We Are WDMCS
District Staff Monthly E-Newsletter
Wednesday, Nov. 20 , 2019
Bookfair & Cheesecake Fundraiser
Valley’s Senior Plus Program requests your support for their fundraiser with Barnes & Noble—The Shoppes at Three Fountains, 4550 University Ave., West Des Moines, IA 50266!
Here’s how you can help:
- Attend the book fair and present the voucher.
- Bring your printed order form and a check to Denise Dieter by Nov. 30.
LRC Plumbing Project Nov. 26-Dec. 1
The Learning Resource Center will have water shut off from Tuesday, Nov. 26 through Sunday, Dec. 1. This outage is necessary to repair drains in the building and a sprinkler system shut off on the outside of the building. We selected these dates to minimize the number of people impacted.
Portable restrooms will be located at the west end of the building near the flag poles. Individuals should bring water bottles because drinking fountains will be out of order.
Early Retirement Plan Deadline Reminder
This is a friendly reminder that individuals eligible for retirement at the end of the 2019-20 year or 2020-21 year must submit application materials to Human Resources on or before Monday Dec. 2, 2019, by 4:30 p.m. Please contact Alex Koenen, salary specialist, with any questions.
The Valley High School varsity football team will take on Dowling Catholic on Friday, Nov. 22, in a battle for the championship title in the Class 4A Iowa high school state football playoffs. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. Read more in advance of the big game!
Use the promotional code ValleyTigers to remove the service charge for online ticket sales. Please note that the promotional code to wave fees is void once the first state championship game starts on Thursday.
WDMCS Teacher Awarded Prestigious Recognition
Learn how putting relationships first earned Valley Southwoods Freshman High School's Ryan Penning the Iowa Safe Schools Educator of the Year Award.
PODCAST: Effective Grading Practices - A High School Teacher's Perspective
Speak Up! Encouraging Words for K-12 Professionals
The following is an excerpt from the National SAM Innovation Project.
"You are in an amazing profession. Schools in the United States have made the country exceptional. Our action as educational leaders to focus on improvement fits with our philosophy of making sure educational services are not only available but effective for all.
Unfortunately, we’ve seen some use data inappropriately and paint schools as failing. In fact, our silence has allowed many to think that schools are ineffective. Would you be surprised to know that schools today outperform schools in each of the last five decades?
'…Americans have increasingly said in national surveys that current students are getting a worse education than they themselves did, and they have been wrong. Scores from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, “the nation’s report card,” have risen steadily since the 1970’s. unquestionably, students today have mastery of basic skills that is superior to students of the past. School has not gotten worse. The goals of education have just become loftier.' - science journalist and best-selling author David Epstein, Range, Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World
"We are careful that feedback and conversations with teachers are thoughtful, specific and done with positive intention. Maybe we should be sure to practice a bit of celebratory feedback about our overall work and success. We should focus on how to be better. This doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate our wins. And the fact is, schools are great and getting even better every year.
"Want another fact to share? Kids today are smarter that we are. IQ tests in the US and 30 other countries show an increase in every generation in the 20th century.
'The gains are startling: three points every ten years. To put that in perspective, if an adult who scored average today were compared to adults a century ago, she would be in the 98th percentile.' - Range, Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World"
SafeSchools Training Open Lab
You can complete your SafeSchools training at any of our open labs at the Learning Resource Center.
OPEN LAB DATES
Join us 1-4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26.SafeSchools training must be completed by the end of day Friday, Nov. 29.
Des Moines Performing Arts Discounted Tickets
School/Community Relations
buckl@wdmcs.org
515-633-5023
Alexandra Wade
515-633-5022
Aaron Young
younga@wdmcs.org
515-633-5016
Email: scroffice@wdmcs.org
Website: www.wdmcs.org
Location: 3550 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines, IA, USA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wdmcs/
Twitter: @WDMCS