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Welcome to the new school year…. |
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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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Great Adventures in Learning this year includes a major focus on developing a Culture of Reading. Inspired by a book called “The Book Whisperer”, staff at AH believes that choice is one important aspect of creating life-long readers. |
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Everyday Math (EDM) Parent Night September 6th 7:00-745 at Aurora Heights |
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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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Another exciting focus for us at Aurora Heights Intermediate and other PK-6 schools in Newton is adopting the Every Day Math program. This research based program has great reviews for effectiveness in teaching students a deep understanding of math concepts. Math Coach Jack Crandell will lead the session.
On September 6th—right after our Labor Day holiday, our parents will have an opportunity to learn more about the program and how they can best support their children in the EDM program.
This special evening is for parents only, BUT you will also be entered into a drawing for one boy and one girl winner of a Rip Stik for your child.
Snacks and Drawing for 2 Rip Stiks Everything You Wanted To Know About Everyday Math And Now You Don’t Need To Be Afraid To Ask! We hope you can come hear about how you as parents can support our new math curriculum! |
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Meet new part-time Resource Teacher Emily DeJong |
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Emily grew up in Ankeny, where she went to High School. She graduated from Central College in 2009 and then spent a year teaching English in South Korea. She loves spending time with her family. She has a younger sister who goes to UNI and a younger brother who is in sixth grade.
This is her first year of teaching in Newton and |
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she is very excited about beginning this adventure in learning. She is looking forward to getting to know all of the students at Aurora Heights. One of her favorite classroom experiences happened while teaching in South Korea. The school took a field trip to the Science Museum, played a lot of science games, did some experiments and then ate a Korean lunch.
Emily played basketball in high school and college. She still enjoys playing and watching basketball games. She also enjoys spending time outside and reading good books. A favorite quote is, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”. -Wayne Gretzky.
Welcome to Miss Emily De Jong! |
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We no longer collect Campbell’s Soup Labels. However we ARE now saving the milk lids from Land O Lakes milk, worth 5 cents for each lid collected for our school. Thanks for helping us with Box Tops and Milk Lids. |
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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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Sixth graders at AH are departmentalized this year in an effort to better specialize and meet student needs. Pictured at left is READING teacher Mrs. Huggins who shows great enthusiasm as she shares a fun book with students complete with specs! |
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High School Band members performed for fifth and sixth grade students at AH as a motivation to join band. The band sounded AWESOME as they highlighted various band instruments and sounds. Fifth and sixth graders may sign up for band in the next few days ahead. Contact Mrs. Stoulil for more information. |
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Art Field Trips on the Horizon September 28th~5th grade Newton Public Arts Tour (Rain date October 5th) September 30th~ 4th grade Des Moines Art Center & PappaJohn’s Sculpture Park
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Students in Mrs. Turner’s Fourth Grade classroom were challenged to make a hole in a piece of paper big enough to pass their whole body through without ripping the paper. Many students made a hole big enough for the whole class! |
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Staff “Safari Readers” spotlight secretary Chris Dunsbergen and custodian Gary McVay, promoting a love for reading. Chris enjoys Silverstein’s funny poetry while Gary models electronic reading for students. “Get Lost in a good book” and join in the fun! |
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NTAG: Eligible students began classes with Mrs. VanManen on August 28th. NTAG will focus on reading at this time. Students were given a permission to participate form. Please sign to indicate if your child will or will not be participating in NTAG reading this year.
Our goal is to best meet students’ academic needs. Some students participated in NTAG last year, but this year will have reading meets met in the regular classroom. NTAG groups remain flexible and change based on needs. I look forward to working with this year’s students in NTAG. Please feel free to contact me at any time.
Mrs. Van Manen vanmanens@newton.k12.ia.us 792-7324
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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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Dear Parents of Aurora Heights Students,
Wow, we are already off and running with the 2011-2012 school year. We are excited to begin our second year as an Intermediate building. Our sixth graders are departmentalized more this year. Sixth grade teachers chose areas of specialization and interest and will be able to focus on one or two curricular areas. We believe our older students will benefit from the variety of teachers who are focused on specific areas of expertise.
We are up slightly in numbers with 375 students in grades 4th-6th. Staff changes include the hiring of: Mr. Doug Smith as one of our sixth grade teachers, Mrs. Jessica Jansen as our guidance counselor and Miss Emily DeJong as a shared special education teacher. Mr. Pearson is now at both WW and AH for Physical Education. We also have a few new faces for paras who will be featured in a later newsletter. We have a great staff of educators on board.
We will continue to have school goals around the areas of math using Everyday Math, and Balanced Literacy as we continue to develop a culture of reading and writing. We are using 6 Traits writing in grades 4-6 this year. And, PBIS (Positive Behavior Instructional Supports) helps us cultivate a culture of Responsible/Safe/Respectful behavior in our school.
Our jungle/safari theme will take us many places and provide a backdrop to “Great Adventures in Learning” as we “Swing to Success”. We hope you join us enthusiastically in the important work of school and learning for your child. Your support is critical to our success. Feel free to visit YOUR school anytime. Welcome to the new school year!
Mrs. Farver, Principal |
