November 2016

Breaking News
Spanish Fork Junior High has talented teachers who share their expertise with others. One such teacher is Mr. Joe Anson.

This past Friday, at the annual Utah Council of Teacher of English Conference, Mr. Anson and Mapleton Junior's Miss Heaton share a strategy with fellow teachers that gets students writing in a relaxed and creative way--the Walk and Write.

This video was put together by Ryan Provstgaard for our veterans day assembly. Thank you Ryan!

Spanish Fork Junior High seventh grade student Conner Gates was the winner of this year's Patriotic Pen essay contest. The Patriotic Pen is an annual essay contest sponsored by the VFW. This year's theme was "The America I believe In." With Conner's permission, here is his winning essay:

“The America I Believe In”

Breaking news:
SFJH English 7 Honors teacher, Mrs. Gaylynn Parker packed  the theater for her presentation today at the annual Utah Counsel of Teachers of English. English teachers from across the state attend this yearly event to learn from the best of the best.

Mrs. Parker's presentation focused on teaching student to elaborate when they write. She offers teacher classroom tested ideas and methods to help students use elaboration techniques like figurative language, examples, and analysis to convey ideas and support claims.

Great work, Mrs. Parker!

Parents, Students and Friends –

 Thank You Veterans

This Friday is Veterans Day and SFJHS wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to all those who have contributed so much to the freedom of this nation and our community by serving in our armed forces. We sincerely honor and appreciate your service!  As a show of appreciation to all our veterans, students and staff are invited to come in best dress on Friday.

 Follow-up from Red Ribbon Week Assembly

Eighth-graders in Animal Science had the opportunity to visit the Hogle Zoo.  They learned about the habitats, diets and behaviors of exotic animals.   

That’s learning on the wild side!

El Día de los Muertos: Day of the Dead; a holiday celebrated in Mexico and other Latin American countries on November 1st and 2nd.  It is not celebrated in every Latin American country but those who do, celebrate at large.  The holiday is celebrated to remember and honor deceased loved ones.  In cemeteries all across Mexico, families gather at the gravesite to decorate the graves and to remember deceased friends, family members, and ancestors.

Mrs. Harmer's and Ms. Terry's 7th grade Utah Studies classes visited the Icelandic monument today to better understand the Icelandic pioneers that settled Spanish Fork.

If you’re saying to yourself, “Where the heck is the Icelandic Monument?” never fear—simply go northwest corner of 800 East and Canyon Road.  The flowers are fading because it’s fall, but it’s a great memorial to the Icelandic immigrants of Spanish Fork.

Choices.  We make them every day.  Some are good; others—not so much.  Today, Dr. Hank Smith, a professor at BYU, spoke with students at Spanish Fork Junior High about the importance of making good choices—especially when it comes to the internet.

Smith reminded students that our brains are delicate; the run our life and need to be protected.  “Everything we look at creates a memory,” Smith said.  “Once we put something in it’s really hard to get it out.”  Everything out brains experience affect out moods, our relationships, and out behaviors.