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Former Murray standout wins state title in North Carolina page 1B www.osceolaiowa.com
154 YEARS • NO. 51
OSCEOLA, IOWA 50213
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2014
SINGLE COPY PRICE: 75¢
Stephens defends graduation portfolio, but guidelines could change at later dates By AMY HANSEN
OST news editor • ahansen@osceolaiowa.com
Imagine taking a huge stack and cutting it down to the most important pieces. It makes the necessary items quicker and easier to find and work on. That’s what could be done to Clarke Community High School’s graduation portfolio. During a Dec. 8 Clarke School B o a r d meeting, S h a n e Stephens, Clarke’s high school principal, d e f e n d e d Stephens the requirement of the graduation portfolio for students. Frustrations with the portfolio have stemmed from board members who voiced the concerns they had been hearing about the necessity of the portfolio. “I took that to heart,” Stephens said. “(I) went back over and talked to the teachers, particularly (the) language arts teachers who do believe that this portfolio does have merit, and I do, too.” However, Stephens mentioned school surveys have shown that 99 percent of participants said the senior portfolio is causing a lot of stress — for teachers and students. Still a valuable resource But, through a series of discussions, school officials decided that getting rid of the senior portfolio altogether wasn’t the right solution because it is a valuable resource for students. What will happen is be-
tween now and the beginning of next school year— most likely by June— the details of what will stay or be eliminated in the graduation portfolio will be worked out. Stephens discussed streamlining the most important aspects of the portfolio and getting rid of work that only seems to bog students down with their time. “A lot of what I said at the first board meeting, the fluff has got to go,” he said. Stephens said students will still be using their work time in their advisory program, but school officials are looking into changing the name of advisory to a more “positive, hip slogan.” This could be something along the lines of an acronym called “CARE” that starts with “Clarke.” Current upperclassmen As for the current seniors at Clarke, the guidelines of the portfolio will continue to stay the same for graduation requirements. Stephens addressed questions about the junior class and all the work they have done for three years. A solution would be to “grandfather in” the work of the upperclassmen as the new changes to the portfolio go into effect. “As for now, the plan is we are not doing away with it,” he said. “It’s just going to change quite a bit, and I can’t in a week’s time, two weeks’ time, really say ‘this is what our plan is.’” Stephens said if board members have suggestions about what kind of changes would be advantageous, they should bring it to him. “It takes time and effort away from what really should matter. But, I agree,” said Gerard Linskens, Clarke School Board president.
OST photo by AMY HANSEN
Roger Day, a Nashville-based singer and songwriter, performs his song “Dream Big” to Clarke Community Elementary students Tuesday, Dec. 9.
Musical mix Musician Roger Day visits Clarke elementary as artist in the school By AMY HANSEN
OST news editor ahansen@osceolaiowa.com
Dream big. That was one of the messages Nashville-based singer and songwriter Roger Day was telling Clarke Community Elementary students during a performance at the elementary school Tuesday, Dec. 9. As for Day’s message, it came across loud and clear. “During that show, I sing a lot of the songs that I’ve written that just encourages the kids to use their imagination and look at the world a little differently. It’s fun stuff,” Day said in an interview before his first performance. Last school year, a couple of third grade classrooms Skyped with Day through the program “Skype in the Classroom.” This meant he had already met many Clarke students online as a guest presenter.
Through the success of Skype, Clarke Area Arts Council decided to invite Day to the school district and sponsor him as “artist in the schools.” Day has performed in 43 states, but this will be his first trip to Iowa. Performances At Clarke, Day had two performances for the elementary students. The first was his “Dream Big” show for students in kindergarten through second grade. The program for the younger children encouraged them to sing loud, jump high and dream big, while also incorporating life lessons that are also found in the school’s Leader in Me curriculum. The second performance about songwriting was for the upper-elementary students in third through sixth grade. “What I do is demonstrate the creative writing steps that I follow as a
songwriter, and hopefully, what the kids will see is that it’s the same thing that they’re doing,” Day said. “We brainstorm, we get main ideas, we have to edit. I do the same thing as a songwriter that they do as new story writers.” One of Day’s important lessons is to show students what they are learning now can be used when they become adults. “I always love to throw in vocabulary words and, so while they might not realize it, they’re learning as they’re performing and getting involved in the songs,” he said. Upbeat energy As for delivering the right message across to children in an entertaining manner, Day said the key is getting them involved — hand motions, dancing, engaging their imaginations. Please see ROGER DAY, Page 4
OST photo by AMY HANSEN
Flag essay: Clarke students receive their awards during a ceremony for American Legion
OST photo by AMY HANSEN
Celebration day: Lacey Rebertus, left, and Riley Smith do a special dance during a
Davis-Pence Post 69’s fifth grade flag essay contest Thursday, Dec. 11, at the elementary school. The three winners are pictured with their accolades and members of the American Legion. Pictured, front row, from left are Saiyam Bhakta (first place), Breanna Selsor (second place) and Savannah Swanson (third place). The members of the American Legion pictured are Steve Niebur, John Sharp, Dave Gorsline and Stack Samuelson. SINGLE COPY PRICE: 75¢
Copyright 2014
Index Obituary........................3 Editorial.........................4 Church Directory....... 3B Classifieds................ 6-7
Neighbors.....................5 Public Notices.......... 5-6 Record..........................2 Sports................... 1B-2B
segment about the importance of brain activity at the first ever Clarke Community Middle School’s Leader in Me Celebration Day Friday, Dec. 12, in the high school auditorium. The assembly focused on celebrating student achievements and working toward making stronger leaders for the future.
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Don’t Forget
Clarke County Hospital Auxiliary book fair
The book fair is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today in the hospital cafeteria.
lowed by afternoon sun. the mid 30s and lows in lowed by afternoon sun. the mid 20s. CHECK OUT OSCEOLAIOWA.COM FOR DAILY UPDATED NEWS, DEATH NOTICES AND SPORTS.