Announcements
Friday, February 21, 2025
Good morning PBL Junior High School
Student of the Week: Today during lunch we will be announcing the Students of the Week for 6th through 8th grade students.
Student Council Food Drive: The Student Council Food Drive is up and running. The food drive will go until February 27th. The grade level that collects the most food will win a cookie tray. Each non-perishable food item will count as one point for the grade level and the grade level with the most points will win. All the food donated will go to The Hands of Christ Food Pantry in Paxton.
Track Team Sign-Ups: Track Team Sign-Ups are available now in the boys and girls locker rooms. You must have a current physical and waiver on file, in order to join the track team. Please see Ms. Alred if you are unsure about your physical and waiver status.
7th & 8th Grade Volleyball: Good luck to our 8th Grade Volleyball Team tonight in the Twin County Conference Tournament. The 8th Grade Team will be playing Prairie Central Junior High at Iroquois West Middle School as the host. Tomorrow on Saturday, February 22nd the 7th Grade Team will be playing in the semifinal game against GCMS Middle School at Iroquois West Middle School. If the 8th Grade Team wins tonight against Prairie Central Junior High they will also be playing in the semifinal game at Iroquois West Middle School.
Library Update - Rebecca Caudill: It's time to vote for your favorite Rebecca Caudill book on the 2025 list! Any student who has read three or more books on the 2025 list needs to see Miss Bruens in the library to place their vote! Voting closes at the end of 9th period on Friday, February 28th. Any student who wants to participate in the Rebecca Caudill Reading Challenge is still able to! The challenge is open until the end of the day on April 17th! If you are interested, see Miss Bruens for more information.
3rd Qtr.: The 3rd Qtr. will be coming to end on Friday, March 7th. Hard to believe, but that is in 11 school days. Students make sure you are checking Skyward for missing or outstanding work. With many students having 9th period study halls, and opportunities to stay on Tuesdays during the early dismissal for completing work and getting help, passing all classes is goal for each and every student at our junior high.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,
and to the republic for which it stands,
one nation under God, Indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.
At this time, we will now pause for a moment of silence and reflection.
Thought of the Day: Have a great Friday Panthers-
Be a Shark
Resilience is a person’s ability to withstand or recover from difficult conditions. On Wednesday, February 19th students will be learning about what it means to be a "Shark" in their own lives during advisory class.
National School Counseling Week
This week we will be celebrating National School Counseling Week and our very own Mrs. Johnson! On Monday, February 3rd we will be learning about Mrs. Johnson and everything that her position as school counselor entails.
Terrence Talley Assembly Reflection
Students and staff were able to participate in a meaningful, heartfelt assembly on Thursday, January 30, 2025. During advisory today, students will reflect on the assembly and the message that was received from the presenter.
Terrence Talley Assembly
Students and staff get ready for an inspiring afternoon! On Thursday, January 30th, we have a special assembly planned. That afternoon, we're excited to welcome Terrence Talley! He'll be sharing his incredible story and experiences with our junior high students. Terrence delivers a powerful message of hope and resilience, encouraging students to never give up and always strive for their best. It's sure to be an amazing event for all our students and staff.
Be Present, Be Powerful
It's important for students to be at school during these cold winter months, but when is too sick to attend school? This Cool Tool will talk to students about the importance of being at school and what they should do if they are too sick to be at school.
New Year, New Goals!
The beginning of the new year is a great time to think about areas in our life we want to improve and set goals to achieve them. During advisory on January 8th, students will setting goals for themselves for 2025! Let's start the year off strong, Panthers!
Holiday Stress
On Wednesday, December 11th during advisory students will be talking about holiday stress and different coping strategies as we approach the holiday season. Holiday stress refers to the emotional, physical, and mental stress people feel during the holiday season.
Be Present, Be Powerful
On Wednesday, December 4th during advisory students will talking about the importance of attending school during the winter months. Coming to school during the cold months of winter can be hard. This cool tool talks to students about strategies to help make coming to school easier in the winter months. We will also discuss eLearning expectations should we have severe weather days this winter.
Jostens All In: Gratitude
More and more of us struggle with mental wellness, but there is a surprising way to increase happiness and to combat stress, low energy, and poor sleep: gratitude. Unfortunately, being grateful can actually be harder than it sounds. During Advisory on Wednesday, November 20th students will talk about gratitude and what it means to show gratitude to those who impact them in positive ways.
Jostens All In: Commitment
During Advisory on Wednesday, November 13th students will talk about what it means to be "All in" in all aspects of life. Being “All In” comes from the idea that you put it all on the table-you know what’s important to you, and you’re willing to go the extra mile to make it happen. Whether you are all in for your friendships, family, school, sports, or personal goal, it starts with small actions and habits. Over time those investments turn into something bigger.
Veteran's Day Ceremony
On Monday, November 11th the high school band will be holding Veterans Day Ceremonies for grade school students at Clara Peterson Elementary (8:30am & 2 Performances) & for high school students, junior high students, and community members at PBL High School. The PBL High School, PBL Junior High School & Community Veterans Day Ceremony will be at 10:30am in the PBL HS Gymnasium. On Thursday, November 7th Advisory classes will be covering a Cool Tool for Veterans Day. Below is the Veterans Day performance schedule and our plan is to have the bell system to ring accordingly. We will call grades levels one-by-one to dismiss to the high school gym starting at 10:15am.
Be Present, Be Powerful
On Wednesday, November 6th during advisory all Ford County schools will be talking about the connection between attendance as a student and how it translates to attendance in the workplace.
School Wide Expectations
On Wednesday, October 30th during advisory, students will be reviewing the school wide expectations. The Cool Tool will review expectations in the lunch room, hallways, bathrooms, bus, extra curricular activities and more.
Red Ribbon Week 2024- "Life is a Movie, Live Drug Free"
October 23rd - October 31st is Red Ribbon Week. We will participate in dress up days and an advisory poster contest. On Wednesday, October 23rd during advisory students will be talking about the purpose of Red Ribbon Week and the activities that they will participate in.
On Wednesday, October 9th all Ford County Schools will be learning about the difference between chronic absenteeism and truancy. This presentation will talk about the importance of attending school regularly.
On Thursday, October 3, 2024 during advisory students will work on organization! They will be provided strategies they can use to stay organized and then spend some time organizing their school materials and their lockers.
October is "Bullying Prevention Month." On Wednesday, October 2nd during advisory, students will be discussing Bullying Prevention at PBL Junior High School. They will be watching videos of high school students explaining their experience with bullying how they handled it while they were in junior high school. As an advisory students will engage in a discussion about how we can eliminate bullying at PBL Junior High School.
Down Syndrome Awareness Walk
he Cool Tool for today in Advisory is about the upcoming 2024 Down Syndrome Awareness Walk that will take place at the PBL High School Track and the back parking lot on Sunday, September 29th from 12:00-2:00pm. Everyone is welcome to attend and here is more information:
From 12:00-1:15pm Old Salty’s Food Truck, Hot Dog Meal provided, Games & Activities
We will walk one lap starting at 1:15pm
Wear Blue & Yellow or your Down Syndrome T-Shirt
Gold Rush Student Section Expectations
Our first home girls basketball game is Wednesday, September 25th! In preparation for this, students will be reviewing a Cool Tool on the expectations of our student section the, "Gold Rush," at PBL JH athletic events during advisory.
Be Present, Be Powerful
This week during advisory students will reflect on their attendance so far this school year. Students will understand that missing just 3 days already this school year can lead them to be considered a chronic absentee for the 2024-2025 school.
Panther Pals
Panther Pals are important to our Junior High community because Panther Pals help model good behavior, responsibility, academic skills and social skills. Panther Pals are also important because it creates friendships across all settings in our school with classes, lunch, recess, sporting events, and much more.
Initial School Climate Survey
On Wednesday, September 11th during advisory students will take the PBL Junior High Initial School Climate Survey. This survey will help the school in getting a baseline for our 2024-2025 School Improvement goals.
Student Council Representatives
A Student Council Representative is when you help out with help with school-wide activities such as fundraising, social events, and community service. Join student council today!
Your job will be to come to weekly meetings during lunch in the art room, helping with concession stands for indoor games, and helping with projects that make the school a better place.
Creating a Positive Legacy
On Wednesday, September 4th and Thursday, September 5th during advisory students will be learning about the term "legacy." Students will be reflecting on what kind of legacy they want to leave PBL Junior High School and beyond. Advisories will be creating a visual to hang in their advisories about what it means to leave an impactful and positive legacy.
Getting involved at PBL Junior High
On Thursday, August 29th during advisory students will learn about the sports, clubs, and activities PBL JH has to offer. Students will also discuss the importance of turning homework in on time to ensure they are eligible as a spectator and as a participant in these activities.
Be Present, Be Powerful!
On Wednesday, August 28th during advisory students will be learning about the importance of attending school regularly. Students will discuss how they can set up routines in their every day life to make sure they attend school on a regular basis. Students will be tracking their attendance during the school year to help them see the number of absences that occur each month. A student that misses 2 days a month will be on track to be a chronic absentee.
Lego League
The PBL JH LEGO League Team is getting ready to kickoff their season and student applications are available in the main office. Here is a link to the Link to the 2024-2025 Application and student applications are due in the main office by Friday, August 30th. Coach Pippin also created a slideshow about our LEGO League Team so students can learn more about our team in Advisory when teachers cover the daily announcements - LEGO League Information 2024-2025.
Advisory Overview
On Monday, August 19, 2024 PBL Junior High School students will be learning about advisory. They will be learning about the purpose of advisory, the structure of advisory, and reflecting on what they may want to learn during advisory. Advisory is place where teachers and students can connect on social emotional topics and learn more about how to navigate junior high school.
ALICE Emergency Drill Cool Tool
On Wednesday, August 21, 2024 PBL Junior High students will review the processes and procedures of our ALICE Emergency Drill during their advisory class. On Thursday, August 22, 2024 the 6th grade students will practice walking to the rally point during PE class. On Friday, August 23, 2024 we will have our ALICE Drill where students and staff will evacuate the building and practice our emergency drill.