Solon Intermediate School

Good Morning SIS families,

Welcome back!! We trust you are recharged and ready to attack this second semester. As we begin the second half of the year, we thought it would be appropriate to revisit and highlight our core beliefs (what we believe and value and define what we want our culture to look like at SIS). These three beliefs will continue to drive what we do at SIS:

*Relationships are huge! Find ways to foster trusting relationships. Healthy Adult- Adult, Adult-Student, and Student-Student relationships are a non-negotiable.

*Student-Focused/Centered/Driven

We must do what is best for kids....PERIOD.

*Communication is the key to success.

If we as a school BELIEVE communication is a key to success, then we must demonstrate this in a variety of ways.

If you have any questions regarding our beliefs, please don't hesitate to ask. Enjoy the short week and GO Spartans!

Our staff would like to say thanks for a great first semester! We will continue to ensure your son or daughter is having the best experience at SIS.

Iowa Testing Programs (ITP) has been developing the new statewide assessment mandated by Iowa law. This new assessment is called the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP). The testing window, statewide, will open on March 4th and close on May 31st.

The Solon CSD has determined that the testing window for the district will be April 1 though April 12. The assessment will be given to 3rd grade up to 11th grade. Here is a breakdown of the assessments:

• 3rd-11th Grade - Reading, Language Arts/Writing, Math
• Grades 5, 8, and 10 will take the Science assessment

There are two different testing platforms that can be used for testing; online using TestNav application or paper/pencil. The district has chosen to use the paper/pencil version for this year and will determine whether the other platform may be used in future years.

Further information will continue to be shared as additional decisions are made regarding schedules, materials, and teacher responsibilities.

WOW! Please see the information below regarding the SIS Christmas Shoppe.

We can't thank you enough for allowing us to invade your schools for this year's Christmas Shoppe! It was so incredibly fun and full of joy. We understand that it is a disruption to the school day and building and we appreciate all of the support of your faculty and staff! This year we set a huge record and made $3,607! That money will be used to help so many people in our community through donations to the Food Pantry, Operation Kindness, the School nurses for families in need, and other acts of goodwill to those who could use support. Please pass along our sincere thanks. It was a huge group effort by the community of families, staff, parent volunteers, and the students who made it worth every second!

Happy Holidays!

The Christmas Shoppe Elves

Every month our staff will select four Spartan Stars. Please help us in congratulating these 4 SIS students, as they consistently demonstrate the 3 R's (Grant Gordon, Elliot Sutton, Madyn Hahn and Jillian Elijah). They were selected because from day one they have demonstrated respectfulness, responsibility, and readiness in all areas of school life (the rubric we use to teach those expectations is below.) Way to go you four!!

Save the date all you SIS families! January 26th from 7-11 at Lakeview! Our PTO is planning a great event.

We all know how calendars can get filled, so please add the following dates to your calendar! Reminder that every Thursday we dismiss at 1:32.

January 2nd- Back to school

January 3rd- PTO meeting at Lakeview

January 21st- NO school (Professional Learning for our teachers)

January 26th- Waffle Breakfast at Lakeview

February 13th- NAEP testing for a selected group of 4th graders

*PLEASE NOTE: Our non-attendance day in Feb. for teacher professional learning has been changed to Monday, Feb. 18th in accordance with President's Day. It had originally been schedule for Monday, Feb. 11th. This was approved at the November board meeting.

I am sure most of you have this already, but if not here you go!

http://www.solon.k12.ia.us/vimages/shared/vnews/stories/52c5c98465d8a/scsd_calendar_18_19.pdf

Please check this every week for updates. https://sites.google.com/a/solon.k12.ia.us/scsd-virtual-backpack/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/solonintermediate/

Email: zwigle@solon.k12.ia.us
Website: http://www.solon.k12.ia.us/vnews/display.v/SEC/Intermediate%20School%7CHome
Location: 200 West 5th Street, Solon, IA, USA
Phone: 319-624-2381
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SOLONINTERMEDIATESCHOOL/
Twitter: @wiglezac