If school is closed, 12-month secretaries, 12-month principals, administrators, and admin support all need to report to work.  These groups don't need to report to work if ALL OFFICES are closed. See the chart below of when your employee group needs to report to work. 

School closings and late starts will be carried in the news announcements by 7:00 a.m. on local stations.  Information can also be accessed by visiting the District's website. If you are signed up to receive Connect-Ed calls, you will be notified by phone and e-mail.

Opening day for the 2012-13, school year will be held on August 14, at 9:00 a.m. at the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center.  More information will be coming soon.

The 2011-12 school year is almost over and it is time to start thinking about summer school programs.  Follow this link to see the 2012 Summer School Programs .
We also have a listing of summer activities in the Cedar Valley .  Have a great summer!

Ed Services is working on communication to parents regarding a free, optional opportunity for your students this summer.  The following letter, still in draft form, is being developed to send home to all elementary and middle school parents.  We would ask elementary teachers to put them in backpacks next week.  Letters with the teacher name, student name and ID printed in them (thru a mail merge) will be sent to each elementary school from the print shop.

School and Community Relations will mail the middle school letters next week.

We are working on the mail merge, and would put the teacher’s name at the end of the elementary letter and the principal name at the end of the middle school letter.

 

This the elementary school letter draft:

Dear Family of student name,

The Waterloo Schools are happy to offer our students a FREE opportunity to read books online throughout the summer. This web-based program is called myON READER.  We know it’s important for students to continue to read through the summer, as it helps them retain what they learned. We hope that parents will explore this or other reading options during the summer months so that students have multiple chances to read books.

As a family in our district you will be provided free access to myON READER  for the entire summer.  It’s yours to use whenever you wish through September 15.

myON READER will provide you with access to thousands of digital books that can be read anytime, anywhere there is an Internet connection.  It uses technology to let students choose books

• they like to read
• that are at the right reading level.

If you don’t have access to the Internet at home, we would encourage you to seek opportunities to use this online option at libraries, churches—wherever Internet access is available to you.

The website to access your student’s account is http://www.myon.com/login/

At the website, please start to type the name of your child’s school this year.  A drop down list will appear; just click on the school name.

Your student’s Username will be their student id:    xxxxxx

The Password will be:  read

Once you’re logged in, there will be some questions to determine the kinds of books your child likes to read and the right reading level.

If you have any questions, please check www.waterloo.k12.ia.us for the myON READER Family Guide, or call our Help Desk at 433-1858, Monday through Friday, 7:15 am to 5:00 pm.

Sincerely,

Teacher name, School name

 

—————————————————————————————-

 

This is the middle school letter draft:

Dear Family of a SCHOOL NAME Student,

The Waterloo Schools are happy to offer our families a FREE opportunity to read books online throughout the summer. This web-based program is called myON READER.  We know it’s important for students to continue to read throughout the summer, as it helps them retain what they learned. We hope that parents will explore this or other reading options during the summer months so that students have multiple chances to read books.

As a family in our district you will be provided free access to myON READER for the entire summer.  It’s yours to use whenever you wish through September 15.

myON READER will provide you with access to thousands of digital books that can be read anytime, anywhere there is an Internet connection.  It uses technology to let students choose books

• they like to read
• that are at the right reading level.

If you don’t have access to the Internet at home, we would encourage you to seek opportunities to use this online option at libraries, churches—wherever Internet access is available to you.

The website to access your student’s account is http://www.myon.com/login/

At the website, please start to type the name of your child’s school this year.  A drop down list will appear; just click on the school name.

Your student’s Username will be their student id.

The Password will be:  read

Once you’re logged in, there will be some questions to determine the kinds of books your child likes to read and the right reading level.

If you have any questions, please check www.waterloo.k12.ia.us for the myON READER Family Guide, or call our Help Desk at 433-1858, Monday through Friday, 7:15 am to 5:00 pm.

Sincerely,

Principal name, Principal, School name

 

 

Since 2007, The Heart of America Foundation and Target Corporation have been working together to makeover elementary school libraries across the country. This year, The Heart of America and Target will be working on 41 makeover libraries.  Schools are eligible based on 3^rd grade reading levels and free and reduced meal numbers.

The Waterloo Community School District was selected as a District to receive a library makeover on March 15 and the eligible schools (Cunningham, Irving, Lincoln, and Lowell) were notified after Spring Break.  Each school submitted an application and the pool was narrowed to three schools (Cunningham, Lowell and Lincoln). The two schools that were not chosen will each receive a $1,000 book grant to purchase books for their libraries.

As the winning school, Lincoln Elementary will receive 2,000 brand new books, and the library space will be completely transformed into a beautiful and engaging learning space, with new furniture, paint, artwork, carpet and other exciting elements that will help create a wonderful space for the entire community to enjoy.  In addition, The Heart of American helps the District with alignment of local Target support and resources.

The Heart of America’s larger mission is to build community by encouraging people, especially children, to engage in service.  Each Target School Library Makeover project is achieved through the generous donation of time from community and corporate volunteers.

Once professional contractors have completed painting and other minor cosmetic changes, Target engages volunteers in a day of service to the school.  Volunteers take on a variety of tasks, including assembling furniture, preparing and distributing books to children, shelving books in the library, light cleaning, and more.  In addition, the project includes an open house library re-opening, all on the same day.  The students will receive seven books to keep and take home the day of the library opening!  We expect the open house will take place in the fall.

Spring conferences have been moved up to March 1^st and 2^nd, 2011, in response to parent concerns.   The District’s Calendar Committee agrees the original April date for conferences could be too late in the year for effective intervention by parents if a student is not achieving well.  Although not ideal, conferences will be held mid-week due to previously scheduled events that could not be changed. 

The Calendar Committee will continue to review conference schedules for maximum effectiveness for next year. 

We appreciate the support of parents and teachers during this schedule change.

Below you will find the Teacher Quality Professional Development Agenda for February 11^th.

TQ Professional Development 2011

*Teachers – This is a non-scheduled work day, in order to be paid for this day,  please remember to sign in for both AM & PM sessions.

If you have any questions, please contact Penne Jackson at #10135.