Mr. K's Blog

Dance Grades 5-8 Friday February 17th

2012-02-14T07:47:00.001-08:00

Parents,

This Friday the Student Council is sponsoring a dance for grades 5-8 from 7:00pm - 9:30pm in the gym. Please read over the dance forms and guidelines, sign and return them as soon as possible along with your admission fee of $5. In addition, I am still looking for a few more parent chaperones for Friday. If you have Virtus training and are able to help us out, we would greatly appreciate it. Please complete the bottom portion of the dance form for chaperones, or contact me either by phone 518-438-5854 or by email at mrkosar121@gmail.com

Thank you!

Parent Conferences Wednesday February 15th

2012-02-14T07:45:00.000-08:00

Parents and Family Members,

Parent-Teacher Conferences are tomorrow, Wednesday February 15th. Please call the school office if you do not know what time your conference is. Everyone has either signed up for or been given a time slot. Please make every effort to be punctual. Each conference is 10 minutes in length. If you need more time, please schedule an additional conference with the teacher on a different day after school. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.

PowerSchool Update

2012-01-29T16:27:00.001-08:00

Parents,

PowerSchool is up to date as of today Sunday January 29th. Please check your student's grades and email or call the school if you have any questions.

The quarter ends this Friday. All assignments must be in by the end of Friday. All missing assignments not turned in by the end of the week will receive a grade of zero.

Quarter Ends Friday February 3rd

2012-01-25T10:48:00.000-08:00

Parents,

The 2nd Quarter ends next Friday, February 3rd. This is a half day of school. This Friday, January 27th, will be the last day I assign anything that will be counted in the second quarter. Anything assigned next week will be graded and counted in the 3rd quarter. I do this to allow students time to catch up on any missing assignments, and also to ensure that anyone who is absent in the last week of the quarter does not miss the assignment and receive a zero. If you have any questions, please let me know.

Please check PowerSchool as it will be updated over the weekend and should be up to date as of Sunday evening. I will send out an email when I have finished updating all grades.

Radio Show Postponed

2012-01-24T12:43:00.001-08:00

Parents,

I am sorry to announce that Sister Debbie and I will have to postpone the radio show tonight. Please check the show's website for information about when we will be hosting our next show.

Let's Talk Faith Radio Show

2012-01-11T06:21:00.001-08:00

Listen to internet radio with LetsTalkFaith on Blog Talk Radio

Missing Assignments

2012-01-04T10:59:00.000-08:00

Parents,

Today, students who are missing assignments were given a list of those assignments they owe. You may also view this list online on PowerSchools. I am giving them until Monday to make up any missing work. Starting Monday, I will be keeping students who still owe missing work for detention each day after school Monday-Thursday until all missing work is turned in. These missing assignments were assignments given a week or more BEFORE Christmas break, and are long overdue. All late assignments will lose points as per the syllabus.

If you have any questions please let me know. You may email me at mrkosar121@gmail.com or call the school at 518-438-5854.

Let's Talk Faith NEW EPISODE

2011-11-28T11:38:00.000-08:00

Students and Parents,

Our first episode of Let's Talk Faith was a huge success. We would like to invite parents and students to tune in to our next episode, which will take place on Tuesday December 6th at 6pm. To listen to the show, simply go to our website and listen in.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/letstalkfaith

The show will stream live at 6pm on 12/6 through the site. At the top of the page will be a phone number for students and parents to call in with questions and comments. You can also comment on the website if you want to ask questions but don't want to call in. Our topic is Advent Symbols. We started discussing this in our first episode, which is available to listen to RIGHT NOW on our site. We hope everyone listens in and enjoys.

Let's Talk Faith Radio Show

2011-11-22T15:37:00.001-08:00

Sr. Debbie and I have decided to start our own radio show!!! This show is specifically designed for you, our students and parents. Our show is called LET'S TALK FAITH. On the show, we will discuss matters of faith, explore the Catholic faith, and tackle issues of morality. Students and parents are encouraged to listen to the show. The best part: YOU CAN CALL IN TO THE SHOW AND CHAT WITH US LIVE ON AIR!!!

CLICK THE PLAY BUTTON BELOW TO LISTEN TO OUR FIRST SHOW NOW!!!!

Listen to internet radio with LetsTalkFaith on Blog Talk Radio

To check out our show's website, please go to www.blogtalkradio.com/letstalkfaith

This show is broadcast on the web. When we are live on the air, simply go to the site and tune in. You can call in using the number on the website to ask us questions or give your opinion on what we are discussing each episode. You can also message us during the show. ENJOY!!!

Pictures and Cranberries

2011-11-15T07:50:00.000-08:00

Picture Day is this Wednesday 11/16. Please bring in your forms and dress appropriately.

The school is collecting cranberries for Equinox for their annual Thanksgiving dinner. Please bring in 2 cans of cranberries as soon as possible. Thank you!

3 Free K Dollars

2011-11-04T07:15:00.000-07:00

In an effort to see which parents and students check the blog regularly, I am offering 3 K Dollars to any student who comes to me and names for me the 4 United States Presidents born in New York State. The purpose of the blog is to keep parents informed about homework, upcoming quizzes and tests, and other important information. Please continue to check this blog.

PowerSchools

2011-10-31T19:48:00.000-07:00

Parents,

I have just finished updating grades for PowerSchools. Everything on the website grade book is accurate as of today, October 31st. I will not be able to update it again until I input final grades for the quarter.

First Quarter Ends 11/10

2011-10-26T10:35:00.001-07:00

A reminder that the first quarter closes on Thursday November 10th. Students do not have school on Friday November 11th as this is Veterans' Day.

PowerSchools

2011-10-11T15:28:00.000-07:00

Parents and Family Members,

I just finished posting those assignments I have graded thus far. If you have any questions please let me know.

PowerSchools

2011-10-02T09:41:00.000-07:00

Parents and Family Members,

I had intended to post grades on PowerSchools today, but I cannot get to the site to do so. My best guess is that they are doing some sort of maintenance on the site. As soon as I am able to do so, I will post grades online. In the meantime, anyone with questions should email me at mrkosar121@gmail.com or call the school and leave a message.

Meet the Teachers Night!

2011-09-20T18:30:00.000-07:00

Wednesday September 21st is Meet the Teachers Night. I look forward to seeing many of you there.

Family Festival

2011-09-14T13:02:00.000-07:00

Parents and Family Members,

All of you should have received a blue sheet sent home with information about the Family Festival. This year the Family Festival is on Saturday October 15th. As the basket raffles were a huge success in the past, we will be doing them again this year. The 7th grade has been asked to bring in School Supplies for our basket. These may include composition notebooks, single subject notebooks, pencil cases, # 2 pencils, black or blue pens, crayons, colored pencils, erasers, and glue sticks. Similar items may be donated as well. Please send these items in with your student no later than Wednesday October 12th. Please be sure to put your child's name and theme on the bag you enclose the items in. Once again, our theme is SCHOOL SUPPLIES. If you would like to make a monetary donation, please send it in an envelope with your child's name and grade.

Thank you for your support. I hope to see all of you at the festival.

Bring In Items for the Food Pantry!

2011-09-14T12:56:00.000-07:00

Dear 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th Grade Families,

One of my goals this year for the Religion classes is to impress upon our students the importance of charity. Helping those in need was a life-long mission for Jesus, and one that He asks us to carry on in His name.

When Sister Patricia came to me with this project, it seemed a perfect endeavor to start off the year. The Bible is filled with numerous accounts that demonstrate Jesus’ great love and compassion for those in need.

For the next two weeks, the 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grades will be collecting items to send to the Blessed Sacrament Food Pantry. We are in need of the following items.

- Instant Mashed Potatoes

- Rice

- Cans of Pork and Beans

- Cold Cereal

- Any Canned Vegetables

Please bring these items to the Main Office. We will be collecting for the next two weeks. Please give what you can to help those in need.

The deadline to turn in donations is Friday, September 30^th.

“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and HE will repay him for his deed.”

– Proverbs 19:17

School Supplies

2011-08-09T14:24:00.000-07:00

As the school year approaches, I know that many parents and students are beginning to get their supplies together. Please find below my list of required supplies for the upcoming school year.

Social Studies
- 2" binder or bigger. I will show students how to organize the binder. Those of you who had me last year will already know how to organize yours. I will go over binder organization in class.
- Looseleaf paper and dividers to be placed inside the binder
- Pens and pencils

Religion
- A marble notebook to be used as a journal in class
- A folder to keep worksheets and returned assignments in
- Looseleaf paper or a spiral notebook. This will be used to complete in-class assignments and homework. If a spiral notebook is used, these assignments would be torn out and handed in.
- Pens and pencils

*In addition, I am requesting that each student brings in 2 boxes of tissues.

Summer History

2011-06-25T14:19:00.000-07:00

Parents and Students,

As the school year comes to a close, I would like to thank all of you for your hard work and efforts. For those of you who share my love of history, we have some wonderful historical sites just a short drive away. Please consider visiting some of the following local historical sites this summer.

New York State Capitol http://assembly.state.ny.us/Tour/

Guided tours of the New York State Capitol are available Monday through Friday (excluding holidays). If you are planning on being in the Albany area, and are interested in a guided tour of the Capitol, call your local Assemblymember or contact the Office of General Services - Visitor Assistance at (518) 474-2418 for tour times.

New York State Museum www.nysm.nysed.gov
Hours: Monday - Saturday, 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM Closed Sundays

Admission: The NYS Museum is free. Donations are accepted at the door. The Carousel is free. Donations are accepted. (518) 474-5877

Location: Cultural Education Center of the Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY
On Madison Avenue, across the Plaza from the State Capitol Building.

USS Slater http://www.ussslater.org/
Destroyer Escort Historical Museum
518-431-1943 Broadway and Quay Albany NY 12202
Open to Visitors: April-November, Wednesday-Sunday, 10AM-4PM

Saratoga National Historical Park http://www.nps.gov/sara/index.htm

Battlefield: Open to pedestrian traffic 7 days a week during daylight hours.

Tour Road: Open season: April 1 through November 30, weather permitting.

Open Hours:

April 1 - September 30: 9am - 7pm

October 1 - Daylight Savings Time: 9am - 5pm

Daylight Savings Time - November 30: 9am - 4pm

Erie Canal http://www.canals.ny.gov/exvac/landwater/lwerie.html

And for those of you willing to travel a bit further, I recommend:

Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site http://www.nps.gov/hofr/index.htm

The Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site is open year-round, seven days a week from 9:00am to 5:00pm. The Home is available by guided tour only. Tour times vary throughout the year. The last tour of the day is 4:00pm. For tour times please call, 845-229-5320. (Tour times are subject to change)

The Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt Guided Tour also includes admission to the FDR Presidential Library and Museum.

$14.00 — Ticket valid for 2 days.

Youths 15 years and under free.

Extensive grounds and Rose Garden and Burial Site are free and open from dawn to dusk.

The FDR Presidential Library and Museum admission is $7.00 for everyone except Access Pass holders and children 15 and under. Please see the fee collector in the Henry Wallace Visitor and Education Center for more information on the passes, or go to http://store.usgs.gov/pass.

Guided 1 hour tour of the Home Franklin D. Roosevelt presents the fascinating life story of the man who was born in Hyde Park, went on to become our longest serving president, and returned to rest here in the Rose Garden.

There are numerous historical sites in New York State to visit. I encourage you to get out there and explore the local history. History is being made all the time, and it's happening all around us.
I wish you all a fun and relaxing summer. See you in September.

Tutoring Available

2011-06-20T16:29:00.000-07:00

Parents and Students,

I will be available to tutor any student seeking help in Social Studies this summer. I would also be happy to tutor students in Study Skills. My rates are reasonable and hourly. Please email me at mrkosar121@gmail.com if you or someone you know is interested.