news - [nooz, nyooz] - 1382, plural of new (n.) "new thing," from new (adj.), q.v.; after Fr. nouvelles, used in Bible translations to render M.L. nova (neut. pl.) "news," lit. "new things." Sometimes still regarded as plural, 17c.-19c. Meaning "tidings" is 1423. - noun - 1. a report of a recent event; intelligence; information. 2. the presentation of a report on recent or new events in a newspaper or other periodical or on radio or television. 3. such reports taken collectively; information reported. 4. a person, thing, or event considered as a choice subject for journalistic treatment; newsworthy material.

Kym's Notes

February 3, 2010

Dear Families,

    February is upon us! The year is moving by so quickly, it is hard to believe. As you can see from the calendar, things are busy at IVMS.

FEBRUARY
Friday, Feb. 5 – 2:15 to 3:00 Parent Activities Group meeting Music room
Tuesday, Feb. 9 - FCAT Writing grades 4th and 8th
Thursday, Feb. 11 - USF graduate students visit Venice campus
Thursday, Feb. 11 - IVMS Board meeting
Friday, Feb. 12 – Middle school Valentine’s Dance
Sunday, Feb. 14 – Valentine’s Day
Thursday, Feb. 13 – 2009-2010 Student enrollment closes
Monday, Feb. 15 – Presidents’ Day – NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, Feb. 16 – Sarasota School Board Presentation for Charter Renewal
Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 – Health Screenings
Vision and Weight screening grades K, 1st, and 3rd grades
Scoliosis screening 6th grade only
Thursday, Feb. 18 – Jogathon grades K – 3
Friday, Feb. 19 – Jogathon grades 4 – 8
Friday, Feb. 19 - Monthly progress report (elementary and middle)
Tuesday, Feb. 23 – Middle school field trip to Ringling Museum

MARCH
March 16, Tuesday, - VOTING DAY FOR SCHOOL REFERENDUM – VOTE!
March 9 – 18 – FCAT testing – 3rd through 8th
Saturday, March 14 Daylight Savings Time
March 22 – 24 Seacamp Trip to Florida Keys - 5th and 6th grades
Wednesday, March 24 – End of 3rd grading period
Friday, March 26 - Professional Day – no school for students
March 29 – April 2 – Spring Break – no school

APRIL
Monday, April 5th – Return from Spring Break
Friday, April 10th – Report Cards – 3rd quarter
Saturday, April 10 – IVMS Drama Performance Venice Little Theater
Tuesday and Thursday, April 13 and 14 –
IVMS sponsors Hands On Equations Algebra curriculum 2-day workshop – open to all area schools and educators
Monday and Tuesday, April 19 and 20 – SACS Accreditation Visit

Middle School Students Make Chocolate Roses for Haiti
    These Hershey Chocolate roses will bring smiles to your loved ones and needed food and supplies to the Haitian people.... Spread the Love!....If you would like to order a Rose or two.... Let us know or send a check with your student to Ms Lisa (Middle School Building).

New Face to the IVMS School Website
    Many thanks to our Parent and Webmaster, Tim Symonds, for the major facelift of the IVMS school Website. The site is still in process but most all links are working now! The link to our community website was sent out last week. Thanks to Community Director, Peter Simms, for his efforts as well.

Lower Tuition for IVMS Early Childhood Programs
Early Bird Discounts for EC Registration before May 31st

    As a Montessori school, IVMS strongly encourages families to begin their child’s journey as early as possible. Traditionally, Montessori programs include students from three to six years of age in the first cycle of learning. We believe it is critical for children to participate in a full day program over five school days in order to get the most benefit from this experience. We have elected not to participate in the VPK program because of its current policy of requiring schools to admit children on a half-day basis.

    We do not believe this policy is in the best interest of the child nor is it appropriate for the design of our program. Mixing part and full-time schedules is difficult for both students and educators for a number of reasons. The most critical being that preparing children for school is not simply about getting a head start on academics, but is also about understanding ground rules, learning grace and courtesy, and developing an ability to negotiate important social and emotional experiences with peers.

    It is not possible to introduce children to a natural balance between academics and social/emotional experiences under the current VPK program requirements. In an effort to stay competitive and supportive of our families, we have developed the following options for three and four year-old students.

    Remember, a Montessori program is designed to be an age-appropriate, high quality SCHOOL experience for this age group and is not intended to replace inexpensive daycare or babysitting. Our staff is highly trained and experienced. The benefits to your child are priceless.

    Students who turn five on or before September 1st, 2010 qualify for our charter programs and are not required to pay tuition.

    Call Rene for more information at 484-4997 or our office at 484-4999.

VOTE! - March 16th 
This is Important for Island Village and all County Schools –
Voter Registration Deadline is this week!
Link for Absentee Ballot below

    The referendum supports the ability for Island Village Montessori School to continue many of its unique programs and low teacher to student ratios. Charter schools, like district schools, are affected by State budget challenges. The local millage helps IVMS to afford a co-teaching model, provide extra tutors and support staff, and develop our arts programs. The funds cannot be used for buildings but for programs, directly impacting your child's educational experience.

* This means $1000s for Island Village! 

    What does this mean to you? The extra millage totals about $1 extra for every $1,000 in taxed home value (less homestead exemption). For example, a home valued at $150,000 means $100 per year in homestead property taxes. Remember, your children do not pay tuition to attend our school. For a few dollars a year (per family not per child), the benefits to your children are priceless. 

    It is important to understand that the millage is not a new tax; it is a continuation of millage that is already in place. The referendum was originally approved in 2002 and renewed in 2006. The renewal will only authorize the district to continue the voted millage already in place.

For More Information: (click the link below)
http://www.sarasotacountyschools.net/departments/communications/default.aspx?id=19615

Mail-in your vote! (click the link below for information)
http://www.srqelections.com/

OUT-OF-FIELD NOTIFICATION
The following is a listing of educators currently teaching out-of-field:

Kathy Nixon
    Kathy requires the last component of the Florida reading endorsement and is currently considered out-of-field for reading. Kathy has the following Florida certifications: 6-12 language arts and Latin

Bechir Ben Moussa
    Ben is currently out-of-field for math and science although he has completed degrees in both fields. Currently, Ben holds Florida certification for French and PE and is completing Florida certification for math and science grades 5 – 9.

Tammy Balser
    Tammy is the ESL liaison for IVMS, working with ESL students in all grades.
Tammy is currently Florida certified Elementary K-6 and ESL K-6 and is considered out-of-field for ESL grades 7 and 8 only.

Peter Simms
    Currently Florida certified for social studies and with a degree in psychology.
Peter is considered out-of-field for music and is in the process of adding this certification. Peter has been an active professional musician for 30 years and has taught music privately for the past 20 years.

IMPORTANT RATIOS TO CONSIDER
For a smaller school, our students have many benefits, including:

Small ratios:
    1 computer to 1.25 students in grades 5 through 8
    1 computer to 2.5 students in grades 3 and 4 
    1 computer to 4 students in grades 2 and 3
    1 computer to 8 students in grades K and 1

    With a co-teaching model, IVMS has one of the lowest educator to student ratios in the school district (1 educator to 13 students at all levels).

    State constitutional requirements for class size: 1:18 in grades K-3 and 1:22 in grades 4-8.

Thanks for being part of our school!

Kym Elder
Executive Director