March-April+Newsletter


 * March/April Newsletter  **
 * // Van Meter Elementary  // **
 * February was an interesting month at Van Meter Elementary. After having snowdays almost every week during the month of January, it was good to get back into a routine in February. We started the month with students taking the Iowa Test of Basic Skills. There were several incentives to encourage students to do their best on the ITBS test. They included lunch with the principal, ice cream sundaes, extra recess, computer time, and practice with the basketball or cheerleading teams. Grand prize drawings were for a student to be “principal for a day” and the chance to put a pie in Mrs. Arentsen’s face. On February 17 & 18 Van Meter hosted storyteller Maureen Korte as Artist in Residence. She presented a program for all students and held classroom workshops. Our fifth and sixth grade students presented a great concert on February 25. Additional activities this month included science and chess clubs. **
 * The month of March begins with our annual Elementary Carnival on March 6. Thank you to the VMEPC for sponsoring this fun winter event. On March 8, the fifth and sixth grade students will have a Science Fair. To prepare for the Science Fair, students spend months studying scientific theory, creating hypotheses and developing original research projects. The fourth graders follow the Iditarod as they study regions of the United States. On March 11, we are having a Mush Husky assembly which features an Iditarod driver and sled dog from Alaska. This will be an exciting event for all students who have studied the Iditarod over the past several years. During the week of March 29 – April 2 we will host Star Lab. This wonderful portable planetarium provides opportunities for students to learn about astronomy. Thank you to Mrs. Thompson for training to be a Star Lab presenter. **
 * During April, we will have several great events. On April 13, we will have The Old Creamery Theater as part of a year-long series of Character Counts Assemblies. The Old Creamery Theater presents plays written by students that teach the six traits of character –respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, caring and citizenship. On April 17, Van Meter will again host The Battle of the Books. Teams from area schools read 25 Children’s Choice Award books and spend a day in exciting competition. April 28 will be our final Kids Club program. We hope that you will come and support these great elementary programs. **
 * The March /April newsletter includes special features on our wonderful art and technology programs. We have information on activities that teachers use to support a rigorous and relevant curriculum for students. We are also continuing to include the What’s Happening section, so you can learn about the tremendous instructional program that we have at Van Meter Elementary. **
 * We hope that you enjoy reading the Elementary Newsletter. We appreciate your support and involvement as partners in your child’s education. **