“A Place to Belong"
“Quality Education for a Lifetime of Learning"
Serving the Iowa Communities of: Atkins ~ Blairstown ~ Elberon ~ Keystone Newhall ~ Norway ~ Van Horne ~ Watkins www.benton.k12.ia.us
Mission Benton Community Schools
“Quality Education for a Lifetime of Learning"
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Welcome Welcome from Gary Zittergruen, Superintendent: The Benton Community School District provides outstanding opportunities for its 1450 students. From a caring, committed professional staff of teachers and administrators to excellent and safe learning facilities, from the fine arts to athletics, Benton Community provides an environment where children feel they belong. The great success of our students is directly related to the quality of the teachers and support staff at Benton. Our employees take pride in their commitment to quality education. They just don’t teach, but they are actively involved in the development of each student. They are also involved in developing their own professional skills. Also important to student success is the dedication and commitment of the Board of Education, parents, patrons, and every individual who plays an integral role in the growth and development of the school community’s young people. Their contributions ensure that Benton Community is a place to grow and learn. The goal of the school district is to make sure students are college and career ready as they graduate and shape them in their important role as outstanding citizens. The most important factor that helps make Benton Community successful is the expectation that students do their best and that the school community does its best to help them. That cooperation creates an environment where everyone can succeed because of common aspirations and goals. Benton Community believes and practices its mission – to provide a “quality education for a lifetime of learning”. The core values of educational excellence, a caring environment, continuous growth, and team work provide the framework and support for our important work. Benton Community is a place to enjoy! It’s a place that lets you get involved in things that really matter – the education of our children, the development of the community, and the quality of life. Perhaps the best way to find out about Benton Community is to talk to the people who live here. The reasons that brought them here and the reasons they stay show why Benton Community is a “place to belong”. 3
District Info District Communities: Atkins, Blairstown, Elberon, Keystone, Newhall, Norway, Van Horne and Watkins District Education Facilities (2015-2016 School Year): Atkins Elementary PK-3 Keystone Elementary PK-3 Norway Elementary 4-6 Middle/High School 7-12 Elementary Class Size Average: 19.5 students per teacher Enrollment/Staffing: 1,420 Students 114 Teachers/9 Administrators District Size: 330 square miles encompassing most of of southern Benton County and portions of Iowa and Tama County
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District Info Financial Information: District Property Valuation for FY2018 District Total Property Tax Rate State Average Property Tax Rate Income Surtax Rate
$602,917,124 12.18 13.83 4%
District Professional Development: The Benton CSD was one of 39 school districts in the State of Iowa implementing the Teacher Leadership System in 2014-2015. Collaborative Learning Teams are part of the culture of professional development creating a professional learning community. The District is participating in the Literacy Project sponsored through the Iowa Department of Education. The District is implementing PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Support) training throughout the school system. The District is working on the integration of the Common Core related to curriculum, instruction and assessment. Teachers are being trained at all levels on technology integration including 1:1 implementation at the 7-12 level. Benton Community is participating in the Eastern Iowa Compact initiative focused on innovation in a student and learner centered school environment. Summary of Full-Time Certified Staff: BA Level 35.4 BA +12 Level 8.5 BA +24 Level 7 MA Level 35.8 MA +15 Level 13 MA +30 Level 5 MA +45 Level 8
Percentage: 31.4 7.5 6.2 31.8 11.5 4.4 7.1
55% of the professional teaching staff have a Master’s Degree or above
Home of the Bobcats 5
District Technology Benton Community uses technology in a variety of ways to support an innovative and engaging educational program. Teachers, at all grade levels, consistently use technology as a tool to enhance classroom instruction and engage students in the learning process. Our District is committed to providing the resources necessary for staff and students to be competitive in the 21st Century. Whether it’s a firstt grader learning basic math or a senior creating a project for our 3d printer, Benton Community will strive to find and utilize the appropriate tools to enrich these and other activities. We envision a district with administrators, staff, and students using technology daily in a one to one environment. Currently all middle school and high school students have an iPAD and use it to complete assignments, collaborate on projects, and gather and process information in a variety of ways. Also, plans are in the works to provide an appropriate 1:1 device to elementary students in the near future. Increased student engagement, added relevancy of the subject matter, and the development of skills that will be needed once these students are in the real world remain the focus of this 1:1 program.
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Facility Improvement Summer of 2007 - The major infrastructure projects included the construction of the fitness center & access road at the MS/HS, the installation of an elevator and other work at the Norway Center, a new parking lot addition at the MS/HS and major kitchen improvements at the Atkins and Norway Centers. Summer of 2008 - The major infrastructure projects included the construction of a district storage building, expansion of the VH Center, remodeling of Central Office, and air-conditioning the Atkins and Keystone Centers. Atkins Center Project Competed in Fall of 2009 - A $6.675 million dollar sales tax and revenue bond resolution paved the way for an early childhood, six classroom addition and remodeling of the existing classrooms throughout the entire building. A new entrance wing was added to the front of the building including a new, expanded media center, computer lab, and office complex. Keystone Center Project Completed in 2009-2010 – This renovation project included a classroom, computer lab, and staff work room addition to the building. Summer of 2010 - At the Norway Center, the District installed air conditioning units and replaced windows in areas of the building completing a commitment to have all of our buildings air conditioned. Stadium, Fine Arts Wing, and Gym Renovation Project Completed in Fall of 2012 – This renovation project includes a new eight lane track, synthetic turf field, new lighting and new bleachers. The auditorium had new seating, lighting, and sound system installed. It also includes a renovation of the fine arts wing and new bleachers in the gymnasium. This project does not increase property taxes for patrons of the Benton Community School District. The district has spent approximately $5.5 million dollars in PPEL projects during the past ten years. In all, the District has committed over $20 million dollars in infrastructure improvements in the past 14 years. Benton Community will continue to rely on the sales tax revenues from the State Penny program to continue planning and improving school facilities and learning environments. 7
BC Teacher Leadership During the 2014-15 Benton Community School District was one of 39 districts approved in the state to participate in the state’s first teacher-leadership (TLC) program through a $50 million legislative appropriation. The vision for teacher leadership at Benton Community is to:
Foster a culture of collaboration, shared accountability and continuous improvement among adults. Developing a greater capacity and commitment to differentiate instruction to meet students’ needs.
The program gives teachers a new career path opportunity in which they coach their peers to improve instruction. TLC allows teachers to work in greater collaboration with colleagues and learn from each other instead of operating largely in isolation in their classrooms. The underpinning concept of the legislation is that when students engage with great teachers, their education improves. #BCTLT works with administration to help teachers learn more by better meeting their individual and system collective needs. With higher expectations for students, it’s no longer realistic for one principal to provide all the instructional leadership in a school. Teacher and principal leadership teams can support the more complex work required to prepare students for a knowledge-based economy. Six Benton Community teachers moved into full-time positions during the 2014-15 school year. Two of these positions are a hybrid of curriculum and professional development leadership as well as instructional coaching. The other four positions are full-time instructional coaches within the district. Twenty-one classroom
teachers were chosen as model teachers. These positions remain in the classroom full-time, as well work with beginning and career teachers to model effective teaching strategies or lend advice in extending learning of a concept in conjunction with Instructional Coaches. 8
BC Teacher Leadership Below are a few comments teachers who has been involved in a coaching cycle are reporting, “It has allowed me to look at my teaching and go a little deeper in my instruction. This has been impacted my work with students. When working with an IC, they collaborate with us and listen to our ideas and make suggestions from those conversations.” “I have timely feedback about my teaching as well as time to reflect on how I feel things are going. I have found the types of questions asked to be really beneficial in getting me to reflect deeply on not only things I feel need improved, but also the things which are going well.” “Having another set of eyes to see my classes when I’m struggling or maybe not seeing the same perspective as someone else has been instrumental in creating a student-centered classroom.”
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Atkins Elementary Welcome to Atkins Elementary. We are located on the eastern side of the Benton Community School District in Atkins, Iowa. Our school serves the communities of Atkins, Newhall, and Norway and surrounding areas. My name is Jason West and I am proud to be serving as principal of Atkins Elementary as well as a resident and member of the Bobcat Community. We continue to have had great support for our District, Board and our PTA. Our building has had many new updates over the last few years including an Early Childhood addition which includes Preschool and Kindergarten classrooms, a new media area, and updates throughout all of our classrooms. We have continued to update our curriculum and use of technology in all of our classrooms. Computer labs, mobile labs, IPADs, and Interactive Boards will continue to enhance our student’s academic experience. Our district also focuses on PBIS which includes being RESPECTFUL, RESPONSIBLE, CARING, and SAFE Bobcats. Our staff is very dedicated to ensuring success for your children both academically and socially. We serve nearly 300 students in Preschool through 3rd grade. Please feel free to contact us with any questions regarding our Atkins facility. Sincerely, Jason West, Atkins Elementary Principal
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Atkins Elementary
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Keystone Elementary Welcome to Keystone Elementary The staff and I want to welcome you to Keystone Elementary located on the western side of the Benton Community School District. We are committed to providing a high quality education for our students in grades Preschool – 3rd grade. Your child will receive an academically rigorous curriculum in all core areas along with an emphasis on technology and 21st century skills. We also believe in developing the whole child to be productive citizens and we strive to model the beliefs of our Mission Statement: Quality Education for a Lifetime of Learning. Keystone Elementary is A Place to Belong. Our teachers and staff are dedicated to the partnership we share with our families and community. Parents and community are encouraged to get involved in our school activities and our wonderful Parent Teacher Organization, PTO. It is my belief that strong parental and community involvement, in conjunction with dedicated teachers and staff, will result in successful students. Our teaching staff holds high expectations for the academic success of each child. We provide lessons aligned to the Common Core in Math, Literacy, and Science. We also provide extensive work in the areas of Social Studies, Language Arts, Writing, and Technology. We have an exemplary program in the areas of Guidance, Art, Music, and Physical Education. I invite you to explore our website to learn more about our instructional programs at Keystone Elementary. The faculty and staff at Keystone Elementary are proud of our school and our accomplishments. We are committed to creating an environment where students feel welcome, appreciated, and challenged to do their best each day. We are excited about the unlimited possibilities that we have here for our students at Keystone Elementary. Thank you for your support of our efforts. I look forward to working together with you in the education of your children. Sincerely, Ryan Junge, Keystone Principal
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Keystone Elementary
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Norway Elementary Welcome to Norway Elementary The Norway Elementary Center is the largest of the Benton Community School’s elementary buildings and is located on the southeast side of the district. We currently educate and challenge the district’s 4 th-6th grade students. We offer our students a vast variety of curricular components that concentrate highly on balanced literacy, math, science and writing. Norway Elementary has a strong vocal music and band program to help create well-rounded citizens. Technology is also an important component, and we are well on our way to preparing students for the 21st Century. At Norway we have a student-friendly mission statement: “Norway Students care about being safe, responsible, respectful, and have fun while learning.” This is the heart of our Positive Behavior Support program implemented building-wide in our district. Character is a dominant theme that permeates the Norway building. At Norway Elementary, children come first, and our dedicated staff works diligently to make sure all students are successful. We accomplish this through staff Data Teams, Differentiation, Child Study Teams, MultiTiered Systems of Support and Collaborative Learning Teams. Norway Center Information Norway strives to meet the needs of all learners. The following is a list of a variety of opportunities we offer to support learner differences. We are always seeking new and innovative programs that are research-based programs.
STEM Classroom ELL (English Language Learners) TAG (Talented and Gifted) Technology Integration Differentiation MTSS Benchmark Literacy Envisions Math Special Education Title I Reading and Math PBIS (Building Wide Positive Behavior Supports) PTO (Parent-Teacher Organization)
Most sincerely, Rob Arnold, Norway Center Principal 14
Norway Elementary
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Middle School Welcome to Benton Community Middle School. A 1 to 1 school with iPads. The focus of the 1:1 iPad program at Benton Community Middle School (BCMS) is to provide necessary tools and resources for a progressive learning environment, characterized by flexibility, collaboration, personalization, creativity, and a technology-rich learning. At BCMS, technology will be integrated throughout the educational program in a seamless and timely fashion. The 1:1 iPad setting empowers students and teachers to use technology much like the work world, accessing and using purposeful technology-based tools anytime a task calls for them. Learning at BCMS is a continuous dynamic interaction among students, educators, parents, and the extended community. Implementation of a 1:1 iPad initiative enables anywhere, anytime learning that is no longer limited by the four walls of a classroom or building. Purposeful technology integration liberates teachers from being deliverers of content and, instead, allows them to be facilitators of deep, individualized learning for all students. Our Middle School Staff is dedicated to providing a trusting environment in which students will feel physically and emotionally safe, as well as be afforded the opportunity to learn in many different situations. If you have any questions regarding the Middle School, please contact the school. We look forward to helping your child learn and grow. Sincerely, Kal Goodchild, Middle School Principal
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Middle School
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High School Welcome to Benton Community High School! Benton Community High School is a comprehensive high school of approximately 500 students with a building staff of almost 70 individuals dedicated to creating the best learning environment possible for our students. Our faculty and staff are committed to providing students with a rigorous and relevant curriculum in student centered, 1 to 1 (iPad) classrooms. Our teachers are highly qualified professionals who guide student understanding and assess the learning that progresses while accommodating for student differences. Academic areas include a broad range of courses that prepare students for post-secondary goals while creating interest in career fields. Students at Benton Community experience these courses in a block schedule where instruction facilitates deep conceptual and procedural knowledge. Benton students attain more college credits in high school than most of the schools in our region. Most of these college credit courses are taught on site by our teachers. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities are plentiful at Benton Community High School. We believe these activities are an extension of the classroom and provide valuable life lessons and learning for students. These activities build positive leaders and allow students to get involved and meet new people. We are very proud of our students and school yet continue to strive for academic excellence. It is our belief that working with parents and community members in partnership will create a learning environment that is stimulating, rigorous, and supportive. Please see for yourself why Benton Community High School is considered a great place to learn and grow. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at: (319) 228-8701, ext. 350. Sincerely, James Bieschke, Principal
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High School
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High School Academic Opportunities In addition to core courses in Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Benton Community offers many educational opportunities: Upper Level Core Courses Physics; Calculus; Chemistry Art Drawing; Painting; Photography Career & Tech Education Agriculture; Business & Technology; Family & Consumer Science; Industrial Technology; Foreign Language Spanish Vocal & Instrumental Music Concert Choir; Concert Band Concurrent College Credit Courses taught at Benton Course Name Digital Imaging Intro to Computers Fundamentals of Web Programming Introduction to Engineering Design Principles of Engineering Digital Electronics Biotechnical Engineering Civil Engineering Composition I Composition II Fundamentals of Oral Communication Intermediate Spanish I Intermediate Spanish II Metal Fabrication Academy Auto Technology Health Science Academy Intro to Psychology Developmental Psychology Intro to Sociology
Department Art Business and Technology Business and Technology Engineering Engineering Engineering Engineering Engineering English English English World Language (Spanish) World Language (Spanish) Kirkwood Kirkwood Kirkwood Kirkwood Kirkwood Kirkwood
Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) college courses are also available for qualified high school students.
Internship & Job Shadow Opportunities
TAG & Special Education Programs also available to students 20
High School Extra-Curricular Activities Athletics
Activities
Baseball Basketball Cheerleading Cross Country Dance Team Football Golf Soccer Softball Track & Field Volleyball Wrestling
Art Club FCCLA FFA Foreign Language Club Journalism/Yearbook National Honor Society Robotics Student Council Fine Arts Jazz Band Marching Band/Flags Pep Band Chamber Choir Concert Choir Show Choirs Plays/Musicals Speech
Home of the Bobcats 21
Benton Community
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A Place to Belong
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Benton Community School District 304 First Street Van Horne, Iowa 52346 Phone: (319) 228-8701 Fax: (319) 228-8254 Website: www.benton.k12.ia.us
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