Weekly Update: February 15, 2019
Weekly Update: February 15, 2019
Dear Grinnell Newburg Board of Education, Staff, Families and Friends:
Happy Friday! I would like to thank all of our parents for participating in Parent Teacher Conferences this week, and kudos to our staff for juggling lessons during this tough winter to ensure that our students were engaged in learning! This has been a difficult winter. Please review the revised changes to this year’s calendar that can be found here. Key changes to our revised calendar are: May 6 will be a student attendance day and the last day for students will be June 6, 2019. Let’s hope that winter will be kind!
Next year School Calendar Draft 2019-2020:
School Calendar Draft for next school year 2019-20 can be found here. This calendar will be on display for the next two weeks. We ask that you please provide us with feedback regarding the calendar schedule for next year: Highlights include moving Spring Break back one week, PT conferences are scheduled earlier in January, Winter break will be two full weeks, and next year’s Presidents’ Day will be listed as a snow make up day.
Calendar Feedback email: calendarfeedback@grinnell-k12.
House File 78
I am asking our parents to contact legislators to support House File 78. This would enable us to begin school following the Monday after the Iowa State Fair, rather than a hard set date of August 23. If we could start earlier, we could potentially end our calendar in May. If this moves toward approval, we will amend the calendar to reflect this change for next year. Next year August 23 is on a Friday. This causes us to move our days into June. If we have another harsh winter this will be challenging to make up time. You can email Senator Kapucian at tim.kapucian@legis.iowa.gov and House Representative Maxwell at dave.maxwell@legis.iowa.gov to support moving HF78 forward.
Monday the 18th - No School Presidents’ Day
We will not be using this as a make up day as it was not approved as a snow make-up day in our calendar. However, on next year’s calendar it will be listed as a snow make up day.
Board Update:
This past Wednesday the Board of Education approved our staffing numbers for next year. At this time we will remain at the same staffing levels. If our Kindergarten registration numbers come is as predicted, then I will ask the Board to adjust the number and approve an FTE at K-2. I will have more information by March 2, 2019. See below- Get registered for preschool and kindergarten!
Early Childhood STEAM Event: Register for preschool and kindergarten!
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.
Above & Beyond Awards:
The Board of Education congratulated Malissa Juni (middle school instructional coach) and Terri Chambers (Preschool para) for going above and beyond to assist teachers, students and families! Thank you for all you do!
Terri Chambers Malissa Juni
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
Kindness Week Activities:
Mrs. Shaffer's second grade class thanked our local Police Dept for all of their hard work and dedication in keeping our community safe. We love having visits almost daily from a police officer in our building.
Mrs. Gibson's first grade class gave a special thanks to the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation. This organization gives back to our community so much and we wanted to thank them for all they do for us!
We love spreading kindness! First graders at BP spread kindness by writing a compliment about every student.
100th Day Celebration in Kindergarten at BP!
Tiger Updates:
Good luck Brock Beck as he advances today in the quarter finals of the State Wrestling Tournament. He will wrestle at 2:30 today! Go Brock!
Good Luck Varsity Girls and Boys Basketball Teams! See details below! Come out and support the Tigers!
Good Luck to our All State Large Group Speech participants who will travel to Ames tomorrow!
Upcoming Events:
Friday, February 15
No School - Parent Teacher Conferences
Dental Clinic
4:30 8th Grade Boys Basketball @ Home
4:30 7th Grade Boys Basketball @ Oskaloosa
6:45 JV Boys Basketball @ Grinnell College - Bear Recreation & Athletic Center
8:15 Varsity Boys Basketball @ Grinnell College - Bear Recreation & Athletic Center
Saturday, February 16
9:00 All State Large Group Speech @ Ames
7:00 Varsity Girls Basketball @ Home (Blackout Game)
Monday, February 18
8:30 Little Tiger Paw Dance Clinic @ GHS
6:30 Varsity Boys Basketball @ Pella
Tuesday February 19
4:15 7th Grade Boys Basketball @ South Tama
4:30 8th Grade Boys Basketball @ Home
7:00 Varsity Girls Basketball @ Home (Whiteout Game)
Thursday, February 21
4:30 7th Grade Boys Basketball @ Home
4:30 8th Grade Boys Basketball @ Oskaloosa
Have a wonderful weekend!