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Fri
Sept 24 2:30:01 2004
Follow the
link below to see how our school improvement plan
addresses the Iowa Professional Development Model
and the No Child Left Behind legislation.
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MR. SPRAU'S ENGLISH
Class Web Page
LAST UPDATED 11.8.04
Calendar for the week of November 8 - 12:
Monday, November 8 -
(B Day 51)x
- ITBS in Math Classes
- ITED in Math Classes
- 9:00 a.m. xOffice Staff Meeting
- 3:00 p.m.x9GBB Practice Begins
- 7:00 p.m.xHansen Vocal Concert
Tuesday, November 9 -
(A Day 52)
- ITBS in Math Classes
- ITED in Math Classes
- 7:30 a.m.Department Chair Meeting
- 4:00 p.m.xParent/Teacher Conferences
Wednesday, November 10
-
(B Day 53)
- ITBS in Math Classes
- 7:00 a.m.xCHAT
- 4:00 p.m.xSAC Meeting
- 6:45 p.m.xRec. VB
Thursday, November 11
-
(A Day 54)
- 1st Period Veteran's Day Assembly
- 9:00 a.m. xAEA 267 Meeting
- 11:25 a.m.xStudents dismissed
- 1:00 p.m. Parent/Teacher Conferences
- 5:00 p.m. xParent/Teacher Conferences
Friday, November 12 -
- 2:45 p.m.xCustodians' Meeting
PRINCIPAL'S
BULLETIN
NEWSLETTER NO.
#11
November 5, 2004
Editor: Karen
Grabowski
This Week's Contents:
Click on the following links to move directly to that item within the newsletter:
Lunch Accounts:
Would you like to access your lunch account via the Internet? Would you like to see your balance or know what your child is purchasing? Would you like to be notified when your lunch account goes below a certain balance? NOW YOU CAN! Send an email to phelpsj@cedar-falls.k12.ia.us to request your ID and password. Coming this fall &endash; We will add a new feature that will allow you to make deposits to your account online.
Pertussis Information:
The Black Hawk County Health Department has identified approximately 100 cases of pertussis (whooping cough) in Black Hawk County. No cases of pertussis have been diagnosed at Holmes Junior High. Other areas in Iowa and nationally are also experiencing pertussis outbreaks at this time. If your child is symptomatic (cold, persistent cough sometimes making a "whooping" sound, etc.) he/she should be evaluated and tested immediately by your health-care provider for whooping cough. If your child is diagnosed with whooping cough, he/she will need to be placed on antibiotics and be excluded from school until they have completed five days of treatment. Other public activities should be avoided (sports, musical events, church activities, etc.) Family members of the child suspected of having whooping cough need to be evaluated and treated. If your child has no symptoms but has had significant contact with a person infected with whooping cough, antibiotics are needed to prevent him/her from contracting and/or transmitting the disease. To prevent further spread of whooping cough, your child must be treated. Encourage your child to cover his/her mouth and nose when coughing, to use tissues and dispose of them appropriately, and most importantly, to wash hands often. If you have any questions, please call the Black Hawk County Health Department at (319) 291-2413 or Karen Adrian, RS, BSN, Holmes School Nurse.
ITBS and ITED Testing:
Iowa Tests of Basic Skills - 7th and 8th Grades Schedules
Mon. Nov.
8 Math
Rooms Math
Concepts Tues. Nov.
9 Math
Problems Wed. Nov.
10 Math
Computation
Vocabulary
Mon. Nov.
15 Science
Rooms Reference
Materials Tues. Nov.
16 Science
Thurs. Nov.
18 Social Studies
Rooms Social
Studies Fri. Nov.
19 Maps &
Diagrams
There will be no band, orchestra, chorus, ALPHA, lessons or classes during testing times. Self-contained classes will test in their classrooms. Any students who have accommodations listed in their IEP's or 504 plan may be tested in a separate room. Arrangements will be made by the guidance office.
Iowa Tests of Educational Development (ITED):
9th Grade Schedule -
Mon. Nov.
8 Math
Rooms Concepts &
Estimates Tues. Nov.
9 Computation
There will be no band, orchestra, chorus, ALPHA, lessons or classes during testing times. Self-contained classes will test in their classrooms. Any students who have accommodations listed in their IEP's or 504 plan may be tested in a separate room. Arrangements will be made by the guidance office.
Holmes Teacher Assignment Page:
A special thanks to all of the Holmes staff for your work in setting up our assignment page! As we move through the year, it will prove to be a benefit for students and staff with regard to make up work. We are tentatively planning to "start fresh" at the beginning of each nine-week grading period.
SmileSafe Kids Program:
- Lifetouch and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) have teamed up with Holmes Junior High School to become a part of America's largest child safety initiative.
- The SmileSafe Kids Program provides complimentary safety ID cards to the families of every student who has been photographed at Holmes Junior High. In the unfortunate situation that a child is missing, information on this card can be used to help coordinate a rapid response with NCME and law enforcement.
- If a child is
missing…
a. Call local law enforcement to report the child missing and initiate a search (319-273-8614)
b. If parents/guardians don't have a current portrait of their child, they can call NCMEC at 1-800-THE LOST which in turn will contact Lifetouch for 24/7 retrieval efforts. Parent/Guardian permission and image verification are required prior to release.
c. NCMEC will then distribute a missing child poster with a current image to law enforcement. - We will be mailing each Holmes student's safety ID card home along with information about the program and safety tips for kids in the Principal's November Newsletter. This will provide us the opportunity to be sure that all make-up and retake pictures for students have been completed.
Thank you for joining with Lifetouch, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and Holmes Junior High in taking an important step in becoming a SmileSafe Kids School!
Sustained Silent Reading Guidelines:
As we will begin our Sustained Silent Reading (SSR) here at Holmes during 4th hour, the Holmes Leadership Team has reviewed some guidelines for students and staff. I have attached the guidelines that the team has reviewed and ask each of you to implement them for twenty minutes each Friday. The guidelines have been implemented so that we as a staff are consistent with the implementation process and also so that we are using research base, effective strategies to help students become better readers. Research shows that choice of reading material and follow up with a brief verbal or written summary of what has been read makes SSR an effective reading strategy. These guidelines have been run on card stock and distributed to you so that you could post them in each of your rooms. Thanks.
- Student
Expectations
- Students should choose their own reading material. Some options might include novels, magazines, newspapers, textbooks, graphs, computer printouts, (not computer screens), bio-/autobiographies, non-fiction books.
- Select reading material that is appropriate for school
- Read the entire time (no written work on assignments)
- Stay in classrooms during SSR. Teachers should only honor guidance or administrative passes
- If students do not bring something of their own choosing, classroom teachers will provide an alternative read
- Staff
Expectations
- Follow the student expectations. (Model appropriate reading behavior)
- When necessary, provide students with reading material in their classrooms
- Use a form of verbal or written feedback with students briefly summarizing what they read. May include: Verbal "pair share" / Index card with short, written summary
Failing/Near Failing Grades
Teachers have been asked to implement a morning assistance plan with students who have received a failing or near-failing grade. Thanks for caring about your students!
Church Night Reminder:
Just a reminder that area churches in the Cedar Falls Community have recognized Wednesday nights as "Church Night", a time when young people can work building a faith foundation in their lives. The area churches appreciate the schools taking this into consideration as planning and activities occur. The spirit of cooperation that has existed between the schools and churches has set a great example for the young people we serve.
Conferences:
A reminder that conferences will be held on Tuesday, November 9 from 4:00-8:00 and Thursday, November 11 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. and 5:00-8:00 p.m. Also &endash; a reminder &endash; I have asked parents to bring with them their student's planner. A great opportunity to talk about organization and daily communication from school!
We Need Your Help with Parking:
I am asking for parents help in parking around the school grounds during activities. For safety reasons, I'd ask that you not park on the drive outside the west side of the building (pool entry) while waiting to pick up or drop off students. We have had several accidents and near misses as busses attempt to navigate this area before and after school. Parking is available in the Hansen lot for before and after school activities, and will help relieve pressure in the staff parking areas. Parking is a priority in our renovation plan and we will address the space issues at that time. In the mean time &endash; we appreciate your cooperation.
Veteran's Day:
We will have a Veteran's Day Assembly in the gym at 8:25 on Thursday, November 11th. All students and staff are invited to attend.
End of the Twelve Week Grading Period:
The end of the first twelve week grading period will be November 23.
Academic Support:
Just a reminder that students who fail to turn in work will be assigned to Morning Assistance with their instructors until their work is completed. Students who choose not to report to Morning Assistance will be assigned academic support through our ECHOES Power Hour Program from 7:00-7:50 a.m. or 4:20-5:30 p.m. Transportation home will be provided. Our goal is to assist students in the completion of their work allowing them more success at school. Also, a reminder, that academic tutoring and assistance is provided daily in reading, math and science. We encourage students to take advantage of these opportunities! If you have questions regarding assignments, log onto our teacher assignment page. Instructors will be updating their assignments daily. (http://www.cedar-falls.k12.ia.us/Buildings/holmes/assignmentpage.html)
American Education Week: November 15-19:
As in years past, the University of Northern Iowa has composed a diverse list of University students, faculty and staff who want to share their knowledge and excitement for learning with us. A list of available UNI individuals and programs is posted for those teachers inteested in participating. This year, more than ever, we should remember that "Educating Everyone Takes Everyone." A special thank you to all our faculty, support staff, central administration staff, parents, and business and community partners as we continue to work together to educate our young people.
Special Thanks To:
- Ms. Messmore and Mr. Huber for 7/8th ITBS and ITED Coordination!
- All teachers who assisted with administration of ITBS and ITED testing.
- Mrs. Crow, Mrs. Adkins and Mrs. Strike as well as Ms. Bisgrove, Mrs. Williamson and Mrs. Barrows for their help with the grade reporting process.
ECHOES Update:
ECHOES is now in its second session of programming. During this session we will be offering Woodworking, MathCounts, and Bowling. Students will need to see Mr. Bower to get signed up for these activities. This session of programs will run from Nov. 1 through Dec. 16. During this session ECHOES will be taking students to a UNI Football Game on Nov. 13. Students wanting to attend will need a signed permission slip. Permission slips will be available in the main office
Calendar for the week of November 8 - 12:
Monday, November 8 -
(B Day 51)x
- ITBS in Math Classes
- ITED in Math Classes
- 9:00 a.m. xxxxxxxxxOffice Staff Meeting
- 3:00 p.m.xxxxxxxxxx9GBB Practice Begins
- 7:00 p.m.xxxxxxxxxxHansen Vocal Concert
Tuesday, November 9 -
(A Day 52)
- ITBS in Math Classes
- ITED in Math Classes
- 7:30 a.m.xxxxxxxxxxDepartment Chair Meeting
- 4:00 p.m.xxxxxxxxxxParent/Teacher Conferences
Wednesday, November 10
-
(B Day 53)
- ITBS in Math Classes
- 7:00 a.m.xxxxxxxxxCHAT
- 4:00 p.m.xxxxxxxxxSAC Meeting
- 6:45 p.m.xxxxxxxxxxx Rec. VB
Thursday, November 11
-
(A Day 54)
- 1st Period xxxxxxxxx Veteran's Day Assembly
- 9:00 a.m. xxxxxx xxxAEA 267 Meeting
- 11:25 a.m.xxxxxx xxStudents dismissed
- 1:00 p.m. xxxxxxxxxxParent/Teacher Conferences
- 500 p.m. xxxxxxxxxxParent/Teacher Conferences
Friday, November 12 -
- NO SCHOOL
- 2:45 p.m.xxxxxxxxxxxCustodians' Meeting