Amana Elementary
Newsletter
Feel Good Friday
I used to be an administrator of sorts for the middle school, YEARS ago (16 to be exact). I would walk into a classroom and there would be groans of, “who is in trouble now?” As Amana principal, I on occasion have to make phone calls home and every once in a while, I will hear, “what did he do now?”. Actually, it’s been a LONG time since I’ve had a parent answer the phone like that. Every principal laments they wish they could make more positive calls/emails/texts than negative. I used to wish it...but I never made it work, until we implemented PBIS and SAIL SHOUTOUTS in particular. Like many great ideas, they typically evolve out of necessity or organically. Mrs. Hilton two years ago sent me an email, with the words, “I want to send a SAIL SHOUTOUT to….” and the rest is history.
PBIS (Positive Behaviors Intervention of Supports) was born out of necessity and the celebration of SHOUTOUTS was organic, and I love it! If you find a blue ticket in your child’s backpack, pocket or shoe (it happens), ask how they earned it! Just some recent fun SHOUTOUTS:
Brother to brother: Jonah wanted to recognize his big brother Liam for going out of his way to help a 1st grader when the backpack got stuck.
Ella recognized a gait was open and knew for the preschoolers to be safe, it needed to be closed. Ella correctly identified the gait was broken, and that by sliding the bottom attachment together, the gait would close just fine!
Jericho - he always has an amazing attitude about everything. He is consistently kind to teachers and his peers.
Ms. Rhonda in the library, for putting a book on my desk, with the note, “I thought you might like to read this book.” The book was The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse.
These are just a few of the hundreds we have had over the small amount of time we have incorporated the shoutouts.
Please know, it’s not about a blue ticket, or a picture, or an all class pajama party, or an extra recess (those are just a few of the celebrations we have incorporated), it’s about genuine and real interactions between students and staff. It’s about common expectations and practices that help ground our students (and staff) in a process where we can support everyone in positive ways. I can think of two books (now three) that have had a tremendous impact on my work as an educator (if you’re interested in the first two, message me!). The third book is called, kids these days by Jody Carrington PHD. One of the themes is relationships between students and creating positive moments in our students’ lives. Typically student behavior has the underlying function of attention seeking. Dr. Carrington reminds us, “Every time you hear yourself say, ‘That kid is attention seeking,’ try to replace that phrase with, ‘That kid is connection seeking,”. And THAT is what PBIS helps us do to help motivate students to be SAFE, APPROPRIATE, INVOLVED, LEARNERS!
I will on occasion still need to make a less than fun phone call, email, and even text message. I try my very best to phrase these conversations around learning opportunities. But I am happy to report that this year will mark our third year of PBIS, and my positive outreaches FAR exceed my less than pleasant contacts!
Quick side note: Next week is homecoming. I LOVE how we have all district celebration days! I would encourage all of us to check out the most recent CCA District newsletter. We have a line of CCA clothing directly tied to our school fight song! Very cool.
Have a great weekend.
WE ARE AMANA!
Ben Macumber, Principal
Tuesday: Rainbow Day (5th grade=RED, 4th grade=ORANGE, 3rd Grade=YELLOW, 2nd Grade=GREEN, 1st Grade=BLUE, Kinder=PURPLE, PK=RED)
Wednesday: Career Day (dress as the career you want or a career you admire)
Thursday: Favorite Team Day (pro, college, little league, gymnastics, chess, etc.)
Friday: Clipper Spirit Day (CCA clothing or Blue/White)
Classroom Snacks/Birthday Treats
Classroom Snacks must follow the Healthy Snack guidelines to meet the Smart Snack Requirements as set by USDA. No soda, candy and other such items are allowed.
Daily student snacks in the classroom will be brought in by the individual student for their own consumption. While we have no control over what that snack item may be, we ask that you help to provide a healthy snack option for your child.
Due to COVID19 restrictions, we are not allowing classroom snacks for special days such as birthdays, holidays, etc. be brought from home by the parent that do not meet the following standards:
- 1. Item must be individually packaged for each student to open
- 2. Item must meet Smart Snack Guidelines
- 3. Item must not require refrigeration
- 4. If Item is brought in from another source other than the school purchasing, it must be in its original bulk purchase box.**example if purchasing individual bags of popcorn from Costco that come packaged in a box or bag, the bag or box cannot be opened before coming into the school. It must come in as purchased. This includes a purchase made from any other store or source.
Items produced or made at home and then individually wrapped are not acceptable.
A parent or teacher or PTG group may purchase items from the CCA School Food Service Department via the attached Order Guide which was updated 9/2/2020. We understand that a classroom size is much smaller than the case count of most of these products. We cannot purchase partial cases from our Distributor. Suggestions are for the classrooms to combine orders and split the case. Or a parent may purchase a case and take the rest home for what is not needed that day and allow their family to consume.
Some things to remember:
- Snacks orders need to be emailed or faxed to Debbie Klein, Food Service Director at debbieklein@ccaschools.org or 319-828-4743 (FAX)
- Snack orders need to be pre-paid before they are ordered, please write checks to "Clear Creek Amana Food Service"
- Orders are due Mondays and delivered to appropriate school on Thursdays
Click here for a link to the Snack List/Snack Order Form
BackPack Program
Through a partnership between HACAP and the CCA Community School District we are able to offer families a weekend food BackPack Program. The BackPack Program provides a small food bag of kid-friendly, non-perishable snacks for children each Friday and during school breaks. This is a FREE program, with no specific requirements that families must meet. It is also kept completely confidential – only the counselor will be aware of participating families. If the BackPack Program would be helpful for you and your children, please contact your building counselor or social worker.
Kelsey Koffend, Amana Elementary Counselor
Ronald McDonald House Can Tabs
Little things like pop tabs can make a big difference! Help support families and children through our Pop Tab program by collecting and donating the aluminum tabs you pull to open soda, soup, and other cans.
Box Tops for Education
THE NEXT GENERATION OF BOX TOPS IS HERE. Box Tops is changing to fit today's families. The new and improved Box Tops mobile app uses state-of-the-art technology to scan your store receipt, find participating products and instantly add Box Tops to your school's earnings online.
Eventually the Box Tops program will become digital-only. Participating brands are starting to change their packaging from a traditional Box Tops clip to the new Box Top label.
Box Tops are still worth 10¢ each for your school. The app will find participating products purchased at any store and instantly add cash to your school's earnings online.
Register Tapes for Education
Amana Elementaty
benmacumber@ccaschools.org
319-622-3255
Email: colleenconrad@ccaschools.org
Website: https://www.ccaschools.org/AE
Location: 3023 220th Trail, Middle Amana, IA, USA
Phone: (319) 622-3255