Superintendent's Message for January 2024

Hello, Chargers - Happy New Year!!!

I guess I am a little late on this message considering the week we have just had but I wanted you to know my philosophy and protocol when deciding school delays and cancellations during inclement weather conditions. My practice is to decide in the morning whether we should have school or not. If the decision can be made earlier, I will do so for families to make plans. I work with area Superintendents, my transportation staff, and use weather radar and forecast information to make the best possible decision for our district and the safety of our students and staff.. As you know, Iowa weather patterns change quickly, so plan accordingly. My philosophy is that parents have the final decision to send their children to school.  As a parent, you know your child’s driving ability and the roads they travel regularly.  There is nobody better to make this decision than you and we will support your decision regarding your child's safety. 

School Business and School Board Highlights 

We have many projects and improvements happening around the school district.  Here is the Project update 1/8/23

Ms. Castillo Ocampo, our Spanish teacher, was approved to begin having parent meetings and fundraising efforts for the Spanish Club trip to Costa Rica in 2025. (Adult Program/Student Program)  The students and their fundraising will fund this trip.  There will be no cost to the school district. Thanks for presenting this program to the Board for approval and offering this experience to our students and their families.  

The School Board approved Modified Allowable Growth Dropout Prevention Application – Dropout Prevention modified supplemental amount (MSA) grants the district the spending authority for the Dropout/At-Risk program.  Dropout prevention is funded by a 75% grant of spending authority funded by local taxes and 25% by district-provided matching funds.  This request allows the district to include the full amount in the budget for FY 2025, the upcoming fiscal year.  This is an annual process the district must go through to receive the funds. The requested amount for the at-risk/dropout prevention program levy is $270,112.  This is an increase from last year, when we asked for $254,452.  

Virtual Learning Days

With all the weather lately, we have had an exciting start to the new year.  We had planned to finalize an overall virtual learning plan to be released and publicized. This still will take place but we wanted it out before all this weather took place.  It will contain basic knowledge of the days and their use. We will also send a survey to parents to determine whether they support virtual learning days or have missed school days at the end of the school year. We have four virtual learning days left of the five State approved ones we are able to utilize this school year.  We will use them when we have time to notify students and parents in advance from this point on.  When we have a virtual learning day it will count as a full day of school because it contains instruction, work completion, and attendance and participation for the day. All specific information and directions will come directly from your child’s attendance center from their teacher and Principal through our Parent Square communication system. 

Celebrations

Senior McKenzie Snook eclipsed the 1,000 point total in a game on December 15th against EBF. Three days later, Snook became the All-Time scoring leader in CHS history, surpassing the 1,025 mark set previously by Ivy Swarthout. Tatyana Allen-Winston also set a record of her own by grabbing 20 rebounds in a single game. McKenzie is pictured below with her parents Jeanna and Josh Snook.

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Congratulations goes out to Mason Smith who was selected to the Iowa Football Coaches Association Academic team.  He is pictured below with his Coach Curt Smyser.

Finally Charger Nation would like to thank Paul and Leslie Goldsmith for buying pizza for the girls and boys basketball team after a game.  Paul can also be found volunteering running the shot clock for our teams at our home games.  We appreciate Paul and all of our volunteers that help make our students’ experiences great!.  

GO CHARGERS and THINK BIG !!!!  

Mr. Baker  #LBE

Phone - 641-774-5967

Email- brad.baker@chariton.k12.ia.us

Twitter -  @Super_Charger