February 8, 2013

Valentine's Parties are next Friday and will run from 2:30-3:15 pm. Parents who are helping with the parties will be allowed to come down to the rooms at 2:20 pm. Please do not tell parents otherwise so we provide a consistent message. We will run an early out schedule that day as well.

Staffing Update - Kelly Coffman has accepted the 1st grade position for the 2013-14 school year. We are excited to have her as part of the team next fall. At this point, we have all certified positions for the upcoming school year filled.

Iowa Assessments are next Tuesday through Thursday AM. Please remind students to be as quiet as possible in the hallways (2nd grade team - leave notes for subs to remind students!!)

Related Arts will cover bus duties on the Wednesday and Thursday of conference week again so teachers can get a bite to eat and get ready for conferences. THANK YOU RA TEAM!

PBIS Calendar Sign-Up can now be found online!! We realize many of you want to sign up but don't find the time (or like me, forget!!) to go to the Owl's Nest to put your name down. The PBIS sub-committee will transfer your name from the e-calendar to the hard copy. CLICK HERE to access and make sure to click on the correct month. :-)

Planning a field trip? Be sure to get bus request forms in EARLY and indicate any special needs on the form. Also be sure to work with Jill and our nutrition department at least 2 weeks in advance.

He who laughs, lasts... Ran across this article and thought I'd share it with you: What's So Funny About Teaching?!? If you don't have time to read the entire article (not a long one), I'll leave you with this quote:

Being able to survive and thrive in these contexts depends on the ability to detach, see the absurdity, not take oneself too seriously, not personalize, not become defensive and, as much as possible, laugh with some degree of frequency.

Looking ahead...

• Feb 11: BLT 8am in the library
• Feb 12-14 is Iowa Assessments; 
• Feb 12: 2nd/K PLC+
• Feb 12: SMS 5th Grade Parent Night (6-7p)
• Feb 13: 1st PLC+
• Feb 15: Staff Potluck! Valentine's Party day (2:30-3:15p). RA district PLC 2-4p
• Feb 18: 5th grade Band Solo Night (after school)
• Feb 19: 4th grade Fine Arts Night (@ WHS)
• Feb 20: Early Out; last day of across district math PD
• Feb 21: MGE will host district Instructional Rounds. More to come!
• Feb 22: No School (work day)
• Dr. Suess Reading Celebration Week is 2/25 through 3/1. More info to come.

Online Literacy Coaching Certificate
Iowa State University

The School of Education at Iowa State University is now accepting applications for the Online Literacy Coaching Certificate program that starts this summer.  This 17-credits, totally online program is designed to prepare classroom teachers, instructional leaders, and other school personnel to serve in literacy leadership roles with the goal of improving teacher practices and student achievement in diverse Pre K-12 school settings.

It is a unique opportunity to develop deep expertise in literacy research, policy, practice, and leadership skills. The admission process is limited. 

Application deadline for Summer Cohort is March 1, 2013. 

Detailed application information can be found at the program website (http://www.education.iastate.edu/literacy-coaching) or request additional information at literacy-coach@iastate.edu.