Baby News...

Congratulations to Mrs. Worm and her husband, Phil, on the birth of their new baby girl, Hadley Jennifer! Hadley was born on July 22, 2011. She weighed 9 lbs. and was 21 inches long.

October 2011 Nurses Note

Seasonal Flu - Find a Flu Clinic
Go to http://www.health.state.mn.us/cgi-bin/idepc/fluschedule/fluclinic_search.cgi or Scott County Public Health for the walk in immunization clinic http://www.co.scott.mn.us/HelpingPeopleHealth/PublicHealth/Pages/Immuniz%20%20Clinic%20Flyer%202010.pdf

Screenings
Screenings will begin soon and continue throughout the school year. This year, vision screening will be done for 1st and 4th grade; hearing screening for 1st and 3rd grade; and 3rd grade students will have weight and height measured and BMI (Body Mass Index) calculated (once BMI's are completed parents may then access this information via Family Access). Please call your school's health office if you have concerns or questions regarding screening, if you do not wish to have your child screened, and anytime you have concerns about your student's health.

Head Lice Information
As always please remember to check your student for head lice periodically throughout the year. Information about head lice is available on the Health Services website: http://www.priorlake-savage.k12.mn.us/, click on Services, click on Health Services, click on Head Lice Information and Head Lice Q & A. If you do not have access to a computer, please call the Health office for a hard copy.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Grainwood's Media Center Change Drive

The Media Center will be running a Change Drive October 3-7. The class that collects the most change will get to use that money for books for their classroom. In addition to this, the winning class will get to check out one additional book from the library all year. If they normally are allowed two books, they'll be able to take three all year! The rest of the funds collected will go towards books that everyone can enjoy in the Media Center. This program is part of the Scholastic One for Books promotion which matches the money we collect and donates it to organizations such as Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. Please contact Jo Abraham at 651-214-8348, with any questions!

Grainwood Picture Day-REMINDER

Just a friendly reminder that picture day at Grainwood is scheduled for Friday, September 30th.

Picture Retake Day at Grainwood is scheduled for Wednesday, October 26th. We will also be offering spring pictures and yearbooks for sale later this school year.

Synergy/SAGE Parent Action Network (SPAN)

SPAN is the Synergy/SAGE Parent Action Network. SPAN hosts meetings throughout the school year with speakers and discussions focused on supporting gifted and talented children. Please see the district calendar for our meeting schedule. All are welcome! Our first meeting will be on Tuesday, October 25th from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the WestWood Media Center. Please contact Apryl at priorlakesavage@mcgt.net with questions.

Volunteers for Creating Green Spaces Needed

No 'green thumbs' necessary! Did you know Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools are leaders in the state for Environmental Education? Did you know that we are also leaders in the state for green spaces and outdoor classrooms? We are so fortunate to have all that we do, but this isn't possible without folks like you!

We need help with many random tasks including (but definitely not limited to) cutting trees, removing buck thorn, spreading wood chips, weeding gardens, building dock sections, prairie maintenance, building displays, and so much more... We'd love help from individuals, student groups or adult groups. Every school has different needs. If you are interested in assisting us with these projects, please contact Cara Rieckenberg, Environmental Education Coordinator at 952-226-0031 or crieckenberg@priorlake-savage.k12.mn.us.

Community Education October News

To access the Community Education October News brochure, please click on the brochure picture link to the right.

For information or to register please visit the Community Education website http://www.priorlakesavagece.com/ or call 952-226-0800.

Organics Recycling Added to School Waste Collection

New for the 2011-2012 school year is an updated Waste Dispersal Program within each of the District's schools. While the paper, plastic, aluminum and glass recycling remain relatively the same, the change to the program occurs with the addition of organics collection. Items collected in organics containers include milk cartons, paper towels, tissue, wax and parchment paper, pizza boxes and of course food waste.

The reason for the change is three-fold: economic, environment and education.

Economically speaking the program is a no-brainer. Diverting organics to a composting facility reduces our cost by two-thirds if we had sent the same materials to the landfill. Sending paper, plastic and aluminum to a recycling center saves us even more. For example, last year PLHS threw away 76 tons of waste. If all of that had been taken to the landfill, our cost would have been $4,633. Instead, PLHS recycled about 44 tons of that waste, so our actual cost was closer to $2,000. By adding Organics Recycling, the cost could have been reduced further to about $1,550. This results in a savings of $3,083. Multiply this by ten schools and the results are significant...especially over time.

Environmentally speaking the savings are equally as impressive. Besides a reduction of methane gas, fuel use and emissions from waste hauling trucks is reduced with less pick-ups and a closer dumping site (Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community). Non-renewable natural resources are also spared as our recycling is repurposed and used for other products. With all the recycling PLHS did last year, Dick's Sanitation, Inc. estimates we were able to spare approximately 600 trees and just over 100,000 kilowatt hours of energy.

Educationally speaking, we are empowering our students to make choices resulting in a positive difference in the world we live in. Our media inundates us with images of despair for our future environment. By engaging students in a simple task as recycling, students gain a sense of hope and are encouraged that they can indeed make a difference. Through all of this, critical thinking and inquiry learning are awakened allowing students to engage knowledge in multiple curricular areas making authentic, real life connections for application.

What can you do to support the program and assist us economically, environmentally and educationally?

1. Be aware and thoughtful of the different collection containers in and around the schools. Before you toss something away, make sure you're tossing into the right container.
2. Pack lunches in containers that reduce waste. For example, instead of purchasing applesauce in single serving containers, buy a larger jar and reusable containers. Instead of packing food in plastic baggies, pack it in reusable containers. You might even discover a reduced grocery bill.

That's it. It's that simple.

Lost & Found

The Grainwood Lost and Found is located in the main entrance of the school in benches. Please check often for your child's clothing. At the end of November items in the lost and found will be sent to local charities.

PTC Update

The Grainwood PTC had its first meeting of the year last week.  Plans were discussed for this year in terms of fundraisers and contributions to the school, and the fourth grade teachers were present to share about the first few weeks. Our two big fundraisers will again include The Chip Shoppe this fall (Kick-off is today, Thursday, September 22) and Butter Braid sales in the spring.  At this point, there are serious conversations about opting out of the third traditional fundraiser...the PTC Carnival.

The PTC Carnival has been around for 30+ years and has grown tremendously in terms of its size.  With Grainwood's PTC having co-chaired the event the last two years, the carnival's magnitude was exposed and has forced PTCs (including our own) to rethink their present support for it due to: 1) the significant time commitment required for its coordination, and 2) the numerous essential volunteers needed for its safety and success.  (The entire carnival lacked a tremendous amount of elementary parent volunteers last year.)  Therefore, the Grainwood PTC is proposing we not participate for one year in order to consider other options and re-examine our goals pertaining to this event.  Numerous other elementary schools in the district are also contemplating this choice.

We will continue to promote volunteering in our school in both the classroom and through fundraising to support the school in providing many wonderful educational programs and opportunities here at Grainwood. If you have not filled out a volunteer form yet, please ask for one from your child’s teacher or the Grainwood office. There are many opportunities available throughout the year!

Our next meeting will be held Tuesday, October 11th from 6:30-8pm in the Grainwood Conference Room. We invite you to join us and thank the new parents who have already taken time to participate.  As always, parents are invited to attend and hear about what is happening at Grainwood from the principal, the teachers and the parents, as we all strive to meet the needs of Grainwood's students.

MAP Testing

Students in District 719 take the Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) reading and math test in grades two through five. Fall testing will take place September 26th - October 12th. The purpose of the test is to assess student performance in both reading and math.

Students in grades two through five will have scheduled times in the computer lab to complete MAP testing. The MAP test is a computer adaptive test. Questions are generated based on the previous question's response for each student. As a result, the test is truly individualized. The MAP test is also aligned to Minnesota's Academic Standards.

Student scores on the MAP will be sent home with parents at fall conferences. Scores are reported in RIT scores (short for Rausch Unit). The RIT score is an equal-interval scale which can measure growth in learning. A chart will also be sent to parents showing the average RIT scores across the nation for students at different grade levels. RIT Charts that show examples of the kinds of questions on the MAP test can be found at http://www.nwea.org/ under Assessment System, then Assessment Product.

School Forms Due!

For the well-being of your child, please remember to turn in your updated emergency information as soon as possible. If your child becomes ill or injured at school, this information, along with current telephone numbers, are critical for our health office and office staff! If there are any legal proceedings regarding the welfare of your child, please make sure our office has a copy of the appropriate legal papers as well.

Early Release Days

The ultimate worth of professional development for teachers is the essential role it plays in the improvement of student learning. Research states that the best way to improve student achievement is to increase our teachers' effectiveness.

In order to provide professional development opportunities for our staff, four early release days have been built into the district calendar this year. Please be aware that Sept. 28, Nov. 2, Feb. 8, & May 2 will be early release days for students.

At Grainwood, students will be released from school at 1:00 p.m. on early release days. Please remember to work these days into your family's schedule in order to provide for your child's daycare needs. We appreciate your cooperation!

Attendance Procedures

Regular, on-time attendance is necessary for our student’s academic success. It also promotes positive work ethic for employment skills and future success. Please be reminded that parents / guardians are required to notify the office via a note or telephone call prior to 8:30 a.m. on or before the day their child will be absent for any reason. Our voice mail attendance hotline (952-226-0301) is open 24 hours a day. Failure to call may result in an unexcused absence for your child. Students are considered tardy if they arrive at school after 8:30AM.

The 2011-2012 Parent/Student Handbook outlines the reasons that will be accepted for excused absences and examples of unexcused tardies and absences.

In order to provide the very best education for your children, they need to be in attendance. Missed assignments can be completed. However, it is extremely difficult to replicate instructional activities, discussions, small group work, etc. that have taken place while your child was absent from school. Although we know that illnesses cannot be avoided, we hope that you will make every effort to schedule family vacations during the summer or one of our scheduled school breaks. Thank you for your cooperation!

Happenings Books Now on Sale!

Once again, our fifth grade students are selling Happenings Books to help raise money for their trip to Wolf Ridge Environmental Center. The cost for a book is $30 and they will be available for purchase through Friday, Sept. 23rd. For every three books purchased, you get one book free. Please make checks payable to Grainwood Elementary.

5th Grade Parents Remember . . . . Happenings Book pick-up night is September 26th from 3:30—5:00 p.m.

Laker Spirit Wear

Since Back-to-School Night, Grainwood has been taking orders for Laker Spirit Wear. Coordinated by our PTC, spirit wear is offered as an opportunity for students and staff to purchase Laker items at a reasonable cost. Please make sure all order forms are returned to the Grainwood office by Friday, September 23rd.

Jason Howard - Eagle Scout

Jason Howard, past Grainwood student and local Boy Sout, worked extremely hard this past year on completing his Eagle Scout Award.  Grainwood directly benefited from Jason's project and we are forever thankful for his time and energy.  Jason, with the assistance of others, coordinated the collection of numerous school supplies (specific to GW) and grouped them into individual hand-made tote bags to be distributed to students.  Grainwood would like to thank Jason for all his hard work and dedication to our students.  We would also like to congratulate him on achieving his Eagle Scout Award!

PLSAS Receives ENERGY STAR Leader Awards

Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools has received two district-wide ENERGY STAR Leader Awards from the Environmental Protection Agency for its energy reduction efforts in all buildings.

To receive the awards, the district had to achieve two milestones. The first milestone required a 10% energy reduction across the entire district. The second milestone achieved, known as "Top Performer," required all buildings to perform in the top 25% of similar buildings nationwide.

Since 2010, the district has achieved more than $300,000 in avoided energy costs.

These district-wide accomplishments are a team effort between energy conscious students and staff, and head building custodians who are continually operating buildings efficiently.

September 2011 Nurse's Notes

Annual Health Forms

If you have not yet turned in your form designating individuals to call in case of illness and emergency, please do so as soon as possible. Be aware that when your child is ill, he/she may become very anxious if we are unable to locate a parent or guardian. In addition, if your child has a health condition such as asthma, bee sting allergy, epilepsy, etc. that may require emergency action, if you haven't already, please complete an Emergency Action Plan/Annual Health Form so we can provide optimal care for your child. If you need a form, please notify the school Health Office.

Screenings
Screenings will begin soon and continue throughout the school year. Please check the Health Services website for more information.

Seasonal Flu
Find a Flu Clinic
* Go to http://www.health.state.mn.us/cgi-bin/idepc/fluschedule/fluclinic_search.cgi
* or Scott County Public Health for the walk in immunization clinic
http://www.co.scott.mn.us/HelpingPeopleHealth/PublicHealth/Pages/Immuniz%20% 20Clinic%20Flyer%202010.pdf

Reminder - Hand washing is our best defense in fighting illness!

Week 1 CARES Heroes!

New this year, we will be drawing weekly CARES Heroes from each classroom.  These students will have received Hero tickets from throughout the week from any Grainwood Staff for showing Cooperation, Assertion, Responsibility, Empathy and/or Self-Control (CARES) on-site and were entered in their classroom drawings. Congrats week 1 winners!

Grainwood Choir for 4th and 5th Graders

My name is Mrs. Monique Rupp and I will be your choir director this year! I am very excited to work with students at both Grainwood and WestWood this year and am excited about all the opportunities we will have to learn together. I hope all 4th and 5th graders are considering being in the Grainwood Choir! The choir fee this year is $45. These funds will be used for purchasing new music, t-shirts, and general costs of running the choir. Please make checks payable to Grainwood Elementary. If this fee creates a financial hardship on any family, please indicate the best way to contact you and we can work out a payment plan.

The choir will generally meet every Tuesday morning in the Grainwood Music Room from 7:30-8:20AM. Choir rehearsals will begin on September 20th. Parents are expected to provide transportation for their child to rehearsals. Students will perform in two concerts. The first concert is scheduled for December 15th at the WestWood Gym at 7:00PM, and the second concert is scheduled for May 3rd at the Grainwood Gym at 7:00PM. Choir registration forms were sent home with students. If you did not receive one and wish to join choir, please contact your child’s homeroom teacher.

Constitution Day at GW

On Friday, September 16th, GW will be celebrating Constitution Day. Please have your child wear red, white and blue to help us celebrate.

New "Waste Dispersal Program" means less trash at Grainwood!

With the start of the new school year, a new waste dispersal program is being launched at Grainwood and throughout the district.  Through a partnership with Mdewakanton Sioux and DSI, our local garbage collector, the district has started a new "Organics" recycling practice at the Mdewakanton Sioux compost site near Jeffers Pond Elementary.  With the implementation of organics recycling, less waste and more compostable material will be collected throughout the district.  Students are being taught to differentiate between organic material (food, milk cartons, paper towels, waxed paper, pencil shavings, paper plates and cups, plants, kleenex, pizza boxes, paper with glue or water-based paints, etc.) and trash (soft plastics, soft metals, styrofoam, candy wrappers, baggies, juice boxes/pouches, straws, foil wrappers, etc.).  Trash containers (marked with red stickers and not pictured) will most likely be the smallest containers in the building due to the continued paper recycling, plastic/glass/metal recycling and new organics recycling options.  Overall, the district will save thousands of dollars in disposal waste costs by implementing organics recycling and increasing "earth" friendly practices.  Make sure to ask your students about "Organics" recycling!

Synergy

Synergy is excited to begin with a new school year upon us. Students, who were identified last spring, received a letter inviting them to participate in Synergy for this school year. Identification is completed district-wide using established criteria. There are two Synergy Specialists working at the six elementary schools. Jane Balow will be working at Five Hawks, Jeffers Pond and Redtail Ridge. Greta Soleim will be covering Glendale, Grainwood and WestWood.

Students will be able to participate in classes such as Word Masters, Math Olympiads, News Currents, Mock Trial, the Stock Market Game and a new engineering class. While these are challenging they are also a good avenue to work with students on the social and emotional aspects of being gifted and talented. In addition, Synergy Specialists will be working with students in math and language arts groups giving them additional challenge connected with their curriculum. These flexible groups are formed primarily through MAP testing performance. Synergy Specialists will also be there to support teachers with differentiating materials. We are looking forward to a fantastic year!

Day 1 Over and Day 2 on its way!

It was a very uneventful first day here at Grainwood, minus all the excited students, parents and staff! The day was filled with introductions, setting expectations and practicing routines (which will also be reviewed all week long).  I am also happy to report there were numerous smiles as students entered the afternoon buses for their rides home.  There is certainly the sense of a new school year in the air!  (I would imagine students slept well last everning too.)  Day 2 has brought the arrival of our kindergarteners and their families.  Their shining faces are a reminder of everything right in the world!  I want to thank the lunchroom volunteers who assisted us the past two days.  While the Kindergarten students are quick learners, there is a small need to help them with the lunch process.   

A few reminders...please be collecting those Box Tops for Education, Campbell Soup Labels, Coke Reward Points, Tyson Chicken Labels, Kemps Milk Moola, pop tabs and used ink cartridges for Grainwood.  All these items bring us additional funds that we use to support our students.  Thanks!

Lastly, Grainwood is in need of two new Noon Supervisors!  This position is perfect for adults or parents interested in working 2 hours a day (approximately 11AM to 1PM) on student school days.  If you love hanging out with students and do not mind enforcing expectations, please apply online at the Prior Lake-Savage hompage under General Info, then Employment/HR.  The positions will be posted soon!  Also, please do not hesitate to contact me with further questions about the position. 

Here's to a great rest of the week!

Patrick Glynn
Principal

P.S.  Checkout our new entry way rug!  (Trying to spice this place up a little.)

Prior Lake-Savage Area School Marketing Video

Please click on the link below to view our new Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools marketing video. Please share with all of your friends, family, co-workers, etc. to help promote Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools. Thank you!

http://www.youtube.com/user/ISD719

Prior Lake-Savage E-News Brochure

Please click on the picture to the right to view the Prior Lake-Savage E-News Brochure.