A February Note From Mrs. Tierney

We have had several parents ask us what our favorite applications are for student use. For those of you that aren’t aware, applications are accessible to install on our iPads that we have within each classroom at Denver Elementary. Several of the “apps” are also compatible to install on other devices such as smart phones or another tablet device. With the knowledge that families are wanting to know which “apps” we like best, I thought it would be most relevant if we asked the students and teachers in each grade level what their favorite applications are. We will begin this month with Kindergarten and their favorite applications, which are listed below:

1. Monkey Math School Sunshine

2. SHOW ME

3. ABC Spelling Magic

A Note From Mrs. Tierney - November

A NOTE FROM MRS. TIERNEY

You know you are in a high achieving school system when a third grade student says before school, “It’s so cold out here, you can see my carbon dioxide!”

Albert Einstein once said, “Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.”

We, as educators, live in a system in which we are forced to rely on student achievement data as a predictor of our students’ and our school’s success. Denver Elementary consistently prevails as a high achieving school based on those assessments, as we consistently rank as one of the top achieving schools in the state of Iowa. This makes me very proud, especially because we work very hard as a school system, as a community, and as families to maintain high expectations so that we ensure that trend continues.

However, I will be the first to admit, it is so important for us at times to take a step back, and look at everything else that our students and teachers accomplish, that is not necessarily correlated within those high test scores. Teachers are preparing heavily for our Parent/Teacher Conferences next week. They have compiled mounds of data that they are prepared to share with you on your child’s report card and in a fifteen-minute conference. Most of that data will correlate to each child’s academic strengths and weaknesses, especially within the report card. What I hope you gain from the parent/teacher conference though, is a more detailed look at your child based on both academic data, but also, what we notice about your child that isn’t measured on an assessment.

For example, our student’s work hard to be Kids of Character, they practice daily being responsible, respectful, fair, trustworthy, caring, not to mention outstanding citizens. I must say that our students are some of the most incredible Kids of Character that I have ever witnessed. Character isn’t necessarily something we measure on a state assessment, but to me, we must celebrate our students’ achievements in this area, just as much as we celebrate high math, reading, or science scores. We must remember, that not everything that counts, can be counted!

Elementary Fundraiser Results

We can’t thank our Denver Elementary students, parents, family and community members enough for their generous support of our Clubs Choice Fundraiser. Our profit from the sale was $15,500.

The profit from the fundraiser combined with the $15,000.00 donation from the KIDS group provides us the opportunity to purchase 30 IPADs for elementary classroom use. Our deployment of the iPads is set for November. The iPads will be used in the classroom setting to further enhance and differentiate learning. Teachers will be able to load numerous applications that will supplement all core subjects such as math and reading.

We are so fortunate to have a community that places such a high value on education and continues to financially support the educational needs and wants of our students and educators.

Please look forward to upcoming opportunities to share in our success as we offer future community friendly events, so that you too, may become familiar with our incredible use of technology, and how it positively impacts our students’ learning!

Educational Minute #1 - Intervention and Enrichment Time

At Denver Elementary we strive to ensure that our focus is on learning, rather than teaching. We want to ensure that every student walks away with the skills necessary to be successful in our ever-changing global society upon leaving our system. One way we do that is by differentiating our instruction, specifically through a time that we have allocated within our master schedule this year, to allow for what we call, "Intervention and Enrichment Time". CLICK HERE to watch our very first "EDUCATIONAL MINUTE" video to learn more, and as always I as your principal, welcome any opportunity to speak further about ways in which we focus on learning!

My Best,

Mrs. Kim Tierney

LISTEN TO YOUR READERS (ESPECIALLY YOUR AUNT)

So, a couple weeks ago, my sisters and I enjoyed an incredible day trip to Tanger Outlets and the Amana's with a few of my aunts, including my Aunt Judy. My aunts are a large part of who I am today, I have looked up to them in so many ways throughout my life!

When my Aunt Judy and I had a few minutes to chat, she said, "I read your blog, it's really neat.", I replied with, "Yeah....do you like it?" She said, "Yes, but I don't know if it's my eyes or your font, but I have a hard time reading it...."

I told her right there and then, that she brought up a good point, and that she would likely be the subject of a future post.

SO HERE YOU ARE, AUNT JUDITH! BECAUSE OF YOUR GREAT FEEDBACK, I HAVE REVERTED TO A MORE TRADITIONAL (LESS ATTRACTIVE AND FUN), BUT EASIER TO READ FONT! I HOPE YOU CONTINUE TO ENJOY!

Denver Elementary Teachers Learn from the Author of Arthur!

On April 15, 2011, our staff had the wonderful opportunity to attend the 2011 Elementary Literacy and Reading Recovery Conference on the University of Northern Iowa campus. Our teachers were able to attend differentiated sessions pertaining to all facets of literacy. What made the day even more exciting is that our professional staff had the opportunity to learn from a great and FAMOUS author, Marc Brown, who is most well known for creating and writing about his famous character, Arthur.

He answered a question that we hear a lot as educators. "How can I get my child to read at home?" His answer was simple, he said, "Kids do what parents do, if you want your child to read, you have to model that."

I would also like to thank one of our very own parents, Mrs. Amy Lockhart for all the work that she did in preparing an outstanding conference and a great day of learning for educators all across Iowa. Amy is a member of the planning team and host school, Price Laboratory in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Denver is proud of you!

Our 4th Grade Team, Deb Little and Val Frey, also deserve a congratulations today for facilitating their own learning session, entitled, Closing the Gap and Raising the Bar! They did an incredible job of presenting, facilitating discussion, and sharing one of the many great initiatives evolving within Denver Elementary.

Third Grade teacher, Wendy Lohmann, chats with Marc Brown!

Mrs. Zaputil, Kindergarten teacher, with Mr. Brown.

Mrs. Curtis (2nd) and Mrs. Kirchoff (2nd) with Mr. Brown

Our very own, Jodie Victoria, posing for a photograph with the famous author

Did you know that Marc Brown, considers himself an artist, first and foremost?

His greatest inspiration, in school, was his art teacher!

April 2011

Four Teachers Hired to Join our Elementary Team

I am so excited to announce that with careful financial management by our Superintendent, Mrs. Kathy Enslin, we were able to interview and hire four new teachers at the elementary level. Grade level assignments have not yet been determined for these individuals, but we are excited that we will have three classroom sections within each grade level kindergarten through fifth.

The new teachers all come to Denver Elementary with experience. I will begin to touch on a few “fun facts” about each of our new professionals that will be joining our elementary team in August:

Brittanie Barnett

· Is currently completing her first year at Fairfield Community School District

· Is a 5^th Generation Wartburg Alum

· Lived in England while growing up until the 5^th Grade then moved to New Jersey, where her parents currently reside.

“Brittanie Is very well trained as a first year teacher, coming from Fairfield. Her training and experience blends very well with the direction that we are moving as a district. I am so excited to see Britannie’s positive influence and knowledge of educating children impact our students for years to come”

- Kim Tierney, Principal

Wendy Lohmann

· Has subbed for the Denver Community School District for the past 10 years.

· Has been a full-time classroom substitute for us in third grade since January 2011.

· Taught for four years full time in Illinois.

· Lives and remains active in the Denver Community with her husband, Craig and five children.

“Wendy is an exceptionally well-rounded person who will provide consistency for our students at the elementary level. Our students, staff, and community know and love her! Her positive attitude, experience, and incredible work-ethic made her an invaluable candidate for our open positions.”

- Kim Tierney, Principal

Michael Sullivan

· Has taught in four states, including Iowa, Arizona, Illinois, and Connecticut.

· Was Team Captain and Offensive MVP for his college football team

· Currently teaches first grade in Hudson, but throughout his five years of teaching experience has taught fifth grade and reading as well.

· Lead the development/revision of a standards-based report card within his grade level in Hudson

“Michael is a professional who comes to us with an incredible combination of education, experience, and many personal strengths. He comes VERY highly recommended, and I am very excited to see his strengths and knowledge put to use within our elementary.”

Kim Tierney, Principal

Stephanie Westendorf

· Has taught in the Waterloo school system for the past 4 years, including 4^th and 5^th Grades.

· Currently is the Team Leader for her grade level in Waterloo

· Is extensive professional training in several initiatives that fit very well within our system

· Volunteers to facilitate an After School Running Club in her school.

“Stephanie really stood out to us during the interview process. Her professional experiences, intelligence, and demeanor make her a perfect “fit” for our high expectations and standards of education here in Denver. I am so pleased with her extensive training, and her proven track record of focusing on learning and putting students first.”

Kim Tierney, Principal