2013 Summer Learning Opportunities

Who: Students that need to build skills in reading, math, and writing, as well as organization and social skills.  Qualification is based upon a child's performance that is determined below grade level in reading, math, and writing.  Grades K-4.

What:  A state funded program giving students the opportunity for continued learning for 4 weeks during the summer with a licensed MN teacher.  There is no cost to attend.  Free breakfast and lunch is provided along with some limited busing.

When:  July 15-August 8, M-Th 8-12pm.

Where: Hawthorne Elementary (All elementary school students will attend one location: Hawthorne)

Program Goals -
1.  Provide academic support and build basic skills in reading, math, and writing
2.  Support methods and instructional strategies that are effective in strengthening the core curriculum
3.  Increase critical reading skills, strategies, and comprehension
4.  Encourage reading enjoyment
5.  Promote self-concept and increased motivation

If you have questions about qualification, please contact your child's teacher if you are unsure.  In all buildings, teachers will make recommendations and we hope that you are able to take advantage of their recommendations.

Thank you.

Attention 5th graders - FREE Sports Physicals

This Thursday, May 23rd, the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Albert Lea will be conducting FREE SPORTS PHYSICALS for students. While the Middle School Athletics (Football, Volleyball, and Golf) will not require a physical next year for 6th grader participation, there may be some activities students participate in outside of the school that may require one. The clinic starts at 4:30 PM and there are blue registration folders are available at Sibley, SWMS, and ALHS for this FREE clinic. Consider taking advantage of this ONCE-A-YEAR opportunity depending upon your sport interests and needs.
This information is primarily for grade 5 students in our district as they move onto our middle school. 

Thank you.

Check out books from your child's school - YES!

Your student may be able to checkout library materials from our school media center the last week of school and keep the books for the summer!!  We are encouraging students to continue reading over the summer.  On Tuesday, June 4 through Wednesday, June 5, students will be able to check-out up to 20 items from the Media Center. The hours will be 7:30-11:30 and 12:15-3:45. Students must come with an adult guardian/parent during the hours described.  You will be asked to sign an agreement to check out material.  As a parent, please don't let your child's lack of reading or access to books they like be a reason they don't read this summer.  This is our way of continuing to partner and work with you even into the summer.  Please take advantage of this opportunity.

Do Something about Summer Learning Loss!

You can control summer learning loss!  More than 100 years of research continues to show that students lose ground academically when they are out of school for the summer.  Lost time in the summer slows students’ progress towards the goal of 3rd grade reading proficiency.  By the end of fifth grade, disadvantaged children are nearly three grade equivalents behind their more affluent peers in reading.

What can YOU do to turn typical summer learning loss into summer learning GAINS?
 Make time for your child to read at least 20 minutes a day.
 Make sure the books your child reads are of interest to them and at the right reading level. (Remind your student to follow their teacher’s directions on how to pick out “good fit” or “just right” books.)
 Help your child have access to lots and lots of books by visiting the public library on a regular basis or taking advantage of your child’s elementary school summer book lending program.

HVAC upgrade coming to Sibley

Dear Sibley Families,
This summer, Sibley will be undergoing a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) upgrade. Because of this project, Sibley students will be having their last day of school on June 5th. Hopefully, this will help you plan accordingly for your student and family. Getting out a day early is the same schedule followed last year at Hawthorne, as they were one of the first schools to receive this system upgrade. At this time, Sibley is the only school scheduled for this work this summer.
What will all this mean? Having a new system will further increase the indoor air quality in the building as handlers will move more outside air throughout. Most ceilings will be lowered slightly to adapt new ductwork for us. Newer controls will allow the building to have a more evenly regulated temperature than is currently the case. We will also be having a dehumidification system installed. A dehumidification system will allow us to be more comfortable on days when heat and high humidity are factors.
We are excited to have this work done and for what it will mean next school year. If you have questions about any of this information, please do not hesitate to give us a call. Although office staff will be relocated to Hawthorne during this work, you can still reach us at 379-5080.
Sincerely,

Ross Williams

Reschedule Reminders!

Conferences rescheduled due to weather - March 21st
PTO's Family Fun Night - March 22nd
PTO's Morning Muffins - March 22nd

Literacy Tutors with Reading Corps sought for 2013-2014

Next school year, Sibley Elementary School will once again be host to a Minnesota Reading Corps (MRC), Literacy Tutor position as well as a Volunteer Coordinator. MRC is an AmeriCorps program that is reducing illiteracy among our youngest generation (K-3). Did you know that one in every five third-graders in Minnesota does not read at grade level?

MRC works with Minnesota schools, volunteers, families and community partners to provide proven, data-driven literacy models to at-risk children. All members are trained in state-of-the-art literacy research and become the vehicle of these proven methods as they work one-on-one with identified students throughout the year.
Children who don’t read at grade level by the end of third grade are at high risk of falling behind in all school subjects. This is why, MRC and Sibley are teaming again to recruit and train a member for next school year. Please help us spread the word. Our program this year has had great success as several of the students are now at their appropriate grade level in reading.
If you, or someone you know is interested in helping serve as a literacy tutor, don’t hesitate to call or inquire with Sibley’s Principal, Ross Williams at 379-5081. He can answer any questions you have. Details about the position can be found at the following link or you can apply online here.

When you serve full-time for one year with MRC, you may be interested in their health care coverage, a semimonthly stipend and an education award of $5,550. Service adds to any successful career and spending a year in a school is an ideal way to make connections and find your career path. Building our communities is a shared responsibility. Who better than you to help us end illiteracy in Minnesota?

Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA)

If you are a parent of a 3-5 grader and attended the spring musical, you will also have been provided information about the upcoming state assessments known as the MCA's.  This is a required assessment that is given to all students in grades 3-5 in Reading, Math, and Science.  Grade 5 is the only grade that will take the Science assessment.  All of these are given via the computer and therefore "online."  Depending upon the grade, you'll be getting further information from the school and classroom as we approach the month of April.  We do get asked about them often and wanted to be sure you had information about them; what they are, why they are given, and what they mean for you as parents.  Attached are also a few pictures illustrating Sibley's proficiency on these assessments over the last few years.  We have done well and will continue to improve.  That results of these assessments validates the learning we monitor each year and with each student.     

As a parent, if you have any questions about these assessments, please don't hesitate to contact your child's teacher or me.