The Savage Express Sigourney Community School District
Elementary Student Council
November, December 2016
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IN THIS ISSUE: ë+ë4 ëʕɔƚɟǞȘɾƚȘƇƚȘɾ ࡄ ɔŏǃƚ ߞ ëŏʲŏǃƚ ëʕżżƚɯɯ ࡄ ɔŏǃƚ ߞ ĮƚŏɟųȩȩǺ +ɟƚʶ ࡄ ɔŏǃƚ ߟ CȀƚȒƚȘɾŏɟʿ ƚʶɯ ࡄ ɔŏǃƚɯ ߟࡷߢࡈ ߤ ÚɟƚࡷëżǕȩȩȀ ƚʶɯ ࡄ ɔŏǃƚ ߣ ëǞǃȩʕɟȘƚʿ mǞǃǕ ƚʶɯ ࡄ ɔŏǃƚ ߣ Ǟųɟŏɟʿ ƚʶɯ ࡄ ɔŏǃƚ ߤ
Words to Live By Sigourney School District Mission Statement The Sigourney Community School District, in partnership with family, business and community, will provide quality instruction and a progressive curriculum in a secure and challenging environment. All students will have the opportunity to acquire the knowledge, skills, and character to become productive citizens in a global society.
h5R5Ļ 5 AVAGE EXPRESS - November, December 2016
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CONTACT INFORMATION *LU[YHS 6MÄJL 909 E. Pleasant Valley 622-2025 Dave Harper Superintendent
Susan Huls
Business Manager / Board Secretary
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Administrative Assistant
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From the Desk of the Superintendent By DAVE HARPER SCSD Superintendent
School Improvements Update The Board of Directors has been working with our architect to finalize the plans for the Science Room and All-Weather Track. We are anticipating construct to start in May of 2017. The Board will also look at the next phase of additional projects to be completed during the summer of 2017.
509 S. Jefferson St. 622-2350
DO YOU HAVE A CONCERN?
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I have had several questions from community members on what are the procedures on how to address a concern within the district. We are all committed to providing our students the best academic experience and Preparing Today’s Students for Tomorrow’s World. Step # 1 – Take your concern to the person closest to the problem. No matter what the problem is, take your concern there first. Whether in the classroom, on the bus or on the practice field, the quickest and easiest solution is usually found with the staff member most directly involved. Step # 2 - Present your concern to the next level. The principal at each building is responsible for supervision of the staff within that particular building. The Transportation Director supervises the bus drivers and the Athletic Director is the supervisor for coaches. Each one is an example of the next level
Principal
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Administrative Assistant
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Keri Van Den Heuvel
Guidance Counselor
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of school personnel you should contact if the staff member closest to the problem hasn’t been able to satisfactory resolve the difficulty. Step # 3 – Talk with the Superintendent of Schools Sometimes all the best intentions can’t solve a problem. When you believe you’ve taken the problem to the next level but still haven’t achieved a satisfactory outcome, the superintendent of schools is the next place to go. Step # 4 – Contact you school board member after other means have been tried. School board members are elected to represent the interest of all parent and district residents; therefore, you should always feel free to tell them your point of view. School board members do not, however, have direct authority in the day-to day operations. All authority is the result of official action by a majority of the board at meetings open to the public.
Severe Weather We are going to do our best to let parents know as early as possible when we are having a late start or cancellation. In the event of severe weather we plan on checking roads between 5:00 and 6:00 each morning to determine if we need to delay or cancel. We will call the local radio and television stations and we will post any announcements on our website and Facebook/Twitter accounts. We will also initiate a call through our messenger system in Infinite Campus, so please make sure we have an accurate number for you. School website: www.sigourneyschools.com Twitter account: @SigourneyCSD Facebook page: Sigourney Community School District As always, my door is opened to discuss our advantages, needs of our district or how we can communicate to our community about our school. I wish each and every one of you happy holidays. Dave Harper
Learning, Belonging and Leading Savage Strong
District Vision Preparing Today’s Students for Tomorrow’s World District Goals Culture of Learning Culture of Belonging Financial Sustainability
District Mission In partnership with family, business and community, we will provide quality instruction and progressive curriculum in a secure and challenging environment. All students will have the opportunity to acquire the knowledge, skills and character to become citizens in a global society.
Culture of Learning What this looks like: All students make significant growth in their learning and reach their full potential. All students and staff are encouraged & “stretched” to reach high levels of learning Progressive/innovative teaching, curriculum, tools (technology, etc.) and facilities (labs, equipment, etc.) Students are set up for success in life and prepared as productive citizens, as a result of their educational experience in Sigourney CSD.
Strong Culture of Belonging What this looks like: Students, staff and community are excited about their learning environment. Students, staff, and community experience a sense of belonging. District is the hub of learning and relationships. The community is drawn together around the school.
Financial Sustainability What this looks like: Stable Solvency Ratio. Balanced General Budget. Executing action in alignment with the long range facility plan.
Activities Director
Mel Hammes
Administrative Assistant
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Guest Speakers During Savage Success
BY SHANNON GREINER This year during Savage Success, we have been inviting guest speakers to give presentations to our 7-12 grade students. These presentations take place between 3:00-3:30 and are held in the high school gym. We usually only have a guest speaker two or three times a month on Wednesday afternoons. If you don’t know what Savage Success is, then let me inform you. Savage Success is our intervention time for our students. If a student is failing or just needs extra help, a teacher may request for students to report to their classroom. If they don’t
need extra help, then there is time for a study hall, reading, or activity. We use our guest speakers as an activity for our students. Our thoughts were to bring in community members to interact with our students. It is a break from the classroom teachers, and the students get a different realistic perspective from our community members. So far this year, we have had several guest speakers. Dave Harper, superintendent of Sigourney/Pekin Schools, Norman Atwood, co-owner of Atwood Electric, and Sue Clarahan of Clarahan Consulting in Iowa City. Our next speaker will be on Novem-
ber 16th, featuring Jill Sande of Keokuk County Health Center. In these presentations, the speakers told their stories of how they got where they are today, along with sharing some 21st Century Skills with the students. A different approach was used by Sue Clarahan, who explained the importance of nutrition and the dangers of eating disorders among teens. If you are interested or know of someone who would be a great speaker, please contact Shannon Greiner at shannon.greiner@sigourneyschools.com. We are always looking for speakers to bring a spark to our students.
November, December 2016 - The SAVAGE EXPRESS5R5i
2016-2017 Yearbook Shoutout
BY REBECCA SHAW I’d like to give a big shout out to my 2016-17 crew. This group is an extraordinary group of students that have been working so hard to get the yearbook to a state of awesomeness! Our theme for this year is “School Spirit”. The students are working at full force to make sure the book reflects the theme. Even our shirts are very school spirit with a sports touch! Members this year are: (Seniors) Sam Sande, Jetta Bell, Kendall Strei-
gle, Savannah Atwood, Bailey Tinnes, Collin Svenby, and Anna Ohland. (Juniors) Leah Carter, Brooke Waechter, Sydney Striegel, Autum Barthelman, Rylie Shettler, Tanner Halleran, Madi McNurlen, Macie Leonard, Madysen Leonard, Heather Cline, Erica Bethune, and Blake Hewitt. We would also like to give a shout out to all of our great sponsors! Without you, our book wouldn’t be as great as it is now! You all help us out so much, and we hope that our advertis-
ing helps you! Gold Sponsors: Fountain Fitness, Indian Hills Community College, Keokuk County Health Center, Sigourney Body Shop, and Town and Country Insurance Silver Sponsors: Amy’s Salon House and Spa, Cassens’ Mill, County Bank, Holm Funeral Home, Jack’s Corner Drug, JCM Services, John N. Wehr-Attorney, Keokuk County Bowl, MIdWestOne Bank, Misc. on Main, Pizza Ranch, Powell Funeral Homes, Salon At Suite C, The News-Review, and
Wagler Motors. Bronze Sponsors: Atwood Electric, Bell’s Collision Repair, Brother’s Market, Deb’s Permanent Solution, Duro-Last, The Extension Office, The Garden Gate, Greenley’s Corporation, Hi-$, Kapple Dental, Keokuk County Abstract, Keokuk County Implement, Lifetime Dental, The Lumber Company, Moore Hair Designs, Morse Feed & Grain, Nana Barb’s Daycare, Phelp’s Auto, Sigourney BP, The Strand Salon, and Wolfe Family Vision Center.
Elementary Student Council Update By Alyssa Weber
Members of the 2016-2017 elementary student council are: Ellie Ireland, John Berg, Lilyann Hardwick, Rylan Vos, Dylan Renner, Chelsey Pfannebecker, DJ Hammes, and Dan McLaughlin. These students are in third through sixth grade and were voted by their classmates to represent their homeroom. At the end of October, the student council was able to help the residents carve pumpkins at the Care Center. The Elementary Student Council would like you to help us kick off the holiday season by donating non-perishable items to families in need. These items will be delivered to our local food bank. The
food drive will begin Monday, November 14 and end on Monday, December 19. There will be a table located in the Commons area where you can place your non-perishable items. Possible items to donate: Canned vegetables, fruit, & soup, cereal, boxed meals, pasta & pasta sauce, rice, stuffing mix, gravy, canned meats–tuna, ham, turkey, chicken, and beef– and fruit juice. You may also bring unopened personal care items (shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothpaste, etc.). Thank you in advance for all of your generosity!
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Elementary Literacy
By DEANNA HUTCHINGS Preschool / Elementary Principal
In 2014, Iowa law was changed to support statewide literacy efforts for students in Iowa. This law requires that Iowa’s school children read at grade level by the end of third grade on the Department of Education approved Universal Screener that is given 3 times a year. Due to this law, there are many requirements that are required of our K-3 students, staff, and parents. The requirements went into effect immediately following legislation and were expected to be implemented no later than August 1, 2014 unless otherwise indicated. These are the expectations of the Iowa Department of Education: (educateiowa.gov) * Provision of universal screening in reading for students in kindergarten through third grade * Progress monitoring for students who exhibit a substantial deficiency in reading * Provision of intensive instruction – including 90 minutes daily of scientific, research-based reading instruction - for students who exhibit a substantial deficiency in reading * Notice to parents that a student
exhibits a substantial deficiency in reading, including strategies the parents can use at home to help the child succeed * Notice to parents of such a student’s subsequent progress * Provision of an evidence-based summer reading program for students who exhibit a substantial deficiency in reading (Effective May 1, 2017) * Retention of any student who is not proficient in reading by the end of the third grade, did not attend the summer reading program, and does not qualify for a good cause exemption from the retention requirement (Effective 20172018 school year but still waiting for State guidance.) At Sigourney Elementary, we have been proactive in making sure we are prepared for the effects of this law. For many years, our K-6 students have received 90 minutes of literacy instruction on a daily basis, so this was not a change we had to make. For the past five years, we have been assessing K-6 students on the state approved screener three times a year. We use that data to determine which students need additional instruction and intervention to meet benchmarks. We progress monitor students to make sure the interventions they are receiving are meeting the student’s literacy need. For the past three years we have been working with K-3 parents whose children are struggling with their reading and providing periodic updates on how their child is doing. Two years ago we began implementing an intensive six week summer school program for all K-3 students who were at-risk or substantially deficient (now termed persistently at-risk). Through all of these
changes, Sigourney Elementary has seen a drastic increase in our scores by the time students hit 2nd and 3rd grade. Even though we have made changes in the elementary to prepare for the
law, there are ways that parents and community members can help in our efforts. Below are some reading strategies for parents provided by the U.S Department of Education:
Sigourney Elementary Chooses U.S. President Whom Did They Choose?
BY JULIE TREMMEL “Let’s have our own election!” That’s what Sigourney’s fifth grade students wanted to do when we began discussing Election 2016 in our social studies class. It’s often said that America’s school children are accurate in predicting winners in national elections. There was only one way to find out, so an election was planned. If you read your Constitution, you know that Election Day is on the second Tuesday after the first Monday in November. But at Sigourney Elementary, we jumped the gun and voted a week early on the first Tuesday, November 1. Sigourney’s fifth grade students hosted the election and invited the whole school to participate. After looking over an official ballot supplied by Keokuk County Auditor, Christy Bates, a simplified version was created so that even kindergarteners could easily mark their choice. Prior to election day, fifth graders carefully counted and sorted ballots so that each class had the correct number. Not too
many, not too few. No rigging the election here! Sample ballots were created but clearly marked just as the official ballot supplied by Christy Bates had been. On SES Election Day, teachers took their classes to the Commons. One by one, students and staff stepped behind the partition and exercised their democratic right. It was an exciting day! The ballot had two clearly marked choices: Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump. A ballot left blank meant that the voter was choosing “Other.” After the election, the outcome had to be determined. There we no hanging chads, nor were there any fancy computers to do the counting. We went old school. Fifth graders counted the ballots in groups then recounted to verify accurate results. Students throughout the school anxiously awaited the results. Fifth grade delegates were sent to other grades to share the results. It wasn’t really even close. “Other” received 25 votes. Hillary Clinton earned 84 while Donald Trump received 155 votes. A clear victory for Trump. Some cheered. Others were disappointed, but we all got to participate in an important process.
November, December 2016 - The SAVAGE EXPRESS5R5k
Family Reading Night BY JOLIE CRAWFORD & MICHELLE Mark your calendar for Sigourney Elementary’s annual Family Reading Night on Thursday, February 23, 2017 from 5:30-7 p.m. In case of inclement weather, it will be held on Tuesday, February 28th. The theme and activities planned for that evening will be centered around one of our favorite children’s authors, the beloved Dr. Seuss. As in year’s past, we will be having a 25 cent used book sale and are accepting any book donations. We will gladly accept any gently used books for kids of all ages. You may drop them off in the elementary office or contact Mrs. Crawford or Ms. Johnson, the Title I elementary teachers to arrange a pick up time. Some of the activities that will be
going on that night include a book walk, tattoos, community readers, reading rooms, and other reading activities. Students will go home with at least one brand new book. We have had amazing attendance for Family Reading Night in the past few years and look forward to another great night celebrating reading with kids and their families. As Dr. Seuss says, “The more that you READ, the more things you’ll KNOW, the more that you LEARN, the more places you’ll GO.”
Larry the Lonesome Scarecrow
BY CHARLOTTE CLAYWELL In the middle of a field, under a sky the color cornflowers, stood a scarecrow. More than anything, the scarecrow wants to be friends with the playful animals who live in his field. But they are too afraid of his crooked carrot nose and jagged metal mouth to come near. When a snowstorm disguises him as a jolly snowman, the scarecrow is given a second chance to win their friendship. This is from a book called The Lonely Scarecrow by Tim Preston. Larry the Lonesome Scarecrow came to first grade to tell about his experiences. He wanted the children to know that everyone wants a friend, so be kind to everyone. If they see someone at recess lonely and not playing with anyone, to be sure to ask them to join them. Larry had a couple of little scarecrows to help him out.
Johnny Appleseed Visits First Grade
BY CHARLOTTE CLAYWELL John Chapman, widely known as Johnny Appleseed, paid a visit to the first grade classes. Many people think that Johnny Appleseed was a fictional character but he was a real man that loved apples. He was born on September 26, 1774, in Massachusetts. He spent over 50 years wandering around growing apples for people to enjoy. He died at the age of
70 and is buried in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Johnny told some tall tales about his adventures during his years wondering through the midwest sowing appleseeds. Appleseed lived a simple life. He was a vegetarian, wore raggedy clothes, and was a very religious man. It is said that as Johnny traveled, he wore his cooking pot on his head as a hat (this may or may not be true)!
Gold Sponsors: We Appreciate you!
l5R5Ļ 5 AVAGE EXPRESS - November, December 2016
Wild for Education
BY DEANNA HUTCHINGS ߞȘƇࡷߠɾǕ ǃɟŏƇƚ ɯɾʕƇƚȘɾɯ ǃȩɾ ɾȩ ŏɾɾƚȘƇ ŏȘ vȩʶŏ ĦǞȀƇ ǕȩżǺƚʿ ǃŏȒƚ ǞȘ 4ƚɯ ȩǞȘƚɯ ȩȘ ȩʲࡏ ߝߜ ŏȀȩȘǃ ʶǞɾǕ ߝߜࡈߜߜߜ ȩɾǕƚɟ ɯɾʕƇƚȘɾɯ ǞȘ vȩʶŏࡏ ÷Ǖƚ ǃŏȒƚ ʶŏɯ ǃƚŏɟƚƇ ɾȩʶŏɟƇɯ ɯżǕȩȩȀɯ ŏȘƇ ɔɟȩȒȩɾƚƇ ɯżǞƚȘżƚࡈ żǕŏɟŏżɾƚɟ ƚƇʕżŏɾǞȩȘࡈ ŏȘƇ ƚȘǃǞȘƚƚɟǞȘǃࡏ ÷Ǖƚ ɯɾʕƇƚȘɾɯ ǕŏƇ ŏȘ ŏȒŏˌǞȘǃ ɾǞȒƚࡋ
November, December 2016 - The SAVAGE EXPRESS5R5m
Preschool 2016-2017 BY MINDY ARVIDSON
The preschoolers arrived following Labor Day, and we’ve had so much fun learning the ins and outs of preschool! There are two sessions that serve ϐ Ǥ session meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and alternating Mon ȋ ȌǤ meets on Wednesdays and Fri-
days, and alternating Mondays (by ȌǤ ͺǣͳͷǦ͵ǣͳͷǤ The preschool students participate in the following activities throughout their school day: *free choice time *PE *story time *large group time
*lunch *small group time *snack *PE *rest time *music & movement *outdoor time The classroom is divided into different interest areas which include blocks, dramatic play, art, discovery,
ǡ ǡ Ǥ These interest areas offer multiple opportunities for young children ǡ ǡ Ǥ Throughout the school year, the children work on several different skills in the areas of social-emotion ǡ ǡ ϐ tor skills, language, literacy, math, ǡ Ǧ Ǥ
Shettler Represents Sigourney at All-State
BY RANDY STICHTER Rylie Shettler, a junior at Sigourney High School has attained the highest individual honor available to Iowa high school musicians by being selected as a memeber of the 2016 All-State Chorus. Rylie is the daughter of Steve and Staci Shettler and is a member of
the Sigourney High School Choir. The 2016 Festival will celebrate the 70th anniversary of this prestigious event. District Auditions for the 281 piece All State-Band, 201 piece All-State Orchestra, and 601 member All-State Chorus were held Saturday, October 22, 2016 at Storm Lake, Hampton, Manchester,
Atlantic, Indianola and Washington. Approximately 17% of the students who audition are selected for membership in the All-State ensembles. Participants will rehearse in Ames on Friday and Saturday, November 18 and 19, and the Festival Concert will be presented to the public on Saturday at 7:30 P.M. in
Iowa State University’s Hilton Coliseum in Ames. Iowa Public Television will record the concert for re-broadcast. Please check the IPTV website for exact dates and times. This program is under the auspices of the Iowa High School Music Association and the Iowa Music Educators Association.
n5R5Ļ 5 AVAGE EXPRESS - November, December 2016
Veteran’s Day Assembly 3rd Grade Supports former Savage Soldier BY DEANNA HUTCHINGS Sigourney Elementary students recognized and thanked our veterans for serving our country. Afterwards the veterans visited the classrooms to tell students about their experiences.
BY SCHAY MOORE Each year the 2nd and 3rd grade students choose a service project during the holiday season. This year they chose to help recent Savage graduate Gage Greiner. Gage is
currently stationed in Iraq. With the help of his mom Jodi, we were able to compile a “wish” list of items to send to Gage. We all wish Gage a very Merry Christmas and safe return home!!
Library News
BY PEGGY MILLER Of the twenty-some years I’ve worked for Sigourney Schools, this has been one of the craziest. I had tendon surgery on my right ankle on August 30th. Needless to say being off for six weeks at the beginning of the school year is not an ideal situation. I worked very hard to have things organized and planned out ahead of time. Thanks to my awesome associates, the libraries ran smoothly. I also added EV Schools to my roster this year. I have enjoyed meeting all of the staff and students there on Thursdays. I am still at Tri-County on Wednesdays. I have been going to Tri-County for ten years now. It is always fun to see what other districts are doing and how they compare to our own. I wrote last spring about the transformations in our jr/sr high library. The new carpet and paint and rearrangement of furniture have really given the room a new look. I worked before school started last summer getting the fiction section back on the shelves. Thanks to Barb Clubb, everything else is back on shelves, labeled and looking awesome. It’s a pleasure to come to work in the morning and see the changes to the library. I just finished up another Scholastic
Book Fair at the elementary. Thank you to all of the supporters that came and bought books and other materials. Those purchases allowed me to get books for the library. I picked out about $800 worth of new books for our students to read. That is keeping me busy cataloging all of the new items in! I love to get new books into students’ hands. Last year at the elementary we started a multi-copy chapter book library for teachers to use for reading instruction. I spent some of my summer cataloging in and organizing this new section too. We now have around 165 different titles with six copies of each title. It is an excellent resource for our teachers. There is also lots of learning going on during library time at the elementary. Now that every student has access to a computer, they bring them and we work on all sorts of technology skills. Thanks to Loree Bain, all the library times and skill lessons continue even on the days I am in other districts. I couldn’t do it all without her support. After Christmas we will start some hands-on Makerspace activities again too. As I began, it has been a crazy start to the year for me. There are a lot of positive things happening in our schools and I’m proud to be a part of them.