Friday, August 21, 2009

Great start to the year

The PK-4 elementary schools have a had a great start to the school year. Students have been learning routines and expectations and teachers are getting started on the planned curriculum. It has been good to see the students again! And we were very pleased to see so many families at the Open Houses before school started! Parent involvement makes a difference!

Upcoming events include: - FAX Gilbert presentation at all three schools on September 15
- Open House/Curriculum Night at Fairview, Sept. 22, 6 pm for
Title I Parents' Night, 6:30 for Open House

- Open House/Curriculum Night at Bailey Park, Sept. 24, 6 pm for
Title I Parents' Night, 6:30 for Open House

- Field trips to Faulkner Gallery, beginning in early October to see
the Molecules that Matter show and create their own original art
work

Please let us know if there are questions or concerns.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Elementary Staffing Changes

Christie Hughes has been hired to fill the additional third grade section at Davis.  Christie graduated from Buena Vista University with a BA in elementary education with reading and social studies endorsements.  She has substituted extensively in the Newton School District.  We are very pleased to welcome Christie to Davis.  Christie was originally hired for the half-time first grade literacy position at Bailey Park but was moved to the third grade position when it became available.

On Wednesday, August 12, the Grinnell School Board approved the hiring of an additional fourth grade teacher.  Kristine Allen, a Grinnell native, has been hired to fill that position.  Kristine graduated from Central College in May and has just recently completed her reading endorsement and most of her early childhood endorsement.  Kristine student taught in fourth grade at Davis and already knows the building, staff, and fourth grade curriculum.  Even though class assignments for fourth grade were made earlier, some students have been reassigned to Ms. Allen’s class.  Parents will be notified in the near future if their child has been reassigned.  We are so pleased to have an additional fourth grade section and to have Ms. Allen join the Davis faculty.

Amanda Losing has been hired to fill the half-time first grade literacy position at Bailey Park.  Amanda graduated with a BA in elementary education from Buena Vista University and she has subbed in the Marshalltown School District.   Amanda will work with small groups of first grade students on literacy skills.  We are excited to have Amanda join the faculty at Bailey Park.

The start of the school year is just around the corner.  Begin practicing the routine that will need to be followed when school begins.  Students need to begin going to bed a little earlier than they may have this summer so they can be rested and ready to get up in the mornings.  Starting a new school year is often a difficult transition and it’s very important to begin in the right way – and we want all students to arrive at school on time and ready to learn. 

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Schools are getting ready!

Have you driven by or stopped in any of the elementary schools recently?  The custodians have cleaned classrooms and furniture, hallways have been waxed or are being waxed at this time!  The buildings are looking great!  New textbooks are arriving daily and students will soon be arriving to brighten the buildings even more. 

I've noted that the flower beds outside of Fairview and Davis can use some attention and I've done some weeding.  However, the job it too big for me to complete on my own.  If you have any free time in the next week or so you might spend time pulling weeds in the one of the flower beds.  We can also use mulch to put down once the weeding is completed.  Let me know if you can help or just show up to weed!  I appreciate any help you can give! 

Also, remember walk in registration is on Tuesday, August 4, 9 am - 6 pm, at the Grinnell Middle School.  See you there!