Amana Elementary
Newsletter
They Still Showed Up
I got a little choked up this morning when I opened my email and read the most heartfelt email from Mrs. Rosenberg (a true legend here in Amana). Her note was to our virtual teachers celebrating their work and the work of the parents, and I quote, “I was thinking not only the kids, but for the parents - giving them credit for being there no matter how "perfect" it is or what it looks like!... they showed up and you showed up - now embrace that time and do the best you can because we're all in this together!!!”
It was a very timely note as Mr. Kuehl sent a heartfelt message to all staff thanking all of us for the work we are doing. Knowing that education is important, but taking care of ourselves, our families and our students emotional well being has to be our top priority. Regaining lost education will take years. We won’t get anywhere unless we are grounded emotionally first.
Our admin team works to start each regular meeting with some type of learning or an icebreaker that gets us thinking and usually laughing (it’s a GREAT group). This week our curriculum director Angie Hoyer shared a few pages from Dare to Lead regarding driving for perfectionism and fostering a fear of failure. None of us are perfect but sometimes we (and certainly is true in education) fear failing our students and questioning if we’re doing the right thing? To which Tim Kuehl reminded us (gave us permission to) “fail with the very best intentions for kids.”
To say we are in uncharted waters would be a gross understatement. We are literally building the plane as we’re in flight knowing we will need to make it float if necessary. Perfection? Not even sure how you would even begin to define that. So what do we do? In regards to students, they still showed up! And for CCA staff? WE STILL SHOWED UP! And if I may borrow a quote from Ms. Austin, another legendary teacher from Amana (who is now at the middle school), Thank you for sending us your kids every day. Be it virtual or in person. Full of confidence or with some trepidation. We will continue to work diligently to meet the needs of our students, our families and our staff.
I’m long done complaining about 2020 because every challenge makes us stronger. New Normal is a four letter word to me. So, students will show up, staff will show up no matter how “perfect” it is or what it looks like....”now embrace this time and do the best you can because we’re all in this together!”
Thank you Mrs. Rosenberg for that beautiful perspective. I tell people all the time, nobody tells a story like Mrs. Rosenberg. Her laugh is infectious and her love for students is never ending. Her family is pretty amazing too!
PEACE!
WE ARE AMANA!
Ben Macumber, Principal
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