News From the Administration

Rick Herrig, Principal
Jim Caparula, Associate Principal

Wood Intermediate School

Volume V, Issue 4
Fourth Quarter, 2004-2005

“Without education, you are not going anywhere in this world.” Malcolm X

Striving for Success!!

You should have received your student’s Iowa Test of Basic Skills results via US mail. As you know, No Child Left Behind legislation requires schools to use the 8th grade math and reading comprehension scores as reporting groups. While it is too early to determine the exact growth we experienced this past year, all indications are we did improve math and reading scores this year. We will continue addressing the achievement gap between African–American and Euro-American subgroups through our 8-Step Process, new reading and math curriculums, supervised study halls, and personal success plans. If you have any questions or need further clarification of what all those ITBS numbers mean, don’t hesitate to call us at 391-6350. Together, we can make a difference!

Spring is here and summer is just around the corner! It is fourth quarter already!! At this writing there are about 30 school days remaining. With warmer temperatures come a couple of issues that we find ourselves addressing several issues with students. The first is appropriate attire. Please help us by reminding your student that spaghetti strap shirts, baggy pants that reveal undergarments, short skirts and shorts, and muscle t-shirts are not allowed.

The second issue we deal with this time of year is student shutdown. We ask that you inform your student that they will continue to have homework and need to remain focused until the end of the school year. Thank you!

Each of the academic teams will be having recognition ceremonies at the end of the year. Look for additional information on specific times and locations. Lastly, as we conclude the 2004-2005 school year, Mr. Caparula and I would like to thank you for your support, volunteer time, and willingness to work together in the students’ best interest! As new administrators to Wood, we have learned a lot ourselves about our students, parents, and the Wood community. Thanks for making us feel welcome!

Check it out!!

We invite you to join us for some upcoming activities:

* 6th grade orientation, May 2nd, 6-7 PM, cafeteria

* Muffins with Mom, May 6th 8:15-9:15 AM cafeteria

* PTA Meeting, May 9th, 7 PM LMC

* Parent-Principal Partnership Meetings, May 24, 6-7 PM Third Baptist Church, and tentatively June 21, 6-7 PM, Bethel AME Church

* Last day of school, June 8

*We appreciate any comments you have about Wood!! Call or see Mr. Caparula or myself at391-6350 with your thoughts!

Look for our building report cards to be mailed home with student report cards the week of June 13!

HAVE A GREAT SUMMER BREAK!!

Green Geckos' News

April 2005

Custodial Appreciation

Wood Intermediate has been blessed with a wonderful custodial staff who are very responsive to our every need. Below, students are shown creating thank you cards for all that is done for them. Thank you, Custodians!

Ms. Maynard’s Presentation

Ms. Maynard, a sixth grade Wood teacher, provided an outstanding in-service to our students about her experience being an Army reservist stationed in Iraq last year. Students were given the chance to learn marching drills and sing authentic Army cadences. In addition, students watched a PowerPoint presentation that detailed Ms. Maynard’s experiences in Iraq and at an Iraqi school. The photo featured to the right shows Sergeant Maynard seated on guard duty in Iraq . She is shown on the right hand side of the picture. Seated next to her on the left is Specialist McEvoy. Thank you, Ms. Maynard!

Science News

Students in Science are learning about what it takes to be a paleontologist. Students shown here are working on an advertisement for people to come work at their fossil dig.

Jordan A. and Brittney N. work on designing
a cover for their paleontologist advertisement.

6^th Grade Golden Cobras

The school year is winding down and we're all anxious for the summer to get here. This quarter is the toughest one academically and behaviorally, so be sure to keep the expectations and responsibilities high for your kids!

We have had some concerns about the hallway behavior and talked to the kids on Monday, the 4th. We sent a yellow slip home with them for you to read, sign and return. Their passing time has been taken away and we are compensating for restroom, drink and locker availability in our classes. So far it has gone well. Please ask your child for the note if you have not seen it yet. If we don't get one back from your child, we'll assume we have your cooperation. If they earn a detention, referral, or classroom freeze, there will be a slip stapled in their planner to notify you. Call with any questions.

Math - Mrs. Rapsilber

This quarter will wrap up units on decimals and geometry, one assessment per month. Our project for decimals will be to figure the cost of a vacation to a destination of their choosing in the U.S. This will be done and presented in class. They will have a project for geometry relating to the different geometric shapes found all around us. If time is permitting we will introduce integers!

My homework policy has changed for 4th quarter to help strengthen their responsibility lifeskill. Homework will be due at the end of that current week on Friday. The purpose of homework is to strengthen their independent math skills and are a review of what's been done in class. I will NOT accept homework after that Friday, unless they were absent on the due dates. In that case, homework must be turned in on that following Monday. Once it's turned in on time, the kids are still welcome to fix up any mistakes and turn in again for a better grade. I feel this is fair as they still have 5 days to ask for help or get the problems done in that time. Too many kids have blown off homework and then do it at the end of the quarter for the grade, which doesn't help them learn it and digest it at all. Questions, please ask.

Have a great summer and remember to share your math in real life with your children...their learning goes well beyond the classroom walls!

Science- Mrs. Duncan

Rachel Sampson has been the long-term guest teacher in science since March 4^th. Mrs. Duncan is expected to return on Monday, May 2^thfrom maternity leave. The students will be taking the chapter test on Friday, April 15^th and watching the movie Jurassic Park on March 18^th – 20^th to finish up chapter C2: "The Study of Fossils." They have learned several types of fossils, how they form, the jobs of a paleontologist, and the ways in which scientists date rocks and minerals. They will be starting chapter C3: "Building on the Past" on April 21^st. This chapter will familiarize them with the use of time capsules and the theories of Pangaea and plate boundaries. As usual, we will be doing several in class activities in small and large groups as well as labs for a hands-on approach at the study of earth science. The chapter test is scheduled for May 10^th.

Social Studies- Ms. Moss

Students are in the process of completing the required world civilizations spreadsheet assignment. Thanks to the assistance of our fabulous keyboarding teacher, Miss Swift, the students are well prepared for the project. Thanks, Miss Swift, for all of your help.

SPECIAL REQUEST: Would you please check around home to make sure that our textbook, The World Past and Present,East and West, is not hiding under the bed, in a closet or on a bookshelf. I have a class set of books and I need every copy returned. Thanks

THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT THIS YEAR

Battle of the Books Winners: (district battle is April 28^th, 6-8 pm at Wood Intermediate)

Jacob Gorge Emily Doll Melanie Huetmann Jessica Yackley Leigh Windschitl

Christina Hesse Brittany Bishop Jessica Wakefield Kelcee Summage Danielle Black

7th Grade Golden Galaxies

April 2005

Africa Explored!

At the start of the fourth quarter, our team has been studying Africa . Students have been learning about Africa ’s people, geography, history, and culture.

Mr. McDermott and students engaged in a lesson on the land and people of Africa .

OUTSTANDING VIKINGS

(top row, left to right) Kristen A, Jessica L, Dan B, Pat S, and Aaron M

(bottom row, left to right) Taylor M, Andy O, Kyle V, Sam T, and Morgan Y

Golden Galaxies at Work and Play

Trevor and Thomas working together on a project.

Students showing off their finished English projects.
Each student was to create an African folklore of their own.

Ryan B shows his spirit during our spirit week

To Remember:

Our team of teachers meets every day from 9:30 until 10 a.m. Please feel to call us during that time at 391-6350.

May 6^th is Muffins with Mom in the cafeteria at 8:15 a.m.

Please check your student’s planner daily for assignments, notes, and events.

7^th Grade Green Gators
Mrs. Awerman, Mrs. Bull, Mrs. DeBaene, Mrs. Fairman, Mrs. Hoeper, Mrs. Reeder, Mr. Sinksen

Third Quarter Reward Trip

A bowling reward trip was arranged for students who earned a 3.0 or higher grade point average, had no unserved detentions, and no in school or out of school suspensions. There were 38 students that qualified for the trip which was taken on April 22.

Important dates for 4^th quarter:

Midterms for 4^th quarter will be sent home the week of May 2nd. Please be sure to sign the mid-term and return to your child’s AP teacher. As always, if you have any questions or concerns about your child’s midterm, please feel free to contact our team.

Recognition Ceremony The Green Gators will be having a recognition ceremony for our 7^th graders on June 7th at 11:00 am in the gym. Students may celebrate the rest of the day with parents or guardians. They should leave with their parent only after checking out through the office. Further information will be sent home with all the details as this date gets closer.

Last Day The last day of school and the end of 4^th quarter is on June 8th, which is a 2 hour early dismissal.

Reminders:

Supplies Students should be bringing their planners and all necessary supplies with them to each class. This includes pencils, pens, and paper. Students also need to bring a Silent Reading book to AP with them every Tuesday and Thursday. Please check with your child on a regular basis to make sure they have these basic supplies and replenish as necessary.

Missing Work Teachers are continuing to send home missing assignment/grade reports every Monday. The reports should be stapled or stamped into your child’s planner. Please sign and have your child return these reports. Your support in helping the students get all of their assignments turned in is very important to us. Remind your child that it is important not to slack off these last few weeks.

Students of the Week

During third quarter students were chosen by our team as students of the week for their positive work habits and behaviors. They received a certificate and a coupon for a treat in the cafeteria. The students recognized were Alexa Brandl, Kelly Burke, Toria Duffey, Shannon Fisher, Arielle Followwill, Ramsha Ghauri, Renee Heilig, Andrew Hoggard, Alex Johnston, Ryan Kelly, Selina Khounlo, Katie Leach, Katie McDonough, Cedric Moore, Kevin Peppel, Adrianna Rogers, Rachel Russell, and Kaitlyn Stinson.

8th Grade Nebulas

Mr. Gunphries: American Studies

We have just finished learning about the Mexican-American War. I think the students have a better appreciation of the different perspectives on both sides of that conflict, including the views of different ethnic groups and genders. Feel free to ask your students what they have been learning. As a result of this country compromising with the issue of equality for all, we are now heading towards the Civil War. We will be learning about the events that led up to a war between the North and South. We will also learn about individual people involved in the war, the battles, and the reasons both sides claim for fighting.

I would like to thank all of you for your input this year. I would also like to thank you for being an extremely cooperative group of parents. I will truly miss this year’s class of students. I wish nothing but a blessed life for each and every one of them. Good luck at North, and remember, drink plenty of Diet Mt. Dew and eat plenty of gummy bears so that you can be as buff as Mr. H.

Ms. "Weird Science" Hayek: Science

Only 1 quarter left to go! Where has the year gone? We are finishing up the Sound unit in Science. This will be the last test for the year, which is scheduled for Friday, April 22^nd. Make sure your child feels that he/she is prepared to let me know what type of wave sound creates and how to calculate the speed of sound. April 25^th there will be an in-service day so on Tuesday, April 26^th the kids will come back and prepare to make a bridge with sticks.

The students will be working with partners on this project and they will have plenty of time to complete this final project in class. The bridges will have to be sturdy and fulfill the standards I have requested on a rubric I have passed out to the students. If there are any questions, always feel free to contact me at school and I will be happy to help you and your child at becoming a successful scientist. –Miss Hayek (G-Unit

Mr. "Sub-Total" Proctor: Mathematics

We will be finishing up all of our benchmarks in my classes. It is very important that each student stays current with the class. If you have a son/daughter that sometimes falls behind, please check with me every other week. I will still be sending home progress reports every two weeks - look for them. A special thanks goes out to Sam Concannon-Colter, Blake Dean, and Thomas Howard for helping out in the computer room with our spreadsheet program. We will be having a final test in all of my classes at the end of this quarter over what we have covered this semester. This will help set the framework for high school finals. If you have any questions, please call or e-mail me. Thank you.

Dear Diary,

We have been reading about Anne Frank for a while now, and I have learned a bit about Jewish history as well. However, I am running out of ink and paper; therefore , I may not be able to tell you about the conjunctive adverbs...

Sincerely, Otto Van Butikofer

Wood Intermediate School

Instrumental Music Department

Orchestra Notes
Mrs. Kendell, 6^th Grade Orchestra
Mr. Henry, 7^th/8^th Grade Orchestra

Wood Orchestra Tour

The Wood Orchestra Tour was a huge success!
Thanks so much to all of the parent helpers who volunteered!

Middle School String Festival

Congratulations to Isaak Sund, 7^th grade violist, for being accepted into and performing in the Middle School String Festival held in Des Moines, Iowa on April 4^thand 5^th.

Cedar Rapids Jefferson High School Invitational Orchestra Contest

The Wood 7^th/8^th Grade Orchestra will be competing in this contest on Saturday, April 23^rd. Students will receive an informational sheet with details very soon!

Wood Symphony Orchestra

Rehearsals continue on Tuesdays from 3:45-4:30. The group is making wonderful progress and will debut on the May 16^th Concert at Wood.

QCYSE Spring Auditions

Auditions for the Quad City Youth String Ensemble will be held on Saturday, May 14^th at Augustana College. Orchestra students auditioning will be required to perform a two octave C Major scale, a solo, and sightread. More info later.

Wood Area Spring String Showcase

On Monday May 16^th, the 6^th-8^th grade Wood orchestras will perform their spring concert in the Wood gym starting at 7:00. The concert will also include the 4^th and 5^th grade orchestras from the Wood feeder programs.

North High School Orchestra Camp

8^th grade string students will receive music to practice over the summer. Several days before school begins we will rehearse with the High School Orchestra and then we will perform at the North Instrumental Department’s Ice Cream Social.

Upcoming Orchestra Events:

Sat. April 23 Cedar Rapids
Jefferson Competition
(7th/8th Orchestra)

Mon. May 2 6^th Grade Orientation
(6th/7th FF and NAILS)

Mon. May 16 Wood Area Spring String Showcase
7:00 p.m. Wood gym
(4th-8th Orchestras)

Wood String Quartets

The Wood 8^th Grade String Quartet, High Strung, performed for the ribbon-cutting ceremony held at Harrison School on Tuesday, April 5^th.

The Wood 6^th Grade String Quartet, Forte Foursome, and the 7^th Grade String Quintet, NAILS will be performing for 6^th Grade Orientation on Monday, May 2^nd.

Summer Orchestra Opportunities

Orchestra students currently in grades 6 and 7 may sign up for Summer Orchestra which will be held TWTh mornings at Wood from August 2 - 1. Please watch for registrations to come home with your student. Registrations may also be filled out and turned in directly at the Kimberly Center.

More Summer Orchestra Opportunities

Music Camps and private lessons are a wonderful way to keep your student progressing musically over the summer months. Please contact Mrs. Kendell or Mr. Henry for camp information and private lesson instructors.

One local camp held at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Great Midwestern String Clinic, is scheduled for July 25-29. Brochures are available at Wood. Questions: email the camp directors at greatmwmusic@aol.com

BAND NOTES

Ms. McMillen, 6^th, 7^th/8^th Bands
Jazz Band

The Wood/North Jazz Band Concert is Monday, April 25^th at North. Wood and North will each play half of the concert and will combine on a grand finale number. The concert begins at 7 p.m. in the North Auditorium.

The Jazz Band has been asked to perform at the district Rotary Luncheon meeting at the Starlight Ballroom on May 4^th. We will need some help with transportation. This is an honor and a privilege for this group….Congratulations!!

Summer Band Opportunity

All students entering grades 6^th-8^th will have a group band practice T W TH, 12- 12:45, beginning Aug.2. This is for current band members only. This is a great way to keep the playing skills current and ready for fall.

Upcoming Band Events:

April 25 Jazz Concert
7 p.m. NHS Auditorium
(Jazz Band)

Wed. May 4 Jazz at Rotary
Noon

Thurs. May 26 Parade of Bands
7:30 p.m. NHS
(6^th, 7^th/8^th Bands)

Office telephone (563) 391-6350

Office Corner:

This is a reminder that service fees are now due. Service fees are $29 each semester ($58 per year). For those of you that have reduced fees, the cost is $17.40 per semester. In order to waive fees, you must have a signed waiver on file every year. If you have any questions regarding fees, please call and ask for Vivian.

Also various fines from all previous years need to be taken care of at this time. This will include library fines, gym locks, textbook damage or loss, delinquent service fees and fundraiser balances. These fees will show on your fee letter as a "past balance due".

All students absent from school are required to have a parent/guardian call our office. You will be asked for their name, grade, symptoms or reason for absence and which parent is calling. Please read your child’s handbook located in the front of the planner to see the definition of an excused absence. You may address any questions regarding absences to Tara.

Lost & Found: Student’s will be called to the office to pick up identified items, after attempting to get students to do this twice, items will be displayed on a table next to the main office for one week. Items will be donated to Goodwill on Tuesdays. Please take only items that belong to you.

It is imperative that we have correct address and telephone numbers for each student at all times. The school district will be mailing information to parents at various times of the year and must have correct mailing addresses listed in their system. We are only as accurate as the information we receive from parents.

Secretary Office hours are 7:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. and phone calls will be accepted during these times.

Students are reminded to make arrangements ahead of time for after school rides or plans. The office telephone may be used for emergencies only. Students should be leaving the building after school unless they have made arrangements to stay with a staff member or program.

Vivian, Tara and Jane

Summer Enrichment Camp

391-6350 x105

Please contact Ms. Thames, Community Site Facilitator

Discovery Junction and Stepping Stones

“Summer Enrichment Camps”

Who: Elementary and Intermediate students

When: June 13 –July 28

Time: 8a.m. to 12 noon

· Register before May 19, 2005 receive a discount

· Child Care Assistant available through the Department of Human Services

· Limited scholarships are available to those who qualify.

· Offered at several sites.

· Breakfast and lunch provided, and so much more!

For more information please call Wood Intermediate or call Community Education 391-9161, ext.3

“Where we turn Stumbling Blocks into Stepping Stones”

8^t^h Grade Dance News

The 8^th grade dance is fast approaching (May 20^th)! That means we need to set up some guidelines regarding dress code and transportation to and from the dance. First, though we know it is fun for the students, we wish to discourage the use of limousine rides as transportation. Second, we would like students to dress appropriately- we do not feel that it is necessary for students to wear the following: strapless/spaghetti strap dresses, expensive prom dresses, jeans, or t-shirts. These items are restricted, and students will be sent home if they choose not to follow the rules. We want the dance to be fun and do not feel these things are requirements for fun! Questions may be directed towards Miss Klingaman, Matt DeBaene or Rick Herrig.

WOOD YEARBOOKS: $20.00

GET FORMS OUTSIDE THE OFFICE

WOOD YEARBOOKS: $20.00

GET FORMS OUTSIDE THE OFFICE

WOOD YEARBOOKS: $20.00

GET FORMS OUTSIDE THE OFFICE

WOOD YEARBOOKS: $20.00

GET FORMS OUTSIDE THE OFFICE