April 2014 Tri-Center Newsletter

High School 485-2257 Middle School 485-2211 www.tri-center.k12.ia.us Elementary 485-2271

Superintendents News and Comments

Brett Nanninga

Schools Need Help Making Sure Kids Are Safe and Respectful
One of our challenges as parents and educators is to constantly evaluate our school system and determine amongst other things, if it is peaceful, safe, and enriching. Often times, we tend to scrutinize and criticize things that are not vital to the educational process; and we assume the basic needs of children are being met or dealt with every day. When it comes to safety, respectful behavior, and knowing right from wrong; much of this education needs to take place before kids hit the schoolhouse steps. This cooperative effort begins at home and is then reinforced at schoolwith very little room for assumptionand now, it includes the use and misuse of social media (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, etc.) It is far too easy to cry foul when something occurs at school that is deemed inappropriate by society, and yet society has, in most cases, been the single biggest contributing factor to the issue/incident itself. We must wake up and realize that schools cannot solve all of the ills that society has imposed upon our educational system. It takes a concerted effort with no room for opting out (i.e. choosing to be disengaged or irresponsible when it comes to raising and caring for children and teenagers). Schools were first established in buildings that often served a dual purposereligion and education. Our forefathers knew exactly what they were doing when they created an environment and atmosphere that was safe and was considered an institution where learning could take place each and

every day. School was almost considered to be a hallowed place. I wonder how they would view our schools today given the precautionary measures that have had to be established in response to the violence and negligence found in our society. As a school district, state, and nation, we need to be more proactive in our responsibilities and elevate our level of awareness to the point that we are more mindful of what we need to do rather than what we should have done. True, it is easy to sit on the outside and look in when misfortune strikes in other areas of our state, region, or country. Just the same, we must be willing to learn and step up our efforts so that our campus remains safe and productivenot perfectbut inviting and not threatening. Lifeand educationmust go on. For the sake of our youth and generations to comethis is now our greatest challenge.

DATES OF NOTE . . . .

1:30 Early Dismissal for Professional Development on Friday, April 4th 1:30 Early Dismissal for Easter Break on Thursday, April 17th NO SCHOOL on Friday, April 18th or Monday, April 21st RETURN from Easter Break on Tuesday, April 22nd 1:30 Early Dismissal for Professional Development on Friday, May 2nd 1:30 Early Dismissal for LAST DAY of SCHOOL on Thursday, May 22nd

READING . . . Encourage Your Kids and Set the Example Reading is the key to learning in ALL school subjects. It is a foundation for success both

now and in the future. However, it does not begin when children start school. It begins long before that when they are learning sounds, pictures, and listening to how others use the language. Parents and family members are a childs first and most important reading teachers. The following are some ways to encourage your children to read and set the standard for reading in your home. Read to your child at least 10-15 minutes every day/night. Do not stop reading after they learn to readkeep doing it. Ask babysitters, sisters, brothers, and grandparents to read. Have your child read aloud to you or take turns. Let your child see that you enjoy reading. Have a variety of reading materials present in your home. Send your child to bed with his/her favorite books. Encourage the giving of books as gifts. Limit the amount of time your child watches television. Use the public, school, or nearby libraries. Play word games like Boggle, Scrabble, and Upwords. Go to or rent movies based on books that have been read. Talk about the meanings of words or look them up. Guard your household conversations and language carefully. Discuss the meanings or themes of stories. Make reading the connection to learning. It will last for a lifetime. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTAn Ongoing Commitment to Excellence in Education (Locally and throughout the state of Iowa) What Works in Classroom Instruction, The 6 Traits of Writing, Individual Career Development Plans, Instructional Practices Inventories, Lesson Planning, and Data Analysis have been the thrust of the professional development plan for Tri-Center Community Schools during recent years.

The efforts of the Building Leadership Team (comprised of teachers and administrators) have enabled this professional development to take place on the Tri-Center campus. Each year, we have been taking an in-depth look at our assessment data and in turn, making some informed decisions about our areas of strengths and weaknesses so we can further apply and develop effective instructional strategies through grade/departmental collaboration. It is our hope that the learning we experience through professional development throughout the year will coincide with the board, district, and achievement goals of Tri-Center Community Schools. This year (2013-2014) the primary focus of Professional Development has been Collaboration, Iowa CORE, AIW, Data Wall, and Technology. The collaborative efforts of our staff throughout the year have resulted in numerous learning and leadership experiences for students in all grade levels. Not only have teachers tapped into new ideas and resources, but they have opened up the avenues of sharing their expertise with other staff members. They have developed cooperative ventures for their students that otherwise would never have existed. Another phrase for Collaboration is that of Professional Learning Communities or PLC. Regardless of the title or reference, the gist of the concept is simply to work together in some literary, artistic, or scientific undertakingand in this case, the staff and students of Tri-Center Community Schools are the direct benefactors of such work.

Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people dont recognize them. --Ann Landers

From the Principals Desk Angie Huseman

One of the greatest inhibitors to effective communication is the simple word, assume. Zig Ziglar Now that we are in the fourth quarter, Spring Fever is going to hit us all. I am enlisting your help to help your student, as well as the faculty here, to keep Spring Fever from being too detrimental. I think the best way to do this is to reinforce with your student good study habits. Its not enough to pay attention in class for most students; they need to do homework. Thats the result of a national test. Teens with the best scores had three things in common: They spent more than an hour studying daily. They read at least 20 pages a day at school and at home. They discussed schoolwork at home every day. Next time your teen has several assignments, suggest that he do the hardest one first. Hell probably have the most energy and patience at the beginning of study time. Then he can relax while doing the rest of his work. You can always get any teacher through the website (tri-center.k12.ia.us), Power School (the teachers name in blue is a direct link to their email) or by calling the high school office (485-2257). Please talk to the teachers if you are unsure about how your student is doing. The teachers have their own website with links to their lesson plans; you can find the link on the main tri-center.k.12.ia.us page on the side under Teacher Websites. These websites not only have calendars of when assignments are given/due, many have attached power points and notes from class. I cannot stress enough how important it is for you and your student to keep in touch with his/her teachers. Summer School We would like to offer the possibility of summer school to students who are behind credits. Remember, all high school students require four full years of English and math. If they have failed even one semester, they will be behind on credits and

will more than likely not be able to graduate on time without Summer School. If your student would benefit from summer school, please contact Mrs. Harman at 485-2257 as soon as possible. We will need to get numbers to see how we can best help students get caught up. Drivers Education Before I give you specifics about the upcoming Drivers Education session for the coming summer, I thought it would be useful for you, the parent and community members, and helpful for us at school, if you really knew the law associated with a School Permit. First, a School Permit is issued to a student who is has successfully completed and Iowa-approved Drivers Education Course and has held a valid Permit during the 6 month period preceding application for the school permit. The students driving history must also be free of conviction for moving traffic violations, contributive accidents and license withdrawals during the 6 month period immediately preceding application for the school permit. This school permit may be used only during the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m, Here are the most frequently misunderstood or abused portions of the law: A STUDENT ON A SCHOOL PERMIT MUST DRIVE OVER THE MOST ACCESSIBLE AND DIRECT ROUTE BETWEEN THE STUDENTS HOME AND SCHOOL FOR THE PURPOSES OF ATTENDING SCHEDULED CLASSES OR EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. PASSENGERS ARE ALLOWED ONLY IF THEY ENTER THE VEHICLE AT THE LICENSEES HOME AND EXIT THE VEHICLE AT THE SAME DESTINATION AS THE DRIVER WITH NO STOPS ALONG THE WAY TO PICKUP OR DROP OFF PASSENGERS. If you would like to gain more information about the school permit, please go to http://www.dot.state.ia.us/mvd/ods/msl.htm and see Iowa Minor School License (MSL). Now for the information about this summers class: Mr. Gary Schuler will be our Drivers Ed instructor again this summer; he currently teaches and coaches at Treynor High School. As soon as Mr. Schuler gets me the information for the summer session, I will meet with your students and give them a copy of the schedule so you can all finalize plans for the summer. Tell your potential drivers education
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student to listen to the announcements for more information. Cost will be $275, and the student must have his/her drivers permit by the first day of class. Upcoming Dates of Interest: April 12 Prom May 6 High School Awards Day May 7 Baccalaureate May 18 Graduation

Center. Congratulations to the new inductees and their families. Those new inductees are: Senior: Ian Miller Juniors: Emma Dickerson, Devin Heinen, Stephanie Nelson, Adrienne Rockwell, Nick Schnitker Sophomores: Luke Ausdemore, Erin Bolte, Julia Dollen, Savanna Huseman, Chris Jarrett, Hannah Larsen, Brooklyn Lehan, Grace Lisle, Adam McDermott, Hannah Pettit

Though no one can go back and make a brand new start my friend, anyone can start from now and make a brand new end. -- Carl Bard

Yearbook News and Information Sarah Elliott

2013-2014 Publications Staff Members: Seniors: Newspaper Co-Consultants/Editors Elise Christenson, Lia Grover, and Christian Severn; Juniors: Yearbook Editor Zach Denning, Brandon Jensen, Stephanie Nelson, Allyson Ploen, and Megan Ryan; Sophomores: Whitney Matthews; and Freshmen: Samantha Brich, Christine Fisher, and Sydney Murley. 2014 YEARBOOK!!! The 2014 Trojan Yearbook is for sale now. The FULL COLOR books, which include the full-color Year-In-Review insert and a digital yearbook disc are currently $50 without a name or icon. A name or icon are $6 each until April 18 when those options will no longer be available. See a Publications member (listed above) or Adviser Mrs. Elliott to purchase your book. We order a limited number, and prices will increase again in the fall, so BUY NOW DONT MISS OUT SAVE! We do except a $20 deposit if you wish to make payments. 2013 YEARBOOKS! We still have some copies of the 2013 Trojan which may be purchased, while supplies last for $50 each or $40 each with the purchase of the 2014 book. To purchase your book see a Publications member (listed above) or contact Adviser Mrs. Sarah Elliott at the high school at 4852257, ext. 100 or selliott@tctrojans.org.

Counseling Comments Tami Harman

Scheduling will be taking place within the next couple of weeks. The master schedule is not designed yet but students need to be planning their schedules based upon course work needed for next school year. I will be going into classrooms soon to talk about scheduling and giving students the necessary materials needed to complete registration for 2014-2015. Parents, you should be having some discussion about course work for your daughter/son for next school year. Schedules will be completed for both semesters to help us build the master schedule. Seniors should be finalizing their post secondary plans and working on scholarships. April seems to be the month that a lot of scholarships are due and then they begin to quickly taper off through May. Keep researching and looking for scholarships still available. National Honor Society: The 2014-2015 new inductees have been selected and the induction ceremony was held March 31st at 7:00 p.m. in the High School Media

PAST YEARBOOKS! In addition to extra 2013 copies, we have extras of other past yearbooks. Purchase any years book at regular price and get $5 off the second and on lower priced books. Past books costs are: $25 for the 2011 and 2010, $20 for the 2009 and 2008 and just $15 for the 2003. Sorry, we are completely out of 2012 books. PARENT AND PERSONAL ADS: Support the yearbook and honor your son/daughter, grandson/daughter, sibling, friend, or others at the same time. As stated in the letter sent to senior parents, parent and personal full-color ads are $35 and include the honored persons name, a small photo, and a message limited to approximately 25 words. Some parents have recently contacted the staff about missing the deadline, and we would like to extend the deadline to Friday, April 18 in hopes of allowing more parents to honor their graduates. Parent and personal ads can be purchased from Publications Adviser Sarah Elliott at 485-2257, ext. 100. PICTURES ARE ACCEPTED: The Publications staff is in need of and will accept pictures for possible use in the yearbook and/or Trojan Times newspaper. Pictures can be submitted by email (selliott@tri-center,k12.ia.us) or brought in to be scanned and returned ASAP. The staff is currently in need of pictures for sports, the D.C. Trip, and candid pictures for all grades. SPONSORSHIP/AD CAMPAIGN: We will be finishing our sponsorship/ad campaign soon. If you are or know of someone and/or a business owner o who may want to sponsor a spread and/or advertise, contact Adviser Sarah Elliott at 485-2257, ext. 100. Sponsors/Advertisers not only help fund a yearbook of which the district and surrounding communities can be proud, but have the opportunity to support an educational program that teaches students valuable skills in writing, design, photography, computer use, and business. We sponsorships/ads are $50 and we are still in need of approximately 25.

Tri-Center Middle School Brian Wedemeyer

NWEA test should be completed by the second week of April. NWEA tests are computerized assessments that measure the students growth in the area of Math, Science and Reading. NWEA results will be sent home with report cards at the end of the 4th Quarter. The MS awards ceremony will be the last day of school starting at Noon which is currently scheduled for May 24th. We have not set a date for the MS Academic Field trip yet. This trip is for students who were never on the D/F list and who have had no more than two discipline referrals. Spring/Summer calendars are available in any office.

From the Elementary Principal Diane White April Highlights

1st Jump Rope for Heart 3rd K-2 Music Program 2:00 & 7:00 4th No PK today 4th 1:30 Dismissal In Service 8th - PK to IWCC Health Fair (All PK classes) 16th Student Council Mtg. 3:30-5:00 17th -1:30 out for Spring Break 18th No School Spring Break 21st No School Spring Break 22nd Earth Day 23rd Secretarys Day 23rd Safety Day 24th 1st Grade to UNO Planetarium 25th No PK Today 25th Kindergarten Round Up 29th Midlands Rdg. Mtg. at Glenwood 6:30

This is a busy time for children. Soccer practice, baseball practice, and many other spring activities can sometimes cause kids to forget that schoolwork is most important. Help them plan their activities with school being the first priority. They will have all summer to relax and enjoy their other activities. Preparing Class Lists For Next Year When making classroom assignments for children, there are many factors we consider for each child. Not only are we assigning a teacher to each student, we are creating student groups in which we hope learning can flourish. At each grade level, the teachers will sit down and analyze each students academic progress and their interaction with the other children. Groups are then made with discussion about what the teacher thinks is best for each child. In creating heterogeneous groups, we consider academic abilities that can balance the group for instruction. Having classes of students with high, average, and low abilities has shown us that they learn from each other. Kids bring with them a variety of skills and in sharing those skills, they influence the others in the classroom. Some students have special needs that need to be met. Recommendations from IEPs and Special Education teachers are consulted for student placement. We must consider a childs personality when making a classroom placement. A childs behavior may have some influence on their participation in the group. Is the student shy, reserved, aggressive, out-going? Does the student have a personality conflict with any other student or teacher? Does the student depend on another student for decisionmaking? Are there combinations of students that may hinder learning for others? These are many of the questions that we ask when making classroom placements. To complete the task of making our heterogeneous classes we consider a students gender. A balance of girls and boys in the classroom makes a comfortable atmosphere for children. As a parent, there may be something about your child that we need to know when determining his/her classroom placement. Please write that information down and send it to me before May 1. With all things considered we hope to provide the best possible place for our children to learn and grow.

First & Fifth Grade

Wendy Matson, Michelle Baatz Fifth graders, Landon Thomas and Laura Brockhoff from Mrs. Baatzs class, and first graders, Carter Kunze and Avilyn Killpack from Mrs. Matsons class, were all winners this year in the Midlands of Iowa Reading Council writing contest. These four students will be formally recognized at a special ceremony on April 29.

Kindergarten Roundup!
If you have a child who will be ready for kindergarten this fall and IS NOT enrolled in our preschool program this year, they are invited to join us for a half day of kindergarten on Friday, th April 25 , from 8:30 am 11:30 am. Please call the elementary office at 712-485-2271 to reserve a spot in a classroom. Thank you!