Perry School Board, TAG teachers bring lessons home

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The Perry School Board received reports Monday from teachers who attended a Talented and Gifted (TAG) conference in November and from board members who were present at the Iowa Association of School Board (IASB) gathering last month.

Director of Teaching and Learning Kevin Vidergar introduced Perry Elementary TAG instructor Rob Reinhart, second grade teacher Janna Bjork and middle school reading instructor Charlotte McDonald, who each described what they learned at the TAG conference in Minneapolis, Minn., Nov. 15-18.

TAG instructor Randy Peterson also attended the event but was unavailable to address the board Monday.

Reinhart said he learned much about using technology in the classroom, with Bjork noting she gathered important ideas on how to compact her curriculum and best use student time. McDonald said her experience gave her new insights on how to keep the higher-level students she instructs motivated as well as several new strategies she intends to use.

Under questioning from Board President Kyle Baxter, Vidergar said it was important for Perry schools to look not only at certain standardized levels in identifying TAG students but also to use local guides to pinpoint the top 10 percent. He agreed with Baxter that some students might excel in one area while struggling in others, in some cases for no other reason than a lack of interest in one subject but not another.

Baxter, Director Linda Andorf and Superintendent Clark Wicks attended the IASB conference in November.

Baxter said he was interested to learn some districts save as much as 20 percent in insurance costs by aggressively shopping among plans. He recommended Perry do so, noting the district currently pays nearly $180,000 monthly for health insurance.

Andorf said she came away impressed by a school-and-business partnership currently underway in Marshalltown. She noted the length of the internships and depth of instruction, which include all sophomores visiting various local industries.

In other action, the board approved a series of fundraisers intended to help defray contest supply costs and state registration expenses for the middle school TSA program. Meals will be also provided at several home basketball games with funds raised.

Several personnel matters and policy adjustments were also approved.

The Perry School Board meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Brady Library at PHS. The public is welcome to attend.

 

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