Reflecting on the First Half of the Year
Posted onDecember 24, 2008
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It is winter break, and time to take a moment to reflect on the first half of the year. It has been a whirlwind at United Community this year. Between expanding the preschool program, completing the 5-year site visit from the Iowa Department of Education, negotiating new whole-grade sharing agreements with not one, but two, districts, and continuing the provide an excellent education to our students, our staff have been hopping (and hopefully they are currently enjoying a well-deserved break). Here is a summary of this important work:
-Expanding the Preschool: We were able to add a class dedicated specifically to our 3-year old learners at United. It is our goal to be able to add yet another section of preschool next year as well. Our preschool programs are going strong, and the students and families are all active learners!
-Department of Education Site Visit: Every five years, schools in Iowa receive an in-depth accreditation visit from the DE. Our team was on site last week and was able to interview a variety of groups, including staff, patrons, parents and students. The final report, which will include both areas of strength and opportunities for growth, will be completed in about six weeks.
-Whole-grade Sharing: The United Board held their public hearing on December 17th to enter into a one-way whole grade sharing agreement for students in grades 7-12 with both Boone and Ames School Districts. This was as a direct result of feedback from our patrons who expressed a desire to have more than one choice for their 7th-12th grade students. Both Ames and Boone have also held their public hearings on this. It is anticipated that all 3 school boards will finalize these agreements in late January. More information will be sent to United families with students in grades 6-11 in the near future.
-Excellence in Education: This is always a top priority for the district, and our reputation for excellence continues. The staff and school board are engaging in conversations about 21st Century Learning Skills, and how that will impact our United students. It is an exciting time to be an educator and to be a learner! We are looking ahead with anticipation to 2009!
Dr. Michele Schleuning, Superintendent
Senior Citizen Luncheon a Hearty Success
Posted onNovember 20, 2008
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On November 18th, United Community again hosted their annual Senior Citizen’s Luncheon. Patrons, grandparents and neighbors joined us for a wonderful Thanksgiving meal, including pumpkin pies, turkey and homemade sweet potato rolls. As good as the food was (and it was delicious), even more important was the opportunity for students and patrons to interact in an inter-generational setting. Students joined the senior citizens for a meal and conversation, and the audience was treated to performances by the kindergarten classes, 4th/5th grade choir, and 5th grade band. The 6th grade student council members were very gracious hosts/hostesses. They seated the patrons, served them their meals and cleared the tables for them.
The day was filled with good food, good fellowship and an opportunity to reflect on how education can and should reach beyond the walls of the classroom.
Michele Schleuning, Ed.D.
Character Counts at United
Posted onNovember 3, 2008
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Our staff and students spent last week celebrating Red Ribbon Week as a pledge to live drug-free lives. Also included in the activities over the last two weeks was Character Counts Week. During this time, we again recognized the importance of the Pillars of Character: Respect, Responsibility, Trustworthiness, Citizenship, Caring, and Fairness. These pillars are incorporated into each classroom, hallway and activity at United Community.
How do we know that students and staff are involved with and understand the importance of these ideals, not only in school but in life as well? There are many, many examples of this learning crossing the school boundaries out into the community and world. Here are but a few:
-Students collected donations for Red Rock Community Action Food Pantry. Over 1,000 items were collected and donated.
-Twenty-four students were recognized last week for their dedication to the character pillar of “Responsibility” last week.
-The students are preparing for the Annual Senior Citizen Luncheon to be held on Nov. 18th. This luncheon honors our senior citizens and offers a multi-generational activity that benefits not only our senior citizen patrons, but our staff and students as well. Our students present plays and musical performances, create decorations and “take-home” items for the patrons, and serve the meal to the senior patrons.
-The student council has again started our annual Recycling Program on campus. Each Friday, student council members visit designated recycling bins throughout campus and bring the recyclable items to a central collection area.
-Students used their Accelerated Reader incentives last spring to reach out and “Read to Feed”. Through the student efforts, we were able to “purchase’ livestock for under-developed nations.
-One of our students started a campaign to make blankets for children at a Russian orphanage from which she was adopted.
-Many of our elementary classes perform at local nursing homes and spend time with the residents.
Each of these many heartwarming examples serves to remind us that our students, no matter what age, are able to reach out and make a difference in their world well before adulthood. Talk about hope for the future!
Michele Schleuning, Ed.D.
School Bus Safety Week-Ode to Our Bus Drivers
Posted onOctober 21, 2008
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The week of October 20-24 is School Bus Safety Week, an annual event. During this week, students will all take part in bus safety lessons, evacuation drills and classroom presentations all designed to enhance bus safety. Our dedicated and experienced staff of drivers will be making these presentations.
During this week, I can’t help but reflect on the important mission of our drivers. Not only are United drivers responsible for the timely and safe delivery of our most precious cargo (the students), our drivers are the first contact the students have with the school in the morning, and are the last contact with the school each evening. The drivers are in the unique position to set the tone for the day each morning, as well as to end each school day for students on a positive note. This is a role that our drivers are well aware of, and one that they take very seriously. Our drivers make a point to know each student by name, and to greet them in the morning as they board. At the end of each day, the students are usually told “good-bye” or have a nice evening as they get off of the bus.
This role is so very important, since many of our students board the bus alone and often times, families are not able to be present to wish them well as they head off to school. As adults, we know that customer service is of great importance to us. If the person serving you coffee at the counter in the morning is grumpy and unfriendly, you can choose to shop elsewhere. This is not the case with students as they board the bus. That is why our drivers go out of their way to make the students feel welcome.
Behind the scenes, our drivers are also watching out for the students. Most parents don’t know that each driver is watching out for our littlest riders, making sure that someone is home when the bus arrives each evening. There are many calls back to the office to “check up” before drivers let students disembark (i.e. there is no car in the driveway, the lights aren’t on in the house). This extra measure of care and personalized service is part of what makes United so special.
This week, and always, let’s take a moment to reflect on the important role of the bus drivers, and to thank them for their expertise and dedication to our students.
Michele Schleuning, Superintendent
Welcome to the United Community Blog
Posted onOctober 18, 2008
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Welcome to Blogging at United Community!
In order to continue to find ways to communicate with the patrons of United Community, I am beginning this blog. At United, we realize that many of our patrons are computer savvy, and often prefer to receive information about the district electronically (as opposed to district newsletters). The blog will allow readers to have current information about the district, as well as to post feedback and comments. We hope that you will find this blog useful. Michele Schleuning, Superintendent
