Falling Into Place

Oh, how quickly time flies! Here we are approaching the end of the first quarter (only three more to go) and what a busy first quarter it has been. It seems as though the students are back in the swing of things with school work and activities. We have a lot going on here at South Tama this school year. We have been working through MAP Testing (Measures of Academic Progress) at the Elementary, Middle, and High Schools as well as preparing for Homecoming week, and cheering on our Trojans at sporting events. There are numerous activities occurring these next few months, and we encourage you and your students to participate.

Marshalltown Community College-College Fair

September 30 from 9am-11am the High School Guidance Department will be taking Juniors and Seniors to the MCC-College Fair. Those students wanting to participate will bring home a permission slip to be signed by parents before being allowed to attend. Teachers will also be required to sign the permission slip and students are responsible for making up any work they miss. Students will also be required to register online prior to the college fair. Information will be given to students on how to complete this process. This will be a great experience for our students, as over 50 Iowa colleges will be on hand to answer questions and provide information.

Iowa Youth Survey

Junior students will be partaking in the Iowa Youth Survey on October 7. Sixth and eighth graders will participate October 13 and 14. This survey is conducted by the Iowa Department of Public Health’s Division of Behavioral Health in collaboration with the Iowa Department of Education, the Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy, the Iowa Department of Human Rights’ Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning and Statistical Analysis Center, and the Iowa Department of Human Services.

In the fall of 1999, 2002, 2005, 2008, 2010, and 2012 students in the 6th, 8th, and 11th grades across the state of Iowa answered confidential questions about their attitudes and experiences regarding alcohol and other drug use and violence, and their perceptions of their peer, family, school, and neighborhood/community environments. In 2008 the survey was administered online for the first time. The 2014 survey will also be online and will be conducted in October. Parents received information about the Iowa Youth Survey this summer in the mail. To learn more about this test, please visit www.iowayouthsurvey.iowa.gov/.

PSAT

Junior students will be participating in PSAT testing October 15. The PSAT assesses reading, math, and writing skills; provides excellent practice for the SAT; and connects students to scholarships and personalized online tools. Students in 11th grade may be eligible for the National Merit Scholarship program and other programs that use PSAT scores.

Questions or Concerns? Contact a School Counselor!

Grades PK-2: Mrs. Anita Townsley 484-3999 ext. 106

Grades 3-4: Mrs. Melanie Kemper 484-3999 ext. 107

Grades 5-7: Mrs. Sue Bugge 484-4121

Grades 8-10: Mrs. Kate Ihnen 484-4345 ext. 115

Grades 11-12: Mr. Dan Lopez 484-4345 ext. 107

To be continued