NOVEMBER 2015
PART 2
LOWELL ELEMENTARY
ALL WILL LEARN AND ACHIEVE BEYOND WHAT THEY BELIEVE IS POSSIBLE.
710 West Eighteenth Street * 367367 - 8378 phone * 251251 - 7938 text * 367367 - 6079 fax * TTD:711
We are so excited for conferences! As a parent, you are your child’s first and
most important teacher! This is an excellent opportunity to have a conversation
with your child’s classroom teacher to share information about your child’s
talents and needs.
What should you expect?
•A
A twotwo-way conversation. Parent-teacher conferences are best when both people talk and listen. Ask about your child’s progress. Find out if your child is
meeting the school expectations and academic standards. This is also a time
for the teacher to learn about what your child is like at home. When you tell the
teacher about your child’s skills, interests, needs and dreams, the teacher can
help your child more.
UPCOMING
EVENTS
•Emphasis
Emphasis on learning. Good parent-teacher conference focus on how well the
child is doing in school. They also talk about how the child can do even better.
To get ready for the conversation, look at your child’s homework, tests, and notices before the conference. Be sure to bring a list of questions that you would
like to ask the teacher.
NOVEMBER 16TH
FUNDRAISING
DELIVERY
3:00-5:30
NOVEMBER 17TH
CONFERENCES 4-7:30
•Opportunities
Opportunities and challenges. Just like you, teachers want your child to succeed. You will probably hear positive feedback about your child’s progress and
areas for improvement. Be prepared by thinking about your child’s strengths
and challenges. Be ready to ask questions about ways you and the teachers
can help your child with some of their challenges.
NOVEMBER 19TH
CONFERENCES 4-7:30
NOVEMBER 23RD
CONFERENCES 4-7:30
NOVEMBER 24TH-27TH
NO SCHOOL
DECEMBER 1ST
5TH GRADE MUSIC CONCERT
DECEMBER 15TH
BAND & ORCHESTRA CONCERT
DECEMBER 22ND
WASHINGTON PAVILION DAY
What should you talk to the teacher about?
•Progress.
Progress. Find out how your child is doing by asking questions like: Is my child
performing at grade level? How are they doing compared to the rest of the
class? What do you see as their strengths? How can my child improve?
•Your
Your thoughts about your child. Be sure to share your thoughts and feelings
about your child. Tell the teacher what you think your child is good at. Explain
what they need more help with.
•Support
Support learning at home and school. Ask what you can do at home to help
your child learn. Ask how the teacher will both challenge your child and support
your child when they need it.
LOLLIPOPS FOR LOWELL
Lowell Student Council will be selling Funky Fruit and
Yummy Stars suckers for just
50 ₵..
Stop by an pick up a sweet treat during conferences!
EXCELLENCE IS EVIDENT
EVIDEN T
BY: DR. BRIAN MAHER, SUPERINTENDENT
Late, great football coach Vince Lombardi knew hard work paid off. The NFL legend
once said “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch
excellence.”
In the few short months I have had the privilege of serving as Superintendent of
Sioux Falls Public Schools, I have witnessed so many moments of excellence already.
As I visit classrooms each week, it is easy to see the individual and collective excellence of students and
staff members. I can boldly and confidently say it is second to none in our state and in our region.
Top-performing Oral Interp teams; student councils and service clubs that recognize a need in the
community and jump into action to find a solution; a choral concert by Washington students who had just
one month to blend their voices prior to a performance that just blew me away; field marching shows by
all three high school bands; an indoor marching performance by Lincoln. The list of excellence in the
Sioux Falls Public Schools goes on and on.
While I’ve made an honest attempt at capturing the awards and honors our schools, students and
staff have received just since the beginning of this school year, I am certain I have fallen short in my
attempt. Following is a list of just some of the earned honors since September:
• All City Elementary - Blue Ribbon School, US Department of Education
• All City, Challenge Center, and Spanish Immersion Elementary - SD Distinguished Schools
• Roosevelt High School – SD State Cheer Champions
• Washington High School – SD State Dance Champions
• Lincoln High School – Girls Cross Country Champions
• Roosevelt High School – Boys Cross Country Champions
• 68 All-State Choral Students
• 46 All-State Orchestra Students
• Gina Benz, RHS English Teacher - 2015 Milken Award Winner
The Sioux Falls Public Schools have a strong tradition of excellence. This tradition has been earned
through the hard work of which Vince Lombardi spoke. Perfection may not be attainable, but this
community can be proud of the excellence occurring in our public schools each and every day.
Please stop up the
library during
conference times and
visit the Book Fair!
Sneak peak!
LOWELL ELEMENTARY FUNDRAISER REMINDER
The Chip Shoppe Fundraiser Delivery is
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16
Please make arrangements to pick up pick up all items in the gym between
3:00 – 5:30 P.M. The school does not have the means to store items. It is
important to distribute your items promptly to insure the highest quality.
O P E N E N R O L L E M N T F O R 2 017 - 2 0 17
December 1, 2016 The Sioux Falls School District will begin to accept
Open Enrollment applications for the 2016-2017 school year.
A parent/legal guardian of a South Dakota kindergarten through twelfth grade student who
resides outside of the District and wishes to enroll the student in the District or in a school in the District
other than the school assigned to their residence (home attendance center) must complete an application for open enrollment. Applications for open enrollment are available at all Sioux Falls Public Schools
or at the Instructional Planning Center at 201 East 38th Street.
All applications must be submitted to the Assistant Superintendent of HR/Legal Services and will be acted upon in the order they are received at the Instructional Planning Center. Decisions to accept or reject
open enrollment will be based on the criteria listed under "Open Enrollment Application Standards" in
School Board Regulation JCA-R.
Applications may be withdrawn prior to approval or upon written notification to the Assistant Superintendent of HR/Legal Services.
Once approved by the District, the approved application serves as the applicant's notice of intent to enroll
in the Sioux Falls School District or desired school within the District and obligates the student to attend
the assigned school during the school year.
For more information about open enrollment you can call the Instructional Planning Center at 605-3677900, or email [email protected].
Dear Band and Orchestra Parents/Guardians,
The students have been working very hard in lessons to learn new skills and to
prepare their concert music. It is important to practice at home also. Learning an
instrument is a process that takes patience and a lot of repetition. It is unusual for
students to initiate practice at this age so it will take some reminders. Please help
your child find time to practice. Practice sessions should be 20 minutes or longer
and should happen at least three to four times a week. Playing at home
reinforces the skills learned at school and helps to form good habits. Students
who practice regularly sound better and play with confidence.
it is okay to:
• Practice with a friend!
• Set a timer!
• Have a reward for two weeks or a month of good practicing!
• Play with the CD accompaniments! Lesson books have CDs in the back to help with practicing.
• Start private lessons!
• Look ahead in the book!
Please help your child succeed in band or orchestra by encouraging them. Notice your child’s improvement. Ask them
to show you what they learned this week. When you recognize a song they are playing, let them know!
Thank you for your support! This is a wonderful group of students! They have already accomplished so much!
Mr. Pederson and Mrs. Cooper
NURSES NOTES—HEAD LICE
Each year we have concern and an occasional problem with head lice. Lice aren't
dangerous and they don't spread disease, but they are contagious and can just be
downright annoying. Although they may sound gross, lice (the plural of louse) are
a very common problem, especially for kids ages 3 years to 12 years (girls more
often than boys).
Because lice are parasites, they will set up house on anyone's head, whether that
person is clean, dirty, in second grade, or in fifth grade. Anyone who says that
people who get lice are dirty doesn't know that lice love everyone and that includes the cleanest kid in the class!
Lice are spread by direct head-to-head contact or by sharing objects such as hats, combs, pillows, or headphones.
Children may not show early signs of head lice. Later, they may scratch their head (especially around the ears and
nape of neck), run a low fever, be irritable, or have red patches on the scalp or neck.
Head lice are usually dark tan, brown, or black and are very small, as small as pencil lead. Look for yellow, silver,
or light brown “nits” (eggs) attached to the hair near the scalp. Nits are very hard to pull off the hair.
If a child has lice, the entire family should be checked for lice. Then treat only those who have lice. There are
special shampoos to kill the lice and eggs that can be obtained at the drug store. Nits (eggs) should be removed
by using a special lice comb.
Lice can live on clothing, beds, or other items. All washable items must be soaked in hot water for 10 minutes.
Wash clothing, sheets and towels in hot water and dry in a hot dryer for at least 20 minutes. Boils brushes and
combs for 5 minutes.
Place non-washable items, such as stuffed toys, in a tightly sealed plastic bag for two weeks. Vacuum carpets and
furniture carefully for several days to remove lice.
Sure, lice aren't so nice, but there are things you can do to keep them away. To help prevent lice:
•
•
•
•
If your friend has lice, don't give the lice any chance to spread to you. Avoid putting your heads together or
sharing stuff that could contain lice, such as hats or combs.
Don't try on hats that belong to other kids.
Never share a comb, brush, barrettes, or other hair accessories. Use your own, and don't lend them to anyone
else.
Always use your own sleeping bag and pillow when sleeping away from home.
Sharing is usually a great idea - except when you're sharing lice!
If you suspect lice, let the nurse’s office know. We will check the student and let the parents know what we found.
If your child is identified as having head lice, you will receive or may have received a call or note from the school
nurse. We keep all information confidential.
No matter how long the problem lasts, be sure to emphasize to your child that although having lice can certainly
be very embarrassing, anyone can get them. It's important for kids to understand that they haven't done anything
wrong and that having lice doesn't make them dirty. And reassure them that as aggravating as getting rid of the
annoying insects can be, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Be patient and follow the treatments and preventative tips as for keeping the bugs at bay, and you'll be well on
your way to keeping your family lice-free.
TEACHER OF THE YEAR 2016
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