April 3, 2009

CGI Math - This past summer, four IPS teachers (Nielsen, Dentlinger, Kelly, & Vannausdle) started being trained in CGI (Cognitive Guided Instruction) math and have continued training during the school year. There is an opportunity for additional staff members to be trained in Council Bluffs this summer and continued support from Donna McClain (AEA) throughout next year. From talking to the IPS teachers involved, they would not only recommend more teachers doing the training, they are trying to recruit a grade level teacher to sign up! Donna McClain is willing to model a lesson in any teacher's classroom on April 17th. You may also read more about what CGI is (easy read) online, CGI Math Encourages Ingenuity and Reasoning. If interested in the training, see me to request Donna to visit your classroom and see me about training dates!

Spring Carnival - Teachers and staff who wrote their name down on Carnival sign up received an email from Jen regarding how you can help. If you have questions, please contact her at 623-4878 or email her at djbarry98@msn.com. She appreciates your support in getting parent volunteers! Because PTO has done so much for us, I do want to strongly encourage teachers to be a part of the carnival night anyway you can. Helping beforehand is good, and being present would be great. The PTO has a couple more planning meetings on the following dates: Monday, April 13, 5:30 P.M and Monday, April 27, 5:30 P.M.

ITBS Week - Thank you for allowing me to meet with every class the past two days! If you had students who were absent or did not turn in the student goals yet, please get those to Stephanie. Next week, please make me aware of any issues that arise during testing. If students need 'more focus' during testing time, I'm leaving my office desk open for just those special occasions. Also, thank you to Sharon Foote for providing us juice for both Monday and Tuesday!

Reading on the Square - You should have received the appointment-email for our 2nd annual event on April 17th. Please note the schedule for the day and we will be collecting change all week to raise money for the public library. I'll be working with the April student advisory students to get more information out to all students and staff.

Thank you - I appreciate all the extra things many of you do. From taking on "Rocket-math" groups of students who are not specifically your students, to always turning in your homework sheets each week, to working with students before and after school, to making the extra parent phone calls, to continuing to do-what-you-need-to-do in my absence, many of you go the extra mile each and every day. Although I know I don't always tell each of you, I appreciate your hard work and dedication to our students.

Dates to Note...we're busy, aren't we??
April 6-9 - ITBS Week (Make up on April 9 & 12-13)
*April 6 - 2:55 Assembly (Braymen's students present PowerPoint)
*April 6 - PLC Time
April 9 - Gene gone (keep Nadine & Gene in your prayers)
April 13 - Burnison, Porter & Behrens on KCSI (6:15 am)
*April 13 - 2:55 Assembly (Earth Day Contest Introduction); PLC Time
*April 13 - Everyday Math presentation (3:30 at IPS Cafeteria)
*April 13 - Board Meeting (6:00 PM @ Webster)
April 15 - Curriculum & Instruction PLC; Young Writers
*April 15 - Teacher Quality Mtg & PLC Summer Institute Orientation (3:30 Webster)
April 17 - 2nd Annual Reading on the Square
April 20 - 2:55 Assembly (Fehring students present?); PLC Time
April 24 - 4th Grade Iowa Day (8:30 am - 1:00 pm @ History Center)
*April 24 - Individual Professional Development
April 27 - 5th Grade Music Program (7pm @ MS)
April 29 - Curriculum & Instruction PLC
May 1 - Oregon Trail Day (all day)
May 6 - Building PLC

This quote made me think of our "Washington Family" this week...I'll let you decide who's who.

Families are like fudge - mostly sweet with a few nuts.

~Author Unknown