Tri-Center Newsletter 2012

High School 485-2257 Middle School 485-2211 www.tri-center.k12.ia.us Elementary 485-2271

Superintendents News and Comments

Brett Nanninga

Campus Technology Update . . . (A Hybrid of Current and Future Concepts) **Please visit our website and view the PowerPoint slideshow on the front page. ONE when you need it (referring to a computing device) has been our philosophy on campus now for going on four years. We will continue to provide that avenue for our students as we implement the next phase of technological advancement at Tri-Center by introducing the BYOD (laptops, tablets, pads, and Smartphones) program throughout the second semester with full implementation in August of 2012. While making that transition for students and staff, we will continue to upgrade our labs and mobile labs; and provide iPad2 devices to all teachers for immediate utilization in all classrooms. According to the latest webinars and technology summits, the BYOD concept is unstoppable. Mobile technologies are propelling change at a faster rate than schools and businesses can keep up with. BYOD will be the only conceivable and economical way to achieve and sustain a true 1 to 1 environment in schools whereby all students have access to devices that will be used in every level and classroom for curricular purposes. Elliot Soloway, professor of computer science and engineering at the University of Michigan, is a prominent speaker on educational technology and he insists that BYOD is inevitable. If you will recall, the backbone (servers and switches) of our technology system at TriCenter has been upgraded during the past two years in an effort to provide more speed, power, and storage for students and staff. The wireless capabilities on campus were also expanded to provide greater accessibility and mobility. Access

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES 4:00 to 8:00 P.M.

Wednesday, March 7, and Thursday, March 8. School Dismissed at 1:30 on both days.

**WE WILL NOT BE HAVING SCHOOL on FRIDAY, March 9**

Professional Development EARLY DISMISSALS

Friday, March 16, at 1:30 P.M. (End of Quarter)

Easter Vacation
Thursday, April 5, 1:30 Dismissal for Easter Break NO SCHOOL Friday, April 6 NO SCHOOL Monday, April 9

points were installed and bandwidth was increased. Additional mobile labs were added at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels for student usage and most operating systems were upgraded. All of these components are a necessity if Tri-Center is going to accommodate a large number of devices on the network and wireless systems. It is our hope that the ICN (Iowa Communications Network) will be able increase the bandwidth to campus by August 2012 so that our students and staff can enjoy the educational possibilities and opportunities that come with higher speeds and greater access. Technology remains as a great equalizer among students and staff. With our student to computer ratio nearing 1 to 1, we are very excited about the high level of accessibility and mobility we can offer. The staff has done a great job of implementing technology into the classroom and utilizing the tools that are available to enhance/transform instruction. It is our hope that Tri-Center will continue to lead and learn in this vital area of education as it touches all students and areas of the curriculum. Taking Care of Our CustomersJob #1 and Rule #1 Tri-Center Community Schools is about community and service to the students, parents, families and patrons that make up the community. The task of being committed to our customers is a great challenge, and one that breaks down from time to time when we fail to communicate or act in a manner that says, WE CARE. True, we can all show care in various ways, and often our conflicts are a result of not reacting soon enough or doing so in a manner that is not in keeping with one anothers expectations. Regardless, the employees of the Tri-Center Community School District have pledged themselves to educating students and serving the families of the district and surrounding areas in ways that demonstrate good intentions and a willingness to serve. Please give us a chance to do so, and work with us to be proactive. Budget Time 2012-2013 (The General Fund) The General Fund (GF) represents the largest portion of the budget for Tri-Center

Community Schools. The GF budget revenues are driven by two variables: enrollment and allowable growth. The certified enrollment (state equation) is determined each year in mid-October. That number is then multiplied times the regular program district cost per pupil to yield the total regular program district cost for the next fiscal year. The allowable growth rate is determined by the legislature, and it represents a percentage of growth that is added on to the previous years program district cost per pupil to give schools more funding for the upcoming year. The allowable growth rate for FY13 (at the time of this writing) has been set at 2% which is leaving most public schools at a deficit when it comes to developing a budget for increasing expenditures. The budget capacity of the GF consists of local property tax dollars, state foundation aid, miscellaneous income from state and federal programs, special education funding, allowable growth dollars, and the previous years unspent balance. The General Fund is responsible for the payment of all salaries and benefits, materials and supplies, transportation costs, equipment, repairs, and purchased services. Schools are financially responsible for maintaining the budget that is proposed and adopted each year in the month of April. Every facet of the budget must be looked at closely to determine what the estimated expenditures will be for the upcoming year. In budget crunch years the general fund is the fund that absorbs and takes the hits financially. When the state of Iowa enacts an across-the-board cut (as it has in past years), it is the general fund that suffers the loss. It should be noted that the enrollment of a school district has a large impact on funding. Most schools in the state of Iowa are experiencing declining enrollment, which means that they realize very little if any allowable growth dollars. In most situations, schools are forced to operate the school on the same budget capacity as was used the previous year. This is extremely tough because the expenses of running a school rarely, if ever, go down (i.e. transportation, technology, pre-school, student information systems, textbooks, supplies). These were the primary reasons for implementing the Instructional Support Levy (5 Years) which everyone has now seen in the form a tax during income tax season. The Board can make the decision as to how much of this tax will be income
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tax or property tax for each fiscal period. Each school in the Western Iowa Conference now has implemented the ISL and all but a few schools in the state have adopted it. As we move forward, this revenue stream will be vital to the quality of our transportation, technology, and early childhood programs. Budget Time . . . 2012-2013 (The Special Revenue Funds) The Special Revenue Funds that are a part of the Tri-Center Community Schools budget consist of: The Capital Projects Fund, The Debt Service Fund, The Management Fund, and The PPEL (Physical Plant and Equipment) Fund. The Capital Projects Fund is used exclusively for the purpose of infrastructure. Our present source of income is the amount of revenue realized from the Local Option Sales Tax in Harrison, Pottawattamie, and Shelby Counties. The Harrison County Sales Tax was voted upon in such a way that it can be used to purchase buses also. Therefore, we may use that money to buy a new bus if necessary. NOW that the Statewide Penny has been passed through the legislature, it has brought about equity for all students in Iowa. Furthermore, it will bring an end to each county having to go through the process of re-voting this issue every 10 years. The Capital Projects Fund will enable TriCenter Community Schools to pay for the new parking lot, bus loop, and building project over the course of the next 20 years without having to run a bond issue or raise property taxes for construction purposes. The Debt Service Fund is a tax that is levied to pay off the long-term debt that was incurred by the construction of the middle school and the renovation of the high school back in 1995-96. Another feature of the county sales tax/statewide penny is that of being able to pay down debt from pre-existing bond issues. Tri-Center has remained consistent with this pledge each year by contributing monies from the Capital Projects Fund toward the payment of long-term debt in the Debt Services Fund. The Management Fund levy provides the district with the monies to pay for the annual property, auto, liability, and workers compensation insurance costs. Much like other insurance premiums, the cost of this coverage continues to

escalate. The Management Fund may also be used to pay for early retirement packages that are periodically offered by the Board. The PPEL Fund is levied to enable the district to purchase buses or equipment vital to the operation of the physical plant. This money is presently earmarked for the purchase of a new bus each year in an effort to maintain a solid, up-to-date transportation system, but we will also use it to pay for such things as a new roof, cooling tower, or any other sizeable plant and facility need that arises. It should be noted that the revenue flows directly into these funds and cannot be redirected into the schools General Fund. Special Funds in school finance can be thought of as separate checking accounts. They are maintained and operated according to Iowa Code. Preliminary budget information for 20122013 will be shared at the March board meeting, with the actual presentation of the budget taking place at the April 9th board meeting.

Lovereal lovedemands that you do what is best for your child, not necessarily what your child wants you to do, or what is easiest for you to do. --Zig Ziglar

The most important profession in the world is parenting. The second is teaching, and everyone is a teacher to someone. --John Wooden

Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are. --John Wooden

Tri-Center High School Angie Huseman

It is no use saying we are doing our best. You have got to succeed in doing what is necessary. Winston Churchill Parent-Teacher Conferences and End of Quarter One of the mechanisms we have built into the system for communication about academics is right around the cornerParent/Teacher th ConferencesMarch 7 and 8th from 4:00-8:00 p.m. in the Cafetorium. The 3rd quarter will not end until March 16th, so this will give parents the opportunity to talk with their student about what else can be done to improve before the quarter ends. As always, I urge you to have your student attend conferences with you. To get the most out of the conferences, it helps to prepare. If you ask yourself, your student and your students teachers the following questions, your time and results may be enhanced: Ask yourself: 1. What are the things I want the teacher to know about my child? You might share your childs strengths, after-school activities, medical needs or difficulties in school. 2. Is there anything happening at home that might affect my childs behavior in school? Any change in your familyfrom a birth to a deathmay affect your childs school performance. 3. What is the most important thing I want to learn from this conference? Write this down and take it with you as a reminder.

Ask your child: 4. What is your favorite subject? 5. Whats your least favorite? If your child tells you she doesnt understand math homework, for example, you should share that information with the teacher. 6. What would you like me to tell your teacher? Childrens insights into their performance in school can give you and your childs teachers an idea of how to help your child do better. Ask/Share with the teacher: 7. What is my student expected to do in your class? (homework policy, tests, group projects) 8. How can I get in touch with you if I have questions? 9. Mention any problems at home that may affect your teens learningdivorce, illness, etc. 10. Discuss questions you may have about such topics as your childs attitude in class or the friends she hangs out with. Ask the teacher: 11. What are my childs strengths and weaknesses in your class? i.e. quizzes, reading, writing, daily work, etc. 12. How is my childs attendance record? Make sure it matches your records. 13. Have you noticed any sudden changes in the way my child acts in school? 14. What can we do together to help my child have a good year? The bottom line is: do not wait until conferences to contact the teacher about your student. If you think there could be a problem, do not wait. Call or email today. Drivers Education I will be asking the students to sign up for drivers education in order to try to prepare for the number of students that may need to take this year. Cost is $275.00, and students will need to have a permit by the time of the first class. If your student has not yet signed up, please call the high school office at (712)485-2257 to make sure we have an accurate count. The great danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it. --Michelangelo
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Counseling Comments Tami Harman

Those need to be turned into Mrs. Harman by March 5th. Students that fill out the application are then raked by staff that have or had the student in a class or an activity. Those rankings are then brought before a panel for final evaluation and a selection process is used to determine those students that meet the qualifications for admission into National Honor Society. After the students have been informed, there will be a letter sent home to parents congratulating and informing them of the induction ceremony. The ceremony is tentatively set for April 15th in the High School Cafetorium. Bloodmobile: Thank you to all that came to the annual TriCenter Bloodmobile. Our goal was to produce 66 units of blood at our drive. We collected 69 units, thanks to everyone that came out to the school and donated. We would not have reached our goal without your donation. Thanks again!

Final preparations are being made by the seniors in relation to college applications, college visits, scholarship applications, and visiting with representatives from colleges that routinely visit the high school. Many of the seniors have narrowed their choices in regards to post secondary options. There are a few that need to speed up this process in order to be accepted and receive housing at the college or university of their choice. Please encourage your son/daughter to finalize these matters as soon as possible. The FAFSA applications can and should be sent in as soon as possible. If you do not have or need a form or do not know the website address, please feel free to contact me for those forms at 712-485-2257. The juniors just finished taking the ASVAB (Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Battery) here at Tri-Center. This assessment gives students an indication of their strengths and weaknesses in relation to different careers. It also helps students begin exploring future educational and career plans. This is the time of year we will begin to work on the master schedule for the year 20122013. Next year seniors will have the option to possibly take course work through Iowa Western Community College. Those students considering this option will have to take the COMPASS test to achieve scores to qualify them for courses offered at Iowa Western. I will be going into the class rooms in the next month or so to talk with students about their options and the COMPASS testing procedure. If you need more information in regards to these opportunities, please call. National Honor Society: The students who qualified academically have been given the application packet to complete.

Yearbook News and Information Sarah Elliott

Yearbook News and Information 2011-2012 Publications Staff Members: Seniors: Jaxon Davis, Austin Heinen, and Laura Thomas. Juniors: Jensen McElmeel, Trojan Yearbook Editor Merideth Raine, and Justine Sturtz. Sophomores: Elise Christenson, Lia Grover, Sam Raine, and Christian Severn. 2011 YEARBOOKS. We still have some extra 2011 books which may be purchased, while supplies last, for $50 each or $40 each with the purchase of the 2012 book. We also have some other past books left which can be purchased in bundles and at discounted prices with the purchase of the 2012 book. With the purchase of multiple
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books, the 2010 book is $30, and the 2009 and any other book is $15. See or call Adviser Mrs. Sarah Elliott at the high school at 485-2257, ext. 100. YEARBOOK SENIOR SPECIAL: Get the Senior Special! Just for seniors, we have an even better deal than the prices given above. Get this years book and the past three years books for $100. That is $25 a book WHAT A DEAL!!!! Call Adviser Mrs. Sarah Elliott at the high school at 485-2257, ext. 100. 2012 YEARBOOK SALES!!! The 2012 Trojan Yearbook sales are ongoing. Books are currently $45 without a name or icon. A name or icon is $5 and a Year-In-Review insert is $4. BUY NOW AND SAVE! We do except a $20 deposit if you wish to make payments. PARENT AND PERSONAL ADS: The final deadline for the parent and personal ads was Friday, February 24. We have decided to extend the deadline and will except parent and personal ads through the month of March. Support the yearbook and honor your son/daughter, grandson/daughter, sibling, friend, or others at the same time. Parent and personal ads are $30 and include the honored persons name, a small photo, and a message limited to 20 words. Senior parents should have received a letter last semester. Parent and personal ads can be purchased from Publications Adviser Sarah Elliott or Yearbook Merideth Raine at 4852257, ext. 100. PICTURES ARE ACCEPTED: The publications staff is in need of and will accept pictures for possible use in the yearbook and/or the CyaNet Site (tri-centerspirit.com). Pictures can be submitted by email (selliott@tri-center,k12.ia.us) or brought in to be scanned and returned ASAP. The staff is still in need of summer sports and candid pictures for all grades. We also need pictures of summer and winter and of any fall and winter sports. STUDENT ARTWORK AND QUOTATIONS NEEDED: The publications staff is in need of some student artwork for a spread. Whether students are in an art class or not, they can bring in artwork to be scanned or photographed, or they can submit it via email. Please include some information on what it is and why it was done.

Also, they staff is doing a spread on surprising or unbelievable quotes a I cant believe he/she said that spread. So, please submit those quotes with information on who said it and when. AD CAMPAIGN: We did our ad campaign last semester, but if you are or know of a business owner who may want to advertise, contact Adviser Sarah Elliott at 485-2257, ext. 100. Advertisers not only help fund a yearbook of which the district and surrounding communities can be proud, but have the opportunity to support an educational program that teaches students valuable skills in writing, design, photography, computer use, and business.

TC DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS

Tri-Center's Dollars for Scholars luncheon will be held Saturday, March 24, 2012, from 10:00 am to 2:00 p.m. at Tri-Center High School. Viewing only of the tables is from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon for $3.00. Lunch is by reservation only with entertainment following from noon to 2:00 p.m. for $10.00. For reservations call 712-3284769 or 402-659-1741. If you are interested in hosting a table, contact Barb Dalton as soon as possible. (712-328-4769 or 402-659-1741). All money raised at the luncheon will be used for scholarships awarded to qualifying Tri-Center seniors for their post-secondary education.

Tri-Center Middle School Brian Wedemeyer

We are still waiting on ITBS results, we will send them home in the mail once we receive them or hand them out at PT conferences. 7th and 8th grade students will be taking NWEA tests the week of March 19-March 23rd and the 6th grade will take them the week of March 2630th. NWEA tests are computerized assessments that measure the students growth in the area of Math, Science and Reading. NWEA results will be sent home with report cards at the end of the 4th Quarter. The MS students have been working hard on several projects. They held a dance, they adopted a family, and they are having a Pennies for Patients fundraiser where they hope to raise over $1,000 for kids with Cancer. MS track will be starting in March and this years coaches are Shelly Sorenson, Becky Thomas and Gene Johnson. We will not have an 8th grade graduation this year; we will have a MS awards ceremony on the last day of school starting at Noon.

From the Elementary Principal Diane White

March Highlights March 5 March 7 March 8 March 9 March 10 March 16 March 17 March 19 March 20 March 30 Student Council Meeting 3:30 1:30 Dismissal P/T Conferences 1:30 Dismissal P/T Conferences No School Time changes/Daylight Savings Begins 1:30 Dismissal End of 3rd Quarter St. Patricks Day Student Council Mtg. 3:30 First Day of Spring Kindergarten Roundup Day (If your child did not attend Tri-Center Preschool, please call us @ 4852271 for info.)

Mark your calendar: April 4 April 5 April 6-9 April 17 April 23 School will be held all day (3:30 dismissal) 1:30 Dismissal No School 3rd/4th/5th Grade Music Program 2:00 and 7:00 p.m. Preschool Screening Day Please call for an appointment.

T-C Booster Club News . . . .

The Tri-Center Athletic Booster Club will hold a general meeting for all current members on the first Wednesday of each month through May 2012. The meetings will be held at 6:30 pm in the HS cafetorium. Anyone interested in becoming a booster club member are encouraged to attend. See you there!

Elementary Art News Liz Lyons

Please feel free to stop by the art room to visit any time! You are welcome to watch, participate, or volunteer to work! This is a fun learning environment to experience! I (Mrs. Lyons) am at Tri-Center on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Friday afternoons.

Please be sure to visit the artsonia.com website to see whats new from the TC Elementary art room! Your visits and comments give us points! Please be sure to stop by the Council Bluffs Public Library to see the JAMA Youth Art Month Contest March 9-April 6th and the Center in Council Bluffs to see artwork by TC students in the Bluffs Arts Council Youth Art Month Show March 1- 31st. Heres whats happening now: Kindergarten kids are decorating big Easter Egg shapes with patterns and will use crayon restist to finish them. We will hatch our eggs open to put a chick inside. First graders are painting a self portrait inspired by the book My Dog is as smelly as Dirty Socks, then using collage to add the simile details. Second grade students are working on making shields with aluminum relief drawing, then coloring with sharpie. Third graders are practicing mixing primary colors on a Delauney inspired painting, then we will practice mixing black and white on a monochromatic value scale. Students will then use expressionistic painting style with primary colors and white to paint a spring bouquet. Fourth grade students learned the 5 elements of drawing by Mona Brooks so they could draw a toucan surrounded by details from the jungle. The students will use their color mixing skills with colored pencils to finish the drawing. Fifth graders are adding plaster details to their masks, then painting the final design.
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Kindergarten Roundup!
If you have a child who will be ready for kindergarten this fall and IS NOT enrolled in our preschool program this year, they are invited to join us for a half day of kindergarten on Friday, March 30th, from 8:30am-11:30am. Please call the elementary office at 485-2271 to reserve a spot in a classroom. Thank you!

All Day Preschool Programs Preschool Screening for the Tri-Center School District 2012 If you are interested in signing your child up for the 4 year old Tri-Center All Day Preschool Programs, you should attend the Preschool Screening. This screening is also used to qualify children for the All Day Preschool Programs.

Who: Children ages 2 to 5 who live in the TriCenter Community School District and are not presently in Kindergarten.

News From . Julie Theulen

The Tri-Center Special Olympic team traveled to IWCC to compete in basketball skills on February 8. Harrison Dollen placed 1st and will be competing at State in Iowa City on March 10th. Jordan Cooper 2nd place Alanna Haubrich 3rd place Nate Dollen 4th place Matthew Killpack 4th place Scott Jenkins 5th place Cole Osbahr 6th place The team represented Tri-Center with pride at the competition. The team is coached by Julie Theulen and Cindy Sibert. The TC Special Olympic team will be having a fund-raiser spaghetti supper, silent auction, and raffle on Saturday, April 21 from 4 to 7 pm at the Minden Legion Building.

What: A developmental screening which gives you the opportunity to see if your child is playing, moving, thinking and talking at his/her age level. Screenings include: vision, hearing, speechlanguage, overall development, and a growth assessment. Why: The Preschool Screening can give your child a better educational start when they enter school and your child must attend the screening as a part of the preschool application process (see box below). When: Monday, April 23, 2012 8:30 a.m. To 2:30 p.m. Must call for an appointment! Where: Tri-Center Preschool Room Tri-Center Elementary For Appointment: Please contact the Tri-Center Elementary Office at 485-2271. Please bring your childs immunization card to your appointment.

Cost: Its FREE for all children, fun for all children and reassuring to parents.
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Elementary Music Information

We will be holding our annual spring book fair in the middle school/high school library during parent teacher conferences this year. We will be open for business on Tuesday March 6th from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on March 7th and March 8th from 8:00a.m.-8:00p.m. Stop in and shop during Parent/Teacher Conferences! We invite you to come and browse the wide variety of books Scholastic has to offer. There will be several displays of board books, story books and chapter books for elementary students. In addition, we will also be selling several widely read books for middle and high school age students. Cant make it to the book fair? No worries! You can shop our book fair online! Just log on to http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/tricenterh ighschool and place an order. Your selections will be delivered to the school the week of March 19th. We hope to see you at the book fair and we thank you in advance for your support. Katie Branzuela & Kandy Kunzman Music Program: Tuesday April 17th, 2012, T-C HS Gymnasium, 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm

Third, fourth, and fifth grade students will be showcasing their musical talent in Destination: Rock and Roll on April 17th, 2012. Please mark the date on your calendars and plan on attending our program full of Rock and Roll favorites! Students will be asked to dress nicely, with dresses, skirts and dress pants. Jeans are acceptable only if necessary, and if they are presentable (no holes please!). For the evening performance on Tuesday, April 17th, 2012, students will be DROPPED OFF and PICKED UP in the CAFETORIUM. Each class will be located around a table, with their classroom teachers name in the middle. Please drop your off your performer(s) between 6:15PM and 6:30PM for the evening performance. If your child will not be at a performance, please let us know at kbranzuela@tri-center.k12.ia.us , kkunzman@tricenter.k12.ia.us or by phone at (712)485-2271. You can always check the elementary music website at https://sites.google.com/site/mrsbranzuelasmusiccla ss/ for updates and program practice tips. THANK YOU for all your support and help!

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