HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!!

(From our June, 2008, Newsletter...it should have come home on Wednesday!!)

Reasons to Celebrate 2007-2008

This is always a bittersweet time of year. Students, staff and parents look forward to summer break and possible trips, camp-outs or the opportunity to hang out at the pool. On the other hand, we have to say goodbye to friends, students and teachers and wish the 75 fifth graders good luck as they start a new endeavor next fall at the middle school. It is also a great time to reflect on the successes of the 2007-08 school year and focus on the reasons why our staff truly loves being a part of the family at Washington Intermediate.

On a large scale, our students took part in a few events that brought together parents, community and the school. Track and field day was a sunny-success as over 100 parents, relatives and friends joined us during a full day of celebrating health, fitness and some friendly competition. A community reading part at the town Square brought together students, parents and quite a few local business members for an extended lunch and reading. Over the past week, our 150 students, teachers and a few parents walked from Washington to the high school with a couple stops along the way. The students had learned about healthy eating habits and participated in a day of health and wellness capped by Washington and Inman students getting to watch Mr. Barry eat some not-so-healthy pie “served” by a lucky 3rd grader at Inman Primary! Finally, our ELO (talented and gifted) students entertained students, family and friends with a performance they had planned, choreographed and written themselves.

Nearly 1000 students attended our after school math program AND 12 local businesses and our school board supported our efforts in some fashion! Our third year of after school math showed us again that parents, students and our community believe in knowing the math basics. We do encourage our students to work on their math facts over the summer too. Just like tennis, basketball, piano or any other skill, it takes practice to become better at it. Make some flash cards, use an internet game to practice (http://www.mathplayground.com) or just practice orally in the car!

We know that our students grew leaps and bounds academically, emotionally and physically this school year. Of those three, we only have to report our students’ academic progress. We do have much to celebrate here too! Looking at the ‘Big Three’ ITBS testing areas, all of our students showed growth from last year to this year in at least one area. When looking at each area for our Washington students:

Reading Comprehension 107 of 148 proficient = 72.3% (nearly 3% higher than last year)

Math Total 104 of 148 proficient = 70.3% (less than 1% lower than last year)

Science 121 of 148 proficient = 81.8% (nearly 3% higher than last year)


Finally, we will say good luck to 75 fifth graders from elementary school and Washington Intermediate. They have come a long way since they started school in kindergarten and I have told them many times that they are a class full of potential, positive leaders and big thinkers!! I know they will continue to learn, grow and become people of great character.

As you can see, we do have much to celebrate at Washington! I hope you find time early this summer at home to celebrate your child’s successful school year too. We appreciate all you have done for us at Washington to make our school a great place to learn, laugh and work! We wish you a restful, relaxing and family-filled summer!

3rd Grade Orientation

Washington hosted nearly 100 third graders from Inman Primary on Wednesday afternoon. The students got to ask questions of 4th grade students, meet the staff, get a tour of the building and learn more about Washington Intermediate before they arrive next fall for school! Students got to watch the "Top Ten Reasons You'll Like It at Washington Intermediate" video we have included below. Enjoy!

Walk Across Red Oak

We will announce before 10:00 am today as to whether we will continue with our event or cancel it. Listen to KCSI (95.3 FM) or check back here!

This Friday, May 23rd, the entire student body and staff at Washington will take part in a very original health and wellness activity, Walk Across Red Oak! Food Services Director, Sharon Foote, received a grant from the Department of Education to help sponsor the program. This will allow students to take part in a healthy day that will start at 11:00 AM with a walk from Washington Intermediate to the high school with stops at College Park for lunch and Chautauqua Park for activities and healthy snacks. Both stops will include activities and information about maintaining healthy lifestyles and the importance of taking part in life-long healthy activities. Our final stop at the high school will allow the family and consumer science class the opportunity to provide recipes for healthy snacks, activities and games for our students. Students will return to Washington Intermediate by 3:00 pm for dismissal. Questions? Please call (623-6630) or email Mr. Barry or Mrs. Foote.

Students are encouraged to check out some great "healthy" learning sites to learn more about how to maintain good eating habits and healthy activities:

- MyPyramid Blast Off Game
- MyPryramid Interactive Menu Planner
- Kids Health Games, Information and Activities

Track and Got Facts? Champions

MS. CHELSVIG'S & MR. FEHRING'S CLASSES TAKE THE
ANNUAL TRACK & FIELD DAY CHAMPIONSHIP!

What a beautiful day we enjoyed for our annual track and field day! A full day of exercise, fun and teamwork resulted in Ms. Chelsvig's class taking the 4th grade crown and Mr. Fehring's class winning the 5th grade point total. Most importantly, Ms. Hughes' class was declared Tug-A-War champions this year! We had a great crowd of parents, grandparents and assorted relatives and friends. Thank you to Don Scarborough and Kathy Walker for helping out and also a congratulations to the two of them, Carrie Shalters and Troy Terry for easily winning the "Teacher Challenge Relay. Tons of laughs and fun was had by all! Join us again next year!

MR. HAUFL'ES STUDENTS DECLARED:

2ND ANNUAL "GOT FACTS? CHALLENGE" CHAMPIONS!

Last Tuesday, Mr. Haufle's class took home the After School Math Program championship as they defeated Mr. Fehring's class in a very close championship match. Thank you to all the students, parents and school board members who came to our year end event. Congratulations to all the classroom champions and participants. See you again next year, 4th graders!

4th Graders from Mr. Haufle's class: Beann, Michaela, Murphy, Alyssa

5th Graders from Mr. Fehring's class: Donnie, Aaron, Jerrica, Adam

6th Grade Band Registration

To: 5th Grade Parents
Fr: Mr. Hewett & Mr. Hoesing

The 5th Grade students will be bringing home information forms regarding registration for 6th Grade Band this fall. Listed will be their first choice of instrument for 6th Grade Band class. You may return the bottom portion to their classroom teacher anytime, but please have them back by May 21st. If you have any questions regarding 6th Grade Band, please give us a call at Red Oak Middle School.

ROMS: 623.6620

Mr. Hewett & Mr. Hoesing

Red Oak Students Get Into Reading

RED OAK - With clear skies and only the wind to battle, 150 fourth- and fifth-graders from Washington Intermediate School held a reading party in Fountain Square Park Thursday afternoon.

The reading party was in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of National Library Week with the theme "Join the Circle of Knowledge."

"We wanted to make a connection between the school and community," said Doug Barry, Principal of Washington Intermediate School.

Click here for the full article from the Council Bluffs Nonpareil

Lindsay Blake, Staff Writer
05/03/2008