PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE: STATE TESTING MAY 9-21
Kentucky Senate Bill 1, enacted in the 2009 Kentucky General Assembly, requires a new public school assessment program beginning in the 2011-12 school year. These assessments are collectively named the Kentucky Performance Rating for Educational Progress (K-Prep) tests. This new assessment system involves all students in grades three, four and five at Bowen Elementary and is a blended model built which consist of multiple choice, extended response and short answer items. All students in grades three through five will take tests in Reading and Math. Fourth graders take additional tests in Science and Language Mechanics. Fifth graders take additional tests in Social Studies and Writing. It is imperative that your child be well rested and fed a good breakfast prior to testing. Tired and hungry students do not test well. Also, children really do respond positively to parental encouragement. Scores from these tests matter in so many ways. First and foremost, they help us track individual student progress and help us identify specific areas to be addressed. Second, they provide school wide information that helps us design programs best suited to our students’ needs. And finally, scores are used by middle and high schools during the application process to help choose students for magnet and special programs. Scoring high on these tests does matter in so many ways. Here is the schedule:

	Wednesday, May 9			Thursday, May 10
Grade 3	Reading Part A	9:30-10:10		Reading Part C	9:30-10:10
	Reading Part B	1:00-1:35
Grade 4	Reading Part A	9:30-10:10		Reading Part C	9:30-10:10
	Reading Part B	10:35-11:15		Math Part A	11:00-11:40
Grade 5	Reading Part A	9:30-10:10		Reading Part C	9:30-10:35
	Reading Part B	10:30-11:20		Math Part A	11:05-11:45
	Friday, May 11
Grade 4	Math Part B	9:30-10:45
	Math Part C	1:30-1:55
Grade 5	Math Part B	9:30-10:45
	Math Part C	1:30-1:55
	Monday, May 14			Tuesday, May 15
Grade 3	Math Part A	9:30-10:10		Math Part B	9:30-10:15
				Math Part C	10:45-11:10
Grade 4	Science Part A	9:30-10:10		Science Part C	9:30-10:10
	Science Part B	10:30-11:25		Language	11:00-11:10
Grade 5	Social Stud. Part A	9:30-10:10		Writing Part A	9:30-10:00
	Social Stud. Part B	10:30-11:25		Writing Part B	10:15-11:45
	Social Stud. Part C	1:30-2:10

Please try to make outside appointments for your children outside the testing times. Thank you for your support as we help the students through this very important process.

NEW RULES FOR HONOR ROLL
Several years ago the Jefferson County Board of Education adopted a new grading system and report cards that caused us to reexamine the way we calculated grades and awarded honor roll.  Previously, the district used 12 week intervals for three report cards with 6 week interim progress reports in between. This was changed to a full report card that is now distributed to every student every six weeks for a total of six report cards during the year. In addition, the grading system was completely changed to a new system of performance and progress codes.  Conduct grades were changed to a number system instead of a letter system.  The shortened grading periods and revamped grading system left us no choice but to rewrite the standards and rules for awarding honor roll. 
 
The Bowen School Council in place at the time sent out a survey to parents requesting input on whether we should eliminate honor roll, continue with it as it existed in grades one through five or to restrict it to just grades three through five.  A similar survey was distributed to teachers and staff.  165 parents, representing 292 students, responded with the overwhelming majority wanting honor roll awards to continue.  The majority of teachers and staff agreed that honor roll was an important way to recognize student achievement and a good incentive for excellent work.  The Council agreed with the majority and elected to continue to award honor roll.  After much discussion, it was decided that honor roll would be restricted to grades three thorugh five. The new grading system (ex. C=satisfactory) and the shortened grading periods make honor roll developmentally inappropriate for early primary students who are just beginning to read well and master basic concepts. Students in early primary classes Kindergarten through two will still be eligible for other awards such as perfect attendance, excellent attendance, outstanding citizenship, and in class awards to honor subject area achievements. So here are the award standards that will be used this year:
 
Bowen Elementary will recognize year long achievements in the following categories at a ceremony at the end of the school year on May 30, 2012.
 
HONOR ROLL - Students in grades three through five receiving this award must have had honor roll level grades for all six of the grading periods this school year.  A student in grades four and five must have more A’s than B’s and nothing less than a B in any category and nothing less than a “3” in any conduct area all year long. A student in grade 3 (P4) must have more O’s than S’s and nothing less than an S in any category.
 
PERFECT ATTENDANCE - Students in all grades receiving this award must have had perfect attendance the entire year.  This means that a student must not have been absent or tardy at all.
 
EXCELLENT ATTENDANCE - Students in all grades receiving this award can have missed only two days or less and had less than three tardies for the year.
 
BOWEN CITIZENSHIP AWARD - One student in each class in all grades will be presented this award for outstanding citizenship for the entire year as decided by the classroom teacher.
 
SCHEDULE FOR AWARDS CEREMONIES MAY 30
9:15 a.m.      P1 (kindergarten)
10:15 a.m.    P2 (grade 1)
2 p.m.           P3 (grade 2)
2:30 p.m.      P4 (grade 3)
3 p.m.           Grade 4
Awards will be given to fifth graders at graduation.
 
FIFTH GRADE GRADUATION MAY 25
Fifth grade graduation will be held on Friday, May 25 at 7 p.m. in the Fine Arts Building at Ballard High School. Ballard is located at 6000 Brownsboro Road (see directions below). Fifth graders are the only class that graduates at Bowen. We have outgrown our own facilities with the huge crowds of parents at graduation and had to move to Ballard where there are 800 seats. We had to work around Ballard’s activity schedule which is the reason graduation does not fall on the last day of school. Please remember that the last day of school is Wednesday, May 30 and fifth graders are expected to return for the final days after graduation. We have many exciting activities planned for them that they will not want to miss. See you at graduation!
 
Directions to Ballard from the Lyndon area: Turn right onto Lagrange Road and proceed to Lyndon Lane.  Turn right at Lyndon Lane and bear left as you approach Gattiland in the shopping center.  Lyndon Lane becomes Herr Lane at the intersection with Westport Road.  Stay straight through the intersection and proceed until you see Ballard High School on the right.  The Fine Arts Center is in the rear of the school across from the football field.
A huge thanks goes to Ballard Principal Jim Jury for letting us use his school!
 
BOWEN DADS’ CLUB BOWLING BASH MAY 20
The newly formed Bowen Dads’ Club is sponsoring a special family event at the Strike Zone Bowling Center on Sunday, May 20 at 2 p.m. This event is designed to get more dads involved in school activities. We understand that some dads may be out of town or unavailable so we have broadened our definition of “Bowen Dad” to include grandfathers, uncles, stepdads or other significant males who are important in the lives of our kids. Sorry, no moms allowed at this event. The price is $10 per person which includes three games and rental shoes. More information will be sent home soon.

PTA FAMILY FUN NIGHT AT THE DRIVE-IN THEATER MAY 3
Back by popular demand is another Bowen PTA Family Fun Night at the Georgeotown Drive-In Theater. This time around we have scheduled a special night of classic cartoons and the movie Dr. Suess’ The Lorax rated PG. Admission is $15 per carload and gates open at 7:30 p.m. The show will begin at dusk. There is a second movie but it is not sponsored by the school. You are welcome to stay if you choose for the second movie at no additional charge. Drive-in movie night is one of the most popular events of the school year. We hope to see you there!

Directions to the Georgetown Drive-In: I-64 West to the Georgetown Exit #118. Turn right at the bottom of the ramp and drive three miles. Theater on the right in Georgetown, Indiana. (It will be easier this year with the Sherman Minton Bridge reopened.)

MRS. BARNES PRESENTS  CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY MAY 29
Mrs. Barnes’ fifth grade class will present Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on Tuessday, May 30 at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.on our stage!  Everyone is invited!

CLUSTER TRACK MEET MAY 11
Bowen students in grades three, four and five will have the opportunity to represent our school in the cluster track meet on Friday, May 11, beginning at 6 p.m. at Eastern High School, 12400 Old Shelbyville Road.  Students are grouped according to age to compete in running, jumping and throwing events. Bowen PE Teacher Janice Gibson will serve as our school’s coach. Sign up forms have already been sent home and over 90 students are signed up. This is an excellent way for your child to be a part of a team, participate in athletics, and get a ribbon for achievement. The event sponsors do their best to make all participants feel like winners. Bowen has done well at past meets and always has the biggest and most vocal fan section. Come cheer on our kids!
 
NO SCHOOL MAY 22
School is closed on Tuesday, May 22 for Primary Elections.
 
NO SCHOOL MAY 28
There will be no school on Monday, May 28. This is Memorial Day and schools are closed.
 
2012-13 CALENDAR
The school calendar for the 2012-13 school year is now available on line at the Jefferson County Public Schools web site. Click on: www.jefferson.k12.ky.us  The calendar can be accessed at the top of the page. Please review the calendar before making vacation plans so your child does not miss school and fall behind in his or her studies.
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BOWEN KINDERGARTEN MUSICAL PROGRAM MAY 10
The Bowen kindergarten classes will perform a musical program for parents on Thursday, May 10 at 7 p.m. in the school auditorium. Everyone is invited!  Bring a camera as they do not stay little forever!

BOWEN BAND CONCERT MAY 14 AT BALLARD
The Bowen Band will present an end of the year concert on Thursday, May 14 at 6:30 p.m. at Ballard High School. This concert will be a joint presentation featuring band students from Bowen, Norton and Kammerer. Everyone is invited!

BOWEN ORCHESTRA CONCERT MAY 10
The Bowen Orchestra will present an end of the year concert on Thursday, May 10 at 6:30 p.m. at Bowen. The students have worked very hard this year to improve their musical skills and look forward to showing you how they have improved. Everyone is invited!
 
DRESS CODE AT SCHOOL
As the weather warms up, I want to remind you that Bowen does have a dress code that requires students to wear clothing that is safe and appropriate for school. This means no tube tops, bare stomachs, or really short shorts. (As principal, I am the judge of what is and is not appropriate. I am conservative on this issue. I want the kids to look like kids.) Students should wear gym shoes on P.E.day. Our school does not allow sagging pants and belts must be worn if belt loops are on the pants. Shoes must be tied and shirts are to be right side out. Again, this is an elementary school and students should look like kids. Girls should not wear make-up or put odd color in their hair. This goes for the boys too! Hats can be worn to school but must be removed while in the building. Roller skate shoes and flip flops are also not allowed. Teaching students good personal habits now will help them as adults.
 
IMPORTANT: BUS RULE
Walkmans, radios or hand held games are not allowed on the bus. If spotted, these items will be confiscated and turned in to the principal’s office.  Parents will have to contact Mr.Tyra to arrange the return of any item taken.
 
LAST DAY FOR LIBRARY BOOK RETURN IS MAY 1
The last day to return books to our school library is Monday, May 1. Our librarian needs time to conduct an inventory and make sure all books are accounted for before we close the library for the summer. Notices of missing library books will be sent home once we have determined the exact inventory. Please help us locate and account for every book!
 
LAST DAY FOR LUNCH CHARGES MAY 3
The last day for students to have charges for lunch or breakfast is Thursday, May 3.  All student accounts must be paid in full before the end of the year. Notices of outstanding balances will be sent home this week. If for some reason your child forgets lunch money, a standard lunch of a cheese sandwich, vegetable and milk will be provided. We would never let a child go hungry. Charges are not encouraged. Our cafeteria must operate without financial loss so good management of student accounts is appreciated.
 
THANK YOU BOWEN PTA!
Thank you Bowen PTA for another outstanding year!  Thank you for your generous sponsorship of our family fun nights, the book fairs, the skating parties, the AR parties, and all of the other events that helped make our time at school fun!  Thank you for the purchases you made of new library books, new computer equipment and the thousands of dollars you provided for classroom supplies and activities.  Thanks for decorating the school for the holidays and for organizing another wonderful yearbook!  Thanks for all you do to enrich the lives of our students and for making Bowen a family friendly school!  A special thanks to PTA President Andrea Delaney and her board (Amy Hilpp, Kim Colwick, Mindy Jett, Jen Buono and Amy Blocker) for the hundreds of hours they donated to the cause of our students!  Thanks to every PTA parent who supported our students through their donation of time. Your efforts have touched the lives of everyone in our school and you are appreciated!

BELATED CONGRATULATIONS!
Last month, this newsletter recognized all of the school winners in the 2012 Mayor’s Cup Academic Competition. Due to an error, one name was left off the list. Congratulations to Andie H. for her 4th place finish in Language Arts. Her top scores helped our team win the overall championship!

CONGRATULATIONS TO PTA REFLECTIONS WINNER!
Evey R., a fourth grader in Ms. Graham’s class, has had her theme search entry selected as one of five winners for the Kentucky PTA Reflections Contest. Her entry will move to national judging where we wish her the best of luck. She will be recognized by the Kentucky PTA on May 19 in Lexington.

RETIREMENT OF MRS. CLARK
Mrs. Denise Clark, one of our fifth grade teachers, announced recently that she will be retiring at the end of this school year from JCPS after more than 20 years in the classroom. Mrs. Clark came to Bowen from Atkinson Elementary located in Louisville’s inner city. Mrs. Clark is well known for treating her students with the highest level of respect and loving care. It was clear to anyone who visited her classroom that she truly loved her students and gave her best effort to help them achieve. Schools today are often judged solely on the latest test scores they post. Watching Denise Clark perform her teaching duties over the past few years has shown us all that there is so much more to education than a test result. Students, with their varied backgrounds, beliefs, talents and troubles cannot be reduced and described simply by how they perform on multiple choice questions. Mrs. Clark welcomed all who came to her room, met them at their readiness levels and demonstrated to them that there was at least one adult at school who cared about them unconditionally. She was a master at teaching life’s lessons and there is no doubt that her impact will be felt for years to come. Thank you, Mrs. Clark!