Randolph School’s End of the Week Notes for April 4, 2008

Rumor Mill

Dr. Bonaiuto is NOT retiring, resigning, or otherwise leaving Randolph School. Maybe it’s some folks’ wishful thinking, but I’m NOT leaving my Randolph community. I have been ill with pneumonia and missed several weeks of school off and on since January, but I am healing, I am back at school, and I do plan to stay at Randolph for as long as I can effectively serve our community. There were rumors that I’d be the principal at the new Adams School. Nope. Don’t want to leave. There were rumors that I’d be the new Director of Elementary Education for LPS. Nope. I’ve worked in central office experience in my career, and in a school is where my talents are best used. Now, I’m hearing that I’m retiring. Nope. Although I look old, I’m nowhere near old enough to think about retiring. Besides, where else can I wear funny hats and costumes to work? I love your children and our school. This is my home.

Celebrations!

Congratulations to the following artists whose art has been selected to represent Randolph in the Ventures in Partnership art exhibit:

Jacob Welling

Ryan Leafty

Bailey Holt

Brittney Goldenstein

James Ceraolo

Avery Edwards

Congratulations to these artists!

The Home Builders Association of Lincoln (HBAL) “If I Could Build A House” art contest for 4^th and 5^th grade students produced an award of $500 to the Randolph Art Studio for supplies, and awards to these Randolph winning entries:

Alexandra Lee ($50)

Sam Christensen ($50)

Tommy Honnor

Austin Coudriet

Congratulations to these artists!

Congratulations to the Randolph students participating in recent chess tournaments. You all did such a great job of being great sports and playing your best. Way to go!

02/23/08 NSCA Individual Scholastic Championship (5 rounds)

Collin S, in the K - 3 section earned 1.5 points

This was Collin's very first chess tournament.

03/29/08 NSCA Team Scholastic Championship (4 rounds)

Dominic V, in the K - 3 section earned 2.0 points

This was Dominic's very first chess tournament.

03/29/08 NSCA Team Scholastic Championship (4 rounds)

Tristan P., in the K - 6 section earned 1.5 points

This was Tristan's second chess tournament.

Please note.

98% of our students’ parents attended Parent Teacher Conferences at their scheduled appointments on March 11 and 13! The remaining 8 students’ families have been or will be contacted by the students’ teachers. We believe every child deserves parents involved in the student’s learning.

Student attendance for the third quarter:

11% (46) students earned perfect attendance.

27% (111) students had good attendance, missing less than one day.

Our average daily attendance is 94%.

Curriculum and Instruction

As you begin to plan for next school year, please consider including Junior Achievement into your curriculum. The JA curriculum fits closely with the LPS Social Studies objectives by grade level. JA will find, train, and assign business people to your classroom to present 5 (five) 30-45 minute sessions on the grade level topic. The power of including JA in our day is enormous! The positive PR to the community, the messages students hear from business people, and the bonds developed over the projects carry great incentive and motivation into and out of the classroom. Please consider becoming a JA grade! For more information, please see me. Dr. B.

Bright Lights Summer Classes

Summer…Swimming…Baseball…Bright Lights!

Come, have a Summer Learning Adventure with Bright Lights this summer. Over 100 classes and 8 day camps are planned for the weeks of June 9-13, June 23-27 and July 7-11. Most classes will be held at Randolph Elementary School (37th & D).

What makes learning about physics, literature, history and writing exciting?

You can learn physics while launching your own stomp rocket; enjoy literature while taking a trip with knights and dragons; explore history with 17th century pirates; discover your creative writing side using contemporary technology tools.

Visit our website at www.brightlights.org for a listing of all our classes. Registration begins April 1st and will continue until classes are filled. Registration forms are available online beginning April 1st and in the Bright Lights 2008 brochure.

Brochures were included with the April issue of LPS Free Times. You can also look for brochures at your school, or at locations around town including Amigos and Runza Restaurants. Complete information is also available at www.brightlights.org, or call 420-1115.

A Summer Adventure is waiting for you!

For Your Information

The Bright Lights Summer Learning Adventure will again be held at Randolph School. The Bright Lights staff is looking for volunteer parents to help as crossing guards at the 37^th and D Streets corner. In exchange for your service, Bright Lights will offer reduced fees for your child’s class(es). For more information, please let Dr. B. know if you are interested in serving as a crossing guard for Bright Lights. Sessions run June 9-13, June 23-27, and July 7-11. There are morning and afternoon classes each of those weeks, so there are multiple crossing guard opportunities for interested parents.

Upcoming Events

April 7 Metropolitan Achievement Testing starts in grades 3 and 5. Make sure your kids have lots of sleep and a hearty breakfast so they’ll have stamina all day long to “show what they know”!

April 14 SIP meets at 8:15

April 15 Staff meeting 8:15

April 15 PTA Bike Rodeo

This is an opportunity for children to learn bicycle safety and participate in a number of bicycle events. 5:30-7:00 p.m. in our parking lot! Watch for details.

April 15-17 Instructional Conferences

April 16 Elementary Principals Council

April 16 Para educators’ day! (We thank our talented paras for all their fine work with students! We’ll be celebrating on April 23 with a special breakfast for them!)

April 17 District SIP meeting

April 21 NO SCHOOL

April 22 Re-schedule of the Healthy Child Fair from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Watch for flier with details. (This event was cancelled in February due to a snowstorm.) The following health care specialists will be available to talk with students and parents, including an audiologist, a vision specialist, nutrition and health people from Bryan LGH, and a dentist.

April 23 Office Professionals Day

April 24 Principal’s Parent Forum 7:00 p.m.

April 25 Fourth Grade Outdoor Education Spring Training

April 26 Backpack Food Program Walk at East High 10 a.m.

April 28 SCIP meets in Mrs. Mahoney’s room

April 29 EARLY DISMISSAL for PLC at 2:18

May 1 Fourth Grade Outdoor Education Parent Volunteer Meeting 7 pm in the media center.

May 2 Spring Classroom Parties

May 5 GET meets 8:15 a.m.

May 6 National Teacher Recognition Day

PTA 7:00 p.m.

May 7 National School Nurse Day

May 8 Technology Planning Committee meets 8:15

May 9 FUN NIGHT

May 12 SIP meets 8:15 a.m.

May 15, 16 Fourth Grade Goes to Camp Carol Joy Holling for Outdoor Education camp out!

May 16 RELAY deadline for article submissions

May 19-23 Grade level transition meetings with Dr. Bonaiuto

May 23 Elders’ Day Celebration

May 27 PLC Early Dismissal 2;18

May30 Students’ Last Day of School!