POPLAR MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
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To help our community stay in-the-know, we’ve provided this section with our latest updates and announcements. Take a look below to discover what’s happening, and check back often for the latest news.
Scroll down to access news archives by quarter.
NEW for 2021!!! Scroll to the bottom of this page to access audio recordings of designated posts.
2021 BLOCK PARTY A "SMASHING" SUCCESS!
May 27, 2021
With the 8th graders promoted and the end of the year in sight, Grades 5-7 spent Wednesday afternoon playing various games conducted by staff. Mr. Norgaard graciously took a pie in the face from our top AR student to inspire students to read more so they might get a chance to throw a pie, too!
GRADE 8 PROMOTION TO BE LIVE STREAMED!
May 24, 2021
Poplar MS Grade 8 promotion on Tuesday May 25 at 5 PM in the HS gym will be streamed on the NFHS network at www.nfhsnetwork.com . Contact Mr. Weeks or click the link below for more information.
ALL LIBRARY BOOKS DUE MAY 20
May 19, 2021
Students are asked to have all Poplar MS library books returned by Thursday, May 20. See Mrs. Schwartz if you have any questions.
OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN STUDENT SURVEY
May 19, 2021
Get your voice heard on how Covid-19 has affected teaching and learning in Montana. The results from this OPI survey will be used to identify the most important related needs in our schools. There is a specific link for Grades 5-6 and Grades 7-8 below. Poplar MS students need to complete the Opportunities to Learn Survey by Friday, May 21.
STUDENTS CASH IN BIG ON ACCELERATED READER POINTS!
May 17, 2021
Accelerated Reader (AR) program awards were recently presented to students along with a special pizza party. Any Poplar MS student who earned 100 points or more over the year got a $100 Amazon gift card and a 31 bag donated from Arin Grainger filled with lots of school goodies. The top point earner (with over 1100 points over the past 2 years) received a drone proving that reading books leads to great things!
MIDDLE SCHOOL MUSIC PERFORMANCE SET FOR MAY 18
May 11, 2021
Next Tuesday, May 18, Mr. Strissel's music classes will be performing some pieces for us all. Grades 5-6 perform first at 9:00 am in the MS gym followed by selections performed by Grade 7-8 music students. Contact Mr. Strissel for more information.
NEW CRISIS TEXT LINE SHARED
May 11, 2021
Poplar HPDP staff is pleased to share The THRIVE project's new Crisis Text Line and #WeNeedYouHere social media images If you or someone you know is struggling, please know that there is support. Text NATIVE to 741741 for free, 24/7 crisis counseling.
SBRRC PRESENTATION RESCHEDULED
May 10, 2021
Beef Archambeau of Spotted Bull Treatment Center will be presenting a substance abuse prevention message to Poplar Middle School students with a question and answer session to follow. This presentation has been rescheduled for Monday, May 17, in the HS auditorium.
GRADES 7-8 LEARN ABOUT AND LAUNCH THEIR OWN HELIUM BALLOONS
May 6, 2021
Mr. Snyder's and Mr. Murphy's science classes learned about the history and characteristics of helium balloons. Students created their own colorful balloons and recently were able to launch them one by one from the football field. Click the link below to learn more.
PREVENTION MESSAGE TO BE FOCUS OF SBRRC PRESENTATION
May 6, 2021
On Tuesday, May 11 from 9:00-10:00 am, Beef Archambeau of Spotted Bull Treatment Center will be presenting a substance abuse prevention message to Poplar Middle School students with a question and answer session to follow.
GRADE 8 STUDENTS: HIGH SCHOOL COURSE SELECTION IS OPEN
May 6, 2021
Poplar High School counselors met with Grade 8 students to discuss official high school course selection procedures on May 5. (View printable Freshman Electives Request and course catalog below.) Click the button below to officially submit your Grade 9 course requests. Remember that freshman courses are filled on a first come first serve basis.
STUDENTS ASKED TO COMPLETE CHANTE' SURVEY
May 5, 2021
The Chante' project is looking for student input regarding the programs and activities they have made available to Poplar Schools students. Click the link below to complete the student survey and get a chance to win one of two $50 gift cards! The drawing will be held at the end of the day on Thursday, May 6.
TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK IS MAY 3-7
May 3, 2021
Teacher Appreciation Week is a great time to thank a teacher (past or present) for making a difference in the lives of students. Make it a point this week to let your teachers know they are appreciated and click the link below for other ideas on how you can express your gratitude to a special teacher in your life.
PENNY WARS FUNDRAISER STARTS MAY 3
May 3, 2021
Student council is trying a new type of fundraiser -- The Penny War. Each grade level will have one Piggie (piggy bank) in their hallway. Students are asked to donate pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters. The interesting part of The Penny War is that each coin has it value in points, except the dime. Contact Mrs. Kohl or click the link below for more information.
TUTORING AND ASSIGNMENT COMPLETION ASSISTANCE IS EXTENDED INTO MAY
April 28, 2021
After School Tutoring/Assignment Completion is continuing in room 208, into the month of May on the following days: May 3 and 4; May 10 & 11; and May 17 & 18. Sessions are from 4-5 pm, snacks and a bus ride home provided. See Mrs. Ferguson or Mrs. Redpath for more details.
HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS TO MEET WITH GRADE 8 ON MAY 5
April 28, 2021
Poplar High School counselors will be meeting with Grade 8 on students to discuss official high school course selection procedures on May 5 at 9:00 am in the high school auditorium. (View and print Freshman Electives Request and course catalog below.) Earlier this semester, students participated in introductory transition activities with Ms. Lake to learn about graduation requirements and the connection between course selection and career development by creating 4 year plans. Click the button below to access the middle school PowerPoint presentation.
CHANTE' PROJECT RELEASES SPRING NEWSLETTER
April 28, 2021
The CHANTE' project is a grant program administered through Fort Peck Community College that supports academic achievement and college and career readiness for students in Grades 6-12. Contact Molly Redpath for more information, and access the "Chante' Chatter" newsletter at the link below.
RISE 2021 VIRTUAL YOUTH CONFERENCE APRIL 29
April 27, 2021
Resilience in Something Else (RISE) is presenting their 2021 virtual youth conference on April 29 from 9:00 am to 3 pm. The theme is "Indiginous Individuality", and Grades 7-8 students are encouraged to participate. Be sure to submit a parental consent form and use Mr. Norgaard's contact information (morgan.norgaard@poplarschools.com) to register at the link below.
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE CHALLENGE
April 27, 2021
Spot the Difference is a game where you look at two versions of the same image, but one image has been altered in subtle ways. The object of the game find all the differences in each pair of images. Sharpen your ability to spot the difference at the link below.
STUDENTS STUDY TEXTURE THROUGH FOIL DRAWINGS
April 26, 2021
Ms. Parker's Grade 8 art students experimented with texture by drawing on aluminum foil. Each student chose their own subject and how they would color. Once color was on their drawing, they engraved texture into the drawing using a dull pencil. Check out more foil drawings in the student gallery at the link below.
EARTH DAY POSTPONED APRIL 22
April 19, 2021
April 22 will be our clean-up day. This is something that we've done every year, but unfortunately were unable to last year with the shutdown. We will take the afternoon to clean designated areas by grade level. Mr. Norgaard will be distributing a map showing what area each grade level will be responsible for. Gloves and garbage bags will be provided by the maintenance staff. Click the link below to learn more about Earth Day.
ROUND DANCE HELD TO CELEBRATE BUFFALO UNITY PROJECT
April 15, 2021
The Badlands Singers were on hand Thursday for the round dance, a celebration of the conclusion of the Buffalo Unity Project. This project is a highlight of Mr. Turcotte's Grade 7 English classes at Poplar Middle School that emphasizes the importance of the buffalo in our lives and in Native culture.
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YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION WEEK IS APRIL 12-16
April 14, 2021
National Youth Violence Prevention Week is about highlighting activities and projects that promote kindness and respect, inclusiveness, and the value of looking out for one another to help make our schools and communities safer for everyone. Click on the link below to learn more.
WOLF POINT MEET SUCCESSFUL FOR POPLAR MS TRACK AND FIELD TEAM
April 12, 2021
Poplar Middle School had an awesome day competing on the track and field at Wolf Point on Friday. Our athletes showed up ready to compete and it showed as MANY of our athletes took home top 6 all time finishes for Poplar Middle School. We head to Glasgow this Saturday for our next competition.
EARTH DAY TO BE OBSERVED APRIL 20
April 12, 2021
April 20 will be our clean-up day. This is something that we've done every year, but unfortunately were unable to last year with the shutdown. We will take the afternoon to clean designated areas by grade level. Mr. Norgaard will be distributing a map showing what area each grade level will be responsible for. Gloves and garbage bags will be provided by the maintenance staff. Contact Mr. Norgaard for more information.
GRADE 8 PROMOTION TO BE HELD MAY 25
April 8, 2021
Grade 8 promotion will be in the high school gym on May 25 at 5:00 pm.  Ms. Scarr will be getting the power point together for the students. Any REMOTE Grade 8 students interested in walking for promotion will need to get their power point information put together and submitted as well. For more information on the transition from Grade 8 to 9, click on the link below.
STUDENTS TO RECEIVE $25 FOR GOOD GRADES
April 8, 2021
All tribally enrolled K-12 students will receive $25 per semester/quarter for good grades. Contact the tribal education director for more information at 406-768-2318 on and off the reservation.
POPLAR STUDENT WINS REACH HIGHER MONTANA $500 SCHOLARSHIP!
April 1, 2021
A Poplar HS student recently received enough votes to win a $500 scholarship and 6th place for her sticker contest entry. A BIG thank you to everyone who voted! Reach Higher Montana is a resource that helps students plan and achieve their goals. Learn more at the link below.
BRIDGE CHALLENGE WINNER SETS NEW SCHOOL RECORD
March 31, 2021
A new school record for Mr. Snyder's suspension bridge challenge was set recently by a Poplar MS Grade 8 student. The winning bridge successfully held up 100 lbs. The previous record was 97.5 lbs. set two years ago! Contact Mr. Snyder for more information.
POPLAR STUDENT FINALIST IN REACH HIGHER MONTANA STICKER CONTEST
March 29, 2021
Reach Higher Montana is a resource that helps students plan and achieve their goals. Twenty finalists from over 350 entries were chosen in the 2021 sticker contest, and one of those was submitted by a Poplar HS student! You can help out by voting for #1 (look for the eagle in the sky). The winner will be announced on March 31.
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCE PRIZE DRAWINGS
March 26, 2021
The winners of the gas card drawings are Luane Brown, Shannon Martell, Roberta Not Afraid and Tana Two Bulls. The adult winner of the Chante' program gift pack is Caroline Baker.  Thank you to everyone who supported or attended the March 25 P/T conferences at Poplar MS!
POPLAR MS STUDENT DEMONSTRATES OUTSTANDING CITIZENSHIP
March 25, 2021
Recently, Scobey Baker noticed that the United States and Tribal flags at our school needed to be displayed better. He was also concerned that we did not have a Montana state flag. He worked with Mr. Norgaard to fix this, and now all three flags are displayed prominently and proudly at Poplar MS. Thank you, Scobey!
HOMEMADE YOGURT AND CREAM CHEESE TREATS. IT'S WHAT IS COOKING AT POPLAR MS
March 24, 2021
Students in Mrs. McCabe's FCS classes have been making berry jam, and then Martin Smith, a dietician with HPDP, was on hand to make homemade yogurt. They put the jam and the yogurt together to make great tasting yogurt pops. To follow up on that, Martin showed students how to make cream cheese from the yogurt and use that to make some pretty scrumptious fruit salad! Contact Mrs. McCabe for more information.
BUFFALO UNITY PROJECT II CAMERA CREW SELECTED
March 23, 2021
Buffalo Unity Project II camera crew members were chosen for their hard work and essay writing skills. Each member had to write a distinguished essay on "Why I Should Be a Part of the Camera Crew". Contact Mr. Turcotte for more information.
BEADING CLASSES TO BE HELD THROUGH THE MONTH OF APRIL
March 22, 2021
Grade 5-8 students can learn how to make earrings or a wristlet. Classes start April 6 and are limited to 10 students per class. Beading classes will be TUES and THURS from 3:30-5:45 and wristlets are Fridays from noon until 2:00. Parents/guardians are welcome. Sign up Wednesday, March 24 at 3:30 in the middle school lobby. Contact Mrs. Redpath for more information.
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES SET FOR MARCH 25
March 22, 2021
School will be dismissed at 1:00 on Thursday, March 25 for parent/teacher conferences. Parents and teachers are encouraged to set up meetings remotely when possible. Otherwise, teachers will be available between 1:00 and 7:00 at Poplar MS. To further adhere to COVID-19 safety guidelines, parent/guardians are asked to wear masks and to not to bring in any food items. Also, please do not bring other children to parent/teacher conferences. Click the link below for tips on how to get the most out of your parent/teacher conference.
HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!
March 17, 2021
St. Patrick's Day is observed on March 17 in honor of the patron saint of Ireland. Parades, shamrocks, corned beef and cabbage dinners and the wearing of green are associated with the celebration.  Learn more about the traditions of this holiday at the link below.
SPRING SPORTS PARENT MEETING AND SIGN-UP MARCH 17
March 12, 2021
The official spring sports for Poplar Middle School students include Grades 7-8 track and Grades 5-6 volleyball. A spring sports parent meeting and sign-up will be held Wednesday, March 17at 5:00 PM in the MS gym.  You can contact Mr. Coy Weeks at 768-8392 for more information.
SUMMER SCHOOL REGISTRATION OPEN THROUGH MAY 31
March 9, 2021
Poplar Schools is now accepting student applications for the 2021 Grades K-4 and 5-8 summer school programs. Online registration must be completed by May 31. Click the link below for more information and to access the online registration form.
