THE ALTERNATIVE VIEW

Volume 22, Issue 2—2007-2008 School Year

The Mason City Alternative School quarterly awards ceremony was held on Friday January 25th at 10:45 am. Awards were presented to the students in the following categories:

Made Point Goal

Amber B., Sara C., Gunner K., Alex M., Henry R., Porscha V., Chayse W., Destiny B., Dustin B., Sam C., Cody H., Elijah M., Cash S., Jacob S., Kaleb A., Erica B., Tori C., Amanda C., Chelse H., Carol H., Chantal J., Marissa O., Hanna P., Bobby U., Jessica B., Bret D., Nick L., Brianna M., Jennifer S., Trevor S., Gina B., Nichole C., Jacob C., Brittany H., Natasha H., Brody N., Taylor N., Austin W., Hunter O., Mike O., Samantha R., Larissa S., Jennifer S., Dustin W. Alicia Z.

Most Points

Nichole C. (495)

Nick L.. (520)

Austin W. (507)

Dustin B. (748)

Amber B. (528)

Most Credits

Porscha V. (9.5)

Dustin B. (11)

Bobby U. (6)

Chelse H. (6)

Samantha R. (8.5)

Silver C. (7)

Nick L. (7)

Most Improved Students

Silver C.

Taylor N.

Erica B.

Brittlyn M.

Henry R.

Students of the Quarter

Amber B.

Dustin B.

Austin W.

Samantha R.

Silver C.

Students of the Week

Amber B.

Erica B.

Nick L..

Nichole C.

Dustin W.

Dustin B.

Jennifer S.

95% + Attendance

Kaleb A.

Gina B.

Tyler H.

Natasha H.

Patience M.

Brittlyn M.

Elijah M.

Samantha R.

Cash S.

Aaron S.

Jennifer S.

Tori T.

Dustin W.

100% Attendance

Dustin B.

Jennifer S.

Julio T.

Porscha V.

Top Credit Earners (Pizza Party)

Dustin B.

Dustin W.

Samantha R.

Jacob C.

Nichole C.

Porscha V.

Jordyn K.

Chayse W.

Dates of Importance:

11/21/07-11/23/07-Thanksgiving Break

12/3/07-Early Release, 1:30 PM

12/24/07-1/2/08-Winter Break

1/14/08-No School, End of Quarter 2

1/15/08-Start of 3^rd Quarter

2/4/08-Early Release, 1:30 PM

2/18/08-No School, President’s Day (Snow make up day if needed)

2/28/08– Conferences 4-8 PM

3/3/08-Early Release, 1:30 PM

3/13/08-Conferences, 4-8 PM

3/21/08-No School, End of Quarter 3

3/24/08-3/28//08-Spring Break

3/31/08-Start of 4th Quarter

4/14/08-Early Release, 1:30 PM

5/5/08-Early Release, 1:30 PM

5/6/08-No School for Students-Professional Development Workshops

5/22/08-Award’s Night, 7:30 PM

5/25/08-MCHS Commencement

5/26/08-Memorial Day-No School

5/29/08-Last Day of School

Make Up Schedule for School Cancellation

February 19 (President’s Day)

March 21 (Spring Break)

May 30 (Last Day for Teachers)

Any additional days missed will be made up at the end of the school year.

ATTENTION 2008 GRADUATES!

Just a reminder, please submit you senior pictures by March 15, 2008 for our yearbook. If we don’t get a photo from you, we will use your student I.D photo. If you are not planning to have a senior picture taken, you can arrange to have the yearbook staff take a senior-picture like photo. Please make sure you arrange this before April 1st. Direct any questions you may have regarding this to Lisa.

The 2007 Yearbook Staff would also like to give you the chance to purchase your own ad in the yearbook. Create your own personal congratulations message for your graduating senior. A baby or senior picture is perfect for this special occasion.

Send your personalized message with a picture of your student (optional) to: Yearbook Staff, Mason City Alternative School, 19 North Illinois Avenue, Mason City, IA 50401.

A classic graduation congratulations ad with 25 words or less is $10. A one-picture ad with 25 words or less is $25 and a two-picture ad with 25 words or less is $35.

Premature Death

Did you know that 424,583 kids became regular smokers in 2007? Of those, 135,846 will die prematurely from smoking.

Think about that for a moment. If you have 15 teenagers on your high school basketball team, this would be like wiping out more than 9,000 basketball teams— or like wiping out an entire section of more than 9,000 high school bands! Even non-smokers are at risk of getting lung cancer if they breathe second-hand smoke.

Those are some of the reasons why our school district has adopted a tobacco-free grounds policy. This means that tobacco products —cigarettes or chewing tobacco — can not be used on school property. It’s important that ALL visitors to our schools understand and respect this policy.

The tobacco-free-grounds policy also includes ALL SCHOOL PARKING LOTS. If parents or grandparents are waiting to pick students up after school, they are not allowed to smoke in their cars while waiting for you. Parking lots are school grounds. This also includes when dropping off your student(s) before school. This is a positive policy for the health of our students and staff. Please talk to your family about it. PLEASE MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE. Thank you for your cooperation!

A Word From the Supervisor

The school year has moved into the 2nd semester and I am happy to report we have had a couple of mid-year graduations. Elijah M. and Crystal V. have both finished their graduation requirements. I wish them good luck with their future endeavors.

Due to the addition of a teaching position this year, we have been able to increase our enrollment which means a greater number of students have the opportunity to earn diplomas. At this point, it looks like we could have our largest graduating class in the thirty-three year history of the program. Obviously, the final number will be determined by our students and the effort they put forth between now and the end of the school year.

Parents and guardians, beginning this week you should receive mailings which documents your seniors’ progress. Remember, you can also contact us by calling, emailing or stopping in. Your student’s success is partly determined by your involvement in their education.

This year’s Student Management Team (SMT) made a commitment to sponsor a monthly ethnic lunch. January’s feature was Italian/Pasta month. I can happily say everyone got plenty to eat. The lunch was a great success. I am looking forward to February’s lunch already.

As most of you are aware, our Physical Education program is supplemented with an exercise bike riding option. The program has been so effective we have worn out four bikes this year. This means we are in need of additional bikes so we can continue the exercise bike program. If you have an exercise bike you would be willing to donate or sell for a reasonable fee, please contact us as soon as possible. Your generosity would be greatly appreciated.

I hope the next six weeks of winter will be mild with little snow. Like graduation, spring is on the horizon.

Until next time...

David A. Ciccetti, Supervisor