Delivery Model Change Request Open this Week
In-Person Instruction Parent Option: On January 29, 2021, Governor Reynolds signed SF 160, a bill that requires schools to offer parents an option for full-time in-person instruction. As of today, all of our school buildings are providing an in-person delivery model option, along with the 100% online option through our Remote Campus. The bill also requires schools to provide parents notice of the opportunity to select full-time in-person instruction and allow at least 5 days to decide their selection if the school will still offer other instructional options. We have re-opened our ACSD Learning Delivery Model Change Request form to give parents an opportunity to select the 100% in-person delivery model.
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Panorama Offsite Learning Survey Results 2021
In December of 2020, the Ames Community School District surveyed students, staff, and families regarding distance education and how to meet the needs of our community with our learning models, academics, and support strategies using Panorama Education. The surveys included questions around social and emotional learning, academic needs, and staff and family engagement, among others. The purpose of the survey is to gather perception data from key stakeholders as a way to set a baseline for evaluation. This was a different Panorama survey than the Culture and Climate Survey conducted in March 2020. We are still planning to do that survey again this upcoming spring.
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Abbie Sawyer: Kindergarten Teacher and Principal (1894-1972)
"The greatest personal satisfaction I've had is watching these children grow up and develop," said Abbie Sawyer, a long time teacher and later principal who devoted her career to children in the Ames School District. Sawyer is most remembered for starting the first kindergarten class in Ames in the old Central school in 1917, her first year in Ames. In 1952, she retired after 35 years in the Ames school system, and in 1962, an elementary school building was named in her honor.
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Data: More than Numbers
What does “data” mean? “Data” means any kind of information that can be understood or proven by a set of standards. Yes, in our district this often means different sets of numbers like grades, test scores, and attendance rates. But, it can also mean measuring things that don’t always appear measurable at first glance, such as: What are we doing to meet the needs of all students, and how can we improve?; How welcome do our learners and families feel in our district? It can also mean looking for standards of equity when resources may not always be shared equally.
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#OurAmazingStudents
We know that this year has had some challenging moments for our students, but we have also seen them do amazing things.
Read moreNew Delivery Model Change Request Date
Happy New Year and welcome back to school. We hope Winter Break was wonderful for everyone reading this. The information in this email will consist of some reminders so that it is at the top of your inbox, as well as some new information. Delivery Model Change Request Our ACSD Learning Delivery Model Change Request form for the start of the second semester is currently open.
Read moreDelivery Model After Winter Break
Delivery Model After Winter Break Throughout winter break, Ames CSD staff will be monitoring our local conditions. If our conditions continue to improve, we could make a recommendation to return PK-5 face-to-face on January 4, 2021. While it is too early to make that decision, we wanted you to know that all options will be considered. Our secondary students (6-12) will continue in Hybrid through the end of the semester with the hope of returning fully face-to-face at the start of the second semester. Regardless of the learning model that students are in, our 100% remote campus will continue to be an option for families.
Read moreReturn to Hybrid / Calendar
Return to Hybrid Delivery Model on Wednesday, December 9 Today, the school board voted to transition to the Hybrid learning model for grades PK-12 starting on Wednesday, December 9. The Wednesday return allows teachers 3 full days to prepare to return to Hybrid instruction.
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Free Meals for All Children at Ames Schools Through the 20-21 School Year
The Ames Community School District is pleased to offer a free breakfast and lunch each day to every child in our community through the end of the current school year. Any child aged 1-18 is eligible to receive a school breakfast and lunch at Ames Middle School, Edwards Elementary, Fellows Elementary, Meeker Elementary, Mitchell Elementary, and Sawyer Elementary. Grab and Go meals will be available for students that are in virtual learning and younger children at the above sites. Free meals are available to students when they are on site each of these sites. Breakfast and lunch are available for free for onsite learners at Ames High School, free snacks are available for onsite learners at Northwood Preschool, free breakfast and lunch is available for enrolled children at the Boys and Girls Club. On Monday, December 7, Monday and Tuesday Meals will be available between 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. at Edwards, Fellows, Meeker, Mitchell, and Sawyer Elementary Schools and between 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Ames Middle School. Starting Wednesday, December 9th, Ames families with students and young children can pick up free grab-and-go breakfast and lunch at between 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday at Edwards, Fellows, Meeker, Mitchell, and Sawyer Elementary Schools. Pickup for free meals is available at Ames Middle School Monday through Friday from 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Students and young children do not need to be present when parents and guardians pick up meals, and student IDs are not required. Families may pick up meals at the school closest to them. We will also continue to serve weekend meals on Fridays.
Read moreDE Approval / Panorama Survey
DE Approved Application to Continue Online (w/ Updated Information) This morning, the Iowa Department of Education (DE) officially approved our application to continue 100% online remote learning temporarily for all buildings in the District. You can read the letter here. Per the letter, we are approved for online remote learning from November 30, 2020, to December 14, 2020.
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