Referendum Renewal

On September 30th, at 6pm, Superintendent Funk will present information to parents and interested community members about our district's referendum renewal in November.  Please be sure to attend and bring your questions if you have them.  Our meeting will be held in the media center. You won't want to miss this informational meeting.  Bring a friend and be informed.  See you there!

Destination Imagination

 

Destination ImagiNation is an international organization that teaches creativity, teamwork and problem solving to students.  Volunteer managers meet with their team of 3-7 students for several months prior to the competition.  During this time, the team works on critical thinking, creative solutions and collaborative problem solving.  At the tournament, teams showcase their skills as they compete in their chosen challenge of technical, science, fine arts, improvisational, structural or service learning.  In addition, teams are tested to think on their feet, work together, and devise original solutions as they compete in an instant challenge.

Albert Lea has participated in this exciting program for two years.  The responses from student participants speak volumes in support of the program – “exciting, challenging, awesome, made me want to be an engineer”.  And from team managers - “I am amazed at the creativity, maturity, brain power, and ability of our Albert Lea students. Our students are being challenged to rise to new levels of rigor and commitment in academics, creativity and life goals.”

In its first year at Sibley, we were able to sponsor two teams.  That funding is a piece of our PTO's budget and they have again planned to support those teams.  However, we need your continued support to do so by being involved as parents as managers and co-managers.  Last year, although we still had the funding support, Sibley went without any teams due to the short supply and interest for managers at our school. 

Please consider being part of this stimulating opportunity as a team manager or a co-manager.  If you are able to support our students in this way, please contact your principal or Sonya Zieske (sonya.zieske@alschools.org).  You will have a most amazing experience!

Homecoming

It is Homecoming Week in our community and Sibley is taking part as well.  Each day, students are encouraged to participate in the following dress up days to show their school and community spirit.

Monday - Favorite Sports Team Day
Tuesday - Class Color Day (K=Orange, 1st=Blue, 2nd=Green, 3rd=Red, 4th=Black, and 5th=White)
Wednesday - Pajama Day
Thursday - Crazy Hair Day
Friday - Cherry and Blue Day

In addition, we are also planning a short "pep" fest with different high school team captains talking about sportsmanship.  I wonder if the Tiger will show up again?  A couple of year's ago, while I was talking to students, he kidnapped me and told them they wouldn't see me again unless they went to the football game.

At the game, I want to encourage parents to attend with their children.  Continue to help us teach students about being involved in their school and community in a positive way.  Dropping elementary students off unattended is not advised and discouraged.

Remember, all Albert Lea students get into the homecoming game for FREE.  GO TIGERS!!

Making some sense of tests

August 27th marked the release date of state assessment results across the state.  These annual tests, given each spring, are required by state and federal law.  We use them as one tool to help determine a student's progress in meeting expectations on Minnesota state standards for reading, math, and science.  Reading and Math assessments are given to students in grades 3-5, and Science is only given to students in grade 5.  

So how did our school and students do? At Sibley 73.1% of our students were proficient in math, 64.3% in reading, and 60.9% in Science.

When comparing Sibley against the state, the state was 60% proficient in math, 57.6% in reading, and 52.4% in Science.

Yes, Sibley exceeded the proficiency levels on all three assessments when compared to the state.  When  referring to "the state," realize that this is a comparison to ALL students across Minnesota enrolled in grades 3-5 last school year.

Some things to keep in mind when analyzing "end of year," or summative tests.  Take them for what they are worth.  They are not excuses, but facts to recognize when reviewing any school's assessment data in our state.

• 2013 was the first year students took new forms of the reading test based on a much more challenging set of reading standards.
• All three tests are given to our students online.
• The math test in 2012 allowed students to take the test three times and use their highest score.
• This was not the case in 2013 where students were allowed one opportunity in the spring.

Although proficiency results are one way to determine instructional effectiveness, trend data is much more valuable.  Trend data becomes a better way for determining progress, deficiencies needing attention, and validation for growth being made by any school.

In reading since 2009, Sibley shows the following trend in proficiency: 75.4%, 69.7%, 73.5%, 76%, and 64.3%.  

In math since 2009, Sibley shows the following trend in proficiency: 74.2%, 68.5%, 63.4%, 68.2%, and 73.1%.

Did the change in the statewide reading assessment and standards impact things? Yes, and this can be seen statewide.  However, increasing the level of rigor in our standards is a good thing.  Sibley's math trend is certainly something to follow!

Welcome Back!

This week marks the beginning of the school year for Sibley as we opened our doors August 28-29 for our back to school student interviews and conferences.  We were also treated to a taco bar put on by our PTO.  Thank you parents! It was awesome.

It wasn't until last week that staff were actually able to be in our wonderful building.  In case you didn't know, Sibley received a brand new HVAC system over the summer.  I apologize if this was an inconvenience for you, but it was necessary and certainly appreciated now.  As other schools are currently struggling in the area with heat, we are not.  With a new de-humidification system (air conditioning) we are enjoying ourselves.  This system will allow us to better regulate temperature throughout the year and provide for a dramatic increase in the fresh air that circulates the building.

As your principal, I am thrilled to start another year with students.  We have a phenomenal staff that is eager to begin.  We believe that all students can learn at high levels and we are committed to this belief as it is at the core of what we do.  At Sibley, teachers and teams work collaboratively to answer four key questions: 1)What do we want students to learn? 2)How do we know they have learned it? 3)What do we do if they don't know it? 4)How do we respond when they do know it?

Through ongoing and careful analysis of student learning, we are forced to analyze ourselves first.  Just because we "taught" it, doesn't necessarily mean that it has been "learned."  I don't know about your experience in school, but my sometimes lack of desired progress, left me feeling like it (learning) was my fault. We don't want that to be your experience, and so we look at things a lot differently at Sibley.

We know that a great education is a joint effort.  Having said that, we recognize that there are certain aspects of school that might seem foreign to you.  If you ever leave a conference, school event, meeting, hear or read something that isn't clear, do not hesitate to give me a call.  As a parent, your child's success in school is our number one priority.  Feedback, even critical feedback, can only help us improve what we do.

Have a great year!

Gifted and Talent Development 2012-2013

Our district’s Gifted and Talent Development program is committed to providing rigorous instructional programs that encourage all students to realize their full potential as learners. A continuum of programs and services are provided.

One component of the program involves the gifted and talented interventionist working with a small group of identified students at each elementary school, grades 3, 4 and 5. During this weekly session, instruction is differentiated to support advanced-level and extended learning. Some of the units this year include integrated studies based on survival, ancient civilizations, interdependence, and math functions and systems. The focus of the curriculum is to foster the development of critical, abstract and creative thinking and problem-solving.

Each elementary school had two teams competing in the Math Masters of Minnesota challenge. Math Masters is designed to promote excellence in critical thinking skills and problem solving abilities as well as to provide recognition for students for academic effort and achievement. Our district was well represented, with several students receiving placement awards in both the problem-solving and the order of operations component. Sibley: Kolby Johnson, Cole Indrelie, Madalyn Peterson, Karter Kenis, Marty Syverson, Emma Renchin, Aleighya Zak, Samanatha Skarstad, Syndney Collins, Carson Stadheim, Alma Navarrete, Rylee Bjorklund, Coached by Christine Schaefer

This year approximately 75 students were involved in Chess Clubs district-wide. The opportunity to learn and play chess as well as develop strategies was an exciting focus for these after-school meetings. Clubs at each of the four elementary buildings, Southwest Middle School, and Albert Lea High School were coached by staff and volunteers. Elementary students had the opportunity to compete in a tournament held at the Albert Lea Family Y on Apr. 27. The response of students to the Chess Clubs was overwhelming, as indicated by the large number of students pursuing their interest in chess.

Other opportunities include the district spelling bee, with two fifth-grade students form each elementary school participating, and the district Science Fair which is open to all students in grades 3-6.

The Gifted and Talent Development program continues to evolve, with plans to continue the current offerings while adding additional opportunities over the next years. At the forefront of all programming is our district’s focus on student learning and providing resources with a strong research-base that will best meet the needs of our students.

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.