Talent Show November 21 & 22

Toys for Tots November 23–Dec 11

No School November 25

Thanksgiving Recess November 26-29 Holiday Dance

December 5 Canned Food Drive

December 7-17 Band Concert December 9

Booster Auction December 12

Choir Concert December 16 Winter Break

December 19-January 3 Semester Exams 1/2 Days of School High School Only

January 20, 21 and 22 Upcoming Late Starts December 2, 9 and 16

November & December 2009

Belief Statements • Every student has a right to Intellectual challenge • Every student has a right to be

connected

Mission Statement Mattawan High School will provide a

safe and academically rigorous school that produces competent,

confident and compassionate learners.

Vision Statement Mattawan High School will be a

learning community in which every individual is valued, engaged and

successful.

Common Commitment We will… • Continually improve. • Collaborate and communicate. • Focus on learning and achieve-

ment. • Nurture and maintain a positive

school culture.

Cross Country State Competition Congratulations to Alex Standiford as he became the 4th All State Cross Country runner since 2003, and third in a row from Mattawan. Alex placed 8th overall at the state finals on Saturday. He also is an Academic All State runner.

Drama Department Fall Production Ah, Wilderness

A talented cast of fifteen brought life to the classic Eugene O’Neil play, Ah, Wilderness! The production featured lead roles, by seniors Dusty Clason, Stephanie Hayashi, Philip Maxwell, Schyler Sheltrown, Zach Terry, and junior Stephanie Wiley, Congratulations to the cast and crew on a terrific show.

National Merit Scholar Senior Gabe Pogliano has qualified as a semi-finalist for the National Merit Scholar-ship. Gabe qualified by scoring in a high percentile on his PSAT.

Started in 1955, the National Merit Scholarship Program is an organization that gives out scholarships based on performance on the PSAT and NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test). Of the 50,000 who are originally selected during screening, less than a third actually go on to become semi-finalists. Congratulations Gabe!

The dawning of a new school year is like New Year’s in September. We make resolutions to be broken, promise to reconnect with lost friends, look forward to the fresh start that will wash away broken promises and dreams, walk uncomfortably in new clothes, and revel in the smell of new backpacks and fresh school

supplies. Nevertheless, September gives way to fall and the winter months. Before long that little hop in the step everyone has in September turns to a trudge through the piles of snow of our winter wonderland. This year I challenge all of you to be part of a change – a commitment to that first week of school enthusiasm throughout the year. Mahatma Gandhi said -You must be the change you want to see in the world… In an effort to sustain what is good and provide direction for the change that we need, Mattawan embarked on a strategic planning process that has unfolded over multiple years. The first phase of which was completed last year. The first phase of the strategic plan that was adopted by the Mattawan Board of Education established three strategic priorities: 1. Prepare Mattawan students to be competent and responsible citizens in a global society. 2. Assure delivery systems for teaching and learning that engage learners in rigorous and relevant learning experiences 3. Position Mattawan Consolidated School to support the development of and contribution to the greater Mattawan community

and region. In support of the strategic plan and pursuit of these priorities, Mattawan High School is committed to the following goals: 1. Students will demonstrate improved content literacy (listening, speaking, reading and writing skills and strategies necessary to

learn in each discipline). Ensure mastery of critical core curriculum content to develop the background knowledge required for comprehension, independent learning, and cumulative literacy development. Integrate key learning strategies into and across core curriculum courses Develop support structures to more explicitly and intensively teach those strategies that are required/integrated across core curriculum courses for those students who need more direct instruction than what can be provided by teachers in core curriculum courses. Identify and support the development of intensive literacy course options and services that are integrated into overall school-wide literacy development efforts.

2. TAG: Effectively integrate and use technology to improve teaching, learning, communication and information management. Each teacher will maintain an web presence via Schoolwires webpage that includes a welcome message, picture of

the teacher (optional), a brief biography of the teacher, including educational background, contact information, link for each course that includes a course syllabus and course organizer for each course taught by the teacher, and a classroom calendar.

Create a wireless learning environment that is PC and MAC friendly Explore integration of instructional technology to enhance teaching and learning

3. PLC: Nurture and empower members of our professional learning community to provide direction for our school, enhance pro-fessional practice, and accept collective responsibility for student learning.

Strengthen the role of teachers in the leadership of the school Use understanding of each others different styles and approaches to communication, tasks, relationships and conflict

resolution to improve conditions for teaching and learning Work collaboratively to meet the needs of all learners

As the leaves change color, “fall cleanup” begins to take over the little bit of daylight available after school/work, and the joy of summer slips away, there is a tendency for our positive spirit to fade with it. Our school year is off to a tremendous start, and the positive spirit in the building has been fantastic. The challenge is to keep that feeling alive, and grow it through the school year. To be the Change that our world needs, I encourage you to:

Commit unsolicited random acts of kindness Reach out to someone new, someone from outside your social circle Commit yourself to showing your appreciation for others Make a promise to yourself – and keep it Talk less and listen more Show your appreciation and interest in others by asking them questions about their lives outside of school/work

In short, give of yourself, and you will receive tenfold in return. This has been and will continue to be a defining characteristics of past and present Wildcats. Thank you for your individual and collective efforts to ensure Mattawan High School continues to be the school of choice for our students and community. With Mattawan Pride, Colin Ripmaster

Follow Principal Ripmaster on Twitter:

twitter.com Search: PrinRipmaster

Getting Ready for Semester Exams

Exams are an opportunity for students to demonstrate their cumulative learning from the beginning of the school year to the end of the semester. Exams help teachers assess each student’s attainment of specific content knowledge and skills. In addition, student achievement data from exams is used by teachers indi-vidually and collectively to evaluate curriculum and instruction.

It is not too early to begin preparing for exams. In fact, it is typically more effective to organize course and unit over-views, classroom notes, handouts, etc. throughout the semester, rather than scrambling at the end of the semester to prepare. Being organized allows students to focus their time and energy on reviewing content knowledge and skills. Below are additional suggestions in preparation for exams. • Start with your teacher.

Find out how the test will be organized, including types of questions and focus…Will there be essay, multiple-choice, true/false, or other types of questions? What do you have to know, identify, analyze, explain, solve, compare or contrast? These questions take different levels/approaches for studying. Ask the teacher how to prioritize your review time.

• Avoid cramming. Spread out study sessions days/weeks before testing; you will have less stress and increase retention if you spend 15-20 minutes daily studying for each exam the weeks proceeding the exams and two to three hours the weekend and night before each individual exam. In most classrooms the exam is worth 15-20 percent of the final grade, so don’t blow away your grade by neglecting to study.

• Organize. Organize your study area to reduce interference. Make sure that you have all the necessary materials before you begin studying. Most students study better if they have a regular time and spot at which to study…establishing study routines significantly reduces the tendency to procrastinate.

• Summarize notes for studying. You should have approximately three to five pages of key terms, ideas, and review material. It is also a good idea to draw diagrams, charts, maps, etc. for visual aid.

• Study from old tests and/or quizzes. Past tests and quizzes provide focus for key content that students should know and examples of the types of problems the teacher will use to assess what students know. Make sure you have corrected items that were wrong the first time.

• Form a study group. Organize a study group that meets multiple times throughout the weeks leading up to exams. The first time you might divide up the work. The next few meetings should be spent re-teaching each other key content knowl-edge and skills. The day/week before students should spend time quizzing each other.

• Teach it to someone. If you can teach the material to someone, then you can be sure that you know it.

• Over learn. It is better to over learn the material because you will be able to recall it more quickly on exam day.

• Study your outline. Before the test use only your summary of notes to study so that you are not reading all your material again.

• Relax. Rest for a little while before the exam.

• Sleep. Being rested is very important. You are likely to recall more of what you have learned if you are awake and alert.

• Eat well and hydrate your brain. Watch your caffeine and junk food intake. Don’t rely upon energy drinks or sugar to power you through exam week. It is better to eat a nutritious breakfast, including fruits on exam days. In addition, it is good to drink wa-ter throughout exams to keep your brain hydrated.

Monday, January 18

Tuesday, January 19

Wednesday, January 20

Thursday, January 21

Friday, January 22

Full Day of School Regular Class

Schedule

Full Day of School Regular Class

Schedule

1/2 Day of School 7:40-9:15

1st hour exam 9:25-10:55

2nd hour exam

1/2 Day of School 7:40-9:15

3rd hour exam 9:25-10:55

4th hour exam

1/2 Day of School 7:40-9:15

5th hour exam 9:25-10:55

6th hour exam

Semester Exam Schedule, January 20 through January 22, 2009

Teenagers, like adults, may experience stress everyday and can benefit from learning stress management skills. Most teens experience more stress when they perceive a situation as dangerous, difficult, or painful and they do not have the resources to cope. Some sources of stress for teens might include:

• school demands and frustrations • negative thoughts and feeling about themselves • changes in their bodies • problems with friends and/or peers at school • unsafe living environment/neighborhood • separation or divorce of parents • chronic illness or severe problems in the family • death of a loved one • moving or changing schools • taking on too many activities or having too high of expectations • family financial problems

Some teens become overloaded with stress. When it happens, inadequately managed stress can lead to anxiety, withdrawal, aggression, physical illness, or poor coping skills such as drug and/or alcohol use. When we perceive a situation as difficult or painful, changes occur in our minds and bodies to prepare us to respond to danger. This ―fight, flight, or freeze - response includes faster heart and breathing rate, cold or clammy hands and feet, upset stomach and/or a sense of dread. The same mechanism that turns on the stress response can turn it off. As soon as we decide that a situation is no longer dangerous, changes can occur in our minds and bodies to help us relax and calm down. This relaxation response includes a decreased heart and breathing rate and a sense of well being. Teens that develop a relaxation response and other stress management skills feel less helpless and have more choices when responding to stress.

Parents can help their teen in these ways: • Monitor if stress is affecting their teen’s health, behavior, thoughts, or feelings • Listen carefully to teens and watch for overloading • Learn and model stress management skills • Support involvement in sports and other pro-social activities

Teens can decrease stress with the following behaviors and techniques: • Exercise and eat nutritionally, regularly. (Drink 8-8oz glasses of water daily which is a natural relaxant.) • Avoid excess caffeine intake which can increase feelings of anxiety and agitation. • Do not use illegal drugs, alcohol, and/or tobacco. • Learn relaxation exercises. • Develop assertiveness skills. State feelings in polite, firm ways. (Your Perfect Right-Alberti and Emmons

is a useful assertiveness training book) • Rehearse and practice situations which cause stress. • Learn practical coping skills. Break large tasks into smaller, attainable tasks. • Decrease negative self-talk. • Learn to feel good about doing a competent or good enough job rather than demanding perfection from

yourself and others. • Take a break from stressful situations. Listening to music, talking to a friend, drawing, writing, reading,

spending time with a pet and physical exercise can reduce stress. • Build a network of friends who help you cope in a positive way. (Volunteer to help others.)

By using these and other techniques, teenagers can begin to manage stress (a life-long skill). If a teen talks about or shows signs of being overly stressed, a consultation with a child and adolescent psychiatrist, qualified mental health professional, school counselor, social worker, or psychologist may be helpful. For additional information see: Facts for Families on the AACAP website. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry No. 66 (copyright 2003)

An October 2008 article in "The Wall Street Journal" had a title similar to that listed above except that it added...Your Facebook Page is Showing.

At that time, 10% of admissions officers from 500 top colleges and universities acknowledged looking at social networking sites to evaluate applicants. And of those colleges making use of the online information, 38% said that what they saw "negatively affected" their views of the applicant. The two sites that are viewed most often are Facebook and MySpace. The WSJ article offered the following advice to members of the social network: Don't: - Include offensive language or references to illegal behavior on your site. - Make offhand, negative comments about colleges. Do: - Establish privacy setting so your posts aren't accessible to the general public. - Remember all communication could be public one day. Our teens are experiencing a totally different world than parents and most adults in the school experienced while growing up. Some of it is better; some of it is worse. Probably our best course of action is to warn them of potential pitfalls that might arise solely because of their inexperience.

Drink healthy! The next time your teen wants a soda, tell them this: a typical can has 10 teaspoons of sugar — more than in a chocolate bar! Try to steer your teen to these healthy choices instead.

Milk provides calcium, vitamins, and nutrients that kids need. Encourage your student to drink three cups a day. Keep the milk fat-free, but it’s okay to add chocolate or strawberry flavoring. If your child is allergic to milk, try calcium-enriched soy or rice milk. If she’s lactose intolerant, get lactose-free milk.

Water is the best all-day drink. It has no sugar or calories and is low-cost. Take water bottles in the car and to sports activities and practices. Try serving water with meals at home and asking for it when you eat out. You can add flavor with a lemon slice. Note: Seltzer, club soda, and sparkling water are good alternatives. Like water, they have no sugar or calories, and they have the “fizz” factor kids like.

Cafeteria plan. Variety is the name of the game in today’s school cafeteria. Encourage your child to take advantage of healthy offerings, such as salad bars, fresh fruit, whole-wheat pizza, and turkey tacos. Drinking fat-free milk will add extra protein and calcium to their meal.

Exercise—and get paid.

High school students can gain work experience, earn spending money—and get exercise—in these part-time jobs.

Babysitter. Encourage your student to play active games (hide-and-seek, Twister, tag, catch) while caring for small children.

Sports helper. Youth teams need referees and assistant coaches. Teen coaches get exercise practicing with the team, while refs get a workout running up and down the field or court during games.

Camp counselor. After-school programs and summer camps use students as junior counselors. Check your local YMCA and area camps.

Healthy Ideas for High School Students

Through an annual application process, teachers seek funding from the Foundation to develop and demonstrate new ideas and creative approaches to instruction. Thousands of students in all four buildings--the Early Elementary, the Later Elementary, the Middle School, and the High School--have benefited from exciting educational programs through the MPEF's fifteen-year history, making the Mattawan Consolidated School an outstanding place to learn.

Congratulations

to recipients John Fairchild

and Sandie McGehee

Dear Parents/Guardians: It's hard to believe that the Holiday Season is almost upon us. This is a season very important to families as we gather together for special meals, activities, and celebrations. During this season of giving, school children and their families often want to include a very important person in their life on their gift list; their teacher. Tired of find-ing just the right ornament, coffee mug, gift certificate, or other special trinket? The Mattawan Public Education Foundation invites you to honor your child's special teacher with a tax-free monetary donation that will directly benefit our schools! All funds received by the Mattawan Public Education Foundation in a teacher's honor will be directed to our Crea-tive Instruction Award program which provides funding to teachers to implement innovative teaching ideas. What a great way to say “thank you” and honor the dedicated hard work of our schools' educators! This is also a wonderful way to teach our children the joy of giving a gift to someone that is special to them and to support their school at the same time. To participate in this program, please fill out the form below and return it to the office at your child's building or send it directly to us at the address below. We will send a card to your child's teacher indicating that a gift has been received in their honor from your family. No monetary amount will be mentioned in the card. All donations must be received by December 9th. We wish you and your family a very happy holiday season and all the best in the New Year.

Mattawan Public Education Foundation 56720 Murray Street Mattawan, MI 49071 668-3361 ext 1715

Your name:______________________ Your address:___________________________________

Your child's name:__________________________________________________________________

Teacher(s) you are honoring:_________________________________________________________

Amount given:_____________________________________________________________________ Deadline for donations is December 9th

WMU Stadium Cleanup FundraiserWMU Stadium Cleanup FundraiserWMU Stadium Cleanup Fundraiser We need your help cleaning the Reed Fieldhouse on

November 28 at 8:15 p.m.; December 19 at 3:15 p.m., January 27 at 8:15 p.m., January 30 at 3:15 p.m., and February 17 at 8:15 p.m. For more infor-mation and to sign up please contact Paula Steffey at 269-377-9341.

Sports AuctionSports AuctionSports Auction

You can:

Contact a local business and ask for a donation (gift card, appliance, services, etc.) Donate any new merchandise that you have (electronics, tools, craft items, etc.) Be creative and donate special offerings (time-share rentals, tickets to sporting events, manual labor, babysitting coupons, etc.)

Staff Our Table Staff Our Table Staff Our Table on the evening of Saturday, De-cember 12. For more information please con-

tact Zbig and Mary Srodulski (375-1884) or by e-mail at msrodulski@netscape.net or attend our monthly meeting held on the second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the High School cafeteria. We need the help of all senior parents to make Grad Bash 2010 a success. For more information please contact Paula Steffey at 269-377-9341 or by email at westernmom40@yahoo.com

Cash DonationsCash DonationsCash Donations Remember, it costs approxi-mately $100 per person to put on Grad Bash. You can make your donation through PaySchools or mail your check to Kathy Burden, 944 Josiane, Kalamazoo, MI 49009. Make all checks payable to:

Project Graduation.

Grad Bash Updates Class of 2011 Class of 2012 Class of 2013

Make your check payable to:

Project Graduation/Class of 2011

Make your check payable to:

Project Graduation/Class of 2012

Make your check payable to:

Project Graduation/Class of 2013

Mail your check to:

Patti Bradtke

10720 Paw Paw Lake Drive

Mail your check to:

Susan Trillet

8735 Maricopa Trail

Mail your check to:

Anne Webster

53068 CR 653

Parents: Please help your graduating senior by donating a total of $100 ($25/year) by your child’s graduation date. This money will be used to cover costs for their grad bash event. Payments for all classes can also be paid online through PaySchools.

Thank you to all parents and sponsors who have donated or helped!

We had a very successful Jazz Choral Workshop with Diana Spradling on Wednesday, October 14th. Our Jazz Club performances were combined with the Instrumental Department on Saturday, October 24th and were, once again, very well received.

Master Singer's Chorale had a fantastic experience on their Michigan Tour November 13-16. They performed in East Lansing and Greater Detroit. In addition to their performances, they had workshops with Dr. James Bass and Dr. David Little from Western Michigan University; Dr. Melanie Helton and Dr. David Rayl from Michigan State University; Dr. Jerry Blackstone and Dr. Freda Herseth from University of Michigan; Dr. Kathleen Segar from Eastern Michigan University; Steve Kosinski, a former Broadway performer, Dr. Edith Diggery and Dr. Michael Mitchel of Oakland University. They also visited Waterford Mott High School.

Women's Ensemble had an outstanding performance and Master Class when they visitied Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, IN, on Thursday, November 20th.

Holiday Concert will be held Wednesday, December 16th, featuring all four choirs in the auditorium. Admission is free.

If you are willing to help with any of our many projects, or just need to contact us, please contact either David Hook at Dhook@mattawanschools.org or Laura Denton at Ldenton@mattawanschools.org.

November 23-December 11 Help needy children experience the joy of

Christmas.

CANNED FOOD DRIVE December 7-17

Again this year, 1st hour classes will compete to see which class can collect the

most items.

Mark your calendar and plan on attending one or both of these awesome evenings of enter-tainment provided by our instrumental and

vocal music departments.

Wednesday, December 9

Holiday Band Concert at 7:00 pm

Thursday, December 16

Holiday Vocal Concert at 7:30 pm

High School Auditorium

December 5

8 - 11:30 pm

At the

Later Elementary

Gymnasium

Sponsored by

The Senior Class

Senior pictures due by Friday, December 4! Turn into the yearbook office or e-mail to lfulton@mattawanschools.org. Order your 2010 yearbook and avoid price increases after Dec. 31! Visit us at PaySchools on the Mattawan Consolidated Schools website. Parents and business owners: Purchase an ad in our award-winning yearbook. Ads start at only $35 and are tax-deductible. Showcase your business. Celebrate your student's achievements. Do whatever you want in your ad! Call the yearbook office at 668-3361 ext. 1123 today! Do you want to see your photos in the high school yearbook? So do WE! Share your pictures of students and teachers @ www.hjeshare.com and enter our code: 7013443. Do you have a story idea you'd like to see in The Cat's Eye? Send it to: dearly@gaggle.net

Thank you to all the parents that have volunteered at the October and November events. The fall appreciation luncheon and teacher/parent conferences were a success with your help! On Wednesday, December 2, the Parent Association will be hosting a bookfair at Barnes & Noble on West-nedge, a book fair. Music, videos and food purchases will be included. Vouchers will be available at the store register and school office with Mattawan's school code 10074714, to receive a percentage of the sales that day. During our October MHSPA meeting we approved the following funding: • $539.40 for English 10 classes to purchase 60 copies of a graphic novel to support reading Twain's The

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. • $250.00 for the library to join MEL Cat, which will provide teachers and students access to all libraries in

Michigan. • $1,000.00 to help pay a third of the cost for the Wildcat Bash event $500.00

to help support Grad Bash 2010 Want to get involved? Seeking volunteers for: • December Decorating: Wednesday, December 2 at 9:15am we will be

decorating the school cafeteria and library for the winter holidays. • MHSPA Treasurer position for 2010-2011 school year: Volunteer can shadow Carrie Rhodes this year

to learn the position. Budget is small at the high school - not time consuming. Please call Carrie with any questions.

Our next meeting will be Wednesday, November 18 at 9:15am in room 227. Speakers, Maureen Beall and Christina Haller will discuss teen nutrition and lifestyle choices.

Co-Chair:

Susan DiMarco

353-3791

Co-Chair:

Carleen Burns

353-1963

Secretary:

Pam Wilkinson

375-9039

Treasurer:

Carrie Rhodes

668-6170

Informational Meeting Date: Sun. Nov 22, 2009

Time: 5-7 pm Location: KidsSports

USA

Education: Groups of youth engage in the PeaceJam curriculum under the guidance of supportive adults. The curriculum is flexible and activity-oriented, providing the means to discuss such issues as violence from a local to a global perspective. Each year, the curriculum is based on one of the participating Nobel Laureates, giving the his-tory, personal account and action taken by the Laureate for their specific cause.

Inspiration: After Spending time in the curriculum, representatives from each group attend the annual two-day PeaceJam Youth Conference at Western Michigan University, where they meet the Nobel Laureate whom they have studied. The Laureate engages the youth in lively discussion around being a peacemaker and learns about each group’s community service project.

Action: Youth return to their communities with renewed perspective on making a difference, and with the charge to fulfill their service project commitment. Participating groups then have several months to complete their project and return to the PeaceJam Slam where they report on their community-change efforts and learn who will be the fol-lowing years participating Nobel Laureate.

What is PeaceJam?

☮ A worldwide movement of young people and Nobel Peace Prize Winners working together for social justice and peace.

☮ A youth leadership program that focuses on Nobel Peace Laureates, their work, and issues facing young people today.

PeaceJam Mission To create a new generation of young leaders committed to positive change in themselves, their communities and the world through the inspiration of Nobel Peace Laureates.

This years featured Nobel Laureate

Betty Williams "The Nobel Peace Prize is not awarded for what one has done, but hope-fully what one will do." The words of Betty Williams who in 1976 along with Mairead Maguire was awarded the Prize for her work to bring peace in her native Northern Ireland. Growing up in the midst of violence in Northern Ireland, she uses her life experiences to help others gain an understand-ing of the impact of violence on a community and it’s families.

For more information contact Mrs. Magrath at 668-3361 ext. 1455 or smgrath@mattawanschools.org

The High School is excited to continue to provide our Student-Teacher Academic Resource and Support (STARS) program. STARS is an extended day program designed to provide struggling students additional academic support and skill building in a structured academic setting. This time and support is facilitated by 4 core teachers and support personnel who assist students in:

• identifying skills and strategies to be successful • providing focused attention on problem solving, writing, note-taking, test-taking,

and reading skills • organizing for learning and study skills • completing assignments and studying for assessments • understanding critical content through mini-lessons and individualized instruction • developing a sense of hope, self-efficacy, self-discipline, and/or self-directedness

Support may include direct instruction, one-on-one tutoring, lessons from Odysseyware, and/or other supplemental support designed to remediate current gaps in content and skills a student has in a core curricular area. Beyond offering instructional strategies and support, the STARS program seeks to develop a culture that is focused on learning for students who may not otherwise connect with the curriculum or school; in this setting, STARS core teachers believe that failure is not an option and success is possible for all. STARS attendance is mandatory for any student failing one or more core courses. Students assigned to STARS are restricted from participation in all student activities including, athletics, clubs/organizations, performing arts, and drivers education until the conclusion of each STARS session at 3:45 pm. Parents of students who may have issues with transportation should speak with their student's Dean. Rationale: Students experience academic failure in high school for multiple reasons. Factors that have historically contributed to high school students being unsuccessful include:

• Gaps in knowledge, skills and experiences, specifically learning of prerequisite content expectations. • Lack of goals and clear vision for future, coupled with a failure to see the relevance of learning

and the benefit of having motivation to succeed. • Weak time-management, work habits, and testing, study and/or organizational skills. • Need for extended time to process and practice new learning. • Deficient support to focus time and energy on task.

With the adoption of the Michigan Merit Curriculum and current state graduation requirements, schools must develop specific programs that target interventions for students who are not performing at grade level, are experiencing academic failure, and are at-risk for not graduating in order to maintain current graduation rates. The STARS program establishes a support system for these students by providing a structured extended day learning environment that is supervised and facilitated by certified high school personnel to increase student accountability for learning, and increase the number of students learning the rigorous content expectations. The STARS program will assist in all students not only receiving but becoming proficient with the High School Content Expectations, by increasing the time and intervention provided for each individual student to learn grade-level content expectations. Having core teachers facilitate each session ensures the expertise needed to help students understand concepts, build skills, complete tasks, close learning gaps and focus on achievement.

S.T.A.R.S

Student-Teacher Academic Resource and Support

Mattawan Consolidated School Mattawan High School

56720 Murray Street

Mattawan, MI 49071

Did you know you can view your students schedule, attendance and grades online? Simply go to our web page at www.mattawanschools.org and click on “Grades” in the upper right corner. You will be prompted to log in. To request a user id and password, please contact the Computer Lab at 668-3361 ext. 1213.

In addition, we reset the parent portal preferences so that we have the most current and up-to-date household information on record. If you would prefer not to receive electronic communications from our office and staff, you will need to revise your preferences. To do this, you must be logged into Infinite Campus. Select “Change contact Info” from the menu on the left. This will allow you to deselect the various options as necessary.