Mrs. Doty: Class Happening for the Week of 8-26-30, 2024
Clang the bells! Sing it from the mountain tops! ACT prep has swung into action this
week in Mrs. Doty’s English classes. In addition to picking up skills that will last a lifetime, doing
well on the ACT test can be a springboard for scholarships and getting into the college of your
choice.
Let’s examine this a little closer. The ACT English section has three parts: English,
reading, and writing. The English portion is a forty-five minute multiple choice test
encompassing grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and rhetorical skills.
Rhetorical skills mean that test takers must be able to evaluate an author’s writing strategy, organization, and style.
The thirty-five minute multiple choice reading test section consists of four passages that
include prose fiction, social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences. The 9th, 10th, and 11th
grade classes are utilizing practice ACT tests, flashcards, and vocabulary building skills in
anticipation for the real ACT test.
While the English and reading portion are required parts of the ACT test, the writing
portion is optional. However, in the state of Nebraska the writing portion is mandatory. Students are given a prompt and three different perspectives concerning the topic of the prompt and forty minutes to write a full blown essay.
In preparation for this, Mrs. Doty’s classes are investigating
sample ACT essays, writing strategies, and the ACT scoring rubric to be ready for penning
practice essays and the actual essay on ACT test day as juniors.
Moreover, Mrs. Doty’s students are learning overall ACT test taking strategies such as
how the ACT is evaluated, ways to make the best use of the time given for each section of the
test, and, overall, becoming more comfortable with tackling the test with finesse and poise. Mrs. Doty wants her English students sauntering into the ACT test room on test day snapping their fingers and chanting, “No problem - I got this!”
VB Live stream tonight - Varsity games only: https://youtube.com/@mhcactivities?si=sEdM_VCyH4VmnYVZ
HISTORICAL PHOTOS AVAILABLE AT THE LINCOLN COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM: Archived photographs and negatives are available from Brown-Harano, courtesy of the Lincoln County Museum. Click on the link for more information: https://www.stapletonschools.org/article/1736691
VB TIME CHANGE: The volleyball triangular in Hayes Center is being moved up to a 4pm CST start for both Varsity and JV. Varsity will still play a triangular while JV is being switched to a dual only vs MHC. Bus leave time for VB will be 1:15pm from Stapleton
JOB OPPORTUNITY: SPS is taking applications for a full-time afternoon/evening custodian, and substitute bus drivers. Preference will be given to those applicants who have experience or who possess a CDL. Click on the following link for more information: https://www.stapletonschools.org/page/job-opportunities
Mrs. Doty: Class Happening for the Week of 8-19-23, 2024
Wow, in the second week in senior English, instruction heated up in style. The twelfth graders were preparing to read the epic poem “Beowulf,” the oldest surviving piece of English literature. We started by tackling the background materials for the poem, and, simply stated, the kids were intrigued. Who wouldn’t be? The poem features Beowulf, a great hero traveling great distances to fight Grendel, a man-eating beast, and then ends the poem with him dueling a fire-breathing, treasure-hoarding dragon. Along the way by sprinkling in boastful speeches, a king tired of having his kingdom ravaged, and a courageous friend, any teacher has a recipe for gaining the enthusiasm of a roomful of teenagers. The author of the poem has been lost to history, but this fact only adds to the mysterious appeal of “Beowulf.” This coming week, it will be time to jump into Beowulf’s Viking boat and set sail for a great adventure.
SUMMER A.R. ICE CREAM PARTY: Over 20
Elementary students joined Mr. Halstead this afternoon to celebrate meeting their summer reading goals. Great work to all of our young readers and thanks to parents for encouraging them to crack open the books this summer!
The Entrepreneurship/Sports Mgmt students created scrimmage promos in class. This one turned out very well!
MAIN STREET CLOSURE MONDAY: The Village is refinishing main street between the Presbyterian Church and the school Monday morning/early afternoon. Students and faculty please do not park on main street Monday. Thank You.
Info Sheet for next Thursday's VB Triangular vs Maywood-Hayes Center and Paxton
Yesterday some members of the agricultural education program had the opportunity to travel to a USDA certified meat locker and learn from the professionals. They experienced safety measures that must be taken to protect the products of the locker, such as wearing disposable smocks, hair nets, and gloves. Witnessed a side of beef be broken down into primal cuts and then into individual steaks, and got to try their hand at evaluating hanging sides of beef for quality and yield grades. The students heard from the owner of the locker, the USDA inspector, and a meat science educator from UNL.
VB Jamboree in Hyannis tomorrow - JV slated for 5:30pm CST start time. Varsity to follow- Live stream: https://striv.tv/channel/hyannis/
REMINDER: School and Sports Pictures are tomorrow - Monday, Aug 19th. Individual school pictures, senior banner pictures, sports photos etc will all be taken during the course of the day tomorrow.
OPEN PUBLIC PRACTICE Friday Aug 23:
Schedule for Friday's open practices/scrimmages
4:35 - 5:00 - Volleyball Open Scrimmage (main gym)
5:05 - 5:25 - Volleyball and Cross Country Parents Meeting (in main gym)
5:30 - 5:55 - Football Open Scrimmage (field)
6:05 (approx) Football Parent Meeting (in main gym)
***Stapleton Booster Club will be doing a meal (free will donation)l during the evening***
FRIDAY RELEASE BUS DROP OFF - NP: As a reminder Friday's are early release days for Stapleton Public School. North Platte drop off times are: Tanks at approximately 3:35pm and drop off at Cody Park is approximately 3:45-3:50pm. Please contact the school with any questions. Thank you
From our Grade 7-12 English Teacher - Mrs. Doty:
Mrs. Doty’s classes are starting the 2024-2025 school year off right by hitting the books.
Thanks to a generous donation from the Stapleton School Foundation, the purchase of a wide variety of books was made possible. It is gratifying as an English teacher and avid reader to see my students walk into the classroom and see them excited about getting their hands on a fresh supply of novels.
A quote from author Gary Paulsen, the writer of classics like Hatchet and Harris and Me, expresses how I would like my students to view reading, “I read like a wolf eats.”
Passionately tearing and devouring a great book is a goal worth pursuing. Keep on reading!
Click on the link herein to read this year's handbook. Students are asked to return signed copies of pages 66 &67 by Friday, August 23rd. https://5il.co/2trid
Dear Families,
I want to review the lunchroom expectations with everyone so you can review them with your children at home. I reviewed them in school today.
Walk to the lunchroom
Stay in line while going through the lunch line.
If you purchased a hot lunch you may go through the salad bar.
If you brought your lunch you may use silverware, napkins, and sauces such as ketchup and salad dressing from the cafeteria.
Focus on eating.
Use an inside voice when talking to friends at your table.
Throw trash in the trash can.
Put the tray and silverware in the tray window when finished eating.
The sweeper and wiper will clean the floor and table
Wait in line until dismissed.
Thank you for your assistance and I look forward to a great year with great students.
Printable lunch menus can be found on our school website at:
https://www.stapletonschools.org/documents
Class of '25.
First day of senior year!!
