This week in Advisory we have been focusing on friendship- how to be a good friend, how to solve conflicts with friends, and learning about how to handle different situations that may arise in friendships. Today, we did an activity called "Talking Behind Backs." The students taped a white paper to their back and everyone had to write something nice about the person on their back. This helps kids focus on the positives in their peers, rather than the criticism that can occur within groups of friends. It turned out great and was super fun.. and it was sure nice to see the smiles and see the self-esteem building when they read their papers. I hope they keep their papers for days when they are feeling down and remember how important they are. :)
-Mrs. Aho

A student from Ishpeming was featured on CNN Student News today. I'm glad this story is getting national attention. Hopefully, some change will happen in Michigan's current sports policies so that he can play next year. 

Here is a link to the story:
http://cnn.com/video/?/video/education/2012/04/18/sn-0419.cnn

Here is another link about the story: 
http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/news/story.aspx?id=733612

Not all garbage ends up at the dump. A river, sewer or beach can't catch everything the rain washes away, either. In fact, Earth's largest landfill isn't on land at all. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch stretches for hundreds of miles across the North Pacific Ocean, forming a nebulous, floating junk yard on the high seas. It's the poster child for a worldwide problem: plastic that begins in human hands yet ends up in the ocean, often inside animals' stomachs or around their necks. This marine debris has sloshed into the public spotlight recently, thanks to growing media coverage as well as scientists andexplorers who are increasingly visiting the North Pacific to see plastic pollution in action.

Link to a great article: http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/translating-uncle-sam/stories/what-is-the-great-pacific-ocean-garbage-patch

Call to action: STOP buying plastic water bottles and using plastic bags at the grocery store.