We are looking forward to a great year at Matheson Junior High School!  The students have been excitedly passing through the halls and have begun the year with enthusiasm and optimism.  They have exhibited a sense of pride in their school.  We have appreciated their smiles and positive attitudes each day.  We have also appreciated the tremendous support we are receiving from the families in our community.  You have helped your students to understand the importance of preparation, good study skills, and respect for themselves and others.  Matheson has terrific student leaders and an amazing student-body. 

We are continuing our Paws to Read project this year and we hope that you will encourage your students to choose great books to read and support them in finishing and reporting their books.   I’m sure you will be joining us in celebrating the paws displayed on the walls of our Media Center as students finish reading their books.  Additionally, we will be implementing a program entitled MVP which refers to our Matheson Vocabulary Power.  Our goal is to assist students in vocabulary acquisition in all areas of the curriculum.  Please help us by supporting your students to study and use their new vocabulary words.  We challenge seventh grade students to study for at least 70 minutes at night, eighth graders to study 80 minutes each night, and ninth graders to study 90 minutes at home each night.  Our goal is to improve academic performance for every student in all areas of the curriculum at Matheson Junior High School.  Please encourage your student to schedule a homework time at your home and maintain consistency in their study habits this year.
We remind you to be cautious in the parking areas at Matheson.  Please be sure that you use the drive-through as a pick-up and drop-off area only.  We are having delays due to cars that are parking to wait in that area.  Please help us by talking to your students about walking in crosswalks, waiting at the curb to be picked up, and never running through the parking lot area.  We are also asking that students leave school grounds by 3:00 unless they are working with a teacher after school.  We have the support of the County Sheriff’s Department to maintain safety as the students leave school grounds.  We would like to maintain safety always, and students who leave later may not have that extra supervision in the neighborhoods.  Thank you for your help in picking up your students on time.

We hope you enjoy reading the articles in this Newsletter and that you will support your student in becoming involved in school activities.  We have meaningful forums for students and families, enhancement activities, and programs to help with special needs.  Please encourage your student to participate in athletics and all activities that benefit students and families.

We continue to be a Community of Caring School.  We teach the core values of Respect, Responsibility, Caring, Trust, and Family.  The students chose the motto, “Don’t Hide Your Tiger Pride.”  We have so much to be proud of at Matheson Junior High School and in this community.  We appreciate working with all of you and look forward to a great 2008-09 school year

-Marijean Woolf-