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Messenger 1304<br />

East Second Avenue / 515.961.9500<br />

<strong>Indianola</strong> Middle School Expansion/Renovation Project Getting Started<br />

Bids were opened in March for the next major facility improvement project in the <strong>Indianola</strong> School District—expansion and renovation<br />

of the <strong>Indianola</strong> Middle School Building. The low bid/contract was awarded to Kraemer Brothers, LLC out of Wisconsin. Work began<br />

<strong>May</strong> 24 th and the entire project is expected to be completed by early August of 2012.<br />

There are various programming needs that have impacted the building in different ways. The number of students participating in fine<br />

arts has grown substantially and additional space is needed. The industrial technology, family and consumer science, and art classrooms<br />

will be moved into a new addition connected to the south side of the existing middle school building.<br />

The middle school expansion/renovation plans also include enlargement of the lunch room,<br />

media center, and moving the administrative offices out in front of the building for safety<br />

reasons. The school district also accepted two alternate bids which will: 1) enable the district<br />

to construct another access road from the middle school to highway 92 and 2) pave a<br />

major portion of the little league parking lot located directly south of the middle school building.<br />

Michael D. Teigland, Ph.D.<br />

michael.teigland@indianola.k12.ia.us<br />

In addition, a field house will be added on to the east side of the building, which will provide<br />

additional gymnasium space and two walking/running recreational tracks. Part of this<br />

project was made possible by a generous $1,000,000 donation from Casey and Abbie<br />

Blake and matching community funds raised by the <strong>Indianola</strong> <strong>Community</strong> Youth Foundation<br />

(ICYF). The ICYF was created as a way for the Blakes to give back to their community and to build on <strong>Indianola</strong>’s reputation as a<br />

community committed to its youth.<br />

Sales tax revenues will be used to fund the vast majority of the middle school improvements. Property taxes will not be affected and a<br />

public vote is not required. Entire cost of the project including the alternate bids that were accepted amounts to approximately<br />

$15,000,000.<br />

Please contact the administrative office if you would like more information about this important project. Additional information will be<br />

shared in the upcoming months.<br />

It’s Been a Very Good School Year!<br />

The 2010-2011 school year is now complete and the<br />

support from our students, staff and community was<br />

greatly appreciated. Included in the Messenger is<br />

information that highlights the important dates of the<br />

upcoming 2011-12 school year along with back to<br />

school information for the months of July and<br />

August. Thanks again for supporting our school<br />

district and have a great summer!<br />

In this issue:<br />

<strong>May</strong> 2011<br />

Middle School Expansion/Renovation Project 1<br />

It’s Been a Very Good School Year! 1<br />

2011-12 <strong>Indianola</strong> School Calendar Highlights 2<br />

Retirees 2<br />

<strong>Indianola</strong> Middle School VIP 2<br />

Building and Site Improvement Projects 2<br />

2011-12 School Year Information 3<br />

<strong>Indianola</strong> School District Strategic Planning 4<br />

2010-11 Academic Achievements 4<br />

2011-12 Transportation Information 4<br />

Athletic Booster Club 5<br />

PTO Updates 5-6<br />

<strong>Indianola</strong> Music Boosters 6<br />

Project Lead The Way 7<br />

School Board Elections 7<br />

Professional Development 7<br />

Emergency Information 8


2<br />

2011-12 <strong>Indianola</strong> School Calendar Highlights<br />

2011-2012 Traditional calendar<br />

The school year for students will begin on Monday, August 22, 2011. The start date is after the Iowa State Fair.<br />

The first semester will end on Thursday, December 22, 2011.<br />

Christmas Break will begin on Friday, December 23, 2011. Students will return to school on Wednesday, January 4, 2012.<br />

Spring Break will begin on Monday, March 19, 2012. Students will return to school on Monday, March 26, 2012.<br />

Graduation will be held on Saturday, <strong>May</strong> 19, 2012, at 10:00am.<br />

Last day for students will be on Monday, <strong>May</strong> 21, 2012, unless there are snow make-up days.<br />

2011-2012 Year-Round calendar<br />

The school year will begin on Thursday, July 21, 2011. This is one week later than usual in order to accommodate a major<br />

plumbing project at Irving Elementary School.<br />

The first semester will end on Thursday, December 15, 2011.<br />

Christmas Break will begin on Friday, December 16, 2011. Students will return to school on Wednesday, January 4, 2012.<br />

Spring Break will begin on Monday, March 12, 2012. Students will return to school on Monday, March 26, 2012.<br />

The last day for students will be Monday, <strong>May</strong> 21, 2012, unless there are snow days to make-up days.<br />

Special thanks to another outstanding group of teachers who<br />

retired at the end of the 2010-11 school year.<br />

Cinda Blythe Jim Blythe Sue Edwards<br />

Sherrie Engel Marcia Hansen<br />

Donna Kreamer Kathy Monroe Teresa Neal<br />

Building and Site Improvement Projects Planned for Summer of 2011<br />

<strong>Indianola</strong> Middle School VIP<br />

The <strong>Indianola</strong> Middle School VIP (Very Important Parents)<br />

had a busy year with various activities. The school year<br />

started on Open House night in August with volunteers<br />

helping the new sixth-graders open their lockers. Their<br />

assistance continued the first three days of school where<br />

they helped with directions, lockers, and lunch. VIP volunteers<br />

filled in at the library by filing books and answering<br />

questions from students. The fundraiser held during the<br />

open house and first weeks of school was successful and<br />

helped fund projects such as parent-teacher conference<br />

meals, spear heading the school spirit wear, and $10 Barnes<br />

& Noble gift cards for student READ volunteers.<br />

Volunteers assisted in many areas throughout the year by:<br />

Serving food/drinks at a football game<br />

Shelving library books<br />

Collecting treats for teachers<br />

Selling books at the book fair during parent-teacher<br />

conferences<br />

Holding daily events for Teacher Appreciation week<br />

Creating materials for a math class project<br />

Handing out READ certificates,<br />

Holding a logo contest for next year’s spirit wear<br />

Donating water<br />

Chaperoning dances<br />

It has been a busy year for VIP, it was fun and exciting and<br />

we look forward to doing it again next year.<br />

The <strong>Indianola</strong> School District is planning for the following summer building and site improvement projects. All of these projects will be paid<br />

from the district’s Physical Plant and Equipment Levy or Statewide One Cent Sales tax Revenues.<br />

2011 Summer Roofing (HS and Whittier)<br />

Emerson Elementary Parking Lot Replacement/Drainage Correction<br />

High School Science Room Renovations (Phase 1 of 2)<br />

High School Technology Server Room<br />

Irving Restroom/Plumbing Renovations<br />

Middle School Renovation/Expansion


3<br />

First Day of School<br />

Looking Ahead<br />

Year-Round Education.............................................................. July 21<br />

Traditional Calendar ............................................................... August 22<br />

Preschool ............................................................................. August 31<br />

Registration<br />

2011-12 School Year<br />

Registration information for 2011-12 was sent home with students on Friday, <strong>May</strong> 6. Please return information<br />

as soon as possible if you haven’t done so already.<br />

Registration for new K-12 students is ongoing. Registration will originate at the district’s Administrative<br />

Office, 1304 East Second Avenue. Please contact Julie Ormsby if you have registration questions:<br />

Phone: 515.961.9500, Extension 1506<br />

Email: julie.ormsby@indianola.k12.ia.us<br />

Registration requirements can be found on the district’s Web site: www.indianola.k12.ia.us.<br />

Open House<br />

Preschool ............................................................................ August 29<br />

Open House at Whittier ................... 6:00-7:00 PM<br />

Elementary<br />

Year-Round ................................. 6:00-7:00 PM ..................... July 20<br />

Traditional ........................................................................ August 18<br />

Emerson ................................... 6:00-7:00 PM<br />

Whittier ................................................... 6:00-7:00 PM<br />

Wilder ..................................... 6:00-7:00 PM<br />

Middle School<br />

6 th Grade Orientation ........................................................... August 18<br />

Discovery Team .......................... 6:00-6:45 PM<br />

Legacy Team ............................. 7:00-7:45 PM<br />

7 th -8 th Grades ............................... 6:00-7:00 PM ..................... August 23<br />

High School<br />

9 th Grade/New Student Orientation<br />

(Auditorium) ......................... 5:30-6:00 PM ..................... August 17<br />

9 th Grade/New Student Open House .... 6:00-8:20 PM ..................... August 17<br />

10 th -12 th Grade Open House .............. 4:30-6:00 PM ..................... August 17


4<br />

<strong>Indianola</strong> School District Strategic Planning Goals and Strategies for 2010 - 2015<br />

Student achievement will be supported through continuous improvement of curriculum, instruction,<br />

programming and assessment.<br />

Strategy 1: We will align and implement PK-12 curriculum with the Iowa Core.<br />

Strategy 2: We will refine and implement the district’s at-risk plan and program.<br />

Strategy 3: We will coordinate the PK-12 programming such as special education, Talented and Gifted, Title One, ELL,<br />

Carl Perkins and guidance.<br />

Effective communication between students, staff and community will increase awareness, improve public perception, generate<br />

engagement and support for the education of our students.<br />

Strategy 1: We will expand the involvement of students, staff, parents and community in working toward the common goal of student<br />

success.<br />

The integration of technology into the curriculum will be provided where it will have the greatest positive impact on student<br />

learning.<br />

Strategy 1: We will implement and refine the district’s technology plan that outlines learning expectations to prepare students for the<br />

future.<br />

Strategy 2: We will implement and refine the district’s technology plan that outlines technology skills needed for all district employees.<br />

Student needs will drive our learning environment, calendars, schedules and facility planning.<br />

Strategy 1: We will identify, collect and analyze relevant data in order to make appropriate decisions about the learning environment.<br />

Strategy 2: We will review student and staff needs when making decisions related to environmental safety, programming, educational<br />

facility design and future growth.<br />

Academic Achievements for 2010-11<br />

The final testing of the year is completed and the results are very encouraging<br />

for our district. The following is a summary of a few key points in our efforts to<br />

improve the student’s achievement scores on the standardized testing.<br />

Students in grades 3-8 are tested using the Iowa Test of Basic Skills and the<br />

10 th and 11 th grade students are monitored using the Iowa Test of Educational<br />

Development.<br />

ITBS/ITED - Reading Comprehension subtest highlights<br />

91.4% of all 4 th grade students are proficient<br />

89.3% of all 5 th grade students are proficient<br />

96.9% of all 7 th grade students are proficient<br />

89.8% of all 8 th grade students are proficient<br />

90.3 % of all 11 th grade students are proficient<br />

ITBS/ITED - Reading Comprehension test goals for 2011-12<br />

Improve 6 th grade reading comprehension scores<br />

ITBS Math Totals/ ITED Concepts and Problems subtest highlights<br />

8.2% increase in scores from 3 rd to 4 th grade<br />

85-88% of all 6 th – 8 th grade students score proficient on<br />

the math totals test<br />

89% of all 11 th grade students are proficient<br />

ITBS/ITED – Math Totals/Concepts and Problems test goals for 2011-12<br />

Elementary – improve students ability to do basic math facts when<br />

timed.<br />

ITBS/ITED Science test subtest highlights<br />

Science scores remain consistently high<br />

Elementary averaging 87% of all students as being proficient<br />

91.6% of all 7 th grade students are proficient<br />

92.9% of all 8 th grade students are proficient<br />

96.4% of all 11 th grade students are proficient<br />

ITBS/ITED Science test goals for 2011-12<br />

Alignment with current curriculum with the Iowa Core<br />

2011-12 Transportation<br />

Bus Route Information<br />

In order to make sure accurate information<br />

is on file, a completed 2011-12 transportation<br />

form must be completed for all<br />

students regardless of whether or not<br />

transportation is required. As of the end<br />

of the school year, 82% of the transportation<br />

forms sent home with students to complete had been<br />

returned. Thank you for your assistance!<br />

A final copy of the form that needs to be completed will be<br />

mailed to those that have not already done so. Please<br />

complete and return the form as soon as possible to<br />

<strong>Indianola</strong> <strong>Community</strong> <strong>Schools</strong>, Transportation Department,<br />

1206 E Ashland Ave., <strong>Indianola</strong>, IA 50125 or fax to 515-<br />

961-9504. Access to transportation may be delayed for<br />

any student that does not have a completed form on file.<br />

Parents of students that are eligible for transportation and<br />

that have completed the transportation form will be notified<br />

in writing of their child’s bus assignment information.<br />

These letters will be sent out approximately two weeks<br />

prior to the start of school. Parents of students attending<br />

Irving Elementary will receive one letter prior to the start of<br />

school in July and another letter prior to the start of the<br />

traditional calendar start in August. Please note: Bus<br />

route information will no longer be posted on the<br />

school website or published in a Fall issue of the<br />

Messenger. If you do not receive a letter and need<br />

transportation please contact the Transportation Office at<br />

515-961-9592.


5<br />

Athletic Booster Club<br />

Be sure to join the <strong>Indianola</strong> Athletic Booster Club today for the 2011-2012 school year! Only $15/<br />

person! Visit www.<strong>Indianola</strong>AthleticBoosterClub.com/membership for the forms.<br />

This year the Athletic Boosters have assisted the athletic department in purchasing items such as swim<br />

touch pads, tennis nets & windscreens, golf range balls, football lineman chute & football equipment, basketball<br />

practice gear & backboard pads, volleyball nets & balls, new wrestling scale, cross country warmups,<br />

track software & finish line equipment, baseball & softball hitting equipment & supplies, soccer<br />

practice equipment, and cheerleading uniforms. They also helped pay for an athletic trainer, weight<br />

room equipment, training room equipment and supplies and athletic awards.<br />

Please join us in supporting <strong>Indianola</strong> Indians athletics. Your membership benefits all athletes!<br />

Wilder Elementary PTO<br />

2010-11<br />

It was another busy year for the Wilder PTO. We had some<br />

fundraisers offering everything from magazines to food. Because<br />

of the successes of the fundraisers we were able to: 1) give each<br />

teacher some classroom reimbursement money to use for the<br />

students 2) help support the school with a grant from Dollar<br />

General for NEO2’s and 3) give money to support an assembly<br />

by Fax Gilbert.<br />

The PTO also worked the concession stand for a HS football<br />

game, worked the Haunted House for the ICYF, and in March we<br />

held our Third Wilder Western Dance for students and families.<br />

All of these activities were a way for us to give back to the school<br />

and community.<br />

At the end of the school year the teachers completed a needs<br />

survey which will assist in making decisions of how we can help<br />

Wilder Elementary going forward. The top four areas of<br />

assistance needed as seen by the teachers were: 1) playground<br />

toys 2) playground equipment (structures), 3) one laptop per<br />

grade level and 4) a mobile computer lab for students.<br />

It really has been a great year and we hope to keep working<br />

towards making the PTO bigger and be able to help our teachers<br />

and students be as successful as possible. Have a great<br />

summer!<br />

Irving Elementary PTO<br />

2010-11<br />

Irving PTO has had a fabulous year and we are thrilled with all we<br />

have accomplished. Our Irving families continue to amaze us at the<br />

overwhelming support they provide our school, the students and<br />

teachers. Last fall, we sent our 5th grade class to Wesley Woods<br />

for an overnight retreat. This event is always a great bonding<br />

experience for the students and their teachers. It's a great way to<br />

start the year. We sponsored a pumpkin decorating contest for all<br />

classes in October. Another fun project for the kids and it promoted<br />

creativity and classroom unity. We also held a pancake supper in<br />

conjunction with our book fair last November. This event is a great<br />

way to get parents into our school and help support our library. In<br />

December all classrooms decorated a gingerbread house for their<br />

classroom provided by PTO.<br />

In February, we held our annual Sock Hop at the high school<br />

gym. We had more than 600 Irving families/kids in attendance! The<br />

kids danced the night away and loved our "Monster Bash"<br />

theme. The parents went above and beyond with our silent auction,<br />

too. PTO volunteers created 100+ gift packages to be<br />

auctioned. This event raised $10,500 that we put right back into<br />

our classrooms. The teachers were able to purchase much needed<br />

books and other materials to enhance literacy.<br />

We were thrilled to partner with Peoples Bank to provide prizes for<br />

our Character Counts program along with a banking education<br />

program for our 2nd graders.<br />

In <strong>May</strong>, we sponsored a Walk-a-thon to raise money for the<br />

<strong>Indianola</strong> <strong>Community</strong> Youth Foundation. This initiative was a charge<br />

to us by Casey Blake (Irving alum) to help support the Foundation<br />

he and wife Abbie created. The kids took this seriously and got<br />

very excited to be a part of this project. Kindergartners through 2nd<br />

graders walked around the Simpson track while 3rd-5th graders<br />

walked around town with their teachers and parent volunteers.<br />

Once again, Irving families came out in full force by supporting<br />

ICYF as we were able to give ICYF $11,068. It was a beautiful<br />

day and fun was had by all.<br />

On behalf of the PTO Executive Board, I<br />

would like to thank our families for their<br />

continued loyalty and support. It takes a<br />

village to raise a family....we truly believe<br />

it takes a village to have a successful<br />

PTO, too.<br />

Kamie Haynes


6<br />

<strong>Indianola</strong> Music Boosters<br />

This has been a busy and successful year for the <strong>Indianola</strong> Music Boosters. Our fundraising efforts began in the summer of<br />

2010 with assisting with parking cars at the Warren County Fair as well as assisting with manning the Godfather’s Pizza truck<br />

during the Fair and the National Balloon Classic. We had tremendous response from the community to our Patron Program in<br />

the fall which exceeded its goal through generous donations. Other fundraising efforts include providing a concession stand at<br />

major music events hosted at <strong>Indianola</strong> High School such as All-State Auditions in the fall and the Show Jazz Encounter and Large Group<br />

Contest in the spring. Lastly we are trying a new fundraiser this year by hosting a concert by a professional music organization, the Pride of<br />

Iowa Men’s Barbershop Chorus. Check out the Music Booster link on the school district website for a calendar of events.<br />

The <strong>Indianola</strong> Music Boosters support all levels of music, K-12, in the <strong>Indianola</strong> <strong>Community</strong> <strong>Schools</strong>. Monies raised throughout the year<br />

assist the music directors in purchases needed for the various programs such as new education materials, new music, new instruments and<br />

equipment or new robes or uniforms. The Boosters also award annual scholarships. In addition we provide monetary support to students<br />

who are selected to All State or other honor groups and to those students who attend summer music camps. Through our Sunshine<br />

Committee, we provide treats to students for band camp and at parades and provide recognition to students<br />

participating in special music events by hanging locker signs. The Boosters wish to thank all music parents who<br />

volunteered their time and efforts throughout the year and thank you to the <strong>Indianola</strong> community for its continued<br />

support of music programs in the <strong>Indianola</strong> schools.<br />

Becky King, President<br />

Emerson Elementary PTO<br />

2010-11<br />

The Emerson PTO had a very successful year on many accounts, including very prosperous fundraising efforts<br />

as well as providing resources and family events to the students and families of Emerson Elementary. To recap<br />

some of the highlights, we’ll begin in the fall. The Fall Fundraiser was revamped and refocused this year which<br />

resulted in more money raised and the profits benefitted the Emerson library with the purchase of $2000 worth<br />

of books. In the fall the Emerson Family Concert/dance was held again with Mr. Timmerman’s band, The Mill<br />

St. Band providing live music. Fit Club began in the fall with hundreds of students walking and exercising on a daily basis with<br />

monitoring provided.<br />

The spring was very busy with several unexpected fundraising successes including Pizza Ranch Tip Night, a Scrapfest, Book<br />

Fair, and the carnival all raising money for the PTO. Conference meals were provided at both the fall and spring conferences<br />

for teachers as well as cameras purchased for all grade levels this year. Teacher Appreciation Week was supported by the PTO<br />

as was the Emerson Carnival. The Emerson Yearbook was completed this spring in addition to landscaping around the school<br />

and Teacher Appreciation Week. The PTO also supported the 5 th Grade with a donation to the Historical Society of Warren<br />

County for Pioneer Days and the 5 th Grade Lock-in. Overall, a very successful year!<br />

Whittier Elementary PTO<br />

2010-11<br />

In short, the motto of the Whittier Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) states it all – ―Working Together for Our Kids‖. Each year,<br />

parents and/or legal guardians of students who currently attend Whittier as well as the school’s faculty and staff work in tandem to provide an<br />

enhanced learning, working, and social environment.<br />

Focus of the group is placed on seven priority areas: assemblies, landscape/playground, classroom, building/structure, activity, technology,<br />

and literacy. With input from the students, staff and parents, the PTO annually determines the ranking of each of these priorities as well as<br />

how much financial and/or volunteer support is needed for each of these areas.<br />

In addition to working to better the environment of the school, the PTO has worked and continues to work to better the <strong>Indianola</strong> community<br />

and beyond. Recent efforts of the group have included supporting the Warren County Historical Society, the<br />

<strong>Indianola</strong> <strong>Community</strong> Youth Foundation, <strong>Indianola</strong> Boy Scout Troop #123, <strong>Indianola</strong> High School’s Project<br />

Graduation, the <strong>Indianola</strong> HOPE Foundation, and Hurricane Katrina relief efforts as well as organizing a school<br />

supply drive for an African starter school and an annual food drive for <strong>Indianola</strong>’s most needy.


7<br />

Imagine a car that could morph its shape based on the driver’s whim. What if satellites<br />

had metal-like skins that could repair themselves from damage in space? What if old<br />

high-rise buildings could be turned into vertical farms to help fight world hunger?<br />

Picture a 3D cell-phone screen strapped to your wrist. How about turning pond scum<br />

into green fuel? These and countless other life-changing innovations are taking shape<br />

in labs, in test tubes and on computer screens around the world. But they all have on<br />

think in common. They all come from an engineer’s or scientist’s imagination.<br />

<strong>Indianola</strong> High School would like to announce that it has adopted the STEM education curriculum from Project Lead the Way (PLTW), which is<br />

a national project-based middle school and high school science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) curriculum program that offers<br />

courses in everything from Energy and the Environment to Biotechnology, Engineering Design and Development, Biomedical Innovation and<br />

more.<br />

In the fall of 2011 <strong>Indianola</strong> High School will offer students a course in Introduction to Engineering Design and then add Principles of Engineering<br />

in the fall of 2012. In the fall of 2013 we will be adding Digital Electronics and then in 2014 Aerospace Engineering. These courses can be<br />

taken for science elective credits. Students who enroll in PLTW courses also benefit from PLTW’s university relationships by giving them<br />

opportunity to earn college-level recognition such as college credit, scholarships and admission preference through affiliate colleges and<br />

universities. <strong>Indianola</strong> students who enroll will be offered Des Moines Area <strong>Community</strong> College credit, and upon certification, credit from Iowa<br />

State University and the University of Iowa.<br />

According to projections from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, 16 of the 20 fastest-growing occupations, from biomedical engineers to data<br />

communications analysts, will require a background in STEM. The PLTW curriculum is hands-on, project-based and engages students on<br />

multiple levels, exposing them to areas of study that they typically do not pursue, and provide them with a foundation and proven path to<br />

college and career success. <strong>Indianola</strong> is excited about bringing the PLTW curriculum to students and looks forward to expanding this program<br />

in the future.<br />

If you have any questions about PLTW or how this program can enhance your students future please contact a high school guidance<br />

counselor and for more information visit www.pltw.org.<br />

2011 <strong>Indianola</strong> School Board<br />

Election - Important Dates<br />

Monday, July 11 - Candidate Filing Begins<br />

First day to file nomination papers with the<br />

secretary of the school board or community college board<br />

secretary. The secretary or a designee must be present to<br />

receive the papers.<br />

Saturday, July 30 - Last Day for Vacancies<br />

Vacancies occurring on or before today on community<br />

college boards or school boards and board resignations<br />

occurring on or before today that will be effective either<br />

immediately or at the beginning of the next term must be<br />

filled at the 2011 school election. Vacancies occurring after<br />

this date cannot be filled at this School Election and instead<br />

must wait to be filled until the next pending election (i.e. the<br />

next school election or special school election).<br />

Thursday, August 4 ‐ Candidate Filing Deadline 5 p.m.<br />

Last day to file nomination papers with the school secretary<br />

or community college board secretary. Deadline is 5 p.m.<br />

School secretary’s office must be open until 5 p.m.<br />

Friday, August 5 - Nominations Delivered 5 p.m.<br />

School secretaries deliver all nomination papers and the<br />

full text of all public measures to the auditor by 5p.m.<br />

Tuesday, August 9 - 5 p.m. Withdrawal Deadline<br />

Last day for candidates to withdraw by filing a written<br />

request with the school secretary. Deadline is 5p.m.<br />

Objection Deadline<br />

Last day to file written objections to nomination papers or<br />

eligibility of a School secretary’s office must be open until<br />

5p.m.<br />

Tuesday, September 13 - School Board Election<br />

Professional Development Update<br />

<strong>Indianola</strong> teachers have just completed another year of learning. The major<br />

professional development trainings that were attended by teachers in the<br />

district are:<br />

Alignment of the Iowa Core<br />

Teachers used their curriculum diaries (documents that included<br />

what skills the teachers are teaching) to the Iowa Core (document<br />

that indicates what skills teachers must teach). This alignment is<br />

not completed in all curriculum areas and will continue in 2011-12.<br />

Building Common Assessments<br />

Janet Malone, national trainer, helped our teachers to better understand<br />

and use common assessments. She directed teachers on<br />

how to identify a variety of strategies and tools for building common<br />

assessments and how to interpret student data to improve instruction.<br />

The district will continue to support Janet Malone in our district<br />

until all teachers have went through this training.<br />

Authentic Intellectual Work<br />

Facilitator: Becca Lindahl and Mary Schmidt, Heartland AEA, led<br />

our Middle School math and science teachers on how to increase<br />

rigor and relevance in the classroom by helping teachers to use a<br />

framework that sets standards for teaching academic subjects that<br />

Maximize expectations of intellectual rigor for all students,<br />

Increase student interest in academic work,<br />

Support teachers’ taking time to teach for in-depth understanding<br />

rather than superficial coverage of material,<br />

Provide a common conception of student intellectual work that promotes<br />

professional community among teachers of different grade<br />

levels and subjects, and<br />

Most important, equip students to address the complex intellectual<br />

challenges of work, civic participation, and managing personal affairs<br />

in the contemporary world.<br />

<strong>Indianola</strong> schools will continue to support this training until all teachers<br />

in our district have attended. During the 2011-12 school year the 9-12<br />

science team, 9-12 math team, K-8 art team, 5 th grade at Irving<br />

elementary, K-12 guidance counselors and K-12 talented and gifted<br />

teacher will begin year one of a three year training. Our middle school<br />

math and science 6-8 teams will be in year two of this training.


8<br />

Non-Discrimination Policy<br />

NON PROFIT ORG.<br />

U.S. POSTAGE<br />

PAID<br />

INDIANOLA, IA 50125<br />

PERMIT NO. 155<br />

<strong>Indianola</strong> School District Emergency Response Plans<br />

Providing a safe place for students to learn and grow is one of the most important responsibilities of any school system. Along with school<br />

officials, teachers and staff, your family plays a critical role in preventing and responding to school emergencies. In a school emergency, the<br />

first instinct of many parents is to pick up the telephone and call their child or school and/or rush to the school to get their<br />

children. Unfortunately, this only complicates matters from a safety and security standpoint. Parents too close to an incident often hinder the<br />

rescue attempts of the police and fire officials on the scene. Calling your child’s cell phone may prevent them from hearing important, even life<br />

-saving information.<br />

The <strong>Indianola</strong> School District is committed to providing parents and guardians with the latest and most accurate information available. The best<br />

action parents can take in an emergency is to stay close to their phone, check their e-mail, district’s web-site and monitor local radio and TV<br />

reports for regular updates and instructions.<br />

Parent Notification Sign up - Iowa School Alerts<br />

The <strong>Indianola</strong> <strong>Community</strong> School District has signed up to take part in a new notification system offered by the State of<br />

Iowa called ―Iowa School Alerts.‖ This program gives parents, the media and others the opportunity to sign up to receive<br />

e-mail notifications directly when we are dealing with an emergency, cancelling classes, dismissing early or starting late<br />

due to weather or other factors. Please visit the <strong>Indianola</strong> School District’s web-site at http://www.indianola.k12.ia.us/ for<br />

more information and to register for this service.<br />

Students, parents, employees and others doing business with or performing services for the <strong>Indianola</strong> <strong>Community</strong> School District are hereby notified that this school district does<br />

not discriminate on the basis of age (except students), race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, creed or<br />

marital status in admission or access to, or treatment in, its programs and activities.<br />

The school district does not discriminate on the basis of age (except students), race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity,<br />

socioeconomic status, creed or marital status in admission or access to, or treatment in, its hiring and employment practices. Any person having inquiries concerning the school<br />

district's compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), § 504 or Iowa Code § 280.3 is directed to<br />

contact: 504 Coordinator <strong>Indianola</strong> <strong>Community</strong> School District 1304 East 2nd Avenue <strong>Indianola</strong>, IA 50125 515 961-9500 who has been designated by the school district to<br />

coordinate the school district’s efforts to comply with the regulations implementing Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, the ADA, § 504 and Iowa Code 280.3 (2007).<br />

Postal Customer<br />

<strong>Indianola</strong>, Iowa 50125<br />

ECR WSS<br />

<strong>Indianola</strong> <strong>Community</strong> <strong>Schools</strong><br />

1304 East Second Avenue<br />

ref. School Board Policy: 100 series<br />

<strong>Indianola</strong>, IA 50125

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