It is hard to believe we are in our third marking period and second semester! Congratulations to all of my students who did well on their mid-term exams.  Our class work continues with various interest inventories, job skills assessments, assembly projects and Earthly Delights (our student run bistro).  Our next Earthly Delights is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb.13, 2008 from 10:15 to 1:00 in room 160.  We will be serving a selection of delicious homemade desserts and beverages for a $2.50 donation.  If you have not joined us before please do so.  The students do a wonderful job running the bistro.   

In Employments skills class the unit we are working on now is budgeting, banking and preparing for a first apartment.  The students are asking three family members and/or friends to anonymously share information regarding monthly utilities costs along with various other expenses.  We will average these costs to determine an estimate of what household expenses currently are and add a 3% increase for the expected increase in those costs over time.  Students will become familiar with averaging, estimating, using coupons and figuring percent sales.  We have two field trips scheduled this marking period.  One will be to take public transportation to the Brass City Mall to become familiar utilizing this city service and the other will be to the Christmas Tree Shop to gather actual prices on items needed to furnish an apartment. 

As always please do not hesitate to contact me at 860-945-4810 extension 1014 or via e-mail at mcguirepa@watertownctschools.org.

Helpful History Links

NARA-U.S. National Archives and Records Administration

http://www.archives.gov

The History Channel-Great Speeches

http://www.historychannel.com/speeches/archive1.html