March 2012
C OMMUNICATOR
The
A supplement to the Estherville Daily News and Spirit
Reekers discusses tornado safety with fourth graders Terry Reekers, Emmet County Emergency Management Coordinator, spoke to all fourth grade students regarding the precautions to take to stay safe during a tornado. He showed several pictures
of the devastating tornado that hit Parkersburg, IA several years ago. These photos served as a reminder of why we need to be prepared and have a plan in the event of severe weather in our area. Mr.
Reekers’ explained to them how tornadoes are formed and what to watch for during a thunderstorm. Everyone enjoyed learning about basic facts and statistics about tornadoes as well as hearing stories about torna-
does that have hit Emmet County. In conjunction with this presentation, a story we read, and numerous activities, students created tornado safety brochures to be displayed in the hallways of Roosevelt.
2-Estherville (Ia.), Daily News and Estherville Spirit - 2012
Fourth quarter at ELC High School BY
FRANK CHRISTENSON
HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
March 2nd brings the end of the third quarter at ELC. Normally, you might think things would be “winding down” at the end of the year. But that is far from the reality of the workings of our school. In fact, things gear up to an even more frantic pace than at any other time during the year. March 6th and 8th, are the two dates that we will be conducting the Iowa Assessments for students in grades 9-11. These are extremely important to not only students individually as well as the district as a whole. Our teachers have been stressing their importance as well as sharing with students helpful tips in taking them. This year we will
be providing incentives for our students to show improvements over their scores from last year. This, hopefully, will provide motivation for students to do their very best on these exams. We will follow that testing up by taking sophomores to Iowa Lakes Community College here in Estherville on March 14th for the purpose of taking the ASSET exam which is an entrance exam for students who will eventually wish to take college level courses during their junior and senior years through dual credit, PSEO, or career academy opportunities. At the same time, our counselors will continue to work with all of our students on their 6-year plans so that
we can begin the course registration process for the 2012-13 school year. This is a process that will take over a month to eventually conclude. We will be meeting with 8th grade students on March 14th so that they have a good idea of what to expect when they come into the high school both socially and academically. That meeting will be followed up with a parent meeting primarily for the parents of 8th graders, but also open to parents of all students returning in the fall on the evening of April 3rd. This is an opportunity for any parent to ask questions about the scheduling process, required classes versus electives, the obtaining of credits towards graduation, the eligibility policy and oppor-
tunities that are available for students to become involved through student organizations and purple cord. Of course, there are still activities going on. Band and vocal students are preparing for concerts, festivals and contests as well as their trip to New York the first week in May. Our qualifying contestants for the state speech contests are still practicing before and after school as well. Prom will soon be upon us – April 21st. That is always a highlight for the juniors and seniors. But not as big of a highlight as senior graduation that will take place here at the high school on May 13th and the Alternative program on May 4th. While the winter sports are
Elementary Guidance BY JODY CONDON
Kindergarten students are learning about signals their body gives them when they are angry. We learned to pay attention to these signals so that we can use our calming down strategies and not act impulsively. We completed a drawing of where we “feel” our anger and made a classroom book. Students learned signals like our heart beating fast, our face
turning red, making a fist, our muscles getting tight, “race car tummy”, etc. are signals that our body can give us. 1st grade students have begun their final guidance unit. We are learning about safety. 1st graders heard a story called “Our brain is the boss of our body”. As a group we discussed different ways to keep our brain safe and healthy (eating healthy foods, drinking
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“builders” and the “artists” so far. The stations give the 2nd graders the opportunity to investigate which group they prefer. We will be building a career portfolio that they can continue to build on throughout school. Please check out the following website for a great resource for students to investigate and learn more about jobs: http://paws.bridges.com/ih aveaplan.php Also, check out my professional web page at: http://jodycondon.tripod.c om for more information.
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BY
KRIS SCHLIEVERT, Elementary Principal
Well, it is that time of the year to Round-up our future kindergarten students for the 2012-13 school year. The first parent meeting is Monday, March 26 from 6:30-8 p.m. in the high school cafeteria. This meeting is for parents who have never had a child in kindergarten at ELC schools. This meeting will have many speakers talking about important things you need to know before your child starts kindergarten like: lunch, immunization and medical requirements, guidance services, busing, etc. If parents have had other children attend ELC elementary in kindergarten, they should attend kindergarten registration on March 27 from 5-7 p.m. also at the high school cafeteria. This is a come and go event where parents can speak to the secretary, nurse, or principal. Both of these meetings are for adults only!! We will be sending all parents letters regarding round-up if their child will be five by September 15th and if they are currently in Head Start, Estherville private preschools, or
Demoney preschools. If you know of anyone who has a child who is age eligible and is not attending one of the listed preschools, please have them contact Sue Truog at 352-2181. Kindergarten Orientation for the future students is Friday, March 30 at Demoney from 8:30–11 a.m.. All children that will be five before or on Sept. 15 are eligible to attend orientation. This day will be spent playing with peers, taking some simple tests, having a snack, doing activities, and riding the bus. In the afternoon all teachers will meet with Mrs. Schlievert to talk about any concerns with any children and if there is any question whether the child should attend kindergarten or not, the teacher will call the parent. We do have a five year old preschool option available for children who need the gift of time. Preparing a child to come to kindergarten is fun and scary for both parent and child. If we can be of any assistance in completing this big task, please let us know.
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There is always something going on at the high schoolI only touched on a few and spring just means it is busier than ever. Oh, did I mention that students are still taking classes? That remains our primary concentration.
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healthy drinks, breathing clean air, wearing helmets during activities, wearing our seat belt, exercising, etc.). Students completed a drawing of 1 way that they give the boss of their body extra protection. The 2nd grade students are beginning their last unit for classroom guidance as well. The unit is on careers. Students will be participating in 6 different stations the next few weeks to help them understand the 6 different groups or types of jobs in our community. We have learned about the
coming to an end (not too quickly we hope) the spring and summer sports will be starting up soon. We have a very large number of students who participate in track, golf, tennis as well as baseball and softball. Some students are involved in more than one.
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Fifth grade students reading ʻWoodsongʼ The fifth grade is currently reading the novel Woodsong by Gary Paulsen which chronicles his journey across “the diamond that is northern winter” as well as the farthest reaches of his primal soul. His quest begins with sparkling days and moonlit nights in the Minnesota wilderness, training his dogs for the ultimate challenge; the Iditarod, the 1180-mile, 17 day dogsled race across Alaska. Subzero temperatures, wild wolf packs, sleepless nights, and exhaustion mark the trail as well as the breathtaking beauty of the landscape and the unbreakable bond between man and dog. Paulsen tells the story of brutal survival and mystical insight. Reading Woodsong is an unforgettable experience for our students. Fortunately, the weather in Iowa this winter was unlike that of Alaska; however, remembering winters of the recent past our students are able to visualize and “feel” the climate as Gary did in his quest across Alaska.
Mush into March with third grade Third graders are excited to learn about the IDITAROD Sled Dog Race Across Alaska. They are busy on the computer researching the history of the sport and all the ins and outs of racing sled dogs. Silver, Mush, and Balto are a few examples of books that third graders are reading that relate to dog sledding. Their research will help them as they track the IDTAROD Dog Sled Race March 3rd through the 18th. Each student will have a musher to track and cheer on. They will also be lucky enough to visit with a real musher, Doug Ruzicka, on Friday, March 9th when he comes to Roosevelt for an assembly called “Mush Husky” thanks to the support of the ELC Foundation.
Sixth grade pinch pot creatures Students in Mr. Jerry Wilsonʼs class created these creatures: Row 1: Chase Weber, Mattie Condon. Row 2: Dustin Murtaugh, Domanique Richardson, Makayla Hall. Row 3: Maggie Nitchals, Emily Shryock, Karmen Hazen. Row 4: Devyn Anderson, Britney Jensen, Bailey Spiegeler.
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