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AH Teacher of Excellence 2010-2011 |
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One of Mr. Oleson’s student nominators had this to say about him as a teacher: “I think Mr. Oleson should be nominated because he wants to show people that school is a big deal...that it should go before anything. He wants us to go to college. He doesn’t want us to be confused.” Another said, “Mr. Oleson makes learning fun. He gives us projects so that we are not doing the same thing every lesson.”
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AURORA HEIGHTS MISSION STATEMENT:
We the staff of Aurora Heights will provide a positive, safe, and caring environment, offering opportunities for all students to succeed in becoming responsible citizens and life long learners. We will use data and differentiated instruction to support academic achievement and social competence. Together we will reach, teach, and inspire each student to excel. |
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Newton CSD |
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The Cardinal Code
Be Responsible
Be Safe
Be Respectful |
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The 2010-2011 Aurora Heights Teacher of Excellence is Mr. Matt Oleson. He attended High School in McPerson, Kansas and earned his B.A. from the University of Northern Iowa. He also holds an M.A. from Viterbo University and a Ministerial license from Berean University. Mr. Oleson taught three years in Grinnell and Cedar Rapids before coming to the NCSD where he has taught the last 13 years at Berg until coming to AH this year to teach sixth grade. He has been married to his wife Carla for 17 years and together they have 7 children. In his spare time Matt enjoys hunting, fishing and working with his family. Congratulations Mr. Oleson.
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December Events since our last newsletter… 4th Grade Biographies Presented .... |
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Newton CSD Non-Discrimination Policy
It is the policy of the Newton Community School District not to illegally discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, disability, religion, creed, age (Employment only), marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (students/program only) in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact the District’s Equity Coordinator, James Sogard, Director of Human Resources, 807 S 6th Ave W Newton, IA 50208, 641-792-5809, sogardj@newton.k12.ia.us. |
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Reminder: We will have a spring music program on May 5th, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. in the AH gym. Mark your calendars now! |
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Elf PTA Deliveries; Student Council Pet Food Drive |
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Thanks to Aurora Heights PTA for funding $100. for each full time teacher to purchase items for use in the classrooms. PTA President Daphne Davis, with Elf helper Brenda Lamb, delivered items to classrooms just before the Christmas break, shown in Mrs. Klosterboer 5PK and Mr. Oleson’s 6O classrooms. |
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First semester student council members spear-headed a ‘Pet Food Drive” in December. Items were then donated to the Animal Rescue League and put to good use.
Student Council members would like to remind us to all save our Box Tops for Education. Students have cut out and grouped over $560. worth so far this year at 10 cents per box top. Please send your Box Tops to school to collection boxes. Thanks Student Council!
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AH iPad Portible Lab Introduced in December |
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AH staff members tried out the new iPads during a Wednesday early out staff meeting—Mrs. Farver reports that staff on-task behavior was excellent that day, as we attempt to stay one step ahead of students with new technology! :) |
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Purchased with Micro-Soft Settlement grant money, students will use the iPads for numerous math applications and curriculum related projects. The lab includes an airport for the wireless devices that also have internet access for research and curriculum based web-sites. Student motivation appears to be strong when using the iPad technology. |
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AH Sixth Graders Earned Trip to Skate Castle by meeting all Classroom Positive Behavior (PBIS) Goals for six weeks…. |
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And, took a trip to the DaVinci Exhibit at the Science Center in Des Moines, made possible by a grant written by Art teacher, Julie Saugstad. |
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Aurora Heights Fifth Grade Student David Lopez-Sanders Winner in Martin Luther King Essay Contest—meets Iowa Governor Branstad |
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David Lopez-Sanders, 11 years old, 5th grade, Aurora Heights Elementary, Newton, Iowa We can all make the world a better place by treating others fairly, no matter who they are or what they do. When I see someone treating someone else unfairly, I can ask them to please stop and try to work it out with the other person. This will make both of us feel good. Both of us will like what happens when we resolve it, which makes for a good situation for everyone. Another way to make the world a better place is to let everyone join in your games at recess, P.E. or the park. Don’t just allow your best friends or the rich kids to join in, and then say to the others, “We’re not going to let you play because of your clothes, or because you have glasses, or because you are not popular, or because you are not my friend.” Allow everyone who wants to play to participate. Also, to make the world better, you should NEVER discriminate against someone just because of their age, the color of their skin, their culture, physical or mental disabilities, financial status, etc. Don’t insult people just because of something they are, something they have, something they don’t have, or something they do that you don’t like (religious beliefs, for example). You will avoid arguments if you allow people to be who they were meant to be. On a larger scale, this could stop fights in families and even wars between nations. All of this will work, but only if everyone does their part. This is not just for kids, but every age alike. As long as they carry out the above principles, the world will be a much better place to live in for all of us. Accept others, no matter who they are. |
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David is shown in the blue shirt with dark vest at left behind Governor Branstad and above being interviewed by a Channel 13 reporter and later featured on the local news channel. David’s father, Emigdio works for the State of Iowa and his office was sent an email from the group sponsoring the contest. Both David and his brother Daniel have visited the birthplace of Dr. King in Atlanta and have a special interest in history and civil rights. Congratulations to David. |
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NTAG News from Mrs. VanManen |
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6th Grade NTAG reading students just read the book Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett. With this book, students were introduced to famous artwork that has been stolen, famous letters in history, illustration techniques, learning how to interpret hidden clues within the novel, and even using mathematics to solve mysteries! Currently, students have selected a topic they are most interested in and are conducting further research using the AH iPad lab, Power Point, Flip Cameras, and other visual forms of multi-media. Be on the watch at conferences for the fruits of their research! |
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Pictured are NTAG students attempting to complete a Pentominos puzzle making a rectangle using all pieces as challenged in the book….solutions continue to be found. |
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Every Day Math Training/Activities |
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NCSD Math Coach Jack Crandell at left, took an opportunity recently to share Every Day Math manipulatives and games with AH support staff. Most responded that the activities were fun and educational.
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The AH Fourth teacher grade team took an opportunity to host a recent Wednesday staff meeting. In addition to providing great after school snacks, the team led other staff through several stations highlighting a variety of Every Day Math games and activities. |
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Fax Gilbert Assembly Focused on Good Character and Anti-Bullying Message– January 13, 2011 |
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The message was clear, it doesn’t feel good to be bullied and it shouldn’t feel good to be a bully either. Bullying occurs if the action is ongoing and the bully has been told the behavior isn’t liked or appreciated. Bullying can be stopped by making it known you will do something about it. 1. Tell the person you want it to stop or you will let an adult know. 2. If it doesn’t stop, tell an adult and keep telling adults until it does stop completely. Adults can’t help stop a bully if they don’t know it is happening. Our school and district has a no bullying policy. Students and teachers were part of the assembly focusing on great character and how to stop a bully. Thanks to Mrs. Birkenholz who wrote a grant for part of the cost of the assembly and to the AH PTA for paying for the rest of it. |
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Fourth Grade Students earned a Friday Afternoon Sledding Time for having all work completed and up to standard……Poems were written after the time outdoors and are on display in the hallway. |
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Snow forts are for snowball fights No school all week Our snowman will be built Will mom make us hot chocolate? |
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Slush that looks like mud Not enough snow to melt Oh no! The snow is almost gone Wow! The snow came back |
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Slippery slick snow Non stop fun Opportunity to play Wonder land of cold, icy joy |
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Acrostic Poems By Jordan Currier—Mrs. Sheek’s Class |
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Published Monthly for the student families and staff of Aurora Heights Intermediate School Principal: Carol Farver, Ed. D. Administrative Assistant: Chris Dunsbergen
Aurora Heights Intermediate School 310 East 23rd Street South Newton, Iowa 50208 Phone: 641-792-7324 Fax: 641-792-7701 E-mail: farverc@newton.k12.ia.us |
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Our newsletter is available online at: http://www.newton.k12.ia.us next, click on the left hand side of the district site on the SCHOOLS tab, then Aurora Heights, finally Monthly Newsletter. If you would like email notification of the new monthly newsletter posting, please let the office know your email address. It is normally available around the first of each month. Also keep us updated with email address changes. If you are currently receiving a hardcopy of the newsletter and would consider changing to the electronic version, please let us know. We are always interested in saving paper, and the resolution and pictures are much clearer online. Thanks! |
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February 2011
Dear Families of Aurora Heights, Wow, this newsletter got long as I thought about the happenings since the end of November and the last newsletter. It’s a busy time of year, but a good busy. By now you should have received the grade report for the first semester. Please continue to help us impress upon our/your child(ren) how important it is to be at school every day, and on time. We can emphasize enough how important it is to put forth a personal best effort each and every day. Homework should be completed and of a quality of which each student can feel proud as we strive for excellence in the teaching and learning that is taking place. We want the very best educational experience possible for our students. If you have questions or concerns regarding the grade report, please contact the school. In looking at the recent DIBELS reading assessment that was given, we see overall good growth in not only the words per minute (rate), but also in the ability of our students to retell what they read, showing that they are comprehending, which is our purpose in reading. Encourage your child to tell you about the books he/she is reading, the concepts being learned and what is being taught/learned in math, science, social studies and language arts. Your interest and involvement helps tremendously. Together we are stronger. Our office referrals for misbehavior have been well below the national average according to PBIS comparisons and down from last year. We have great kids and we’re proud of them and we will continue to work with each one to improve on personal areas that support learning. Thanks for your continued support in the expectation of appropriate behavior at school. Looking ahead, our 2011 AH Teacher of Excellence, Mr. Oleson will be honored at the Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner on January 27th. Congratulations to Mr. Oleson. Teachers have training on Feb. 18th ,so no school for students that day. Feb. 21st, is also no school unless another make-up day is needed. Parent/Teacher conferences will be March 17 and 22nd, followed by spring break from March 23rd through March 27th. By then, we will hopefully know for sure that spring is coming. Until next time, I hope you all stay warm and healthy.
Mrs. Farver |
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Congratulations to the following students that have art on exhibit at Newton National Bank Caelyn Briley Autumn Sutton Kenna Machin Melody Sudbrock Allison Ulrey Hannah Yeager Larissa Iles Nate Tremel (In order from left to right) |