Congratulations to the Clay Central/Everly Elementary for collecting over 10,000 Boxtops 4 Education this year. The Clay Central/Everly School District will receive a check for $1021 to be used in the elementary library. Please continue to save Boxtops 4 Education throughout the summer months. In the fall we will be doing an individual boxtop contest during the Scholastic Book Fair. The student who brings in the most boxtops from each class will receive a free book from the book fair. In the spring we will be doing a class contest to see which class can bring in the most boxtops. This year the fifth graders collected the most boxtops. The class was treated to a movie, Where The Red Fern Grows, and popcorn. Way to go fifth graders!
                                                         

Thank You,
                                                         
Mrs. Menke & Mrs. Johnson

Clay Central/Everly Title 1 Program

The Clay Central/Everly Title 1 Reading & Math project is a federally funded program designed to help children in grades K-5th improve their reading and math skills. The Title 1 classes provide small group instruction which reinforces the classroom reading and math curriculum.

• Students in grades Kindergarten through fifth grade are assessed quarterly in reading and math. Students who fall below our district proficiency levels qualify for help. Students may also qualify by teacher recommendation.
• Parents are notified if their child would benefit from Title 1 services. When a student is identified as a child in need a problem solving meeting is held. Title 1 teachers work closely with the CC/E staff and they participate in problem-solving meetings. The problem solving team may consist of classroom teachers, administrators, AEA personnel, resource teacher, Title 1 teacher and parents.
• Parents receive a Title 1 brochure and student compact that needs to be signed and returned. The compact is a voluntary agreement between parent/child/teacher concerning the child’s education.
• Title 1 students are served during pull-out time for reading and math support. The instruction time can vary from 15 to 60 minutes depending on the needs of each child. The Title 1 teacher develops a plan for those students to work towards reaching proficient levels in reading or math.
• Parents will be invited to conference with the Title 1 teacher twice a year. Additional meetings may be set up to discuss student progress at any time during the year. Suggestions for extra help at home are also provided.
• Parents are always welcome to contact the classroom teacher or Title 1 teacher with student concerns. The parent has the right to accept or decline Title 1 services.
• Parents may be asked to sit on the District Improvement Council to help the district plan, review and improve district Parent Involvement Policy.
• Clay Central/Everly parents are encouraged to participate in our reading incentives and RIF distributions.

Mrs. Jobst
Title 1 Teachers
Clay Central/Everly District

The Giving Tree

The Giving Tree project wrapped up on Friday, December 21, 2007.  Home State Bank
and State Bank of Everly brought donated food items to the Clay Central/Everly School. 
We combined the items collected by the students and the community.  The students
and staff sorted the food and filled 20 boxes. The food was distributed to people in
our area, as well as Upper Des Moines and Midwest Christian Home in Peterson.    
Schools and Communities: It's a partnership that goes on generation after generation. 
The communities have built strong schools; the schools are building better communities. 
Thanks to everyone who supported our caring and sharing project.  Happy Holidays!

Reading With Your Child

1. *Read Everyday!* Reading is a skill and gets better with practice. Research shows that kids who spend as little as 30 minutes a day reading books, magazines and newspapers are more likely to become good readers. Build a library of books at home and put them in a place where the child can reach them.

2. *Enjoy the book!* When your child is reading to you and comes to a word they don't know give them 3-5 seconds to figure out the word on their own. If they can't figure out the word, read the word for them. It takes several times reading a word for it to become a word that they remember. If a child wants to reread a book, that's great! Rereading builds fluency. Praise them for their efforts!

3. *Read Aloud to your Child!* Begin reading aloud to your child at a young age. Set aside time every day for reading aloud, start with 10 minutes a day. The art of listening is learned and must be taught gradually. Vary the length and subject matter of your reading. Turn off your TV or radio.

4. *Teacher Tips for Read Alouds!* Ask your child to retell a paragraph or story. Stop before the end of the story and ask your child to predict what she thinks may happen next. If you are reading a poem, encourage your child to guess what the next rhyming word may be. Ask your child if the story relates to a personal experience or how she/he might have changed the story. You can build their vocabulary by talking about what words mean.

5. *Public Library Habit!* Set aside some time every week to visit your local library.