Weekly Update: December 20, 2019
Weekly Update: Friday, December 20, 2019
Dear Grinnell-Newburg Board of Education, Staff, Families and Friends:
‘Tis the season to say goodbye to the 2019, portion of this school year and welcome 2020! As I reflect upon 2019, I cringe to remember those extreme cold temperatures and countless “no school day phone calls” in which many will tell me, “with each call you made last winter, you sounded more and more defeated”. These brief moments in time have since faded away for me, but will forever stay in many record books as challenges to navigate. Let’s hope Winter of 2020 is much more pleasant.
The real joys of 2019, are the #WeAreGrinnell stories that include student achievements and awards, performances, successful summer work projects, implementation of new curriculum, and more importantly, to remember those staff members who made a difference in the lives of our students. Our stories, highlighted every week, are the chapters of progress in our school district in which we are fortunate to help our students navigate. It is overwhelming to look back at each update over the year, and find so many celebrations that will forever be engraved. Another year is over, and a new one is on the horizon for us to continue to share stories, celebrate accomplishments, and create learning opportunities for our students that will be life changing, life lasting. Be sure to reflect upon these moments and share your stories of 2019. Next, take the time to turn the page to write the next chapters of 2020. Time goes by so quickly that we often forget to stop and remember all of the amazing moments we experience each and every day. I wonder what 2020 has in store for our Tigers!
School Resumes January 2, 2020
This is just a reminder that we will be on winter break from December 23, 2019- January 1, 2020. School will resume on Thursday January 2, 2020.
The District office will be open over break, however please know that the schedule or the ability to reach district office staff is a little different due to cleaning and waxing of our office area.
December 23, 2019 open 7:30-3:30
December 24, 2019 open 7:30-12:00
December 25, 2019 closed
December 26-27 office area is closed due to cleaning, however staff will be available via email and will check phone messages. They will be working in another part of the district as office floors are cleaned.
December 30, 2019 open 7:30-3:30
December 31, 2019 open 7:30-12:00
January 1, 2020 closed
Breakfast Book Club Activity at Elementary Schools:
I would like to thank our PTO, Service Volunteers, High School Students, Parents and Staff for making this event a memorable one for our students! Students enjoyed breakfast, books and friendly faces to read with prior to the start of school this past Tuesday!
GHS Winter Concert:
The High School Winter Concert was once again a special treat for all who attended. Congratulations to all of our students and staff on successful event!
Wrestling:
Our Tiger Wrestling team is currently 6-3 with impressive individual results:
We have 3 state ranked wrestlers: Brock Beck ranked #2, Kam Steveson ranked #6 and Eli Rose ranked #8. We look forward to the continuation of their season! Best of luck Tigers!
Congratulations GHS Boys Soccer Team:
For the 2019 season, the GHS Boys soccer team earned the United Soccer Coaches High School Boys Team Academic Award for having a team GPA at or above a 3.25. This is the first time Grinnell has received the award since it was instituted in 1996.
GHS Tech Tigers News!
Last Saturday at Marshalltown High School, where the GHS TechTigers Team 5935 did a demonstration and presentation alongside the MHS robotics team at a First Lego League regional event.
The MHS team participates in the First Tech Challenge. Our GHS TechTigers participate in the First Robotics Competition. The builds are different, but the principles are the same, including the values of 'coopertition' and 'gracious professionalism'.
Sergio Perez-Valentin and Isaac Bryant collaborate with members of the MHS team.
Teams' robots next to each other. The TechTigers will kick off their new build season on January 4th.
Holiday Fun!
I would like to wish everyone a Happy Holiday Season and hope that you have time to enjoy this time with family and friends! I leave you with 2019 festive photos!
Members of the GHS Robotics Team put in some service hours on Thursday helping out with the deployment of new iPads and laptops to all of our staff members.
Devices arrived at about 3:00 PM and were set up for all 5 buildings by 8:00 PM. Thank you for your assistance!
Upcoming Events:
Friday, December 20
4:45 JV Boys & Girls Basketball @ Home
6:00 9th Grade Boys Basketball @ Home
6:15 Varsity Girls Basketball @ Home
7:45 Varsity Boys Basketball @ Home
Saturday, December 21
8:30 Debate @ Abraham Lincoln High School
10:00 Varsity Wrestling @ Roland - Story
Monday, December 30
9:30 Varsity Boys Basketball Scrimmage @ Home
Tuesday, December 31
9:00 Varsity Girls Basketball Scrimmage @ Home
Thursday, January 2
Classes Resume
Happy Holidays to all! This will be the last weekly update for 2019. The weekly update will resume on January 3, 2020! Happy New Year! Enjoy your much deserved break! Thank you to all of you who serve our students!
Sincerely,
Janet