Stuff Etc...

Weber has set up an account at the Iowa City Stuff Etc. consignment store. We will use any money that we make on the account to purchase clothing/winter wear to fill current needs for students.

The great thing is that since this is considered a charity account, you do not need an appointment to take items in, and anything that they do not accept they will just donate so you don’t have to wait around the store while they look through it.

We would really encourage you to consider taking advantage of this opportunity as you are cleaning out your closets or sorting through things to get rid of. You can just stop in the Iowa City Stuff at your convenience, tell them that the items are for the Weber Elementary account, and leave! How great is that?! AND…it will help us to meet ongoing needs of students in our school family as well, so it’s a win-win situation.

Thank you for your support of our families!

2011-2012 Weber Chess Club

Weber Chess Club is going strong this year! We're up to 80 members and counting! The media center is a busy place each Friday morning at 7:45AM, when aspiring chessmasters gather to learn new skills and have fun playing the wonderful game of chess. All Weber students are welcome to come, and no prior knowledge or experience is necessary. We have many players completely new to the game this year, many of whom are picking up skills very quickly. Of course, Weber has earned a reputation for producing some of the best elementary players and teams in the state, and we hope to continue that tradition this year. We will certainly be hard to beat in the statewide elementary chess championship!

Soon we will start planning the 6th Annual Weber Elementary Chess Tournament. This is a big event... in fact, its the largest chess tournament of any kind in the entire state. Stay tuned for that!

Congratulations to all the participants and winners in recent tournaments! We even had two players, Arshaq Saleem and Pranav Krishnamurthy, represent Weber Elementary at 2011 K-12 National Championship in Dallas. Great job! And many thanks to the wonderful parent volunteers and the very supportive Weber staff! Contact traviskraus@gmail.com for more info about Weber Chess Club.

Status of Education in the ICCSD and Iowa

Superintendent Steve Murley presented information about the current status of education in our district and state at the November DPO meeting. This presentation is available for viewing online: http://prezi.com/2mhvb4plmtdw/transforming-public-education-again-dpo-11911/

1st Annual Mini Dance Marathon

Weber's 1st Annual Mini Dance Marathon was held on Friday night to raise money for the UI Children's Hospital. Our students, staff, and families enjoyed a night full of dancing fun! The dollar amount raised will be shared soon, but we think it will be around $3000.00. WOWZA!! A special THANK YOU goes out to Robyn Phillips, Diana Frisbie, and the Weber Student Council. Thank you Weber families for living our virtues through our words and our actions in this special service project!

Borlaug Elementary

Check out Borlaug Elementary's new website and Mrs. Shoppa's blog at http://www.edline.net/pages/Borlaug_Elementary_School

Weber Chess Club

The Weber Chess Club is off to a great start this year! We have 75 registered members and more signing up each week. As you know, Weber has earned a reputation for producing some of the best elementary players and teams in the state, and we hope to continue that tradition this year.

Here are some of the highlights of our club activities and events:

The Chess Ladder
This is by far the most popular feature of the club. Essentially all the players are ranked on the ladder and have the opportunity to move up by winning matches against higher ranking opponents (up to 10 spaces ahead of them). Participation on the ladder is voluntary, but the kids all seem quite excited about it. We remind them every once in a while that its okay to lose sometimes, because that is how you become a better player.

Skills Sheets
We have charts for beginning chess skills and we encourage kids to master each one. The skills range from very basic (setting up the board) to intermediate (checkmating with one king and one rook). We hope that by the end of the year all our players have earned stars for each skill.

Chess Library
This year we are hoping to add books and software that can be checked out for use at home. There are some really fun books and computer games for players at all skill levels. The Iowa City Public Library has a pretty large collection. If you have items that you are willing to donate/lend, or if you would like to support the club by helping us acquire some (donating purchased items or donating money), we would be very grateful. Of course, we do collect money at the beginning of the year which should allow us to buy some products, but most of that is typically spent on t-shirts, our big tournament, etc.

Student Coaches
We have a lot of new club members, including some younger kids that haven't played before. We try to give them extra attention so they understand the rules and learn the basics. This year, some of our older veteran players have volunteered to help coach the younger kids, which is incredibly helpful considering the large group.

Rules and Etiquette
We just have a few rules to keep things orderly:
1) Backpacks, coats, etc. should be put in lockers and classrooms if possible. The kids have a tendency to pile their stuff up right in the walkway.
2) Kids need to participate in chess activities.
3) Chess etiquette is important for the benefit of the players and all the other kids in the room. These are pretty much the same as the Weber core virtues. Chess is a thinking game, and it helps if everyone is kinda quiet. Also, we like the idea of shaking hands after each match.

Tournaments
This winter we'll be having our 6th annual free chess tournament for all Iowa City elementary students. This is a big event... in fact, its the largest chess tournament of any kind in the entire state. Players compete individually and as part of the school teams. We'll send out more information sometime in December or January.

Also, we are fortunate to have an active chess community between Iowa City and Coralville. Chess tournaments occur frequently, and they can be quite fun and exciting. Other than the Weber tournament, participation requires a small fee and a membership to the US Chess Federation (easily done at the tournaments). I'll forward on e-mails about upcoming chess tournaments (including one this Saturday - see the info at the end of this e-mail). Please send an e-mail or stop by chess club on Friday mornings if you have questions about the tournaments. Keep in mind that they can take up most of the day, and also that you might need to make space on your mantles for all the chess trophies.

Thank you to parents and students for all your efforts that make our chess club such a magnificent success. In particular, thanks this year to the parents that haved helped so far: Travis Kraus, Peer Saleem, Jim Cochran, Upasna Dixit, Dennis Mascardo, and Gretchen Vigil (hopefully we haven't forgotten anyone). Or course, all parents are welcome on Friday mornings to help out, hang out, play chess, or whatever.

Report to Parents Regarding Iowa Assessments

Students in grades three through eleven in the Iowa City Community School District take the Iowa Assessments (IA) in the fall of the year. The assessment was formerly known as ITBS and ITED.

Why are the tests given?
The results of IA are one way to measure student academic achievement. Other ways to measure academic achievement include classroom performance in activities, projects, and quizzes. The tests are given to identify the strongest areas of learning and the areas where improvement may be needed. The results also allow you to see how much your child has grown from year to year.

What is measured on the tests?
The test is made up of a series of tests that cover important information taught at school. Specifically students take the following tests: Reading, Language and Writing, Math, Science, Social Studies.

A set of scores are generated for each student.

What should parents do to prepare their children for the tests?
- Encourage your child to answer the questions as best they can.
- Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep before test day.

When do parents receive results from the tests?
Test administration occurs in October over a one-week period. During the following week make-up tests are given and then the tests are scored. Typically the district receives the results early in December. Upon receipt of the results 1) teachers analyze results of the classroom for instructional purposes and 2) individual student scores are uploaded into the district student management system. Parents may access their child’s scores through PowerSchool as soon as they are uploaded and elementary parents can expect to receive hard copy of reports during the second conference of the school year, either in February or March. It is the district’s position that parents should receive an explanation of the scores from the classroom teacher and have them connected to classroom performance. This is best done during a regularly scheduled conference. Secondary parents can expect the results distributed in December.

Developmental Reading Assessments

Weber teachers are busy giving all students the Emergent Literacy Assessment (team 1) or the Developmental Reading Assessment. Testing will be completed by the end of September. You may feel free to contact your student's teacher to see results. Please note that a new edition of the Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA) for grades kindergarten through three has been adopted by the District. This assessment gives a comprehensive view of the reading and writing behaviors of children. The scores indicating proficiency are different in this new edition because new parts have been added to the assessment. If you notice a change in your child’s proficiency score, it may reflect the more comprehensive nature of the new edition of the assessment rather than a decline in your child’s skills and ability as a reader.

Gina Ferrel's Welcome Speech to ICCSD Staff

Welcome Speech for ICCSD, August 15, 2011

“Standing on the shoulders of giants.” I remember first hearing these words 15 years ago, when I began teaching at Weber Elementary, and I just couldn’t figure out what this saying meant. I couldn’t tell if the giants were a good thing, or a bad thing, and whether standing on them was something I was supposed to do or not! The other night I did a little research on the origin of this saying, and I found out that it has been used by many people, including John of Salisbury, a 12th century theologian and author. In a treatise he wrote in 1159, Salisbury said: “We are like dwarfs sitting on the shoulders of giants. We see more, and things that are more distant, than they did, not because our sight is superior or because we are taller than they, but because they raise us up, and by their great stature add to ours.”
So fast forward 15 years, as I stand in front of so many dedicated, inspiring, talented, driven, passionate administrators, educators, and staff members, the meaning has become crystal clear. So many of you supported me when it was hard, guided me when I wanted to learn, accepted me when I gave it a try, and forgave me when I messed up. You raised me up so I could see more, and I have had the most amazing experiences and have learned so many invaluable lessons from you. I was asked to share these lessons with new teachers last Friday, and I hope these ideas will resonate with you as well.
Since our district is continuing to focus on differentiation this year, I couldn’t help but think about what to do with you new teachers who heard these ideas just the other day. So, new teachers, I’m going to give you a special extension task: whenever I say something funny, please elbow the people on your right and left if they’re not laughing. So here are The Top Ten Most Important Lessons I Have Learned. An alternate title might be: It’s A Long Way Up Here, Standing On The Shoulders Of Giants, So If You Want To Just Listen To What I Have to Say, I Can Save You The Trip.
Number 10: Piet Hein (Pete Heyn) said, “The road to wisdom? Well, it’s plain and simple to express: Err and err and err again but less and less and less.” So when the first day of school comes around, if you haven’t had any sleep because you were hired just four days ago, and if after the FIRST hour of school, a student wets his pants because you forgot to tell him where the bathroom is, and if after TWO hours of school, you can’t believe it’s only BEEN two hours, and if after THREE hours, you’re wondering when the helicopter moms are going to leave…and YOU’RE saying “When’s lunch?” more often than your students are, and if in the afternoon, you find yourself wondering if it’s too early in the school year for a movie or a study hall, and if at the end of the day, you accidentally send one of your brand new ELL students home on the wrong bus, and then you go cry in the bathroom because you can’t believe you have to do it all over again tomorrow, and you haven’t even had any time to get any PLANS ready for tomorrow, and then you wonder why school can’t be three months ON and nine months off because it’s a lot easier to err less and less and less when you’re sitting on your couch, with your favorite mug of coffee, reading a really good book…but then you do come back the next day, and the next, and the next, and some things get easier, and some things get harder, and you realize that these are just the twists and turns on the “road to wisdom.”
Number 9: Walter Lippmann said, “When everyone thinks alike, no one thinks very much.” Make an effort this year to get to know your custodians, secretaries, para-educators, lunch ladies, etc. Lots of people pass this along as advice to new teachers, but when I say “get to know them,” I want to challenge you to TRULY get to know them…as people…because they deserve your respect as much as the teacher who teaches next door to you or the administrators who hired you. Don’t just get to know them so that you can get the newest desk or extra office supplies, as the traditional advice seems to suggest. I hope you will get to know them because they are people with families, and outside interests, and a lot of knowledge about students, parents, teachers, administrators, and the community. Remember, they see the school from a very different, yet very valuable, perspective. Recognize and acknowledge the gifts that they bring to your school every day.
Number 8: Here is my next quote: “The thing I remember best about successful people I’ve met all through the years is their obvious delight in what they’re doing and it seems to have very little to do with worldly success. They just love what they’re doing, and they love it in front of others.”—Mister Fred Rogers You MUST have laughter in the workplace. This has always been one of Chris Gibson’s favorite sayings, from when she was a teacher at Weber and even now as our FABULOUS Weber Dolphin principal. We laugh…a lot…and our students and parents see it and are a part of it too. Whether it’s because a teammate who is dressed up in a feathery pink boa, huge glasses, and a rainbow wig runs through your room right in the middle of a lesson just because she has some free time…or because while you’re being observed by your principal one of your first grade math students walks in in a full out cat costume complete with ears and tail and it’s nowhere NEAR Halloween…you MUST have laughter in the workplace. Physical benefits of laughter: boosts immunity, lowers stress hormones, and relaxes your muscles. Mental health benefits: eases anxiety and fear, relieves stress, improves mood, and ENHANCES RESILIENCE. Social Benefits: strengthens relationships, enhances teamwork, helps defuse conflict, and promotes group bonding. I can’t think of a better way to share your “delight in what you are doing,” and to enhance the effectiveness of your school, than through laughter.
Number 7: This lesson was passed on to me from my sister Jayne, who is an elementary school counselor. She said: “Always erase the chalk board with up and down strokes so your butt doesn’t shake.” Now you might have seen Saturday’s Press Citizen, where my sister’s quote was one of the first things mentioned in the article about the New Teacher Luncheon. As soon as I saw it, I called her and I was like: Jayne, you’re famous! You’re advice made the paper. And she was like: So was my name in there with it? And I was like: Um…no…but mine was. And she was like: Well, why didn’t you tell them MY name? And I was like: Well, Rob Daniels didn’t ask me what YOUR name was! So since I have you all here, my sister’s name is Jayne Ellen Rouse, and her cell number is….
Number 6: Aristotle said, “It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” Go to your professional development classes, meetings, and workshops with the mindset of being an active, respectful participant, and have the goal of taking away at least one new piece of learning each time. As we all know, there are all kinds of professional development…sometimes it inspires you to try new things, engages you as a learner, and has really good snacks…and sometimes…well…it doesn’t. But even if it’s not as exciting as Oprah’s Favorite Things, remember that someone put in extra hours and is giving you his/her best, so give that person your best right back, and take the initiative to learn new things, make connections, and set a good example for your colleagues.
Number 5: “ Great minds discuss ideas, mediocre minds discuss events, small minds discuss personalities.” Eleanor Roosevelt Try not to gossip about your colleagues. Ok, I could go along and act like I’m really good at this “not gossiping” thing, but I actually was just gossiping out in the hallway before we started. I struggle with this one because sometimes I just feel like I need to vent. But, I can tell in my gut when it’s crossed the line from venting to gossiping…I get that little stomach ache. So vent to someone you trust when you need to, and then detach from the negative feelings and move on…aka…get back to work. You will be a better teacher, colleague, and person for it.
Number 4: (SOCKruddies) Socrates said, “Wisdom begins with wonder.” Read good, highly recommended professional literature. The more you read, the more knowledge you will gain, and the more your students will learn. Have the courage to try some new things in your classrooms and let new learning motivate you to think differently about your students, parents, and colleagues. Keep your interest in learning alive, so that you can keep close to what you expect your students to do every day. If someone suggests an excellent book, article, or website, take a look at it. Make it a priority to read and learn with your colleagues. A strong district and school will build that into its professional development, and a strong teacher will read whether the professional development calendar tells her to or not.
Number 3: Mother Theresa said “We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” So get involved…in your team, school, district, and community. Volunteer for a committee, help with your school’s professional development, sign up to help with the school carnival, go to a sporting event, join the union, go to school board meetings, become part of a district initiative, stop at a student’s lemonade stand, or drive through the music auxiliary car wash. You will learn about students, parents, teachers, administrators, and community leaders, sometimes more than you ever wanted to know, but you will also get to see how the pieces of this puzzle fit together. You are more than just one teacher teaching your students in your classroom, so make the effort to see how your drop in the ocean ripples out to affect the greater community.
Number 2: Carol Ann Tomlinson said, “Excellence in education is when we do everything that we can to make sure they become everything that they can.” Push yourself to differentiate your instruction so that you can push your students to the highest possible level of achievement. Figure out WHAT your students know, understand what they NEED to know, and PLAN OUT how you’re going to get there. Will this be the same for every student? No. As many of you know, Carol Ann Tomlinson has done wonderful work with differentiated instruction, Carol Dweck is a great resource if you’re interested in fostering a “growth mindset” in your students, and a book I’m currently reading, NurtureShock, by Bronson and Merryman, challenges much of our “common sense thinking” about children. All of these authors, and many others, are crying out for educators to realize how important it is to teach children differently. It’s not easy, but it’s essential.
Number 1: Gabriela Mistral said, “Many things can wait. Children cannot. Today their bones are being formed, their blood is being made, their senses are being developed. To them we cannot say ‘tomorrow.’ Their name is today.” Look your students in the eyes every day, when they walk into your room, and when they leave, and listen to the chatter of your students before the teaching starts. That careful observation will tell you who is having a birthday, who lost a tooth on the bus, and who missed breakfast. You’ll know who is dating, who is breaking up, who made the team, and who got cut. You can learn so much from your students when they don’t know you’re listening, and you can use that to your advantage. You can use that to build relationships and to get students to “buy in” to what you want to teach them. If they know you care about their lives, they just might care about yours.
Finally, in closing, I want to tell you about two students who have changed me as a teacher and as a person. First, there’s Sophia. Picture long, curly, unruly, red hair, all smiles and freckles and happiness and butterflies and rainbows. And sitting next to her, there is a student who is fighting every demon imaginable…a student with severe anxiety, learning issues, anger issues, and every other issue you can think of. Sophia was the only one that could reach him on a regular basis. His anxiety would start to build, and using a soft, calm “teacher” voice, she would talk him right down. Sophia could get him to do things I wouldn’t even dare try. And the amazing thing was that she knew what she was doing…she knew how her little drop of water affected the whole ocean.
Equally inspiring is my other young friend and his struggles with Tourette’s, which was finally officially diagnosed half way through the year. He was a very bright child in terms of his illness, very aware of what he was up against, and many times he would verbalize his concerns, needs, and struggles to his parents. Thank goodness for a very open, caring relationship between his parents and those of us working closely with him; it was truly necessary for us to work as a team to best serve their son. I watched videos about children’s struggles with Tourette’s that brought me to tears, learned about the anguish and pain his parents were going through, which kept me up at night, and watched as my classroom became the most loving, compassionate, safe learning and living environment right before my very eyes. Helen Keller said, “The highest result of education is tolerance.”
So those are the lessons that inspire me and challenge me. They push me to create a classroom of compassion, hope, joy, laughter, learning, and friendship that will ripple out into the bigger school, community, and world, one drop at a time. I hope, in this new school year, that you will get to experience those moments in teaching that take your breath away. I hope that you will recognize those students who are there to make you become a better teacher, and I hope you will even meet a few students who are there to make you become a better person. Dr. Ernest Boyer said, “You can’t have an island of excellence in a sea of indifference.” Whether you are the giants, or you are standing on their shoulders, now more than ever, we need to raise each other up to make sure our drops in the ocean make a difference. Thank you.

Free EM Game Apps

McGraw-Hill Education is offering five of its ten EM Games Apps for FREE on September 24-26, 2011. The following apps will be FREE and available via the iTunes App store. These game apps work with Apple iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touches. They are currently developing these apps for Droid Devices. Learn more about these great game apps and others available from McGraw-Hill Education https://www.mheonline.com/apps/

Food for Thought: Dine Out for Education!

Food for Thought: Dine Out for Education!

Thirty-one participating restaurants will donate 10% of their sales (excluding alcohol) all day on September 29 (and again on February 23) to the ICCSD Foundation’s Excellence Fund. Be sure to mark your calendars and plan to EAT OUT to support our schools!

Back to School Nights at Weber

Back to School Nights are coming up at Weber Elementary! We hope to see you here!

Tuesday, September 6:
Team 1 Open House (students are invited to attend) 5:30-6:15 p.m.
Team 2 (Parents only) 6:30-7:15 p.m.

Monday, September 12:
Team 3 (Parents only) 5:30-6:15 p.m.
Team 4 (Parents only) 6:30-7:15 p.m.
6th grade Parent Meeting for School of the Wild 7:15-7:45 p.m.

Unfortunately, there will be no childcare for these events. We apologize for the inconvenience on families.

Girls on the Run at Weber

The mission of Girls on the Run is to educate and prepare girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living.

Girls on the Run is a life-changing, experiential learning programs for 3rd through 6th grade girls. The programs combine training for a 3.1 mile running event with self-esteem enhancing, uplifting workouts. The goals of the programs are to encourage positive emotional, social, mental and physical development.

Cost: $150...but we offer scholarships and do not turn anyone away. Shoes are also available for those who need them.

Time: Monday & Wednesday 5:30 to 6:45pm

Season: Monday September 12th --> Culmination is 5K on Saturday Novemeber 19th

Weber Staff Embrace The “Minute To Win It” Challenge

During our opening staff meeting, Weber staff completed various “Minute to Win It” challenges from the hit NBC game show. Activities like “Back Flip,” “A Bit Dicey,” “Breakfast Scramble,” and “Defying Gravity” fostered community building and collaboration among colleagues.

Staff made connections between the games and their work as educators, noting that routines such as offering differentiated tasks, incorporating student choice, and reinforcing communication skills are central to their classroom practice. Colleagues compared the high stakes of the game show to the responsibilities of the classroom teacher and recognized the urgency of the instructional minute.

Weber staff commit to making every minute matter this year. Just ask any of the contestants and they will tell you, “We’ve got this!”

Weber World Language Program

Weber World Language News
Are you interested in learning French or Spanish? Begin a journey into your international world of tomorrow. There are 20 classes for $160.00. Fees are due on the first day of class. Checks should be made out to the teacher. Payment plans are available. Please return your registration by email to WeberWorldLanguageProgram@gmail.com. Classes will be canceled due to low enrollment and funds returned otherwise, fees are not refundable. Please note, if class is canceled, there is no program that day and classes will be made up at the end of the session. See the school web site http://www.iowa-city.k12.ia.us/Schools/Weber/ and go to Weber World Language Program for registration information beginning September 2, 2011. All registration is on line!

ICCSD Elementary Handbook

Check out the ICCSD's Elementary Student Handbook, which is now online.
http://www.iowa-city.k12.ia.us/district/elementary_handbook.pdf.

Happy New Year!

Welcome to another great year of learning at Weber! We look forward to seeing your children and family at our ice cream social on Tuesday, August 16 at 6:00-7:00 p.m. Don't forget to bring your school supplies! Enjoy the last few days of summer vacation and see you VERY soon!

Get Moving for Healthy Kids!

On August 28 the Community Foundation of Johnson County is sponsoring the 2nd annual Get Moving for Healthy Kids 5K walk/run at City High. This is a very family-oriented event and we would like to encourage our elementary families to participate. Money raised will go to the endowment fund for the school-based health clinics. Volunteers will be present at ice cream social to distribute information about the event.

Weber Summer Library

Check out the nice article in the Press Citizen about the Weber Summer Library Program:

http://www.press-citizen.com/article/20110712/NEWS01/107120302/Program-gives-students-access-books

Happy summer reading!

2010-2011 Weber Celebrations!

• Weber students and their families have served our community both
locally and globally this year. Highlights include Founder’s Day
service projects in honor of Irving Weber. Students made blankets
for the homeless shelter, bookmarks for library, math games for the
Neighborhood Center, collected cards and supplies for soldiers,
donated to Shelter House, and raised money for a school in
Cambodia through our Pennies for Peace project. Team 3 students
adopted the Emerson Pointe community, and Students celebrated
Earth Day and during Souper Bowl Parties families donated 2720
pounds of food to the Crisis Center. Weber students and staff sent off
1310 paper cranes and sold paper crane jewelry and cotton candy
to earn $3,620 for the Japanese Red Cross. Through Jump Rope for
Heart students raised $11 000.00 for the American Heart
Association
• Students from 28 different countries attended Weber this year and
they celebrated diversity by continuing the rich tradition of hosting
an all-school assembly on United Nations Day that included a fashion
show featuring clothing from a variety of countries and music.
Parents and community members rounded out the morning by
teaching mini-courses celebrating the uniqueness of cultures
(language, customs, etc) to the students.
• Students had several new opportunities to develop their character
and leadership skills. Students continued to serve and lead within the school through Student Council. Two new service/learning groups were also implemented for Team 4 students: LAMPS(Leadership, Achievement, Motivation, Personal Development & Service) and SPA (Service, Personal Development and Achievement). Several students also participated over their lunch hour in a hip-hop dance group called Flight Boyz.

Spring Greens Day-June 1st

On June 1st, all ICCSD schools will serve fresh, locally-grown salad greens for lunch for the first time! The greens will be served as salads and sandwich fixings for student and staff lunches.

During Spring Greens Day students will find educational materials on their lunch table that tells them about the farmers that grew the salad greens and provides interesting facts about lettuce. Volunteers will be visiting schools during lunch to talk to students about fresh, local foods.

Farm to School has been working with ICCSD food services director, Diane Duncan-Goldsmith, and three local growers to coordinate this event. Derek Roller of Echollective Farm in Mechanicsville and Andy and Melissa Dunham of Grinnell Heritage Farm in Grinnell are growing a total of 330 pounds of lettuce to serve to approximately 6400 students. James Nisly of Organic Greens in Kalona will be washing, cutting, and packaging the greens in his licensed processing facility so that the greens can be served “ready-to-eat” in the cafeterias.

The salad greens are being purchased with an Iowa Farm to School Grant from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS).

The ICCSD Farm to School chapter, a project of the Johnson County Local Food Alliance, is one of several Iowa Farm to School chapters across the state. The goals of Farm to School are to get kids thinking about where their food comes from and how it’s grown, help kids make healthy food choices, connect local farmers with schools, add local foods to school lunches, and provide students with hands-on activities such as school gardens and in-class cooking demonstrations. More information about the ICCSD Farm to School chapter is available at http://sites.google.com/site/iccsdfarmtoschool/

THANK YOU, Weber Families!

On behalf of the Weber staff, we would like to THANK our Weber families for
a wonderful Staff Appreciation Week! We thoroughly enjoyed our flowers, gift cards, flower seeds, 30 minute breaks, and all the yummy food!! We appreciate your thoughtfulness and ongoing support! THANK YOU!

Bullying Segments on KCRG

KCRG recently produced seven segments on the topic of bullying, and four of them (highlighted in red) were taped in schools in AEA 10. The dates and times are listed below. The segments will be aired in their entirety on KCRG 9.2 (the digital sub-channel) on May 21st at 6:30pm.

• May 16th at 6pm “R-Word” (Prairie HS)
• May 17th at 6pm “Cyber Bullying” (UNI)
• May 18th at 6pm “Waterloo Hotline” (Waterloo East HS)
• May 19th at 6pm “Bullying Laws” (Kennedy HS,Cedar Rapids Police Department)
• May 19th at 10pm “Mean Girls” (Wickham Elementary School)
• May 20th at 6pm “Teenage Stories” (Kennedy HS)
• May 21st at 6:30pm “The Bully Project” (Waitt Institute, UNI)

The first segment deals with the derogatory term that is sometimes directed towards special education students.

Check them out!

Healthy Habits

Check out this inspiring article from the North Liberty Leader.

Healthy habits begin at school, last a lifetime -- northlibertyleader.com
http://www.northlibertyleader.com/

Weber Carnival=SUCCESS!

A very BIG THANK YOU goes out to:
*Becky Klutts and Darci Murley for coordinating our 2011 Weber Carnival
*the many Weber parents who volunteered in so many different capacities from food to games to tickets and many more
*the many Weber community members who came to the carnival

The carnival was a huge success and on behalf of the Weber students and staff, we THANK YOU!

Weber Raises Money for the Japanese Red Cross

Our Weber community members have once again modeled our Core Virtues through our words AND our actions. We raised over $1000.00 for the Japanese Red Cross! Impressive!! Thank you for your support!

Norman Borlaug Elementary Community Comment Meeting

Norman Borlaug Elementary Draft Boundaries Community Comment Meeting
Wednesday, April 27th at 6:30 p.m.
Roosevelt Elementary Gym
611 Greenwood Dr.

Assistant Superintendent Ann Feldmann will seek input regarding a draft Borlaug/Horn/Weber/Mann boundary plan for the 2012-2013 school year

Community members from Roosevelt, Weber, Horn, Hills, and Mann are especially encouraged to attend

Borlaug Boundary Public Meeting #2: Horn Elementary Gym, Monday, May 2, 6:30 p.m. Borlaug Boundary Public Meeting #3: Weber Elementary Gym, Monday, May 9, 6:30 p.m.

All Constituents are Welcome to Attend Any/All Meetings The proposed boundaries may be revised after each meeting to reflect community input. Patrons may want to attend all three meetings to stay informed on proposed revisions to the draft.

Weber's Own Flight Boys Performance

The Flight Boys will perform at 7:15 at the Carnival! Be there!

DPO Education Scholarship and Recognition Reception

The Districtwide Parents’ Organization (DPO) cordially invites you to attend the
DPO Education Scholarship and Recognition Reception in Memory of Kate Wickham.

Thursday, April 21, 2011
3:45-5:00 p.m.
City High School Cafeteria
1900 Morningside Drive, Iowa City

Come hear from our two deserving scholarship recipients, as well as their mentors. In addition, teachers, staff, and volunteers from nearly every school in the Iowa City Community School District will be honored for the good work they do in education.

Weber's own Alice Kurtz will be honored for her many years of service in the ICCSD. Mrs. Kurtz will retire at the end of the 2010-2011 school year.

ICCSD's New Blog

The Iowa City Community School District has launched a new blog to increase communication. This interactive tool will provide parents and community members with information, good news and answers to their questions about the district. To visit the blog and sign up for updates on a weekly basis go to http://iowacityschools.wordpress.com

Service at Weber: Paper Cranes for Japan

Many Weber students have participated in the Paper Cranes for Japan Project this week. Our students together made 310 cranes, in addition to the 1000 cranes that were donated by Mrs. Greenleaf, we collected 1310 at Weber! Two dollars per paper crane or $2,620 from Weber will be donated to the Japanese Red Cross! We are living our Core Virtues through our actions!

Earth Week Run/Walk

Help us kick of Earth Week at Weber School by participating in the Earth Week Run/Walk at 6:oo PM on Monday, April 18. Bring your family and join the Weber Community on the black top behind Team 4!

All participants receive an Earth bracelet charm, water, and popsicles!

See you there!

Support Staff Appreciation Week

We are so fortunate at Weber to work with topnotch people
who perform a variety of services. This is our chance to let them
know that their work is valued. Buddy classes will come up with little ways to show our appreciation this week.

Elmer/Shaffer---------------Custodians: Kurth, Dijana, Marvin
Spencer/Duff----------------Principals: Chris, Kristy
Miller/Fries------------------Secretaries: Carol, LeaAnn, Martha
Murray/Knoer----------------Team 3 Associates: Jackie, Nicole, Amy, Ashley
Williams/Hill/McKay----------Team 2 Associates: Jacob, Kara
Vanderveer/Hubbard---------Team 1 Associates: Sharleen, Akiko
Guthart/Vittetoe-------------Food Service: Penny, Barb, Shirley
Riepe/Williamson------------Custodians: Kurth, Dijana, Marvin
Kurtz/Benge-----------------Team 4 Associates: Jane, Toni, Mem, Sheila
Johnson/Niemiec-------------Bus Drivers
Lustig/Ferrel-----------------Bus Drivers

Families can feel free to show appreciation, as well. Thank you!

Weber Bike Rodeo Coming Soon!

What: Weber Bike Rodeo
When: Tuesday, April 19th
Time: 6:00-7:30 PM
Where: The Weber bus circle/T1 and T2 playground


There will be many stations, including:
*Bike registration
*Free bike inspections
*Helmet fitting and/or purchase
*Obstacle course
*Learning hand signals
*Figure 8 riding challenge
* “How slow can you go?”

At the end of the rodeo, there will be a drawing for prizes!

Weber Earth Week

Weber Earth Week 2011 will be held during the week of April 18-22
We are trying something new this year by celebrating Earth Week instead of Screen Free Week. There will be special activities at school as well as fun ideas for celebrating Earth Week at home. Be sure to mark these important dates on your calendar and look for more information to come in the next Dolphin 411.

Check out the activities for each day of the week:
MONDAY--9:00am Kick-Off Reading Pod-The Human Footprint
6:00pm--Weber Earth Run/Walk Team 4 playground-bring water bottle. We provide water!
TUESDAY--Walk/Ride Your Bike to School (Team 1 & 2 students need to be accompanied by an adult. Don’t forget your helmet. Remember to walk your bike on school property.)
6:00pm--Weber Bike Rodeo Bus Circle Participants need to be accompanied by an adult.
WEDNESDAY--Black-Out Day/Screen Free Day
Weber Earth Hour Turn out the lights for an hour. Eat dinner, play games, or
tell spooky stories by candlelight. Go out and look at the stars.
THURSDAY--Paper Free Day
5:00-8:00 Weber School Carnival Don’t miss all the FUN!
FRIDAY--Earth Day! Go Green--Wear green to show your support of Earth Day. Waste Free Picnic/Playground Pickup--bring your lunch in waste free reusuable containers.

EARTH DAY CHALLENGE 2011
Can We Do It?
Our goal is to FILL Principal Chris Gibson’s office with plastic grocery bags.
Start saving those plastic grocery bags.You know you have them stashed somewhere
in your home!Join the recycyling FUN. We can do it! Your student may bring the plastic bags into their classroom anytime. Then during EARTH WEEK,the students will start STUFFING monitor their recycling efforts through Mrs. Gibson’s window. At the end of the week all bags will be taken to the recycling center, and be out of your home, and not headed for the landfill.

SOLES4SHOES
Weber Shoe Collection April 18-22
How you can help? Clean out your closets and RECYCLE gently worn or donate
new shoes. Put a rubber band around them or tie them together and place in
collection boxes at Weber. Where will shoes go? Tonya Nicholson(2005 Weber graduate) had a love for helping others and had volunteered in Haiti. Shoes that are collected will be sent to Soles4Souls, which will ship our collection to Haiti.
Questions: Contact Samantha or Kathi
Anderson at mainekids@mchsi.com or 341-3640. Bring shoes, shoes, shoes! Big Shoes, little shoes, sandals, tennies, boots, ANY shoes!

Earth Week Challenge 2011 - Can we do it?

We have a goal to FILL Principal Chris Gibson's office with plastic grocery bags.

Students may bring the plastic bags into their classroom anytime. Then during EARTH week, the students will start STUFFING the principal's office! The kids can monitor their recycling efforts through Principal Chris Gibson's window during Earth Week. At the end of the week all bags will be taken to the recycling center, and be out of your home, and not headed for the landfill.

Join the recycling FUN. We can do it!

6th Grade Solo Festival

There was a 6th grade solo festival last night. Students performed a solo they had been working on for the past 5 weeks for a judge. All of the kids did well! Congrats to the Weber students who participated! Participants included:

Claire Murray, Amy Yan, Kiara Stevenson, Matilda Mackey, David Wu, Ally Bauer, Molly Howes, Abigail Cram, Annika Kopf, Kamea Holmes, Andrew Lamkins, Samantha Anderson, Kevin Hanson, Jenny Pigge, and Kate Lee.

Spring Conference Time!

Spring conferences are upon us at Weber Elementary! We are looking for 100% attendance and are excited to share strenghts and goal areas of each student. If you have not signed up for a conference time, please contact the Weber office or your child's teacher.

There are three options:
Thursday, Feb. 24- 4:00-7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Mar. 1- 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Thursday, Mar. 3- 4:00-7:30 p.m.

Souper Bowl of Caring

WOW!! Weber families brought in 2720 pounds of food for the Crisis Center! That is truly amazing and will make a difference for many families in need in Iowa City right now! Thank you for living the virtues through our actions!

Jump Rope for Heart

Teams 3 and 4 students are able to participate in Jump Rope for Heart Event on Tuesday, March 1st from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. (students need to arrive for registration at 8:30 a.m.) at Northwest Junior High. Information will be coming home soon! Please contact Dean Conrad at Weber School if you have questions.

Weber Student Wins Award

Team 3 student, Anna Forbes, won a Martin Luther King Jr. essay contest sponsored by the Des Moines Register. Look for her essay in the Weber main hallway or an upcoming Des Moines Register. Congratulations to Anna!

Pack the Gym Night at West High

The annual "Pack the Gym" night will be held on Friday, February 4 at the West High basketball game. All students wearing green and gold will receive a reduced admission of $3.00. There is a free throw contest at approximately 6:30 p.m. and the west side elementary school that has the highest percentage of fans in the attendance will get a traveling trophy!

Team 4 Authors!

The following Team 4 students will have their poetry published by Creative Communications. Congratulations to them all! These poems were written in the poetry unit completed while the 6th grade students were at School of the Wild.

Mawada Elsid
Jun-Hee Lee
Hannah Luce
Ishani Paul
Elena Ruppenkamp
Allenya Thomas
Mick Bartleme
Meleah Chang
Crystal Duerlinger
Lauren Ernst
Braden Houston
JoonSoo Kim
Bailey Nock
Sophie Schenkel
Jake Parsons
Austin West
Maddie Bartleme
Jennifer Du
Spencer Lieberman
Olivia Manaligod
Aneesh Matta
Ella Schmitz
Quiana Starling
Kat Armstrong
Mason DeGrazia
Connor harris
Emma Hoqwes
Wingel Xue

Congratulations!

Weber Chess Tourney

5th ANNUAL WEBER WINTER CHESS TOURNAMENT
The Weber Chess Club will host its 5th annual Winter Chess Tournament on Saturday, January 29, 2011 beginning at 9AM in the Weber gymnasium. All area elementary students (K-6) of any ability are invited to play. There is no fee: this is a FREE tournament. No player is eliminated and all players will play all five rounds. We have lots of trophies for top placers per grade, overall, and for the highest scoring schools! Registration will open at 9:00AM and close at 9:45AM with
the 1st Round to begin at 10:00AM. Weber BASP will open and operate a concession stand, or please bring a sack lunch or make plans otherwise to eat during the lunch break. IMPORTANT!! Due to space and time limitations, the number of players will be capped at 150. Pre-registration is encouraged by sending the player's name, school, grade, and gender to gschmidt14@yahoo.com by January 27th. We hope to see you there for a fun day of chess!

Souper Bowl of Caring at Weber

The Weber Student Council will once again sponsor our annual canned/boxed food drive. This year, however, our efforts will be in conjunction with a national effort called the “Souper Bowl of Caring.” The letter below provides additional information about the project. You can send non-perishable food items with your child(ren) to Weber beginning on Monday, January 10 and up until Friday, February 4 (which is the Friday before the Super Bowl!). Please consider joining our TEAM to help win this important fight against local hunger. Thank you in advance for your help with this. Please be sure to contact Diana Frisbie with any questions at 688-1170 or frisbie.diana@iccsd.k12.ia.us.