Ionia Public Schools Report - February 2019

Ionia Public Schools Report - February 2019

SCHOOL REPORT February, 2019 Excellence Every Day

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Contents: Message from the

Roger Hull, President Robin Marhofer, Vice-President Sarah Gorby, Secretary Karen Balice-Gregory, Treasurer Ionia Public Schools Board of Education Superintendent ............... Page 1-2 District Calendar........................... 3 Board of Education. ..................... 4 Scholarship Endowment............. 5 Elementary Schools..................... 6 Middle School . .......................... 11 High Schools. ............................. 12 Spring Sports. ............................ 15 Food Service & Contacts........... 15 Guest Article............................... 16

From the Superintendent’s Desk — Dear Parents, In a previous School Report, I discussed the importance of early literacy. There is myriad research that suggest students who are not reading at grade level by the end of third grade are more likely to drop out of high school. In an effort to boost reading achievement, Michigan lawmakers passed Public Act 306 (3rd Grade Reading Law)

in October 2016. Many factors contributed to the development and passage of this legislation. I hope the information that follows will provide a better understanding of the new legislation. Michigan’s test scores on both the Michigan-based M-STEP ELA assessment and the NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) reading assessment have shown a need for attention to early reading and literacy. During 2015, Michigan 4th graders ranked 41st in the nation in reading achievement. Public Act 306 hopes to help students be proficient by the end of 3rd grade and requires extra support for K-3 students who are not reading at grade level. The law also states that a child may be retained in 3rd grade if they are 1 or more grade levels behind in reading at the end of 3rd grade. Accordingly, Ionia Public Schools has established a plan to improve early literacy. The plan calls for intense monitoring of children’s reading progress in grades K-3. Part of the aforementioned monitoring will include NWEA (North Western Educational Assessment) testing. The NWEA test will be administered three times a year and will provide both leading and lagging indicators of growth and skill level. If a child is not reading where expected, a plan to improve reading will be created. This includes: • Extra instruction or support in areas of need • Ongoing checks on reading progress • A Read at home plan When hearing about the 3rd Grade Reading Law, my first question was how will this affect our students and parents? In grades K-3, schools will use tests to identify students that need extra help with reading. The M-STEP ELA and NWEA tests are two of several tools that will be used to evaluate if a Continues on Page 2

Margot Cook, Trustee Michael Keast, Trustee Jamie Meyer, Trustee

This is the February, 2019 issue of the IPS School Report. Copies are available on request from the IPS office, and available

on line in the form of a PDF file. The School Report is the official

publication of the Ionia Public Schools. All content is ©2018. Printed in USA

If a request is made, the district superintendent will make a decision in writing and notify parents. The decision will be shared at least 30 days before school begins. The decision is final. If a child repeats 3rd grade there are several stipulations which come into play: • The child will be placed in a class with a highly rated teacher and or reading specialist. • Most of the day will be spent on reading instruction but some 4th grade standards will also be taught. • Students will still have an independent reading improvement plan and receive extra support. • Student progress will be closely monitored. A coach once told me a good defense is the best offense. That holds true in football as well as early literacy. Students who are regularly read to at home do better in school and are more likely to attend college or trade school. Schools, parents and community members must work together to promote literacy. Here are some defensive strategies that will give your child a leg up in reading: • Read out loud to your child. • Listen to your child read. • Echo read (you read a line, then they repeat). • Read together at the same time. • Reread or retell favorite stories. • Talk to your child about the importance of reading. • Ask questions about the reading. • Talk about your favorite passages, what you’ve learned, or who is in the book and what they do. • Talk about the pictures in the book and how they connect to the words on the page. • Help connect the stories to your child’s life or other books you’ve read. Talk to and with your kids frequently. Hearing more words helps kids to better understand the words they read. Encourage writing. Help your children practice writing the sounds they hear. This will improve word recognition and spelling. Last but not least, be involved in your child’s education. Students and schools benefit when parents are active partners in a child’s education. Together we can make a difference in the lives of our students and community. — Ron

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student is at risk of not passing.

If your child is enrolled in Ionia Public Schools and is identified as needing additional support, our staff will provide your child with an individual reading improvement

plan. This means your child’s teacher and school will evaluate your child’s reading level and develop a support plan to maximize growth The extra support in your child’s reading improvement plan will occur in small groups during the school day. Essentially, your child will not miss regular reading instruction. Part of a child’s reading plan will include a read at home plan that encourages parents to work with their children on reading and writing at home. Parents are a key component in the success of early literacy. Recently I heard the 3rd Grade Reading Law described as “We have upped our standards now up yours!” This may be a play on words however, we are taking this to heart. Accordingly, the staff at Ionia Public Schools will also receive support in evidence-based effective practices in teaching reading and writing, supporting all learners to grow as readers and writers. We are treating reading instruction like rocket science. The 3rd Grade Reading Law takes full effect in the 2019-2020 school year. This is the year when 3rd graders who are reading below grade level will not be promoted to 4th grade unless he or she: • Receives a reading score of less than 1 year behind law. If a parent is notified their child may be retained, they have the right to meet with school officials and request a good cause exemption. Parents may exercise “the good cause exemptions” within 30 days of notification that their child may be retained. Exemption embedded in the law makes considerations if a child: • Has an IEP or 504 plan • Is an English proficient student (speaks a second language) • Has had a reading improvement plan for 2 years and was previously retained. • Has been enrolled in the current district for less than 2 years and did not receive reading support • Is at grade level in all other subjects • Is in the best interest of the student and the exemption is requested within 30 days of parent notification on grade 3 ELA state assessment (M-STEP). • Shows a grade 3 reading level on another test approved by State Superintendent of Public Instruction. • Shows a grade 3 reading level through a portfolio, or collection, of student work in all grade 3 ELA standards. There are options for parents included in the new

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School Calendar and schedule

Starting and Ending Times for 2018 - 2019 High/Middle School 7:40 a.m. – 2:35 p.m. D.R. Welch High School 7:30 a.m. – 2:25 p.m. Boyce, Jefferson, Twin Rivers 8:40 a.m. – 3:35 p.m. Emerson 8:30 a.m. – 3:25 p.m. Rather 7:40 a.m. – 2:35 p.m. KinderStart at Jefferson 8:40 a.m. – 3:35 p.m. KinderStart at I.H.S. 8:20 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. Bulldog Beginnings Preschool: Morning Session 7:40 a.m. – 10:40 a.m. Afternoon Session 11:35 a.m. – 2:35 p.m.

Ionia Public Schools 2018-2019 ‘Schedule C’ Calendar Wednesday Feb 6 K-12 Students 1/2 Day AM / PLC #4 PM Wednesday Feb 13 Student Count Day Friday Feb 15

K-12 Students 1/2 Day AM School Improvement PM

Wednesday

Mar Mar Mar

20 22 25

K-12 Students 1/2 Day AM / PLC #5 PM

Friday Monday

End of 3rd Marking Period

Parent/Teacher Conferences Pre K-5 and 9-12 (4:30 - 8:00 p.m.)

Tuesday

Mar

26

Parent/Teacher Conferences 6-8 (4:30 - 8:00 pm) and 9-12 (5:00 - 8:00 pm) Parent/Teacher Conferences K-8 (4:30 - 8:30 p.m.)

Wednesday

Mar Mar

27 29

Friday

No School - Spring Break Begins

Monday Friday

April 8 April 19 April 24 May 8 May 27 June 4 June 5

School Resumes

No School - Good Friday

Wednesday

Freshman Welcome 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Wednesday

K-12 Students 1/2 Day AM / PLC #6 PM

Monday

No School-Memorial Day

Tuesday

K-12 Students 1/2 Day AM / Full Day Staff

Wednesday

Last Day - 1/2 Day AM All

Providing the best quality of education we can offer our students is the primary focus of our schools. Customer service and satisfaction are key components to our core values at Ionia Public Schools. We would like to ensure that questions/concerns are addressed and resolved promptly. Accordingly, we are asking our staff, students, parents and community members to help us resolve problems at the lowest possible level. Please help us by communicating through the process below.

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Equal Opportunity Message: It has always been the policy of Ionia Public Schools to be an equal opportunity institution. We do not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, color, ethnic origin, physical or mental educational programs or activities including enrollment, placement, and employment. It is also the policy of the Board of Education to maintain an education and work environment that is free from all forms of unlawful harassment, including sexual harassment. Any person wishing to inquire regarding these policies or to file a complaint should contact: Wayne Piercefield or handicap, height, weight, or marital status in any of our Ionia Public Schools Board of Education Strategic Planning IPS continues to implement strategies and activities to support the strategic plan created in the Spring of 2017. Currently all schools have an ongoing partnership with MIBLSI (Michigan’s Integrated Behavior and Learning Support Initiative). MIBLSI is supporting the development of a multi-tiered system of supports that focus on literacy and behavior interventions. To view detailed information on the IPS strategic plan visit the ioniaschools.org website.

Board of Education of Ionia Public Schools 2019 Regular Meeting Schedule Resolved that the regular monthly meetings of the Board of Education of Ionia Public Schools are on the following dates, times, and locations during the calendar year beginning January 1, 2019 and ending December 31, 2019: ALL REGULAR MEETNGS BEGIN AT 7:00 P.M. (unless otherwise stated) DATE LOCATION ADDRESS February 18, 2019 Conference Room #304 250 E. Tuttle Road March 18, 2019 Conference Room #304 250 E. Tuttle Road April 15, 2019 Conference Room #304 250 E. Tuttle Road May 20, 2019 Conference Room #304 250 E. Tuttle Road June 17, 2019 Administrative Office Board Room 250 E. Tuttle Road July 15, 2019 Administrative Office Board Room 250 E. Tuttle Road August 19, 2019 Administrative Office Board Room 250 E. Tuttle Road September 16, 2019 Conference Room #304 250 E. Tuttle Road October 21, 2019 Conference Room #304 250 E. Tuttle Road November 18, 2019 Conference Room #304 250 E. Tuttle Road December 16, 2019 Conference Room #304 250 E. Tuttle Road Board minutes and supporting documents are located at the office of the Board of Education, Administration Office, 250 E. Tuttle Road, or online at www.ioniaschools.org. Upon request to the office of the Superintendent, the District shall make reasonable accommodation or a person with disabilities to be able to participate in meetings.

Maureen Reeder 250 E. Tuttle Road Ionia, Michigan 48846

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IPS Scholarship Endowment Fund Donor Recognition Many individuals and families were recognized on Friday, January 25, 2019 prior to the Rotary Pasta Dinner and the Community Awareness Purple Game for their generous donations to the IPS Scholarship Endowment Fund. The following received engraved leaves on the Giving Tree which is located in the sports lobby of the high school: • Sadie’s Love – Morris, Carolyn, Sadie & Emily Shattuck • Michael T. Dryer • Ben Gurk • Jennifer Jockheck • Class of 1958 – Gary Swinehart • Kelly Sandborn • Christina Stedman-Garlick • Keith & Linda Hesche • Marian Wiseman • Nancy Bouck • The Klein Family – Mike LouAnn, Bethany & Sara • In Memoriam of: Andrew MacFarland

Ionia Public Schools Kick Of f to Kindergar ten Registration for Kindergarten Round-Up

For Children entering Kindergarten in September 2019 Children must be 5 years of age by September 1, 2019

Waivers are available for KinderStart (Young 5’s) / Kindergarten enrollment Children turning 5 years of age between September 2 and December 1, 2019 Ionia Public Schools Kindergarten Round-Up Registration: By Appointment ONLY - 616-527-9280 Date & Time: April 16, May 1 and June 3, 2019 from 3:30 pm – 7:00 pm May 29, 2019 from 9:00 am – 7:00 pm Location: Ionia Educational Center – Please enter through the west entrance To assist us in the planning, please call 616-527-9280 or complete the following information & return to: Ionia Public Schools ‘Kindergarten Round-Up’ Attn: Cindy McKee or Traci Gertz 250 E. Tuttle Road Ionia, Michigan 48846 Parents’ Names (Mother & Father): ___________________________________________________________________ Child’s LEGAL Full Name: _____________________________________________________________________________ Birthdate: _____________________________ Sex: M F Phone: _______________________________________ Street Address: ______________________________________________________________________________________ City: ____________________________________________, Michigan Zip: ____________________________________ My child has previously attended a pre-school program YES NO Name of Program: ______________________________________________________________________ Preferred Appointment Time: Morning Afternoon Evening

COMMUNITY CELEBRATION Strong Schools, Strong Ionia Ice Cream Social Ionia High School Gymnasium Wednesday, April 17, 2019 7:00 – 8:45 p.m. Call the Administration Office to RSVP: 616 527 9280

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Boyce Elementary

Boyce classrooms have had pawsitive behavior during the 2018-19 school year. Classes earn classroom PAW tickets for meeting behavior expectations during the school day. Every 2 weeks a new classroom receives the banner to display outside their classroom.

Boyce students participated in the Crazy 8’s Math Club (right). This after-school experience was facilitated by Mike Golczynski (Ionia Community Library) and Boyce 4th grade teacher Linsey Barber. Session 1 took place during October and November. Session 2 will take place during January and February. Students participate in hands on activities like building glow in the dark structures, play games like the Toilet Paper Olympics and crack secret spy codes. Breakfast Buddies (above) was held on October 24th for Boyce Elementary kindergarten and 1st grade students. Upcoming Breakfast Buddy dates are February 6th (2nd/3rd grades) and May 8th (4th/5th grades).

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Emerson Elementary

At Emerson Elementary, we are working very hard to advance the look and feel of our building with our MTSS initiative. In January, our students reviewed MTSS lesson plans as a refresher for Bus/Office, Bathroom/Classroom, and Hallway. Monthly, our top two soaring eagle winners in each class have breakfast with the principal. It’s great to be an Emerson Eagle!

EMERSON ELEMENTARY Safety Ownership Achievement Respect

The 5 top soaring eagle winners in each class get to add an eagle to the silhouette eagle weekly. (above)

Michigan Reformatory donated $1500.00 in supplies to Emerson Elementary (right).

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Jefferson Elementary

Last week’s Golden Roars Slips winners (right). Each week, one student per grade is chosen for their outstanding ROARS efforts. The Golden Slips are worth 5 ROARS slips and can be spent at the School ROARS store or in their classroom ROARS store.

Second grade students in Mrs. Seibold’s class enjoying the school-wide ROARS reward of a pajama party with a stuffed animal friend (above). The school earned this reward by showing ROARS behavior (Respect, On Task, Awesome Attitude, Responsibility, and Safety) throughout the month of December. The next award is a school-wide sledding party!

Fourth grade students in Mrs. Jenny Janetzke’s class conducting Mystery Science hand’s on experiments and participating in computer coding exercises.

Jefferson has a one-to-one computer-to-student ratio. Title 1 funds have been used to allow each student to have her/his own computer to do activities like this and many others.

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On Thursday, September 27, former Ionia Public Schools bus driver Mary Groom, and Community Service Trooper Officer Fick of the Michigan State Police, presented bus safety information to Rather Elementary School students.

Rather Elementary

Rather Students Enjoying the First Snowfall!

Rather Bulldog Beginnings Christmas Program

On November 29 and 30, the Mobile FARM Science Lab visited Rather School (below). Staffed with a certified teacher, the FARM Science Lab helped reinforce Next Generation Science Standards with hands-on experiments while increasing students’ knowledge of how agriculture impacts their daily lives.

Sandy Cherry, from the Michigan Attorney General’s Office, (above) visited Rather Elementary School on Thursday, October 11, to present Cyber Safety Initiative Assemblies to all K - 5 students. Internet safety and cyber bullying were among the topics that were presented.

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Twin Rivers Elementary

Carole Sanocki is pictured (right) with Twin Rivers 3rd graders wearing some of the 100 hats she made by hand and donated to the school. With this delivery of 100 hats, Carole has now made and donated 1000 hats to local schools.

The Holiday Program was a great success! Pictured (far left) are Lillianna Eastman and Faith Rood, Cheyenne Peckins, Drake Gladding, Christian White and Peyton VanSiclen and (left) Austin Bush, Noah Emmons and Kevin Dunn. Thank you, Mrs. Mercer for always putting on the best programs ever!

Twin Rivers 5th grade classes participated in a special nine week program called Reaching Higher (above). This program utilizes community members as mentors who support small groups of students as they learn about themselves, barriers that get in their way, goal setting, making positive life choices and much more. Students and the adults really enjoyed this program, and the concepts taught are utilized throughout the remaining school year.

First Graders (above) use coding lessons to work on problem solving. In this lesson students were programming their robot friends to build with plastic cups.

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Ionia Middle School

Ionia Middle School’s Positive Behavior initiative is having a big impact on school climate and culture. The staff and students are all being HERO’s every day by following the HERO mantra. H ardworking E ncouraging R espectful O wn It The >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16

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