Weekly Update: January 25, 2019
Weekly Update: January 25, 2019
Dear Grinnell-Newburg Board of Education, Staff, Families and Friends:
This week has been a tough snow week for all of us. Yet, even with this week’s snow events, we have lots of news to share with you! However, before getting to the details of this week’s news, I want to thank everyone for their patience as we had to either cancel school or shorten our days. These decisions are never easy. I collaborate with many Superintendents in our area to make these calls together along with our awesome transportation department and maintenance crew. Thank you everyone for your understanding as we make decisions to keep our staff and students safe during these wintry days.
So what happens now with these days for students and staff? With the late starts, early outs, and canceled school days, we've had many questions about make-up time for students. The Dept. of Ed. has set 1,080 hours as the minimum time students are to be in school. Our 2018-19 calendar had 1,142 hours scheduled. Thus far, we have missed 19 hours of school so we are still scheduled to meet with students for 1,123 hours. At this point, our 2nd Trimester dates will remain as they are - ending March 1st - as we had two additional days built into 2nd trimester. At the end of January, we will assess further to notify you if we will have an extended calendar days for students.
Also, there was a concern that in the past President’s was a make-up day for students. Please know that is no longer the case. School will not be in session on President’s Day February 18, 2019.
Please know that next week’s weather does not look much better. Let’s hope it will be better that predicted. I will continue to update you if and when the calendar for students is extended or adjusted. Keep reading our weekly updates for more information.
Board Meeting:
The next Board meeting will be held on January 30, 2019. The meeting agenda is the same as this was re-scheduled to this date from last week.
10 Days of Kindness begins today: Please check out your school’s website, the Grinnell Chamber’s Webpage, or this FB page to find out all of the awesome activities going on over the next 10 days! It is my hope that the weather will be kind over the next 10 days too!
Bass Clef Concert 7-12 Grinnell Students with the Iowa Statesmen, Thursday, January 31, 2019 7:00 PM, GHS Auditorium
The 7-12 Grinnell Choir bass clef singers will participate in a late afternoon workshop at Grinnell High School with the Iowa Statesmen Singers (from Iowa State University) with a culminating public concert at 7:00 PM. This is funded in part by the Grinnell Newburg School Foundation and the Grinnell High School Fine Arts Alliance.
Dental Clinic:
The Poweshiek County Dental Coalition has partnered for a 7th year with local dentists to offer a FREE dental clinic day on Friday, February 15th from 7:30am to 4:00pm. This is a no-school day for Grinnell and Montezuma students. The clinic is for children ages 3-18 who have Medicaid/Title 19 or no insurance due to lower income and will offer exams and limited services as needed. A parent/guardian needs to make an appointment prior to February 8th by either calling Dental Associates in Grinnell at 641-236-6174, Family Dentistry in Grinnell at 641-236-6169, Family Dentistry in Montezuma at 641-623-2013, or Family Dentistry in Victor at 319-647-2141. Appointments will be scheduled on a first come first served basis. A parent/guardian is encouraged to attend the clinic with the child, although if cannot a consent form must be completed at the office prior to the clinic day.
Transportation will be available upon request and the need should be indicated when making the appointment. A FREE meal after the dental appointment is also provided for those who attend!
Spelling Bee: CALLING ALL “SPELLERS” Grades 4 through 7!
We are holding the first annual Grinnell Knights of Columbus Spelling Bee and we invite all Grinnell area students in grades 4-7 to join us Sunday January 27th at 1:00 pm in the Davis Elementary Cafeteria.
First and second place contestants in each grade will advance to our regional competition and
possibly the state level competition. All participants will receive a certificate and
some really good spelling practice that your teachers will be super proud of you for!! :-)
Practice spelling lists are available for review in the Davis Elementary and Grinnell Middle School offices or download and print your own copy at http://iowakofc.org/page/
With questions, call Kent Reed at (319)231-2382. We hope to see you there!
Chief Riley enforcing the rules of the road for first graders at Bailey Park!
Snow fun!
Upcoming events:
Friday, January 25
4:45 JV Boys & Girls Basketball @ Home
6:00 9th Grade Boys Basketball @ Home
6:15 Varsity Girls Basketball @ Home
7:30 JV II Girls Basketball @ Home
7:45 Varsity Boys Basketball @ Home
Saturday, January 26
8:00 State Jazz Band @ Pella
8:30 City Classic Debate Tournament @ Iowa City
10:00 Varsity Wrestling Conference Meet @ Home
10:30 Varsity Boys Swimming Conference Meet @ Luther College
Sunday, January 27
1:00 Knights of Columbus Spelling Bee @ Davis Elementary
Monday, January 28
4:30 8th Grade Boys Basketball @ Home
4:30 7th Grade Boys Basketball @ Knoxville
5:00 JV Boys & Girls Basketball @ Knoxville
5:30 JV Wrestling Meet @ Dallas Center Grimes
6:30 Varsity Girls Basketball @ Knoxville
6:30 9th Grade Boys Basketball @ Knoxville
8:00 JV II Girls Basketball @ Knoxville
8:00 Varsity Boys Basketball @ Knoxville
Tuesday, January 29
4:30 7th Grade Boys Basketball @ Marshalltown
4:45 JV Girls Basketball @ Pella Christian
6:15 Varsity Girls Basketball @ Pella Christian
7:30 Varsity Boys Basketball @ Pella Christian
Thursday, January 31
5:00 Bass Clef Singers Workshop @ Home
Stay Warm and have a wonderful weekend! Don’t forget Hoops for Hope is tonight! I hope to see you there!
Sincerely,
Janet