THE LIONS ROAR REINCARNATED

Edited by Mark Ripplinger

Photos by Don Wood & Mark Ripplinger

November 3, 2008

Lions President Mark Miller

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE (November 3rd)

Fellow Lions, looks like great weather for the week ahead, so get out there and enjoy! Go for a walk or get in that last round of golf. Get those leaves raked up and the Christmas lights hung! And as a PSA, get out there and Vote tomorrow.

We Serve ……… Mark Miller

TODAY’S MEETING (November 3rd)

Frank Darrah, Cedar Falls City Councilperson, Creating a Bike-Friendly Community in Cedar Falls.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

November 10th … Dave Deaver, First National Bank, Local Impact of National Financial Crisis.

November 17th … Troy Dannon, UNI Athletic Director, Highlights of UNI Athletics.

November 24th … TBA

BIRTHDAYS ANNIVERSARIES

None Ed & Jean Stachovic – Nov. 5th

Chuck & Marcella Ericson – Nov. 6th

ANNOUNCEMENTS

None

LAST MEETING (October 27th)

Dan Conrad, spoke to the club about the “No Child Left Behind” (NCLB) law and its impact on Cedar Falls Schools. Started when signed into law by President Bush in 2001, the NCLB annual goals state that all public schools and school districts are to be held accountable to meet Annual Measurable Objectives (AMO) in reading for grades 3-8 & 11. When a school or district does not meet the AMO for one year, it is referred to as not making adequate yearly progress. It is then placed on the watch list. AMO’s are required annual goals in the state’s trajectory to reach 100% proficiency for all students by 2013-2014 as required under the NCLB legislation. Proficiency is determined through the scores achieved on the Iowa Tests (ITBS & ITED). It is important to note that all subgroups within the district/building are subject to the same proficiency percentages in meeting progress requirements. Subgroups include gender, race/ethnicity, Individualized Education Program, migrant, socioeconomic status and English Language Learners. Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) also includes other academic indicators which include, exceed the high state high school graduation rate, exceed the state average daily attendance rates for elementary and middle school and that 95% of all students enrolled must participate on the testing. If the AYP is not met for two consecutive years, the school/district will be labeled as a school in need of assistance. A few subgroups failed to meet performance standards and have been placed in the “Need of Assistance” category. They include: The Cedar Falls School District – Special Education Reading, High School - Special Education Reading and Special Education Mathematics, Holmes Jr. High - Special Education and Low SES Reading and Special Education Mathematics, Pete Jr. High – Special Education Reading. In all other categories, the schools and district have exceeded performance standards. In order to address some of the deficiencies, several District/Building Strategies have been implemented. The include: Hiring Student Services Coordinator with a focus on special populations, Additional reading teachers hired for non-Title I schools, “Read 180” Program implemented at Holmes, to be added to Pete in 2009, “Second Chance Reading” implemented in the High School, Reading and Math Program implemented at the High School, Continuation of Guided Reading and Every Child Reads strategies, Transition activities for Elementary – Junior High and Junior High – High School and Ruby Payne’s Framework for Understanding Poverty training.