February - Clarion - Goldfield

Clarion-Goldfield
and Dows
Cowboy Chronicles
Community School Districts
February 2013
From the Desk of Superintendent Dr. Robert Olson
Sportsmanship
What was the win-loss record of our middle school basketball teams and wrestling team five
years ago? How about last year? My guess is very few if any can produce that information.
The same is probably true of freshman and junior varsity play. Personally, I believe that is a
good thing. These are the developmental years and learning the fundamentals, teamwork
and sportsmanship are more important than the win-loss record.
Some of us are very competitive, myself included. I hate losing, but I also remind myself
that winning isn’t everything. I need to remember that our coaches, student athletes and
referees are doing the best they can.
I was sitting at a varsity girls’ basketball game the other night and the referee made a call
concerning possession after the ball went out of bounds. Although my knowledge of wrestling
is much better than basketball, it obviously was a good call and it was our opponent’s ball.
A fan sitting next to me yelled at the referee, protesting the call claiming it should belong to
the Cowgirls. I turned to him and commented that we clearly touched the ball last. He told
me that he knew that, but he wanted to let the referee think about the call. Somehow in
his mind, he believed that yelling at the referee would result in a more favorable call in the
future.
I am very thankful that our student-athletes have the reputation of being good sports. The
most recent example is when the district was making room reservations for the wrestling
team for the state duals and tournament. The hotel where the team stayed the last three
years, commented on the great behavior of our students, that he provided an additional
discount on the cost of our rooms. This is also typical anytime our students in any grade
level go on field trips. We have great kids.
This cannot always be said of our fans. The sportsmanship ratings of our fans are typically
low. These ratings made by referees to the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA)
and Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU). Contrary to the belief of the fan sitting
next to me at the girls’ basketball game, not only do we fail to get more favorable calls for
yelling at the referees, we are considered bad sports by the IHSAA and IHSGAU .
I could identify a couple specific instances lately that demonstrated very poor sportsmanship,
both at the middle school and high school levels. In some cases, our fans are even yelling
at the opposing coach AND at each other. The purpose of this article isn’t to single anyone
out. The purpose is to have our fans put things in proper perspective. Sportsmanship of
our coaches, athletes and fans are important. Clarion-Goldfield and Dows typically have
a favorable reputation concerning our school and students. Our fans need to model good
sportsmanship as well and focus on supporting the efforts of our students. Be supportive
of our student athletes and coaches. Cheer loud, but also cheer respectfully. Our student
athletes deserve nothing less.
Wells Fargo Reads to Kindergarten
Elementary
Enlightener
By: Tricia Rosendahl
It is hard to believe we are over half way through the year
already. We are well into the second semester as well as in
the middle of our mid-year testing. DIBELS testing has taken
place for Kindergarten – 5th grades. Iowa Assessments will start
the week of February 4th for First – 5th grades. Thank you for
making sure your son/daughter gets plenty of rest and has a
good breakfast each day so they are ready to show us all they
have learned. Thank you for your help in this matter.
The Wells Fargo bank in Clarion has generously
donated their time and several literacy books to the
Kindergarten classroom in Clarion. Each week, one
representative from Wells Fargo visits and reads to
each Kindergarten classroom as part of the Reading
First program. Reading First is a literacy partnership
between Wells Fargo, Desert Arc., and Scholastic, Inc.
As part of the program, the book that was read in class
is donated to the classroom to enhance our classroom
libraries. Thank you very much for supporting literacy
in the Clarion-Goldfield Elementary!
Our elementary school would like to send a sincere THANK
YOU to all the volunteers of TAP. They have recently pulled off
many very successful events. The TAP Family Fun Day Carnival
was another huge success. I know many hours of planning
went into this event and it paid off. Thank you for providing
such a wonderful afternoon for our families. Look closer in this
newsletter for pictures of the very fun event!!
The TAP volunteers are also organizing a Silent Auction to be
held at the high school during a quad basketball game. And
finally they will be providing snacks for our Iowa Tests Testing
days. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! If anyone has an
interest in joining the TAP organization please contact Erica
Lindaman or Sarah Kakacek in our building, I know they can
always use more help!
Since we are half way through the school year have you checked
with your son/daughter about their school supplies? Do they
have pencils, paper and all the needed supplies to make it
through the year? Please help us refresh our supplies if needed.
Life In The Forest
By First Grade
First graders recently had a very special
visit from an opossum, an owl, a corn
snake, and a box turtle. Kathy McKee
from the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines
brought our special visitors. Students
had been reading a story called “Life
In the Forest” and our visitors were
all animals that can be found in that
habitat. Kathy shared lots of interesting
information about each of the animals
and why they are suited for life in the
forest. The students got a close-up
look at each of the animals and were
able to touch and feel a couple, too.
There were a lot of very good questions
asked by the students. It was lots of
fun and we learned a lot, too. Thanks,
Kathy, for sharing with us!
Elementary Partners with Purpose Program
By Sarah Kakacek
Elementary students and staff are excited about seeing new faces in the elementary! Who
are the new faces? Community businessmen and women! The purpose of the program is to
build partnerships with businesses and organizations locally. Each grade level has a community
partner who is matched up with a career pathway. By fifth grade, all students will have exposure
in the following career paths: nature, creative, helping, health, building, technology, and business.
The Partners with Purpose’s focus is to gain exposure to different careers and make connections
between academic learnings and the work force. It also allows the opportunity to encourage
forming relationships with professionals in the community. For the business, is provides an
opportunity to make connections with students who will be their future customers, consumers,
and employees.
Community Partners have recently shared their “job responsibilities” while in turn; students have
shared their “job responsibilities” as students. Student-led tours begin as early as kindergarten
when a small group shows the community partner around the elementary building. Students begin
to model and implement social skills taught such as: introducing
oneself, giving eye contact, asking questions, and welcoming a
guest.
After the tour, the community partner visits the classroom
to share their job experience. Students share with partners
what they are learning in the classroom along with bucket filling
concepts. The students’ curiosities have led us to set up tours
to visit the community partner’s job site as well.
A third connection with community partners involves academic
concentration. Community partners model how math, reading
material, and/or science are used in their career. For example,
community partners might reinforce a math skill that students
are currently learning or read to the students.
The fourth meeting time and thereafter is meant to strengthen
relationships. What does this look like? Some examples include
sending encouraging notes to business or class, sending a class newsletter to
their business partner, inviting business partners to lunch, doing a service learning
project together, etc. Strengthening relationships depends on the flexibility and
availability of the classroom and business.
The overall responses from businesses and
students and staff alike have been amazing. An
outstretched kindergartener’s hand welcoming a
guest to a “Thank you” from a businessman asking,
“When can I come back?” are priceless moments.
We thank the following community partners
who have volunteered their time to impact our
students: Iowa State Extension, North Central
Coop, Wright County Conservation, Hearts and
Flowers, Clarion Locker, grounded, Super Foods,
First Citizens National Bank, City Hall, Public Health, Clarion Wellness and Rehabilitation Center,
Wright Choice Chiropractic, Goldfield Access Network, AD Tech Solutions, Hanson and Sons Tire,
Hagie Manufacturing, and Wright County Court House. If you would like to be a future community
partner, please contact Sarah Kakacek, school counselor, at the elementary 532-2873.
Sandy Science Projects
By Mr. Bridges & Mrs. Kruger
The second and third graders have been working in our Pebbles,
Sand, & Silt unit in Science. Recently, we have been studying how
rocks are utilized in everyday products that we use and how people in
the past might use these natural materials in their everyday lives. In
the photos you can see we are using a dirt, clay and straw mixture to
create mud bricks. This helped students to get a better understanding
of how people in the past used natural resources like rocks and rock
mixtures to build their homes. As you can see it was a bit of a messy
process. The students really enjoyed this hands-on investigation!
Mr. Bridges assists Dylan, Jacob and Owen
in making their bricks
Jacob Ingebritson loves his tractors
We also did sand paintings. This was another activity in our
Pebbles, Sand, & Silt unit. The students used a glue stick to draw a
picture on a black piece of construction paper. They needed to do
this quickly so their glue wouldn’t dry. Next, they put sand over the
glue and then shook the excess sand off of their paper. What was left
was a sand painting of the picture they drew. This picture is one that
Jacob Ingebritson drew. Can you guess what he is interested in?
Fifth and Sixth Grade Honor Choir
By Mrs. McGlynn and Mr. Ackerman
The Fifth and Sixth Grade Honor Choir is off to a very musical start. This group meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to
5:00 p.m. This year their concert at NIACC in Mason City is on Monday, February 25th. The concert repertoire for the evening
performance will be: “Something Told the Wild Geese”, “Watah Come a Me Eye”, “American Folk Rhapsody”, “Pie Jesu”, “Mary
Had a Little Blues” and “Gold Bless America”. This very talented group of 8 Fifth Graders and 8 Sixth Graders will be practicing
these songs with a goal of having them memorized in time for the festival in February. The concert is open to the public. Adult
tickets are $4.00 and student tickets are $2.00.
The Fifth Grade Students are: Elissa Dames, Malena Grummitt,
Emily Hagmeier, Courtney Harle, Maya LaRue, Hannah Perkins,
Katherine Soenen and Jaace Weidemann. Representing the
Sixth Grade are the following students: Gabrielle Hackley, Jade
LaRue, Alec Martin, Haley Nerem, Gemma Pohlman, Phoebe
Sanders, Sarah Seaba, and Amaya Watne. Mrs. McGlynn and
Mrs. Ackerman are preparing these students for an exciting day
with approximately 250 other students from the North Central
District. Mrs. McGlynn said, “This is an especially talented
group of young singers. They work hard and are anxious to
become better singers by singing more challenging music. We
wish them lots of luck through out their practices and with their
concert on the 25th of February. “
Clarion-Goldfield High School Vocal Students Perform at
Dorian Vocal Festival
On Sunday, January 13, and Monday, January 14, five ClarionGoldfield High School vocal students participated in the Dorian
Vocal Festival at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. The
following students were involved: (left to right) Elizabeth
Lockwood, Laura Franzmeier, Megan O’Connor, Shanice
Lloyd, and Amanda Nerem. With 1,200 high school vocal
students from 5 different states, the Dorian Vocal Festival is
the largest honor choir in the United States. A concert was held
in the Center for Faith and Life on the Luther College campus
Monday evening, January 14 at 7:00 p.m. “Our students had
a great time and appreciate the opportunity to take part in such
an awesome vocal event,” commented David Ackerman, 6-12
vocal music instructor.
Middle School Vocal/Instrumental Concert March 7
The Clarion-Goldfield Middle School Music Department will
present a vocal/instrumental concert on Thursday, March 7 at
7:00 p.m. in the CGHS gym. Featured groups are: 5th/6th grade
honor choir, 6th grade chorus, 6th grade band, middle school
select choir, jazz band, 7th/8th grade chorus, and 7th/8th grade
concert band. All students are reminded to wear appropriate
dress clothes to the concert. (No blue jeans or t-shirts, please)
Students should report to the high school at 6:30 p.m. for vocal
warm-ups and tuning of instruments. This concert is open to
the public, and there is no admission charge.
High School Vocal/Instrumental Concert Set for March 5
The Clarion-Goldfield High School Music Department will
present a vocal/instrumental concert on Tuesday, March 5
at 7:30 p.m. in the CGHS gym. Featured groups are: high
school concert band, jazz band, and the high school concert
choir. Chorus students need to report at 6:45 p.m. for vocal
warm-ups while the band should report at 6:30 p.m. to change
into their concert band outfits. Chorus students will wear their
choir robes for the concert. Boys, please remember black
shoes, black socks, and black pants. Girls, remember to wear
beige-colored hose and black shoes. The concert is open to
the public, and there is no admission charge.
Clarion-Goldfield High School Vocal Students Perform at
Meistersinger Honor Choir
On Saturday, January 26, four Clarion-Goldfield High School
vocal students participated in the Meistersinger Vocal Festival
at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. (Pictured from left
to right) Megan Hoing, Jossie Sann, Katie Hinkle, Trevor
Grummitt. Approximately 250 vocal students from the state
of Iowa joined together to sing in this honor choir called
Meistersinger, which means master singer.
Dr. Simon Estes internationally-known baritone, spoke to
the students and parents at the evening concert about his
childhood, education, family, and career. Not only did Simon
speak to the students, but he sang the solo part to “He’s Got
the Whole World in His Hands.” This song was specially
arranged by Stacey V. Gibbs and premiered at the concert
in Neumann Auditorium on the Wartburg College campus
Saturday, January 26 at 7:30 p.m. Stacey V. Gibbs is a recently
discovered composer/arranger from Detroit, Michigan. He
has arranged many spirituals that have been used at honor
choirs and all-state festivals. “Singing in an honor choir is
not a competition, but a chance to sing with other students
from across Iowa who appreciate music and love to sing,”
commented David Ackerman, 6-12 Vocal Music Instructor.
New Sound Shell For High School Chorus
On Wednesday, January 23, the new sound shell arrived at
the high school. What is a sound shell? A sound shell is made
of fiberglass and used to project sound directly out to the
audience. Clarion-Goldfield purchased 7 shells from Wenger
Corporation in Owatonna, Minnesota to be used by the high
school chorus for their concerts. The older sound shell will
stay at the elementary building for elementary concerts. Since
Clarion-Goldfield has one sound shell for each building, each
sound shell should last a long time and save our custodial staff
moving them from building to building each time there is a
concert. Mr. Ackerman would like to thank the Clarion-Goldfield
community for their ongoing support of the high school variety
show and musical. Also, thank you for buying magazines from
the middle school music students every September. The new
sound shell will be used for the high school concert on Tuesday,
March 5 and the middle school concert on Thursday, March 7.
Thank you, David Ackerman (6-12 Vocal Music Instructor)
Gurgling garbage? I think not! Mrs. Charlson’s 4th grade readers extended
the story “The Case of the Gurgling Garbage” to include making Mr. Talberg’s
Famous Bread Recipe (famous in Mossy Lake). Each student mixed the
recipe for their own loaf of bread. We had a chance to compare and contrast
loaves of bread once baking was completed. Why was Mrs. Charlson’s loaf
of bread so flat and white compared to the rest of the class? Loaves were
taken home to share with families.
iPads In School
By Karla Thompson
Technology in our world and in our schools has taken a giant step in helping teachers and students open their eyes to
the future. New technology doubles every 18 months. So what you have today is almost outdated tomorrow.
Clarion-Goldfield school district is helping keep teachers and students in the loop when it comes to some of the newest
technology for their use in teaching and learning. Teachers, like myself, have all been given iPads to help them in their
everyday world of education.
The use of the iPad has opened doors to the future of learning for students. I have used my iPad for so many awesome
things in the art world. I have video taped myself teaching a lesson so I am able to move around the room while it is
playing. This allows me to spend more time with students that need help. I have used it to present lessons in many
different areas. This then allows lessons to be stopped in the middle to allow students to catch up or ask questions. I
have begun taking pictures of my artwork that I use as demonstrations which also helps when it comes to storage of
projects.
Demonstrations and visual examples through the use of the iPad have helped our students leap into the future while
improving their knowledge and skills in many different art areas. This will open the door to new and exciting job possibilities
for our students in the future.
Middle School...Smith's Spartans Pride Week
Wacky Day.... pictured left to right Alexami Martinez,
Payton Reiter, Chance Harker, Derek Bell
Musical Chairs....
Live Healthy Iowa Kids
By Katie Stecher
During Mrs. Kakacek’s Guidance time for 3rd, 4th, and 5th
graders, we will be encouraging the kids to participate in the
10 week Live Healthy Iowa Kids program. Papers will be
given to the children to track their exercise and one other
factor every two weeks. The first competition will go from
January 28th-Feb 8th. During that time the children will be
keeping track of their exercise and the amount of fruits they
eat every day. Children are encouraged to exercise for 60
minutes every day (includes recess and PE time). They are
also encouraged to eat 1-2 cups of fruit every day.
Parents please have your children return their first tracking
record before Feb 11th. Classes with a high percentage of
returned tracking records may be eligible for prizes though
the state competition.
Below is a schedule of tracking topics:
Jan 28-Feb 8 = fruit consumption and physical activity
Feb 9-Feb 22 = vegetable consumption and physical
activity
Feb 23-March 8 = milk consumption and physical activity
March 9- March 22 = water consumption and physical
activity
March 23-April 5 = screen time and physical activity
We appreciate parents’ help in encouraging physical
activity and reinforcing the importance of eating healthy.
Please call Katie Stecher with any questions 532-2463.
What Are You Doing for
Performing Day?
By Mrs. McGlynn
Over the next few months,
in preparation for the year end
Talent Show, the fifth graders can
participate in Performing Day. They must sign up
ahead of the day, filling in three columns: 1) Who is
in your group? 2) What will you perform? 3) How
long is your performance? Performing Day builds
confidence and gives students a chance to first
perform for only the students in their class. We look
forward to singers, instruments players, dancers,
karaoke performers, artists, poets and many
more areas of performance. Performers receive a
certificate and a little treat for having the courage
to get up in front of their classmates. In the next
newsletter, look forward to pictures from one of their
Performing Days!
New Tdap School Entry Requirement (7th grade)
By Katie Stecher
Starting the 2013-2014 school year, Iowa students entering 7th
grade are required to have a booster dose of tetanus, diphtheria,
pertussis (Tdap) vaccine. Incoming 7th graders born on or after
9/15/2000 will need documentation of this booster.
WCPH will be offering a free Tdap clinic in the school for 6, 7,
and 8th graders that return the consent form by Feb 5th.
What in the World is Sticky Ball?
By Mrs. McGlynn
Memorizing …not very fun! Going over and over a paper with signs and
symbols on it….not very fun! Can’t there be a better way for us to learn those
musical signs and symbols! Absolutely! Music Bingo is one way! Around the
world is another way! But….STICKY BALL….kids love to play Sticky Ball. We
have also found out that their teachers like to take a turn as well.
So what is this Sticky Ball? It is a chart with sixteen different musical symbols
on with two Velcro balls (Sticky Balls). (See picture) Students take turns
throwing to see which symbol they can land on. If they know the name of the
symbol they get so many points…depending on the day. Mrs. McGlynn has a
new way to play every day. Some days the class plays as one team. Another
day they may be in 2 or 3 or 4 teams. There are bonus points and so many
helpful hints. Everyone can learn these symbols in no time at all.
There is a competition going on between the second graders, the third
graders, the fourth graders and the fifth graders, between the classes in their
grade. After becoming very familiar with these symbols, students will have
a timed test. Mrs. McGlynn predicts the scores will be very high! Parents,
grandparents and friends, how many of these symbols do you know?
Nap Time
Would you like to take a nap around 12:30 PM some days? PrepKindergarten students liked the idea because recently they have
been singing the song “12 in the Bed”. Not sure how much rest
they will get with 12 in the bed.
Learning About “Voice”
By: Mary March
Voice is one of the six traits of writing the fourth grade learn about in
their writing curriculum. A writer chooses just the right tone to bring to
his or her writing. That tone is called “voice”. In class, the students read
a book called Wolf! by Becky Bloom. They heard the voice of the main
character change from the beginning to the end of the story. They heard
the voice of the traditional wolf character from fairy tales change his
voice from scary and ferocious to happy and confident as his character
changed during the story. Putting what they learned about voice into
action, the students wrote a proclamation from the point of view of the
wolf. They were challenged to create a voice that was serious and kept
the reader engaged, while keeping the purpose and audience for their
writing in mind.
The students in the pictures are holding a copy of the book used for
the class and their writing proclamations. They “proclaimed” their writing
to their classmates while standing on chairs. It gave them the feeling of
announcing something important from a stage or pedestal.
TAP FAMILY FUN DAY
Clarion-Goldfield Elementary students and staff wish to send a HUGE
Thank You to all the volunteers involved in the TAP Family Fun Day! It
was a regular jungle in our school and we had a blast!!! The event was
held on Saturday, January 19th with many families attending. We loved
the games, the activities, Charlie Bray’s animal tracks, the ISU Extension
Rainforest, and the Blank Park Zoo animals! THANK YOU!!!