JanFeb 14 School Newsletter

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January/February 2014Tri-Center Newsletter

High School 485-2257 Middle School 485-2211

Elementary 485-2271

www.tri-center.k12.ia.us

Superintendent’s News and Comments …Brett Nanninga

Tri-Center CommunitySchools

Celebrating

Of Excellence(1962-2012)

Campus Technology Update . . . (A Hybrid of

Current and Future Concepts)

ONE when you need it (referring to acomputing device) has been our philosophy oncampus now for going on five years. We willcontinue to provide that avenue for our students aswe implement the next phase of technologicaladvancement at Tri-Center by introducing theBYOD (laptops, tablets, pads, and Smartphones) program throughout the second semester of 2013.While making that transition for students and staff,we will continue to upgrade our labs and mobilelaptop and iPad2 labs; and provide iPad2 devices toall teachers for immediate utilization in allclassrooms.

According to the latest webinars andtechnology summits, the BYOD concept isunstoppable. Mobile technologies are propellingchange at a faster rate than schools and businessescan keep up with. BYOD will be the only

conceivable and economical way to achieve and

sustain a true 1 to 1 environment in schoolswhereby all students have access to devices that wil be used in every level and classroom for curricular purposes. Elliot Soloway, professor of computerscience and engineering at the University ofMichigan, is a prominent speaker on educationaltechnology and he insists that BYOD is“inevitable.”

If you will recall, the “backbone” (serversand switches) of our technology system at Tri-

Center has been upgraded during the past 6 monthsin an effort to provide more speed, power, andstorage for students and staff. The wirelesscapabilities on campus were also expanded to provide greater accessibility and mobility. Access points were installed and bandwidth was increasedAdditional mobile labs were added at theelementary, middle school, and high school levelsfor student usage and most operating systems wereupgraded. All of these components are a necessityif Tri-Center is going to accommodate a large

number of devices on the network and wirelesssystems.Technology remains as a great equalizer

among students and staff. With our student tocomputer ratio nearing 1 to 1, we are very excitedabout the high level of accessibility and mobility wecan offer. The staff has done a great job oimplementing technology into the classroom andutilizing the tools that are available toenhance/transform instruction. It is our hope thaTri-Center will continue to lead and learn in this

vital area of education as it touches all students andareas of the curriculum.

Learning to Read . . . Reading to Learn . . .

Moving Forward with the Basics

May it never be said that we are going“back” to the “Basics” (i.e. reading) in educationGranted, there are an abundance of strategies andtechniques that surround the instruction of reading but there is no substitute for being read to by



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someone else. As children, hopefully we allenjoyed it when our parent; sibling, grandparent, orteacher read us a story. Now it is our time to carrythat legacy of learning forward to the nextgeneration. Our responsibility lies not only inreading to children, but in encouraging them to readsomething enjoyable or informative each day.Technology and mobile devices only enhances the

possibilities of making this happen. If our society isto improve its status as being “well-educated”; andour schools are being charged with becoming more proficient in student achievement, then educationmust begin and end with the ability of our youth toread well and learn content from reading. There ismuch that hangs in the balance. We must remainfocused and understand that keeping kids interestedin reading will take a concerted effort between thehome and the school. Please continue to emphasizethe necessity of reading and reading for

comprehension with your son/daughter — regardlessof his/her age and grade level.

Buses . . . Kids and Drivers

Much is assumed and too much is taken forgranted when it comes to our students, the busesthey ride and most importantly, the drivers who areoperating the buses. Whether it be periods of badweather or hot, sunny days; all students areexpected to respect the bus driver and view them as

the ultimate authority on the vehicle. Riding the bus to and from school and activities is a privilegethat is bestowed on each of our students. However,it is not an absolute right because it can be revokedat any time and for any period of time dependingupon the inappropriateness of the behavior. As a parent, please understand the role and responsibilityof the driver and refrain from rushing to judgmentwhenever a situation arises that involves a conflict between your child and the driver. The ultimateconcern of the driver is the safety of the children on

board, and one student or a few kids will not beallowed to jeopardize that safety factor bymisbehaving — especially after the driver has calledhim/her or them down several times already.

Should a misunderstanding or concern ariseout of a driver/student conflict, we will utilize ourchain of command process and expect that that thefirst conversation takes place between the parentand the driver. If resolution is not arrived at, thenthe next step will be to contact or visit the building

principal of the child’s grade level. Thesuperintendent would be the next person in line toaddress the issue if nothing is resolved, and finally,the board of education would serve as the body forappeals. Just as the children are heard, the driverdeserves the opportunity to present his/her case andexplain the action taken. It is not the role of the board of education to intervene until all of the

proper channels have been exhausted.Tri-Center bus drivers are well-qualified and

loyal employees of the district. They are underconstant pressure to perform their duties withoutfail and many times in adverse conditions. They areto be appreciated for all they do to ensure thewelfare of our kids as they very diligently haul themto and from home and school for 180 days eachyear. Please take the time to thank them and exhoryour kids to admire them for the job they do sofaithfully.

Midwest Winter Weather

The snow, the ice, the fog, the wind chillsand the successive days of below freezing temps arealways a reminder and indication that winter inIowa is back. We have experienced it all in just afew months. In the event that we have school on aday when getting from home to school is too riskyor impossible, please call the school and let us knowyour children will not be coming. Keep in mind

that our district encompasses almost 200 squaremiles and there will undoubtedly be some spots thatare impassable. Most of our kids live in town andtherefore can ride the bus or drive in conditions thatmay be much better than those which exist oncountry roads or outlying areas. So, there may betimes that the decision is based simply upon beingable get most of our kids to school on a given day.We will do our best to exercise good judgment, butthat does not mean it will be in agreement withevery parent, student, or patron in the district. This

is Iowa and we all understand the adjustments thatneed to be made during a Midwest winter, so let’sapproach it that way. Thanks for your assistanceand cooperation.

“Being average means you are just as close to the

bottom as you are to the top.”

--John Wooden



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From the Principal’s Desk

… Angie Huseman

“Advice is like the snow. The softer it

falls, the deeper it sinks into the mind.”

Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Expectations are a powerful thing. Whenresearchers look at what makes students successful,they always find that expectations play a key role.If parents and teachers hold high expectations,children usually live up to them. That’s true inacademics…in athletics…and it is true for behavioras well. Now, more than ever, decisions about thefuture really begin to take shape, and for some, the

future is unsure. How about your teen? Are theyready for the “second half”? Will they give it theirall, or will they skate by as much as possible? Havethey planned for the future? Are they going to dowhat it takes to get the most out of this “secondhalf”? The Tri-Center High School students areworking on developing goals this month duringAdvisory time. Parents, you can help your childfigure out what they need to think about whiledeveloping those goals using the questions below:

Parents, ask your teen:

Have you decided what is important?Have you determined your role?

Have you set realistic goals?

Have you decided to influence theoutcomes?

Encourage your teen to plan for success!The good news for parents is that you can

learn how to put the power of positive expectationsto work for you. Expecting your child to developgood habits can be one of the best gifts you can givehim/her. A habit is an automatic action that takes

no conscious thought. Habits help most of us getthrough the day. When we get up in the morning,we don’t stop to think, “Maybe I should brush myteeth.” We just do it.

Parents can help children develop positivehabits, too. Show that you expect your child todevelop the habit of doing homework at a regulartime, for example, or the habit of spending sometime reading each day.

Talk with your child about other habits youexpect him/her to develop. A few possibilitiesinclude:

Writing down homework assignmentsThey all have planners they are expectedto use every day. This is also a goodtool for you to know whether or not yourchild is getting his/her work done.

Remembering to bring needed materialshome from school.

Remembering to take homework andother materials back to school.

Going to bed on time.

Getting up on time and being ready forschool on time.

Making his/her bed and straightening uphis/her room in the morning.

Not making excuses. Everyone has thesame amount of time; if you do not getsomething accomplished, it is not thatyou did not have the time simply thatyou did not use the time you had well.

Here are some good ways you canencourage good habit formation:

Don’t try everything at onceRemember the year you made the 15 New Year’s Resolutions? ByValentine’s Day, you had given up on allof them. Your kids are the sameChoose only a few habits you would likethem to develop.

Make sure your kids are involvedAfter all, you are trying to change theirhabits. Talk with them about what youare trying to do. Let them know that positive habits can make their liveseasier and more pleasant. Ask them tochoose one or two things they’d like towork on first.

Allow 21 days. Experts have discoveredthat if you repeat an action every day for21 days, it is likely to become automaticSo, for the next 21 days, expect yourkids to act on their new habits. Afterthat, they will find they do it withoutthinking about it.



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New Minor and Intermediate School License

Holder Information:If you have a teenage driver, you probably

already got this in the mail. If not, following are thechanges that have occurred in the Minor andIntermediate Licenses:Minor School License Changes:

Beginning January 1, 2014, you have to

obey passenger restrictions while drivingwithout adult supervision.

o You can only have one unrelatedminor passenger (under 18).

o You can have more than one minor passenger if they are your brother,sister, step-brother, step-sister or ifthey are an unrelated child that livesin your household.

Intermediate License Changes:

You are required to hold your instruction

permit for 12 months before upgrading to anIntermediate license.

You must remain crash/conviction freeduring the six months immediately beforeapplication for Intermediate license.

If your instruction permit is suspended orrevoked, the 12 month period starts overfrom the day you reinstate.

When we took our daughter in to get herIntermediate License, we were asked if we wantedto put a condition on that license that said she could

only have one unrelated passenger in the car withher (like the Minor license). You, as a parent, canaccept or decline that restriction.

“Not doing more than the average is what

keeps the average down.”

William M.Winans

Counseling Comments

…By Tami Harman

Here we are already starting secondsemester. First semester went by very quickly andsmoothly.

Seniors: You should be in your final stagesof planning for your post-secondary optionsCollege visits, college applications, scholarshipsearches, etc. should all be completed or workinghard at getting them completed. I have met with 26seniors and their parents to go over college planninginformation. I would still like to meet with theremainder of seniors and parents to finalize plans.

The FAFSA applications can and should becompleted and sent in as soon as possible. Thismust be submitted in order for any financial aid packages are submitted for the fall term of collegeThe website is www.FAFSA.ed.gov If you needassistance please do not hesitate to call TamiHarman at the High School for assistance. Manycolleges have priority deadlines; make sure you areaware of those deadlines for colleges yourdaughter/son may be applying to in the fall

Remember to make copies of your completedFAFSA and tax returns.

Juniors: The junior class will be taking theASVAB (Armed Service Vocational AptitudeBattery) here at Tri-Center on February 20th. Thisassessment is given to assist the students in careerexploration and to gain knowledge of their strengthsand weaknesses in relation to different careers. Ialso helps students begin exploring futureeducational and career plans.

Juniors should be gathering information onthe colleges they may want to attend, visiting withrepresentatives from different schools and planningwhen to take the ACT test. Juniors should try totest once their junior year and again in the beginning of their senior year. There will be anACT Prep course offered before the February testthis year for juniors and again in the early fall ofnext year for those students wanting this extraresource to help with the format of the ACT test.

Sophomores and Freshmen:

They need to keep focusing on theiracademics and being active in school activities aswell as community organizations. Class rankcumulative grade point average, attendance, andACT scores will determine their success.

http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/






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National Honor Society News:

The Tri-Center Blood Drive will beheld February 28th from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm in theMiddle School Gym. Mark your calendar!!Call 712-485-2257 and ask for Tami Harman tomake an appointment.

Students that qualify for National HonorSociety will be given an application in earlyFebruary to complete and return. Students that fillout the application are then ranked by staff and thenthose rankings are brought before a panel for finalevaluation and a selection process is used todetermine those students that meet the qualificationsfor admission into National Honor Society.

Yearbook News and

Information

…Sarah Elliott

2013-2014 Publications Staff Members:

Seniors: Newspaper Co-Consultants/Editors EliseChristenson, Lia Grover, and Christian Severn;Juniors: Yearbook Editor Zach Denning, Brandon

Jensen, Stephanie Nelson, Allyson Ploen, andMegan Ryan; Sophomores: Whitney Matthews;and Freshmen: Samantha Brich, Christine Fisher,and Sydney Murley.

2013 YEARBOOKS! The 2013 Trojan

Yearbooks arrived just before Christmas Break.We appreciate your patience with both thePublications staff doing proofs and the publisher(Walsworth Publishing) printing it. We have extraswhich may be purchased, while supplies last, for

$50 each. Contact Adviser Mrs. Sarah Elliott at thehigh school at 485-2257, ext. 100 [email protected]

PAST YEARBOOKS! In addition to extra 2013copies, we have extras of other past yearbooks.Purchase a past book and get $5 off the second andon lower priced books. Past books costs are: 2011and 2010: $25, 2009 and 2008: $20, and 2003: $15.Sorry, we are completely out of 2012 books.

2014 YEARBOOK SALES!!! The 2014 Trojan

Yearbook sales will begin at Conferences inFebruary and we plan on doing on-line sales as wellthis year. Some specials and discounts will beoffered to those purchasing their books at theConferences. BUY EARLY AND SAVE!

SENIOR PICTURES: Seniors and senior parents pictures were due to the yearbook by WednesdayDecember 18, 2013. We have extended ourdeadline to Thursday, February 13. These may be incolor or black and white, but they should be wallet-sized and head and shoulder shots work or look best. Don’t assume your photographer did/will sendthem in to us. If the photo is not received by thedeadline, it may be difficult to include it. GETPICTURES IN NOW TO BE SAFE!

PARENT AND PERSONAL ADS: Support theyearbook and honor your son/daughtergrandson/daughter, sibling, friend, or others at thesame time. Parent and personal full-color ads are$35 and include the honored person’s name, a small photo, and a message limited to approximately 25words. Senior parents can expect to receive a letterin the next few weeks. Parent and personal ads can be purchased from Publications Adviser SarahElliott at 485-2257, ext. 100.

PICTURES ARE ACCEPTED: The Publicationsstaff is in need of and will accept pictures for possible use in the yearbook and/or Trojan Times

newspaper. Pictures can be submitted by emai(selliott@tri-center,k12.ia.us) or brought in to bescanned and returned ASAP. The staff is currentlyin need of Homecoming, summer and fall sportsand candid pictures for all grades.

SPONSORSHIP/AD CAMPAIGN: We will befinishing our sponsorship/ad campaign soon. If you

are or know of someone and/or a business owner owho may want to sponsor a spread and/or advertisecontact Adviser Sarah Elliott at 485-2257, ext. 100Sponsors/Advertisers not only help fund a yearbookof which the district and surrounding communitiescan be proud, but have the opportunity to support aneducational program that teaches students valuableskills in writing, design, photography, computeruse, and business. The sponsorships/ads are $50and we are still in need of approximately 25.

mailto:selliott@tri-center,k12.ia.us






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Tri-Center Middle School

…Brian Wedemeyer

MS students completed the IowaAssessments in November. Those results will besent home with their 2nd quarter report cards.

The JH girl’s basketball team and boyswrestling team will start practicing in January. Allstudents need to have a current physical to participate. The girls basketball teams will becoached by Mike Larsen and Jerry Christensen andthe JH WR team will be coached by Mark Hazen.

The End of Bullying Begins with Me. Thatis the message for this year’s National BullyingPrevention program. It’s important for adults andstudents to understand what bullying is so theyknow how to respond to it. Bullying is whensomeone repeatedly and on purpose says or doesmean or hurtful things to another person who has ahard time defending himself or herself. If you areunsure if it is bullying, there is an easy rule ofthumb: If it is mean, intervene.

Elementary Principal

…Diane White January/February Highlights

January 3 & 4 – No School-In ServiceJanuary 14 – Student Council Mtg. 3:30January 17 – No PKJanuary 20 – No School – In ServiceJanuary 27 – Hearing RechecksJanuary 31 – No PK

February 7 – No PKFebruary 12 – 1:30 Dismissal – P/T ConferencesFebruary 13 – 1:30 Dismissal – P/T ConferencesFebruary 14 – No SchoolFebruary 14 – Valentine’s Day February 17 – No School – In ServiceFebruary 17 – Presidents’ Day February 21 – No PKFebruary 28 – 1:30 Dismissal – In Service

Special Olympics

. . . . Julie Theulen

The Special Olympic team competed in basketball skills at IWCC on Thursday, January9th. Harrison Dollen placed FIRST - Cole Osbahr placed FIRST - Alanna Haubrich placed SECOND -Elijah Bearley placed FIFTH. The team displayedawesome sportsmanship. Harrison and Cole willcompete at state basketball competition on March15 at University of Iowa in Iowa City. GO TC!

TC Dollars for Scholars

….Kathy Mark, Secretary

Tri-Center Scholarship Foundation, Inc.’s

Annual Theme Luncheon will take place onMarch 29 at Tri-Center High School. Anyoneinterested in hosting a table for the luncheon shouldcontact Kathy Mark, Secretary of Tri-CenterScholarship Foundation, Inc., at 712- 485-2423.



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School Nurse . . . . Jennifer McGee, R.N.

Do you schedule a well-child visit with

your Doctor?

Your child’s doctor can help you identifythe signs (called developmental milestones) to lookfor in your child. This is an important part of thewell-child visit. Sometimes after age 5 we forget totake our children in for a well-child check until the7th grade immunizations are needed to meet schoolrequirements. Parents find themselves schedulingan appointment only when children are sick. Orsometimes, a child doesn't get sick for several yearsand doesn't see a doctor at all!

Well-child visits are a great time to see ifyour child is emerging, growing and changing,

respecting self and others, building friendships andschool relationships. If your child is not followingthe normal behavioral or physical growth it will becaught at a well-child visit. It is a great time for parents to relay concerns to the doctor of things youare noticing at home or reported by school. Children in grades 7-12 often need a sports physical. It is beneficial to your child to bescheduled as a "13 year old well-child visit" and thedoctor will also fill out the sports physical form.Your child will get a more thorough exam as well

as any needed immunizations. Typically if theappointment is scheduled as a 'sports physical'no immunizations are administered.

Best wishes for a happy, healthy 2014!

Music DepartmentReid Keller

T-C Sensations and T-C Jr. Sensations gear up

for Competitions

The Tri-Center show choirs are finishing preparations for their 2014 competition season.With 40 students in grades 9-12, the H.S. group (T-C Sensations) will be competing in several contests

this year. January 25th will kick off the years performances at Dallas Center-Grimes' "Take 2"competition. The H.S. group will perform at 1:40PM. The following Monday the 27th, theSensations will defend their long-standing WICconference title at Iowa Western CC in CouncilBluffs. On February 3rd, the group will travel toAtlantic High School in hopes of earning yet

another Division I rating at the State ContestFebruary 12th will mark the annual trip to theUniversity of Nebraska-Omaha for the T-CSensations. Finally the season will wrap up onMarch 8th at the "Westwood Jubilation" in Sloan.

The junior high ensemble, The T-C JrSensations will travel with the H.S group to both theDallas Center/Grimes and UNO competition. TheJr. Sensations will perform at 9:20 AM in Grimesand UNO is yet to be determined.

We will be holding our annual

spring book fair in the middle school/high schoolibrary during parent teacher conferences this year.All purchases made will help to buy books for Tri-Center classrooms and libraries.

We will be open for business on MondayFebruary 10th and Tuesday February11th from 8:00am to 4:00 pm. We will beopen Wednesday February 12th and ThursdayFebruary 13th from 8:00a.m.-8:00p.m. Stop in andshop during Parent/Teacher Conferences!

We invite you to come and browse the widevariety of books Scholastic has to offer. There will be several displays of board books, story books andchapter books for elementary students. In additionwe will also be selling several widelyread books for middle and high school age students.

Can’t make it to the book fair? No worriesYou can shop our book fair online! Just log on



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to http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/tc and place an order. Your selections will be deliveredto the school the week of February 24th.

We hope to see you at the book fair and wethank you in advance for your support.

The Annual Asbestos Report on the

Buildings at Tri-Center Schools

The inspection done at the Elementary, Middle andHigh School buildings shows no change. Theinspection of Asbestos is done every six months byKerry Courtier. Ames Environmental Inc. does athree year inspection.

Elementary/MS Yearbooks

. . . . Becky Thomas

Order your 2013-2014 Elementary/MSYearbooks today! Cost is $25 for a soft cover, fullcolor. This will include school pictures, sports team pictures and some snap shots of students PK-8. Ifyou need an order form or if you have pictures youwould like to submit for review, pleaseemail: [email protected]

Who:Children ages Birth to 5 who live in the Tri-CenterCommunity School District and are not presently inKindergarten.

What:

A developmental screening which gives youthe opportunity to see if your child is playingmoving, thinking and talking at his/her age levelScreenings include: vision, hearing, speech-language, overall development, and a growthassessment.

Why:The Preschool Screening can give your child

a better educational start when they enter school andyour child should attend the screening as a part ofthe preschool application process.

When:Monday, March 24, 20148:30 a.m. To 2:30 p.m.Must call for an appointment!

Where:Tri-Center Preschool RoomTri-Center Elementary

For Appointment:Please contact the Tri-Center Elementary

Office at 485-2271. Please bring your child’sImmunization records, Birth Certificate and SociaSecurity card to your appointment.

Cost:

It’s FREE for all children, fun for alchildren and reassuring to parents.

Preschool Programs

If you are interested in signing your child up for the4 year old Tri-Center Preschool Program, youshould attend the Preschool Screening. Thisscreening is also used to qualify children for the AlDay Preschool Program.

Kindergarten 2014-2015

If you have a 5 year old not attending our preschool program, please call and make an appointment tocome to screening.

http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/tc



mailto:[email protected]




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