Weekly Update: September 13, 2019
Weekly Update: September 13, 2019
Dear Grinnell Board of Education, Staff, Families and Friends:
Happy Friday the 13th! Happy Full Moon! Students are in the swing of things as the month of September flies by. It is hard to believe that we are ½ way through our first full month of school. I hope that you enjoy the highlights in this weekly update! It has been one of those weeks in which the behind the scenes work for the administrative team ramps up as we complete the required state reports.
I have to mention that our students continue to impress me with their kindness and helpfulness. I watched students on the playground assist others, high school athletes high five students entering the buildings and students thanking our athletes for being there, students greeting their teachers with smiles, and staff remarking on our amazing students this year! It has been a wonderful start to the 2019-20 school year.
Cross Country Meet: Way to go Tigers!!
Did you know that more than 700 athletes from Iowa attended our Cross Country Invitational? Middle school, JV and Varsity runners, headed out to Arhens park to participate this past week. Thank you to all of the volunteers, workers, and coaches for hosting such an impressive event.
High Five Fridays:
Thank you to our athletes for greeting our elementary students on Fridays!
School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC):
The SIAC committee met this past week to review the building goals. I am grateful for the feedback we received. The principals will take the recommended feedback and update the goals next week. I will be sending them out to the Board to review the recommended changes. Next we will discuss the changes in the superintendent's report at our next Board meeting, and I will make a recommendation to the board for approval. Next April, we will begin this process much earlier so that we can start the year with our final goals in place. Our next SIAC meeting will be held in November 6, 2019 at 5:00 in the GHS media center.
Board Meeting Update:
ESTES construction provided the board an update about our summer projects that were finished on time and $200,000 under budget. This is wonderful news! Larry Niswander was our above and beyond award recipient and the board approved the student council fundraisers. We shared with the board that we believe based upon current student attendance at each school, we may be up around 15 students this school year. This is not final at this time. We need to wait until October 1, 2019 to submit final numbers. We will provide certified and open enrolled numbers following our final report due October 15.
Middle School Volleyball: Go Tigers!
Take a look at the Virtual Backpack! It is full of opportunities for our students, including the LINK after school program, Knights of Columbus Soccer Challenge, programs from Grinnell Arts and bowling leagues. We encourage our parents to get their students connected to a school or community program! Let us know how we can help you make this connection.
Upcoming Events:
Friday, September 13
4:45 9th grade Football @ ADM
7:30 Varsity Football @ ADM
Monday, September 16
5:30 Varsity Girls Swimming Meet @ Williamsburg
6:00 JV Football @ Home
Tuesday, September 17
4:15 8th Grade Football
4:30 JV/V Cross Country Invitational @ Edmundson Park
4:30 Middle School Cross Country Invitational @ Edmundson Park
4:30 7th Grade Football @ Home
4:30 8th Grade Volleyball @ Newton
4:30 7th Grade Volleyball @ Home
5:30 9th Grade Volleyball @ DCG
5:30 JV Volleyball @ DCG
7:15 Varsity Volleyball @ DCG
Wednesday, September 18
6:00 Ad hoc Facilities Meeting @ GHS Media Center
Thursday, September 19
4:30 Middle School Cross Country Invitational @ Diamond Trail Golf Course
4:30 Varsity Volleyball @ Des Moines Christian
Friday, September 20
5:00 9th Grade Football @ Home
7:30 Varsity Football @ Home
Have an awesome weekend!
Janet