Board of Education Update

Powell Elementary

Pamela K. Van Mooy

Assistant Principal

January 14, 2013

It is hard to believe that we are almost halfway through the 2012-2013 school year! This Friday is the end of the semester. Next Tuesday is the Teacher’s Record Day and grade cards will go out January 23. Teachers and students are busy assessing learning that has taken place this nine weeks with the Benchmark assessments in reading, post-tests over the math units taught and on demand writing pieces. We are monitoring students on a regular basis to assure that students are meeting the high standards set at both the state and local level.

1. The MAPS nights that were held in December were enjoyed by students and parents alike. The three nights (for 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th graders) were well attended. Thanks to Ms. Emily Meyerson, Ms. Janet Kominek, and Ms. Tonda Hollenback.

2. During the next month we will be selecting our representative to the Wood County Spelling Bee, which will be held at the end of February. We will announce the 6^th grade winner in the next two weeks.

3. A team from Powell will be meeting with five different textbook companies in the next two weeks to look at, compare, and hopefully, select a textbook in Mathematics that will be more aligned to the new state standards. We will be hearing the representatives. Several area school districts will also be present to hear these discussions as many school districts are looking at textbooks.

4. The entire staff will be meeting in teams during the next week with Julie Iannantuono to look in depth at the new math standards. In March the teachers will be looking at the new Science standards.

5. School attendance is of prime concern to make sure that learning takes place but in this time of flu it is also important to minimize the effect it might have on other students and staff. We have had our share of students who came to school with flu-like symptoms. Parents have been very helpful in picking up students and keeping them home when they are sick. It has not been a huge problem, but we will continue to monitor.

Upcoming Events

January 21 Martin Luther King Jr. Day NO SCHOOL

January 22 Teacher Record Day NO SCHOOL for students

February 7 Early Dismissal for students Parent Teacher Conferences

February 8 Parent Teacher Conferences