Create a PowerPoint Presentation on Building Blocks (Line, Point and Plane) which shows, rays, segments, angles, collinear and coplanar points, skew lines, parallel lines, midpoint, angle  bisector, perpendicular bisector, supplementary angles, complementary angles, polygons, vertical angles, linear pair of angles, line and angle relationship. 

Due Date:  October 24, 2011.

To PDA Scholars taking Algebra 2 this semester, just a reminder... be ready for your one problem to discuss on Solving Linear Equations by Elimination. Keep up the good work guys... GODSPEED . . .

Perseverance is a great element of success. If you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody.

At what do you want to succeed? are you willing to "knock long enough and loud enough at the gate" and keep at it?

We make choices. Every day, we choose many times, from the moment we wake up, until the time we choose to fall asleep. What makes this interesting, however, are how many times we believe that we didn’t have a choice, and acted as if something was decided for us, including our reaction.

Answer some questions:
■ Is rest and sleep important to you? What time did you go to sleep and wake up? What did you do instead of going to sleep? Which choices did you make instead?
■ Is your health important to you? What did you choose to eat yesterday? How much time did you schedule for your fitness?
■ Is your future important to you? What moves did you make yesterday towards advancing that future? What did you do with your time instead?

If you stopped and answered those questions honestly, you’d see your choices in action. But more interestingly, you’d hear the voice of guilt, the voice of justification, the voice that excuses make to dull your guilt. You’d hear many little decisions and self-talk click in, all of which serve a purpose (most of which is the purpose of avoiding pain and discomfort, or the perceived pain and discomfort we associate with guilt).

What I’m saying is that we all grow very comfortable with our excuses and justifications. This impacts how we do our job. This impacts how we relate to those we love. This impacts how we face every moment of the day.

And the gravitational PULL of excuses and justification are huge. Think about it. “I really should work out today, but I’ve got so much stuff on my plate.” The word “but” is your indication that you didn’t mean what you said in the first half of the sentence.

The truth is, in the above example, you will always have so much stuff on your plate, and if you don’t, the excuse will be that you really should work out, but you’ve gotta search for work, so that you can have a lot of stuff on your plate.

I’m right there with you. I’m addicted to excuses the same as you, the same as everyone. But that’s also not an excuse, not license to do nothing. It’s a call to action.

If you don’t have a direction or goal or path in mind, how will you know you’re going the right way?  I recently set some short and long term goals/committments in my life, I now have a very simple path that I can clearly explain. When I’m not on the path, it’s really clear. So I make choices that keep me on that path. There are no excuses allowed for this! The trick to this all is creating enough simple paths and putting success in our way every day. But then beyond that, it’s becoming acutely aware of choices, and of seeing each moment that they come up as an opportunity to practice the response that is in better alignment with your goals.

One last point and then I’ll let you go. The more times I choose to honor my paths and avoid excuses and justification, the more times I can leverage that success for other things. There’s a snowball effect at play here. The more we can work on our choices, the more times we can have small victories and bring that success to bear on other choices in our lives.

If you stopped right now and just wrote five choices you’d like to think about today and for the rest of the month – just five, I bet you’d have a better time of things. If you had even the simplest of guides to the path you’d prefer, versus what comes up or what can be excused and justified, even if this is just a starting point for something else, I promise you’d feel better.

What do you think? Are you willing to make that choice?

SCHOLARS, be advised that your vocabulary quiz will be October 19th. Please study diligently everyday until the day of the quiz. Do not try to cram for this test! Please study and memorize four to six words each day leading up to the exam. Good luck and if you have any questions e-mail me. Coach Goodridge.

Senior Class Meeting October 12, 2011 Recap

Kudos to class officers Allese Morrison and Alexus Davis for facilitating the first 2011-2012 senior class meeting! These ladies were prepared and did a great job leading the discussions.  Topics including the senior class trip, class rings, 2012 shirts, skip days and college visits were proposed and plans put into action.  We are so excited about the year ahead and very proud of the class of 2012 for stepping up and taking a major role in the planning process.

The next senior class meeting will be held next Wednesday at 11:00AM. We will be voting on shirt designs, locations for a college tour and a restaurant for the senior luncheon. Bring your suggestions.

SCHOLARS, for those living at the house be advised that we will be having study sessions to prepare for your next vocabulary exam. I encourage you to participate in these sessions. This is an open invitation. I WILL NOT seek you out to be a part of these sessions but you must show  initiative and be responsible for your academic process..Please take your academic process seriously!!  If you have any questions please do not hesitate to seek me out. Coach Goodridge.

No matter what happens, we always have a "CHOICE". Even when it seems that there is no option, there is always something else that can be done. What happens in our lives is the result of decisions that we make. Here's a quote by "Edgar A. Guest"

"You are the person who has to decide. Whether you'll do it or toss it aside; you are the person who makes up your mind. Whether you'll lead or will linger behind. Whether you'll try for the goal that's afar. Or just be contented to stay where you are."

Compile all the different types of business letters in a folder and ready to submit at the end of first quarter... 

Everybody must be ready on their presentation on choice animal by searching information thru net using Microsoft Word or PowerPoint...  

Just a reminder .... practice.... practice.... practice.... using HTML on Notepad....Read the "CLASSNOTES" on HTML which i attached it in your email that helps working with HTML in designing webpage...

Play or Win?

If you were a top-flight athlete, would you go to a team where you knew you could play, or would you go to a team where you thought you would win?

If you had to choose between sitting on the bench until your number was called for a team with a real chance at greatness or being an important contributor to a team that had to overachieve just to succeed, which would you pick?

Actually, it's never as simple as "play or win." But let's make it that simple. I'm asking you, directly, what you would do. Would you choose to play or would you choose to win?

Organize your college selection process.

For many, the prospect of choosing a college to attend can be overwhelming.  Because it’s such an important decision, the idea of managing all the applications and remembering all the deadlines can seem overwhelming.  By purchasing some basic office supplies and following these simple directions, you can set up a system that will keep you organized.

What to buy at your office supplies superstore:
•A large, academic year, laminated wall calendar
•Packages of colored pens, hi-lighters, and dry erase markers (match the colors and get as many colors as there are colleges you’re considering)
•A pocket-sized calendar
•A piece of posterboard
•A box of 1/3-cut, manila file folders, with adhesive labels
•A file box with hanging files

What to do with it:

The file folders and box are to hold materials you receive from colleges and scholarship applications.  Use half the hanging files for each purpose (college materials and scholarship applications), and label accordingly.  One folder should be labeled for each college (i.e. ohio university, thomas more college, kentucky state university).  One folder should be labeled for each scholarship you know about, plus several extras should be placed in the back for scholarships you become aware of later.

The posterboard is to keep track of the pros and cons of each of your schools.  Using a marker, simply divide up the posterboard into boxes, one for each school.  Using the colored pens, write the name of the schools, one at the top of each box.  Next, write a plus sign in the top half and a minus sign in the bottom half.  After you’re done, post it on your wall (somewhere everyone can see it).  Then write down things you like and don’t like about your schools in their boxes.

The laminated wall calendar is for posting on your wall with the posterboard described above.  On it you will label all the important deadlines at the schools you are considering, as well as college visits and college fair dates.  Assign one color marker to each school and write all of that school’s dates in that color.  Assign one color to all individual scholarships, and use that color to list all of their deadlines. 

The pocket-sized calendar is for you to have a copy of your wall calendar with you all the time.  Copy everything off the large calendar into the small one.  Carry it and use it.

Now you have a system to organize applications and scholarship materials, as well as a look at your deadlines and your thoughts about each college.  It will help insure you don’t miss any deadlines and keep all the information you receive together and organized.  It will also allow your family to keep up with what you’re doing and thinking about the process.

The Senior Class meeting will be held on Wednesday at 11:00AM in the science room.

Some of the best lessons are learned from past mistakes. The error of the past is the wisdom of the future- Dale Turner

LETS BE GREAT TODAY AND CONTINUE TO OPERATE IN THE SPIRIT OF EXCELLENCE!!!

To all my students who made their best in taking quiz / test... Friday... October 7th...

Algebra 1 - Emmanuel Orgi

Geometry - Anthony Rivers, Phillip Roy II, Jace Ebanks

PreCalculus - Arron Kennedy White, Elizabeth Pope, Cleve Stewart

Calculus - Michael Scott

Algebra 2 - Gerald Rodriguez

Keep up the good work ! ! !

This week at Princeton Day our focus theme is "Choices"......

"You are the product of the choices you make..."
Wayne Dyer

Life is all about choices. We create our life with our thoughts and the choices we make. Each choice leads to a consequence. We create our own possibilites. We are making choices all the time; so we have to learn to be careful and make responsible decisions - since they will be affecting our lives in a negative or positive way. We have to learn to act in a responsible manner if we want our lives to be better and more fulfilling. If we act irresponsibly, we will pay the consequences. We are responsible for what happens to us!

We all have the ability and the freedom to make choices... make the right ones!

• Consider other people's feelings and reactions and the consequences that your choices will have.
• Our choices affect our self-esteem!

Life can be an adventure if you make the right choices and become a positive thinker. Just do your best and listen to your heart.

So... CHOOSE to be aware!

milquetoast \MILK-tohst\ , noun;

1.A very timid, unassertive, spineless person, especially one who is easily dominated or intimidated.

He played the quintessential meek, scrawny, milquetoast character.

-- Iris Johansen, Fatal Tide

It was hard to believe that a milquetoast coward like myself could be involved in such a clandestine and dangerous operation.

-- Walter Mosley, Fear of the Dark

Reminder: Bring in supplies for balloon racers on Tuesday.

Racers will be tested on Thursday.

Vocabulary list 3 Quiz Thursday.

Excuses

The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift is yours - it is an amazing journey - and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. This is the day your life really begins. ~Bob Moawad

Senior Portraits

PDA's class of 2012 will sit for their individual student portraits on Wednesday, October 19. Please ensure that all seniors are prepared to be at their best on the 19th. We will provide caps, gowns and tux wear for the pictures.

Senior Officers

Congratulations to the Class of 2012 senior class officers. For the first time in school history, we have an across-the-board team of young ladies as senior representatives including: Allese Morrison - President, Alexus Davis - Vice President and Elizabeth Pope - Secretary.

No School - Columbus Day

Don't forget that we won't have school on Monday, October 10, in observation of Columbus Day; classes will resume on Tuesday, October 11.

Scholars of the Week

It's been a full week and the following students have made the most of their opportunities to succeed at PDA:

College Prep Seminar: Michael Scott - 12th grade

English: Destinee Tunstall - 11th grade, Darian Williams - 10th grade

Mathematics: Anthony Rivers - 10th grade, Aaron Kennedy-Smith - 12th grade, Cleve Stewart - 12th grade

Science: Gerald Rodriguez - 11th grade

Social Studies: Essence Brown - 10th grade, Allese Morrison - 12th grade

Lady Storm Update

Our girls basketball team travels to a showcase event this weekend at Villanova University.

Lets all pray for God's blessings and travel mercies for Coach Evans, her staff and our young ladies as they head north to Pennsylvania.

Have a great weekend and,

Go Storm!

Legendary basketball coach John Wooden famously had three rules for success he demanded of his basketball players. “Do not whine, do not complain and do not make excuses.” These rules are not just designed to bring success in basketball; they are designed to set up a mentality that helps you succeed in all areas of life. Making excuses is one of the most powerful things to limit your success in life. Making excuses means you never confront a problem and take responsibility, ensuring it is never solved. You merely look at it through a different lens and justify failure for an external reason.

1. Decide what the final outcome you desire is and recognize when you are making excuses
2. Take responsibility and always look in the mirror as an initial reaction. There is an old saying that rings true: "Things are not how they are, they are how we perceive them to be.” People who make excuses see problems and blame some other person or external event for why it happened. This may protect your ego and give you justification when people ask why you did not succeed. It will not help you succeed
3. Be persistent when failure comes along and keep fighting. You do not always have to justify and make excuses for failing

Good Night~

Good Morning

Too often I hear teenagers say that nothing they do makes a difference. You do not have to effect change on a global level to make a difference. You change the world with the daily interactions you have with your family, friends, and people in your community. The simple things you do make the world a better place.

• Kindness is a trait that many people seem to be lacking these days
• Volunteer for a local organization.
• Teens can be politically active.
• Get the education you need to have a successful career

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma -- which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most importantly, have courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”
 
—Steve Jobs, Visionary Apple co-founder transformed everyday technology, from the personal computer to the iPod and iPhone. Steve Jobs 1955-2011

The next time you catch yourself making an excuse, whether for the late classwork, homework, and project, or not bringing appropriate materials to class everyday the unmet goal, or the job you work, gently remind yourself - no excuses. Spend your thought time planning your next successful venture. Positive thinking becomes a helpful habit. Excuses fuel failure.

No one ever excused his way to success. ~Dave Del Dotto
 

Good Afternoon All! This week at PDA we have been focusing on the topic of excuses. Each morning I have the privilege of sharing, inspiring and challenging our scholars with quotes and life lesson thoughts that they can apply to their everyday life.

As we continue with this week's theme, here are a few thoughts I wanted to share with our scholars: Finding the power from within to claim responsibility for your life and success, as well as moving toward fulfilling your goals and dreams, can be both frightening and overwhelming. It's only when you realize your potential for greatness, however, that you can do great things. Stop making excuses and be the powerful person YOU are!

~Ms. Myra Allen
School Administrator
Princeton Day Academy
EXPECT EXCELLENCE!
Imagine... Dream... Believe... Achieve

A belief is not merely an idea the mind possesses. It is an idea that possesses the mind.- Robert Oxton Bolton

As scholars and athletes we must be strong minded and mentally tough in the face of many adversities. Stay focused on every goal that you have and be able to re-focus when it is necessary.

Just a reminder to all my classes:

Remember due dates and submit all class work / homework on time.
Bring e-books, notebook, planner, and appropriate materials to class every day.

Note:
             Geometry Class (A) : Compass, Protractor, Ruler, and Pencil.
             Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus, and Calculus Class (A): Pencil, Ruler, and Graphic Calculator.

Just a reminder:

Practice... Practice... Practice... It is true practice makes perfect... Observe posture and proper location of your fingers in typing...