Morning Muffin "Thank You!"

On November 14th, Sibley PTO hosted our annual Morning Muffins where parents and families join together for a morning of muffins, coffee, and conversation with students and staff.  It was the most well attended Morning Muffin event we have ever had!!!  This year, we ordered 300 muffins that were gone in 15 minutes.  In addition, teachers helped in serving the muffins, juice, and coffee as well as students having the opportunity to be entered into a drawing and receive FREE books!  We will definitely need to re-think our ordering and some logistical elements to better accommodate people next year.  Thank you for coming and for also applauding the outstanding turn out and parental involvement we have at Sibley.

Veteran's Day Program

Veteran's Day 

Dr. Mike Funk

This year, in honor of Veteran's day, students at Sibley learned about the different branches of our military in a short presentation from Dr. Mike Funk, our superintendent.  It was pretty cool as he also wore his camouflage as opposed to his "day job" dress as a school superintendent.  In addition, students had previously submitted pictures of relatives that have served our country in a recognition ceremony.  Thank you Veteran's for your sacrifice and service so that we are able to have those things we hold dear to us as Americans. It was a special day at Sibley.

Last Friday was our 3rd Annual PTO sponsored fundraiser known as "Stroll for a Goal."  This year, students raised over 24,500 dollars which shattered our previous record from last year at the 21,900 dollar mark.  The weather was fabulous and so was our effort as students walked 3 miles in the neighborhoods surrounding Sibley School.  Thank you PTO, our school and larger community, and all of those who pledged to our cause.  Your support will continue to help supplement some of the great activities that our students experience from Fun Night to additional educational field trips to hosting Prairie Fire Theater.  Sibley PTO is currently looking to put forth a significant dollar amount to help with improving the playground and adjacent hard surface areas for students.  This is a project that will probably not occur this fall as bids and needs are currently being addressed.

Walk-a-thon Update

Last week Friday was slated to be our school walk-a-thon event in conjunction with our Homecoming festivities. Due to weather, we had to postpone that event until this week.  Sibley is in its 3rd year of running a walk-a-thon as its only fundraising event sponsored by our parent group.  For the last couple of years, the money raised has continue to fund many of the activities that our PTO provides from author visits to field trips and class parties.  In our first year, Sibley students raised over 16000. In year 2, we raised over 19000.  This year, students were excited about breaking the previous mark and set a new mark in terms of goal achievement.  Well, they certainly did that and then some.  This year, Sibley raised over the 24000 mark.  Currently, our focus on raised funds and savings is to improve our playground area and are currently in the planning process for this.  Thanks to everyone that contributed something to our cause.  Feedback we have gotten is that fundraisers like this are so much more meaningful and we couldn't agree.  We don't plan to sell items and are please that with your donations...big or small, 100% of the money goes directly back to our students and Sibley's PTO.  Well done students!!!

Homecoming Week at Sibley

This week, we will be busy and having a blast as we participate in Homecoming 2014.  Throughout the week, students at Sibley will have opportunities to show their school spirit by participating in several dress up days, host some high school royalty during our lunch mid-week, learn about sportsmanship, and have a mini-pep fest on Friday.  In the past, the Tiger himself has shown up to cause some mischief by kidnapping me.  I wonder what, if anything, will be in store this year?  In addition to homecoming, our students will also be participating in their walk this year on Homecoming Friday.  Sibley's Stroll-For-A-Goal is going into its 3rd year and we hope to break the 20,000 dollar mark.  This has been a well run, and well worth it fundraiser as 100% of the proceeds go directly back to Sibley students; there isn't a better way to raise money for a good cause by being active.  Our PTO has currently allocated funds from last year to improve our playground, and they hope to add to it with money this year.  Go Tigers!

Stamina

Last week, I discussed with students the importance of developing reading stamina.  All teachers spend the first 30 days of school developing this as part of their instructional routines to ensure long term success throughout the year.  Developing reading stamina allows students to read for increasingly extended periods of time, trains muscle memory and develops their ability to focus.   Teachers will continually work to ensure that students are engaged in "good fit books" at a student's instructional level within their browsing boxes.  These books are often books that your child has read with the teacher during guided reading.  Feel free to inquire about your child's stamina and reading level with your child's teacher.  What is important to realize is that although there are general grade level indicators of an "at level" reader, growth in reading is what we are all striving for.  Through the application of  reading strategies taught by your child's teacher, increasing one's stamina, and reading text at an appropriate level, your child will experience reading gains and grow as a reader.  If reading seems confusing, or hard to support at home, it isn't and we can help, so give us a call.    

Off and Running......

With the start of our 3rd week of school, it has been awhile since my last post.  The "beginnings" of anything, are certainly not going to be without a few items that need minor adjustments and course corrections.  For some, this is inherently frustrating, but knowing they are bound to happen can minimize those frustrations.  It is for that reason, the first week of school I shared a letter of logistical items for parents concerning lunch, health and wellness, and bus pick up and drop off.  If we all follow these items, it will make smooth sailing for everyone and alleviate stress.  One item to highlight again is the request we are making that nuts and nut products not enter Sibley so that all students can experience a safe learning environment.  If we do not follow those procedures outlined by our district nurse, we may jeopardize those of us that have severe reactions to nuts.  This isn't something we would want for anyone.  If you have questions about any of the items listed in my letter above, please let me know.

PTO Update and Meeting Change

Earlier, the following e-mail went out to remind us of the first PTO meeting of the year. 

 "Mark your calendars:  The August Sibley PTO meeting will be held on Monday, August 11th at 5:30 in the Sibley Conference Room. Thanks!"

At this time, we are looking to schedule our first meeting on Monday, August 18^th at 5:30 instead.  Please note the change.  I also recognize that within that PTO e-mail list, there were many of you that no longer have ties to Sibley.  We are going to be working to make sure that our distribution list is updated, but bear with us until we are able to find someone to help us with that.  It has been a great communication tool for us and we do want to continue that for all of our Sibley families that are interested.  As an organization, our students benefit greatly from your involvement and work.  Without your efforts as parents, we wouldn’t have family nights we have, the wonderful walk-a-thon fundraiser, fun nights, parties, additional class field trips, or book fairs.  Yes, please be willing to continue to be actively involved in our school and serving on PTO.  At this time, we do not have a President or Vice President for the 14-15 year.  In the past, both were also very active in organizing some of the things I listed earlier.  Please do what you can to help our school community recruit and thanks in advance for your involvement.

 *Please continue to look for school information on the district and school websites, as well as this blog and my twitter account.  Some information is duplicated across these outlets, but that is purposeful.  I encourage you to follow me on twitter as well as subscribing to my blog posts.