Superintendent’s Message by Paula Wright Think Spring!

The 4 missed student

days due to inclement

weather will be made up

as follows:

January 11th will be

made up on February

21, 2011.

January 17th will be

made up on May 26,

2011.

February 1st will be

made up on May 27,

2011.

February 2nd will be

made up on May 31,

2011.

As of today, the last stu-

dent day is May 31st

with a 3 hour early out.

Hopefully the snow days

are behind us and the

warm sunny days of

spring have settled it.

The high school renova-

tion project continues to

progress forward. The

new cafeteria and

kitchen are the furthest

along. The new tile

floor is laid and the

kitchen equipment is

installed. The contrac-

tors are putting on the

final touches. We

should be able to move

into the space within the

next couple of weeks.

The work continues on

the elevator addition

with the brick being laid

and block walls going

up. The south parking

lot will be a priority as

soon as the weather co-

operates. This has been

a source of frustration

for the district that hope-

fully will be resolved

soon.

March is budget time for

school districts. Soon

you will see our certified

budget published in the

Chariton Newspaper.

This budget represents

our budget authority and

not our operating

budget. The district’s

operating budget is

based on a per pupil

amount times the num-

ber of students. The dis-

trict experienced a de-

cline in enrollment of 49

students resulting in a

decline in revenues. The

district will be looking

at reducing expenditures

to match the loss in

revenues.

Congratulations to all of

the district athletes for

completing a successful

winter sports season.

The hard work and dedi-

cation that it takes to

participate in extra-

curricular activities does

not go unnoticed.

Thank you to all patrons

for your support of Cha-

riton Activities!

Volume 13, issue 8

March, 2011

Middle School News

2

Elementary Art 3

Curriculum Cor-ner

4

High School Cafeteria

5

Menu 6

Kindergarten Roundup

7

Inside this issue:

Charger Pride Char i ton Community School Dis t r ic t

ATTENTION:

MARCH 16—March 18 — Spring Break

May 26—Snow make-up day—School will be in session.

May 27—Snow make-up day—School will be in session.

May 31—Snow make-up day— School will be in session.

Volume 13, Issue 8 Charger Pride

to label and color several maps of Iowa. In

March we will be learning about Eastern

Europe. We will also learn about culture, peo-

ple, cities, and population. We will also be

learning about Russia.

In Mr. Milledge’s science class we have been

talking about amphibians and reptiles. A few

weeks ago we did a frog dissection. We thought

that it was very interesting and fun. It was cool

to see all the frog’s organs. Now we will be

learning about mammals. We will make a mam-

mal book and mammal power point. Everyone

will get to choose their own mammal to re-

search and make the power point on.

In Mrs. Beaty’s math class we have been learn-

ing about positive and negative numbers, the

different properties like distributive etc., and

expression. In the month of March we are going

to learn how to write and solve one and two step

equations, writing and solving inequalities, and

graphing functions. In class we do mental math

everyday at the beginning of class.

In Ms. Fenton’s language arts class we have

been talking about adverbs, nouns, conjunc-

tions, adjectives, and verbs. We will be finish-

ing prepositions, pronouns, and grammar usage

and mechanics. Research on a famous Iowan

has been completed. On Fridays we have been

doing SSW (sustained silent writing). The 7th

grade literature class, also taught by Ms. Fenton

has been learning and reading about Iowa’s his-

tory. Everyday we read a section out of the Text

and Workbook In The History of Iowa and we

answer questions about what we read. As of

February 10, we have read 429 books. We are

on our way to beating the previous year of hav-

ing only 505 books read all year. In March we

will be reading and continuing Flush by Carl

Hiassen. In Mrs. Stansbery’s reading class we

have been reading Schooled by Gordan Kor-

man. Next we will be reading When Zachary

Beaver Came to Town by Kimberly Willis Holt.

Where has all the time gone? We can’t believe it is

the middle of the 3rd quarter. The students have

been busy learning many new things in 6th grade. In

science, the students have been learning about rocks

and their amazing properties. Mr. Pierschbacher’s

classes have been learning about “The Lands Down

Under” or Australia. What an amazing land with so

many diverse forms of animal life. Math classes are

busy figuring out fractions and mixed numbers. The

6th grade math bee will be in Fairfield, Iowa on

April 8th. The following students will be contest-

ants: Gabe Heim, Morgan Cochran, Clara Lenger,

Jeremiah Granahan, and alternate Andrew Wood.

Reading students have just finished working on

reading and writing dialectical journals for their

books. They have learned how a quote is different

from quotations used dialogue in stories. In lan-

guage arts, students have learned what a four sea-

son text is. They are writing four seasons text about

something from their life that they will share with

their parents. The students have some amazing sto-

ries and the strong words paint vivid pictures of

their experiences. Way to go 6th graders!! We are

proud of you and all your hard work.

Sixth Grade Greetings

Hello parents, guardians, teachers, and students!

This month in pre-algebra we have been learning

about probability, writing and solving proportions,

scale drawings, etc. We are also learning about

cross products. Cross products are just an easier

way to find a fraction without having to simplify.

During March we will be learning about percents.

We will learn how to find percent, percents and

fractions, percents and decimals, etc. Mr. Berg

teaches pre-algebra to the 7th and 8th grade classes.

Mr. Berg also teaches geography. In February we

have been talking about Iowa. We are completing

maps, and research about famous Iowans. We have

Seventh Grade Greetings

Written by Emma Nelson and Sydney Steenhoek

Page 3

Elementary Art News

Six Chariton Elementary art students had work se-

lected for the 2011 Youth Art Month Show. The ex-

hibit, held at the State Historical Building in Des

Moines, will include over two hundred pieces of qual-

ity student artwork from all parts of Iowa.

On March 6, a reception will be held to open the show

and honor the participating artists. The exhibit will

remain on display to the public throughout the month

of March.

The event is sponsored by the Art Educators of Iowa

and emphasizes the importance of art education in

Iowa schools. Participating students are: Garrett

Klaiber and Autumn Moore (Kdg.) Reagan Mackey

(Grade One), Ian Goben (Grade Two), Jackson Fisher

(Grade Four), and Taytum Bacus (Grade Five).

By: Jackson Fisher By: Autumn Moore

By: Garrett Klaiber

By: Ian Goben

By: Reagan Mackey

By Taytum Bacus

March 3rd NAEP Testing

March 4th Young Writers to Oskaloosa

March 9th Spring Pictures

March 10th Explore Test

March 16-18 Spring Break

March 24th 6th grade TIPS 8th grade Career Fair @ Comm. Center March 29th Honor Band @ Oskaloosa Middle S.

Middle School Dates to Remember:

Volume 13, Issue 8 Charger Pride

Curriculum Corner By Cindy Butler

What work will our graduates do? Projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that all of the fast-growing, high-paying occupations over the next decade will require a college degree while the fastest growing occupations that will require only a high school diploma have the lowest average wages.

In December, Iowa Workforce Development released the following information which is avail-able on their website. The jobs most in decline: Textile Product Mills, Apparel Manufacturing, Electrical Equipment, Appliance & Component Manufacturing, Postal Service, Utilities and Tele-communication. The “Hot Jobs” with growth expected: Computer Software Engineers, Network Systems & Data Communications Analysts, Marriage & Family Therapists, Veterinarians, Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Workers and Personal Financial Advisors.

What will graduates need to be successful at these hot jobs? In addition to basic content knowledge and 21

st Century Skills, the Iowa Core Curriculum has identified the following six out-

comes as necessary for each Iowa student to graduate prepared for success in career, college and citizenry: productivity and accountability, flexibility and adaptability, critical thinking, complex communication, creativity and collaboration.

We all share in the responsibility to prepare our students for their future. The district will imple-ment the Iowa Core; what will you do to support and encourage students to develop the skills to succeed in this changing world?

The High School Media Center/Library is going

through two renovations, one in the room and one

on the bookshelves. Several years ago a grant was

obtained for new library tables and chairs. Recently

Cindy Hauschildt, Media Specialist, and Kristi

Chandler, Media Associate, wrote and received a

generous grant from the Vredenburg Foundation to

be used for purchasing new books and other educa-

tional media for the library. Currently Ms.

Hauschildt and Ms. Chandler work on identifying

the newly purchased books and other media with

library codes and entering them into the online sys-

tem accessible to both staff and students. Many of

the newly purchased fiction books written in recent

years contain topics of interest for even the most

reluctant of readers. The teachers have been invited

to help Ms. Hauschildt spend money on books or

other media (videos, audio

books, etc.) that will en-

hance the engagement of

students in all areas of the

c u r r i c u l u m . M s .

Hauschildt indicated a spe-

cific need for filling the

non-fiction section with

current topics of interest.

When all the renovation is completed, the High

School Media Center/Library will offer a quiet

retreat for students and staff seeking entertain-

ment and information from the wonderful world

of books.

A New Look for the High School Media Center/Library

By Lori Flanders

Volume 13, Issue 8 Charger Pride

HIGH SCHOOL RENOVATION!

Left—This photo is looking into the new kitchen. It shows the serving lines and some of the new kitchen equipment. The new cafete-ria area is scheduled to open up for student use in the next couple of weeks.

Right—This photo is taken in the new cafeteria look-ing north. It shows the new entrance doors that students will use to enter and exit the cafeteria.

Left—This photo is taken standing in front of the door above look-ing south. This shows a view of the serving area and south entrance to the cafeteria.

Volume 13, issue 8 Page 6

March Lunch Menu

Volume 13, issue 8 Page 7

Kindergarten Round Up

Kindergarten Round Up will be held at Columbus Elementary on Friday, April 29, 2011.

One half of the future kindergarten students will attend a two hour morning session and the other half

will attend the afternoon session. Parents will bring their child to the school, help them locate their

room and leave. Parents will return for the last half hour of the session to attend a parent information

meeting.

The children will be divided into five groups and will rotate through a

variety of activities in each kindergarten room, meeting and working with

each kindergarten teacher.

Personal invitations will be sent to those who have registered. If your

child has not received an invitation by April 22nd, please contact Colum-

bus School at 774-4712.

Kindergarten Announcement PROSPECTIVE KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS

FOR THE 2011 - 2012 SCHOOL YEAR

If you have a child or know of a child that will be five years of age on or

before September 15, 2011, please call the Columbus Elementary School

at 774-4712 or return the form below. By registering, your child will re-

ceive an invitation to the kindergarten roundup. The kindergarten

roundup screening will be held April 29th at Columbus Elementary.

Prospective Kindergarten Student

Child’s Full Name: Boy/Girl _______ Birthdate:__________

Name child will go by at school: _______________________________________

Parent’s Name(s):

Address:

City: Zip Code:

Telephone Number:

It is the policy of the Chariton Community School District not to illegally discriminate on the basis of race,

color, national origin, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, creed, age or marital status in its

educational programs or employment practices. If you have questions or grievances related to this policy

please contact the Equity Coordinator, 140 East Albia Road, PO Box 738, Chariton, Iowa 50049.

140 East Albia Road

PO Box 738

Chariton, IA 50049

Chariton Community School District

District Mission Statement

Successful Learning for ALL Students

PRESORTED

STANDARD

US POSTAGE

PAID

PERMIT NO.

258

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Mrs. Sue Curnutte, high school guidance counselor, will be holding a

career fair for 8-12th graders on Thursday, March 24, 8:30-11:30 a.m. at

the Community Center. Students will participate in various sessions re-

garding career choices and academic success. Several businesses, col-

leges, and apprenticeships will be setting up information booths for stu-

dents to visit.

If anyone would like to set up a booth or be involved in this event, please

contact Sue at the high school. (641) 774-5066.

Career Fair for 8-12th Graders