The Principals Have Decided... The winner of NAESP’s second annual Principal’s Read Aloud Award is Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type (written by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Betsy Lewin). Over 900 principals from across the country voted for Click, Clack, Moo, a charming tale about Farmer Brown and his barn full of literate cows. The story was a close second at Horace Mann. Our students had chosen Dogzilla by Dav Pilkey (of Captain Underpants fame).

The Read Aloud Award program recognizes quality children’s books and encourages principals to read aloud to their students. The presentation of the Read Aloud Award will be made during NAESP’s Annual Convention and Exposition in Nashville on Sunday, April 6 at 2 p.m.

To begin the selection process for the 2009 award, I am asking for your nominations of a favorite title. If you have a book that you have enjoyed reading to children, please submit the title, author/illustrator, and publisher to me. I am looking for books that are currently in print and therefore readily available. Our principal organization looks forward to honoring great children’s books and appreciates your participation in the process.

Art Adventure Next week Kindergarten through 4^th grade students begin a month-long Art Adventure discovering animals from around the world. Amazing Animals in Art brings 8 pieces of art from the Minneapolis Institute of Art into your child's classroom. Art Adventure will offer students the chance to explore why artists create images and appreciate the different ways animals and art can be amazing.  Check out the Art Adventure map by the elevator to see an overview of the art your child will learn about this month. In March, students will tour the MIA to see the actual pieces of art. If your child loves Art Adventure, take advantage of the free Family Days offered at the MIA. Family Days include activities and performances in addition to free access to the museum. Upcoming events are:

• Sharing Africa on February 10,
• Cherry Blooms, Cranes Fly on March 9, and
• This Good Earth on April 13.

For more information see www.artsmia.org.

The Rewards of Reading You know how important it is to read to your children. Children whose families read with them do better in school. And the bonds that you make with your children when you read with them help them feel loved, comforted, and secure. Like most families, you want to read with your children, but somehow days can go by without you sitting down with them and opening a book.

The key is to make it a priority. Here are a few suggestions to help your children improve their reading skills.

• Fifteen minutes a day can change their lives. You may be surprised to know that educators recommend just 15 minutes a day of reading, as a minimum. Like exercise, of course, longer sessions are even more beneficial.
• Always have a book on hand, no matter where you are. Keep a small book in your purse or your car’s glove compartment. Or have a picture book or two in the baby’s stroller. Make sure that you and your children always have something to read when time is available.

A HUGE thank you to the following donors to Family Service Night Breadsmith, Cecil's Delicatessen, Cub Foods, and Korte's Supermarket for providing all of the food for our sandwich making station; to Margie Trojan for donating food handler gloves; to Judy Browne for donating labels; to Mrs. McNamara for loads of stickers; to Mrs. Long for talent and supplies; to Principal Litwin for his participation and support; and to Dairy Queen for donating free ice cream cones to all of our participants!  We are grateful for your generosity in helping to make the night a great success.  We also thank Lunds for providing treats that were served after speaker Dr. Jenny Friedman's presentation.  Finally, a great big thank you to Dr. Jenny Friedman of Doing Good Together for her many contributions to this event.

Thank You to Family Service Night Volunteers! We wish to extend our deepest thanks to the many volunteers that made the wonderful night possible: Michelle Thom, Melissa Kestner, Tracy Lane, Lynda Imholte, Andi Chang, Kristie Ellickson, Eileen Moening, Diedre McMahon, Tom Youness, Amy Bacskai, Kerrin Brelje, Sandy Benson, Karin Roof, Lucy Vulchanova Hart, Deanna Thompson, Kris Johnston, Niki Eischens, Cathy and Truman Stewart, Sandra Immerman and Ella Person, Cathy Paper, Anne Parker, Penny Norquist, Andrea McGee, Anne Rutherford, Scott Velders, and Peter Reis.  A very special thank you goes out to Lynda Imholte who made and donated 14 blankets herself!  Thank you!

With best wishes,

Chris Aerts and Sarah Johnson, Co-Chairs

Paul Johnson and Amy Stolpestad, Committee members

Site Council Agenda for Feb. 13 Meeting 5:00-7:00 p.m. in library. Safety & Security Plan in light of recent event- Will Waterkamp. School Construction Update and Discussion (entry remodel project). 2008-2009 Attendance Area Update and Discussion. Opportunity for Family Input into our School Comprehensive Improvement Plan.

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