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