Staff+Notes+1-15-11


 * Staff Notes:**
 * 1/15/11**

10:15 – 11:30 (4th grade 10:00, 5th grade 10:05 6th grade 10:10) 11:45 – 12:45 (K- 11:30, 1st- 11:35, 2nd-11:40, 3rd-11:45) lunchroom supervisors – please send 3rd graders to the Activity Ctr after lunch.
 * Rock in Prevention Program – January 21**

I met with Jenn this week about Spaceship Math and how it fits in the entire math program. We will be reviewing out entire K-12 math program next year. It would make sense to pilot the Spaceship math program this year. It would give us information as we look at our instruction for basic computation skills. Before we adopt Spaceship Math, we need some data to show that it makes a difference in learning math computation skills. We will be looking at both qualitative and qualitative measures that would show whether students are mastering computation skills. So, it will be helpful to have teachers who are willing to pilot Spaceship math.
 * Spaceship Math**


 * Jason Glass**, the new director of the Dept. of Education, will be visiting Van Meter this Tuesday. He will be visiting elementary classrooms from 9:15 – 9:45.

Please continue to look for positive behaviors and write them on the cards, so students can be recognized for positive behaviors. This is the time of year when we really need to give our PBIS program a boost. Continue to teach and reinforce those skills.
 * Quilt of Character Cards**

There are only a couple of coupons in the staff bucket. I am working on getting an “extra” special for the next drawing.
 * Staff Coupons**


 * As part of the Healthy Kids Act**, nutrition calculator, tools/resources for parents, staff and students can be found at [|www.tinyurl.com/Iowa-HKA]

I am arranging some incentives for students who try their best on the ITBS. Soni will be running off coupons for teachers. Teachers should be preparing students for the tests. Please let me know if you would like more student prep materials.
 * ITBS Incentives**