Georgetowne Middle School 51 Yates Rd. January Newsletter Marquette Heights, IL 61554 Phone: 309-382-3456 Fax: 309-382-2122 Georgetowne Middle School YOUNG AUTHORS The Young Authors Program is again un- creativity, overall quality, interest to children, and der way for 2008-09. This is a statewide follow-through. program that recognizes the work of young authors and shares their ideas. Students in The book or manuscript must be in the child’s own grade K-8 are eligible to participate. words, and illustrations may be added if the child wishes. The Young Authors Program is intended to All District 102 students are required to generate interest in and appreciation of children’s participate this year, as this is a mandatory writing. It is essential that the work be their own – year for Young Authors. Finished manu- and have their own special touch. scripts are due to homeroom teachers in February. After all of the books have been submit- ted, a committee at each school will evaluate the works based on originality, NJHS NEWS The National Junior Honor Society performed their first service project on De- cember 12. The National Junior Honor Society wrapped gifts for tips at the Border’s Bookstore at Grand Prairie Shopping Center. This service was a small fund-raiser to raise money to carry out another service project or make a donation to a charity. CANCELLATION OF SCHOOL On days when it may be necessary to close school or run emergency bus routes, the information will be forwarded to the local radio/TV stations no later than 6:30 a.m. We ask that parents listen to the stations listed for school announcements. Please do not call the school office. School closings will be announced no later than 7:00 a.m. RADIO STATIONS WMBD—1470, WSWT—106.9 FM, WIRL—1290, WPBG—93.3, Rock—106, WGLO, WPEO, WXCL, Mix 93, WCIC, WEEK, WHOI TV STATIONS WHOI – 19 WMBD – 31 WEEK – 25 Tiger Times Page 2 TIGER TIMES 2009 VOLLEYBALL TEAM The following girls have been chosen to represent Georgetowne Manager - 8th Grade Team: Kylie Heruth in the 2009 Volleyball season: 8th Grade Team - Savannah Manager - 6th & 7th Grade Team: Kylie Schrader Anderson, Rachelle Black, Marissa Colson, Miranda Dobson, Tina Hickman, Brittney Horn, Hailey Hunt, Bailey Inman, Faith Coach - Mrs. Cluskey Laswell, Kenzie McLouth, Sierra Osborne, Leah Surrells, Taylor Our first home game will be Monday, January 5th at 4:30 p.m. Walden, Lizzy Wood, and Meghan Wyss Come out and support our team! 6th/7th Grade Team - Lakyn Browman, Mikaela Byers, Kayla Camp, Cathyren Christianer, Taylor Cruz, Haley Dowds, Shan- non Hedge, Maizie Inman, Brittney Lynch, Jaide Murphy, Char- lene Paup, Erika Quickle, Kayci Steele, Emily Wallace, and Samantha Woodward CHESS CLUB GRADUATION Chess Club Meetings will be after school until 3:45 All 8th graders will be fitted for a gradua- p.m. in Miss Long’s Room (Room 229). Chess Club tion gown on January 28th at 2:00 p.m. If Meetings are scheduled for January 8,12, and 16. you have not already paid for your gown, Please have a ride waiting after all meetings. The payment is due by the 28th. Please make Tazewell County Chess Tournament will be held at checks payable to Georgetowne Middle Georgetowne Middle School on Saturday, February School. 14, 2009. PCHS PLACEMENT TESTS Pekin Community High School will be All students must bring a calculator. Students are welcome conducting ninth grade placement test- to bring snacks to be eaten during a break that will be provided ing on Saturday, January 10, 2009. between tests. Soda machines are not located in the testing The test will be held at Pekin High area. If you have any questions please contact PCHS at 477- School which is located at 1903 Court 4215. St. The testing will begin promptly at 7:45 a.m., so students should plan to Important Dates: arrive between 7:30 a.m. and 7:40 a.m. • February 2nd will be parent night at PCHS for parents of We ask that students enter the school through the column en- future freshman. (In the F.M. Peterson Theater) trance located off of Stadium Drive. This entrance is located in the new addition. The entrance is on the west side of the build- • February 5th at 1:30 p.m. counselors from PCHS will be ing across the street from the football stadium and baseball at GMS to talk to 8th grade students. field. Parents may use the circle drive to drop off their stu- dents. The testing will conclude at approximately 10:30 a.m. • February 11th PCHS counselors will be at GMS from 12:45 p.m.—2:45 p.m. to register 8th graders for high school. Page 3 LAWS PARENTS OF TEENS (EVEN JUNIOR HIGH STUDENTS) SHOULD BE AWARE OF! Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for young people. Secretary of State Jesse White created a task force to explore ways to reduce the number of teens killed in crashes. On January 1, 2008, Illinois enacted stricter driving restrictions on new drivers. Parents and even teens without a license should be aware of the new laws. Parents are one of the keys to ensuring that teens are safe and healthy. Teens want independence, but their actions should be monitored. Over 300,000 teens survive car crashes every year, but have been seriously injured or received emergency room care. Teen drivers – both boys and girls – are taking risky behaviors like speeding, not wearing seat belts and being distracted behind the wheel. The human brain doesn’t fully mature until the early 20’s. This is the part of the brain that affects decision-making and good judgment. Young drivers may not have the skills to stop, think, and reconsider before driving in a way that may cause harm. The goal of the laws that were put in place on January 1, 2008 is to save lives by reducing traffic crashes involving teen drivers. A summary of the laws concerning new drivers and their passengers fol- lows: Drivers under the age of 18 are not allowed to drive from 10 pm to 6 am Sunday –Thursday and 11 pm –6 am Friday and Saturday. The teen’s license is not valid during these restricted times. Some ex- ceptions are in place for work and school activities. For one year after receiving the license, or until the driver is 18 years old, only 1 unrelated teen passenger is allowed. (Siblings are exception) Driver and passengers may be ticketed. Cell phone use while driving is not allowed for anyone under the age of 19, except in emergencies to call police or health care emergency services. Everyone in a car under the age of 19 must wear seat belts. The driver and passengers may be ticketed for failure to wear seat belts. For more information on teen safe driving, check out the Illinois Secretary of State’s website at www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/drivers/programs/teen_driver_safety This information provided by Illinois Department of Transportation and Tazewell County Health Depart- ment. .