Excerpts from The Hall Weekly Bulletin - October 22, 2007
Calendar		Principal's Message
This Week Wednesday, October 24 • 6pm | School Board Meeting | Hall Lib. Thursday, October 25 • 8:30-9:30am | Parent Ed Lecture | Hall Library | Drug and Alcohol Awareness • 7-9pm | Get Ready 94925 | NC Gym Friday, October 26 • 6th Period | Pumpkin Carving • 3-5pm | Chalk Festival | Hall Blacktop Upcoming Monday, October 29 • 8:30am | Superintendents’ Coffee Chat | IL Fornaio November 5 thru November 9 • Warm Clothing Drive | Drop-off Circle Thursday, November 15 • 3:30-5pm |  School Site Council Mtg. Tuesday, November 27 • 7-9pm | Foundation Appreciation Night | Corte Madera Rec. Center		Investigating Change In an effort to continually improve Hall Middle School, the teaching staff has decided to investigate some possible changes to our program. Several teachers have volunteered to participate on committees exploring two key topics: the master schedule and the math program. With regard to the master schedule, we want to evaluate our current schedule and explore different options for change. We anticipate exploring the possibility of a seven period day to make elective opportunities possible for our students. We also will examine the possibility of moving to a block schedule to provide different instructional opportunities. Our math group will be exploring and experimenting with different math textbooks this year. This is an adoption year for mathematics and we will be participating in efforts with the Redwood Area Council and the county office to pilot and select our math program for next year. This math committee will also investigate the pros and cons of offering leveled math classes at each grade level. These two topics will dovetail into one another as we evaluate our current program and work to design the best possible math experience for students. With both of these investigations we will be looking at research, gathering data, visiting a variety of schools and continually be reporting out our progress. I welcome and invite your input on these topics. Send me an email or a voicemail, or just grab me at a school event and let me know your thoughts and experiences. It is exciting to think about and explore new opportunities and possibilities and investigating ways to create an extraordinary education for all of the students at Hall Middle School. - Daniel Norbutas - Hall Principal
		School News
		Warm Clothing Drive The Warm Clothing Drive for Ritter Center is approaching.  Now is the time to go through your closets and set aside items to help our community's neediest members get through a cold, wet winter. On behalf of Ritter Center and with co-sponsorship of Marin Sunrise Rotary, the Hall PTA Community Service committee and Student Council will be collecting items at the drop off circle November 5 through November 9. Warm clothing, rain gear, sleeping bags, and blankets are needed.  Students will receive one hour of community service credit for participating.  In addition, a name will be picked at random from the warm clothing participants and the winner will receive a $50 gift certificate to Book Passage (courtesy of Marin Rotary Sunrise). Flyers and community service forms will be sent out next week.  Questions? Email communityservice@hallpta.org or contact any of the community service committee members. Hall Community Service Committee Hall Hoops Anyone? Turn your Hall hoop dreams into a winning season for the Cougars and sign up for Hall basketball! Teams by grade will be coached by Hall Staff and will compete against other middle school teams beginning in January.  Practices will begin in late November / early December twice a week in the Hall Gym.  Contact Andy Boone at aboone@marin.k12.ca.us or sign up in the Office. Get Ready 94925 is Here! Get ready with us this Thursday evening, October 25, from 7-9 pm in the NC Gym.  Attendees will be eligible to win one of many disaster kits--valued at up to $120--raffled off that night!  Adults only, please.  Let us know you're coming by e-mailing to info@getready94925.org.  For more information, go to www.getready94925.org.