News
February 1, 2010
Dixon Students Remember the Families Supporting our Troops
Students at Dixon Middle School participate in regular service activities once a month through the Panther Pride Club. After providing service for our country’s military men and women over the past several years, the group decided it would be fun to write notes and valentines to the families supporting our troops overseas.
"The families of the troops sacrifice just as much as the troops do," said Lauren Perkins, the teacher who organized the activity for the Panther Pride Club. "Because of this, we wanted to recognize the parents, wives, husbands, siblings, children, and grand-children whose loved ones are away serving."
The students made valentine cards for the families of the 478th HR Company currently serving at the Bagharam Airbase in Kabul, Afghanistan. The cards were sent to many states across the country, and Dixon students hope these family members feel extra love and support at this time. The students loved doing this project and now they too will remember what a sacrifice not only the troops make, but the family members of the troops as well.
January 25, 2010
Budget and Financial Updates Newsletter
This newsletter is all about the current and future budgets of Provo School District and the financial situations our district will find itself in if more budget cuts become a reality. Please read this to inform yourself on what we’re facing together, and remember, input is always welcome. As more information is made available, additional newsletters will be issued to inform and update you on the latest happenings. The administrators here at Provo School District recognize how important it is to communicate effectively with employees and patrons and what a source of strength and enlightenment they can bring to these situations. Please select the link below to download the newsletter:
January 22, 2010
Spanish Immersion Program Coming to Canyon Crest Elementary
Canyon Crest Elementary School has successfully acquired a substantial grant that will allow students to take part in a unique and effective way to learn Spanish while learning regular subjects, such as health and social studies, at the same time. A meeting will be held at the Canyon Crest Elementary Library on February 17 at 7 p.m. to inform Provo School District parents and any one else interested in the program of the benefits it can bring to their student.
Studies consistently show this type of program that exposes a student to another language early in his or her education increases memory and concentration, problem solving skills, and a provides a greater understanding of their primary language.
There are several other language immersion programs available in Provo School District, including Chinese at Wasatch Elementary, French at Edgemont Elementary, and Spanish at Timpanogos Elementary. If you are interested in having your students participate in a language immersion program, please keep in mind that the school choice application deadline is February 19 at 5 p.m. in the Student Services Department in the District Offices. Please visit Canyon Crest’s web page for additional information. Thank you.
January 25, 2010
Wasatch Elementary Celebrates Community at Family Dance
Wasatch Elementary School invites students, families, and community members to participate in a fun, family-oriented event at the beginning of every year. Connecting families and community members with the school has always been a goal for Wasatch Elementary. Not only does it benefit students by participating with their family in a fun environment, but brings parents and patrons into the school to experiencing the positive environment, meet teachers and the principal, and interact with other patrons, parents and students.
"Families and community involvement are top priorities here," said Dawn Frandsen, a parent at Wasatch Elementary. "The leaders and teachers here want everyone to feel included and that this is their school, whether or not they have students currently attending."
At the beginning of every year, Wasatch Elementary invites students, families, and community members to participate in a fun, family-oriented event. Connecting families and community members with the school has always been a goal for Wasatch Elementary. Not only does it benefit students by participating with their family in a fun environment, but brings parents and patrons into the school to experiencing the positive environment, meet teachers and the principal, and interact with other patrons, parents and students.
January 25, 2010
Dancing Timpanogos Elementary Students and Teachers Raise Money for Ballroom Team
In “Dancing with the Stars” style, the award-winning Timpanogos Ballroom Dance Team members each picked a teacher, including Principal Diane Bridge, at their school to be trained in several ballroom dances and to be judged by fellow teachers and students.
The Timpanogos Ballroom Team placed first in the regional elementary school ballroom competition last year. The students are in need of new costumes and uniforms, so the ballroom team members made t-shirts and sweatshirts to sell to raise money and advertise for the Dancing with the Teachers Competition. Everyone who participated, including the spectating students, had a great time dancing, watching and judging their fellow classmates and teachers in three different dances.
January 25, 2010
Independence Students Remember, Encourage Alumni Serving in Military
Independence High School students wrote letters to military men and women serving our country, including Independence alumni currently enlisted, to express appreciation for their hard work, sacrifice and dedication to preserving America’s freedoms.
Jim Donnels, a teacher and Army JROTC instructor at Independence High School, said this was a great opportunity for each student to connect with and support a person who sat in the same desks and walked in the same halls as they do each day. "Independence High School instills a unique sense of family and camaraderie among all of the students that you don’t usually find in most high schools," Donnels said. "Not only do our students realize that while in school, but they see that connection extend past graduation."
January 22, 2010
Farrer Students Collect 2,472 Pounds of Food in Five Days
In an effort to remember those in Provo who need a little extra help this winter, each student at Farrer Elementary was challenged to bring food items to donate to the local food bank. To make things a little more fun, a competition was set up between all of the classes to see who could bring in the most food within five days. The winning class ended up bringing in an average of 16 items of food per student and won the grand prize of having a Wii Party with Principal Alex Judd.
"This really was an effort done almost completely by the caring students here," said Jill Taylor, Literacy Content Coach and third grade teacher at Franklin Elementary. "They brought the food, collected it, and helped to drop it off at the food bank. They had fun with the competition and did all they could to help those in need in and around our city."
January 19, 2010
"Education Lights the Way" - Special Education Parent Night Announced
Provo School District is sponsoring a “not-to-be-missed” evening for the entire family of students aged Preschool to High School who are enrolled in Special Education. Parents will personally select multiple short classes that are professionally developed to assist with their children’s academic progress as well as their social, speech/language, behavior and motor development. These classes will provide activities, materials and ideas that can be used at home. Informative classes will also focus on how to help the brothers and sisters of children with disabilities accept each other, IEP development and many more! Childcare will be provided for children where fun activities will be enjoyed. Dinner for all who attend will be served throughout the evening. This evening is free of charge to all who attend.
When: March 17, 2010
Where: Farrer Elementary School, 100 North 600 East, Provo, UT
Registration: 4:45 - 5:30 p.m.
Classes: 5:00 - 7:45 p.m.
Dinner: 5:00 - 7:15 p.m.
For more information, please contact the Resource/Special Education teachers at your school.
January 7, 2010
Provo School District Offers Ski, Snowboard Lessons
Saturday Ski & Snowboard Lessons and Transportation Package - Includes a 2-hour lesson, lift ticket and bus transportation to and from Sundance each Saturday. For more info, download the PDF below.
January 6, 2009
Provo High International Baccalaureate Students Present 150 Hour Projects
Four seniors at Provo High School presented their Creative, Action, and Service projects, part of their International Baccalaureate World studies, to parents, peers and administrators. These students will have completed 150 hours of service outside of class to the community over the span of two years. Daniella Anaya presented a video of the work she performed for an orphanage in Bolivia over the summer refurbishing a library, caring for younger children there, and grasping a greater understanding of the culture and circumstances there. Other students worked hard in libraries and tutored elementary school children requesting extra assistance in math, reading, and writing.
These four hardworking students will graduate from Provo High with an IB diploma. This special program was introduced at Provo High in 2006 to give the students a head start in preparing for college-level courses. These classes are designed with an international focus and encourage students to research, participate in extra-curricular activities, be creative in their development, serve the community, and reach academic success. This program is specifically designed to prepare students to succeed in top universities and Ivy League schools. Provo High School is the only high school in Utah County to offer this prestigious program.
Best of luck to these students as they wrap up their service projects, begin studying for their final tests, and apply to the colleges and universities they hope to attend.
January 4, 2009
Provost Students Hit 1 Million Mark
Provost Elementary School, with 437 students, read a combined total of 1,010,119 minutes starting from the first day of school, August 19, 2009 to December 18, 2009, equaling an average of 2,311.5 minutes read per student and about an average of 19 minutes of reading every single day per student. Provost Elementary has worked successfully to instill a strong tradition and love of reading and literacy within each student attending. By providing multiple incentives for reaching reading goals, Provost has been able encourage many different types of students to not only increase their personal reading time, but add to reading time with their family as well.
"We really wanted to make reading a life-long tradition for our students," said Stephany Ricci, Provost Elementary School’s Facilitator. "We also wanted to strive hard for parent involvement in literacy too."
Provost Elementary provides extra resources to improve student achievement in all other areas in addition to reading, including assistance to all students seeking help with homework before and after school. Please call Provost Elementary School at 801-374-4960 for details on the many exceptional programs offered to students there.
December 17, 2009
Board Adopts 2010-2011 School Year Calendar
The Provo City School District Board of Education adopted the 2010-2011 school year calendar at its’ monthly Board Meeting held Tuesday, December 15, 2009. Last month, the district released two proposed calendars and sought public and employee input through a web survey to determine which calendar best met the needs of the community. The district received several hundred responses to the calendar survey and appreciates the feedback and suggestions received.
The calendar adopted by the Board has Christmas break starting on December 22, 2010 and ending on January 3, 2011. Spring Break, on the other hand, starts on April 11, 2011 and ends on April 15th. The adopted calendar has a shorter Christmas break and a longer Spring break than did the alternate calendar. Please select the following link to download the newly adopted calendar:
December 9, 2009
Late Start Day Information
In anticipation of a heavy winter, Provo School District is working to prepare schools and patrons for what could possibly be a “snow day.” To keep from having to make up days during Spring Break, Provo School District will avoid closing schools for a complete snow day, if possible. If a large storm does hit our city in the late evening or early morning, bus pick ups and school starting times will be set back exactly TWO hours later than the original times. This delayed start will give adequate time for snowplows to clear roads and ensure traveling is safe for all drivers in and around Provo City.
For example: A school regularly starting at 8:00 a.m. will start at 10:00 a.m on a Late Start Day. A regular bus pick up at 7:15 a.m. will be at 9:15 a.m on a Late Start Day.
ALL schools, however, will keep dismissal times as originally scheduled. Students will be released from school at the normally scheduled times they are accustomed to.
If you are unsure of whether or not a storm has warranted a Late Start Day, please check the Provo School District Web site for updated information regarding the status of the school day. If a notice has not been posted by 6:00 a.m., schools and bus routes will operate on the standard schedule. Please check your local television news stations or contact Laken Cannon at 801-228-7802 if you do not have Internet access in your home.
Please contact your school for more details regarding the Late Start Day. Thank you for helping your student understand these procedures. Happy Holidays!
November 12, 2009
School Choice Deadline
The school choice option in Provo School District allows any student to attend any school they’d like, regardless of whether or not they live in their desired school’s boundaries. If students would like to choice into another school, the paperwork required must be completed by Feb. 19, 2010 at 5 p.m in the Student Services Office at the District Offices located at 280 W 940 N. Open Enrollment Forms can be found online at www.provo.edu/dep/studserv or in the Student Services Department.
Applicants need to remember a $5.00 non- refundable fee is needed for each application submitted. Please call Liz Robles at 801-374-4838 in Student Services if you have any questions.
October 26, 2009
Update: H1N1 Student Absentee Policy and Vaccination Information
Provo School District is working closely with the Utah County Health Department and encourages parents to be aware of seasonal flu and H1N1 flu symptoms. Provo School District Flu Student Absence policy states: Students and all employees with flu symptoms will be excused from attending school and work until they no longer have a fever, or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicines for 24 hours.
The Utah County Health Department is receiving another shipment of H1N1 vaccinations. A vaccination clinic will be held on Tuesday, October 27 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Utah County Health and Justice Building (151 S. University Ave, Provo) and continue while supplies last. The vaccine is free, but UCHD may bill insurances for administration fees. People are being asked to bring their insurance cards with them.
Vaccination Clinics will begin Thursday at the Utah County Health and Justice Building (151 S. University Ave, Provo) and continue while supplies last. Thursday the clinic will be open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and re-open on Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The vaccine is free, but UCHD may bill insurances for administration fees. People are being asked to bring their insurance cards with them.
For those who aren't able to get the vaccine, the UCHD suggests the following preventive measures, wash hands frequently or use an alcohol-based sanitizer, avoid contact with those that are sick, cough into an elbow or sleeve, get plenty of rest and eat properly.
Residents are encouraged to check with the Utah County Health Dept. website or call the Utah County Health Information Line at 851-2222 for exact availability. Attached is an updated letter and brochure from the Utah County Health Department outlining flu details in regards to prevention measures, flu symptoms, treatment suggestions, vaccination update and Web sites with additional information.
October 20, 2009
New Elementary School Construction Announced
After performing extensive research on the conditions of all the elementary school buildings within Provo School District, the Board of Education has decided upon building a new elementary at the current Farrer Elementary School site. Building a new school in this area was determined by a variety of factors, but because the school was initially built as a middle school, the current building at the Farrer site is less appropriate and accommodating for the needs of elementary school children than the rest of the schools considered. The Board of Education is also committed to keeping a school in the central city area after the closures of Joaquin and Maeser Elementary Schools. The Farrer Elementary site is also found on one of Provo School Districts best properties, and it is large enough to allow for the construction of an entirely new school while students attend at the original location. Bussing to a different site while the school is being built, as was the case for Timpanogos Elementary, will not be an issue.
Provo School District was awarded $6.5 million in federal bond money as part of President Obama’s stimulus package. Tax rates will not be increased. This special bond has a much lower interest rate of less than one percent, compared to the usual rates of four to five percent, making this a great opportunity to rebuild an older school for millions less. Construction dates and details are still unknown, but updates will be posted as soon as information is received.
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