Weekly Update: February 8, 2019
Weekly Update: February 8, 2019
The winter months have been challenging as we continue to monitor the weather to ensure that staff and students are able to travel to and from school safely. I am grateful for your patience and flexibility as we work through these difficult decisions. This weekly update includes information regarding the revised calendar for this school year, legislative priorities, Kindergarten registration and STEAM day, Parent Teacher Conferences, and the upcoming dental clinic information for students. We have included some highlights from this week’s activities.
Revised Approved 2018-2019 Academic Calendar:
The gist of the calendar is as follows:
The second trimester will end on March 8
The third trimester will begin on March 11
Students will be in attendance on May 6 instead of it being Professional Development day
Students will make up school days on June 3, 4, 5, 6
Graduation date will remain the same day, May 26
The revised calendar can be found here.
Advocacy Day:
Superintendents from across the state headed to the Capitol this past week to visit with our legislators. Pictured below are 19 of the 52 superintendents from our region who attended from Central Rivers. Discussions included: Changing the August 23rd start date, support to extend SAVE, support for more supplemental state aid, support for mental health programs, operational sharing incentives, school transportation and equity per pupil support, and Future Ready Iowa. This is the third time that I have had an opportunity to attend this session and I would have to say the most optimistic of the three sessions. My hope is that some decisions will be made within the next few weeks so that we have an idea for SSA and SAVE so we can begin the planning budget process and have an ideas for future facility funding.
Early Childhood STEAM Event:
Sunday, March 3, 2019 at the Grinnell High School from 3-5 PM. Join us for our annual early childhood event with a STEAM theme! This event will kick off preschool registration for the 2019-2020 school year as well as kindergarten registration for the 2019-2020 school year. Visit the facebook page here for more details.
Parent Teacher Conferences (K-12) February 14 & 15
February 14 - 2 hour early dismissal for students and no afternoon preschool. Conferences will be held from 2:00 to 8:00 PM
February 15 - No School. Conferences will be held from 8:00 AM to Noon.
February 18 - No School - Presidents Day
Dental Clinic:
The Poweshiek County Dental Coalition has partnered for a 7th year with local dentists to offer a FREE dental clinic day on Friday, February 15th from 7:30am to 4:00pm. This is a no-school day for Grinnell and Montezuma students. The clinic is for children ages 3-18 who have Medicaid/Title 19 or no insurance due to lower income and will offer exams and limited services as needed. A parent/guardian needs to make an appointment prior to February 8th by either calling Dental Associates in Grinnell at 641-236-6174, Family Dentistry in Grinnell at 641-236-6169, Family Dentistry in Montezuma at 641-623-2013, or Family Dentistry in Victor at 319-647-2141. Appointments will be scheduled on a first come first served basis. A parent/guardian is encouraged to attend the clinic with the child, although if cannot a consent form must be completed at the office prior to the clinic day. Transportation will be available upon request and the need should be indicated when making the appointment. A FREE meal after the dental appointment is also provided for those who attend!
Basketball:
It has been challenging to get the evening games in this past week. I appreciate everyone's flexibility to host games and events this past Wednesday.
Mrs. DeMeleuenaere's kindergarten class has created a cave that went along with their study of polar animals. A couple students are reading in the cave together.
Upcoming Events:
Friday, February 8
4:45 JV Girls & Boys Basketball @ Pella
6:00 9th Grade Boys Basketball @ Pella
6:15 Varsity Girls Basketball @ Pella
7:30 JV II Girls Basketball @ Pella
7:30 Varsity Boys Basketball @ Pella
Saturday, February 9
9:00 Middle School Solo/Ensemble @ Home
12:00 Varsity Wrestling District Tournament @ Knoxville
3:00 JV II Girls Basketball @ Home
4:30 JV Girls Basketball @ Home
6:00 Varsity Girls Basketball @ Home
6:00 Large Group Speech Showcase
6:30 JV Boys Basketball @ Knoxville
8:00 Varsity Boys Basketball @ Knoxville
Sunday, February 10
9:00 7-12 Choir with ISU Statesman Choir @ ISU
Monday, February 11
4:30 8th Grade Boys Basketball @ Home
4:30 7th Grade Boys Basketball @ Pella
6:00 Varsity Girls Basketball @ Gilbert
6:00 JV Boys Basketball @ Oskaloosa
7:30 Varsity Boys Basketball @ Oskaloosa
Tuesday, February 12
4:30 8th Grade Boys Basketball @ Home
4:30 7th Grade Boys Basketball @ Norwalk
7:30 Variety Show @ Grinnell High School
Wednesday, February 13
9:00 SEIBA Honor Band Festival @ Iowa City
Thursday, February 14
2 hour early dismissal for Parent/Teacher Conferences
4:30 8th Grade Boys Basketball @ Newton
4:30 7th Grade Boys Basketball @ Home
6:00 JV Boys Basketball @ Mount Vernon
7:30 Varsity Boys Basketball @ Mount Vernon
Friday, February 15
No School - Parent Teacher Conferences
Dental Clinic
4:30 8th Grade Boys Basketball @ Home
4:30 7th Grade Boys Basketball @ Oskaloosa
Have a great weekend,
Janet