May 8, 2009

PTO Carnival Tonight!!

5- 8 pm @ IPS

PTO Carnival - Thank you to everyone who has helped prepare for tonight and to those helping after school and this evening. It is quite an event at quite a time of year! It appears the weather will cooperate and I know we will have a big crowd this evening. Please talk to you students about the event tonight and how it helps us provide books, materials and technology to the classroom!

Media Literacy Survey - Teachers should have received a survey from Ann Petersen in your box. When you complete the survey, please turn it back in to the office. Looking at the questions, it may be helpful to have your name on the survey in order to provide help to the right person down the road. :) Monday's meeting will be in Jessica Braymen's room and will begin at 3:15 pm.

ITBS & PLC Days - ITBS test booklets arrive in my office today so next Wednesday teams can begin item analysis using your student data. I will have forms available to record findings. You will use your SMART Goals to edit/modify your action plans for the 2009-10 school year. If your team needs assistance, please let me know.

Schedule Updates - Thank you to the teams and Stephanie for getting the year end dates organized onto one sheet! Also, thank you to Brenda for posting it on our website and regularly updating it. It helps a TON with communication!!

MAP - Our first attempt at using the computerized assessment, Measures of Academic Progress, went well. Thank you to Jan and Geoff for assisting with the process. We still have a few makeups available. Science and Language assessments will be given this coming week. I can work with the 5th grade team next Wednesday to look at the math and reading data.

Monday Assemblies - Only two Monday's left! Final assemblies: May 11th - 4th grade; and May 18th - 5th grade (both at 2:55 pm).

The End Is Near - but we still have 12 instructional days left in the school year. Please help make every moment count by providing engaging and meaningful lessons and activities! I've talked to a few teachers who have some great hands-on learning experiences built into their final two weeks of school. I would also encourage you to continue being proactive, positive, yet consistent as we finish the school year. It is very important we do not let up on our high expectations for students...both academically and behaviorally!

A few congratulations and thank yous go out to... (more to come next week!!)

...Michelle for being awarded another FREE item from DonorsChoose.org as she earned her classroom a interactive whiteboard!

...Gene for getting our NEW United States flag AND an Iowa flag up on our pole. He fixed the rope so we can now have students put up the flag each morning when we get that set up!

...Linnea for starting her summer break early, but for a great reason! We wish you best of luck as you enjoy motherhood (again!).

...Jessica for completing her summative and comprehensive evaluation AND getting my signature on the DE form to allow her to get her standard teaching license! She's worked hard the past two years to earn it.

...Mark & Sandra for noting we need to all be responsible for teaching students life and social skills and committing to attending a training to allow us to earn free curriculum to bring back to 4th grade...even though it is during a busy time of year!

...Jeannie for volunteering to be out on the playground to assist 4th grade students with trying to 'get it right' on a more consistent basis.

...finally, Pat, although he officially has 13 days left to work, he will enjoy his retirement party this Saturday (2-4 pm). This is well deserved...so please show up. :)

Please send me your thank you's and congratuations so I can include them in my last TWO FWRs.