Weekly Update: March 2, 2018
Weekly Update: March 2, 2018
Happy March! It has been an exciting week for the Grinnell-Newburg Tigers! The hustle and bustle of Spring activities are underway. I want to thank our Grinnell-Newburg families, staff, Board of Education and community for supporting our students. I recognize how difficult it may be to flex your schedule when events, snow days, or late starts occur in the district. Please know that these decisions are never easy to make. We will continue to evaluate ways to limit the amount disruptions. Fortunately this year we have had only a few disruptions occur.
March 5:
Please remember there will be no school March 5 as teachers will be engaged in professional development.
GMS Jazz Band:
Our Middle School Jazz Band will be competing at the SEIBA Jazz Band Festival in Iowa City tomorrow. Good luck!
Girls Basketball:
We wish our Tiger Basketball Team the best of luck tonight as they compete in the State Finals at the Wells Fargo Event Center. Game time is at 8:00 PM. See you there!
Admin Meeting:
This past week the administrative team collaborated with Grinnell-PD, Grinnell Fire, and the Poweshiek County EMS to discuss our emergency procedures and protocols in the district. We hosted a scenario table-top discussion. These discussions are ongoing and we will continue to engage in conversations about enhancing safety procedures throughout the district. Please know that we are asking all of our visitors to be buzzed in through the main office entryways and report to the school office to receive a visitor’s badge upon arrival. We are asking that you do not allow students to open the door for you.
The team also collaborated with our AEA on possible Professional Development activities for next year in the area of literacy. The administrators will be meeting with the PLC/Instructional coaches at 3:00 PM on Monday to have a discussion around the PD options as well as to identify further needs to support our teachers.
Board Meeting:
The superintendent’s report this week at the Board meeting included a presentation from our elementary principals and instructional coaches on the reading and writing workshop efforts in the district. The School Wide Resources that support our literacy initiatives will be on public display in each of our elementary schools. Please feel free to review the materials and share any comments.
The Board also listened to presentations regarding maintenance and upkeep of the current track surface, as well as technology needs to replace some systems that are seven years old. The Board held a discussion on the bond and what date that they will be asking our voters go back to the polls. Please know the vote will be to approve the same plan. Further discussions will be held at a later meeting this month after getting feedback from our Architect and the bond committee.
Davis Elementary School Project Lead The Way Recognition:
We received email notification that Davis Elementary School has been named as a Project Lead the Way Launch Distinguished School for the 2017-2018 school year!! Davis was one of 340 schools across the country recognized and one of only 97 for PLTW Launch. Way to go Davis. Congratulations! We will keep you posted on a formal recognition event in the upcoming weeks.
Childcare Needs in Grinnell:
The Chamber has asked me to share this survey with you, as they work to address the childcare situation in Grinnell. If you have students under the age of 12, please take a moment to fill this out: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GrinnellChildCare
The Little Mermaid - get your tickets! March 8, 9, & 10:
Tickets are available in the High School office and McNally's - they are $12 in Advance and $15 at the door. Please know that no activity passes will be accepted.
Upcoming Events: Please visit the Calendar page on our website for further details
March 5 - No School, PD Day
March 5 - Kindergarten Registration
March 8-10 - The Little Mermaid Performance
March 13 - Senior Band Concert
March 14 - Meeting of the Board of Education 5:00 Start Time
March 15 - 5-8 Band Concert
March 17 - Night of Jazz Band Concert
March 21 - Meeting of the Board of Education
March 26-30 - Spring Break
Don’t forget to visit the Virtual Backpack for new events! As Spring is upon us, there will be new events popping up.
Have a wonderful weekend, and GO TIGERS!
Sincerely,
Janet
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Dr. Janet M. Stutz
Superintendent
Grinnell-Newburg Schools