Panther Press
K-12 Weekly: December 15, 2017
Winter Break
- Fri. Dec. 22: 2 hr Early Dismissal
- December 25 - January 2nd: NO SCHOOL
- Wed. Jan. 3: School resumes
Complete calendar is linked here. Choose your preferred format (week, month or agenda).
HS & MS Laptop Reminders
Middle School and High School Parents/Guardians:
With the holiday break approaching, the Technology Department wants to remind you about the school issued devices for the students. Following these steps can help prevent any potential damage/theft to the computers and accessories.
- Ensure the devices are being transported in their carrying cases at all times.
- Try to keep the cords in areas where small children and pets cannot get to them.
- Do not eat or drink around the computer.
- Do not leave your device in an unsecured area.
- Do not leave your device in the cold weather for an extended period of time.
Enjoy your holidays!
Tree Tradition
A tradition at the high school for over 20 years continues with the support of Ryan Richardson and the high school Science Club. This tradition is the envy of all of the visitors to the high school during the month of December.
The story behind the tree goes back to the first year the high school building was opened and Curt Froyen donated a tree from his property to the school and has donated trees for over 20 years. The tree has went through many changes over the years but Mr. Froyen still talks about Mr. Bud Bright having students write poems and hanging them from the tree and science club hanging candy canes from the tree with every high school students’ name on it. Students would pick a day and during lunch they would find their candy canes as a way to celebrate the upcoming holiday.
Thank you Mr. Richardson, Mr. Froyen, Mr. Bright, Mr. Moats, and all other staff members involved in this tradition. A special thank you goes to all the students from this year’s science club and members from the past for establishing a tradition we can be so proud of at Knoxville High School. Thank you to SCISWA landfill for donating this year’s tree.
Knoxville MS/HS Activities
We have a couple reminders about behavior when you are attending home events as spectators. Please remain in the gym and cheer in a positive manner for players. Students are not allowed to be in the hallways or walking around the school building at any time.
Friday, Dec. 15th
- 9/JV/Varsity G/B Basketball @ E-B-F 5:00
- JV Wrestling @ Indianola Invite 5:15
- 9/JV/Varsity Boys Basketball vs. PCM 3:00 (HS Gym)
- Varsity Wrestling @ Lynnville-Sully Invite 10:00am
- G/B Bowling vs. Centerville/Davis Co. 9:00am (@ Mustang Lanes in Monroe)
Monday, Dec. 18th
- 7/8th Girls Basketball vs. Centerville 4:15 (KMS Gym)
- 7/8th Boys Basketball @ Centerville 4:15
- High School Band/Vocal Concert @ KPAC 7:00
Tuesday, Dec. 19th:
- 9/JV/Varsity G/B Basketball @ Centerville 5:00
- Middle School Band Concert @ KPAC 7:00
Thursday, Dec. 21st:
- JV/Varsity Wrestling vs. Ballard 6:30 (KHS Gym)
- 7th Girls Basketball vs. Newton 4:30 (KMS Gym)
- 8th Girls Basketball @ Newton 4:30
Friday, Dec. 22nd:
- 9/JV/Varsity G/B Basketball vs. Bondurant-Farrar 4:45 (KMS and KMS Gyms)
Again this year, Knoxville High School will stream live the majority of their home boys and girls basketball games and the home wrestling meet on Dec. 21st via high school cube.
Teachers EdCamp
During our Monday morning PD time on December 4th, our Knoxville High School teachers participated in our first ever EdCamp. The EdCamp gives our teachers a voice in what they would like to learn more about during their PD time. Teachers were able to collaborate with one another during this time.
Construction Trades Career Fair
Knoxville HS construction trades class attended a career fair and competed at the ABC apprentice program against 9 other schools to see who could build this dog house to specifications. Students were judged on their ability to follow instructions, safety, teamwork, and overall quality. Overall the team finished in the middle of the pack.
Marketing Class Sells Panther Cups
KHS students selling Panther Cups during the lunch hour from their Marketing class. The Panther Cups won the Panther "Shark Tank" during Marketing class as the best product to sell.
MakerSpace
Our MakerSpace being used in the KHS Media Center during the lunch hour. A MakerSpace is a collaborative work space used for making, learning, sharing, and exploring ideas and tools on student's own time. In the picture, students and Mrs. Carlson are using printing pens to create Christmas ornaments. The pen allows the user to create 3D designs.
Dear 6th, 7th & 8th Grade Band Parents,
On Tuesday, December 19th, 2017 is the Knoxville Middle School Winter Band Concert. Your son or daughter the past several weeks has been preparing for this event. The concert will begin at 7:00pm, in the Knoxville Performing Arts Center (KPAC) at the high school. I would like to have students arrive no later than 6:45pm, so any last minute preparations can be addressed. I am hoping for 100% participation for this performance, but as we all know, things do come up. If for some reason your son or daughter is unable to make it to the performance, then a make up assignment will be given to them so they can complete it for full credit (at the discretion of Mr. McBride.) The concert will be worth 30% of your child’s band grade. If a conflict does arise, please contact me as soon as possible.
I have had several questions about appropriate concert dress – this is a dressy affair, and students should look their best. Please do not feel obligated to purchase new clothing for this concert! If finding clothing is something you want to pursue, please consider the following:
- Borrow from someone
- Goodwill
Please refer to the following guidelines for appropriate concert dress:
Ladies:
- A nice dress, skirt, or pants are preferred
- A dress shirt
- Clean dress shoes are preferred
Gentlemen:
- Dress pants are preferred – clean, no holes
- A dress shirt is preferred (a plain, clean shirt with no holes and no writing would be an acceptable alternative)
- Clean dress shoes are preferred
If you have any questions or concerns about the upcoming performance, please contact me as soon as possible. This looks to be a wonderful event for all students.
Sincerely,
Mr. McBride, Knoxville Middle School Band Director
641-842-3315 ext. 108 or tim.mcbride@kcsd.k12.ia.us
8th Graders Point-of-View
Iowa State University Play
All 7th grade students attended a play at Iowa State University on Dec. 7, 2017. They had been reading “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens and dramatized by Fred Gaines in Language Arts classes. Students were able to determine the theme of the text and analyze how elements work together over the course of a drama. Students were given a wonderful opportunity to see a college production of the script they read. Following are some of the students quotations about what they thought and learned during this unit and some pictures of the event:
"I learned that no matter if you have a lot or a little- you should always share.” Hannah Kling
"The play we saw was a once in a lifetime opportunity. It was amazing!” Cassie Brooks
“I liked how the actors change their voices to make the characters more realistic.” Destanie Moss
“Watching the play was good because it helped me to see or visualize the ghosts from our reading.” Donovan Binns
“I thought the play was better than the book because it was more in-depth.” Morgan McKay
“‘A Christmas Carol’ wasn’t just for fun; although, it was really fun. There were lessons to be learned too.” Kodi Cram
Join the Local ISTEP Chapter
A little over a month ago, students participated in an after school event for Red Ribbon Week. Knoxville Middle School graciously allowed me to host an event with fun activities of button making and volleyball. This was a great opportunity for me to promote drug prevention, but also to shed light on a statewide program that is led by youth. Iowa Students for Tobacco Education & Prevention, or ISTEP, is an organization that was started by high school students who were tired of tobacco hurting family and friends. Every county in the state of Iowa has the opportunity to start a chapter in their community. All that is needed is an adult and at least three students who are interested in working with me to make a difference. To promote tobacco prevention we would plan a minimum of one event a year. There are lots of ways to do this, my event was just one example. I am looking for students or even an already existing group that would be interested in forming the first chapter in Marion County. If you are interested or would like to know more, please contact me. I can be reached at 641-828-2238 ext. 149 or via email at vstalter@marionph.org.
Venessa Stalter, MPH, CMA
Program Coordinator|Marion County Public Health Department|2003 North Lincoln|PO Box 152|Knoxville, IA 50138|Phone 641.828.2238x149|Fax 641.842.3442| vstalter@marionph.org
4th Grade Hour of Code
Fourth Grade Classrooms participated in the Hour of Code this week, December 4-8. Many students are learning how to create games using codes, and how to decipher codes to solve problems. They are really intrigued and excited about being able to create their own products! Computer Science is alive at Northstar Elementary!!!!!
Elementary PTO's Giving Tree
Parents and Guardians,
The holiday season is upon us. Teachers are in constant need of classroom supplies, games and other items to help enrich your child’s classroom experience. To help fill this need, the Elementary PTO is sponsoring a Giving Tree that will be set up in the lobby of each school.
The teachers and students will make a wish list of items they would like to have in their classroom such as markers, glue, hand sanitizer, games, etc. These items will be written on ornaments which will be placed on the tree in the entry of the school. We ask that the item be wrapped so that the children and teachers can open them at their holiday party before winter break. (Please make sure the classroom name is on it.) Packages can be sent to school at any time and placed under the tree. Remember, these items do not have to be expensive. Pencils, markers, crayons, glue, Kleenex, etc. are just as needed as games and books! Every gift is appreciated by the teachers and students.
Your participation is voluntary. If you have any questions, please contact a PTO member. (Amy Senn <amysenn14@gmail.com> or Nicole Rodgers <rodgernl@hotmail.com>)
Thanks and Happy Holidays,
Hearing Screening
Heartland AEA 11 will conduct its annual Hearing Conservation program at Northstar on January 10, 11, and 12.
Students in third, fourth, and fifth grades will receive a hearing screening.
Students who do not pass this screening will receive a repeat screening and may receive individual hearing tests by the audiologist and consultation with school personnel. Parents will be notified about the results of the hearing test if their child does not pass the test. This is a screening process only, and does not identify all hearing or ear problems. If your child has had hearing or ear problems recently, feel free to send this information to the school nurse for the audiologist.
If you do not want your child to participate in the screening program and follow-up assessments by the school audiologist, please notify the school. If there are any questions about the hearing testing program in your school, please contact your school nurse or principal.
Heartland AEA 11 Screening Program
Hearing Conservation/Education Services
The Kindergarteners are getting excited for Christmas! They wrote letters to Santa and stories about him. They are ready for Santa to come to town!
DEADLINE FOR ALL ORDERS IS TUESDAY, JANUARY 9TH.
SHOOTING FOR THE FUTURE & PINS FOR EDUCATION
The Knoxville Education Foundation was incorporated in 1995. The primary objective of the Foundation is to build a fund that will generate a continuing source of money for scholarships or special projects within the school district. The Knoxville Education Foundation is not part of the Knoxville School District; it is an independent organization that contributes to projects not achievable through the regular school budget.
To help in our efforts, you are invited to participate in the 12th year of a program designed to raise money for Knoxville’s students. We are asking that you consider donating money for each 3-point basket made by varsity basketball players (boys and girls) and/or each pin made by a Knoxville varsity wrestler during the 2017-2018 seasons. At the conclusion of the season, you will receive a bill showing the amount owed to the Foundation.
Money is used to provide scholarships for graduating seniors, supporting educational programs, and for other special projects designed to provide educational opportunities for our students. Each year we strive to donate $1,000 to each school for their use in meeting a need they have for their students. Those contributions have proven to be very helpful at each school.
If you are interested in participating in this program, please complete the pledge form below (PDF) and return it to:
Kim Hollinrake, Treasurer
Knoxville Education Foundation
309 W. Main St.
Knoxville, IA 50138
Thank you for your support.
David Hoke, President
Knoxville Education Foundation
Knoxville Schools Cancellation/Delay Alerts
If you haven't already, please sign up to receive cancellations and/or delay notifications through GovDelivery. Choose to receive email and/or text messages. Directions to sign up are located here.
KCSD Administrative Office
Email: lisa.willis@kcsd.k12.ia.us
Website: www.knoxville.k12.ia.us
Location: 309 W Main St, Knoxville, IA, United States
Phone: 641-842-6551