April 23, 2010

PTO Meeting - The next PTO Carnival planning meeting will be on Tuesday, April 27th, at 5:30 pm in the Inman Primary media center.  It would be nice to have a representative from each grade level present.  I will be in attendance also. 

Spelling Bee - I am designating Mark Haufle & Sue Timmerman to decide when or if we will do a joint Spelling Bee contest like we have done in the past. I think it is a great event but will honor the concern about loss of classroom time if that is the decision made by the teams.  Please let me know by April 27th so I can include that communication in the May newsletter going out next week!!

Parent Technology Workshop - You should have received an appointment email from me regarding our May 4th visitor, Karen Gale, FBI Victim Specialist.  In addition to her online safety presentation to staff, parents, students and community members from 6:00-7:30 in the evening, she will present to students in an assembly at WIS (12:30-1:30) and the MS (2:00-3:00).  Please adjust your schedules to accomodate this needed and engaging presentation!

Spring Assessments - Spring fluency testing will be completed by Mrs. Rea the first week of May. She will be assessing any student who has been below grade level at any point (fall or winter) during the school year.  If teachers would like other students assessed, please talk to Mrs. Rea.  Both teams have set Gates testing for the first week in May.  Discussion needs to take place as when the end of year math assessments would be given.  We can make that part of our May 5th PLC discussion (see below).

May PLC Expected Outcomes & Curriculum Work - We lost 5 early out days this semester so we are tabling our curriculum work until this summer.  Mrs. Sims and I will be creating a schedule and contacting teachers when we set those dates, objectives and expected outcomes.  As for May, we will use the following outline for our three remaining PLC dates. The first date will be a building staff work session.

May 5th PLC
2009-10 Review and 2010-11 Planning

(schedules, programs, behavior plans, etc.)
SPED Teachers with Monica Crouch @ Webster


May 12th PLC
ITBS, Gates and Other Reading Data Review
Reading SMART Goals review and year end summary
Set 2010-11 SMART Goals


May 19th PLC
ITBS, Saxon End-of-Year Assessment, and Other Math Data Review
Math SMART Goals review and year end summary
Set 2010-11 SMART Goals

Transition Day was moved to Thursday, May 27th to keep it during the last week of school (original last day was May 24th!) . The 3rd Grade parent orientation will remain on May 20th.  I will communicate the evening parent meeting schedule with the 4th grade team (next fall's team) as we get closer to the date. 

Quote of the Week

It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which,more than anything else, will affect its successful outcome.
~ William James

Good leaders surround themselves with good people,
who in turn become good leaders.
~Michael Nolan

I read these quotes this morning and it made me think about all the changes each of us will be faced with this coming fall.  The tasks at-hand will be daunting if we take it on individually as independent contractors and separate entities.  The underlying belief of living as and working within Professional Learning Communities is strong collaboration, teacher leadership and open communication.  You have developed as leaders within your teams and the building and I'm confident in your leadership decisions you make - and if I don't, you've been open to ongoing conversation and ideas.  :)  The staff at Washington Intermediate has tackled major changes before and I believe that will collaboration and positive attitudes, we will continue to learn, grow and provide our students and parents with the best educational opportunities possible.

April 16, 2010

ITBS Testing - Thank you to everyone for getting all booklets and answer sheets back to Jeannie in a timely manner.  After the last few barcode stickers arrive (my fault!!) on Friday, Etta Murphy will get them shipped off to Iowa City.  We hope to use our last two...

Professional Learning Community days (May 12 and 19) to analyze the data, review 2009-10 SMART goals and set new goals based on the data.  The data would also include Gates, fluency (first week of May so get those scheduled!), Skills Tutor math assessments and other data from ongoing assessments.  It is likely May 5 will be a building level PLC day too as a need exists at all levels to do some planning for the 2010-11 school year.  "So, what about our...

MISIC Curriculum work?" you might ask.  I have completed the grade span documents from team's curriculum work in January and we just need the time to get together and discuss/view the gaps.  The ICC team will be meeting on Monday to determine how to make up the PLC/Curriculum time we are losing during the month of April.  I hope to have more information for you next week.

PLC Time - During your weekly meetings, please refocus agenda items and discussion around our four critical questions.  Please see last week's post for more details.

PTO Carnival - Let me know what support you need in getting prepared for the upcoming PTO Carnival.  The next PTO meeting is Tuesday, April 27, at 5:30 pm (IPS MC).

"Thank you!" goes to...Jan and the social committee for organizing another wonderful retirement party last weekend.  Although the rumor is that Jan is retiring from her music composing gig, I doubt it. Also, thank you to Mark and Angie for supervising our Young Writers this week!

Optimist Skating Party - Is Saturday at 1:00 pm. Please announce this free event to your class today!

Dates to Note...
April 19 - Title I Night @ WIS (6-7 pm)
April 21 - Teacher Quality Mtg @ Webster (7 am); midterm cutoff
April 22 - SAT Mtg (3:20 pm)
April 23 - 5th grd performs for 4th grd (9:20 am); 4th quarter midterms due
April 26 - School Board Mtg (6pm); 5th Grade Music Program (7pm)
May 4 – Internet Tips and Education (student and parent assemblies) - more info to come!
May 7 – 5th Grade Oregon Trail; PTO Carnival (5-8 pm)
May 14 – WIS Track & Field Day (all day @ HS Track)
May 20 – Transition Day
May 21 – 3rd Annual Reading on the Square

Cancelled Early Outs & Specials

As mentioned, outside of the already scheduled PE classes, there will be no specials scheduled during the next three Wednesdays (14. 21, 28). This will allow us to make up some of the 22 hours of instructional time lost during the late starts/early outs.


If the teacher of the special wants to schedule a class, they will set it up with the teachers.

Already scheduled PE:
April 14: 8:30-9:13 Martinez; 9:17-10:00 Timmerman
April 21: 8:30-9:13 Guinn; 9:17-10:00 Montgomery
April 28: 8:30-9:13 Chelsvig; 9:17-10:00 Linn

<<< sent Tuesday, April 13, 2010 >>>

April 9, 2010

ITBS Week - It appeared students were fully engaged and giving their best effort this week with the assessments!  Please return all completed forms and materials to Ms. Bates as soon as you can.  Teachers should coordinate time and proctors for students that need make-up tests - this can be done in the classroom if the environment is conducive to testing.  Otherwise, please see Jan, Jeannie or I to assist.  Tests due to Jeannie no later than 4 pm on Monday!

Refocus PLC Work - This time of year we can tend to focus on the wrong 'end goal' - the last day of school!  Please continue to focus on the four critical questions both within the classroom and during your PLC meeting times.  I am seeing a lot more "nuts-and-bolts" items on PLC team minutes than expected.  Please use lunch 'meetings' to talk about field trips, track and field day and all those items.  Use your weekly PLC meeting to focus on instruction, formative assessment, classroom data and the "big four" questions.  Thank you in advance for refocusing the work and time.
1.  What is it we want our student to learn?
2.  How will we know if each student learned it?
3.  How will we respond when some students do not learn it?
4.  How can we extend and enrich the learning for students who have demonstrated proficiency?

Professional Development Changes - We will not be having PD on April 14, 21 and 28 due to making up one snow day. Please take note of this and plan your weekly meetings accordingly. Thank you!

Young Writer’s Conference will be on Wednesday, April 14.  We have 24 students attending from WIS and  Mark & Angie will be supervising the students at Graceland University in Lamoni, IA. They will be leaving from IPS at 7:00 A.M.  Teachers should provide students with the work they will be missing that day as instruction will continue even with so many students out of the building that day.  :) 

Good News Items - We are always looking to add good news items to the school board packet. If something is going on in your classroom, please email Stephanie or I a short article and a picture (if you took one). In addition to the school board packet, I have included good news items on the website when I can!

PTO Carnival - Thank you for stepping up and taking care of business with the upcoming PTO carnival.  I know your plates are full, yet you also realize the importance of being a vital partner in the PTO fundraising.  We have been fortunate to use the funding over the past few years to create 21st Century learning opportunities in our classrooms for students and teachers.  Since you've all jumped on board, in addition to the songs for the kids, maybe I'll karokee one of my favorite 'oldies' that night just for you.  :) 

Happily Retiring....but not quite!  We hope to see everyone on Saturday as we help the Guinn, Martinez and Redd clans celebrate their well deserved retirement!  Just remind them toward the end of the party, that it is only April 10th so they must return to work on Monday. 

Dates to Note...
April 10 - Retirement Party: Guinn, Martinez & Redd (2-4 pm)

April 12 – Board Mtg (6:00 pm)
April 16 – Comprehensive Portfolios Due for teachers on cycle!! - only received one so far!!
April 17 – Optimist Skating Party
April 26 – K-5 Science Fair (4pm @ IPS); 5th gr. Music Program (7pm @ MS gym)
May 4 – WIS Parent Advisory Mtg (7 pm)
May 7 – 5th Grade Oregon Trail; PTO Carnival (5-8 pm)
May 14 – WIS Track & Field Day (all day @ HS Track)
May 20 – Transition Day
May 21 – 3rd Annual Reading on the Square

April 1, 2010

ITBS Items - If you did not receive a schedule yesterday and will be involved in testing, please see me today.  A few items that were left off the ITBS information are:
- Melissa will spend next week testing students so she will not be following her regular pull-out schedule.  Please note that as you make plans for math and reading instruction next week.  She will communicate additional pull-out time for testing with teachers.
- I did not stress this, but a reminder that students with accommodations cannot have the reading comprehension and vocabulary sub-tests read to them.
- Keep homework to the bare minimum next week.
- We would like the tests back after school on Monday, April 12.  If you know it will be later, please give Jeannie a heads-up as soon as you can.
- If students need 'more focus' during testing time, Jeannie and my office are open for just those occasions. 


Spring Carnival - At Tuesday's PTO meeting, it was decided that each grade level would be responsible for one game at the carnival.  The team would 'staff' the game, coordinate parent/student/ community member volunteers to staff it.  The PTO games committee will bring the game and supplies.  Between the four teachers, there should be plenty of help and/or time to get volunteers.  There is also a sign up in the lounge - please take a look!!  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, but being present that evening would be best. The PTO has a couple more planning meetings before the May 7 Carnival night!


From the "Keep Forgetting to Ask" Department - Are teams planning on doing the spelling bee again this spring?  Discuss and let me know.


AT YOUR LUNCH TODAY...(from last week with no results) Spring Dates - Teams should list all their spring events/dates and turn these in to the office so we have a master schedule.  Spring gets busy so please communicate, communicate, communicate!!


Dates to Note (I will add your dates next week!)
April 1 – CANCELLED 7:15 am mtg for all classroom teachers
April 2 – No School
April 5-8 – ITBS week
April 9 – 5th Grade to Rose Theatre
April 9 – 4th Simply Electrifying Assembly (3rd grade visit)
April 10 - Retirement Party: Guinn, Martinez & Redd (2-4 pm)
April 12 – Board Mtg (6:00 pm)
April 16 – Comprehensive Portfolios Due for teachers on cycle!!
April 17 – Optimist Skating Party
April 26 – K-5 Science Fair (4pm @ IPS); 5th gr. Music Program (7pm @ MS gym) 
May 4 – WIS Parent Advisory Mtg (7 pm) 
May 7 – 5th Grade Oregon Trail; PTO Carnival (5-8 pm)
May 14 – WIS Track & Field Day (all day @ HS Track) 
May 20 – Transition Day  
May 21 – 3rd Annual Reading on the Square