Amana Elementary

I’m a fan of Twitter (@BenMacumber) if you wish to take a look. I can’t say it’s 100% school related but I do find a lot of great information regarding all sorts of topics, especially education. I found What Success (and Learning) Really Looks Like. I understand the key word in the title being REALLY because it seems few topics of discussion like education bring such a variety of perspectives and opinions. We all can relate so we all have an opinion. Many people who aren’t in education might have to rely on their own past experiences regarding schools and learning. Some of us in education for years have strong opinions and for those who are just starting out, have even a different perspective. But in all honesty, it really doesn't’ matter what we think, learning is what it is. It’s complicated and simple. It’s fraught with complexities that are ever changing. One of learnings’ key components is failure. Learning (and teaching) will never be a lock-step process. Politicians throw out quotes that are hard to argue with, “Every kid should know how to read!” “100% of students should be at least 40%”. “Teachers should be paid based on student performance.” What all those pundits DON’T take into consideration, is that students aren’t robots (the same can be said of teachers too!). They don’t come in with the same experiences. And so if we can agree students aren’t all the same, teachers aren’t all the same, schools aren’t all the same, then why assume learning should be all the same? Thank goodness this district works diligently to offer support for great teaching so we can differentiate for the learner. I think this visual from the article sums it up best (and it’s only a two minute read if you have time).

I’m not anti establishment and I do appreciate what our political leaders do for our society. I just wish more of them would watch videos like this one, see students learning, and TALK to the teachers who are doing the work. In my perfect world, I don’t want to pay the teachers who see learning like it’s shown on the left. I want to pay more to the teachers who appreciate and plan for the learning on the right. I am proud to say I get to work with those types of teachers every single day.

Click here to read the full article (it’s short). It also has an awesome video of a kid charting his progress on a Rube Goldberg Machine he’s working on. Here's the link to the video.

Have a great weekend.

Ben Macumber, Principal

• Friday, Oct. 11 - Picture Day
• Thursday. Oct. 17 and Friday, Oct. 18 - No School

We participate in a program called The BackPack Program. This is a partnership between HACAP and the CCA Community Schools. The BackPack Program provides a food pack of kid-friendly, non-perishable food for children on the weekends and during school breaks. This is a FREE program, without cost to families. It is also kept completely confidential – only the counselor will be aware of participating families. If this would be helpful for you and your children, please contact Kelsey Koffend by phone at (319) 622-3255 or by email at kelseykoffend@ccaschools.org. There is a limited number of spots available, so it is important that you call or email to get your child’s name on the list.

Shoes That Fit is a program that provides shoes to children in need. If your child needs new shoes this year and this program would be helpful to you, please contact Kelsey Koffend by phone at (319) 622-3255 or by email at kelseykoffend@ccaschools.org.

Please keep collecting, cutting and turning in….. Box Tops for Education and Pop Tabs for Ronald McDonald House and Register Tapes from the Big G dated 9/1/19 - 3/31/20!

We are excited to inform you that we are participating in an incredible program that allows us to earn FREE classroom equipment and supplies! Here’s How You Can Help! • Shop at Big G Foods, Marengo from September 1, 2019 - March 31, 2020 • Save your receipts and send them to school with your child • Your receipts will earn us points for free classroom equipment, donated by the store!

Ben Macember, Principal
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

It is the policy of the Clear Creek Amana 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 the district’s Equity Coordinator, Lori Robertson, 327 S. Augusta Avenue, Oxford, IA 52322, 319-828-4510.