Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA's)

Every April, students in grades 3-6 take the MCA's in Reading and Math.  This week, students have begun those tests.  As many would attest, tests can make one nervous but students should try not to worry about them.  My advice is always to get a good night's sleep, something to eat, and take the time to work slowly and carefully.  Most of the time when mistakes are made, they are made out of haste. 
So you know, the results of these assessments will come out individually for your review during the summer.  The tests themselves will compare your child with others in the same grade state-wide and the results of these tests also determine if a school has made Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) as defined under No Child Left Behind (NCLB).  Last year, Sibley did not make AYP, and so through the course of the year, and based on our student individual data, we have made some adjustments to programming and instructional practices.
If one has questions about the result of the tests or how to interpret them, don't hesitate to contact your child's teacher or your Principal.

Peggy Bennett - District 241 Teacher of the Year!

Every year, our district goes looking for input from people to make their vote for who they believe should be our District 241, Teacher of the Year.  We have a local committee that works hard organizing and promoting this great program.  Committee members include teachers and community members and anyone can nominate.  Peggy Bennett has been teaching 1st grade for a very long time and teaching is no doubt her passion.  She has been nominated numerous times prior to winning this year, and has positively impacted countless of students and families in her years teaching at Sibley.  Peggy is always looking for way to motivate and encourage students to be there best and enthused about reading.  On several occassions, she has even co-authored student stories with reading groups allowing them to create, write, and read their stories to a wider audience.  She is alwasy looking for ways to integrate techology in her classroom and has been a district leader and state-wide presenter in the use of Smartboards.  Peggy is a passionate educator and goes beyond expectations to meet the needs of her students.  With that said, Peggy is also representative of all the great teachers and staff that work in our district, and humbly accepted the honor on their behalf as well.  In her acceptance, she turned the light on everyone else in the room knowing that she could never do what she does without the great support from her teaching colleagues, custodial staff, food service personnel, suppot staff, and adminisration.  Thank you Peggy and Congratulations!!

Reading Corps

For the last two school years, Sibley has been fortunate enough to host a Reading Corps member whose sole purpose and training is in delivering research based reading interventions to students in grades K-3.  These students are not eligible for any other district support services like special education, or Title 1.  However, they qualify to work with a Reading Corps Literacy member by showing "just below" grade level expectations in reading.  Through careful work with a member, these students are brought to grade level and then monitored the rest of the school year to assure that they stay at their grade level benchmark in reading.  To date, Sibley has had about 15-16 students reach grade level and then be monitored.  It is a great program and it comes at no cost, other than "in kind" contributions on the part of the school district.  The best part of this program is that it is growing. This year, Lakeview and Hawthorne both requested and received a literacy tutor and next year (11-12) Halverson will as well.  Read the latest local news about Reading Corps.  If you, or someone you know, is interested in applying, please do so at the following website

Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah!!

Thanks to everyone that made this year's spring production of Alice in Wonderland a success.  This was probably one of the most "theatrical" 4-6 musicals we have done with several individuals needing to know their lines, some solo singing, and some pretty extravagant props.  It is wonderful to be able to provide this opportunity to our students and we hope that you would agree.  Our high school auditorium is the perfect place for this to occur and a great way for more families to attend by providing this event in the evening. This is something we look forward to having next year.  It is also important to note that students in grades 4-6 work hard in selecting the musical they perform.  There is a lot of sharing,debate, and finally a vote is cast.  Who knows what next year will bring, but we know it will be great. 

Alice in Wonderland

Don't miss out on a great performance coming Thursday.  Our annual spring musical will be performed by our students in grades 4-6 at the High School at 7pm.  They have been practicing hard all week and are eager for Thursday evening.  The songs are great and the props are awesome. Don't miss it. See you there.

Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten registration is underway.  We will be hosting registration at Brookside on March 1st from 9-11am and also Thursday evening from 5-7pm.  We look forward to the new year and seeing your student in our school.  When you come to register, you will want to be sure you have an updated copy of your child's immunization records and birth certificate.  In addition, you will be asked to register in the school attendance area that you currently reside.  If there are changes, that information will be communicated sometime in May.

I Love to Read Month wraps up

March 4th, marks the conclusion of February's "I Love to Read Month."  Throughout the course of the month, numerous activities were planning to support our love and encourage your child's love for reading. No, it isn't that we only do that one month a year.  Developing a lifelong passion for reading is something we work towards all year and hopefully it carries itself into and throughout the summer.  Throughout the month, at varying times, we instituted a ROAR (Reach Out and Read) period.  When students heard the announcement for ROAR over our intercom system, all activities were stopped and everyone in the building picked up a book.  They loved it and so did we.  We also had students writing about books, creating reading badges, and had older students partnering with their younger "buddy" to read together.  On March 4th, we are wrapping up our month by hosting community leaders who will read to and with your child's classroom.  Thanks to all of those who have agreed to be a part of this special day and for the efforts of Linda Bottleson (Reading Corps Volunteer Coordinator), Brenda Reeder (media specialist), for spearheading the activities and ideas I've described in celebration of "I Love to Read Month. Please keep encouraging your child's reading. 

Overdue Post

Conferences were a success. Thank you for coming and for those that provided your input via our survey.  I hope the majority of your time was spent planning for achieving the academic goals that you, your child, and your child's teacher has set.  Confernces are truly the time for this to occur and meant to be a "together" type of process.  Based on the survey, we will continue to make adjustments and look for ways to enhance the supervision that we have in the morning and afternoon.  Some of those changes had already been made based upon the fall information we received from you.  In the afternoon, teachers do exit the building with their students, at least one from every grade level, to assure that your child gets on the bus safely or begins their walk on the right foot.  Sorry, no pun intended.  Most recently, we adjusted some things in the am to alleviate the congestion during the morning drop off.  Now, we have a supervisor at the front of the building during a set time to keep things moving and provide adequate supervision for those waiting to enter the building and who do not eat or get dropped on Front Street.  This last change has saved about 3-4 minutes and has certainly helped with getting students to class on time.