Crescent Elementary Receives Book Donation from UNO
District Mourns Loss of Abraham Lincoln High School Student
District Mourns Loss of Former Thomas Jefferson High School Students
East End Band Concert Held at Abraham Lincoln
Free Immunization Clinic for Children
High School Speech Students Advance to State Competition
January Employees of the Month Honored at Board Meeting
Kirn, Edison, Bloomer, and Hoover Place in Recycling Contest
Nelson Family Foundation Seeks Nominations for "Excellence in Teaching Awards"
Parents of Pre-School Children Invited to Meet about the Kindergarten Experience
ROTC Drill Meet Held at Abraham Lincoln
Start! Wellness Screening Held Wednesday January 21st
High School Speech Students Advance to State Competition
On January 24, Abraham Lincoln hosted schools from throughout the southwest region of the state for the IHSSA district contest. 8 student events from Thomas Jefferson and 4 from Abraham Lincoln earned "I" ratings and the opportunity to advance to state competition in Des Moines, which will be held at Valley High School on February 7. Abraham Lincoln students are coached by Dirk Waller, and Thomas Jefferson students are coached by Jane Hanigan-Kinney. Connie Jo Podendorf, veteran community theater actor and director, assists both groups, while Jason DeLong, former Thomas Jefferson drama standout and theater actor himself, choreographs the musical theatre events.
Events from Thomas Jefferson advancing to state include:
TV News featuring Kylene Carlson, Austin Hennings, Kayleigh Holton, Alejandra Martinez, Charity Oswald, Cody Stites, Rosa Walkingstick
Musical Theatre/Fully Dressed featuring
Madison Bravo, Hayley Hendrickson, Kendra Kane, David Kousgaard, Courtney Ruff
Musical Theatre/Music Man featuring Andrea Bentzinger, Stephanie Bryen, Justina DeLong, Kayleigh Holton, Cody Stites, Rosa Walkingstick
Musical Theatre/A Stud & a Babe featuring Kyle McGlade, Brittany Scott
Improv Team featuring Brederick Bryant,
Nathan Kammrad, Ndzi Tante
Ensemble Acting featuring Kyle McGlade, Brittany Scott
Radio News/KOFE featuring Andrea Bentzinger, Savannah Hunter, Amanda McClure, Ryan Micke, Charity Oswald
Radio News/WAKE featuring Stephanie Bryen, Justina DeLong, David Kousgaard
Alejandra Martinez, Steve Ritenour,
Leah Wright
Events from Abraham Lincoln advancing to state include:
Choral Reading featuring Brian Williams, Jordan Kinney, Allison Goldapp, Ally Evens, Bailey Kinney, Jordan Rehfeldt, Ashley Jones-Landon, Shreeya Patel
Readers' Theatre featuring Rose Daugherty, Quinn Powell, Melanie Krohn
Jordan Kinney, Allison Goldapp, Ally Evens, Alex Brown, Jesse St. Clair
Improv Team featuring Rose Daugherty,
Quinn Powell, Brian Williams, Shanon Smith
Radio News featuring Ronda Long-Birdsall, Bailey Kinney
January Employees of the Month Honored at Board Meeting
Devin Schoening is the January Licensed Staff Member of the Month for 2009. Devin is the Thomas Jefferson Journalism Teacher and has been at Thomas Jefferson since he joined the District in 2002. He was nominated by a set of parents who wrote how Devin saved their daughter from choking. On December 8th, 2008 Kelsey Byers started choking on a piece of an orange after school. The first person she saw was Mr. Schoening.Knowing she was in trouble he did the Heimlich maneuver on her and the orange slice came out. . In Kelsey’s words, and her parents agree, “He saved my life.”
Joe Hanshaw is the January Support Staff Member for 2009. Joe is the Head Custodian at Gunn Elementary. He started with the District at Kirn in 2005 and moved to Gunn in 2006. His Co-workers say Joe is dedicated, hard working and goes above and beyond. Joe assists with getting the younger students bundled up for recess. Since Joe has been at Gunn, things don't get done tomorrow or next week, he is in your room within the hour, or even minutes, and always with a smile and positive attitude. Joe is the type of male role model that exemplifies what it means to be a caring and responsible adult.
Kirn, Edison, Bloomer, and Hoover Place in Recycling Contest
Four schools in the Council Bluffs School District placed in a competition sponsored by the Council Bluffs Recycling Center and Wal-Mart to see which school could recycle the most plastic bags in a 6-week time period. Eleven elementary and junior high schools competed in the contest in which students learned the impact that plastic bags have on our community and environment. The competition was based on the most bags per students. The schools recycled nearly 1700 pounds of plastic bags.
Kirn took the trophy for the junior high competition. They collected 504 lbs or 53 bags per student. They beat the elementary schools in pounds per student. The Council Bluffs Recycling Center and Wal-mart will present each school their awards starting with Kirn on Tuesday January 13 at 8:00 a.m.
Kirn will receive a dessert party for the entire school and a digital camera.
Edison came in first among the elementary schools with 206 lbs or 39 bags per student. They will also receive a dessert party for the entire school and a digital camera on Friday January 16 at 2:00 p.m. Coming in behind Edison is Bloomer with 287 lbs or 38 bags per student. Bloomer will receive around $200 in P.E. equipment and board games on January 13 at 10:00 a.m.
Hoover came in third with 230 lbs of plastic bags or 29 bags per student. They will receive 50 pounds of school supplies on Friday, January 30 at 8:45 a.m.
Crescent Elementary Receives Book Donation from UNO
Student Officers Mallory Masterson and Kayla Childress from the UNO Chapter of the American Society of Curriculum Directors (ASCD) delivered a donation of books to Crescent Elementary on January 21st.
ASCD Faculty Sponsor Dr. Phyllis Adcock along with student officers Mallory Masterson and Kayla Childress are shown here with Crescent Principal Darrin Praska, Crescent's Librarian Maggie Mass and 1st Grade Student Dylan Reimer enjoying the book donation
Nelson Family Foundation Seeks Nominations for "Excellence in Teaching Awards"
The H.H. "Red" and Ruth H. Nelson Family Foundation is now accepting nominations for the Excellence in Teaching Awards to be announced in May. A total of five educators from the Council Bluffs and Lewis Central Community School Districts will honored as part of this annual program and each will receive a $5,000 cash gift from the Foundation. Last year's honorees from the Council Bluffs Schools include Al Hudek, Mary Reid and Joan VonTersch Crampton. Nominations are due February 27, 2009. For more information from the Omaha Community Foundation and access to the nomination form click here.
Nominees must have a minimum of two years experience as a certified teacher or counselor to be considered.
Click Here for a direct link to the nomination form.
Parents of Pre-School Children Invited to Meet about the Kindergarten Experience
The entry into Kindergarten is an exciting time for a child and their parents. We are asking for your help in sharing information with your family members, friends, and neighbors who will have a child entering Kindergarten next year. The district is hosting an informational presentation for parents curious about what Kindergarten is like in the Council Bluffs Community Schools. This event will allow parents to meet Kindergarten teachers and learn what their child will experience in this important first year of school. It will be held on Thursday, January 22nd from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Bloomer Elementary School (210 South 7th Street).
Start! Wellness Screening Held Wednesday January 21st
This Wednesday, January 21st there will be another Start! wellness screening for staff. It will be held at the Thomas Jefferson Commons from 3:30-5:00 pm. This marks the half way point of the program and
YMCA personal trainers will again be screening participants on weight, body-mass and blood pressure. Free healthy snacks will also be provided. Please come track the progress you have made. There will also be a final screening in May at the end of the program to provide results for participants.
If you would still like to sign up visit our Start! page under the Staff tab at the top of the page by clicking on Announcements.
East End Band Concert Held at Abraham Lincoln
On Tuesday, January 20th the Council Bluffs School District East End Elementary and ALHS Concert Band will be performing at 7:00 p.m. in the Abraham Lincoln Fieldhouse. Students in 5th and 6th grade, along with high school students are participating. This concert is free to the public.
District Mourns loss of Abraham Lincoln High School Student
The school community is saddened by the loss of Ashley Andreasen, a 10th grade student at Abraham Lincoln. She died last weekend from meningitis. The visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 7th from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.at Cutler-O'Neill Funeral Home. Ashley's funeral will be the following day, Thursday, January 8th at 5:00 p.m. also at Cutler-O'Neill Funeral Home. Counselors are available for students at Abraham Lincoln's guidance center.
ROTC Drill Meet Held at Abraham Lincoln
On Saturday, January 17th Abraham Lincoln held a Drill Meet for the ROTC. More than 20 schools from all over the midwest participated in the meet.
Free Immunization Clinic for Children
The Council Bluffs Health Department will be holding a free immunization clinic for children from 11-18 years of age on Saturday, January 17th from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. The following vaccines will be offered at the clinic:
1. Menactra (Meningitis vaccine)
2. Tdap (Tetanus with Whooping cough vaccine)
3. HPV (Cervical Cancer vaccine)
4. Flu Shot
A parent or guardian must sign and be present at the time of the vaccination and a copy of the child's immunization record must be provided. The child must be a Pottawattamie County resident and qualify for the vaccine by one of the following:
- Enrolled in Medicaid
- Does Not have health insurance
- Is American Indian or Alaskan Native
- Has health insurance that does not pay for vaccines
See the flyer for more information.Please Contact Tanya or Rachel at 712 328 4666 if you have any questions.A donation of $5 would be appreciated.
District Mourns loss of former Thomas Jefferson High School Students
The entire school community is saddened by the tragic loss of two former T.J. students, Derek Underwood and Zachary Mendoza, who passed away this December 28th in a car accident. Visitations with the families were held December 30th. Memorials are being directed by the families.
Derek Underwood Zachary Mendoza
