Dear Parents and Guardians,

Happy May Day! The sun is shining and the weather is finally warming up. Summer sports leagues are practicing and the school year is winding down. I want to update you on our year-end activities as we head into these last few weeks. 

First though, I want to give a big shout out this week to teachers. We are celebrating  Teacher Appreciation this week. PTO has shared a daily document of different ways your child may celebrate their teachers. I have to say we are truly blessed with the most amazing teachers at 1R and in the Northwest district! The dedication, passion and love they have for your children is amazing. They pour their hearts and souls into students everyday. This year, through its many challenges, they have never wavered. Teachers entered the doors in August with many unknowns, but knowing this was the best place for students. They did everything asked of them and more to ensure students were cared for, loved and had a safe place to learn. Many students across our nation did not get this opportunity this year and that deeply saddens me. I am so thankful for our Northwest teachers who have been committed to our students knowing the best place for kids was in their classrooms. So please if you get a chance, thank a teacher this week – they were truly “HEROES” in my book! 

Secondly, students are wrapping up spring MAP testing this week. I want to celebrate the work your children are doing. They are showing great gains from last fall to this spring. We all were very concerned with losing an entire quarter a year ago. Scores in the fall and winter showed some gains but I am happy to say thus far spring numbers are showing nice growth gains. We set some lofty School Improvement goals last year and early results look like we may achieve all those goals or barely miss. I could not be prouder of our students and staff for the work they have done. To lose an entire quarter last spring and see students benchmarking at grade level is wonderful news. Students and classrooms set goals for this spring. I am hearing about multiple celebrations taking place in the upcoming weeks. Several students have come down to celebrate in my office. Please check in with your child and ask how they did and give them a big hug and high five because all our students worked very hard to meet our school wide goals. 

Tuesday, May 4, is our 5th – 8th grade band concert at Northwest. It will begin at 7 pm. Our K-8 vocal concert was a huge success last Thursday. It was so great to see and hear the students back on stage.  A big shout out to Mr. Pearson and Mr. Meyer for putting together a wonderful program.   

PTO news – This Thursday, May 6th from 2-4 p.m. in the east parking lot will be Flower Delivery and pick up. PTO will have your flowers sorted and ready to go. Please stop out a little early for pick up. Thank you to all who purchased and helped with this fundraiser – it was another great success. Next year’s PTO officers will be President – Lisa Allan, VP – Leah Borer, Secretary – Kenzie Jarvie and Treasurer – Kristen Rogers. Thank you to Britteny Beckstrom for serving this last year as President.

Friday, May 14, will be our field day. This annual event takes place at Northwest High School beginning at 12:45. Events will be completed around 2:30, so please make plans to pick up your child at Northwest High School at that time. You will be receiving information in the next few days regarding transportation to Northwest and the overall logistics involved. 

As we conclude the school year a reminder that all fines and lunch fees must be paid. Please check in with Mrs. Bachle if you have questions. Library books need to be returned if they are missing you will be charged for replacing the book. Mrs. McGowan can help if you have any questions. Middle school will be checking in their Chromebooks and power cords. If there is damage, Mr. Gibson will let us know the damage costs. If the power cord is missing it will be $25 to replace it.  

Wednesday, May 19, is our last day of school. We will have assemblies in our gym recognizing some students and groups.  Parents are welcome to attend these assemblies.  Please see the schedule below:

8th grade Recognition – 8:00 – 8:45 – 8th grade is dismissed following 

Kindergarten – 3rd grade 9:15 – 10:00

4th grade – 7th grade 10:15 -11:00

If you are not able to make it to the program that day, then you can pick your child up at noon, which is our dismissal time. 

To all of our families that have 8th graders or students moving to other schools, we wish you well!  To those families returning, we look forward to a great year next year, and until then, please enjoy your summer! New student and Kindergarten registration is now open for the 2021-22 school year. 

I would like to say one last thank you to everyone for another successful year at 1R! This year brought about many challenges and uncertainties for everyone. I appreciate everyone’s efforts to communicate and work together to make it through. I know it was not perfect at times but we did the best we could with so many unknowns. It was not easy for any of us, but I know in my heart it was the best place for the kids. So thank you again for supporting us in your child’s educational journey this year. There is no greater place to work than at 1R and the Northwest district. Have Great Summer!!

Sincerely,

Mr. Retzlaff, Principal