Quarter 2 Begins!

Congratulations to the Volleyball Team! Great job during the season and a wonderful run in the tournament. Victories over Bishop Stang and Cardinal Spellman and then a thrilling match against state powerhouse Bourne were all super competitions. Well done ladies.



Research Tasks - everyone always dreads research assignments, but the challenges of the newest research ventures facing both US I & II classes are very exciting (just let yourself think of it in those terms). Most important, get started. That is always the greatest obstacle in any research project.



US I: The Constitution - your group research project is an opportunity to be creative and have some fun, but do not lose sight of the historical study being done here. Your work must be accurate and thorough, as your topic must be mastered by everyone in the class and they are depending on you and your presentation. And while we have a group project, it all still comes down to individual effort. Your grade is part of your own work/research, as the entire group is creating a collective effort on this. You certainly can be creative and original (in fact, it is encouraged) but first and foremost, be thorough and present appropriately analyzed content.



US II and Honors: American Significance - your research paper may seem daunting at first because it always seems any research paper is so, but this is a simple task if you break it down into stages. You must choose your topic by November 16; choose a topic in history that has some connection to an interest of your own. You like music? Select a topic in history connected to that. Sports? History has lots of sports connections. Warfare? How about the impact of the Tet Offensive in Vietnam? Religion?---perhaps the role of JFK's Catholicism in the 1960 election.

Once you have a topic, begin your research but be organized as you work. Some like to use note cards, some set up a notebook with certain pages set aside for each subtopic. However you like to do it, by organizing as you work, the final process is much easier and your outline is practically done once your research is done.

Be very careful about your sources, your citations, and your works cited page. These are extremely important and often given short attention by students. Do not fall into that trap. And do not hesitate to ask questions or see me if you run into any problems.

Prayer for November 16-19:
US I: Sam Curley and Melissa Camillen
US II: Katie Kropas & Jenna Sinnott
US Honors: Caitlin Doherty

It is also the season to give thanks and to think of others. I have noticed in my time here at FBA how thoughtful and polite students are here but let's make sure we carry that with us beyond FBA. I know many of you do, but not enough of us (including me). Let us make a very conscious effort throughout this holiday season to be thankful, thoughtful, and helpful at every opportunity.

And SELL THOSE CALENDARS!