Gators vs. Roseau

By:TyLynn McKeever

The Gators went to Roseau to take on the Rams. Like the previous games the Gators were determinded to push them games and to play consistent the whole night. The Gators were unable to defeat the Rams; the scores were 17-25, 25-22, 14-25, and 19-25. Serve receive passing was not consistent and the “nothing hits the floor” mentality wasn’t there throughout the whole night. The Gators did battle hard throughout each set and were in it as a team. Head coach commented, “The Gators battled throughout the match but had too many errors and uncontested balls dropping to the floor.  There were moments of really sharp volleyball; however, the Gators need to pull it together for an entire match.  This is a great rivalry and it’s exciting to play in such a charged atmosphere—the Gators used the environment to fuel their sets but just couldn’t push the Rams to 5.  Again, it’s another great learning experience this season that will help the team grow and improve for next year.” Looking to improve on these little things, the Gators will bring it into a game situation and show how they really can compete. Leaders for the night were Katie Langaas (12) and Tori MeKash (10) for kills; Vanessa Burkel (15) and Shanyce Bishop (14) for assists; and Katie Langaas (2) for aces. Goooo Gators!

AYP

Most  Greenbush-Middle River students were proficient on the spring 2011 reading and math Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA).  However, schools are required to keep increasing proficiency each year until the 2014 tests when 100% of students are expected to be proficient.  If a school or district fails to increase scores for two consecutive years, the state requires an improvement plan. This is the first year GMR did not make AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) in reading, with 74% of students proficient. Since MCA tests began in 2006, GMR student proficiency has ranged from 71-77% in reading.

GMR	District	High school	Middle school	Greenbush Elementary	Middle River Elementary
All students	Making AYP in math; not making AYP in reading	Making AYP in math and reading	Making AYP in math; not making AYP in reading	Making AYP in math; not making AYP in reading	Making AYP in math and reading
Students categorized as American Indian, Hispanic, Asian, Black	Student groups too small to count for AYP	Student groups too small to count for AYP	Student groups too small to count for AYP	Student groups too small to count for AYP	Student groups too small to count for AYP
White Students	Making AYP in both math and reading	Making AYP in both math and reading	Making AYP in math; not making AYP in reading	Making AYP in both math and reading	Making AYP in both math and reading
Special Education	Student group too small to count for AYP	Student group too small to count for AYP	Student group too small to count for AYP	Student groupstoo small to count for AYP	Making AYP in both math and reading
Students qualifying for Free/Reduced meals	Student group too small to count for AYP	Student group too small to count for AYP	Student group too small to count for AYP	Student group too small to count for AYP	Making AYP in both math and reading

When our district did not meet targets in math for the student group “Special Education” in 2009 and 2010, the resulting district improvement plan was very successful in raising scores. Although the state doesn’t require an improvement plan at this AYP stage, GMR is moving forward with a specific plan to increase students’ reading proficiency.

About two-thirds of Minnesota’s middle schools and junior highs did not make AYP.  About half Minnesota’s high schools did not make AYP, although GMR High School did. All neighboring schools or districts have some history of not making AYP.

Our district’s 2011 reading scores were nearly identical to large and small area schools:

GMR, Grygla 74%

Badger, Thief River Falls, Kittson Central, WAO, Warroad 75%

Roseau 76%

MCC 73%

Tri-County 72%

Goodridge 61%

Lancaster 83%

State of Minnesota: 75%

GMR’s 2011 MCA math scores were generally better than area schools:

GMR 71%

Kittson Central 74%

Badger 81%

Roseau 62%

Tri-County 60%

MCC 52%

TRF 42%

WAO 41%

Lancaster 38%

Goodridge 28%

Warroad 22%

Grygla 18%

State of Minnesota: 49%

Important Information about the 2011 Referendum

The proposed $1,135 per pupil does not mean that your taxes will go up by $1,135!  What does it mean?  

2011 Market Value                          Pay 2011                              Pay 2012                          (Yearly) Difference

      50,000                                         66.63                                     152.56                                   85.93

     75,000                                          99.95                                     228.84                                 128.89

    100,000                                         133.27                                    305.12                                 171.85

    150,000                                         199.90                                    457.68                                 257.78

    200,000                                         266.54                                    610.24                                 343.70

    300,000                                         399.80                                    915.36                                 515.55

    500,000                                         666.34                                  1,525.59                                859.25

Taxes are based on taxable market value, not estimated market value.  They are applicable to residential, homesteads, apartments, and commercial-industrial properties.  Farms are only taxed on the home, garage, and one acre.

So, if the taxable market value of your home is $100,000, your taxes would go up $171.85 next year.  

Of the $435 increase, local tax payers will only pay approximately 50%!  The other 50% is payed by the state.  If the referendum does not pass, we will lose out on that state money!  

If you have any questions about the referendum please contact a school board member!  This funding is crucial to the continued success of our school!  

Governor Dayton Recognizes the Juneberry Firefighting Effort

Governor Mark Dayton listens to the fire report.

By: Josh Peterson

Governor Mark Dayton made a last minute visit to the Greenbush fire hall today. He stopped on his way from Thief River Falls to hear how our community was fighting the wildfire that started last Wednesday (5 days ago). The officials from the Minnesota National Resources had an extremely well laid out plan to show to the governor. I learned a lot in the 20 minutes that they were reporting.

Firefighters detailing the fire spread.

There is a reported 31,216 acres that have been burned; areas that are burning include the Salol fire, Juneberry fire, and the Cannon fire. The Juneberry fire is the largest by far with 28,673 acres burned. The Cannon fire comes in second with 2,388 acres and Salol with only 155 acres. The Juneberry fire is the only one that has any cost damage. The cost to date is $532,000 dollars. Mostly all of the fires have been contained. The Salol fire is completely contained and 95% of the Juneberry fire is under control which is good news as it is the largest.

Local and out-of-state firefighters accept the governors compliments.

Firefighters and other officials say the fires will be under full control in the next two days, if not tomorrow, for sure and Governor Mark Dayton gave his phone number out freely to anyone who would like to contact him to update him on the fire. The number can be found in the Middle River ‘Honker’. No fatalities have occurred and only one injury (a broken arm) is reported. Surprisingly enough, the smell of the northwestern fires can be smelt all the way down to Grand Forks and the skies have been foggy and cloudy ever since last Wednesday. After everything was said, Mark Dayton stepped up to address the men who were fighting the fire. He thanked them dearly and recognized their hard work and commitment. He was very charming and intellectual.

Greenbush Corn Maze.

By: Karley Forst  

You know that feeling when you don't know which way to turn because it seems like in every direction is a dead end? Well if you haven't experienced that feeling, make it come true! Brandon & Jessica Kuznia and Erik & Kara Heggedal are in charge of the new corn maze in Greenbush. The corn maze is located 1/2 Mile West of State Hwy 11 on County Rd 4.Design: combining with a John Deer. Last tickets are sold one hour before closing. The fee for attendants 4 years old and younger is free; 5-17 is five dollars and 18 and up are seven dollars. There is lots to do other than walking through the maze! You can go play on the hay bales, play in the corn box, find a token, go to a bon fire, eat at the concession stand, and try figure out the riddles for a chance to get your name in a drawing for a prize.  You can go on a field trip to see the corn maze! Just call e-mail maizecraze@wiktel.com or call 218-782-CORN (2676) and remember to dress warm and bring a flashlight hope to see you there.

 Hours are

Friday:  5pm-10pm.

Saturday: 10am.-10pm.

Sunday: 12am-8pm.

To Kill a Mockingbird Tea

Every year sophomore English students participate in Mrs. Dahl's tea party.  This activity also highlights one of the most important themes in To Kill a Mockingbird. “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.”   For this activity, students must “climb into the skin” of a character in the book and assume his/her identity as students visit with other characters in the book about the novel’s events.  Students dress up in costume similar to what their character would dress in that time---Alabama, 1930s, and research a Southern dish to share with the class.  This project is always a hit, and it’s exciting to see the characters interact; some students nail the personas and understand the characters even more intimately.  Students also write a character analysis showing what makes their characters tick.

Gators Take 4th Place at the Pony Invitational

By: TyLynn McKeever

The Gators traveled to Warren on September 17^th for the Pony Invitational Tournament. The tournament started off with pool play then went into tournament play based off of your pool play recorded. Here the Gators would have the chance to face new teams and teams that they have already seen.

The Gators started off the morning with regular pool play; their first match was against Fertile Beltrami. They Gators started off on more of a shaky start. As the set went on, the Gators were able to come from behind to pull off a 25-23 win. The second set the Gators came out on a better note; serve receive passing was more consistent. Staying hardnosed the Gators were able to pull off a win in the second set, 25-20, to pull off a full win against Fertile-Beltrami.

The Warren Ponies were next on the Gators pool play list. The Gators were looking forward to playing the Ponies; hoping to improve from the last time they saw them earlier this season.  They Gators battled hard against the Ponies, but poor serve receive passing and serving errors resulted in a loss to the Ponies; 21-25 and 19-25.

The Gators were to face Mahnomen next for the last regular pool play game. It was important that the Gators won this match in order to compete for third place. The Gators came out playing hard and were consistent on all aspects of the game. The Gators won both sets against Mahnomen 25-21 and 25-21.

Going into tournament play, the Gators found out that they were going to compete against Stephen-Argyle for third place. The Gators were glad they had another shot against Stephen. The first set went to Stephen 25-21 as the Gators were not able to have consistent passing. The second set the Gators turned their game on with consistent passing and attacking which resulted in a 25-18 win for the Gators. Since there was a split, a third set had to be played for the tie breaker. The Gators ropes on Stephen, but critical serving and attacking errors cost the Gators and they lost 12-15; the loss resulted in a fourth place finish.

Throughout the day the Gators were led by Tori Mekash(26), Kate Howell(23), Courtney Kirkeide(15), Katie Langaas(14), Vanessa Burkel(6), and Alyssa Wahl(2) in kills. Vanessa Burkel and Shanyce Bishop with 33 assists followed by TyLynn McKeever with 2 and Courtney Kirkeide, Kate Howell, and Katie Langaas each with one assist. Tori Mekash led the Gators for Aces on the day with 7; following Mekash was Shanyce Bishop, TyLynn McKeever, and Kate Howell each with 6, and Vanessa Burkel and Katie Langaas with 5 each. There was a total of three blocks for the Gators throughout the day; Katie Langaas with two and Kate Howell with one. “Overall, it was a GREAT day for Gator volleyball.  Solid, consistent play throughout the day was fun to watch—huge strides and improvement” commented head coach Stacy Dahl. The Gators look to continue to improve as they host the Warroad Warriors on September 20^th in the Swamp for Parent’s night. Come to the Swamp and show your support for the Gators.  Goooo GATORS!