VINTON-SHELLSBURG MIDDLE SCHOOL APRIL 2015 · Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District shall take affirmative action in recruitment, appointment, ... WaMaC Art Fair @ Ben-Lunch

VINTON-SHELLSBURG CSD EQUITY STATEMENT The Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District provides equal educational and employment opportunities and will not illegally discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, disability, religion, creed, age, marital status, sexual orienta-tion, or gender identity. Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District shall take affirmative action in recruitment, appointment, assignment and advancement of women and men, minorities and disabled. Inquiries regarding compliance with equal educational or employment opportunities and/or affirmative action shall be directed to Kim Meyer, Equity Coordinator, Vinton-Shellsburg CSD, 1502 C Avenue, Vinton, Iowa 52349. Inquiries may also be directed in writing to the Director of the Region VII Office of the United States Equal Employment Opportunities Commission, or the Director of the Region VII Office of Civil Rights, United States Department of Educa-tion in Chicago, IL.

End of 2nd Trimester

The end of the trimester awards was scheduled

for Friday, March 20. Students participating in

basketball, wrestling, honor choir, student of the

trimester, and attendance for 2nd trimester, Lego

League, American Math Competition Awards,

and honor roll were recognized. A presentation

of a mural that was painted by Middle School RtI

students depicting the different opportunities to

participate in sports was presented and will by

hung outside the weight room in the gym.

Scheduling We have been working with students, parents,

and teachers to fill out registration forms for

7th and 8th grade students. We will be schedul-

ing a time to meet with the incoming 6th grad-

ers at Shellsburg in April.

Spring Events As the year is winding to a close we have sev-

eral extra curricular events scheduled for the

spring. Students have begun track practice.

Band and Choir students are preparing for

their final performances for the year. Both

choir and band will have one more concert yet

this year.

Middle School Play Friday, March 20th and Saturday, March 21st

was the Middle School play. If you missed the

event you missed a FANTASTIC performance.

Mrs. Coder and VSMS students performed

“Invisible” to the delight of a very large audi-

ence. “Invisible” was written by Mrs. Coder

and depicted the life of middle school children

and the issues that surface about bullying.

“Invisible” is available for viewing on the

school’s website under The Cube.

VINTON-SHELLSBURG MIDDLE SCHOOL

Marcus - Charlie C. Lunch Ladies Autumn & Madi

Principal Theordore - Libbie T.

Invisible visits Lizzy - Casey F. & Sarah S. Boys watching Annie sing “Beautiful”

Girls dance to “Beautiful”

Jackie - Olivia C. - Sings “Human”

Invisible—Casey F.

Ryan - Cole N. - Gets a little pick-me-up

Students share information about how to recognize and reduce bullying

Annie - Grace H. sings “Beautiful”

Cast and Crew

APRIL 2015

Senior Citizen Activity Passes are available for Vinton-Shellsburg CSD residents who are age 55 or older; call or stop by the Superintendent’s Office at 1502 C Ave., Vinton. Passes good for most all fine arts and sports events.

Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat

1 Day 3 Parent/Teacher Conf. K-5 - 2:00 - 8:00 pm

6-12th - 4:00 - 8:00pm

Band Meeting, 7:00pm

APRIL FOOL’S DAY

2 NO CLASSES

G JV/V TR @ Union Invite,

4:30 pm

B V SOC Metro Jamboree vs. W’loo. East @ Sloane-Wallace Stadium, Waterloo, 6:00 pm

3 NO CLASSES

GOOD FRIDAY

4 5 EASTER SUNDAY

6 Day 4 CLASSES IN SESSION

Snow Make-up

7 Day 5 CLASSES IN SESSION

Snow Make-up

G JV/V TR @ Jesup Invite, 4:30 pm

B V SOC vs. W. Dubuque (Epworth), 5:00 pm

G V/JV SOC @ W. Dubu-

que (Epworth), 5:15/ 6:45pm

B JV/V TR @ Williamsburg Invite, 4:45 pm

8 Day 6

Spring WaMaC Meeting @ Longbranch, 1:00 pm

Color guard Auditions @

VSHS, 3:30 pm

Booster Club Meeting @ VSHS Commons, 6:00 pm

9 Day 1

Kindergarten Round-up @ Shellsburg Elem., NO

KINDERGARTEN CLASSES

B JV/V G vs. S. Tama & Marion @ Gardner GC (Marion), 4:00 pm

G JV/V G vs. Solon & W.

Delaware @ Pin Oak Links (Manchester), 4:00 pm

G JV/V TR @ Marion Invite (Thomas Park), 4:30 pm

B JV/V TR @ Hudson, 4:30pm

FFA Labor Auction, VSHS, 7:00 pm (postponed from 3/26/15)

10 Day 2

Tiny Vike’s Round-up @ Shellsburg Elem.

Tiny Vike’s Round-up @

Tilford Elem.

American Red Cross Blood Drive @ VSHS Aux. Gym, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Shellsburg Spring Dance, 3:00 - 6:00 pm

B V SOC @ Maquoketa,

5:00 pm

G V/JV SOC vs. Maquo-keta, 4:30/6:00 pm

11

V TRAP vs. Xavier @ Otter Creek SC, 8:00 am

B V G @ Benton Invite

(Tara Hills), 8:30 am

B V SOC @ Linn-Mar Invite, 9:00 am

13 Day 3

B JV/V G vs. S. Tama @ Tama/Toledo CC, 4:00 pm

G JV/V G vs. S. Tama @

Wildcat GC, 4:15 pm

G JV/V TR @ Iowa Valley Invite, 4:30 pm

G V/JV SOC @ Anamosa, 5:30/7:00 pm

FFA Meeting, VSHS, 6:30pm

Art Show/5th Gr. Music

Concert @ Shellsburg, 6:00/6:30 pm

School Board Meeting, Central Office, 7:00 pm

14 Day 4

NWEA Testing Starts—May 1

G MS TR @ W. Delaware

Invite, 4:00 pm

B V SOC vs. Anamosa, 5:00 pm

B JV/V TR @ Iowa Valley Invite, 4:30 pm

Tilford 3rd Gr. Music Concert, 6:30 pm

15 Day 5

WaMaC Art Fair @ Ben-ton Community, 10:00 am

16 Day 6

Chamber Choir @ Mt. Mercy University

B JV/V G @ Independence

(River Ridge GC), 4:00 pm

G JV/V G vs. Independence @ VCC, 4:00 pm

B MS TR @ Solon Invite, 4:15pm

G V/JV SOC vs. W. Delaware, 4:30/6:00 pm

B V SOC @ Benton, 5:30 pm

Tilford Kindergarten Concert, 6:30 pm

17 Day 1 2-HR EARLY DISMISSAL Prof. Dev.

B/G JV/V TR @ Benton Co-ed Invite, 4:30 pm

G V/JV SOC vs. Benton, 4:30/6:00 pm

18

V TRAP vs. CR Kennedy @ Izaac Walton, 8:00 am

G V G @ Benton Tourney

(Tara Hills GC), 8:30 am

B V G @ WSR Invite @ Waverly Municipal GC, 9:00 am

High School Spring Play @ VSHS Aud., 7:00 pm

19 Sunday

High School Spring Play @ VSHS Aud., 2:00 pm

FFA IA Leadership Con-

ference @ Ames

20 Day 2

G V G vs. Williamsburg, Marion & Clear Creek-Amana @ Amana Colonies GC, 4:00 pm

B MS TR @ Williamsburg Invite, 4:15 pm

B V G vs. Clear Creek-

Amana, Marion & Williams-burg @ Wildcat GC, 4:15pm

B JV TR @ Marion (Thomas

Park), 4:45 pm

PATRIOT’S DAY

21 Day 3

G MS TR @ S. Tama Invite, 4:30 pm

B V SOC @ Independence,

5:30 pm

G V/JV SOC vs. Independ-ence, 4:30/6:00 pm

B/G JV/V TR @ Solon Co-ed Invite, 4:30 pm

Tilford 4th Grade Music

Concert, 6:30 pm

22 Day 4

23 Day 5

G JV/V GOLF @ Benton (Tara Hills), 4:00 pm

B JV/V G vs. Benton @ VCC,

4:00 pm

B MS TR @ Benton Invite, 4:15 pm

G JV/V TR @ W. Delaware Invite, 4:45 pm

B JV/V TR @ BCLUW Invite,

4:50 pm

Tilford 2nd Gr. Concert, 6:30

pm

24 Day 6

G MS TR @ Benton Invite, 4:15 pm

B V SOC vs. S. Tama,

5:00 pm

G V/JV SOC @ S. Tama, 4:30/6:30 pm

25

Wartburg Wind Ensem-ble Concert , VSHS Aud., 7:00 pm

27 Day 1

B JV/V G @ Clear Creek-Amana (Amana Colonies GC), 4:00 pm

G V G @ W. Delaware Tourney (Pin Oak GC),

4:00 pm

28 Day 2

B MS TR @ Independence Invite, 4:15 pm

B JV/V TR @ S. Tama,

4:30 pm

G V/JV SOC vs. Clear Creek-Amana, 4:30/

6:00pm

B V SOC @ Clear Creek-Amana, 5:00 pm

G JV/V TR Vikette Relays, 4:45pm

29 Day 3

30 Day 4

G JV/V G @ Center Point-Urbana (Rolling Acres GC), 4:00 pm

G V/JV SOC @ Center Point-Urbana (Fross Park), 4:15/ 5:45 pm

G MS TR @ Independence

Invite, 4:15 pm

B V SOC vs. Center Point-Urbana, 5:00 pm

B JV/V TR Viking Relays,

4:45 pm

MAY 1 Day 5 2-HR EARLY DISMISSAL

Prof. Dev.

G V/JV SOC vs. West Liberty, 4:30/6:00 pm

B/G JV/V TR @ Union Co-ed Invite, 4:30 pm

2

8th Gr. Band Trip to Adventureland

V TRAP @ Cedar Falls

Gun Club, 8:00 am

Prom Grand March @ VSHS Aud. for public,

6:45 pm

Prom, Vinton Skate & Activity Center, 8:00 pm

Post Prom @ VSHS, 11:30 pm—5:00 am

NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK 4/12—4/18

DRAKE RELAYS 4/25—4/26 FFA LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE, AMES 4/19—4/21

Many people have been following March Madness in high school and college basketball. In my world, I have been watching the March Madness that is occurring at the Capitol in Des Moines where politicians are debating the future of education.

Our school board recently met to discuss the 2015-16 budget. They are required to set levy rates and establish how and how much the district will spend in different areas. We always take time to review how Iowa finances our students’

learning and our local district. There are several important principles to keep in mind:

The biggest thing that drives the budget is the number of students in the district (and our enrollment has declined significantly over the last 10 years);

Schools are financed through a combination of local property tax dollars, local income surtax dollars, and state support;

Iowa law has established that districts can only spend a specific limit on students each year although they can carryover

any “leftover” from year to year (i.e. we don’t have a “use it or lose it” mentality). The law is very specific in that the school board must establish the following year’s levy and budget by April 15. It is also specific in that the legislature is required to set funding for schools about 18 months before we start receiving it. I am

confident our school board will meet the April 15th deadline. I am concerned (and a bit embarrassed) that our elected officials have ignored the law and now are more than a full year after when they should have set the funding amounts.

The legislators are currently debating whether we should receive any additional dollars per students, 1.25% more, 4% more or somewhere in between.

As I’ve thought about the state’s support and the debate, I have considered how I might justify why education should receive additional funding each year to someone in the private sector. A business owner may ask, “I don’t automatically get 4% more in revenue each year without making changes or working harder – why should education?” My response would

include that one of the main differences between a private sector business and K-12 education is that they have more control over their business. Several examples:

In the private sector, if there is a product line that isn’t making money, they can drop it. In education, we cannot “drop” any kids. Special education is one of the most costly services a school provides, but we cannot say, “never

mind, we aren’t going to provide special education anymore.” The data is clear that high school vocational classes are very expensive to offer – yet these are the courses many students need to be best prepared for life after high school.

A business owner can work to get more business; in K-12, we cannot market our schools to people outside the district. We serve the students in our district regardless of their socio-economic status, their ability to learn, or any

other characteristics.

A business owner could decide to reduce (or increase) the area served to reduce transportation costs or even charge a fuel surcharge; K-12 education cannot. It takes just as many miles to cover the district in busses to pick up fewer students and K-12 can’t tell parents they need to start bringing their kids to the buildings because transportation costs

too much. (We cover 235 square miles two times a day to pick-up and deliver our students.)

Many business owners do not deal with unions or arbitrators; they can say there is a wage freeze, hire less expensive labor or cut their workforce. K-12 does not have as many options. We are a very “people” based organization that cannot outsource to robots or spread the work amongst fewer and fewer people. 80% of our costs are connected to

paying people. The research is clear – the most effective thing we can do to support student learning is to have the best teachers in the classrooms; so we have to remain competitive in what we pay teachers or we will lose them to Illinois, Minnesota or other states that pay more.

Most businesses have good years where they can try to build up inventory, replace equipment or technology, pay down

debt, or use the extra revenues to help them during the tough years. In my experience in education, I can’t recall a “great” year let alone very many “good” years where we had extra revenues that we could then use during the tough years! In fact, I would argue that most of my 14 years as a superintendent would qualify as “tough” years with a few of

the years being “OK”. (Although I would add that the state’s economy has had several “good” years in a row including this year with

anticipated growth around 5%.)

I would argue that our community and patrons have high expectations for us including how we keep our sidewalks

shoveled, grass mowed, and areas cleaned (that are higher than for some businesses). We also have high expectations for ourselves as how we want the community to be proud of our facilities, our staff and the opportunities we provide our students; these all come at a cost.

The bottom line? Education isn’t the same as the private sector and while we work to control costs, there are some costs we cannot control. The representatives, senators and governor need to demonstrate their commitment to education by

adequately funding our students’ learning. If any student or parent has a question about the school district, I encourage him or her to give me a call, send me an e-mail or make an appointment. My phone number is 319.436.5685 and my e-mail is [email protected]. I welcome the

opportunity to visit about what is going well (or not so well) in our district.

Respectfully,

Mary Jo Hainstock, Superintendent

APRIL 2015

VINTON-SHELLSBURG

COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

—Where Character Counts!

“The Mission of the Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District is to improve the quality of lives and assist individuals in becoming contributing members of

society through the accumulation and application of knowledge.”

We’re on the Web!! www.vscsd.org

Special points of interest:

Apr. 1— K-5 Gr. P/T Conf. 2:00-

8:00 pm; 6-12 Gr. P/T Conf., 4:00-

8:00 pm;

Apr. 2 & 3—NO CLASSES

Apr. 6 & 7—CLASSES IN SESSION,

Snow Make-up

Apr. 9—FFA Labor Auction, VSHS,

7:00 pm

Apr. 9 - Kindergarten Round-up at

Shellsburg — NO KDG. CLASSES

Apr. 10—Tiny Vike’s Round-up @

Elementary Buildings

Apr. 10—Red Cross Blood Drive,

9:00 am - 2:00 pm @ VSHS Aux.

Gym

Apr. 13 – School Board Meeting @

Central Office, 7:00 pm

Apr. 14—NWEA Testing Begins

Apr. 15—WaMaC Art Fair @ Benton

Comm., 10:00 am

Apr. 16—Chamber Choir @ Mt. Mercy

University

Apr. 17- 2-Hr. Early Dismissal,

Professional Development

Apr. 18 - High School Spring Play,

HS Aud. 7:00 pm

Apr. 19 - High School Spring Play,

HS Aud., 2:00 pm

Apr. 22 - Administrative Professionals

Day

Apr. 25 - Wartburg Wind Ensemble

Concert, VSHS Aud., 7:00 pm

Teachers, students and parents are encouraged to attend the Iowa Finan-cial Literacy Summit on May 5 in Des Moines. The Iowa Department of Education is hosting this event as part of a broader effort to improve Iowa students' financial literacy skills. The purpose of the summit is to raise awareness that making smart, re-sponsible financial decisions is an important part of a great education; to provide teaching resources to help students meet the financial literacy component of our state standards; and to connect Iowans with commu-nity resources and programs that support financial literacy education. Tickets are available through April 21. For more information, including the summit agenda and registration infor-mation, visit https://www.educateiowa.gov/event/iowa-financial-literacy-summit.

Breaking in the Animal Learning Lab by Learning by Doing

On February 12th, the agricultural classes at the Vinton-Shellsburg High School had a chance to experience something that previous clas-

ses never did, to witness a pig farrowing at the school! In the eyes of the agricultural community and the advisory board that closely

supports the high school agriculture classes; this has been a dream come true! Although this whole concept of the Animal Learning Lab

is under two years in progress and already a reality, it seemed like a long time coming.

The Fleming’s brought in their gilt, which was bred and due to have her piglets on February 14th. With the 14th falling on a Saturday and

not as beneficial for the student’s learning; the gilt had been induced on Thursday, February 12th to hopefully start labor between 8 and

10 am on Friday while students were in session. Arrangements were made with other staff members to have this ‘first’ event streamed

and made public to anyone hoping to watch. Students were sitting close by, but as the day wore on no piglets came. In the early after-

noon hours it seemed to be getting closer and two other schools tuned into our streaming to show their classes as well; yet still no

piglets.

Finally, at 5:42, the first piglet came and was caught on tape. Throughout the night, there were many observers coming in and out of

the Animal Learning Lab and many community supporters there to offer guidance to the Fleming’s as they were having their first litter

of pigs. There were a total of 10 baby pigs in the litter, the last piglet arriving at around 4:30 a.m. the following morning, with V-S alum-

ni Miranda Husted pulling the last pig under the guidance of a local veterinarian. In total 9 piglets survived the weekend and are happy

and healthy at home.

Through out the week, thanks to the help of Caleb Svoboda and Allen Merchant, the students in the Animal Science classes had the

opportunity to administer newborn care to the piglets to keep them healthy. Students learned about ear notching, administering shots,

castration, and the importance and reasoning to clipping needle teeth and docking tails. The thirty animal science students found them-

selves fully emerged in learning about one aspect of the swine industry.

The buy one, get one free Scholastic book fair is coming! Come check out what is new with Scholastic.

High School: April 20-24 (8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.) Middle School: April 27-May 1 (8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.)

Tilford Elementary—April 27 - May 1 (Monday -Thursday: 7:45-8:30am, 3:00-3:45pm; Friday: 7:45-8:30am only) http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/tilfordfair

Shellsburg Elementary—April 27 - May 1 (Monday - Thursday: 7:30-8:30am, 3:00-3:45pm; Friday: 7:30-8:30am only) http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/shellsburgfair

Please email [email protected] or [email protected] with any questions.