April 2012 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. Too often, 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 assumption. 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 incident itself. We must wake up and realize that schools cannot solve all of the ills that society has imposed upon our educational system. 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 day. School was almost considered to be a hallowed place. I wonder how they would view our schools today?

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 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 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.

DATES OF NOTE . . . .

1:30 Early Dismissal for Easter Break on Thursday, April 5th NO SCHOOL for Easter Break on Friday, April 6th NO SCHOOL for Easter Break on Monday, April 9th 1:30 Early Dismissal for Professional Development on Wednesday, April 18th 1:30 Early Dismissal for Professional Development on Wednesday, May 2nd 1:30 Early Dismissal for LAST DAY of SCHOOL on Monday, May 21st FULL DAY of Professional Development on Tuesday, 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.

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 (2011-2012) the primary focus of Professional Development has been Collaboration, Iowa CORE, 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.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT An 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 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
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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. Many of the teachers now have their own website; 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, any have attached power points and notes from class. I cannot stress enough how important it is for 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 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 28 Prom May 8 High School Awards Day May 16 Baccalaureate May 20 Graduation 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

Counseling Comments Tami Harman

College representatives are making their final visitations to high school. Many of the seniors have made their final decision in regards to which college they are planning to attend. There are a few that have not decided and this gives the college reps one last time to talk with students. It is also time for the juniors to begin considering some schools and visit with reps at this time. I will be meeting with all seniors within the next two weeks to finalize their future plans and answer any questions they may have before graduation. Scheduling for next year will take place within the next couple weeks. Students will be asked to complete their first and second semester classes at this time. They need to put some thought and consideration into their choices base upon their career goals. A course booklet will be issued to each student grades 8-11 with a listing of all course offerings for the 2012-2013 school year. The master schedule has not been designed yet, they just need to select the courses of interest and the schedule will be built from those selections.

News From .Julie Theulen SPECIAL OLYMPICS The TC Special Olympic team will be having a fund-raiser spaghetti supper, silent auction, and raffle on Saturday, April 21 from 4 to 7 pm at the Minden Legion Building. A free-will donation will cover the cost of the meal. Proceeds from the event will be used to purchase uniforms and equipment for the team.

Yearbook News and Information Sarah Elliott

2011-2012 Publications Staff Members: Seniors: Jaxon Davis, Austin Heinen, and Laura Thomas. Juniors: Jensen McElmeel, Trojan Yearbook Editor Merideth Raine, and Justine Sturtz. Sophomores: Elise Christson, Lia Grover, Sam Raine, and Christian Severn. 2012 YEARBOOKS!!! The 2012 Trojan Yearbook sales are ongoing. Books are currently $45 without a name or icon. A name or icon is $5 and a YearIn-Review insert is $4. BUY NOW AND SAVE! We do except a $20 deposit if you wish to make payments. 2011 YEARBOOKS!!! We still have some extra 2011 books which may be purchased, while supplies last, for $45 each or $35 each with the purchase of the 2012 book. We also have some other past books left which can be purchased in bundles and at discounted prices with the purchase of another book at regular prices. With the purchase of multiple books, the 2010 book is $25, and the 2009 and 2008 book is $15. See or call Adviser Mrs. Sarah Elliott at the high school at 4852257, ext. 100.
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National Honor Society The new National Honor Society members have been selected. An induction ceremony will be held April 15th at 2:00 p.m. in the high school cafetorium. The induction ceremony will take place followed by a reception to honor the new inductees and families. Congratulations to those students and families.

YEARBOOK SENIOR SPECIAL: Get the Senior Special! Just for seniors, we have an even better deal than the prices given above. Get this years book and the past three years books for $100. That is $25 a book WHAT A DEAL!!!! Call Adviser Mrs. Sarah Elliott at the high school at 485-2257, ext. 100. *****SENIOR PARENTS***** ***SENIOR PARENTS*** PARENT AND PERSONAL ADS: The final deadline for the parent and personal has come and gone in both February and March, but we have extended the deadline one last time to Friday, April 20. Support the yearbook and honor your son/daughter, grandson/daughter, sibling, friend, or others at the same time. Parent and personal ads are $30 and include the honored persons name, a small photo, and a message limited to 20 words. Senior parents should have received a letter last semester. Parent and personal ads can be purchased from Publications Adviser Sarah Elliott or Yearbook Editor Merideth Raine 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 the CyaNet Site (tri-centerspirit.com). Pictures can be submitted by email (selliott@tri-center,k12.ia.us) or brought in to be scanned and returned ASAP. The staff is still in need of winter sports, and the D.C. Trip. STUDENT ARTWORK AND QUOTATIONS NEEDED: The publications staff is in need of some student artwork for a spread. Whether students are in an art class or not, they can bring in artwork to be scanned or photographed, or they can submit it via email. Please include some information on what it is and why it was done. Also, the staff is doing a spread on surprising or unbelievable quotes a I cant believe he/she said that spread. So, please submit those quotes with information on who said it and when. AD CAMPAIGN: We did our ad campaign last semester, but if you are or know of a business owner who may want to advertise, contact Adviser Sarah Elliott at 485-2257, ext. 100. 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.

Tri-Center Middle School Brian Wedemeyer

The ITBS/Iowa assessment results are in, we will be sending the results home in the mail. A big difference for this years results is the scores are based on National percentile norms instead of Iowa percentile norms like in years past. NWEA test should be completed by the first 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. We will not have an 8th grade graduation this year; we will have a MS awards ceremony on the last day of school starting at Noon. 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. The Trojan Volleyball Camp will be held August 6-9th for girls in grades 4-8th at TriCenter. The camp will be for girls in grades 4-8 and will run from 1:30-4PM. Camp fliers will be handed out at school, they will posted on the school website or you can contact Brian Wedemeyer for details.

Elementary Track & Field Day .Becky Thomas Track and Field day for K-5 will be May 15th. If you are willing to help with field events in your childs classroom, please let Mrs. Thomas know at: bthomas@tricenter.k12.ia.us or 712-485-2271. Notes will be coming home soon. Children will need to bring a sack lunch that day. If you would like the school to provide the sack lunch, you will need to fill out the form and return it to Mrs. Thomas so we can have a head count. Thanks! 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.

From the Elementary Principal Diane White

APRIL HIGHLIGHTS 2nd 4th 5th 5th 6th 9th 12th 12th 16th 16th 17th 17th 18th 19th 20th 23rd 25th 28th 30th Student Council Meeting PK to IWCC for Health Fair Film for 4th and 5th Graders 12:30 1:30 out for Easter No School No School K-2 Sped Olympics in AM Track Meet at TC No PK 6th Grade Orientation 7pm SPED Track Day at IWCC 3rd, 4th & 5th Music Program 2pm and 7pm 1:30 Dismissal for InService PK to Childrens Museum No PK PK Child Fair Secretarys Day Prom HS Music Concert & Awards

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.

School Nurse News Jennifer McGee

Have a child or loved one with Diabetes? Camp Hertko Hollow is the place to go this summer! This specialized camp is dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth who have Diabetes. The goals at camp are: Recreation, Education, Regulation and FUN! Campers enjoy the traditional camp activities while learning about living with diabetes. This camping experience is open to Iowas youth between the ages of 6-18 who have diabetes. The camp prides itself on promoting diabetes management skills to gain independence and a positive attitude for controlling diabetes. The Family Diabetes Education Weekend is scheduled for April 28-29, 2012. Summer camp 2012 dates are: Kids week: June 24th June 30th and Teen week: July 1 7. For more information please call 888-437-8652 or visit their website www.CampHertkoHollow.com

Instead of getting a paper application from Mrs. Harman, students can go to the T-C Dollars for Scholars website, click on the News link to get information on how to apply, read the instructions and information on applying, and then click on the students/parents tab to create a log in name and password. Starting March 1, Tri-Center graduating seniors will use the online process for applying for the TC Dollars for Scholars scholarships. There is a closing deadline of April 23, so please make sure your profiles are completed and submitted on or before April 23, 2012. Please visit the website at: www.t-c.dollarsforscholars.org.

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Tri-Center Athletic Booster Club

T-C DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS . . . . . Kathy Mark, Secretary The Tri-Center Athletic Booster Club will hold a general meeting for all current members on the first Wednesday of each month through May 2012. Persons interested in becoming a booster club member are encouraged to attend. See you there! The meetings will be held at 6:30 pm in the HS cafetorium. If you have any questions, please contact Steve Keller, board president.

T-C DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS SCHOLARSHIPS -- STARTING MARCH 1, 2012 T-C students will apply for scholarships ONLINEREMINDER: Closing deadline will be April 23, 2012. T-C Dollars for Scholars now has their own website. Scholarship America, the parent company of Dollars for Scholars, is changing the way students apply for scholarships. Starting this year, they have implemented ChapterNet, a database on which students will create a dashboard profile, to apply not only for our local Dollars for Scholars scholarships, but also for consideration for national scholarships that are listed through Scholarship America.

Preschool Screening for the Tri-Center School District ` Who: Children ages 2 to 5 who live in the TriCenter Community School District and are not presently in Kindergarten.

Cost: Its FREE for all children, fun for all children and reassuring to parents.

All Day Preschool Programs If you are interested in signing your child up for the 4 year old Tri-Center All Day Preschool Programs, you should attend the Preschool Screening. This screening is also used to qualify children for the All Day Preschool Programs.

What: A developmental screening which gives you the opportunity to see if your child is playing, moving, thinking and talking at his/her age level. Screenings include: vision, hearing, speechlanguage, overall development, and a growth assessment. Why: The Preschool Screening can give your child a better educational start when they enter school and your child must attend the screening as a part of the preschool application process (see box below). When: Monday, April 23, 2012 8:30 a.m. To 2:30 p.m. Must call for an appointment! Where: Tri-Center Preschool Room Tri-Center Elementary For Appointment: Please contact the Tri-Center Elementary Office at 485-2271. Please bring your childs immunization card to your appointment.