Mrs. Thompson's eighth grade English students participated in a quick write activity on 9/11 after viewing a commemorative video. These pieces represent just a few of the gems they shared from their writer's notebooks.

The first is the photo for this article, a mufti media poem by Alivia Vandyke.  The second is a reflective piece by Corbin Gull.

 9/11

By Corbin Gull

Here at Spanish Fork Junior High we try our best to respect everything. Today was no exception, today was an extraordinary example.

When the students started coming to school today, an amazing amount of them came in their Sunday best. When asked why he dressed up, Hansen Johns (7) said, “To honor the people that died.”

Faith Anderson (7) said, “ Day of remembrance!” when asked the same question.

Ms. Phillips's class attended the Extravaganza at Diamond Fork Jr. High.   Mr. Loveless, our new principal tagged along for the fun.

Activities included carnival games, track & field events, and a dance.  The event had a patriotic theme and there was a moment of silence in remembrance of 9/11.

Students in Mrs. Thacker's and Mrs. Phillip's classes created birthday cards to send to Mark McKell, a Spanish Fork resident turning 101 years old on September 17th. 

Mark has lived in Spanish Fork most of his life, leaving only when he was drafted into the Army during World War II.  After he was released from the Army he served the people of Spanish Fork by working in the post office for the next 38 years. 

His family has asked the community to help him celebrate his Birthday by sending him a Birthday card in the mail.

Development Day Class Schedule 

1st - 8:00 - 8:25 -25 min

2nd - 8:30 - 8:55 - 25 min

3rd - 9:00 - 9:25 - 25 min

4th - 9:30 - 9:55 - 25 min

5th - 10:00 - 10:25 - 25 min

Last Friday, the eighth grade health classes got a guest visit from the Spanish Fork High School Hope Squad as an assist in teaching the classes about suicide prevention.

The Hope Squad is a suicide prevention group who makes sure everyone has someone to talk to if they need it. They provide friendship to students who may not have someone to hang out with at school, and they play a role in keeping the school happy and safe.

When I got to the game, it was already 16 to 0 and the Dons were winning. Number 16 for the Dons ran a 40-yard touchdown score up the right side of the field. Then, after a turnover on downs, number 36 for the Dons ran a score up the middle from about 35 yards out. The Dons defense was strong as they held the other team to three and out. Towards the end of the second quarter, with two minutes and 32 seconds left in the half, the Dons took over on their 8-yard line. Provo defense was tough and tackle them for a loss, dropping them to the 4-yard line on the first play.

"Teaching science is a blast!" says Mr. Whiting.  He stands on the roof of SFJH and launches the lunar landers his students' who, like NASA engineers, designed and built.  His students wait eagerly for theirs to fall.

The atmosphere was akin to watching fireworks on Independence Day with the sounds of "Ooooooooos" and "Aaaaaaaahs" with every launch. One student commented, "On the first attempt, our astronaut did not survive, but on the second attempt our astronaut did!"

Mr. Whiting asked, "Did you learn from the first attempt? Do great scientists, like you, fail?"

Engagement and exploration were high as 7th grade scientists measured mass and volume in the lab.

This group discussed problems and solutions using different instruments to mass and calculate various shaped objects accurately. 

Hands-on-learning as well as learning from and with peers is high on the list of goals for the entire science department at SFJHS.