Notes from Dr. DeGroot - big stone city school district #25-1
Transcription
Notes from Dr. DeGroot - big stone city school district #25-1
Notes from Dr. DeGroot Big Stone City School Winter 2016 Newsletter Here we are again, about two-thirds of the way through the school year and I hope at least half way through winter. This year we have used two snow days which means our school year still will finish May 24th. If we miss anymore school due to poor weather conditions, those days will extend the school year. This time of the year means that our Legislators are back in Pierre dealing with all sorts of issues including the funding of education. The difference this year is that the Governor has come out with an excellent plan that would increase money for education in an unprecedented manner. He has championed a bill to increase the state tax by half a cent. Half of the money raised by this half cent would go to property tax relief and half would go to increase teacher salaries. As I write this, a vote has been delayed twice in the House but cannot be delayed again so the vote must take place this Thursday, February 18th. Please contact your local Representatives and encourage them to support this bill and to vote yes. This Bill would mean a substantial increase in state aid funding for Big Stone City School. The Annual Big Stone City School Field Trip took place last week and I want to assure you that everyone had fun along with a lot of exercise. This is a great annual tradition and I was glad to be a part of it. Some important dates I would like you to put on your calendar are: Saturday Feb 27th – 4th Grade Fundraiser Supper Thursday March 3rd – Spring Pictures Friday March 11th – Preschool Screening Friday March 18th – End of 3rd Quarter; 12:30 dismissal March 21st & 22nd – Parent/Teacher Conferences and Book Fair March 24th-28th – Spring Break I’m glad that winter will be over soon and spring will be here. Remember my door is always open and the coffee is always on. Stop in anytime. Dr. Roger DeGroot Superintendent/Principal Dear Parents and Families: Reading for pleasure unlocks the power of information and imagination and helps children discover who they are. Here’s what you can do to help children develop stronger reading skills and a love for reading: Set the example. Let children see you read. Have a collection of books in your home. Update this collection routinely to keep pace with changing tastes and reading skills. Support our school’s Book Fair. Allow your children to choose their own books to read. Our Scholastic Book Fair is a reading event that brings the books kids want to read right into our school. It’s a wonderful selection of engaging and affordable books for every reading level. Please make plans to visit our Book Fair and be involved in shaping your child’s reading habits. Book Fair dates: Monday, March 21, 2016 through Wednesday, March 23, 2016 Shopping hours: Monday and Tuesday, 1:00-7:00pm, Wednesday, 1:00-4:00pm Special activities: Parent/Teacher Conferences on Monday and Tuesday If you are unable to attend the Fair in person, we invite you to visit our online Book Fair at scholastic.com/fair. You can reach the online bookfair by going to http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/bigstonecityelementarysch We look forward to seeing you and your family at our Book Fair! Remember, all purchases benefit our School Library. Sincerely, Mrs. Janelle Kelly School Librarian Read Across America Day A child's ability to read has a direct effect on their future success. Reading with your child helps to increase their vocabulary and improves their reading fluency and comprehension. NEA’s Read Across America began in 1998 as a way to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Seuss by encouraging children to read. On March 2, we encourage EVERYONE to pick up a book and read to a child. So, whether it’s your favorite Dr. Seuss book or something new and exciting, we encourage you to: Grab your hat and read with the cat! To celebrate Read Across America at Big Stone City School the elementary classes will have a Read-a-thon in the gymnasium on Tuesday, March 1st. For more information, please visit http://www.nea.org/readacross The Ortonville & Big Stone Junior High Knowledge Bowl is having another great year! They came in second at the LQPV Knowledge Bowl Invitational that was held on Saturday, January 9th. First row: Charlie Thomson, Kyler Speth, & Adam Strei Second Row: Noah Mursu, & Jason Helgeson The First & Second Graders learn about State Government… Governor Jayden Anderson signs a bill written by Cody Wiik. The first and second graders acted out the state legislature in January. After learning about how bills are passed, each student wrote a bill for our school. Names were drawn for Governor (Jayden Anderson), Lt. Governor (Rebecca Lavallee), Speaker of the House (Tristan Schmitz), and Senators and Representatives. The Senate bills were debated in the Senate. The House bills were debated in the House. If they passed they were sent to the other House for debate. Only 2 bills passed both Houses and were sent to the Governor’s desk. The Governor vetoed one bill and signed the other. Above, Governor Jay Anderson is signing Cody Wiik’s bill requesting more sleds and a big sliding hill for our school. (Not a bad idea!) The students have been busy on the playground. It’s great to see them using their imaginations and staying active. They’ve been building forts and snowmen and gone sledding on the playground. The third graders celebrated reaching their 2nd quarter AR Goals with a beach themed read-a-thon! (left picture) Below the third grade students are shown with their dioramas they made following their unit about plants, animals, and ecosystems. They completed the dioramas, wrote about their ecosystem and presented them to their class. Great job third graders! The Big Stone City Public School will hold its annual Early Childhood Screening on March 11th at the Big Stone City School in the Gym from 8:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m. You will also be able to register your child for the 2016-2017 school year. Preschool screening is a current requirement for Kindergarten entrance. Children who will be 3 on or before March 11th, 2016 are eligible for screening. Screening is not a prerequisite for preschool entrance. Teaching staff will complete the DIAL 3 assessment. Your child will be observed in the developmental areas of language, motor, and concepts. During this screening you will also be able to receive the results of the DIAL 3 assessment, see the preschool classroom, and meet the teacher. The purpose of this screening is to identify health and learning problems or giftedness. Early identification and intervention are the keys to preventing learning and health problems from becoming more serious. If your child has already been screened, you do not need to attend the screening, however, you are more than welcome to come and register at this time. Preschool at the BSC School will have two sections. Both sections are Monday-Thursday. Preschool focuses on school readiness, building strong relationships with peers and adults, the whole language approach to learning, and hands on activities. Students also enjoy the small groups, the incorporation of music and technology in the curriculum, and field trips that extend their learning. We will also be accepting applications for Head Start. If you have a child who will be three by March 11th, 2016 please contact Big Stone City School at 605-862-8101 ext.100 to let us know that you intend on bringing your child in for the screening. If you have a time preference, please let us know and we will try and honor that. Appointment letters will be mailed out the end of February. Ms. Sue Christensen and Mrs. Jan Hinders from the American Legion Auxilliary donated a book titled, “Indivisible: The Story of our Flag” to our school library. Important Testing Dates… Testing weeks are scheduled for April 11th-22nd. It is crucial for your student to be in school during these testing times. Please do not schedule appointments and please have your child present during this testing window. Thank you! Spring Pictures will be held on Thursday, March 3rd at the Big Stone City School Gymnasium. All students will have their individual picture taken and we will also be taking an all-school photo. Please either dress your child in school colors or have them bring along a shirt with school colors to change into for the group photo. When the pictures arrive they will be sent home with your student and you have the option to purchase them or send them back to the school. By purchasing spring portraits, a portion of the proceeds goes back to the school. Sports pictures will also be taken this day so please have your child bring the appropriate jersey’s and any sports gear for their picture. Flyers will be sent home with your children in the next week. If you have any questions contact the business office at 605-862-8108. Congratulations to our 2nd Quarter Honor Roll students and Student of the Quarter! Jasmine Hurlbut is our Student of the Quarter. Congratulations Jasmine! The honor roll students are listed below. Bottom row: McKenzie Seidell, Jasmine Hurlbut, Bailey Gluth, Madison Gluth, & Noah Mursu. Middle Row, Elly Anderson, Charlie Thomson Back Row: Kyler Speth, Adam Strei, Wylie Mursu & Quintin Schablin. The 1st -8th grades had a great time skiing on Thursday, February 11th. The weather cooperated and fun was had by all. Thank you to all of the parents that came along! February 27th: Pork Loin Supper & Carnival; 5-7pm * March 3rd: Spring Pictures* March 4th: All School Assembly “Louie Show” March 11th: Preschool Screening* March 16th: Hoops for Heart Kick-off March 18th: End of 3rd Quarter; 12:30 dismissal March 21st-22nd: Parent/Teacher Conferences March 21st-22nd: Scholastic Book Fair* March 24th – 28th: No School; Spring Break April 11th-22nd: Testing Weeks* *Please see enclosed article MILK TICKETS THIS YEAR ARE $10.00 EACH WHICH IS GOOD FOR 20 MILKS. LUNCH & BREAKFAST PRICES STUDENT BREAKFAST (REGULAR) - $2.00 STUDENT BREAKFAST (REDUCED) - $0.30 STUDENT LUNCH (REGULAR) - $2.70 STUDENT LUNCH (REDUCED) - $0.40 MILK - $0.50 SECONDS - $0.85 ADULT BREAKFAST - $2.35 ADULT LUNCH - $3.70 SECONDS - $0.85