SCHOOL BOARD RECOGNITION MONTH - MAY 2018

Board members are locally elected, non-salaried public officials entrusted with the task of providing the direction for the education of students across Iowa. The board of education is a uniquely American institution, dating from the earliest days of our country. It has made public schools flexible and responsive to local community needs. Today, public schools are being asked to raise the bar of academic achievement, while remaining good stewards of the public's investment in education. That demands sound knowledge in several key areas, including leadership, school improvement, school finance, advocacy and more, while keeping student achievement as the board's primary focus.

Iowa school board members represent a continuing commitment to local citizen decision-making in public education. Each week, they donate their personal time in service to Iowa students.

Conditions for Learning Survey

School districts will annually be required to administer the Conditions for Learning survey as part of Iowa's plan to meet the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). All of our students in grades 5-12 will be provided the opportunity to take this survey designed to measure student's engagement in school, safety and overall learning environment. The survey administration dates are May 14 -May 30, 2018. Our student's participation in the survey is very important to our school district because results can help us build an action plan to improve the learning environment. A high rate of completion means getting the best data possible. For students, the survey is an important opportunity to be heard and to be part of efforts to improve their learning environment. We appreciate parental support in communicating to students about this great opportunity.

Below are links to a letter, a student-survey information summary, and a WRITTEN REFUSAL FORM. these will provide you with additional information about the purpose and process for this important data gathering. After reviewing the information, if you wish to opt out of having your student participate in the survey, complete the WRITTEN REFUSAL FORM and return to your building principal (building office personnel) by Friday, May, 11, 2018 no later than 4:00 PM.

We hope you will take time to have a conversation with your students about this survey and the importance of assisting the district in this school improvement process.

Thank you!

Parent Survey Request from Iowa Department of Education

Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) requires states to report the percent of parents with a child receiving special education service who report that schools facilitated parent involvement as a means of improving services and results for children with disabilities.  This year, the Iowa Department of Education is gathering this data as a census for both students with and without a disability using a four-question survey.  Please access the letter below for additional information about this data gathering and the link to complete the survey.

Now Available - April 2018 Issue of Each and Every Child Newsletter - A Department of Education Publication

The April 2018 Newsletter is now available.  The Department of Education provides a monthly publication, Each and Every Child.  Issues of this newsletter can be found on the Department of Education website at https://www.educateiowa.gov/each-and-every-child-newsletter.  

The April 2018 issue, Exercising the mind (and body) . . . This physical education class builds more than bodies,  shares about how one physical education teacher in College Community Community School District brings students with disabilities physical education to build their bodies as well as their minds.

To receive this monthly newsletter, send an email requesting your free subscription to jim.flaThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..