December 11, 2009

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Wow!  What a snow storm!  I hope all of you were safe and warm over the three day 'break.'  I'm sure many of you were able to take some amazing pictures like Linnea and many other local residents did and enjoy some extra family or alone time (whichever you needed).  :)  Hopefully this will be our major storm for the winter.   Any bets? 

Keep the Focus! - Coming off three snow days and gearing up for a "one-day Friday" will be challenging.  We know many of our students will welcome the opportunity to come back to school but some may have enjoyed another day at home!  :)  Please keep the focus on student learning and instruction today and next week.  There is still much to be accomplished and I appreciate you keeping students focused on learning and growing.  The same may go for behavior too - please continue to follow the Tiger Behavior plan and do not lower expectations of what is responsible and respectful behavior. 

Holiday Parties are set for Friday, December 18th for both 4th and 5th grade (12:20-1:10 pm). Notes about the party should go home FRIDAY or MONDAY at the latest.   I'll have a lunch schedule to you by Friday.  As of now, we do not have the Mini-Singers scheduled and I'm not sure if the loss of days will help or hinder our attempt to get them over to present to our students. 

Saxon Checklist - I only have a two classrooms left to visit to complete the mid-year Saxon checklist. After I compile the data, I will get the information to the teachers and we will have a short staff meeting to go over it.  I have enjoyed visiting everyone's math block this month.

Student Advisory Projects - Due to the loss of three days this week, we will postpone the food drive until a later date.  I will still work with the November Advisory groups to get the "Holiday Presentation" put together for next Friday.

Communication- Please, please, please...communicate with the office any changes in schedule for your classroom or grade level.  The loss of instructional time this week will throw off the Gates and Fluency assessments - TALK TO EACH OTHER (grade levels & SPED/Title) before making decisions.  At this time (Thursday AM), we do not have a sub for Mr. Maurer on Friday as Fran will be attending a funeral.  Please plan accordingly. 

Mid-Year Assessments - Gates will be completed in the classrooms for ALL students.  Fluency assessment will be completed by Christy Rea and we will only assess students below grade level, new students since fall OR students requested by the classroom teacher.  If you have students who were at grade-level in the fall but you'd like them assessed, see Christy.

4th Grade Program - Linnea will communicate the schedule for practicing next week.  The program begins at 6:00 pm Thursday night at the HS auditorium.  Teachers and students should be there no later than 5:45 pm. 

Parent Advisory – Our 2nd Parent Advisory meeting was cancelled Thursday night.  Our next meeting will be March 4, 2010. 

Qwest Grant of $50,000 - Do you or your team have brilliant ideas on how to better incorporate technology into your classrooms?? The Iowa School Boards Foundation has received $50,000 from the Qwest Foundation to award to Iowa educators proposing innovative classroom uses of technology. There's still plenty of time to submit a one-page proposal! The deadline is Jan. 25, 2010.  Click here for general information about this grant program. They encourage you to think outside the box and to come up with innovative ideas that advance student learning. 21st century skills will be critical to all students' futures. If you have questions, please contact CJ Bloyer at 1-800-795-4272, ext. 246 or e-mail her at cbloyer@ia-sb.org.

Brenda's last day will be Friday, December 18th.  She has taken a position outside the district and although we all wish she would stay with us for the long haul, I understand her decision and wish her the best!  I know each of us have appreciated her extremely professional manner and work ethic during her time at Washington Intermediate.  Remember, Brenda, you'll always be a part of the WIS Family -best of luck to you in your new job!

Dates to note...
Dec 11 – Staff Party!  Come after 5pm at the Barn Door
Dec 15 – Mr. Barry out of district all day
Dec 17 – Fourth Grade Music Program (6 pm @ HS auditorium)
Dec 18 – Classroom parties 12:20-1:10 pm; 2 hr early dismissal (Winter Break begins)
Dec 18 – End 1st semester/2nd quarter
Dec 18 – Susan Noonan's birthday!
Dec 24 – Geoff Maurer's birthday!
Dec 31 – Janelle Erickson's birthday!
Jan 4 – Begin 2nd semester/3rd quarter
Jan 5 – Grades due by 4 pm
Jan 6 – 2 hr early dismissal (PCL - Curriculum)
Jan 7 – 1st Semeser Report cards go home