Welcome!

                Welcome to a great year of learning about the beautiful world that surrounds us!  I am excited for a new school year to begin and to join with you in educating your student about the wonders of the world.

                My name is Christina Agurcia, and I am originally from Illinois.  I graduated from Lincoln Christian College with a BS in Bible and from Illinois State University with a BS in Biology.  I am certified by the State of Illinois to teach a wide range of science subjects, including biology, chemistry, and physics.  As well, I have taken graduate education courses in zoology, botany, chemistry, physics, and AP Environmental Science.  To continue gaining knowledge about pedagogical technique, I also have participated in teacher workshop events, such as the ones offered by Discovery School and Escuela International Sampedrana in San Pedro Sula, and most recently, a workshop on environmental education hosted by the Wildlife Conservation Society.

I have over 10 years of teaching experience in the secondary science classroom, and this will be my eighth year at Discovery School.  Previously, I taught one year at a private school here in Tegucigalpa and three years at a public school in the United States of America. 

I am looking forward to developing an excellent working relationship with you.  It is important that we keep in close contact about your student’s progress.  Each week I will be updating a blog, which will have information about the material being covered in class, student activities and homework, as well, as upcoming dates for projects and tests.  The blog address is www.dshighscience.blogspot.com, from this page you will find a link specifically related to physical science.  Students and parents should check the blog weekly.   As well, you can follow your student’s progress through checking the online grading program, Engrade.  This program creates a personal, secure account by which you can access your student’s grade and list of outstanding work.  Personal access codes will be given to each student.  From that code, parents can create an account to review student’s scores.

Students will be given homework, as listed in class and on the blog.  Students are responsible for turning this homework into my classroom by 8:00 AM on the day the assignment is due.  Any work submitted after 8:00 AM will be considered late.  Only excused tardies (for medical appointments or late bus) will be accepted as a reason for turning in work after 8:00 AM.  Late assignments will be graded at 70% of the value, if one day late, or 50% of the value, if two days late.  Work after two days late will not be accepted.  Students will be required to stay in at snack and/or lunch to make up late work.

Classtime is valuable, and therefore, a student should attempt be at school as much as possible.  However, if a student is absent, he/she is responsible to complete all make-up work.  Make-up work can be found in the “make-up” folder for his or her class.  Any missed notes can be copied from a fellow student.  If a student missed a test/quiz/lab, she/he will need make an appointment to complete the work.  For excused absences, students are given one day to make-up work per each absent day.  For one or two day excused absences, the students should be prepared to take any pre-scheduled test or quiz and submit any large project upon returning to school. For a longer absence, the student will not be required to take a test or quiz on the first two days after returning to school.  For preplanned absences, a student is to notify the teacher in writing previous to the absence (at least 3 days).  The teacher will assign work, giving a schedule for work to be complete.  No credit will be given for unexcused absences or absences due to suspension. 

If you need to contact me individually, the best way is through email.  My email address is cagurcia@discoveryschool.edu.hn.  The office will also take messages for me.  If you would like to meet with me, I would be happy to schedule an appointment with you. 

If your student has any concerns or does not understand a topic, please encourage him/her to see me.  I am available most days before school, during snack, and during lunch.

Thank you for entrusting me in joining you in the education of your student!

                                                 Sincerely,

                                             Christina S. Agurcia

     

Annoucements

MAP TESTING – This is week three (the final week) of our second MAP testing session for this school year. Reports will be sent home along with the Midterm Progress Reports on Friday, Febrary 14.

PICTURES FOR THE YEARBOOK – The individual and class pictures for the 2013-2014  yearbook will be taken from Tuesday, February 11 to Wednesday, February 19. 

	Wednesday  February, 12	Thursday February, 13	Friday February, 14	Tuesday February, 18	Wednesday February, 19
Period 1	KA	2nd grade A	4th grade B	7th grade	11th grade
Period 2	Pre Kinder	2nd grade B	5th grade A	8th grade	12th grade
Period 3	Nursery	3rd grade A	5th grade B	9th grade	Make up
Period 4	Kinder B	3rd grade B	6th grade A	10th grade A	Make up
Period 5	1st grade	4th grade A	6th grade B	10th grade B	Make up
Period 6					Make up
Period 7

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CHOIR PARENTS – On Monday, February 3, at 3:15 p.m., there will be a mandatory meeting in the school Library for parents of all Choir students who are planning to travel to New York City in June 2014 to perform at the prestigious Carnegie Hall. Information will be given concerning the trip and payments needed, and Important decisions about the trip will be made. We need at least one parent for each Choir student to attend this meeting.

SCHOLASTIC BOOKS! - This month your child(ren) will have the opportunity to purchase books through the International Scholastic Book Clubs.  This is an optional activity offered by the school, in case you want to motivate your child to read at home and to increase their own library.  With your purchase, our library will accumulate points to redeem for more books for the benefit of your children in our school. Order forms and catalogues were sent home previously. The final date to purchase the books online is February 10. The books will arrive at the school in one single delivery, and we will distribute them to the students according to their orders, approximately three weeks after the purchase due date. Please email Ms. Marilis (mzambrana@discoveryschool.edu.hn ) if you have any questions.

FROM THE DPTO – PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS – The DPTO has been organized the traditional Movie Event for Discovery School families. This year, it will take place at NOVACENTRO on Sunday, February 9 at 11:00 a.m. for the presentation of THE LEGO MOVIE 

Annoucments

ECOND QUARTER REPORT CARDS AND CONFERENCES – Report Cards for the second quarter will be issued on Friday, January 17. Conferences for this quarter are on a need basis, and notices will be sent home on Monday, January 13. If a parent does not receive a notice from a teacher but would like to meet for a conference, please contact the teacher to set up a time for the afternoon of Friday, January 17. Students will be dismissed at 11:45 a.m, and conferences will be held from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

 

HOLIDAY – There will be no school on Monday, January 20 in recognition of the contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

MAP TESTING – Our second MAP testing session will take place from Tuesday, January 21 to Friday, February 10.  

 

For Grades 4 and up:

 

NEW LATE WORK POLICY – To provide our students with consistency between the different grade levels, from Grade 4-12, the school has adopted a new policy for late work that went into effect on January 7, 2014.  Please check your child’s blog for more information.

 

For Middle and High School:

 

REMINDER FOR PARENTS – Please take note that the passing grade according to the Ministry of Education is 70%. If your child scored less that 70% in the final grade for the second quarter, then he/she needs to take a recuperation exam scheduled for Saturday, January 25  at 8:00 a.m.

 

Weekly Announcements

MIDTERM REPORTS – Midterm reports will be issued this Friday, November 22. Please make sure you ask your child for his/her report. If a conference was not requested by a teacher but you would like to have one, please contact the school to set up an appointment.

 

FROM THE COUNSELOR: We invite you to visit our teacher and administrator blogs and become a follower of the ones for which you wish to receive updates. There's always valuable information posted on them that you might find useful with your children. All you need to do is click on "Participar en este sitio" or "Follow this site" and provide your name and email information, and you will be notified of updates to that particular blog automatically. You can follow as many blogs as you would like to.

 

FROM THE SCHOOL’S CAFETERIA -  Please visit the Cafeteria blog http://discoverycafeteria.blogspot.com/ for information on the delicious Pecan, Apple and Pumpkin pies that can be ordered for your Thanksgiving celebrations. The cafeteria is also offering a meal for the classroom festivities at a very attractive price!

 

LAST WEEK FOR DONATIONS  FOR “YA TENGO DONDE ESCRIBIR”:  Don’t forget to send in cereal boxes. Wednesday, November 20 is the last day! The grade that brought the most boxes will be awarded a pizza party or ice cream party! Please help us help those in need!

 

CHRISTMAS GIVING TREE:  Nuestro Pequeños Hermanos (NPH) is an international organization that takes in abandoned and orphaned children, providing a home and education.  Here in Honduras, the NPH organization provides for over 500 children in at large ranch near La Venta and home in Tegucigalpa for severely handicapped children.   While many children at the ranch have aunts, uncles, or grandparents that come to visit them and can provide some Christmas gifts, some children at a ranch have no family to visit.  It is these children whom we would like to provide for this Christmas.   On the second floor of the secondary building, a NPH Giving Tree will be set up.   Choose a paper tree that has a child’s information about his/her size for shoes or socks.  Purchase the new item and return it to Mrs. Agurcia’s Room (Rm. 7) by Tuesday, December 10th, with the tree tag taped to it.  As well, there are tree tags for basic food items that will be donated to the orphanage.  Cash donations will also be accepted to provide shoes and socks for children whose tags were not selected.  Thank you for giving this Christmas!  For more information about NPH’s work in Honduras, please visit http://www.nph-honduras.org/. 

COMMUNITY SERVICE CLUB:  There will be a meeting of the Community Service Club on Tuesday, November 19th in Mrs. Agurcia's Room (Rm.7) at lunch.  All secondary students are welcome.

 

SCIENCE FAIR:  Please remember that Science Fair will be held on Friday, December 6th.  That day, all 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10A students will be involved in the fair during 3rd and 4th periods. First period will proceed as normal and 1/2 of 2nd period will be used to set up the fair on the second floor of the secondary building.  As well, students with top projects will be asked to present their project to a visiting judge that afternoon in the library (meaning the library will not be available for classes that afternoon).  Students from other classes will be invited to visit the fair in the following schedule:  6A, 6B, 10B, 11, and 12 during 3rd period, and elementary classes during 4th period (10:53-11:43).  More details about the schedule will be given closer to the fair.

Weekly Annoucments

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THIS WEEK -  Missi Love is returning for a follow-up training at the end of this week. She will work with all of our teachers on the Four Blocks Literacy Program, Literature Circles, and 6+1 Traits of Writing, and guide teachers’ discussions of how they grade written work, and why. This will take place on Friday, November 8 and Saturday, November 9. These two days will be full working days for teachers.  There will be no school for students on Friday, November 8 as stated in the school calendar.

 

DONATIONS NEEDED:  Please remember to send in cereal boxes for “Ya Tengo Donde Escribir” between now and November 20. The grade that brought the most boxes will be awarded a pizza party or ice cream party! Please help us help those in need!

 

GOOD NEWS! THE SECONDARY SCHOOL (grades 6 -11) IS NOW USING IXL FOR MATH – This is a comprehensive math site with an unlimited number of practice questions in hundreds of skills. One of the best things about IXL is that your child can access it from home, so you have a chance to see your child's progress! IXL assesses our students' understanding as they practice.

 

In addition to making math practice exciting, IXL is designed to help your child learn at his or her own pace. The website is adaptive and will adjust to your child's demonstrated ability level. The site also saves all of your child's results, so you can monitor your child's progress anytime by clicking on Reports at the top of the page. Please encourage your son or daughter to use IXL daily. Here's to a year of working together to make math fun for your child!

 

Check your child’s math teacher blog to find out what skills they are practicing every week.

 

PASSING GRADE ACCORDING TO THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION - We would like to remind parents that the passing grade for the Ministry is 70%. Therefore, your child needs to score at least 70% in each subject in order to avoid coming to recuperation exam/s, which are now required at the end of every quarter. The final grade for the quarter is an average of the failing grade and the recup grade. We encourage you to check blogs and ENGRADE on a weekly basis, and to keep in close communication with teachers.

 

STUDY SKILLS WORKSHOPS - To help improve students' overall academic performance we are offering the following mandatory Study Skills Workshops in the Library:

 

• Middle School (grades 6-8): Wednesday, November 13, from 8:00-9:40 a.m.
• High School (grades 9-12): Wednesday, November, 13 from 10:00-11:40 a.m.

 

These workshops are geared to students in particular. On a later date we will offer workshops that are more focused on parental support at home.

 

 

Weekly Annoucments

U.N. DAY CELEBRATION-  The DPTO is organizing our annual U.N. Day celebration for this Wednesday, October 30. We hope our parents can join us this day. The celebration will begin at 9:00 a.m. to allow parents time to set up their tables. Students will be dismissed from school at 11:45 a.m. The DPTO has planned an International Fashion Show for the UN Day, and they need your help! If you want to participate by modeling or by lending any typical costume that you may have, please contact Marielos or Alexanderia at the following email addresses:  mmm9487@yahoo.com  or   amhaidara05@yahoo.com

 

DONATIONS NEEDED:  Don’t forget to send in cereal boxes for “Ya Tengo Donde Escribir” between now and November 20. The grade that brought the most boxes will be awarded a pizza party or ice cream party! Please help us help those in need!

COMMUNITY SERVICE CLUB-  We will have a meeting on Tuesday, October 29, at lunchtime in Mrs. Christina Agurcia's room.  We will discuss our visit to Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos on Sunday, November 3rd and preparation for the annual Christmas party.  All secondary students are invited to attend.

 

OPERATION WALLACEA- Operation Wallacea is an international organization that joins high school and university students with field research scientists to aid in gathering data for biodiversity conservation, here in Honduras and in other locations throughout the world.  Representatives from this organization will present information on Tuesday, October 29, at 3:15 PM in the Discovery School library.  Students from Grades 8-12 and their parents are invited to attend and learn about this amazing opportunity.

 

Weekly Annoucements

 

MAP FALL TESTING SESSION – This is the third week of our Map testing session. Parent cooperation in making sure our students are in school on time is greatly appreciated. 

 

NO ELECTRICITY ON TUESDAY – The ENEE has published that there will be no electricity in our school on Tuesday, October 8. We encourage parents to pack snack and lunch for students that does NOT require refrigeration or heating.

 

DONATIONS NEEDED: “Ya Tengo Donde Escribir” is an organization aiming to help children from public schools that cannot afford notebooks. In order to help, the organization makes notebooks out of cereal boxes and pages from used notebooks. They are now collecting cereal boxes until November 20, and we encourage our students and teachers to bring cereal boxes from their homes. At the end of the contest, the grade that brought the most boxes will be awarded a pizza party or ice cream party! Please help us help those in need!

CATS - On Thursday October 24^th, grades 6 through 12 will be going to the Hotel Honduras Maya for the presentation of the play "CATS". The cost to attend this event is 150 lempiras. This includes the entrance ticket and transportation. Permission slips will be sent home on Monday, October 7, and the due date to turn the money and signed permission slip in to the homeroom teacher isWednesday October 9.