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Superintendent of Schools Dr. Richard H. Bauscher
As we move forward on the new high school project, I will keep you updated on the progress we are making. The School Board members officially approved Beniton Company as the construction manager of our new High School project at their October regular Board meeting. Since the voters approved the bond issue on September 18th and the Board approved the construction management company, Design West Architects, The Land Group, Beniton Construction and I have had several meetings to work towards completion of the construction documents (CD phase) for the building and the grounds. Representatives from each of these firms have also met with the individual groups of staff members regarding their respective area (I.E. coaches for athletic fields, etc.) to provide their input prior to the finalization of the construction documents. Our goal is to break ground on these new facilities during March/April of 2009. Continue to look for updates on our new high school construction project, in our District Update Newsletter and the Gazette.
At the same time as we are working on this new project, we are continuing to upgrade and maintain our current buildings. Thomas Coleman, through his company, donated us a 3-acre parcel of ground connecting to the Heights that has allowed us to expand their grass space. This fall, work took place to excavate, level and prepare the area for grass seeding, sprinkler system layout and the eventual use by their students. A new fence will outline the area, creating the new boundaries for Heights grounds. In the interior of the building, the Resource room has had new carpet installed and over Christmas break the library carpet will be replaced (both projects completed by our maintenance crew). Our patrons can be assured that we are doing all we can to keep our current buildings in good shape, with the goal of maintaining facilities conducive to the education of our 3,100+ Middleton students.
(There are links to the updated high school site layout and new high school project timeline located on the left sidebar.)
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Good Attendance - A Key to Your Students' Academic Success
The Middleton School District strongly encourages students to be in attendance each day. We believe that student absences do have a negative impact on student learning. High student absenteeism is the factor most associated with high dropout rates. Student absences also affect the state financial support received by each Idaho School District to educate your child(ren).
Excessive student absenteeism is often a result of one or more of the following six factors:
1. Students who have excessive student absenteeism often have a less favorable impression of school. These students may need to be reassured that they are respected for who they are, be required to do their best and be provided the help to achieve their best. 2. Students who have excessive student absenteeism often perceive parental discipline as being lax or inconsistent. The need for daily attendance at school and the impact it has on the student’s overall education may not have been reinforced.
3. Students who have excessive student absenteeism often believe parents are attempting to exert more control over them. 4. Students who have excessive student absenteeism feel academically inferior to others. These students often cannot keep up with the schoolwork or are failing and may need additional assistance with their schoolwork.
5. Students who have excessive student absenteeism experience more than the normal family conflicts at home.
6. Students who have excessive student absenteeism may feel less socially competent in class. These students may not have experienced positive relationships with other students and may not feel safe at school.
All of these variables are interrelated and therefore, success in increasing student attendance is more probable if community members, organizations, parents, students and school staff share in the tasks of identifying solutions to all these concerns.
The School District supports “quality learning and superior performance for all.” To achieve these goals -- parents and students must form a working partnership with our schools and their staff. One important aspect of this partnership is good school attendance, which helps fund our schools. Our average daily attendance (ADA) is computed to determine how many dollars we get and each child present (every day) allows us to collect about $1,300 per student annually. When students are present for critical academic instruction, they are able to master academic material and life skills knowledge. This knowledge will enable them to achieve success in higher education and the future world of work. Good daily attendance correlates directly with success in school. Punctuality and good attendance are life skills modeled by parents, which will carry over into adulthood. Parental attitude sets and example, which has a great impact on children. Parents need to let their children know how important school is to their future success. The School District will continue striving to provide a quality and meaningful education that will prepare all Middleton students for the future. Parents in partnership with the school and community can make sure their students attend school daily; complete the academic requirements, graduate from high school, and learn the values and skills needed so they can be successful in the world of work. Through this partnership, the goal of “quality learning and superior performance for all” will be attained.
Here are some suggestions as to how parents can assist us in improving your child’s school attendance:
Talk with your child about the importance of attending school regularly and determine if there are specific reasons your child does not want to attend school. If the reasons given are specific to school, talk with the child’s respective teacher about his/her concerns.
Avoid scheduling family trips or doctor appointments during school hours.
Make sure your child stays healthy by eating nutritious food, getting enough sleep and exercise.
Do not accept excuses for why your child ‘must’ miss or be late for school.
Discuss with your child what happens each day at school. Support school rules and consequences for skipping class and being tardy.
Lead by example. Parents, who regularly attend work, set a good example for consistent school attendance by their child.
Show your child why education is important. Give specific examples of how education helps people succeed.
Middleton School Board Members Move To ‘Electronic Board Packets’
During past years, School Board Members have received their Board packet strictly in hard copy on the Friday prior to their regular 2nd Tuesday of the month meetings. These packets were each organized in a manner that provided Board Members with easy reference connections from the agenda to the administrative recommendations and all associated attachments for action items. These packets were normally 100 pages in length and required hand delivery to arrive in time for Board members to study the information provided in order to make educationally sound decisions on behalf of our students.
The Middleton School Board members recently approved the new format of ‘electronic board packets’ at their regular December Board meeting. The ‘BoardBook’ program that will be utilized by the District is hosted off site and allows Board members to access Board packet information from any location that has access to the internet. Along with Board packet information, they will be able to access their Bi-Weekly newsletter and the District’s Policy and Procedure Manual. The Board approved use of ‘BoardBook’ has solved a challenge facing our District and every District—how to eliminate the 100 pages devoted to School Board meeting agenda packets, newsletters and the Policy / Procedure Manual. Utilization of this electronic board packet program will allow our District to conserve and stretch dollars that were previously spent in time, paper and printing costs.
Middleton Schools Participate in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics
The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is an international movement where members of the law enforcement community initiate and implement Torch Runs and events to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics. Beginning in 1981 when Wichita, Kansas Police Chief Richard LaMunyon saw an urgent need to raise funds for and increase awareness of Special Olympics, the Law Enforcement Torch Run remains Special Olympics’ largest grass-roots fund-raiser and public awareness vehicle. In 2007, this international movement raised more than US $30 million for Special Olympics programs. More than 85,000 law enforcement officers carried the “Flame of Hope” around 50 states and 35 nations raising awareness and funds for Special Olympics. Thousands more supported the runners’ efforts through “Adopt-A-Cop” runner sponsorships, corporate sponsorships and Torch Run t-shirt (400,000 t-shirts) and other merchandise sales to fellow law enforcement officers, families, friends and the public. On January 28, 2009 the Flame of Hope will reach Idaho, and begin the Final Leg of the Global Law Enforcement Torch Run. It will reach Boise, Idaho on February 7, 2009 and be used to light the Cauldron to mark the official beginning of the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games. The Law Enforcement Torch Run® Final Leg for the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games is made up of an international team of 142 members, which includes 95 Law Enforcement Officer Runners, 10 Special Olympics athletes and support personnel, who will serve as Guardians of the Flame® as they welcome and receive the “Flame of Hope” in Idaho. To symbolize the significant contribution of law enforcement and the inclusion of Special Olympics athletes in this unified Torch Run, the Final Leg Team will conduct extensive runs and ceremonies in all of the Host Town Program communities and in many other towns throughout Idaho to heighten awareness of Special Olympics and the World Games. The Final Leg Team will safely deliver the “Flame of Hope” to the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games Opening Ceremony in Nampa, Idaho on February 7th. On February 5th, the Special Olympic Torch Run will begin at Mill Creek Elementary School, travel down Middleton Road to Main Street and then on to Middleton High School. Middleton High School will hold an assembly for its students and local dignitaries as part of Middleton’s participation in this Global Torch run. This approximately 30-minute assembly will feature speakers such as the: Mayor of Middleton Sheriff Department Representative High School Principal Special Olympics Global Messenger Law Enforcement Torch Run Officer Middleton Student Body Officers
The students of Middleton High School will be allowed to design the remainder of the assembly around the Special Olympics. At the end of the assembly, there will be photo opportunities with the dignitaries, for our students and staff.
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| Calendar |
1/07 Staff Collaboration (Early Dismissal) 1/13 Regular School Board Meeting 1/14 Staff Collaboration (Early Dismissal)
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