Mr. Frang's Blog

Newsletter – January 2012

This month’s topic is the cost of dropping out of school. Here are some excerpts from the newsletter:

The average annual salary for a high school dropout in 2009 was $19,540. For a high school graduate, it was $27,380. Thinking of dropping out….visit your school counselor today!

Don’t visit your school counselor much? Well you should & here’s why. They will help you:

1. Understand ALL high school academic options beyond traditional classes (Advance Placement, Dual Enrollment, Career Tech).
2. Select high school classes based on your college & career interests.
3. Determine which “college” option is right for you (vocational training, military, associate or bachelor degree programs)
4. Start your FAFSA as early as RIGHT NOW (for seniors). It’s all about the FAFSA!!!
5. Search local, regional and national scholarship searching & provide financial aid guidance.

6. Set-up college visits or phone interviews with advisors/counselors at the college of interest.
7. Plan your college visit to get the most out of it. Map out who to see, where to go & the questions you should ask.

*** FYI: You’re more memorable in person than on paper!

Congats to the 9th Grade Boys basketball team on their victory against Lowell. R-P 55 Lowell 53! Let’s go Rockets!

The first five years of any child’s life are a springboard for launching a lifelong love of learning and life.  How we make use of this time with our children can have a deep, meaningful and lasting impact on how they will approach school and the world they live in.  Can you think of a child under 5 years old who might need support? Interested in learning how you can help? Visit http://www.ounceofprevention.org/home/index.php

Students- remember to start preparing for exams early! This year exams for first semester will be January 18th, 19th and 20th.
Have you checked your attendance lately? If you need to appeal tardiness or absences, be sure to sign up in Student Services before this Friday! Attendance appeals will be January 17th, 18th and 19th in Student Services.
Wishing you all success on your exams; remember that success happens when preparation meets opportunity!

Toys for Tots (teens) kicks off tomorrow and goes through Dec. 15th. 

The Salvation Army has asked us to collect gifts that would be suitable for teens this year.

This will not only be a competition among first hour classes, but students donating $5 worth of money or toys will receive a ticket which they should fill out.  On Dec. 15th, NHS members will collect the donations and the tickets. The Salvation Army will take the donations and 4 tickets will be drawn to will win a $10 gift certificate to The Lakes Mall.

This is a great way to help those in need in our community this holiday season, so students – bring your donations to your first hour class for a chance to make a child’s Christmas a bit brighter!

College deadlines are fast approaching for seniors, and the Muskegon Opportunity Newsletter – November 2011offers the following suggestions for parents to help parents at all levels begin exploring the college option for their students.

Eight College-Planning Tips for Parents

1. Start saving money for college as early as possible.

2. Help your child make school count and make his or her schoolwork relevant.

3. Explore your child’s potential career options based on her or her interests, skills and talents.

4. Meet with your child’s counselor to help determine the right academic fit for him or her.

5. Gather college information, such as programs of study, cost of attendance and financial aid availability from the schools in which your child is interested.

6. Help your child make trips to college events count; for example, turn a trip to a basketball game into a tour of the campus—classrooms, libraries, residence halls, dining facilities, etc.

7. Help your child with college applications, financial aid applications and scholarship essays. Do not be afraid to call your child’s school counselor or a college academic or financial adviser to ask for help.

8. Consider grants, work-study programs and scholarships as ways to help pay for college.

Source: College Access & Oppor-tunity Guide, Center for Student Opportunity.

Sabrina, Ryan, Kaley, Justin, Ms. Gardner, Ms. Lothschutz and Ms. Halasinski took time today to give back to the community by helping distribute food at 5th Reformed Church.  These students and staff helped Feeding America (formerly Gleaners) distribute over 10,000 pounds of food today to needy residents in our community.  Taking part in the Work-Based Learning program, these students learned the value of giving back, and the joy of helping others.  As we head into the holiday season, these Rockets are setting a great example for us all to live by.

With the holidays coming up, some of us consider how we might stay in shape being surrounded by so many treats and good food.  Consider the 1in21 initiative underway in Muskegon county as a great resource to help stay in shape this holiday season, or throughout the year.  Their web-site has great resources you can access to help you reach whatever goals you migh thave for yourself.  Reeths-Puffer is proud to take part in this initiative to combat childhood obesity and promote good health!

Dust off those Dancing Shoes!

Try on your suit coat!

The Christmas Formal Dance is just around the corner!

In less than one month Reeths-Puffer will hold its Winter Formal Dance.  Remember to have your guests approved through Student Services if they do not attend Reeths-Puffer.  You can print out a guest form by clicking here: Guest Form.

Tickets will go on sale in the beginning of December, so gather up a group of frinds and plan to have a great evening together!

Students met yesterday to help define the leadership characteristics that make an IMPACT on those around them at R-P.  These students are making videos that demonstrate how the attributes of Selfless, Respect, Trustworthy, Positive, Initiator can have an positive IMPACT on those around them.  Look for more information about students having an IMPACT at R-P soon!