Cowboy Chronicles October 2013

Clarion-Goldfieldand Dows

Community School Districts

From the Desk of the Superintendent Dr. Robert OlsonTrust But VerifyInterscholastic athletics and co-curricular activities are expensive. When considering all of the costs associated with extra-curricular activities, it is quite staggering. This includes the expenses of officials, facilities, transportation, coaches, equipment, supplies, protective equipment, tape, etc. Fortunately, we have a very supportive Booster Club that helps with the cost of uniforms, equipment, etc., but the total annual expense for all activities in 2011-2012 was about $375,000.

Extra-curricular activities are weaved into the fabric of the school experience. Activities are open to all students. Transportation to Goldfield and Dows is arranged to limit obstacles associated with access. Local and national studies show that student involvement in extra-curricular activities has a positive relationship with higher grades in school.

Expenses for activities are significant. The district has a responsibility to fairly collect admissions at the gate and verify those who hold season passes and other passes recognized for admission. If a pass holder doesn’t present a valid pass, the individual will be asked to pay admission or sign a verification sheet. Although we strongly encourage membership to booster clubs, membership is not the same as a season pass.

We have had a number of other suggestions related to gate receipts and possible leakage. Some have been found entering gates designed for players. Some have opened an unsupervised door to let friends in. The spectators sitting in the swimming pool park during football is a whole other discussion that is very difficult to address, particularly since many of the spectators sitting there are season or senior pass holders.

We ask that all supporters of school activities continue to attend and help support the programs we provide. The district has been a champion for keeping admission prices low and resist conference proposals designed to raise those prices. We want spectators and need to keep the cost of a family to attend activities as low as possible. Please don’t be offended if you are asked to produce a current admission pass. It is by collecting admissions from all who should pay, that helps us keep those prices low.

Trading PlacesSome may not know, the football field and track was never owned by the School District. Long ago, the District and City made an agreement to allow the school to use the property for school activities. Recently however, the City and District traded properties to help develop a housing project, located east of the high school.

Some have asked if the trade also includes the property between the swimming pool parking lot and the football field, which many use to view football games. Some of the same people are concerned that some of the individuals “sitting on the hill” are not senior citizens with passes or season ticket holders. They were hoping the district would have jurisdiction over this area and reserve it for paying customers.

The answer is no. The school property is generally the area along a line, extending from the back of the visitor bleachers fence.

Does the district have jurisdiction over this area? No. Does the district want everyone viewing the game, to pay

admission? Yes. Are some spectators better served by sitting in the area near the swimming pool parking lot hill? Yes. Some have more difficulty negotiating the steps in the stands and the hill accommodates physical limitations better. Does the district need the money to operate their activity programs? Yes.

We are hoping everyone sitting in the areas outside of the football field fence, help the district meet their financial needs for expenses associated with these programs, by either buying current season passes or obtaining a free senior citizen passes if 65 years or older.

ReorganizationFirst and foremost, thank you for the great turnout at the polls. High participation is more representative and helps the districts clearly recognize the wishes of district patrons. The two Boards wish to keep the public informed as plans develop for the birth of a new school district, Clarion-Goldfield-Dows.

There is much to be done now that the reorganization election has been approved. Members of the Transition Board need to be identified, representing three director districts, one each for Dows and Goldfield and three for the remaining area, including Clarion. The Transition Board is responsible for the planning associated with the new school district. Most months, Transition Board members will have two meetings, one for their respective district, plus one for the Transition Board.

It is the district’s desire to continue to keep its patrons informed, particularly as plans unfold for the operation of the Clarion-Goldfield-Dows School District. Please read the Cowboy Chronicles every month to stay informed of new developments.

We Have Spirit, Yes We Do!Elementary students at Clarion-Goldfield celebrated the week of Homecoming, September 16th-20th, with a variety of fun activities. Tuesday, students in 3rd, 4th and 5th grades participated in a “Mix It Up” at lunch. Wednesday was Battle of the Colors! Students dressed in different colored t-shirts according to their grade level. Senior athletes from the high school visited our campus during the noon recess’ and some even played games with us. Wednesday afternoon, students in kindergarten through 5th grade had a lot of fun on the football field playing Color Tag, Dead Ant and finding their shoes during the Shoe Relay! Mismatch Day on Thursday brought out all of our crazy colored socks and clothing and on Friday we donned our school colors of red and black and were introduced to the senior athletes that participate in cross country, volleyball and football during the pep rally at the stadium. We also had a chance to meet the king and queen candidates. Mr. Berning had some of the elementary teachers and the principal race against each other putting on football pads, shirt and a helmet. That was fun to watch! Lifetouch took pictures of our grade levels before we headed to the parade. Mrs. McGlynn taught the school song and Mrs. Thompson helped us decorate the hallways with our artwork. Ms. Rosendahl invited the students to join her to build a tunnel for the Cowboys prior to kick off at the game! We have school spirit, you bet we do!

Be A Good NeighborLinda Dow, Down to Earth, surprised the Dows staff with three red roses to celebrate Be A Good Neighbor. One rose was to keep, the other two were to share with a neighbor. Thanks so much for brightening our day. -The Dows Staff

Apple Ridge Orchard in Iowa Falls hosted the Dows Elementary, grades K - 3, last week. The students began their adventure by investigating the various produce plots. There were pumpkins, gourds, raspberries, cabbages, green beans, pear trees and of course, many apple trees! Elaine Bahr, our tour guide, shared there are 25 different types of apples grown on the Orchard. Watching the apple washing machine in action, weighing our bag of apples, visiting the 40°storage room and picking out our class pumpkins

Dows students enjoy a day at the Apple Orchard

were among the list of highlights. However, sampling the apple cider made from 10 varieties of apples definitely took top honors!

All On Board The BusMr. Bakker, Mrs. Trainum, and Mr. Sprain were all on board the bus and ready to teach the Dows students in kindergarten through third grade bus safety. The students were reminded how to sit on the bus, voice levels, rules for outside the bus area, and where and how to escape from the emergency exits. Then we took a short ride practicing our safety rules and respect for the bus driver. Thank you to our bus drivers.

Touchdown at Dows Elementary

The honor was all ours as four senior football players came to our class to talk about football and homecoming. Kirby Simmons, Gavin Disney, Caleb Hanson, and Mitch Gambrill made a special trip over to Dows to meet our students and not only discuss football, but also talk about the Character Counts pillars. These four high school students were great role models and helped the Dows students learn more of what homecoming is all about.

First graders were busy in the month of September learning about the life cycle of insects. To help us in this learning we watched two Monarch butterfly caterpillars complete their life cycle. We watched them eat and grow bigger, make a chrysalis and hatch into a butterfly. Then Jake Schaben from the Wright County Conservation Office came to school and helped us to tag and release our butterflies. He showed the students how to place the tag on the butterfly’s wing. Then he recorded the special numbers from the tag. Now, if someone finds our butterflies, they can report that number and we can track how far our butterflies went. It was exciting to see them fly away! We wonder if they will make it all the way to Mexico!

Butterfly Tagging

Shadow ActivitiesBy Mrs. Jensen, 5th grade Science instructor

The 5th grade science classes are currently learning about solar energy, the sun, and how shadows are formed. As a part of this they spent a class outdoors trying to create shadow shapes and had shadow challenges they strived to complete.

First State Bank and Town & Country In-surance donated stylus’ to the C-G Middle School students and staff. Each student now has their own stylus to use with their iPad.

Standing: Craig Nelsen, Jodi Reed, Denise Nelsen, Mrs. Ulven, Mr. McGurk, Tiffany Lowe, Myndi Mc-Cart, Staci Schnittjer, Mr. Haberman, Sherri O’Brien Students seated are Max Powers, Alexis Puente Morales, Karlie Sellner, Kimberly Rauch, Alex Harrah and Chance Konopasek

GREAT ENERGY ROCK PERFORMANCESSOLAR ENERGY

By Tanja Jensen, 5th grade Science Instructor

The 5th grade science classes are currently studying solar energy. The students had a great time presenting a great energy rock performance based on a solar energy song and information. The groups included celebrities such as “Pauly Power”, “Sol”, “Sunny”, ”Ray Don” and “Ray Donna”. The props were amazing!! Check out these fun pictures of our educational experience! (and what a great year to learn about all the aspects of solar energy)

One of our first fourth grade activities this year was “All About Occupations”. It was a fun way to help us get to know each other better. Miss Jones, Mrs. March, and Mrs. Wicks taught a lesson that involved reading about various types of careers

and then writing about a personal choice. Mrs. Keeling helped the teachers find a large number of career related books from A to Z – from agriculturalist to zookeeper! The end result was each student holding a sign showing her/his choice. We think these students will be great at whatever their career choices end up being!

Hi everyone! My name is Carter Bridges. I am the new Title I Reading teacher in the elementary and TAG teacher in both the elementary and middle school in Clarion. I have had a great time getting to know the students and staff at the Clarion-Goldfield Elementary and Middle Schools. It has been a great start to a new school year. Everyone has been so helpful, kind, and caring. That makes for a super learning environment for all the children in the Clarion-Goldfield School District. That is why I want to take this moment and ask you all to join with me in making sure that bullying doesn’t take away from this great school climate. Every child deserves to feel safe while they are at school. No one should ever be afraid or not want to come to school because they are being bullied. Here are some ways we can ensure that bullying doesn’t take away from the school district’s great and safe learning environment. Parents remind your child that bullying is when someone continually says and does mean things to purposely hurt other people. It is not bullying when they are having a disagreement with one or more of their peers. Please talk to them about being positive in their relationships with other students because we are a bucket filling school. Let them know if they are being bullied, it is okay to talk to you about it. Finally, let them know if they witness someone else being bullied that they should step-up and speak out against the bullying by telling the bully to stop and then reporting the incident to an adult. Teachers and staff need to know the District’s Anti-Bullying policies and need to make sure they are enforced. All staff needs to be diligent and aware of what’s going on in hallways, restrooms, lunchrooms, libraries, and any other areas where most bullying takes place. As technology becomes more prevalent in the general classroom know that cyber-bullying is the fastest growing form of bullying today because of all the social media that is now available to students. I know that people get busy and find it hard to address all the issues that are thrown their way, but this is an issue that needs our constant attention if we want the safe learning climate that has been nurtured here at the Clarion-Goldfield schools to continue. Again, thank-you all for the warm welcome I have received here at the school. I look forward to working with and getting to know the students this year at the Clarion-Goldfield schools. Also, GO COWBOYS and COWGIRLS!

Talented And Gifted

Title I

Anti-BullyingTHANKS to the MUSIC

BOOSTERS!By Mrs. McGlynn

MUSIC BOOSTERS…..WHO ARE THEY? They are the parents of music students and anyone who supports music in our community. If you’d like to belong to this much appreciated group, contact Lynette Smith at the elementary. MUSIC BOOSTERS….WHAT DO THEY DO? They do just about everything, depending on the level of your child! In the elementary, they purchase instruments, costumes, sound equipment, music, supplemental books, magazines and games, CD’s, and much, much more. Clarion-Elementary Students want to thank the Music Boosters for purchasing two more sets of resonator bells this year. After playing the first set, purchased by the school, the students found they loved this new set and its sound. Plus, the colors match the BOOMWACKERS in the music room as well…so we can all play together! We are sure you will see these new instruments in our Christmas and Spring programs this year!

Safety DayThird Grade

On the morning of September 12th, 54 Clarion-Goldfield Third Graders traveled to the Wright County Fairgrounds in Eagle Grove. This was the 5th year in a row that the Wright County Farm Bureau, along with the Iowa State University Extension, invited us to attend their annual Safety Day. The Safety Day is made up of 8 sessions. The sessions include first aid, ambulance, fire prevention, smoke room safe exit, farm safety, water safety, electrical safety, and weather warnings. Each session was 20 minutes in length so the volunteers shared a lot of information in a short period of time. Each student was given lunch, a t-shirt, and a first aid kit. It was a wonderful day of learning and fun! Hopefully our students learned some tips to help them keep safe.

1:30 DismissalOctober 9 & 23 See a complete list of sporting events

on the school website

clargold.orgMark Your Calendars

Family Literacy Night for all C-G third, fourth, and fifth graders will be Tuesday, November 5th, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm, at the Clarion-Goldfield Elementary School.

Carryover Period for Free and Reduced Meal Status

Ends October 2The meal status of students who participated

in the Free and Reduced Price Meal Program last school year will carry over through October 2, 2013. If the school does not receive a new application by October 2nd, then the students’ meal status will revert to full pay on October 3rd.

No new application is needed if the student lives in a household that has a member direct certified by the Iowa Department of Human Services. The school will mail notification letters to these households before the October 2nd carryover deadline.

Iowa Eligibility Applications for the 2013-2014 school year are available on the Clarion-Goldfield website at www.clargold.org; they are also available at the Elementary, Middle School, High School and District offices from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

If you have any questions about your household’s meal status for the 2013-2014 school year or about the Iowa Free and Reduced Price Meal Program, please call Kris Mraz at the High School office at 515-532-2895 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Please Check Your Family’s School Meal Account Balance

School has been in session for over a month, and it may be time to add money to your family’s school meal account. Parents can check account balances through the student information system (JMS) on the school’s website at www.clargold.org or they may call one of the building secretaries.

The Clarion-Goldfield School Board has set charge limits for the family school meal accounts: One Student More than One Student in Household in Household

Regular-pay households: $40 $100Reduced-pay households: $10 $25Once these limits are reached, students will not be allowed to charge school meals but will be provided with a sack lunch and milk until payment is received.

School Meal CalendarsAvailable on School Website

The breakfast and lunch menus for the Clarion-Goldfield Community School District are available on the school’s website at www.clargold.org.

Click on the Calendars link on the left side of the Home Page and then select “School Lunch” or “School Breakfast.”

NAtiONAl SChOOl luNCh WEEkOCtOBER 14 – 18, 2013

Celebrating Regional Flavors in School Cafeterias Across the Country

All-State Chorus Auditions On Saturday, October 26th, three CGHS vocal students will audition for the All-State Chorus in Hampton. Elizabeth Lockwood, Amanda Nerem, and Claire Davis have been rehearsing every morning before school to prepare for All-State auditions. All three girls attended the All-State Camp at Wartburg College in early August. Each student learns 7 songs for this 7-minute audition. No student or director knows which measures of the 7 songs will be selected for the audition. Also, the student must sing a cappella, which means unaccompanied. Directors are not allowed in the room during the audition. A high school student must give the starting pitches to those students auditioning. Girls, good luck on October 26th!“Wizard of Oz” Production Scheduled for Nov. 8-9Approximately 66 high school chorus students are involved in this year’s musical entitled “Wizard of Oz.” The high school production is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 8 and Saturday, Nov. 9 at 7:00 p.m. in the CGHS gym. Ticket prices will be $6 for adults and $4 for students. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Passes cannot be honored at this event. Because of rental/royalty charges, costume rental, and set construction, a musical can become a very costly production. Our high school students will put in several hours of rehearsal to make this an outstanding show. Mr. Ackerman and the students are very excited about the “Wizard of Oz.” Please put these dates on your calendar and plan on attending this wonderful musical. 7-12 North Central District Honor Choir at NIACCOn Friday, November 15th, approximately 500 students from north central Iowa will participate in the North Central District Honor Choir at NIACC. The concert includes four choirs: 7th/8th girls’ honor choir, 7th/8th grade boys’ choir, 9th/10th mixed choir, and high school students who have auditioned for the All-State Chorus. Over the years, Clarion-Goldfield has had several students in middle school and high school participate in this choral event. Before any students participate in this honor choir, they need to prepare all music. After Mr. Ackerman knows which students plan to participate, rehearsals will be scheduled before and after school. Rehearsals should begin Monday, October 29th.

The BEAT, The BEAT, The B-E-A-T, BEAT!By Mrs. McGlynn

When Mrs. McGlynn was an elementary music student, she sat in a desk and kept the beat with a pencil on her desk. However, there are no desks in the music room at Clarion-Goldfield. The desks have been replaced with many, many instruments that are much more fun to play. Keeping the beat is one of the first challenges faced in music. For some students it comes easily. For others, it’s a bit of a challenge. Students look forward to playing instruments, so finding the beat is a challenge they all look forward to mastering. Practice makes Perfect…or just about Perfect! Students play drums and many kinds of rhythm instruments that offer a chance to find beat 1, beat 2, beat 3 and beat 4 in a song with a 4/4 time signature. In Kindergarten, the time signature isn’t as important as finding the beat. As students progress, the time signature comes into play. The students pictured show how much fun it is to find the beat playing drums, tambourines, sticks, maracas, jingle bells, triangles and blocks! Stop by anytime to see if you can find The BEAT, The BEAT, B-E-A-T, BEAT in a song with us!

School Meal RequiReMentSSchools across the U.S. offer meals to their students that meet the reimbursement guidelines from United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). School meals are priced as a unit. Our school district receives federal and state reimbursement to offset our costs if a complete reimbursable meal is purchased.

For breakfast, students may choose: 1 serving Milk (1/2 pint fluid milk) 1 serving 4 oz. fruit juice OR fruit a vegetable may be offered in place of fruit 1 or 2 servings Grain plus a Meat/Meat Alternate may be substituted in place of part of the grain component AFTER the minimum daily grains requirement is offered or a Meat/Meat Alternate may be offered as an extra

at least 4 food items are offered daily and students may decline one food item and still be charged the reimbursable school breakfast rate (currently $1.35). Food items selected may be from any of the required food components and must be at least the minimum daily portions — 1 oz eq grain; 1/2 cup fruit/juice; 1 cup milk. If students decline more than one item, we must charge for each item separately, as the selections would not meet the USDA’s requirements for a complete reimbursable school breakfast.

For example, if the daily menu is cereal, yogurt, orange slices and milk and the student selects cereal, yogurt and milk, then this is a reimbursable breakfast!

If your child does not select a complete school breakfast, the individual costs of the components are: 1st Hot Entreé ~ $1.05 2nd Hot Entreé ~ $0.85 PBJ or Double Poptart ~ $1.25 Yogurt Parfait ~ $1.05 Yogurt, Bagel, English Muffin, Muffin, Donut/Long John, Cereal/Oatmeal ~ $1.00 Granola Bar, Nutrigrain Bar, Cinnamon Roll or Single Poptart ~ $1.00 Hash Browns or Tater Tots, Toast, Cheese Stick, Fruit, Fruit Juice, Cream Cheese, Peanut Butter ~ $0.50 Milk ~ $0.30

For lunch, students may choose: 1 serving Milk (1/2 pint fluid milk) 1 serving Fruit 1 serving Vegetable 1 serving Grain 1 serving Meat/Meat Alternate

If students choose at least 3 components (milk, fruit, vegetable, grain, meat/meat alternate) with one being a fruit and/or vegetable (1/2 cup minimum), their lunch will be at the reimbursable school lunch rate (currently $1.80 for Grades 0–5 and $1.90 for Grades 6–12). If they choose only 2 components, or do not take a fruit or vegetable, we must charge for each item separately, as the selections would not meet the USDA’s requirement for a complete reimbursable school lunch.

For example, if the daily menu is hamburger, whole wheat bun, romaine lettuce, tomato slices, apple slices, ice cream cup and milk and the student selects hamburger, whole wheat bun, 1/2 cup of apple slices, ice cream cup and milk, then this is a reimbursable lunch!

If your child does not select a complete school lunch, the individual costs of the lunch components are: Entree ~ $1.60 Fruit Serving or Vegetable Serving ~ $0.65 each Bread Serving ~ $0.65 Milk ~ $0.30 Dessert (such as an ice cream cup) ~ $1.00

to get the most for your money, encourage your child to purchase a complete school meal.

PleaSe note: Students eligible for Free or Reduced Priced meals must take a complete reimbursable school meal in order for the Free/Reduced rates to apply.