Tzouanakis Trailblazer
Volume 5, Issue 14, November 11, 2015
Forever Moving Forward...NO Learning Limit!
We are the TZ Tigercubs!
Commitment from Everyone,
Excellence for Everyone
Email: jstrube@greencastle.k12.in.us
Website: http://www.greencastle.k12.in.us/schools/tzouanakis-intermediate-school
Location: 500 Linwood Dr, Greencastle, IN, United States
Phone: (765) 653-4700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/245780982146568/
Twitter: @tztigercubs
School Hours
Mondays: 8:45-2:55
Tuesdays-Fridays: 8:00-2:55
Office Hours
Mondays-Fridays: 7:30-4:00
Check This Out...How the iPads are being used to enhance instruction and student learning at TZ
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) of 4th or 5th Grade Student:
This is an important message regarding ISTEP+ results. It is expected that the Indiana Department of Education will release ISTEP+ results to parents (via the Indiana Parent Network) on Monday, November 9. On Wednesday, Nov. 4, your child brought home an envelope with a letter addressed to you, the parent/guardian. This letter includes directions, web address, and Invitation Code for you to access your child’s ISTEP+ results from the 2015 spring assessment.
A few important pieces of information:
NEW this YEAR--Once you have reviewed your child’s results, if you determine that a request for a rescore is appropriate, you will be the one to make that request by following the directions on the website. There are directions on the letter that you will receive that assist you with this process. I will be reviewing the student data, and I will contact parents/guardians of students that I feel are good candidates for a rescore request. The rescore request window is only open for five days, November 9-13.
Please note this test is a new format of the ISTEP+ assessment that assessed the more difficult standards that were put into place this last school year. Glenda Ritz, Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction, anticipates student scores will be down 20-30 percent compared to the previous year’s ISTEP+ test. We fully anticipate the student scores to drop, so please don’t be alarmed if you see a drop in your child’s test scores.
If you are having technical difficulties with the Indiana Parent Network site, please contact CTB by calling 1-800-481-4769 or email at support@ctb.com
You may contact me at school with any questions or concerns.
Respectfully,
Jon Strube
TZ Fall Book Fair...........................IS HERE NOW! November 9-13
TZ Holiday Spirit Wear On Sale Now
Long Sleeve Black T-Shirt (Design Below)
Orders Due by 11/20/15 for Delivery by Winter Break
Order Form Below (Hard Copy Will Go Home on 11/11/15)
This year our 4th graders have an exciting opportunity to join a new program offered by Tzouanakis and the DePauw University School of Music. During the second nine week period in the 4th grade general music classes, students learn about and listen to recordings of various instruments; this year they will actually play the violin for ten class meetings starting in October. Ms. Shannon Crow, a wonderful violinist and teacher, will join Mrs. Hamilton, TZ music teacher, for class lessons, with instruments provided by DePauw at no cost to the families.
After the ten-day period, if the student enjoys the experience and wishes to continue, they can do so through one-hour group meetings after school on Thursdays (at Tzouanakis) for the remainder of the fall. Seasoned string instructor, Mr. Ed Staubach, a retired middle school and high school orchestra teacher, and instructor for DePauw’s String Techniques course will teach these classes. By the time we reach winter break, all 4th graders will have had a ten-day period of violin lessons.
The plan for January to May is for those continuing on the violin to meet once a week during the school music class or related arts period and on Thursdays after school at Tzouanakis.
This year’s 4th grade class will be the foundation of what we hope will eventually lead to a youth orchestra in Greencastle and/or string classes in the schools.
Click Above for Video
Volunteer in the Classroom or Field Trip--Need Background Check On File--Good for One Year
At TZ we appreciate parents/guardians that would like to volunteer to assist in the classrooms and/or go on field trips. As a part of any volunteer activity, we must have a cleared background check on file for each person wanting to assist here at school or accompany a class on a field trip.
I wanted to take time to clarify the limited/volunteer background checks. These background checks are free to our volunteers. A limited/volunteer background check is only good for one calendar year. If a volunteer wishes to continue volunteering after one year, they must submit a new application.
A link to the form that needs to be completed and turned in to the TZ office is below. You may also come by the school to complete the form. We do need to have a copy of your driver’s license to process the request.
Again, we appreciate your willingness to volunteer.
Mr. Strube