Parents and Guardians,

Third quarter is quickly coming to a close. We are having a great year at 1R! Thank you for your continued support each and every day. 

It was great to see so many parents at Parent Teacher Conferences last month. We had a 90% turnout rate for our K-8 conferences. Thank you so much for your continued support in your child’s education. Please remember teachers are always available via an email or phone call if you have questions.

This week we will be celebrating Read Across America. The Student Council has special dress up days and events for each day. A list went home with students last week and is also posted on teacher and the 1R Facebook pages. It will be a fun week to celebrate the love of reading. Please be sure to take a few minutes each day and read with your child.   

On March 21, students in 3rd-8th will begin taking the new NSCAS State Accountability assessment. Students will be assessed on Nebraska Standards in ELA and Math. 5th & 8th grade will also take a Science assessment. This assessment is merged with the NWEA MAP that is also our national norm-referenced assessment. The goal will be to streamline the assessment process to measure student growth based on both Nebraska Standards and measure student growth across the nation. I know many of you have become accustomed to the MAP RIT scores and projected growth. There will still be a RIT score but it will not be a comparable RIT to the current MAP RITs you have been viewing. As this new data is reported we will continue to share how to interpret and understand your child’s learning. Remember that a good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast prior to the test really do make a difference. In addition, daily attendance and positive support from you will only enhance your child’s success. We have a window of time to complete this assessment so please let us know if your child will be absent so we can make arrangements. 

Boys basketball will be wrapping up this week at the Westridge Tournament. There was a bit of a schedule change on Tuesday – 7th Grade A team will be playing in tournament play at Wood River. 8th Grade A team will be playing at Westridge on Tuesday. Thursday all games will be played at Westridge.  If you have not had a chance to see them play this is a great opportunity to show your support. Both teams have had nice seasons. Good Luck and Go Vikings!  

As spring arrives, middle school activities will continue to kick off. First up is the Mixed Honor Choir.  They begin practice this week. On Wednesday, March 16th they will have a K-8 building tour and a Parent performance. The parent performance will be at 3:00 pm in the Northwest Auditorium. 

We will offer middle school soccer again this year. We will continue to partner with GICC for 7th & 8th grade teams. There will be a parent meeting on Tuesday, March 8th at 6:30 pm in the Northwest cafeteria. Practices will begin on March 14th.  

Middle school track parent meeting will be on Tuesday, March 8th at 5:30 pm in the Northwest High School gym. Track practice will begin on March 14th.

Reminder Middle School parents to check Northwest website for Summer Athletic camps and Summer Weight programs. This can all be found on the Northwest Homepage. Signups are open now. 

PTO would like to thank everyone for a great turnout at the Papa John’s Dining Night out. Papa Johns donated nearly $300 to the PTO. The class who had the most attendance that night earned a Papa John’s Pizza Party. 5th grade was ecstatic to learn they were the big winners this week! The flower fundraiser will be starting in April. If you need a great Mother’s Day gift, watch for the flier coming home. PTO is seeking officers for the 22-23 school year. 1R PTO does so many wonderful things for our students, staff and building. Please consider joining and serving in a role so we can offer those events next fall. If you have an interest in serving please contact President Lisa Allan or President Elect Leah Borer. Meetings are on the first Monday of the month at 6:00 pm. Our next meeting will be March 7th. 

Reminder if you have an incoming Kindergartener or know someone who has a Kindergartener please have them contact Mrs. Bachle. 1R Introduction to Kindergarten night will be Tuesday April 5th at 6:30 pm. 

Important Dates and reminders coming up:

NO School for students on March 4th, 9th, 10th and 11th.

PTO Breakfast Buddies March 17th at 7:15 am. 

3rd quarter Report Cards will be sent home on March 23rd.

PTO Runza Dining night out March 29th 5-8 pm. 

Introduction to Kindergarten is April 5th at 6:30 pm at 1R

1R Spring Concert is Thursday, April 7th 7 pm

On behalf of the staff and myself, we thank you for your continued support. Please follow our 1R Google calendar for the most current events and check out our 1R Facebook page. If you have questions regarding your child’s education, please do not hesitate to contact the office at 385-6352.

Sincerely,

Mr. Retzlaff, Principal