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Mark Braam » Greetings from Mr. Braam!

Greetings from Mr. Braam!

Hi, I am Mark Braam.
I am an English teacher at Fairfield High School. During the 2022-23 school year, I am teaching five bells of sophomores in College/Career-Ready English 10 and one bell of a fifth-year Journalism/Media course.
In addition to being an English teacher, I have been a journalist for the better part of a quarter century, working both in Washington, D.C., as a sports and political reporter and editor, and here as a news editor and designer at The Cincinnati Post and The Cincinnati Enquirer. You might see me at many school events with a camera in my hands and journalism students at my side!
I hope to meet you all, in the classroom, at parent-teacher conferences, or via Zoom, phone or email; meanwhile, here is my own webpage on the district website.
I have this page for a number of reasons:
1. So I can send home news (and sometimes share photos!) of what we are doing or will be doing;
2. So I can post reminders and class-specific files
3. So I can post some educational videos that I make from time to time;
4. So I can post some links to some great educational resources;
5. So I can permanently post some files, such as the class syllabus and class policies, and update them as needed; and
6. So parents and students can get an easy notification each time that I post something new.

How does this work? On the right side of this page, there is a "SUBSCRIBE" button. If you click on the subscribe button, and register, you will get an email notification every time that I post something new to the page. Please note that there is a separate page for class files, which is actually where most new things will get posted. That means you need to subscribe to both pages, please!

Now, not everything that I post will be earth-shaking(!!!), but at least you will know when and if I do.

This is a good and fast way to pass on news, get copies of homework assignments, and to permanently post some items (such as the class syllabus).

Take a look and see how it works! Please feel free to contact me at [email protected].

Mr. Braam
P.S. Many things are still different this year due to the COVID-19. THINGS WILL CONTINUE TO CHANGE!!!! That means there will also be many messages that will go back and forth, and sometimes from different platforms. PLEASE ... be patient as we all (teachers, students, parents and administrators) continue to adjust, sometimes on the fly.
 

Posts

Be The Difference Letter for sophomores

Attached is a letter being sent home today, Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016, with all sophomore students. It pertains to next week's three days of anti-bullying programs (Nov. 7, 9-10) called Be The Difference.
Each sophomore will attend one day of the program. A pizza lunch adn bottled water is being provided.
Please download and read the details pertaining to this valuable program.

Last day to hand in late work is Monday

NOTICE: The end of the first quarter has arrived!!!
The last day to hand in any late work is Monday, Oct. 17, by the end of the day. I am here till waaaaay after school is out. I need time to be able to grade things..
 
NOTICE: I will be collecting leftover green hall passes for extra credit on Tuesday during class. Do not forget them

Final Draft Due Date

The final draft of the personal narrative will be Monday, Oct. 24, 2016, at the start of class.

Have the paper printed out, along with all of the planning materials, rough draft and peer edits, ready to go at that time (in other words, do not show up at class wanting to print at that time).

Butler Tech Field Trip?

Attention sophomores who want to attend the Butler Tech field trip in December:
Permission slips are NOT available for pickup yet. There will be an announcement when they are available.

After-Prom Help Needed

From the Fairfield Announcements:
"HELP! Fairfield High School Parents, AFTER PROM 2017 Committee needs your talents now! Due to parents of students that have graduated last year several key committee positions are open. A new group of parents are being called upon to help steer this program. AFTER PROM will not be able to continue without your help. After Prom provides activities, games, prizes, and food for around 500-700 students per year. It is one of the student’s favorite events year after year. Please note, this event was created by caring parents and is supported by our community. This helps keep our kids off the streets and in a safe, drug-alcohol free environment after the Prom dance. Next meeting, will be tonight at 6:30 pm in the Fairfield High School Cafeteria. Questions, contact Kellie McGeorge at [email protected]"

JOB ALERT: Do you know anyone who needs a job who might be interested in taking this exam to become a District custodian? Spread the word!

Progress Reports Coming Home Friday

Just a reminder: Progress Reports for the Fall Quarter will be distributed on Friday during homeroom, so expect to see them Friday evening. Most of my students' grades are doing fine; however, some seem to be struggling because they have not handed in one or more assignments. PARENTS: Be aware that grades change rapidly at this time of the year, and the handing in of one late assignment or not handing in an assignment may make a difference of 10-20 points. Also, check Progress Book for the most current grades, as some assignments may have been recorded AFTER progress reports were turned in.

Part-Time Jobs

Looking for a part-time job?  Check out the Job Opportunities bulletin board located in the main hallway across from the Attendance Office.  You can take a picture of the notice or take one of the extra handouts pinned to the board.  New notices get posted as we get them, so check back often.

Flash Drive Reminder

We do not have HW tonight (Monday, Sept. 12), but an early warning ,., we will likely have HW Tuesday night, plus I will want students to bring in their flash drives on Wednesday, when the plan is right now to go to the computer lab.

MANDATORY: Locks on Lockers Now

NOTE: I have been warning students daily that the day was coming, but now we have an actual date.
 
BY FRIDAY, SEPT. 9, 2016 (TOMORROW), ALL LOCKERS IN THE HIGH SCHOOL MUST HAVE LOCKS ON THEM!!!!
 
Why? On Monday. Sept. 12, all lockers without locks will be shut and locked, and students will not be able to access their lockers. This is to prevent students from bringing in contraband and storing it in lockers not their own.
 
At that time, the only way that students will be able to access their lockers will be to go to the main office and purchase the lock for $5 that is now on their lockers (or show the office staff that you have a lock in your hand to substitute for the one that is on the locker).
.

Parent/Teacher Conferences, Fall 2016

Here is just a quick reminder that we will be having parent/teacher conferences coming up soon. Here is how the school states the instructions on signing up:
Parents:  Our first conference night of the school year will be held on Thursday, September 22, from 3:30-7:00 pm.  If you would like to schedule an appointment with your student’s teachers, please call 942-2999, extension 142.  The last day to schedule is September 20,at the end of the school day!  Please remember that conferences are by appointment only.

Why We Proofread ... (A Continuing Series)

Here is the first extra-credit photo of sign mistakes to be posted this school yer.
Attached is a photo that a student of mine sent me of an unauthorized parking sign found near W. 8th Street in Cincinnati near the Public Incline House. Instead of "Fine" it says "Find."
I might be willing to get towed if I was to find $50!

100-Word True Story Instructions

Attached are the instruction for doing the 100-Word True Story that was assigned and completed in class on Wed., Aug. 31. Examples will also be posted.
Unfortunately, the printer in the computer lab was not functioning properly, so students were to save their work either by flash drive, email, Dropbox, Google.docs, or any other method that they could come up with. 
If possible, please have students print their papers at home and bring them in. If not, we will find another method here ... BRING FLASH DRIVES EVERY DAY!!!!

Gold Card/Free Admission to Home Games

Attention all students who had a 4.0 last spring semester!
You are eligible for a Gold Card.  This Gold Card will get you admission to 6 Fairfield Home High School sporting events.  See Mr. Simmins after school in 3214 to pick up your Gold Card if you qualify.

FHS Open House on Thursday, Aug. 25

Want to meet your children's teachers (including me, Mr. Braam, your child's English teacher)?
Then make plans to attend the school Open House on Thursday.
Here is the information from today's school announcements:

"FHS OPEN HOUSE: Thursday, August 25, 2016, 5:30 to 7:30 pm
Get acquainted with your student’s teachers by following their daily schedule and spending 10 minutes in each of their classrooms."

Hope to meet you then!