Supply List for 2008-09

During the week of July 14th, the supply list will also be found at the Red Oak K-Mart, Red Oak Pamida, Shenandoah Wal-Mart and the Atlantic Wal-Mart. If you have questions, please contact the school. With generous donations from community organizations, individuals and parents, we are able to keep extra supplies on hand for families that cannot afford to purchase all of the materials needed for school.

4th Grade:

• Box of 16 crayons or larger set
• 8 oz. bottle glue or glue stick
• Pair of pointed scissors
• Lead pencils - 2 lead, sharpened
• 2 large boxes of facial tissues (Ms. Chelsvig's class needs 1 box)
• 8 notebooks (single subject spiral, wide lined)
• Pencil pouch
• Set of colored pencils (8), sharpened
• 12 inch ruler with centimeters and inches (no fold-up rulers, please)
• Red checking pens
• 4-5 different colored highlighters
• Eight 2-pocket folders with 3 hold prongs in solid colors
  (Ms. Chelsvig & Mr. Haufle's students do not need these folders)

5th Grade:

• Box of 16 crayons or larger set
• Large glue stick
• Pair of pointed scissors
• Lead pencils - 2 lead, sharpened
• 2 large boxes of facial tissues
• Set of colored pencils (8), sharpened
• Loose leaf, college ruled notebook paper
• 5 single subject spiral notebooks
• 5 pocket folders
• Two 8 oz. bottles hand sanitizer

Parent/Student Handbooks!

On the first day of school, each teacher will spend some time going over the Parent/Student Handbook with their students. These handbooks will come home with the students and I would encourage each child to sit down with their parents to go over the handbook, especially some of the items noted below! If you ever have any questions, never hesitate to email me or call (623-6630).

Staff Listing (p.2)
- We are a family. It is important we know who works at Washington. Being respectful means you introduce yourself to staff members you do not know. The staff at Washington will also take the time to greet and get to know you!

Attendance (p.5)
- It is important you’re here every day as that will ensure the best chance for you to be successful! Instruction starts at 8:25 AM so being ready and prepared before then will be important! School is out at 3:10 PM each day. (Parents note that the handbook states 'students are allowed to enter the building at 8:15a.m. with instructional time beginning at 8:25a.m. Our building is open before 8:15a.m and students are to go into the gym to either eat breakfast or sit down along the side of the gym. We have supervision until the teachers pick the students up from the gym at 8:15a.m. Sorry for the confusion!)

Birthdays (p.6)
- Bringing snacks for all classmates is not required but it is okay. Healthy snacks are even better! Please do not bring birthday invitations to school – send them in the mail!

Clothing (p.7)
- Bottom line on clothing…if you or your parent has a question about whether what you put on in the morning is okay to wear, it probably is not! Wear clothes that cover you from the knees to the neck! No inappropriate or disrespectful words, phrases or pictures should be on your clothes either.

Harassment (p.9)
- Every school in the state of Iowa passed new harassment policy. EVERY child should feel safe and comfortable at school. If students are making others feel unsafe or uncomfortable at school by what they are saying or doing to them, students have the right to complain to an adult. If you feel like you’re being harassed, you need to take the following steps:
1. Talk to the person harassing you and tell them you expect it to stop. Ask a teacher, counselor or the principal to help you do this if you do not want to do it on your own.
2. If it does not stop, tell a teacher, the counselor, or principal.
3. You need to write down exactly what happened in your words and give it to the counselor.
4. The counselor will look into the harassment and let the principal know what happened.

Bus (p.12)
- Cameras have been added to every bus so all students may enjoy a safe ride to and from school. Students not making it safe may lose the right to ride the bus. Play it safe by always sitting down, talking quietly and being respectful to your bus driver each day!

We believe that by being respectful, responsible and showing pride in ourselves, our school and our community, we can have an awesome year! Thanks for helping! Mr. Barry

If you did not register Monday, August 13th, contact the central office (623-6600; 904 Broad Street).

Attempting to ride out onto the internet!

The 2007-2008 school year brings many changes to Washington Intermediate and the Red Oak Community School District. One change is that I will try to post my updates, newsletter articles and other important information to my newly created 'blog.' This will be an opportunity for me to get parents updated with current information and easily receive feedback from parents and community members. If you have ideas for me on how to make the site even more user-friendly, contact me anytime!

As for other changes, we have many! From staff, to programs, to schedules...we are making changes to make sure all students at Washington enjoy success! If you have input as to how to make Washington Intermediate even better, let me know! Here is a summary of the staff changes...

Those who you will meet...

We welcome two new teachers to our ranks this school year. Mrs. Linn comes to us from the River Valley School District in NW Iowa. Before staying home with her three children, Mrs. Linn taught two years at the first grade level. Ms. Hughes comes to us from Shenandoah. She just graduated after student teaching in Malvern and Nishna Valley. Both teachers come highly recommended and we are excited to add their ideas, energy and enthusiasm to our staff! As a district, we welcome a new superintendent, Terry Schmidt! Mr. Schmidt joined us in July and I know that his vision and his determination will allow our district to continue to grow and head in the right direction!

Those who will be missed...

Mrs. Hartstack retired last spring and left a big hole in the 5th grade wing of our building. Although she will be missed by staff, parents and students, I know we will see her at Washington during the year as she will be subbing for us!

Mr. Perrien took a position in as a middle school principal in the Riverside School District. He will not be far away as the middle school is located in Carson, Iowa, but he will be missed by Title I students and all the students in the lunchroom!

Fifth grade teacher, Mr. Nordquist, took a teaching position in Missouri to be closer to his new wife! We understand his reasoning, but will miss his energetic teaching style and I know the athletes at the middle school and high school will miss him, too!

From the district standpoint, one notable face you will miss is our superintendent, Dr. Brummer. Dr. Brummer is currently the superintendent at Carroll Kuemper so look for him when the Knights visit our Tigers in football, volleyball or basketball this coming year!