Weekly Update: December 7, 2018
Weekly Update: December 7, 2018
Dear Grinnell-Newburg Board of Education, Staff, Families and Friends:
Happy December! I hope this weekly update finds you well as we near the end of 2018. This is the time of year when I think about those who may be in need and what we can do to help serve families during the Season. I know that our staff and students continue to reach out to families in need, not only during this time of year, but throughout the school year. I am grateful for their service to our community and their efforts to make a difference in the lives of those families who may need a little extra assistance.
Important community engagements:
Below you will find the recent press release regarding the facility listening tours. I recognize that this is a very busy time of year. I am hopeful that parents, families and community members will find some time to participate in these events as we begin the process to develop a new plan for our schools.
Facility Listening Tour Dates:
The Grinnell-Newburg School District is inviting our community to attend one of the following sessions in which all will have an opportunity to provide input regarding our school facilities. As you are aware, the District is starting over in a process from scratch with facility planning.
Please come prepared ready to participate, review current and up to date information about our school buildings, budget, learning practices, and be ready to share your thoughts and ideas about possible solutions. There will be short activities or presentations from our staff that will engage our participants in current learning practices, walking tour of the school facility at the session you attend, and time to share ideas and offer solutions.
These sessions will be structured the same at each location, therefore and we ask participants to attend one session.
If you are unable to attend a session, we will be streaming this via FB and we will be able to share the video via Channel 12. All information gathered from these sessions will be posted on the facilities page of the website.
If your business, organization, or group would like to host an additional session, please contact Amber at 641-236-2700 to arrange for a session. We hope you will join us at one of the following:
December 15 - 10:00-12:00 at Davis Elementary
December 17 - 6:00 - 8:00 at the High School
December 19 - 6:00 - 8:00 at Bailey Park Elementary
January 10 - 6:00 - 8:00 at Fairview Elementary
January 14 - 5:00-7:00 at the Middle School
Following these listening events, the District will present scenarios of options, based upon community input, for consideration. We anticipate that this information gathering, scenario options, and final selection will take about 12 months. Please contact the district office if you have any questions at 641-236-2700.
ADHOC Facilities Committee:
The district will be forming an ADHOC Facilities Committee following all of the listening sessions in the upcoming month. This committee of about 20, will be made up of community members, business representatives, farmers, teachers, students, administrators, architects and our engineering firm. There will be a sign up sheet available at each listening session if you are interested in this committee. The task for this committee will be to review all of the listening tour information and participate in developing scenarios along side our architects and engineers. Please know that I expect this committee to meet weekly until scenarios are complete. Once the scenarios are complete, the district will present plan options to the community for feedback.
Board Meeting:
There will be a Board meeting held on Wednesday, December 12. Highlights for this meeting will be that the Administration will be presenting the State of District report. This will be posted as a link on the Board agenda early next week for you to review prior to the meeting. Our FFA students will be presenting! The community will learn more specifics about the facility listening tours, learn about the At Risk Grant, and celebrate Above and Beyond Recognitions. We will ask the Board to approve the Early Retirement agreement as well as approve the next round to sell old computers.
Literacy in Action:
Today, third grade students are demonstrating their learning about nonfiction text features using an awesome application called Clips. This is important because text features help students develop a deeper understanding of a topic.
The Tiger Paws and coed dance teams had a terrific showing at a tough state dance competition. All 4 categories received division I ratings and 2 trophies were earned: 2nd place in coed and 5th place in hip-hop. Photos courtesy of former TP member, Haley Loftin
Bailey Park students focused on responsibility for the month of November. Students focused on being responsible in the classroom, as a friend, at home, and as school member. The students focused on one of these components each week and had 3 "I Can" statements each week to focus on. Students did a great job all month and earned a certificate for their efforts!
Upcoming Events:
Friday, December 7
4:45 JV Girls Basketball @ Newton
4:45 JV Boys Basketball @ Newton
6:00 9th Grade Boys Basketball @ Newton
6:00 GMS Jazz Band Festival of Trees @ Drake Community Library
6:15 Varsity Girls Basketball @ Newton
7:15 JV Girls Basketball @ Newton
7:45 Varsity Boys Basketball @ Newton
Saturday, December 8
10:00 Varsity Wrestling @ Home
11:00 Varsity Boys Swimming Invitational @ Bear Athletic Center
Monday, December 10
4:30 7th Grade Girls Basketball @ Home
5:45 8th Grade Girls Basketball @ Home
7:30 Winter Band Concert
Tuesday, December 11
4:30 8th Grade Girls Basketball @ Home
4:30 7th Grade Girls Basketball @ Pella
4:45 JV Girls & Boys Basketball @ Boone
5:30 JV Wrestling Meet @ Dallas Center Grimes
6:15 Varsity Girls Basketball @ Boone
6:15 9th Grade Boys Basketball @ Boone
6:15 5/6th grade band & choir concert @ HS
7:30 Varsity Boys Basketball @ Boone
Thursday, December 13
4:15 Boys Middle School Wrestling @ Indianola
5:30 Varsity Boys Swimming @ Newton
6:00 Varsity Wrestling Meet @ Dallas Center - Grimes
7:00 7th & 8th Grade Winter Concert (band & choir) @ HS
Friday, December 14
4:15 7th Grade Girls Basketball @ South Tama
4:30 8th Grade Girls Basketball @ Home
4:45 JV Boys & Girls Basketball @ Dallas Center - Grimes
6:00 9th Grade Boys Basketball @ Dallas Center - Grimes
6:15 Varsity Girls Basketball @ Dallas Center - Grimes
7:30 JV II Girls Basketball @ Dallas Center - Grimes
7:45 Varsity Boys Basketball @ Dallas Center - Grimes
Saturday, December 15
8:00 Booster Club Basketball Tournament @ HS
8:30 Lincoln Railsplitter Debate @ Abraham Lincoln High School
10:00 Facility Listening Tour Meeting @ Davis Elementary
10:00 Varsity Wrestling @ Roland - Story
Have a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
Janet