Weekly Update: February 22, 2019
Weekly Update: February 22, 2019:
Happy Friday! The weather continues to bring challenges to the district’s staff as we work hard to ensure that students are not only meeting the requirements of hours, but mastering the content that they need to master skills. I have been asked, “why don’t we just add 15-30 minutes a day to the school day to make up time rather than add days to the end of the school year”? The reason for deciding not to add minutes to the day to make up time is because this only allows us to check off a box that we met the requirement for hours, it does not capture the time necessary to develop concepts in a matter that is needed for students to master subject matter or develop skills. Adding a few minutes to each class period would simply not enable staff to complete a full lab, or teach new material as they would within a full class period or regular school day.
This winter has been tough on everyone. I once again thank you for your patience and flexibility as we continue to monitor the weather and make decisions based upon students and staff’s ability to travel safely. We have missed yet another day and please know that a final decision will be made by next week about how or when we will make up the time for staff and or students. Our administrative team will meet to discuss further. Nothing has been finalized. I will let you know the final decision next week after the next round of storms makes its way through Iowa next week. We are not out of the woods yet. Keep your fingers crossed for Spring to be just around the corner!
Wrestling:
Congratulations to Brock Beck who placed 4th at the Iowa State Wrestling Tournament. Beck becomes the first Tiger ever, to earn 3 State medals in wrestling.
Girls Basketball Headed to State Tournament: Tuesday, March 26 - 5:00 @ Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines. Tuesday will be a full day of school for the School District.
Variety Show: Although the show was re-scheduled and then started late, our Grinnell talent was spectacular!
STEAM Early Childhood Event: Sunday March 3
Join us for our annual early childhood event with a STEAM theme (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math)
WHEN: Sunday, March 3 between 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
WHERE: Grinnell High School
WHO IS THIS EVENT FOR: Anyone in our community that has children birth - five!
Need to knows:
This event will kick off the preschool registration for the 2019-2020 school year. Preschools in attendance will be;
*Grinnell Newburg Preschool at Fairview *UCC Preschool
*Grinnell Daycare and Preschool *Grinnell College Preschool
*MICA Head Start
Kindergarten registration for the 2019-2020 school year will also be held at this event. Registering students need to have birth certificate and immunization records. If you are unable to attend this event, you can register between March 4-8 from 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m at the High School counseling office with Elizabeth Plagge. Please note, there is no guaranteed placement at this time. Kindergarten classes will be placed based on class size and number of students.
Robotics Club:
The TechTigers are among 50 teams that will be competing in a First Robotics Competition (FRC) Regional next month in Cedar Falls. Teams are wrapping up their 6-week build season and had a chance to test their creations on a full-size field.
The team lost nearly 2 weeks of build time due to the recent bad weather, but they worked feverishly from Thursday through Monday to get their creation somewhat functional and wrapped up.
The team will be competing in University of Northern Iowa's McLeod Center at a FRC Regional from March 20-23. More details may be found at this web link: robotics.uni.edu
Student Art Show:
Grinnell High School and Middle School Annual Art Show
February 14 - March 7. Closing reception Thursday, March 7, 5:00
Stewart Art Gallery - 926 Broad Street Monday-Thursday 11:00 am - 5:30 PM & Saturday 10-12
Upcoming Events:
Friday, February 22
7:00 Tiger Paws Annual Winter Show
Saturday, February 23
8:00 District Individual Speech @ GHS
Tuesday, February 26
5:00 Girls State Basketball @ Wells Fargo Arena
Thursday, February 28
4:30 8th Grade Boys Basketball @ Home
4:30 7th Grade Boys Basketball @ Newton
Sunday, March 3
3:00 STEAM Early Childhood Event @ GHS