I hope that everyone had an opportunity to spend time with family during Thanksgiving Break.  I was fortunate to spend some time with my son in the Spokane area, and catch a couple of Zag basketball games during my visit.

We are looking very carefully at the schedule for next year, already.  We are very aware of the lack of elective courses currently offered.  It is an area that we hope to make some positive change in for next year.  We are also looking at making changes to courses with an eye on advanced course offerings, maybe expanding them to some degree.

I want to share that our students have just been outstanding in so many ways this year.  We have instituted some rule changes in the building and the response in terms of their actions, from the students, has been one of compliance with those rules which has lead to a more orderly building both in and out of the classroom.  We are working hard at holding students accountable for regular attendance at school.  We believe that if students attend regularly, they will be successful at moving towards graduation from high school.  Our fall sports had great seasons with virtually all teams experiencing league and state involvement at the end of their seasons.  Lastly, what great attitudes your kids have.  They are upbeat, positive, and involved in their school and education...thanks parents!

Congratulations to the volleyball team on their 3rd place finish at the state volleyball tournament that just concluded at Lane Community College in Eugene!  The team was able to defeat Madras on Saturday afternoon for the third place trophy.  Our football team lost a tough one on Friday night to Gladstone.  They concluded a great season where they finished second in league, and won a play-in game.  On both teams, the senior leadership was great to see and it was that leadership that helped in insuring outstanding seasons.

A reminder that there is no school the week of November 19th-23rd.  Monday the 19th-Wednesday the 21st, schools are closed due to furlough days.  Thursday the 22nd and Friday the 23rd schools are closed for the Thanksgiving Break.  School resumes on Monday November 26th.

We continue to extend an invitation to any parent who is interested, to serve on our Parent Advisory Committee.  This committee will meet as needed to review school improvement recommendations that come forward from the Curriculum Committee.  If interested, please contact the high school or Mr. Everett directly.

Progress reports will be sent home the week of December 3rd-7th.  At that point we will be closing in on the end of the first semester, with 6-weeks to go.  Semester grades are important for a number of reasons.  These grades are recorded on transcripts and transcripts are used to determine eligibility for many things including; athletics, National Honor Society, college entrance, entrance into the military etc.  Please encourage your son/daughter to do their absolute best in their classes to insure that their transcript reflects their level of achievement in school.

We are still looking for a few more parents to sit on a parent advisory committee at the high school.  This group will meet as needed throughout the year to review and provide input about school improvement issues.  If you are interested please contact the high school.

Both boys and girls soccer teams had tough, season ending losses last weekend.  It concluded their outstanding seasons!  Volleyball and football teams move on to the next rounds in state playoff competition.  Football will play this Friday at Gladstone High School.  Volleyball will play on Friday afternoon at Lane Community College.  Good luck to both teams!

A reminder to parents to please make sure that you are contacting the school to communicate about any absences for your student.  The focus is on having students in attendance, each and every day throughout the school year.

Lastly, it is definitely fall now.  Hope you are enjoying the change of seasons.