Weekly Update: March 8, 2019
Weekly Update: March 8, 2019
Happy Friday! Happy end to the second trimester! This year seems to be flying! Here it is March 8, 2019 and in just two short weeks the Grinnell Newburg School District will be leaving for Spring Break. Now all we need is Spring Weather!
Sad News:
It is with great sadness that we learned that Caitlin Cline, GHS ninth grade student, passed away suddenly this morning. Please keep her family in your thoughts during this difficult time. We will keep you posted with regard to arrangements for Caitlin.
Just a reminder that we Spring ahead this weekend!
Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead 1 hour this weekend, change your batteries in your smoke and CO detectors and while you’re at it, place fresh batteries in your weather radios.
ADHOC Facilities Committee:
This week the ADHOC Facilities committee met to begin the process with our architects to prepare scenarios about possible solutions to meet the needs of our students in their learning environments. The next meeting will be held on March 19 at 6:00 in the High School Library. The following meetings will be determined through a doodle poll. Each week we will keep you updated on their progress.
At this last meeting, we learned about the history of previous bonds in Grinnell, talked about the process, and started to dive into some of the feedback that we have received regarding possible facility solutions. We dissected what we learned from the listening tours and discussed the the five themes: Space, Aesthetics and Design, Economic and Workforce Development, Safety, Trust. This overview set the stage for us to begin to plan.
Congratulations!!! Project Lead The Way:
Congratulations to Davis Elementary School and Bailey Park Elementary for earning Project Lead the Way Distinguished School designation for the 18-19 school year.
- We are among 426 schools across the country to earn this award.
- Only 17 schools in the State of Iowa earned this designation.
- Only 4 PLTW Launch (elementary) schools earned this designation in Iowa... and two of them are from Grinnell !!
Influenza A & Strep Throat:
I received notification this week that many students are suffering from influenza A and Strep Throat who attend the Grinnell-Newburg Schools. We wanted to let parents know that these illnesses are present in our community and to monitor your students closely for any signs of illness. Please refer to the health information page on our website.
Superintendent’s AEA Meeting:
I had an opportunity to participate in a session this past week to learn from Trevor Ragan. Trevor focuses on the science of learning and development. His motivational presentation focuses on how we become better learners. He focuses on not only theories of Growth Mindset, but also “We are not just one or the other. There is no such thing as just a growth mindset person or just a fixed mindset person. Our mindsets can change by the day, the project, our mood, the task, or the skills involved”. He talks about “changing the belief can change the system”. This looks like a cycle “Belief, Action, Growth”. The message I took away is that if I believe that I can learn something new, I must take action, practice, or provide experiences over and over again before I grow in that “something new”. This is how we learn. He emphasizes that a “different part of our brain is activated when we think what is possible instead of what is required”! Food for thought….
Way to go Macy!
Last weekend, the Iowa Bankers Association awarded five Student Athlete Achievement Awards during the high school girls basketball state championships. Class 4A Student Athlete Achievement Award: Macy Harris of Grinnell Community Senior High School received the award from Scott Herbers (Great Western Bank, Grinnell).
Middle School Choir Festival:
Congratulations to these 7th and 8th-grade students who sang in the SC-ICDA Honor Choir Festival held this past weekend at Newton High School! Fantastic job!
AmeriCorps Summer Learning Applications Now Available!
Give kids a strong start this summer by joining the AmeriCorps Summer team! The Grinnell Education Partnership is now seeking more than 30 Summer Learning Members to assist with fun enrichment activities in host sites around Grinnell. If you are at least 17 years old, call (641) 269-3900 or email americorps@grinnell.edu more information about this exciting summer opportunity. The application deadline is Friday, April 5, 2019.
Treat Yourself: Cookie Decorating After Finals!
Come treat yourself at the Drake Community Library and decorate some cookies! Destress after finals on Saturday, March 9th from 1-2pm. Students in 5th-12th are welcome to join. Frosting, sprinkles, and cookies will be provided. Bring your creativity and artistic ability! Email [kimerin@grinnell.edu] for any dietary restrictions.
Art Show Highlights:
The High School and Middle School Art Show came to a close on March 7, 2019. Congratulations to all of our artists! It was a wonderful display of our talented Grinnell Artists!
Did you get your Ticket?
Come see Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, TONIGHT and Saturday night at 7:30PM in the GHS auditorium! Over 50 students have been working on this tragicomic production. GHS students can use their activity pass to get one free ticket in the High School office, and tickets can be purchased at McNally’s or in the GHS office for $8 ahead of time, or $10 at the door.
Upcoming Events:
Friday, March 8
7:30 Spring Play @ GHS
Saturday, March 9
7:30 Spring Play @ GHS
Monday, March 11
6:00 8th grade parents meeting with GHS counselors and Mr. Seney @ GHS Auditorium
Tuesday, March 12
7:30 Senior Band Concert @ GHS
Thursday, March 14
6:15 Grades 5-8 Spring Band Concerts @ GHS
REMINDER - Spring Break - March 25-29
Have a wonderful weekend!
Janet