July 2005
On behalf of the Board of Education, I would like to thank the voters for their support on the $ .50 levy increase in February. We are already seeing the benefits of the passage of this levy by obtaining an additional $ 8,000 from the State for our debt service fund. Also the passage of the levy will gain additional dollars with the new foundation formula that was passed by the legislatures this past session. Any school district that has a levy above $ 3.43 will receive additional state monies. Our school levy was $ 3.3060 last year and will be above the $ 3.43 level next year. We anticipate it being below $ 3.80 with the increase in assessed valuation, but will not know the exact amount until the levy is set in August.
The Board was able to provide the following with the passage of the levy:
1) Eliminate the deficit spending
2) Give a salary increase to the staff (staff had been frozen or minimal increase for the past two years)
3) Increased the technology position to full-time
4) Purchase 16 new computers for the 5th & 6th grades to help set-up stations for
e-mints (we hope to continue this for the 7th & 8th grades next year)
5) Replaced windows in the 4th grade classroom and the counselor/speech
therapist room with energy efficient windows
6) Most importantly this will help to continue and improve on the quality of
education for your children
Without the passage of the levy the above would not have happened and we appreciate the support from the community – THANKS AGAIN!
Jerry Archer
Superintendent
Avenue City Elementary School hosted summer school this year. Between 40-50 students, grades pre-school to seventh grade, took part in the 15 day adventure. The students completed many academic and enrichment activities during the summer school session. The 15 days were divided into four different sessions with different topics each session. The topics covered were Rockets & Space, Cooking with Kids, Crafts, and Sports. The students made rockets and hot-air balloons and released them during the first week of the adventure and they took a field trip to the planetarium at MWSU. During the second week the students learned how to make “bread in a bag”, homemade butter, frozen yogurt, and pizza. The students completed activities such as making stained glass stepping stones, tie-dye pillow cases, finger painting, and picture frames during the third week. The last week the students completed a simple soccer camp, basketball drills, and took a field trip to Olympia Lanes Bowling Alley. Students also performed a play about the “Gold Rush”, learned new math facts, completed language art activities, and learned about the solar system throughout the summer school adventure. Mrs. Polsky, Mrs. Rowland, Mrs. Conn, Mrs. Pargas, Mrs. Geiger, Mrs. Scott, and Mrs. Grimes were the teachers during the summer school adventure.
Fun and learning was had by all!
In case you are not aware of, the Avenue City R-IX School offers a program called “Parents As Teachers”. Through this program children and parents can be given helpful hints to aid their child’s early learning years. Research shows that it is very beneficial to read to your child and accomplish various academic and physical related activities with them during their early years. Sally Theesen works with early childhood children in our school district from birth to five years old. If you are interested, please contact her and she will make home visits to explain the program to you. She can provide parents with valuable information and works with the children to help prepare them for school. Special services are available at school for children that may have a speech delay or learning delay. Early identification and treatment will increase the chance of academic success when your child reaches school age. An article in the “Parents As Teachers” magazine says the following: “Delays in speech or language can have a negative effect on a child’s intellectual and social development.” Language development is the foundation for reading. In order for a child to be ready to read by school age, he must be able to speak and understand words at an age-appropriate level. By 3 years of age, a child’s speech should be 75% understandable by people who are not routinely around him/her. Preschoolers who have difficulty expressing their needs and wants, do not combine three words, rely on gestures to communicate, or have difficulty following directions or remembering information and concepts should have a speech and language evaluation. This program is almost entirely funded by State and Federal sources. If you have questions or are interested in enrolling your child in the PAT program, please call Sally Theesen at school at (816) 662-2305 or at home at (816) 662-2906.
THANKS FOR DONATIONS AND VOLUNTEER HELP FOR THE LIBRARY
I would like to thank the following volunteers who helped in the library this past school year. We could not have had such a successful year without all of your help: Barbara Ray, Maureen & Michael Clay, Sandy Rosenak, Ann DuVall, Janice Pankau, Michelle Turner, Christi O’Riley, Tracy Bailey, Vivian Bailey, Laurie Fangman, Carla Archdekin, Heather Goforth, Rhonda Goforth, & Rhonda Gardner. Also, I would like to thank the following businesses that made a contribution to the library this past school year. With your sponsorship, we were able to purchase some really nice books for our nonfiction and reference sections: Avenue City Gas & Grocery, DuVall Lawn Care, 169 Auto, B.J.’s Auto Collision, Mann’s Lawn & Landscape, Jackson Lawn Equipment, and Todd’s Tire. Lastly, I would like to thank all of the students, parents, and staff who supported the school library this past school year; through checking out books, participating in the Show Me Awards and the Mark Twain Awards, participating in our two book fairs and the Partnership for Excellence Program. We had a great school year and I can’t wait to see you all again next year. Thanks for everything!!!
Dlo DuVall
Librarian
APPRECIATION FOR DONATIONS AND VOLUNTEER WORK
Again this year we have had many community people assist the school in various ways.
The PTA continues to be a vital organization for our school and donates many dollars and time to help the education of our children. Joe & Laurie Fangman donated an air compressor to inflate basketballs, etc. for physical education use. They have also helped with various projects around school, such as helping with the new look in the library and installing a small safe for PTA use. Larry Hickman helped us prepare the road entrance for new gravel and clear the ditch for better drainage. Again, we are grateful for the help many patrons provide the school. It is wonderful to see all the help and cooperation and this is one of the things that makes this school district so special.
The PTA has been discussing building a track which would be located north of the school. There is not enough room for a regulation size track, but one could be built to help with track practices for Jr. High students and could also give patrons a place for walking or running for physical fitness. This track would not be an asphalt track because of expense. We have been discussing using waste lime or chat for the surface. We are estimating that the cost will run between $ 10,000 to $ 12,000. The PTA would like to know your opinion on whether you think this would be a good project for the PTA to undertake. They would like to know how many community people would use it for walking or running purposes. Please call the school or let one of the PTA members know your opinion on this topic. We will try to let you know when the next PTA meeting will be held for you to attend if you have further questions.
OFFICE DEPOT PROVIDING 5% BACK TO SCHOOL PROGRAM
Office Depot has started a program that if parents, students, or patrons of the school district purchase an item in their store and they give the Schools ID number, the school receives credits equal to 5% to use for free supplies. Our school code number is = # 70055860. We would appreciate it if you would help us obtain free supplies if you purchase anything at Office Depot.