Beartales
Bryant Elementary School
February 3, 2020
A Message from the Principal
Bryant School will be kicking off the “One Book Bryant” program in the months of February and March to instill a love of reading with our students. In February, Kindergarten through Second grade teachers will be reading the book “Cloudy with the Chance of Meatballs” by Judi Barrett. In March, Third grade through Fifth grade teachers will be reading “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl. Parents are encouraged to ask your student(s) questions about the books and encourage your child to read at home. Research shows that the more students read the better they become on their reading skills.
I am pleased to announce that Bryant School’s Winter Fast Reading scores improved by 7% on testing from the fall. Our building goal is to improve by 10% from fall to spring so we are making good progress. Your child’s FAST Reading Test scores were sent home last week with report cards. The upcoming Parent-Teacher Conference times would be a good time to visit with your child’s teacher as to ways you can help your student improve their progress.
Thank you in advance for completing the Sioux City Community School District Parent Survey that is available on-line or as a paper survey during conferences.
Your principal,
Mrs. Kollars
“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.”-Joseph Addison
Special Message from Mrs. Kollars
Dear Bryant Families,
It has been a privilege and a honor to serve as the principal of Bryant School for the past 12 years. I am grateful for the opportunity that I have had to work with such wonderful students, staff and families. At the end of this year I will be retiring and am looking forward to spending more time with family and friends. As I begin this new chapter in my life I will always hold dear all of the connections and memories that I have made with my Bryant family.
Next school year, Dr. Angela Holcomb will begin serving as the principal for Bryant Elementary School. Dr. Holcomb has been with the Sioux city Community School District since 2014. She began as an assistant principal at Perry Creek Elementary and Clark Early Childhood Center. While in this role, Dr. Holcomb was named the 2017 Iowa Assistant Elementary Principal of the Year by the School Administrators of Iowa organization. Currently, she is the principal of Riverside Elementary.
Before joining the District, Dr. Holcomb served as the regional director with Heartland Area Education Agency in Johnston, Iowa. Prior to that, she was the Director of Special Education for the West Des Moines Community School District.
Dr. Angela Holcomb holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Buena Vista University, a master’s degree in education from Drake University, a specialist degree in educational leadership from Drake University, and a doctorate in education leadership from Drake University. Please welcome her to Bryant School.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Mary Kay Kollars, Principal
712-279-6819
LOOKING AHEAD:
Monday, February 3 - 2:30 PM Dismissal
Tuesday, February 4 - Culvers Night 5-8 PM
Thursday, February 6 - Rollerama 6-8 PM
Friday, February 7 - Bryant Spirit Day – Remember to wear your Bryant shirt
Monday, February 10 - 2:30 PM Dismissal
Friday, February 14 - Bryant Spirit Day - Remember to wear your Bryant shirt
Sunday, February 16 - Sign up closes online for Conferences
Monday, February 17 - 2:30 Dismissal
Monday, February 17 - PTO Meeting 5:30 PM in the Bryant Media Center
Friday, February 21 - Bryant Spirit Day - Remember to wear your Bryant shirt
Monday, February 24 - 2:30 PM Dismissal
Friday, February 28 - Bryant Spirit Day - Remember to wear your Bryant shirt
MyConferenceTime
Dear Parents and Guardians:
Spring Parent/Teacher Conferences will be Monday, February 24th from 8:00 AM-5:20 PM and Tuesday, February 25th from 3:40-6:20 PM. We will be using online Parent sign up through www.myconferencetime.com/bryant . Parent access begins on Friday, January 17 and ends on Sunday, February 16. Remember, once sign up begins the slots fill up quickly, so sign up early.
Why use an online system?
· It gives Parents flexibility and control of their conference time
· One location for parents, teachers, and staff to schedule conferences
As a parent what do I do?
I have only one student to schedule:
· Go to the internet and type in www.myconferencetime.com/bryant
· You should see 2 columns with teacher names.
· If you have only 1 child, click on the name of your child’s teacher
· After you click on the teacher’s name, the schedules appear. Choose an open slot, click the red “Sign Up”
· Fill in your child’s first and last name, your first and last name, and a valid email address
· At the bottom click “Sign Up for Your Conference”
I have more than one student to schedule:
• Go to the internet and type in www.myconferencetime.com/bryant
• You should see 2 columns with the teachers names.
• If you are registering more than 1 child, at the top of the screen is a yellow box that says “Register for Multiple Conferences” Click here
• In the drop down, choose how many children you need conference times for. Click continue
• Fill in your child’s first and last name, your first and last name, and a valid email address. Click Continue.
• Fill in the information needed for the other students needing a conference
• Select all teachers your children have, click “Find Schedules with Common Dates” at the bottom
• Choose which day you wish to have a conference. The teachers’ schedules appear side by side. The teacher name is at the top of the column. Please make sure you put the correct child with the correct teacher. The names of your children appear next to a check box for each available time slot. Choose the time for each student by clicking the box next to their name in the time you wish to reserve. Please make sure that you select different times for each student.
• If you do not find times you want for the day you chose, Click back on your browser and choose a different day.
If you need assistance setting up a conference, do not hesitate to contact the Bryant office at 279-6819. We will be happy to assist you.
As a district and as a building, our goal this year is to improve our students’ fluency by 10% during the academic year. At the beginning of the 2019-2020 year, 57.65% of the students in our building were proficient on their fluency goal. The expectation is for 4th grade students to be able to read 147 words correctly per minute in the spring. To accomplish this goal we have established a daily fluency routine that focuses on reading and decoding sight words and sight word phrases accurately and with a natural rate. Students also read a time leveled passage to practice their smoothness, rate, expression, and phrasing.
During 1st quarter, we invited 4th grade parents and guardians into their student’s classroom to learn more about fluency. We discussed how to transfer fluency practices into the home. Parents and guardians can encourage fluent reading, which is more than reading quickly, but also coaching and praising specific areas of fluency at home. They can focus on fluency when their student reads aloud to them by coaching and praising their student’s:
- Rate- Reading naturally; not too fast and not too slowly.
- Expression- Reading with emotion.
- Phrasing- Grouping appropriate words in phrases and noticing punctuation.
- Smoothness- Reading words in a “snap” and sentences smoothly.
The district has also added a math goal for elementary schools this year that is assessed using the Math CAP test. At the beginning of the 2019-2020 year, 50.47% of the students in our building were proficient on the assessment. The test assesses the number of problems a student is able to answer correctly in a 10 minute time period. For example, if your child received a score of 2.5, they answered 2.5 questions correctly in 10 minutes. Students can continue to improve their scores by working on fact fluency at home, as well as using math in everyday settings.
If you would like more information on how to help your student meet their current fluency goal, please know that all Bryant teachers have great ideas and are here to help! We are looking forward to sharing our winter progress on the FAST with you at conferences in February!
Health News by Julie Johnson, RN
Welcome to Bryant! I graduated from Morningside College in 1994 with a Bachelors in Science of Nursing. I have worked as a School Nurse since 2003. I am assigned to three schools: North High School; Sunnyside Elementary; and Bryant Elementary. Bryant families can contact me at 712-279-6819, extension 3413, with any health questions or concerns.
February is National Heart Month
Facts and Figures**
• About 600,000 people die of heart disease in the United States every year–that’s 1 in every 4 deaths.
• Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women.
• Coronary heart disease is the most common type of heart disease, killing more than 385,000 people annually.
• Every year about 935,000 Americans have a heart attack. Of these, 610,000 are a first heart attack. 325,000 happen in people who have already had a heart attack.
• Coronary heart disease alone costs the United States $108.9 billion each year. This total includes the cost of health care services, medications, and lost productivity.
How Do I Know if My Heart is Healthy?
The American Heart Association calls the following things Life’s Simple 7.
The American Heart Association has created a website called “My Life Check” (MyLifeCheck.org) that will help you understand all aspects of your heart health and give you and your family ideas to make the best choices.
PTO EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Culvers - Tuesday, February 4th, from 5-8 PM
- Rollerama - Thursday, February 6th from 6-8 PM
- PTO Meeting - Monday, February 17th from 5:30-6:30 PM – Everyone Welcome!
T-SHIRT ORDERS:
Bryant PTO Spirit Wear orders can be placed all year round. The PTO will usually submit the orders on Mondays and deliver them within 1-2 weeks. (Glitter is available only on Design #5 for shirts, hoodies, and blankets)
HOW TO HELP
· Clip Box Tops and send to school AND Download the NEW Box Tops App (www.BTFE.com)
· Shop at Hy-Vee and send your Hy-Vee Receipts to school.
· Volunteer during Culver’s Night, serving food/cleaning tables.
CONTACT US:
Follow us on Facebook: Bryant Bears PTO
Email at bryantbears2011@gmail.com
Text Tara at 712-635-6276 to be added to our texting list for updates on events and volunteer opportunities.
Questions? Call or text Tara Woodford (712) 635-6276 or Marce Wagner (712) 898-8346
2020-2021 BRYANT KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
APRIL 16 & 17
We are taking a survey to determine the number of children who will be entering Kindergarten at Bryant School next fall. If your child is enrolling for the first time, please follow the above link to the Kindergarten Registration Form. Please complete the form and return it to Bryant Elementary School .
Our Kindergarten registration is Thursday & Friday, April 16 & 17, 2020. Children who will be entering Kindergarten next fall will receive invitations to this registration. If you do not have a child eligible for Kindergarten enrollment, but know of someone in the Bryant district who does, please ask him or her to contact us at 279-6819.
Note: A child must be 5 years old on or before September 15, 2020 to be eligible for admission to Kindergarten. A copy of the birth certificate and immunization record will be required at registration.
District and School Climate Survey: Coming Soon
Every voice matters in Sioux City Community Schools. That’s why we need to hear from all parents and guardians. Provide feedback using our District and School Climate Survey, which is open February 4 - March 13. The survey is available in English or Spanish.
How to take the survey:
- A link will be sent to parents/guardians by email, text message, and voicemail.
- If you do not receive a link, please contact 712-224-7471 to request a link.
- Paper surveys are available for pick up at your child’s school.
- Take the survey online at your child’s school while at conferences.
The survey asks for feedback on student and academic support, safety and behavior, school leadership, and family involvement. We will use the results to better understand our students’ needs, determine our strengths, and identify opportunities for improvement.
All survey responses are strictly confidential. The District has partnered with an independent research and communications firm, K12 Insight, to administer the survey and compile the results. District employees will not know who participates or see individual responses.
If you have questions, please contact Mandie Mayo, Director of Communications, at mayoa@live.siouxcityschools.com.
La Encuesta del Ambiente Escolar y del Distrito Próximamente
Cada voz importa en las Escuelas de la Comunidad de Sioux City. Es por eso que necesitamos escuchar de todos los padres y guardianes. Proporcione sus comentarios utilizando nuestra Encuesta del Ambiente Escolar y del Distrito, que estará abierta del 4 de febrero – 13 de marzo. La encuesta está disponible en inglés y español.
Como tomar la encuesta:
- Se enviará un enlace a los padres/guardianes por correo electrónico, mensaje de texto y correo de voz
- Si no recibe un enlace, comuníquese al 712-224-7471 para solicitar el enlace.
- Las encuestas en papel están disponibles y las puede recoger en la escuela de su hijo.
- Tome la encuesta en línea en la escuela de su hijo durante las conferencias.
La encuesta solicita comentarios sobre el apoyo académico y estudiantil, la seguridad y el comportamiento, el liderazgo escolar y la participación familiar. Utilizaremos los resultados para comprender mejor las necesidades de nuestros estudiantes, determinar nuestras fortalezas e identificar oportunidades de mejoría.
Todas las respuestas de la encuesta son estrictamente confidenciales. El Distrito se ha asociado con una compañía independiente de investigaciones y comunicaciones, K12 Insight, para administrar la encuesta y recopilar los resultados. Los empleados del distrito no sabrán quién participa ni verán respuestas individuales.
Si tiene alguna pregunta, comuníquese con Mandie Mayo, Directora de Comunicaciones, a mayoa@live.siouxcityschools.com.
Maintaining A Safe and Healthy Environment
The Sioux City Community School District is committed to providing an environment where students and staff members are treated with dignity and respect. We recognize that we are not unique, in that we experience the challenges of school and community-based bullying, yet we want to be unique in serving as a District that works to make a significant and positive difference in this arena. Please, join us in the effort to maintain a safe and healthy school environment. Visit our website, www.siouxcityschools.org/anti-bullying-harassment-hazing/, to learn more about our anti-bullying policy, view resources to help us combat bullying, or report concerns. We also welcome your feedback. Consider sharing your ideas or concerns using the Let’s Talk tool on our website.
Manteniendo un Ambiente Seguro y Saludable
El Distrito Escolar de la Comunidad de Sioux City se compromete a proporcionar un ambiente en que los estudiantes y el personal sean tratados con dignidad y respeto. Reconocemos que no somos únicos, ya que experimentamos los desafíos del acoso escolar y comunitario, pero queremos ser únicos en servir como un Distrito que trabaja para hacer una diferencia significante y positiva en esta escena. Por favor, únase a nosotros en el esfuerzo para mantener un ambiente escolar seguro y saludable. Visite nuestro sitio web, www.siouxcityschools.org/anti-bullying-harassment-hazing/, para aprender más acerca de nuestro política contra bullying/acoso, repasar los recursos que nos ayudan a combatir el bullying, o reportar sus preocupaciones. También agradecemos sus comentarios y sugerencias. Considere compartir sus ideas o inquietudes, usando la herramienta Let’s Talk (Hablemos) en nuestro sitio web.
Let's Talk
An engaged community makes our District stronger. That is why we have made it easy for you to connect with us whenever it is convenient for you. We encourage you to take advantage of Let’s Talk!, our 24/7 online submission site. Reach out with your ideas, questions, concerns, and praise. To make a submission, please visit http://www.siouxcityschools.org/lets-talk/.
Communication and Preparedness
Student and staff safety is of paramount importance in the Sioux City Community School District. For this reason, the District exercises a host of crisis prevention and planning tactics. Should an emergency occur, the school notifies you through our Blackboard phone system. In an emergency, the system calls every phone number associated with your child in order to reach you. The message will give you details about the emergency and provide directions on when/where to pick up your child if the normal school day is altered. Learn more about school safety.
Focus 2022 Strategic Plan
Non-Discrimination Statement
The Sioux City Community School District offers career and technical programs in the following areas: Business & Marketing, Family & Consumer Science, Health Science, and Industrial Arts, Technology, & PLTW.
The Sioux City Community School District is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. It is an unfair or discriminatory practice for any educational institution to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information (for employment), national origin, religion, age (for employment), disability, socioeconomic status (for programs), marital status (for programs), or veteran status (for employment) in its educational programs and its employment practices.
Inquiries or grievances, including Section 504 grievances and grievances under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, may be directed to Jen Gomez, Director of Student Services & Equity Education at 627 4th Street, Sioux City, IA 51101, (712) 279-6075, gomezj2@live.siouxcityschools.com. Please see District Board policies 103 and 504.4 for additional information on available grievance procedures.
Bryant Elementary School
Principal: Mary Kay Kollars
The mission of Bryant Elementary School is to provide all students with an exemplary education, which will meet the diverse needs of individual students in a positive and safe environment while preparing them for academic success, productive citizenship, and lifelong learning.
Website: https://www.siouxcityschools.org/bryant
Location: 3040 Jones Street, Sioux City, IA 51104, USA
Phone: 712-279-6819
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bryant-Elementary-School-392305667903892/
Twitter: @bryant_school