Undivided Attention!

I don't know about you, but whenever I see a doctor, I want to be sure they are giving me their undivided attention, and providing cutting edge care.  I also appreciate doctors that are willing to refer me to specialists for an even more exacting diagnosis of what is ailing me.  Not long ago, I saw one of our areas best orthopedic specialists for a running injury.  He admitted that an MRI wasn't showing him anything so he sent it to be read by one of the nation's best MRI readers.  Sure enough, she found something.  Based on that data, my original doctor, took that information and referred me yet again, to another of the areas very best to treat my injury.  That doctor gave me a shot that was guided by ultrasound, something my initial doctor could have done, but had only done a "handful" of times.  I am back to running again and particularly grateful to medical doctors that are able to prescribe the best course of action for my improvement, even if they aren't the only medical professional providing for me.

Like doctors, teachers today are very much the same when it comes to understanding a student's academic needs, and responding accordingly to screen and diagnose an individual need.  We work in teams to analyze student data and develop plans that will best meet the learners need and foster their growth.  Schools teams are made up of teachers, principals, support teachers, school social workers, and district academic specialists.  When we find that improvement is not what we would like, we analyze again.  In that way, we work collaboratively to be cutting edge, and undivided in our collective efforts to make sure your child has the very best educational experience possible.

Getting Ready for Theater

Starting Monday, January 30th, students at Sibley will once again be treated to another year of Prairie Fire Theater.  This year, their production will be Jack and the Beanstalk.  This theater experience is a long standing opportunity for students in grades 3-5 and we can't wait to see the final show.  Directors will work with our students after school for the entire week and then provide two shows; one on Friday night and one on Saturday morning.  I guarantee that you will love it.  If you have a younger student, be sure to bring them to the performance so they know what sort of fine arts opportunities lie ahead!  Both productions at the end of the week are at Southwest Middle Schools theater.

Kirk Martin Rescheduled

Kirk Martin's FREE presentation I referenced in a couple of earlier posts has been rescheduled for Thursday, January 26th at Brookside school in the gym.  The event will be from 9:30-11:30.  We realize that it is not as ideal a time as an evening presentation, but it is the best under the circumstances of his travel and commitments. Please come if you can.  You will not be disappointed.

PTO Reminders and Volunteers Needed

Sibley's Family Night is coming January 27th followed by our Fun Night on February 24th.  At the last PTO meeting, volunteers for these fun events were in short supply.  Please contact the school or your PTO should your schedule allow you to assist.  The success of these events can only be done with your assistance.  Thank you very much for volunteering.

Conferences coming in February

This is just a reminder that our February Conferences are just around the corner.  Soon, very soon, families will be receiving a letter from us that will let you know the date and time.  Remember that conferences are scheduled to occur on Thursday, February 9th (evening), Friday, February 10th (all day), and again on Thursday, February 16th (evening).  Like every opportunity you have as a parent to ask questions and continue to support your child's learning beyond the school walls, this is an important opportunity to keep.  For our fall conferences, I believe we had close to 95% attendance.  It would be great to hit that same mark or better this time around. If you have scheduling difficulties, please contact the office when you receive your letter and we'll certainly work hard to make sure that you and your teacher have an opportunity to discuss your child's learning progress.  I look forward to seeing you.

Kirk Martin Presentation Update!

Due to the weather that southern MN has received over the last 24 hours, Kirk's previously planned presentation has been put on hold.  At the time of this post, he will not be in Albert Lea on Wednesday night.  The weather has forced him to adjust his schedule.  If a make-up date is scheduled, I will post it here as well.
Stay tuned.

Kirk Martin - FREE event

Do you want to learn more about how you can create situations that will help your son or daughter be successful with others and achieve academic success?  Come listen to Kirk Martin on January 25th from 6:30-8:30pm in Southwest Middle School's auditorium (little theater).  Kirk has presented in Albert Lea before and is known as "America's Calm Coach."  He provides down to earth, easy to apply strategies for the following:

• Stop the yelling and power struggles.
• Eliminate definace, disrespect, and sibling fights.
• Improve focus, attention, and behavior in school.
• Create stress-free mornings, homework time and bedtime.
• Strategies to deal with video games and social media.

This opportunity should not be missed.  It is intended for anyone that works with students and perfect for parents and teachers of toddlers, teans and all ages.  There is no need to pre-register and remember, it is FREE.  Bring a friend.

Teri Graham's - Kids on Task Presentation

Tonight, parents who pre-registered (about 25) will have an opportunity to hear a presentation put on by Teri Graham.  The focus of the 1 and 1/2 hour presentation will be held in the Sibley Media Center and it will focus specifically on ways that parents can help kids get organized, allow for learned responsibility, ways to improve communication with your child, and ultimately provide for school success.  Childcare is provided.  This presentation is being brought to Sibley by your PTO as a requested learning opportunity for you as a parent.  Thank you to Connie Kabrud, our Parent Liaison, and Suhai Boyer, our success coach for your efforts in bringing this to us for our parents.

Happy New Year

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Holiday break and were able to enjoy their time off with family and friends.  It is hard to believe that we have already had 4 months of school and that in just as many more, it will be April and much warmer. Families, please remember that we are outside whenever the temperature allows us to be.  That means that even when it is "cold", we need to dress for the weather and are outside.  When the temperature is below 0 degrees including the windchill, we are inside.  In one of my earlier blog posts, I reminded folks of dressing for the weather.  If you need some extra warmer clothes, please let us know.  On that, I want to thank Lou Rich and Innnovance for their donating warm clothes just for this reason prior to our Winter Break.  Thank you Sue Berg and Cindy Dowd for the delivery (picture is coming), it was much appreciated.
At school in 2012, we are going to be developing parent education nights in all grades at least once over the next four months.  Some, like our 1st grade, have developed more evenings as it is a district-wide program that all elementary buildings are involved with.  They are called PIE (Parents Involved in Education).  Yes, I think there will be pie too.  Please look for information if you have a 1st grader.  Our goal at Sibley continues to be ensuring that every student make appropriate individual growth gains as determined by earlier district assessments from the fall. Aimsweb benchmark testing will be given in January in reading for all students K-5.  We will look at individual data and adjust accordingly should we find that growth is not where it should be.  Student success requires that we work together to teach our children.  We hope that you will continue to be involved and support the work done in the classroom at home.  When we find that some students are further behind that we would like, this "togetherness" could not be more important. Together, let's make it a great 2012 for our kids.