Panther Press
October 6, 2017
National School Lunch Week: Oct. 9-13
Elementary News
Backpack Buddies Program: Oct. - May
Knoxville Elementary Schools are proud to be part of the Backpack Buddies Program! It will help approximately 50 students in grades K-5 again this year. The success of this program takes a community effort or it wouldn’t be possible. A huge thank you goes to Celebrate Church for the van and drivers/manpower, Bruce Crozier, Randy and Donna Flack, Knoxville Hospital and Clinics, and the Knoxville employees that keep this program successful.
This program sponsored by the Food Bank of Iowa is helping with this huge concern for students. The Food Bank supplies kid-friendly/easy to prepare foods to assist families through wk-ends when free or reduced meals are not available at school.
IF you would like more information about this program or how to financially sponsor it – please call Ruthann Burkman @ West Elementary
Northstar P.E. with Mrs. Huyck
Northstar P.E. started the year with a variety of “throwing, guarding and catching” games along with a yard games unit. This unit included bags, shuffleboard, spike ball and a Frisbee toss game. Shuffleboard and spike ball were a big hit. For our warm-ups this year, I’ve incorporated more core exercises. Some examples are planks, hollow holds and supermans. I’ve also incorporated an interval warm-up, where the students do an exercise or “hold” for 20 seconds, rest for 10 seconds, then move to a different station. It is basically a type of circuit training. We will continue these throughout the year. As we get into October, we will engage in a variety of soccer activities in addition to a game called “Gladiators” which is another favorite game. It’s been a wonderful start to the year and I hope your student enjoys P.E. as much as I do!!!!
Students in Language Arts collaborating to create a plot diagram about the Cask of Amontillado.
K-5 TAG and Enrichment
My name is Mr. Roozeboom and I am the TAG (Talented and Gifted) and Enrichment Group teacher in the K-5 buildings. I get a chance to challenge our students in new and exciting ways at Northstar and West Elementary.
- At the beginning of the year, I did the same challenge for each group. Each grade level got to attempt a building challenge and problem solve with peers as to what would work the best and why. The pictures are of the "spaghetti and marshmallow" building challenge. Many figured out along he way that triangles inside of the squares are what helps make it sturdy.
- In Kindergarten this year we have been doing math challenges, beginning to write complete sentences, learning where and why the sun comes up every day, and we are just getting ready to study stars.
- In first grade they got to work on a writing/creativity activity with letters and they are currently studying seasons from around the world. They will end with a writing activity about different seasons that they learned about.
- In second grade they have done math challenges and are currently working on a state project. They get to use technology to research states and use google maps to see the difference in size between cities, states, and countries. Soon they will present their project to peers.
- In third grade they are doing a project on Unsung Heroes. They have to research and put the info into their own words, which is a challenging skill. They will find pictures of their hero as well. Then they will type up a script to read as they put their information and pictures into an Imovie.
- In fourth grade the students did a major math project where they learn about budgets and how their parents have to make that work each month. They are then given a job, a budget, and they run through many choices along the way to make ends meet. They choose a house, car, phone, and many other things but have to stay within the budget that their job allows. This was very eye opening for most of these kids as to why their parents say "no" sometimes to buying them everything they want.
- In fifth grade there are two different projects going on. The first is a parachute project. They first learn the science of how it works, and then they get to build their own parachutes and change size, shape, and material to see the things that affect flight. The other project is creating your own business. These students learn about start up costs, ongoing costs, and other things it takes to get one up and running. Then they come up with their own business plan and work out all of the details from cost, business name, logo, slogan, business cards, marketing (commercials, websites, etc.) and they have to work as a team to put all of this together.
This has been a great beginning to the year. I don't know many people that can say they love coming to work every day. I am one that can say that. Working in the Knoxville School District is a blessing!
KMS NEWS
KMS Band Updates
The 7-8th Grade Marching Band has kept busy prepping to march in the annual Knoxville Homecoming Parade! The Marching Band plans to perform their fall parade music during the parade, which is “Cool Kids” by Echosmith. The 7th and 8th grade band students also performed at the KMS pep assembly for for Homecoming.
8th grade student Jonathan Watson recently auditioned for the SCIBA Middle School Honor Band. This is a very intense audition process where he had to learn two very difficult songs and memorize 10 major scales. The results have not yet been announced, however we congratulate him on a job well done!
7th Grade Ecology Field Trip
KMS 7th graders took their annual Marion County field trip on 9/29/17. Students visited 5 stations to learn more about the world around them. At each station students had specific focus questions to learn more about. If you know a 7th grader, be sure to ask them about their day and have them answer these questions for you!
CLICK HERE to read more and to view the photo gallery from their day!
KHS News
Healthy Walk Day was Wednesday at Randy Wilson Track. High School students participated as part of the PE program and during Advisory. It was USA day theme at the High School for Homecoming, as you can tell by the pictures.
National School Bus Safety Week is coming up, but something we focus on always. Students are the number one priority. Please, join us by living by the following motto each and every day of the year:
Being Aware
U Staying Alert
So Kids Don't Get Hurt
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.
Knoxville Community School District
Email: lisa.willis@kcsd.k12.ia.us
Website: www.knoxville.k12.ia.us
Phone: 641-842-6551
KCSD Non-Discrimination Policy
It is the policy of the Knoxville Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact Equity Coordinator Jill Van Woerkom, Director of Human Resources at 309 W Main, Knoxville, IA 50138, 641/842-6551 or jill.vanwoerkom@kcsd.k12.ia.us. The grievance will then be directed to the appropriate administrator charged with managing the program or department specified in the grievance.
The Board requires all persons, agencies, vendors, contractors and other persons and organizations doing business with or performing services for the District to subscribe to all applicable federal and state laws, executive orders, rules and regulations pertaining to contract compliance and equal opportunity.