Sibley Star-December 2012

Dear Families,
December 2012
Newsletter
Scott Sannes,
Principal
507.645.3470
Attendance Line
507.645.3474
Happy Holiday Season! December is a busy month. It has traditionally been the time for music concerts and other fun-filled activities. This December is no different. Individual music class concerts
will take place the week of December 17th. Dates and times for the music class concerts, as well as
other events, can be found in this edition of The Sibley Star.
Thank you to those of you who took time to complete our survey a few weeks ago. We appreciate
when we can gather feedback from so many of you in a short amount of time. When the survey
closed, we had 195 completed surveys. While sharing all of the survey data is difficult, I’d like to
share what we can. On the following page you will see how survey participants responded.
The Sibley Site Council will review all the data, including the comments portion of the survey. We
will use this information to look at potential changes in our practice as well as reinforcement for
what’s going well. Again, we appreciate the feedback we received from all of you who participated.
Another survey will sent to you later this year.
On behalf of the Sibley staff, I’d like to thank all of you who contributed to the PTO sponsored walka-thon in October. As a result of your contributions, we were able to purchase 12 additional classroom
amplification systems for Sibley. Those systems will be installed the first week of December. We are
also in the process of purchasing leveled non-fiction reading materials to compliment our leveled book
library. All of this is possible because of your donations. Thank you!
If you have any questions or concerns about your child or Sibley Elementary in general, please contact
me at scott.sannes@nfld.k12.mn.us or 645-3470. Enjoy the holidays!
Sincerely,
Scott Sannes
Sibley Elementary Family Survey 20122012-13
Please rate the following aspects of our work.
Strongly
Answer Options
Disagree
I feel welcome at Sibley Elementary
3
I am informed about my child’s progress
I know what my child’s teacher expects
of my child
My child is safe at Sibley Elementary
My child is safe going to and from Sibley
Elementary
There is adequate supervision during
school
There is adequate supervision before
and after school
Teachers show respect for the students
Students show respect for other students
Sibley Elementary meets the social
needs of the students
Sibley Elementary meets the academic
needs of the students
Sibley Elementary expects quality work
of its students
Sibley Elementary has an excellent
learning environment
I know how well my child is progressing
in school
My child's individual educational needs
are being addressed
My child's teacher communicates well
with families
The principal communicates well with
families
I trust the Sibley Elementary teachers
I trust the Sibley Elementary principal
Overall, the school performs well academically
Sibley Elementary succeeds at preparing children for future academics
Sibley Elementary has a good public
image
Sibley's assessment practices are fair
My child’s teacher helps me to help my
child learn at home
I support my child’s learning at home
I feel good about myself as a parent
77
Strongly
Agree
114
Rating
Average
3.55
Response
Count
195
4
95
92
3.42
194
3
5
104
82
3.37
194
2
1
58
133
3.66
194
2
6
83
103
3.48
194
2
5
85
98
3.47
190
2
8
95
82
3.37
187
2
0
74
115
3.58
191
2
10
123
57
3.22
192
3
7
99
82
3.36
191
3
7
97
85
3.38
192
2
5
90
96
3.45
193
2
5
89
96
3.45
192
3
9
99
83
3.35
194
4
13
92
83
3.32
192
3
7
68
115
3.53
193
3
5
68
117
3.55
193
2
3
0
3
84
58
108
129
3.54
3.62
194
193
2
1
89
101
3.50
193
2
5
97
89
3.41
193
2
2
63
126
3.62
193
2
9
87
90
3.41
188
3
10
85
94
3.41
192
2
3
0
0
42
71
150
119
3.75
3.59
194
193
Disagree
Agree
1
3
answered question
skipped question
195
0
¡Felices fiestas! Diciembre es un mes muy atareado. Tradicionalmente es una época para conciertos de música y otras actividades
divertidas. Este mes de diciembre es un típico mes de diciembre con una serie de conciertos para cada salón de clases en la semana
del 17 de diciembre. Las fechas y las horas de los conciertos de cada salón de clases, así como otros eventos, se pueden encontrar en
esta edición del Sibley Star.
Muchas gracias a todos aquellos que dedicaron parte de su tiempo a contestar nuestra encuesta de hace unas semanas. Agradecemos
mucho la información que muchos de ustedes nos dan en tan poco tiempo. Cuando se cerró la encuesta teníamos 195 respuestas.
Compartir con ustedes todos los resultados es complicado pero me gustaría compartir con ustedes parte de la encuesta. Más abajo
pueden ver lo que contestaron los que participaron.
El consejo de Sibley va a revisar todos los datos, incluyendo los comentarios al final de la encuesta. Vamos a utilizar esta
información para identificar posibles cambios que tengamos que hacer así como seguir trabajando en aquellas áreas que van bien. De
nuevo, apreciamos la información que recibimos de todos los que participaron. Al final del año les enviaremos una nueva encuesta.
De parte de los que trabajamos en Sibley, me gustaría darles las gracias a todos los que ayudaron en la actividad patrocinada por el
PTO del Walk-A-Thon en octubre. Como resultado de sus donaciones, pudimos comprar 12 sistemas de amplificación de sonido
para los salones de clases de Sibley. Estos sistemas se instalarán la primera semana de diciembre. También estamos comprando
libros de no ficción por niveles para seguir expandiendo nuestra biblioteca de libros por niveles. Todo esto es posible gracias a sus
donaciones. ¡Gracias!
Si tienen preguntas o preocupaciones sobre su hijo/a o sobre Sibley en general, por favor, pónganse en contacto conmigo en el email
scott.sannes@nfld.k12.mn.us o llamando al teléfono 645-3470. ¡Espero que disfruten de las fiestas!
Atentamente,
Scott Sannes
Traducción: Mar Valdecantos
Encuesta a las familias de Sibley Elementary 20122012-13
Por favor, valore los siguientes aspectos de nuestro trabajo.
Completa
En
mente en
Conteste a las preguntas
desacuer
desacuerd
do
o
Me siento bienvenido en Sibley
3
1
Estoy informado/a del progreso de mi hijo/
3
4
a
Sé lo que el maestro/la maestra de mi hijo/
3
5
a espera de mi hijo/a
Mi hijo/a está seguro/a en Sibley
2
1
Elementary
Mi hijo/a está seguro/a yendo y volviendo
2
6
de Sibley Elementary
Hay suficiente supervisión durante la
2
5
escuela
Hay suficiente supervisión antes y después
2
8
de la escuela
Los maestros son respetuosos con los
2
0
estudiantes
Los estudiantes se respetan los unos a los
2
10
otros
Sibley Elementary satisface las
3
7
necesidades sociales de los estudiantes
Sibley Elementary satisface las
necesidades académicas de los
3
7
estudiantes
Sibley Elementary espera que los
estudiantes estudien mucho y lo hagan
2
5
bien
Sibley Elementary tiene un excelente
2
5
ambiente de aprendizaje
Sé si mi hijo/a está mejorando en la
3
9
escuela
Las necesidades individuales de mi hijo/a
4
13
se tienen en cuenta
El maestro o maestra de mi hijo/a se
3
7
comunica bien con las familias
El director se comunica bien con las
3
5
familias
Confío en los maestros de Sibley
2
0
Elementary
3
3
Confío en el director de Sibley Elementary
En general, la escuela va bien
2
1
académicamente
Sibley Elementary logra preparar bien a los
niños para su futuro académico y de
2
5
aprendizaje
Sibley Elementary tiene una buena imagen
2
2
pública
Los exámenes y evaluaciones de Sibley
2
9
son justos
El maestro o maestra de mi hijo/a me
ayuda para que ayude a mi hijo a que
3
10
aprenda en casa
2
0
Apoyo el aprendizaje de mi hijo/a en casa
Me siento bien de mí mismo como padre/
3
0
madre
De
acuerdo
Muy de
acuerdo
Valoración
media
Número
de
respuestas
77
114
3.55
195
95
92
3.42
194
104
82
3.37
194
58
133
3.66
194
83
103
3.48
194
85
98
3.47
190
95
82
3.37
187
74
115
3.58
191
123
57
3.22
192
99
82
3.36
191
97
85
3.38
192
90
96
3.45
193
89
96
3.45
192
99
83
3.35
194
92
83
3.32
192
68
115
3.53
193
68
117
3.55
193
84
108
3.54
194
58
129
3.62
193
89
101
3.50
193
97
89
3.41
193
63
126
3.62
193
87
90
3.41
188
85
94
3.41
192
42
150
3.75
194
71
119
3.59
193
Preguntas contestadas
Preguntas no contestadas
195
0
December 2012
Monday
Tuesday
3
4
Wednesday
Thursday
5
6
1 Hour Late Start
10
11
17
18
4th & 5th grade Orchestra Band Concert- 7:00 p.m.
Concert- Middle School @
@ Middle School
7:00 pm
24
Friday
7
Student Council Meeting
7:45 a.m.
12
13
14
1 Hour Late Start
Site Council Meeting
7:30-8:15 a.m.
Earthling Meeting
7:30 a.m.
19
20
1 Hour Late Start
Music Class Concerts:
Music Class Concerts: •8:25 - Jandro
•10:30 Otte (AM)
•12:30 - Erickson
•12:55 -Pfefferle
•1:20 - Linkous
•1:45 - Heil
•2:10 - Schuerman
•2:15 - Otte (PM)
•2:35 - Beck
25
26
•8:50 - Guggisberg
•9:15 - Johnson
•9:40 - Fox
•10:05 - Day
•10:30 - Baragary
•2:10 - Seeberg
•2:35 - Witt
21
Music Class Concerts:
•8:25 - Spitzack
•8:50 - Morris
•9:15 - Haar
•9:40 - Pemrick
•10:05 - Foley
•10:30 - Ostermann
•1:20 - Sieger
•1:45 - Vitito
27
28
No School - Winter Break
29
30
31
Mark your calendars for these upcoming events!
1/4 - Student Council Meeting 7:45 a.m.
1/11 - Earthling Meeting 7:30 a.m.
1/21 - No School; MLK Jr’s Birthday/ Teacher Workday
1/28 - No School; Teacher Workday
2/1 - Student Council Meeting
2/8 - Earthling Meeting
.
Student Messages…
Cold Weather Reminder…
If you have a message that you want delivered to your
child during school hours, please call the Sibley Office at
645-3470 by 2:30 p.m. Notes are delivered to classrooms
at that time.
As we enter the month of November, please send warm
outdoor apparel for your students to wear during recess.
All students will be outside each day unless there is
inclement weather. Also,
please make sure to label
your child’s outdoor
gear.
Check out the Lost and Found…
If your child is missing any items, make sure to check out the lost
and found. It’s next to the Music Room in the back of the school.
The lost items are starting to pile up. All unclaimed items will be
packed up and donated December 21st, the day before Winter
Break.
Student Council News - Mrs. Haar and Mrs. Fox
Student council just finished heading up our first service project of the year, collecting coins for Pennies for Patients. Pennies for Patients is in its 16th year. It has given students the opportunity to help raise awareness and funds in honor of local patients battling a
blood cancer like leukemia. By collecting spare change, kids have raised more than $211 million for research and patient services.
In the skylight commons each classroom had a chart showing their coin total throughout the two week collection period. The classroom bringing in the most money was treated to a Domino’s pizza party. Mr. Guggisberg’s 3rd grade class brought in the most with
$390.87. All together Sibley Elementary students raised $3,033.02. Thank you families for giving so generously.
Currently, students have been bringing in new, unwrapped gifts for our annual toy drive. The Northfield Community Action
Council sponsors a gift distribution for income eligible families who have children age 18 and younger and live in the Northfield
Public School district. We will continue to collect gifts through Friday, December 7th.
Physical Education-Andy Jaynes & Ryan Pietsch
Greetings from the Physical Education Department! As we move into the winter months, students
are reminded to wear their gym shoes for PE. Students will not be allowed to participate with boots.
In the month of December students can look forward to units in basketball and team cooperatives.
Third, Fourth, and Fifth graders can also look forward to our December class competition in fitness.
We will also continue to spend a significant amount of time on fitness and exercise, as well as educating students on the many benefits of lifelong fitness and activity. When students return from Holiday
break they can look forward to units in Winter Olympics, floor hockey, and
bowling. If you ever have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at
school using the main school line or our emails found on the school website.
Happy Holidays
Choir News - Holly Fischer
Thanks so much to our Sibley Silver Star Choirs for their hard work getting ready for our fall concert. It is a wonderful thing to work with such talented musicians. Thanks also to our grown-ups
who accompanied the choirs. What fun to make music all together!
Health Office - Jane Ehlers
There are often many questions about head lice. The information I use is from the Minnesota Department of Health. It provides
great information about Pediculosis (head lice).
Parents are encouraged to check their children’s heads for lice on a regular basis throughout the year.
Families should not depend on someone else to check a child’s head- this may delay treatment.
Facts to know about Head Lice:
•
Head Lice are about 1/10 to 1/8 of an inch long and make their home in human hair and feed on human blood.
•
They multiply rapidly laying small grayish-colored oval-shaped eggs (called nits).
Signs of Head Lice Infestation:
•
You can see the nits if you look closely. They glue to the base of the hair close to the scalp along the hairline at
the back of the head, neck and behind the ears.
They cannot easily be flicked off, like hairspray, gels or dandruff.
•
Persistent itching of the scalp which is sometimes accompanied by infected scratch marks or what appears to be a
rash.
How does infestation occur:
•
Direct contact with an infested person
•
Sharing personal items such as combs, brushes, other hair-care items, towels and pillowcases
•
Sharing clothing, headgear (hats, scarves, helmets, etc.), ribbons and other head coverings.
Treatment and Control:
•
Prescription or over-the-counter medicated (lice killing) product, such as creams (Nix), shampoos (RID, R&C)
and prescription drugs (Ovide).
•
Lice are usually killed within one treatment, however a second treatment 7-10 days is often necessary.
•
Nit combs are recommended because they do not just fall off the hair.
Clean Up: head lice cannot survive off the human body for more than 2 days.
•
Wash bedding in hot water (above 130 degrees F) and dry in a hot dryer.
•
Clothing or bedding that cannot be washed may be dry cleaned or sealed in a double plastic bag for 2 weeks.
•
Clean combs, brushes and similar items by
o
Soaking in medicated shampoos for 10 minutes or
o
Soaking in 2% Lysol solution for one hour or
o
Heating in water of at least 130 degrees F for 10 minutes.
•
Clean floors, carpeting and furniture by thorough vacuuming only.
Jane M. Ehlers RN
School Nurse
Sibley Elementary School
507-645-3475
Weather Emergency Closing Procedures
In the event that school is closed for the day, or a two hour late start is warranted,
the following radio and television stations will broadcast this information:
•
•
•
•
•
•
KYMN - 1080 AM-Northfield
WCCO TV, Channel 4; WCCO Radio and WCCO.comMinneapolis/St. Paul
KARE TV, Channel 11 and KARE11.com-Minneapolis/St.
Paul
KDHL/Power 96-Faribault
KSTP TV, Channel 5, Minneapolis/St. Paul
KMSP TV, Channel 9, Minneapolis/St. Paul
1.
If a two hour late start is implemented (school begins two hours later than usual), bus pick-up will be approximately two hours later
than the normal time. Morning Kindergarten and morning KidVentures will be canceled.
2.
All School activities will be postponed or cancelled if there is no school or if school is dismissed early.
3.
All Community Education events, classes, and open gym activities are cancelled if there is no school or if school is dismissed
early. If school begins two hours late, all morning Community Education classes are cancelled.
4.
Please discuss with your student ahead of time what procedure they need to take (where they will be sent) when school is dismissed early. This will avoid confusion and added phoning in the office.
Social Worker News—Noreen Cooney
Part II: What Can I Suggest as Possible Alternatives for Handling Bullies? (see November newsletter for Part I)
Parents can suggest the following approaches to a child:
•
•
•
•
•
Avoidance is often the best strategy.
Play in a different place.
Play a different game.
Stay near a supervising adult when bullying is likely to occur.
Look for ways to find new friends.
Parents can also take the following approaches:
•
Support your child by encouraging him or her to extend invitations for friends to play at
your home or to attend activities.
•
Involve your child in social activities outside of school.
• Involve your child in social activities outside of school.
KidVentures - Lacey Neuman Bissonnette
KidVentures will be providing Release Day programming on December 26, 27, and 28 for children in grades K-5. Release days
for the month of December will be held at Sibley Elementary in the Cafeteria from 6:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. If you join us on a
release day, all children will participate in the event listed below for each day. The cost for the release day program in December is
$35 per day. The cost of the day includes a morning and afternoon snack, supplies, and all day supervision. All Release Days are
non-refundable. All release days require a minimum of 15 children enrolled to operate. You will be notified in advance of cancellations.
December 26: Outrageous Games! Today we will play Human Mouse Trap, Volcano, Hop Along and Octopus. Bring a
bag lunch and your tennis shoes.
December 27: Watch Me Draw At KidVentures! Want to make your snow glitter and your ice shine? Join us for a special hour
and half Winter Art Workshop at KidVentures where we will do just that! You will create a beautiful oversized winter-themed
drawing using mixed media to make your creation a masterpiece. Learn different techniques that will spur your creativity and
sharpen your technique. We will be using glitter, glue and paint in our illustrations, so please dress in art friendly clothing! Bring a
bag lunch and the workshop starts at 9:00 a.m.
December 28: New Year Party! Come celebrate the
upcoming New Year with us. On this day we will be
playing games, and providing lunch (pizza).
Fifth Grade Band News - Paul Beck
Holiday Band Concert - December 18
The combined Northfield Elementary Fifth Grade Band will present a Holiday Concert at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, December 18 in the Middle School Auditorium. You are
all invited to come and hear this special concert! The Fifth Grade Band will share this
concert with the Sixth Grade Band and the Middle School Jazz Band. There may also
be a couple surprise performances by some Family Bands during the stage changes
for the large bands!
This year the Fifth Grade Bands are working on the following song set:
•
•
•
•
•
Jingle Bells (with a special saxophone solo section)
Up on the Housetop
We Three Kings of Orient Are (featuring a quiet percussion and woodwind opening)
The Hanukkah Song (with solo percussion sections)
Good King Wenceslas (featuring powerful brass and delicate woodwind sections)
This Holiday Band Concert at the Middle School Auditorium is a dress-up concert for our Band students. Please wear nice, but not
overly flashy clothes, and plan to be on the Middle School stage for warm up and tuning by 6:40.
See you all at the Band Holiday Concert on December 18!…invite your friends …this will be a GREAT show!
Sibley Band to perform for Sibley students December 17
Sibley students please bring your music and instruments on Monday, December 17th as we will perform in the Sibley gym on a
program with the orchestra at 2:00 PM that afternoon.
Orchestra - Natalie Dimberg
We are working very hard to prepare for our upcoming December concerts. I am
very excited for parents, classmates, and teachers to hear the wonderful music! At our
evening concert the 5th graders will be playing as a whole district 5th grade orchestra.
It has been so amazing to work with this large ensemble and to hear their very full
sound. The 4th graders will also be performing one of their concert pieces with
students from the other elementary schools.
.
Concert Schedule:
Monday, December 17th: 2:00 pm in the Sibley Gym
Monday, December 17th: 7:00 pm in the Northfield Middle School Auditorium
-4th Graders need to arrive at Middle School by 6:20 pm
-5th Graders need to arrive at Middle School by 6:30 pm
We do not have a specific concert dress code for elementary orchestra, I just ask that students wear something nice, no sweatpants.
Media News
Here is what we have been doing in media class:
Kindergarten and 1st grade: Students have been learning about and comparing nonfiction and fiction books. In kindergarten we
studied spiders and dogs. In first grade we studied squirrels. All students used the Super 3 Research Process and made projects on
the computer using Kidpix.
2nd grade: Students are working on a holiday research project. Each student is becoming an “expert” on one holiday and they will
share what they learned with their classmates. We are using Facts4Me and Worldbook Online Encyclopedia. Students are using the
Super 3 Research Process (1. Plan, 2. Do, 3. Review).
3rd grade: Third grade students are using the Big 6 Research process to learn about a famous inventor. We are using Facts4Me
and Worldbook Online Encyclopedia. We have also practiced using the online catalog. Your child should know how to login and
check their library account.
4th grade: In fourth grade we are working on an author research project. Each student selected a favorite author and they are becoming an “expert” on that person so they can share their findings with classmates. We are using Facts4Me and Worldbook Online
Encyclopedia. We will also use a search engine such as Google to find more information. We have practiced using the online catalog. Your child should know how to login and check their library account.
5th grade: Fifth graders are learning about internet safety and Google Docs. Students are working in teams to answer questions
about their internet safety topic. They are using Google Docs to record their findings and they will present their information to
their classmates. Students have the ability to use Google Docs here at school and at home. If they are working on a group project,
they can share the document with their group and work on it together. They can also share the document with their teacher instead
of printing it off. To access Google Docs go to the “Useful Links” tab on the media center page. The link to Google Docs is at the
bottom of the page.
Online Resource: If you would like to use Worldbook from home, our username is northfield (note the lowercase n) and our
password is Raiders. You can find the link under “Online Databases” on the media center page.
Please let me know if you have any questions!
- Ann Hehr
ann.hehr@nfld.k12.mn.us
Community Services- Niki Kolb
Northfield Public Schools Community Services winter/spring 2013 brochure will hit mailboxes during the week of December 17th.
All upcoming classes will be available for online registration from Friday, Dec. 14, 2012. Why not start off the New Year
with a Northfield Public Schools Community Services class? For more information or to register for these great programs visit us
online at www.nfld.k12.mn.us (follow the Community Services link), call 507-664-3649, or visit our office on the first floor of the
Northfield Community Resource Center at 1651 Jefferson Parkway, Northfield. Scholarships are available for all programs.
Basketball Camp
ages 6 – 12
Th & F, Dec. 27 & 28, Bridgewater Gym
Grandmasters of Chess: Winter Season
grades K-5
W, Jan. 23 – March 6, Sibley Art Room
Lego X: Yachts & Hot Rods
Grades 1-5
M, Feb. 2 – March 11, Sibley Art Room
Tae Kwon Do for Kids
grades 2 - 12
T & Th, Jan. 8 – Feb.14, Beginner 6 - 6:45 p.m. / Advanced 6:45 - 7:45 p.m.
High School Gym
Watch Me Draw: ARTic Expedition
grades K-5
T, Jan. 29 – March 5, Sibley Art Room
Basketball Mini-Clinics
Grades 1 – 5
Sa, Jan. 5 – 26, Sibley Gymnasium
Open Gym Basketball
grades 5-8
S, Jan. 6 - March 17, Bridgewater Gym
Elementary Tennis Program
grades 2-5
T, Jan. 15 – Feb. 12, Greenvale Park Gymnasium
GEMS Club (Girls Excelling in Math and Science)
girls grades 3rd through 5th
Th, Jan. 24 – Feb. 28, Sibley Art Room
Grandmasters of Chess: Winter Season
grades K-5
W, Jan. 23 – March 6, Sibley Art Room
Open Gym Basketball
grades 5-8
S, Jan. 6 - March 17, Bridgewater Gym
Elementary Tennis Program
grades 2-5
T, Jan. 15 – Feb. 12, Greenvale Park Gymnasium
GEMS Club (Girls Excelling in Math and Science)
girls grades 3rd through 5th
Th, Jan. 24 – Feb. 28, Sibley Art Room
Northfield Skating School
all ages
S, Jan. 20 – March 10 (no class March 3), times vary,
Northfield Ice Arena
Green Team
At Sibley Elementary, we've made great strides to reduce the amount of paper we send home. Electronic newsletters, announcements made via e-mail, and sending district and community fliers and handouts to youngest and only child students are just a few
of the things we have done to reduce the amount of paper we use.
Of course, there are times when classroom teachers should and do send home good old paper/pencil work that we have completed
in the classroom. Here are just a few ideas of what you can do with that folder of paper your child brings home before sending it to
the recycling bin:
•
If the back of the paper is blank use it for scratch paper. Make grocery lists, plan meals, or to-do lists.
•
Cut paper in fourths and staple to make small pads of scratch paper and keep out for you child to write and create artwork on..
•
Use the backside of used paper in your printer.
•
Put a pile of paper and a pair of scissors on the table and let younger students practice their cutting skills. You will be amazed
at how long some kids will sit and cut paper. Once done cutting have them glue those little paper pieces to make a collage.
•
Shred paper brought home and use for art projects, stuffing for packaging, storing breakables or use the shredded paper for
mouse, gerbil or hamster bedding.
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Reuse your child's paintings and artwork for wrapping paper, name tags, or laminate special pieces and use as table settings.
The Green Team thanks you for your help in reducing, reusing, and recycling paper!
FOOD SERVICE
Did you know that eating a good breakfast contributes to better learning? In keeping this thought, we offer a great breakfast to all
students everyday. If you qualify for educational benefits, your breakfast is free. We also offer a “Grab and Go” breakfast option
for those who don’t have time to eat a sit down breakfast.
We are well into the new school year with the new USDA lunch guidelines. This has meant many more fruits and
vegetables and a great variety too!
Come join us for breakfast or lunch someday and see these great changes for yourself?
Sibley Food Service Staff
Trash to Cash - Larisa Jenrich
The results are in for the fall ‘Trash to Cash’ contest – 4th grade is the winner with over 7,000 pieces! They will enjoy extra recess
time and a popcorn party before winter break. Overall, Sibley Stars brought in almost 30,000 items – way to go!
A HUGE thank you to the awesome volunteers that helped collect, sort and count all the trash!
Remember to keep saving your trash, we will run a few more contests throughout the year. Stay tuned for more details.
The programs Sibley Elementary participates in for the 2012-2013 school year are:
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Box Tops for Education (http://boxtops4education.com)
Milk Moola and Donuts to Dough (www.milkmoola.com)
Land O Lakes Save Five for Schools (www.savefiveforschools.com)
Our Family Labels for Learning (www.ourfamilyfoods.com)
Labels for Education (www.labelsforeducation.org)
Tyson Project A+ (http://projectaplus.tyson.com)
Holy Land Brand Hummus (www.holylandbrand.com)
Target Take Charge of Education (www.target.com/tcoe)
Econo Foods receipts (once we hit $150,000 in total receipts, Sibley gets a check for $1,000!)
Ink Jet Cartridges (if the cartridge fits in the palm of your hand, we can turn it in for $ - we can no longer accept laserjet or
other large toner cartridges)
Any questions please email me at 3kidstrong@gmail.com.
Teacher Wish List
Thinking of giving a gift to your child's teachers?
Classroom teachers and specialists have suggested items they would like to have
for their classrooms, and the Sibley PTO has posted them on the Teacher Wish
List display in the hallway outside the main office. If you would like to give a gift,
simply take a tag from the display and head to the store or the web. Can't make it
into school? Email Lisa McDermott at lisa.mcdermott0724@gmail.com for
suggestions.
Northfield Library
We’ll let Rudolph
and you play
games!
Come to Reindeer Games in the
library’s meeting room to play
board games of all sorts and wii
games! Drop in anytime between
10 am to 2 pm For all ages– First
Steps toys will be available for
toddlers. Thursday Dec. 27 & Friday Dec. 28
FREE!
Storytelling workshops
presented by professional storyteller
Kevin Strauss!
How to Tell a Story: intro to Storytelling (Storytelling 101) - Sat. Dec. 1 from
9-noon
How to Find, Craft & Tell Amazing Stories (Storytelling 201) Sat. Dec 1 from
1-4p
Learn how to find, craft, remember
and retell folktales, legends and family stories at these two free 3-hour
workshops geared for adults & teens.
CEU credits available for educators.
Library Hours
Contact
Monday-Thursday
9:30 am to 8 pm
Friday 9:30 am -5 :30 pm
Saturday 9:30 am –5 pm
www.northfieldmn.us
507-645-6606
Adult Reference 645-1802
Children’s Reference 645-1804
Registration required.
Call 507-645-1804.
In the Northfield Public Library’s
meeting room.
Minnesota Rural Storytelling Academy Project has
been funded by an Arts Learning Grant from the
Min-nesota State Arts Board, and funded by Minnesota Legacy Amendment funds.
American Education Week Awards
December 2012
Newsletter
Main Office
507.663.0600
Chris Richardson,
Superintendent of Schools
507.663.0629
Donita Delzer,
Admin. Assistant to the
Superintendent & School Board
507.663.0629
Buildings & Grounds
507.663.0610
Business Office
507.663.0626
Community Services Division &
Community Relations
507.664.3650
Curriculum Office
507.663.0622
In celebration of the 91st American Education Week, Northfield Public Schools and the
Northfield Education Association (NEA) honored several staff members for years of
service to the district and handed out awards in three categories at its annual Staff
Appreciation Breakfast on Nov. 21.
Years of Service awards were given for 20 years of service to Lisa Battaglia, Barb Brunette,
Kristen Cade, Rebecca Haar, Karna Hauck, Kristin Hummel, Mark Johnson, Roanne
Johnson, Mike Martinez, Mary McGovern, Curt Mikkelson, Carrie Rice, Paul Stanaway,
Tania Will and Mary Williams. Karen Bublitz, Tom Graupmann, Jeff Jasan, Christine
Neset, Diane Torbenson and Lori Witt Macrae all received an award for 25 years of service.
Jim Pasch and John Taylor received an award for 30 years of service, and Karen Koester
received an award for 35 years.
The NEA gave its Friend of Education Award to staff members of the Northfield Public
Library for their work with students. Joan Ennis, Kathy Ness, Debbie Nitz, Jamie Stanley
and Leesa Wisdorf were recognized by the first grade team at Bridgewater Elementary for
their numerous efforts to get kids reading and researching, including free book programs,
summer activities, daycare visits and library field trips.
Educational Assistant Jane Streitz was named Paraprofessional of the Year, and the
Teacher of the Year Award was presented to Greenvale Park Elementary first grade teacher
Deb Bakke.
Food Service
507.663.0618
Health Services
507.645.1205
Payroll Office
507.663.0628
Personnel Office
507.663.0627
Student Services
507.645.3410
Technology Services
507.645.1260
Swim, Dive Team Wins at State
The Northfield Girls Swim and Dive Team won the Class A State Championship title Nov.
17, a feat achieved only once before in 1998. The team earned 223 points to beat last year’s
champions, Sartell-St. Stephen, by 48 points.
The 2012 team included seniors Emily Anderson, Allie Clark, Clara Drew, Elise Hanson,
Lisa Janak, and Claire Walters; junior Emily Lundstrom; sophomores Grete Baker and
Bailey DuPay; freshmen Bailey Dell and Hannah Domish; and 8th graders Carrin Baker,
Sophie Bernstorf and Sophia Nevin. Coaching staff include Deb Seitz, Aleta Kolan and
Dan DuPay.
Refunding General Obligation Bonds
At its Nov. 26 meeting, the school board approved the refunding of approximately $16
million dollars in school building bonds. The refinancing of these bonds will result in a
decrease in interest rates paid on these bonds over the next eleven years resulting in a
savings to the district’s property taxpayers of over $2.1 million dollars. This reduction in
interest costs will reduce the amount the district will need to collect in property taxes by
approximately $85,000 to $185,000 per year between 2014 and 2025.
Afterschool Program Gets National Attention
Northfield’s PRIMEtime, a collaborative effort to provide out-of-school programming for
youth in grades K-12, was recognized as a 2012 City Showcase program at the National
League of Cities (NLC) Congress of Cities and Exposition event.
Visit http://nfld.k12.mn.us to find more information.
DISTRICT NEWS
Northfield Youth Organizations
5th Bridge
Big Brothers/Big Sisters
Bowling
Boy Scouts
Cannon Valley Youth Orchestra
Carleton ACT Center
Check it Out Singers
Community Resource Bank Junior Board
Dakota County Extension - 4-H
Division Street Dance
Girl Scouts
Healthy Community Initiative
Jr. Curator Program
Just for Kix
Leo Club Advisor
Library Teen Advisory Board
Making Waves Swim School
Northfield Area Family YMCA
Northfield Arts Guild
Northfield Basketball Association
Northfield Community Chinese School
Northfield Dance Academy
Northfield Fastpitch Softball Assoc.
Northfield Gymnastics Club
Northfield Hockey Association
Northfield Lacrosse Association
Northfield Library
Northfield Mentoring Coalition
Northfield Police Dept Explorers
Northfield Skating School
Northfield Soccer Association
Northfield Swim Club
Northfield Tennis Association
Northfield Union of Youth
Northfield Volleyball Club
Northfield Youth Baseball Assoc
Northfield Youth Choir
Northfield Youth Wrestling
Project Friendship
Rainbow Saddle Club
Reaching Our Goals - St. Olaf College
Rice County Extension - 4-H
St. Olaf Volunteer Network
Candy Taylor
Robyn Goldy
Terry Heilman
Sam Trebnick
Deonne Gray
Laura Riehle-Merrill
Todd Thompson
Christina Jerome
Kathy Johnson
Emily Boyd
Liz Cooney
Zach Pruitt
Nfld Historical Society
Liz Rohach
Alice Nasby
Kathy Ness
Cindy Varley
Virginia Kaczmarek
Sheryl Joy
Kevin Rodgers
Gao Hong
Kristin Lauenstein
Mark Pritchard
Melissa Bernhard
Marietta Ruppe
Natalie Marfleet
Kathy Ness
Zach Pruitt
Sgt. Mark Murphy
Carey Tinkelenberg
Holly Scheuble
Troy Nystuen
Andy Ringlien
Amy Merritt
Linda Dols
Roger/Kim Thompson
Liz Shepley
Shaun Murphy
Kathy Lansing
Nancy Becker
Education Dept.
Kelly Chadwick
Kris Vatter
507.663.1505
507.414.0308
507.645.8322
651.254.9120
507.645.7189
507.646.4028
507.645.5397
507.645.3125
651.480.7755
507.202.9256
507.645.6603
507.664.3524
507.645.9268
507.271.3316
507.645.7398
507.645.1804
507.645.4623
507.645.0088
507.645.8877
507.664.9108
612.385.3893
507.645.4068
507.645.1365
507.663.7772
507.645.7310
507.645.4035
507.645.1804
507.664.3524
507.645.4475
508.887.2551
507.744.5788
507.663.1926
507.301.3581
507.663.0715
507.301.5405
507.301.9746
507.645.4194
507.645.2326
507.645.6762
507.645.4336
507.786.3245
507.332.6163
507.786.3999
www.5thbridge.org
www.bbbsofsouthernmn.org
www.joincubs.com
www.cvyomn.org
www.carleton.edu/campus/act
www.extension.umn.edu
www.divisionstreetdance.com
www.girlscoutsrv.org
www.northfieldhci.org
www.justforkix.com
http://npl-info.blogspot.com
www.makingwavesswimschool.com
www.northfieldymca.org
www.northfieldartsguild.org
www.northfieldsports.com
www.northfielddance.com
www.northfieldfastpitch.leag1.com
www.northfieldgymnastics.com
www.northfieldhockey.net
www.northfieldmn.info
www.northfieldhci.org
www.northfieldskating.com
www.northfieldsoccer.org
www.northfieldswimclub.org
www.northfield.usta.com
www.unionofyouth.org
northfieldjovolleyballclub.clubspaces.com
www.northfieldsports.com
www.northfieldyouthchoirs.org
www.northfieldwrestling.com
www.rainbowsaddleclub.org
www.extension.umn.edu
www.oleville.com
To update contact information, please call 507.645.3406 or email Heather.Kuchinka@nfld.k12.mn.us with changes.