The golf meet scheduled on April 11th will be at Lynnville Sully w/Iowa Valley.

BELLE PLAINE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD OF EDUCATION

PUBLIC MEETING

NEGOTIATIONS SESSION

Meeting date/time/location: Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 4:00 p.m., Longfellow Elementary, 707-7^th Street, Belle Plaine, IA  52208.

PUBLIC MEETING ITEM

BELLE PLAINE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD OF EDUCATION

PUBLIC MEETING

NEGOTIATIONS SESSION

Meeting date/time/location: Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 4:10 p.m., Longfellow Elementary, 707-7^th Street, Belle Plaine, IA  52208.

PUBLIC MEETING ITEM

On Thursday, Feb. 10, Belle Plaine will host the first round 1A Regional Girls Basketball game with Springville @7:00.  We are looking for 2 admissions people for this game.

Word On:  Internships

Q.  Do you offer Iowa students opportunities to intern in your office?

A.  Yes.  I strongly encourage college students and recent graduates to intern in my offices in Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines, Sioux City, Waterloo and Washington, D.C.  Four-month internships are available during the fall and spring semesters, and six-week internships are available during two summer sessions.  Many colleges and universities recognize internships for college credit.  In addition to being a tremendous learning opportunity, the experience can make students more competitive in the job market, on and off Capitol Hill. Many members of my permanent staff are former interns.

Q.  What do interns do?

A.  Interns assist permanent staff members in the administrative, legislative, and press departments, as well as my Judiciary Committee staff.  Some intern responsibilities include assisting with scheduling, helping constituents with questions, giving Capitol tours and researching topics related to current Senate issues.  Internships are a great way for young Iowans to gain valuable work experience and learn first-hand about the legislative branch of government.

Q.  Who should apply for an internship?

A.  All college-age Iowans are welcome to apply.  I look for detail-oriented, enthusiastic individuals.  Internships aren’t just for political science majors.  I’ve had interns who were majoring in everything from theater to business to Russian, as well.

Q.  How can students apply for an internship?

A.  My office is currently accepting applications for the summer sessions.  The first session runs from May 23 to July 1.  The second session runs from July 5 to August 19.  Applications for both sessions are due March 15.  Applications are available in the placement offices of many Iowa colleges, my Iowa offices, and online at http://grassley.senate.gov/info/internships.cfm.  Completed applications should be sent to intern_applications@grassley.senate.gov or faxed to 202-224-6020.

BELLE PLAINE BOARD OF EDUCATION – REGULAR MEETING

Belle Plaine Community School District

Meeting date/time/location:  Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 6:45 p.m.,

Longfellow Elementary School, 707-7^th Street, Belle Plaine, Iowa  52208

6:45 P.M.   A.      CALL TO ORDER

B.      ROLL CALL AND DECLARATION OF QUORUM

C.      APPROVAL OF AGENDA

D.      DELEGATIONS

E.     CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS

1.      Approval of the Minutes of the December 15, 2010 Meeting and                                       the January 7, 2011 Special Meeting

2.      Approval of Bills, Payroll, and the Financial Statements

3.      Personnel/Business Items:

• Acceptance of Resignation(s)
• Approval of the Employment of Personnel

–Part-time Teacher Associate

–Assistant Wrestling Coach

–Other

4.      Approval of the Purchase of a Floor Machine

5.      Approval of Agreement with Iowa Department of Administrative                            Services

6.      Approval of the Creation of a Part-Time Custodial Position

1. F. REPORTS

6:53 P.M.             1. Principal and Assistant Principal Reports-Cherie Brown and                                                    Heather Coover

7:00 P.M.            2.  School Vehicle Inventory, Including Replacement Plans-Supt.                                       Lynch

7:03 P.M.            3.  Department of Education Site Visit-Supt. Lynch

7:05 P.M.   G.  COMMUNICATIONS

H.   BUSINESS ITEMS

7:06 P.M.        1.  Discussion and/or Action Regarding Appointment of School Board                                        Member

7:11 P.M.        2.  Action Regarding Belle Plaine Community School District Building                               Project

7:16 P.M.        3.  Approval of Purchase of Playground Equipment

7:21P.M.         4.  Approval of Specifications for New School Bus and Approval of the                                        Purchase of a Vehicle by the School District

7:25 P.M.        5.  Discussion and/or Action Regarding School Board Policies

7:35 P.M.        6.  Discussion Regarding Future Agenda Items

7:37 P.M.   I.  ADJOURNMENT

Young boys and girls fidgeting up on stage, smiling and waving to familiar faces in the crowd, and all dressed up for a special occasion—these are the first thoughts that run through my mind when I hear the words Elementary Winter Program.  This is one of those rights of passage that most of us have participated in.  I remember being so excited to have my mom and dad come to hear me sing the songs that we had practiced for so long, and then, many years later, my children each had their time in elementary school to enjoy the same excitement of performing for their dad and me.  They would never tell me what songs they were practicing for the big night because it had to be a surprise!  Looking back through the decades, it seems that things haven’t really changed all that much in regard to this time honored event.

Belle Plaine elementary students, 3^rd through 6^th grades, performed in the new Longfellow gym on December 2, 2010, to a standing-room-only crowd.  The audience enjoyed 2 holiday songs performed by each class and also had the opportunity to listen to the 5^th and 6^th grade bands.   The evening seemed to be enjoyed by all in attendance.

3rd Grade Students

3rd and 4th Grade Combined

5th Grade

Santa and the Christmas sweater models

Wednesday, December 22, found me at the Junior/Senior High again.  The last day before the holiday break and the school was abuzz with Christmas cheer!  The smell of popcorn filled the hallways, Santa Claus walked among the students, ugly Christmas sweaters adorn several people, and the green pickle ornament was finally found once and for all.  With a different Christmas movie going to be played in several different classrooms during the afternoon, flannel sleep pants seemed to be the fashion choice of the day as comfort is essential for movie watching.  A special excitement, that only seems to happen at Christmas time, filled the air.

Carl Meck makes an awesome Santa Claus.  He definately has school spirit.  I see him everywhere participating in several different activities. I really enjoy Carl’s fun loving attitude. He makes me smile with his cheesy photo poses whenever I have a camera in my hands!  Keep up the good work Carl.

 I was honored to help pick the ugliest sweater when I was at the school.  We chose Taylor Janss’ sweater.  If you will notice from the above picture, it seems that somebody thought that turquoise would be the ideal color for holly leaves on a holiday sweater! (NOT)

I also had the winners on the “Find the Pickle” contest pose for a photo opportunity, but sadly, I did something wrong when I was downloading the photos to the computer and lost several really good pictures.  The above photo is the only one that I managed to salvage from the day’s pictures. I wish I had a better relationship with electronics.  I’m slowly getting better, but I can all but promise that there are going to be other mishaps.  (I secretly think the computer is out to get me!)

Here’s the pickle “legend” :   A very old Christmas eve tradition in Germany was to hide a pickle (ornament) deep in the branches of the family Christmas tree.  The parents hung the pickle last after all the other ornaments were in place.  In the morning they knew the most observant child would receive an extra gift from St. Nicholas.  The first adult who finds the pickle traditionally gets good luck for the whole year. “  It says that Germans hang a pickle-shaped glass ornament on the Christmas tree hidden away so it’s difficult to find.  The first child to find it on Christmas morning gets a special treat or an extra present.

Thursday, December 16^th the Junior High/High School choirs and bands performed in the High School gym to a full house.

Junior High Band

The Junior High Band, directed by Jack Schlesselman, was the first to perform.  I can remember when, not so long ago, these students were just starting out with their instruments.  Thursday evening, you wouldn’t have guessed that they have only been playing for a few years.  They did a great job with the 3 music selections they played.

Next to perform was the Belle Plaine Jazz Ensemble, directed by Brad Allen.  These high school students chose to play two pieces that they have been practicing for a contest performance.  Although, these were not holiday pieces,

Senior High Jazz Band

they played them so well that the two arrangements fit right in with the rest of the program.  I guess you could say I’m a traditionalist and prefer to have holiday concerts with holiday music, but I couldn’t help but enjoy the Jazz

Ensemble’s performance because it was performed so well.

Junior High Chorus, directed by Brad Allen, was next to entertain the audience.  Winter Wonderland and You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch were both performed well.  Senior

Junior High Choir

Stephen Muench acted as the narrator for the Grinch arrangement. As I’m sure most of you remember, James Earl Jones was narrator in The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, but Mr. Allen was quick to point out that Mr. Jones was not available for the concert.  I have to say that Stephen was a good replacement!  Mr. Allen mentioned that Stephan has been acting as a musical assistant during 3^rd period for the Junior High Chorus and so fit right in with the group.

Senior High Concert Choir

Next the crowd enjoyed the High School Concert Choir, under the direction on Brad Allen, as they performed What Child is This? acappella.  What an amazing group of talented kids.  It was absolutely beautiful.  This group also performed Believe from The Polar Express.  During Believe, Seniors Dani Coover and Stephen Muench sang a duet.  This piece has been “on the back burner” for the past 4 years, and finally, this year’s choir was up to the challenge.  They did a remarkably good job.

Mr. Allen directed the Belle Plaine Jazz Choir while they performed The Christmas Song, more commonly referred to as Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire.  He shared with the audience that this is his favorite Christmas song. The Jazz Choir is complied of students who had to try out to be part of this group due to the large interest from the music students. They are a joy to listen to.

Senior High Concert Band

The final group of the evening was the High School Concert Band, directed by Brad Allen.  Three Christmas arrangements were played and enjoyed by all.  The last piece was a particularly difficult arrangement which took a lot of preparation.  They played Hallelujah Chorus from The Messiah exceptionally well showing that their work had definitely paid off.

I left the gym Thursday evening humming and definitely in the Christmas spirit.  Thanks to all of the students and to Mr. Allen and Mr. Schlesselman for sharing their talents with us.

by Kim Blink

Attention Senior Parents:

This is an exciting time of year for you and your son/daughter and the Belle Plaine Yearbook staff would like to provide you with a few friendly reminders.

The yearbook staff would like to remind you that you must have a senior portrait and a baby picture turned in by January 12, 2011.  This picture must be vertical in order to fit on the page. If you are unable to meet this deadline please contact Deb Maxwell so that arrangements can be made to have a picture taken or if it will be a later arrival on the photo.  It is very important that we receive their pictures as soon as possible so that we can get them in the yearbook.  If you have them done please bring them in. 

Dawn will also need to have three pictures turned in.  The pictures are for prom, the newspaper, and the class composite. All of these pictures must also be vertical. 

Thanks again for your time and if you have any questions please contact the Belle Plaine High School.

Hero in the Midst

By Alexandria Brown

            NEWS FLASH…local Belle Plaine hero…13-year-old, LaTosha Ealy, saves best friend, Bailey Kuba…Saturday, October 30^th!

            A parent’s worst nightmare is finding out something tragic or near tragic has affected one of their children.  On Saturday, October 30^th, Bailey Kuba and her friend Tosha Ealy were walking from one home to the other.  As the girls crossed Hwy 21, Bailey was struck by an oncoming vehicle.  Bailey lay unconscious in the street; Tosha pulled her friend to safety.

            “Her being my best friend is what encouraged me. Obviously I didn’t want another car to hit her.” Tosha said.

            She continued, “My reaction was, OMG! BAILEY! Then I ran over to her, turned her unconscious body over and then I saw another car coming, so I pulled her off the road.”

            Tosha and Bailey have been best friends since the 6^th grade.  They met when Tosha moved here last year.

            “We care a lot about each other!  I love her like a sister.  She is my best friend and I would die for her.  People had better be nice to her too!” Tosha said.

            Tosha visited Bailey every day that she was in the hospital.  The impact of the accident still has an effect on Tosha today.

            She commented, “Well, I can barely sleep. I throw up almost everything I eat, and I get really mad when people say stuff about the car accident.  Plus, I have to go to therapy now.  I’m just glad she’s okay, but I wouldn’t say I’m a hero.”

            Even though the accident has impacted both Tosha and Bailey’s lives in a negative way, the girls positively have grown even closer.  Bailey is back at school and is improving every day.  Because of Bailey’s best friend, Tosha, they both live to tell the story today…together.