Superintendent's Update: January 26th, 2024
Weekly What’s Going Well:
Maybe next week we can get in a full week of school! Thank you all for your patience as we navigated the slick conditions throughout the district this week. Many of you may be wondering about make- up days. The calendar committee will be meeting soon to discuss options. Information will be sent out as soon as it is available. Your student may have completed some winter testing amongst the snow days so far in January. Check out the video to hear some exciting celebrations at the Middle School with Hayleigh Kincart and Jenny Hadenfeldt.
By the Numbers
Thanks to Hayleigh and Jenny for sharing in this week’s video. Here are some of the numbers they shared to celebrate success in Reading from Fall to Winter testing for targeted students:
5th grade: 34/42 (81%) made growth
6th grade: 27/43 (63%) made growth
7th grade: 29/42 (69%) made growth
8th grade: 42/56 (75%) made growth
Whole school Reading: 132/183 (72%) made growth
Whole school Math: 129/175 (74%) made growth
Above and Beyond
Marilyn Parry was recognized at the board meeting on Wednesday for her efforts at the middle school. She is instrumental in keeping the loading and unloading of buses as safe and efficient as possible. She also makes sure students and parents are informed of positive student behaviors by sending hand written notes home frequently.
Conferences Complete
We hope you had the opportunity to connect with your student’s teacher at conferences this week. The partnership between parents and teachers continues to build a great foundation and set students up for success.
League of Women Voters Hosts Panel
The League of Women Voters is sponsoring a forum to learn more about the AEAs and their work for the education of all our children. A panel discussion will take place on Monday January 29th at 7:00 PM at Drake Community Library in Grinnell. Reach out to grinnelllwv@gmail.com for more information or to submit a question for the panelists.
Legislative Coffee
It is that time of year again when The League of Women Voters host Legislative Coffees as an opportunity for us to talk with our legislators. Our first Coffee will be on February 3rd from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at Drake Community Library and via Zoom. The event will be moderated by Terese Grant who will convey questions supplied by the audience before and at the event as time allows. Legislative Coffees are sponsored by the League of Women Voters to provide residents the opportunity to learn about current legislative proposals as well as to ask questions and raise concerns in a respectful and personal environment. Click here to learn more about the event.
The Virtual Backpack can be found here:
The Activities Calendar can be found here:
Have a great weekend!
Steven H. Barber