Abraham Lincoln Holds East End Parade of Bands Concert
Abraham Lincoln Inducts New Members into Hall of Fame
Abraham Lincoln Jazz Band Places in Bellevue Competition
Abraham Lincoln Speech Students Win Speech Tournament
Abraham Lincoln Student Named National Merit Finalist
Abraham Lincoln Students Advance to State Speech
Abraham Lincoln Students Donate Past Yearbooks to Bethany Lutheran Home
All-City Orchestra Concert Features More Than 500 Students
Congratulations to History Day Competitors
February Employees of the Month Honored at Board Meeting
Gunn Holds Dr. Seuss Literacy Night
Hoover Student Wins 2009 Youth Art Month Billboard Contest
Kirn Students Hold Tobacco Awareness Presentation
Parents Invited to Sign Up for Gradebook E-mail Notifications
Roosevelt Holds Dr. Seuss Reading Night
Rue Students Vote for Their Favorite Book
Sixth Grade Move and Strategic Planning Webpages Now Available
Students Earn Spots in Invent Iowa Competition!
Thomas Jefferson Boys and Girls Bowling Teams Win Sub-State to Qualify for State Tournament
Three High School Wrestlers Qualify for the State Tournament
Undefeated Gunn "Junior Lynx" Basketball Team Wins 5th/6th Grade Division
Congratulations to History Day Competitors
Several elementary, junior high, and high school students from the District particpated in the Regional History Day Competition on March 14. We had participants from Bloomer, Franklin, Hoover, Roosevelt, Kirn, and Abraham Lincoln. Our students were among the 120 who competed that day and include the following:
Brendan Anderson and Scott Brown, Bloomer- Sir Robert Baden-Powell: Chief Scout of the World
Lexi Konfrst, Bloomer- Fashion in Time
Nathan Leinen, Bloomer- George Lucas
Cory Monson, Bloomer- The Crocodile Hunter
Maddy Petry and Claire Neal, Bloomer- Two Obituaries Later
Abaigh Plummer, Bloomer-On the Rails: General Dodge.
Sierra Waslaski, Bloomer- Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad
Page White, Bloomer- Tacoma Narrows
Kaylee Willadsen, Bloomer- Elizabeth Eckford of the Little Rock Nine
Alexa Murphy, Hoover- Henry Ford: An Af"FORD"able Legend
Jessica Roane, Hoover- Mohandes Ghandi
Mallory Boos and Josilyn Haxton, Franklin- Belle Boyd: A Woman's Voice in a Male Dominant Society
Julia Hilz and Jena Powell, Franklin- Lee Deforest: Father of American Radio
Brandon Lockhart and Colton Downing, Franklin- Dr. Mary Edwards Walker: A Civil War Spy, Surgeon, and Suffragette
Zoey Ottesen, Franklin- Henry Bergh: The Animal's Angel
Jasmine Wolfe, Franklin- Ngoyen Sien Huy
Jared Holcomb, Kirn - Edison's Bright Idea
Ruthie Eikenberry, Roosevelt- Dorothea Dix: Changing Hospitals Around the World
Gage Fisher Roosevelt- Nile Kinnick: Greatest Heisman Winner in History
Rachel Harold, Roosevelt- Gloria Steinem: Changing Minds of and about Women Everywhere
Jacob Higgins, Roosevelt- Making the Decision: Harry Truman
Libby Havenridge. Roosevelt- Elizabeth Blackwell: The Woman Who Opened Doors for Women Doctors
Nick Pomernackas, Roosevelt- Ho Chi Minh: Scholar; King; Major Threat to the United States
Brianna Sayles, Roosevelt- First Lady of the World
Zane Taylor, Roosevelt- Ray Kroc: The Man Who Changed the Golden Arches into Gold
Alyssa Wiley, Roosevelt- Clara Barton: The American Red Cross Founder
For photos please visit the History Day Photo Page
Abraham Lincoln Jazz Band Places in Bellevue Competition
Abraham Lincoln entered four groups into the Bellevue East High School Jazz Band competition this past Saturday where several Omaha, Lincoln and Council Bluffs high school bands competed. In the jazz combo competition Combo III received 1st place and a Division I rating, Combo II received 2nd Place and a Division I rating, and Combo I placed 3rd and received a Division II rating. Jazz Band I received a Division I rating and placed 3rd overall in the competition. A special congratulations goes to Luke Thallas as he was selected as the overall outstanding soloist of the entire competition. Luke is a trombone player in the band and also plays electric bass.
Abraham Lincoln Inducts New Members into Hall of Fame
New members were inducted in to the Abraham Lincoln Hall of Fame on March 19th in conjunction with their National Honor Society induction ceremony. Their new Hall of Fame members include Francis E. Clark (1967), John P. Nelson (1958), Tracy L. Vallier (1954), and Robert “Bob” Pyles (1947).
Francis E. Clark (1967)
Francis E. Clark graduated from Abraham Lincoln in 1967. He then majored in accounting at Creighton University and received a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. In 1991, Mr. Clark partnered with Ron E. Dickinson to form Dickinson and Clark CPA’s where he has been practicing as a certified public accountant for 37 years. He is an active member of the American Institute of CPA’s, the Iowa Society of CPA’s, and the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysis. Mr. Clark has also been active in the community. He currently serves on the boards of Wings of Hope cancer support and Inter-faith Response Inc. He is a member of the downtown Kiwanis Club, St. Patrick’s Knights of Columbus, and supports the United Way of the Midlands. In the past, Mr. Clark has served on boards for the Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce, the Council Bluffs Community School District, the Loess Hills Area Education Agency 13, and the Council Bluffs Senior Center.
John P. Nelson (1958)
John P. Nelson graduated from Abraham Lincoln with the class of 1958. He attended Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in economics. Nelson then enlisted in the United States Navy, serving for three years.
Mr. Nelson returned to Iowa in 1965 and joined his family’s company, Nelson Insurance Agency. The agency has since grown into the Silverstone Group, of which Mr. Nelson is both Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. Silverstone has the status of being Omaha’s largest independent insurance agency. Along with his success in business, Mr. Nelson has served his community on many non-profit boards, such as the Aksarben Board of Directors, Council Bluffs Public Library Foundation, and the Joslyn Art Museum. Mr. Nelson has received many civic and professional honors, including the Sertoma Club’s Outstanding Humanitarian Award, Goodwill Industries’ People of the Year Award, and the Children’s Square Jason Award. He was also nominated citizen of the year by both the United Way of the Midlands and Boy Scouts of America.
Tracy L. Vallier (1954)
Tracy L. Vallier graduated from Abraham Lincoln with the class of 1954. He then joined the U.S. Navy for four years to gain financial assistance for college. After his discharge he received his Bachelor of Science degree in geology from Iowa State and a PhD. in geology from Oregon State University. Dr. Vallier’s professional career began by teaching geology and oceanography at Indiana State University. He then became a research marine geologist where he collected and interpreted data from below the sea floor to test tectonic theory. He is an expert on the geology and geophysics of volcanic arcs, mainly the Aleutians, the Marianas, and Tonga. Dr. Vallier is currently on staff at the moss landing marine laboratories where he maps the ocean floors of California and Alaska. In his spare time he writes fictional novels, one of which was published in 2008. He has been involved in his community with little league baseball, boy scouts, and the PTA.
Robert “Bob” Pyles (1947)
Robert “Bob” Pyles graduated from Abraham Lincoln with the class of 1947. During high school Mr. Pyles took photographs for the yearbook. From there his interest and career in photography grew. After high school Mr. Pyles went on to attend the University of Colorado at Boulder and then transferred to the University of Omaha where he graduated with a degree in engineering. Although he enjoyed engineering, photography beckoned him. Mr. Pyles felt that his family was the most important part of his life and did not want his work to separate him from them. He married Sandra on Saturday and the following Monday asked his new wife to accompany him to a photography job. From that day forward they worked together in a career that lasted about 50 years. Along with photography he enjoyed spending time in the water. He was an avid boatman who liked to water-ski and fish in good weather. When it was cold he liked to snow ski, snow mobile and go to Florida.
Hoover Student Wins 2009 Youth Art Month Billboard Contest
Hoover student Kaitlyn Murphy and her art teacher Pat Stevens are pictured here with Kaitlyn's winning art piece.
6th Grader Kaitlyn Murphy from Hoover was the winner of the annual Youth Art Month Billboard Contest sponsored by the Joslyn Art Museum. Kaitlyn's artwork will be featured on a billboard located at 24th and Broadway from March 16th -April 16th. This year's contest featured 245 entries from Southwest Iowa elementaries in Council Bluffs, Glenwood, Tri-Center, Red Oak, and Treynor. All entries will be on display at the Council Bluffs Public Library from March 14th -April 10th. Tyler West a 6th grader from Carter Lake received 2nd Place and Zackary Booton a 3rd grader at Rue received 3rd place in the contest.
Zackary Booton shows off his 3rd place Certificate.
Abraham Lincoln Students Donate Past Yearbooks to Bethany Lutheran Home
Bethany Resident Gertrude Scull Bostedt looks through her
1925 yearbook with Abraham Lincoln students who donated the past yearbooks.
The Abraham Lincoln Yearbook Students along with their Advisor, Ms. Baijnauth donated old yearbooks to the residents of Bethany Lutheran Home and Bethany Heights. Through the thoughtfulness of the students, residents have had a chance to reminisce about days gone by. Many have had the yearbooks sitting on a bedside table to show family members when they visit. One of the residents, Gertrude Scull Bostedt, was the first editor of Abraham Lincoln’s Echoes newspaper and went on to work at the Nonpareil. Gertrude is 102 and graduated with the Class of 1925. She was recently interviewed for the current edition of Echoes. The yearbooks have been greatly enjoyed by the residents and staff at Bethany.
Gunn Holds Dr. Seuss Literacy Night
Gunn held a Dr. Seuss literacy night on March 5th for staff, students, and families. The evening was kicked off with a fabulous performance by Kerri's Dance Studio. She brought 40 dance students who performed a Dr. Seuss themed dance. After the dance, the students in the audience were given the
opportunity to identify the many characters that Dr. Seuss has used in his books.
The students and their families also participated in a variety of activities and did crafts.
Roosevelt Holds Dr. Seuss Reading Night
Roosevelt Students read at Dr. Seuss Night with their stuffed animals.
Roosevelt Staff, Students, and Family Members line the halls at their Dr. Seuss Night
The staff at Roosevelt would like to thank everyone who attended our Dr. Seuss Reading Night on March 2. Over 300 students and family members came to celebrate the birthday of Dr. Seuss. Students, family members, and staff were encouraged to wear their pajamas and bring their pillows, stuffed animals and book to read. It was a great success! For more photos from the event visit Roosevelt's Blog.
All-City Orchestra Concert Features More Than 500 Students
The Council Bluffs Community School District hosted the All-City Orchestra Concert at the Mid America Center on
Thursday, March 5th, at 7:00 p.m. The concert featured more than 500 students in grades four through 12. This year’s guest conductors were Dr. Dan Auerbach from Morningside College, David Hunsiker, music teachers James Giles and Stephanie Krijan, and music teacher Jim Misner.
Students Earn Spots in Invent Iowa Competition!
Ten students earned their way into the Invent Iowa competition following the AEA 13 Invention Convention held on February 28th. A total of 31 students from Council Bluffs Schools entered inventions into the AEA-level event. Competing in Ames on April 25th will be:
Kaylee Willadsen and Maddie Petry, Bloomer: "Farm, Fish Amphibian, Reptile, Mammal"
Brooke Proplesch, Franklin: "Sweatshirt Backpack"
Abby Seaman and Kalyn Damgaard, Hoover , "Softscrubber"
Breanna Roland and Tiffany Weelborg, Longfellow: "Car Cabinet Organizer"
Michaela Jones, Pusey:"Pen-Zi-Crayon"
Cassandra Anaya, Walnut Grove: "Tipod"
Brandon Kelley, Washington, "Trashcan Shield"
Abraham Lincoln Speech Students Win Speech Tournament
Seven Abraham Lincoln students competed in the Walnut Hills Speech Tournament in Anita. As a team they won the tournament beating out 14 other schools. They received a trophy as a team and each student received trophies. The students include Melanie Krohn, Alex Brown, Rose Daugherty, Shanon Smith, Kelsey Tekippe and Ronda Long-Birdsall. Their coaches are Connie Jo Podendorf, Dirk Waller, and Caitlin Evers
Parents Invited to Sign Up for Gradebook E-mail Notifications
Parents now have a new way to keep informed of their junior high or high school child’s attendance, assignments and grades. Many are already staying connected with the classroom teacher by accessing this information online through Gradebook's Parent Internet Viewer (PIV). Now, parents can also receive automatic e-mail notifications. We invite you to log on to GradeBook. Parents who need more Information on how to sign up for the personalized e-mail notifications, or who need their personal password, should contact the school office.
Abraham Lincoln Holds East End Parade of Bands Concert
On Monday, March 9th there will be an East End Parade of Bands concert, featuring all of the kids in the program. This includes 5th and 6th grade honor bands, along with the 7th and 8th grade Kirn bands and the ALHS Concert Band. It is at 7:00 p.m. in the Abraham Lincoln Fieldhouse. Admission is $2 for students, $3 for adults, and free for preschoolers. Families will pay no more than $10 per family. Proceeds will pay for music, buses and other Band related materials.
Abraham Lincoln Students Advance to State Speech
Abraham Lincoln had all nine students advance to state speech in indvidual
competition at Villisca on Saturday the February 28th. Congratualations to the following students:
Quinn Powell -Prose and Acting
Shanon Smith -Prose and Acting
Alex Brown -After Dinner Speaking & Poetry
Rose Daugherty -Expository Address & Prose
Kelsey Tekippe -Storytelling
Ronda Long-Birdsall -Storytelling
Caitlin Evers -Expository Address
Melanie Krohn -Prose
Addie Kovacs -Poetry
Undefeated Gunn "Junior Lynx" Basketball Team Wins 5th/6th Grade Division
The fifth and sixth grade girls’ basketball team from Gunn went undefeated this year in the Junior Lynx basketball season. The girls also placed first in their division at the tournament in February. The Junior Lynx league has 13 teams total and 140 girls involved. It welcomes all girls from east end elementary schools and was created to provide students a chance to have fun and be active while gaining valuable skills to eventually be varsity standouts at the high school level. The hope is that they will also gain team chemistry early and play together throughout grade school and into middle and high school.
Abraham Lincoln Student Named National Merit Finalist
Superintendent Martha Bruckner recognized Abraham Lincoln senior Wyatt Seals at the Board Meeting on Tuesday. Wyatt has been named a National Merit Finalist. He is among the distinguished high school students in America to have received this designation.
February Employees of the Month Honored at Board Meeting
Jeff Boe is the February Licensed Staff Member of the Month for 2009. Jeff is a Math Teacher at Kirn Junior High. He has been with the district since the
1994-95 school year working primarily at Kirn, but also spending three years at
Thomas Jefferson. His co-workers say “Jeff is the perfect example of a
dedicated teacher and professional. He uses a wide variety of strategies and activities to meet the needs of the diverse learners in his math classes. He is constantly analyzing his teaching to continue to find yet another way to teach a particular concept or skill. Jeff is a dedicated, energetic and progressive math teacher. He is an active leader and strong advocate for students in our school. Best of all, his students learn and understand math because of his skill and deep commitment to their success."
Kim McNeal is the February Support Staff Member for 2009. Kim McNeal is a custodian at the Tucker Career and College Center and Wilson Junior High. She has held various positions through the years since she began with the
District in 2001. Her co-workers say, “Kim does an awesome job keeping
our building clean and looking great
inside and out. She is very helpful to
the teachers and helps make things
run smoothly. Kim is extremely
patient, courteous, and a very hard worker. Her bright smile and unforgettable laugh is known by all staff. Kim has gone beyond the necessary to be helpful during my first year in the building. She is unfailingly positive, always friendly to every staff member, and always concerned for our students. Kim knows the mission of our building, supports that mission, and cares about the students’ achievements. She is an integral part of the staff at the Tucker Career and College Center.”
Rue Students Vote for Their Favorite Book
The Iowa Children's Choice book club at Rue will be having their voting party including a Papa John’s lunch on Thursday, March 19th. The book club was started last spring and supports students’ interest in reading. Throughout the year, students in the club have been meeting twice a week during their lunch to discuss the Iowa Children's Choice book they are reading at the time. All the books are listed on a bulletin board and students review the books they have read with 1-5 stars. At the party the students will vote on their favorite book. All of the books are also placed in the guided reading library for other classrooms to use during guided reading. Funds to purchase the books have been achieved through our Papa John's nights.
Kirn Students Hold Tobacco Awareness Presentation
Cole Johnson and Adrienne Greer, presenters from JEL Iowa, demonstrate to Kirn students the effects of eating in a smokey area by pouring cigarette pollutants on hamburgers.
Kirn Leadership Academy Students, Isabella Taylor and Taylora Christensen perform an Anti-Tobacco rap at their Tobacco Awareness presentation
The Leadership Academy Students at Kirn have worked throughout February presenting tobacco awareness activities to the students at Kirn. On Tuesday, February 24 they designed and hosted a Tobacco Awareness presentation for students and staff using speakers from JEL (Just Eliminate Lies). Homerooms made anti smoking posters and collages to stamp out smoking and the kids put taped bodies around the main floor of the school with the names of those who have died due to smoke related illnesses. In response to the assembly the Grim Reaper will be on campus to emphasize the number of people who die because of smoking related illnesses. There will also be a fact filled trivia contest in the homerooms with prizes award to the winners.
Sixth Grade Move and Strategic Planning Webpages Now Available
The Council Bluffs School District has created webpages to provide more information to the community about the sixth grade move to middle school and the strategic planning process. To visit the pages click on 6th Grade Move or Strategic Planning under Quick Links on the left hand side of the homepage or use the following links.
6th Grade Move
Strategic Planning
Thomas Jefferson Boys and Girls Bowling Teams Win Sub-State to Qualify for State Tournament
At the Sub-State Boy's Bowling meet in Ida Grove, Iowa this past weekend the Thomas Jefferson High School boys varsity team finished first out of seven teams. They finished with a pin total of 2731 beating second place Sioux City North with a pin total of 2631. Thomas Jefferson had two individuals finish in the top four, in second place was Senior Ethan Arrick with a pin total of 422 in a 2 game series, and in third was Sophomore Matt Farrell with a pin total of 385 in a 2 game series. After winning sub-state the boys have qualified and will compete in the State Tournament on March 6 and 7 in Des Monies at Plaza Lanes.
The girls also qualified in their Sub-State tournament in Minden by taking first place out of seven teams. The girls team is made up of seniors Anna Groat and Sammi Miller, Juniors Erica Christensen, Paige Struck, and Caitlin Sollars, and Sophomore Sarah Muckey. The girls are 18-1 after winning Sub-State.
Three High School Wrestlers Qualify for the State Tournament
Three student athletes have qualified to compete in the State Wrestling Tournament next weekend in Des Moines. Abraham Lincoln senior Luke Harm will make his second state tournament appearance at 152 pounds. Thomas Jefferson junior Duane Richardson will compete at 125 pounds and Thomas Jefferson sophomore Tyler Byers will compete at 140 pounds. Congratulations to all wrestlers who competed at District!
