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News from Superintendent News from Superintendent News from Superintendent News from Superintendent Dr. MizeDr. MizeDr. MizeDr. Mize

Dear USD #291 Thunderhawks Families, The chilly fall weather is beginning to remind us all of the pending holidays. It is a time to celebrate family and friends as we gather for Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations. It is also a busy time of year and there never seems to be enough time to get things accomplished. As of Tuesday, November 1st, there are only 35 school days until Winter Break! Even though it is a busy time, I hope each of you can find some time to relax and have some fun with your families and friends.

We have recently updated our website and continue to keep you informed through Facebook, website calendars, and newsletters as to what is going on in the district. As always, one of our goals is to support a positive partnership between home and school to provide the appropriate resources for each child. We understand that you are your child’s first teacher; you are an integral part of the overall learning capacity of our students. We are fortunate to have a strong parent/school partnership in our community. We are thankful for your support.

As with any month of school, we will have several activities throughout the month of November. One of my favorite celebrations is Veterans Day. Our community and school district are excited about being able to celebrate our heroes who have protected our freedom. If you have time, I encourage you to attend our celebration on November 11th.

Please check the school’s calendar on our website and on Facebook for specific details regarding our Veterans Day & Thanksgiving celebrations. Each year, I am moved by the performances presented by students as they honor our veterans. It is a Grinnell tradition that I hope continues for many years to come. God Bless all of our men and women in the armed forces who have and will continue to keep us safe! We are lucky to live in a nation that demands freedom and respect for all!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dr. Ragena Mize

USD#291 NEWS

Thunderhawk Pride!Thunderhawk Pride!Thunderhawk Pride!Thunderhawk Pride! www.usd291.com

November 2016

Retake Picture Day will be on Friday, Retake Picture Day will be on Friday, Retake Picture Day will be on Friday, Retake Picture Day will be on Friday, NNNNovovovovember 11ember 11ember 11ember 11thththth....

Have you started your holiday Have you started your holiday Have you started your holiday Have you started your holiday

shopping yet? Why not help out your shopping yet? Why not help out your shopping yet? Why not help out your shopping yet? Why not help out your school while buying those gifts! It school while buying those gifts! It school while buying those gifts! It school while buying those gifts! It

won’t cost won’t cost won’t cost won’t cost you anything extra, just go you anything extra, just go you anything extra, just go you anything extra, just go to www.SchoolMto www.SchoolMto www.SchoolMto www.SchoolMall.com, select all.com, select all.com, select all.com, select

Grinnell Grade School and shop at any Grinnell Grade School and shop at any Grinnell Grade School and shop at any Grinnell Grade School and shop at any retailer on the list. A perceretailer on the list. A perceretailer on the list. A perceretailer on the list. A percentage of ntage of ntage of ntage of whatever you spend will come back whatever you spend will come back whatever you spend will come back whatever you spend will come back

to the school!!to the school!!to the school!!to the school!!

THANK YOUTHANK YOUTHANK YOUTHANK YOU

USD 291 board members would like to thank businesses and patrons who donated

money and items for the free hamburger feed held on Friday, September 9th with

the high school football game held in Grinnell.

Veterans Day CelebrationVeterans Day CelebrationVeterans Day CelebrationVeterans Day Celebration The Grinnell Middle and Grade School students invite all veterans and patrons to attend the Veteran’s Day Program on Friday, November 11, 2016. The day will begin with coffee and donuts for veterans and their spouses from 10:00 to 10:15. From 10:15 to 11:00 there will be displays for everyone to view with the program starting at 11:00 a.m. in the middle school gym. Afterwards veterans and their

spouses are invited for dinner at 12:00 in the middle school commons area.

GMS Student Council

Regular Board MeetingRegular Board MeetingRegular Board MeetingRegular Board Meeting October 17, 2016October 17, 2016October 17, 2016October 17, 2016

The Board of Education for USD #291 Grinnell Public Schools met on Monday, October 17, 2016. Attending: Board members Brian Beckman, Duane Vollbracht, Julie Dickman, , Robert Fellhoelter, Loren Stephens, Joyce Baalman and Alan Suter; Clerk Mary Jane Goetz; Staff members Shelly Vincent, Jesse Vincent and Les Barnhart; Jim Lentz, Kelli mentor. Meeting called to order by President, Brian Beckman at 7:30 p.m. Agenda approved as presented. Les Barnhart reported for the technology committee. Mr. Barnhart discussed a need for iPads and laptops. Results from a technology survey sent out to staff found that some would like training on various equipment or software. He explained about the next technology plan for the state. The plan will be written to meet requirements and needs of the district. Shelly Vincent discussed with the board the applications they would like price quotes on for the grounds. It was the consensus

that they would like to apply ground sterilant on areas of the track and parking lot at the middle school and swing set area at the grade school. Spray for stickers and weeds. There was discussion on area in front of the grade school building and would like to get STUCO involved with some landscaping ideas. The board commended Shelly on a great job with the building and grounds. Mr. Vincent reported on activities. The fall season is coming to an end with football team 5-2 and placed 3rd in the league. The volleyball team is 7-2 with league tournament on October 20. Cheerleaders and sponsor are doing a great job in promoting team spirit. We have had pep rallies for all Kg-8th students and students were involved in spirit week. The quiz bowl team will have their first meet on Monday, October 24. We are still in need of bus drivers. We helped host the high school WKLL volleyball tournament on Thursday, October 13. Dr. Mize reported on state budget and shortage of revenue. Next month we will have BCBS and United Health Care representatives at our November board meeting to discuss health insurance. Accreditation fact sheets and parent survey results were given to the board. Dr. Mize will go over parent survey results with the teachers at the October in-service. State assessment criteria was discussed. Jim Lentz, Kelli mentor, explained the state assessments and focusing on the individual child to be successful. Jim Lentz thanked the board for all the hard work they give to the district. Dr. Mize went over aspects included in eWalkThrough and that she will start her classroom observations. The

interview process for the board clerk/middle school secretary position was discussed. There was discussion on the hot water heater in the boys’ locker room and sump pump. The hand washing station in the grade school has been removed and hand sanitizer dispensers have been placed in that area. The preschool teachers plan to take their students to the pumpkin patch in Bird City. Dr. Mize checked on the regulations for seat restraints and no restraint is required if students remain sitting at all times in the bus. Mr. Vincent will be working out a work schedule for staff for the JH WKLL volleyball tournament. Dr. Mize met with Carol Rietcheck and Roxie Nelson on the Veterans Day Program for November 11. Minutes from September 19, 2016 were approved Approval of October checks in the amounts of General Fund $81,011.54, Supplemental General Fund $691.61, 4 Year Old At Risk $3,009.60, K-12 At Risk 1,206.17, Food Service $6,114.28, Capital Outlay $4,022.01, Special Education $6,733.36, Federal Funds $4,200.00, Gifts & Grants $988.89. Wheatland staff will be here for in-service on October 21 in the morning to align curriculum. The USD 292 staff has been invited to stay for lunch if it works with their schedule. The board approved to replace the hot water heater and sump pump and to have Dan Rudell do the installation. Dr. Mize explained the Kansas Education System Accreditation process. The board

members were given a fact sheet and timeline for implementation. The board accepted Jeanita Losey’s resignation as school nurse but will remain a consultant and approved a contract to Nancy Bixenman for school nurse. Three executive sessions were held for the purpose of discussing personnel matters of non-elected personnel with board and administrator to be present. Meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.

Matthew Teeter, 6th grader at GMS, received a I (One) rating at District Piano Audtions at FHSU on October 8th. This qualifies him to go on to State Piano Auditions with the Kansas Music Teachers Association of which his teacher, Leona Dickman, is a member. We are very proud of what Matthew has accomplished, and we wish him well at the State Auditions in Topeka at Washburn U. on November 5th.

Grinnell Middle School Honor RollGrinnell Middle School Honor RollGrinnell Middle School Honor RollGrinnell Middle School Honor Roll 1st Nine Weeks1st Nine Weeks1st Nine Weeks1st Nine Weeks

High HonorsHigh HonorsHigh HonorsHigh Honors Luke Bixenman

Elliot Godek Aubri Iversen

Wendell Mong Trevor Zarybnicky

Anna Godek Ryan Heier

Isabella Ostmeyer Brooklyn Ptacek

Livia Schultz Trey Vincent Kerri Heier

Mary McDonald Matthew Teeter Jordyn Beckman

Marsha McDonald Madison Zerr

Honor RollHonor RollHonor RollHonor Roll

Chazni Barker Jailey Gallentine

Kirsten Schroeder Laredo Allemang

Tyrell Chapin Braden Gormley

Tyra Schultz Cadence Barker Aubrey Losey

Honorable MHonorable MHonorable MHonorable Mentionentionentionention

Isaiah Dickman Andrea Force

Xena York Ty Losey

Miguel Galeana Halle Habiger

Nathan Vollbracht Maddox Cushwa Mikaela Merceri

Karoline Schroeder Hunter Stroup

Congratulations Girls on 3rd Place at the WKLL

Tournament!

Coach Martin, Chazni Barker, Anna Godek, Aubri

Iversen, Livia Schultz, Kerri Heier, Candence Barker, Coach Kraus, Front Row: Jailey Gallentine,

Courtney Wright, Kirsten Schroeder, Isabella Ostmeyer, Tyra Schultz, and Brooklyn Ptacek

JH Thunderhawk football team placed 3rd in the league.

Coach Vincent, Elliot Godek, Isaiah Dickman,

Wendall Mong, Trevor Zarybnicky, Luke Bixenman, Gabe Moreno, Front Row: Nathan Vollbracht, Ty Losey, Ryan Heier, Isaac Martinez, Tyrell Chapin,

Trey Vincent, Dayton Dilka, Kaleb Dohm, Jett Vincent.

Grade School Bus Evacuation

Ty picked lettuce that he planted. It was added to

the salad students had for lunch that day.

Grade School got to visit the Grinnell Grade School got to visit the Grinnell Grade School got to visit the Grinnell Grade School got to visit the Grinnell

Fire Department during Fire Department during Fire Department during Fire Department during Fire Safety WeekFire Safety WeekFire Safety WeekFire Safety Week

1st Grade 2nd Grade

3rd and 4th Grade

Preschool

1st Grade

Kindergarten Halloween Party

2nd Grade carved pumpkins

Halloween Fun Times at GMS

November 2016 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3 JH/HS Vocal Clinic @ Golden Plains 12:00 Concert 6:00

4 Muffins with Mom 7:50am

5

6 7 JH Quiz Bowl Atwood 4:00 HS Quiz Bowl Triplains 3:00

8

9 10

11 Picture Retakes 10:15 Veterans Day Display 11:00 Veterans Day Program, Lunch 12:00 Brewster BB Tournament

12 Brewster BB Tournament

13 14 HS Quiz Bowl Cheylin 4:30

15 16

17 JH BB @ Northern Valley 4:00

18 19

20

21 JH BB @ Ness City 4:00 HS Quiz Bowl Wallace Co. 3:00 Board Mtg. 7:30

22

23 No School

24 No School Thanksgiving

25 No School

26

27 28 29 JH BB Weskan Here 4:00 HS Quiz Bowl Tribune 4:00

30

November Breakfast/Lunch 2016 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

1 Cinnamon Toast Taco Burger*, Refried Beans, Rice and Fruit

2 Waffle Sticks Chicken Chef Salad*, Boiled Egg, Fruit and a Roll

3 Scrambled Eggs Pigs in a Blanket*, French Fries, Corn and Fruit

4 Muffins With Mom Chicken Noodle Soup*, Mashed Potatoes, Cooked Carrots and Fruit

7 Honey Cinnamon Bun Burritos, Cheese, Broccoli, Refried Beans and Fruit

8 Bagel w/ Cream Cheese Pizza*, Yogurt, Green Beans and Fruit

9 Breakfast Pizza Chicken Nuggets, French Fries, Carrots, Fruit and a Cookie*

10 Biscuits & Gravy Chicken Fried Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Corn and Fruit

11 Pancakes Chili*, Cinnamon Roll*, Pickles, Peas and Fruit

14 Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Corn Dog, Steak Fries, Carrots and Fruit

15 Ham, Egg & Cheese Breakfast Bar Salisbury Steak*, Mashed Potatoes, Corn, Fruit and a Roll*

16 French Toast Sticks Taco Soup*, Green Beans, Tortilla Chips, Fruit and a Rol*

17 Long John Meatball Sub*, Broccoli, Salad and Fruit

18 Bubble Bread Crispitos, Refried Beans, Rice and Fruit

21 Biscuits with Honey Cheeseburger*, Bun, Baked Beans, Pickles and Fruit

22 Sausage Pancakes on a Stick Turkey*, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Green Beans, Fruit and a Roll*

23 NO SCHOOL

24 NO SCHOOL

25 NO SCHOOL

28 Waffle Sticks Chicken Sandwich, Steak Fries, Okra and Fruit

29 Cinnamon Toast Cowboy Cavatini*, Peas, Salad and Fruit

30 Scrambled Eggs Baked Potato Bar, Carrots, Yogurt, Fruit and Cinnamon Puff*

Milk and fruit are served with each breakfast. *Food items are homemade

All lunches are served with

milk.

Middle School students can

choose a sandwich instead of the main

entree

USDA is an equal

opportunity provider and

employer.

USD 291 does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, handicap, or age in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs or activities. Any questions regarding the board’s compliance with Title VI, Title IX, or 504 may be directed to

Mike McDermeit, including information about the existence and location of services, activities and facilities that are accessible to and useable by disabled persons.

Unified School District No. 291 Non-Profit Organization

Dr. Ragena Mize, Superintendent U.S. Postal PAID

Grinnell, KS. 67738 Permit 1