April 11, 2008

ITBS Week – Thank you for supporting our students during a successful testing week. I heard many times over: "The kids are working hard." and the "The kids are trying their best." Please attempt to get make-up tests done today. Mrs. Burnison and Mr. Maurer are available to help with the make-up tests. All tests are due to the Ms. Bates no later than 4:00 pm on Tuesday, April 15.

National Library Week is the next week. The April Student Advisees will be walking to the Square on Monday at 10:30 to invite businesses to join us for the reading party on Friday, April 18. Student Advisees were given a letter to take home to their parents and should talk to his/her teacher about making up any work they will miss during that hour on Monday. If you have questions, please see me. There is also a 1:00 PM dismissal that Friday.

Network/Phone Work – Please do not plan computer activities next week. Although we there will be little interruption in service, it would be safe to plan around the work being done next week. There will be high school students and staff from New Visions in your rooms next week. They will try to keep the disruptions to a minimum, but you may want to inform your students of the possible "guests." New phones will be in next week. To access the online training, go to: http://www.newvisioncommunications.com/training/RedOak/index.htm

Interviews – Two interviews for the BD room were completed. We should be able to have an announcement sometime next week. Thank you to Connie & Lisa for assisting with this process.

Board Meeting is set for Monday, April 14 at 6:30 pm at Webster. The Board Members will also be touring the school buildings and grounds on Monday.

Young Writers will be heading to Graceland University. We have 24 students attending.

The K-5 Science Fair is scheduled for Monday, April 21. It will begin at 3:45 P.M. in the IPS cafeteria.

5th Grade Music Program is set for Monday, April 21 at 7:00 pm. It will take place in the middle school gym and I hope to see many of you there in support of the students and Ms. Mann. I know they have been working hard to prepare!

ICAMs will take place the week of April 21st. 4th grade teachers should pick up materials from me late next week. We are only taking 2 tests this year.

My Schedule - my April schedule has not allowed me to be in the building as much as I would desire. I appreciate knowing that the staff does an excellent job managing the ups, downs and decisions in my absence. Your flexibility, communication and leadership is unmatched. Thank you for your hard work.

WEBSITE – Please look for ways to tie in student writing tasks/assignments to projects that can be posted on the website. You all do units or projects in your class on a weekly basis that students can share through the writing process. If you need ideas, let me know. A prize will go to the first classroom who supplies three articles for the website about their class, our school or community.

Develop a passion for learning.

If you do, you'll never cease to grow.

-- Anthony J. D'Angelo

He who laughs, lasts – DB