Henkle sets dates for state assessments in reading, writing, math, & science

The Washington State “Measures of Student Progress” assessment dates start late in April and extend into May for paper-pencil tests and as far as June 2 for “online” tests.  Henkle Middle School has established its testing calendar, starting May 7 and continuing through May 25.  Students will take math, science, and writing tests in the “paper-pencil” mode and reading online.  Below are the dates and the tests that will take place: 


May 7: 5th Gr.-math; 6th Gr.-math; 7th Gr.-Writing #1; 8th Gr.-math
May 8: 5th Gr.-science; 6th Gr.-no test; 7th Gr.-Math; 8th Gr.-science
May 10: 7th Gr. only-Writing #2
May 14: 7th Gr. Reading-MacNeil 1st & 2nd per.; Hernandez 3rd per.; Hurd 4th per.
May 15: 7th Gr. Reading-MacNeil 4th & 5th periods
May 17: 8th Gr. Reading-Graves 1st & 4th per.; Hernandez 3rd per.; Hurd 5th per.
May 18: 8th Gr. Reading-Graves 5th period
May 21: 5th Gr. Reading-Ortega, Sacquety, Sprague reading groups
May 22: 5th Gr. Reading-Gintz & Whidden reading groups
May 24: 6th Gr. Reading-Hernandez, Kermani, Pfister reading groups
May 25: 6th Gr. Reading-Erkkila & Sprague reading groups

All tests will start at 8:20 a.m., so it is very important for all students to be at school on time.  It is also very important for students to get a good night’s sleep and to eat a healthy breakfast—all the time, of course, but especially on these testing dates!  Although the testing block is 8:20-10:20, students can have as much time as they need to do each of the state assessments, as long as they finish the same day they begin.

Emphasis upon the positive guides school climate initiatives

As Henkle students and staff work through our fourth academic quarter, we continue to utilize the Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS—see http://www.pbis.org/) system to guide our conduct. The name underscores the emphasis upon the positive. Staff strive to attain a ratio at least four positive interactions for one corrective interaction. We’ve held school-wide celebratory events, including a movie the day before spring vacation for students who consistently demonstrate good behavior, and we’ve handed out many “Grizzly Bills” and prizes.

This month we will be training over 20 fifth and sixth graders to be “Peer Mediators.” Peer mediators help students who are in conflict develop a signed agreement to solve the difficulty. They receive special training. During the past ten years, the conflicts this process has resolved number into the hundreds. We’re also convening a student leadership group, with the goal of empowering students to join our adult staff in making a strong statement that we do not tolerate harassment of any type.

"Thoroughly Modern Millie" curtain lifts March 23-25

You want acting? Singing and dancing? Choreography? Technical skills such as lighting and sound? Creative sets and backgrounds? Costumes? You'll get it all on the CHS/HMS combined performance of "Thoroughly Modern Millie" this weekend at the Henkle gym.

Showtimes are 7 p.m. March 23 and 24 and 2 p.m. matinees March 24 and 25. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. A good time is guaranteed!

Henkle students thrive in positive activities

Students in both halves of our school, the 5th/6th grade and the 7th/8th grade, have been very busy with positive activities this winter, most all of which could not have happened without community support as well as dedicated teachers and parents.

Fifth and sixth graders recently went to watch a highly acclaimed play, "Locomotion," performed in Portland by the Oregon Children's Theater. Fifth graders went to Portland March 8, while sixth graders and the 5/6 blended classroom went March 15. Much of the organization for this trip was done by Mrs. Whidden, and the school's Parent Teacher Organization helped with the costs. Earlier this winter the fifth and sixth graders toured the Portland Art Museum, trips organized by Mrs. Sacquety and also partially funded by the Henkle PTO.

Musicians have been very busy. Since the fabulous "Viva Musica" event Feb. 11, put on by the White Salmon Performing Arts Booster Club, jazz band students joined with their Columbia High School counterparts to attend and even participate in the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival Feb. 24-25 at the University of Idaho. The booster club's financial support as well as parent chaperones made this trip possible, and of course there was the dedication and planning of our music teacher, Mr. Murtfeldt, and his CHS colleague, Mrs. Rampersad. After that event, some very talented Henkle musicians participated in the Mid-Columbia Honor Band March 4 and 5 in The Dalles, with Mr. Murtfeldt's strong involvement once more. Our ASB student activities helped fund this trip--and much of the ASB's income this year came from the community support of the Walk-a-thon back in the fall.

Besides the annually enthralling musical drama performance featured in a separate posting to be penned after this one, students also had the opportunity to act, sing, and dance on the live stage with the Missoula Children's Theater production the week of March 5-10. Henkle's PTO as well as Whitson's PTO provided financial support to bring the MCT Company to our area. This endeavor was largely led by a PTO parent, Ann McDonald.

Henkle brains have been storming past their SW Washington League rivals in Knowledge Bowl competitions this month, completely dominating other schools. The Grizzly Brain Brawlers, coached by Mr. Hannigan, vastly outscored both Wind River and Jemtegaard at a home this past Thursday against Wind River.

Next week eighth grade students will be getting out of the building and participating in field research at the Snowden Wetlands, an endeavor made possible because of much interagency planning and coordination, spearheaded by the Columbia Gorge Ecology Institute.

There's more to come during the next month, which we plan to detail in a future posting. Thanks to all our parents for all their involvement and support--it makes these positive activities possible for our students. Thanks also to our dedicated teachers for going "above and beyond" to plan and supervise these experiences.