grams to students that purchased them. This year our vale-grams will be

chocolate-covered strawberries that we will sale for $3. Students can choose to have them

delivered to students or faculty members. StuCo also started our Campus Clean-up

campaign where a group of 4-5 students use their lunch period to pick up trash on campus

to help beautify MHS once a month. There are several other projects in the works that we

hope to communicate with you about in next month's report. We are lucky to have great

students with service so close to their hearts

Theatre Production

Theatre Production is deep into the rehearsal process.

We are doing The Diary of Anne Frank and the students are working very hard to make the

play a positive learning experience for all.

Yearbook

Yearbook staff is continuing to work on the 2014-2015 book. Currently the Yearbook staff

is promoting yearbook sales with a Winter Blitz – February 9th-13th. We are at 70% of

sales for the year. It’s not too late to order your MHS memories.