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Longfellow Students Participate in Public Art Initiative
Seven energetic third grade students from Longfellow Elementary were asked to participate in the taping of a DVD to educate the community about the value of public art. The students provided their insight and reaction to the community's newest and, at nearly 50 feet tall, undoubtedly most visible pieces of art, entitled "Molecule Man" by Jonathan Borofsky. The students had the opportunity to get up close and personal with the larger-than-life sculpture funded as part of the Iowa West Foundation's Public Art Initiative. The students were accompanied by principal Peg Shea and art teacher Johnny Lynn Williams.
Successful Council Bluffs School District Alumni Tailgate Connects Past with Present
More than 100 alumni, friends and family members attended the 5th annual C.B. Alumni Association tailgate on Friday, Sept. 26th. Guests were treated to performances by members of the marching band and flag teams from Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln.
Parents Invited to Discuss 6th Grade Placement for Next Year
Council Bluffs Superintendent Martha Bruckner wants to hear from as many elementary parents as possible about the possibility of moving 6th graders into the junior high schools. She is hosting a series of four parent-community focus group meetings to share background information and gather input.
Various groups have talked about the topic over the course of the last year. Superintendent Bruckner asked Dr. Marty Shudak to work with a committee to determine if such a move is even possible based on the available space for approximately 300 more students at Kirn and Wilson Junior High Schools. The committee has concluded that there is sufficient space, with minor modifications, to place sixth graders at junior high schools.
Elementary and Junior High teachers are meeting with Superintendent Bruckner to discuss the possible change.
The next step is to seek input from parents and community members during four meetings. Any parent or community member who has questions or concerns, or who wants to hear more about the proposal, can choose to attend either of the final two meetings:
Kirn Junior High School, 100 North Avenue
Thursday, October 2 at 6:30 p.m.
Wilson Junior High School, 715 N. 21st St
Tuesday, October 7 at 6:30 p.m.
School Election Draws 8% of Registered Voters
More than 2,700 residents of the Council Bluffs Community School District took the time to participate in the school election on September 9th. The 8% turnout is higher than the typical 5-6% turnout for school elections and nearly met the Superintendent's goal of 3,500 voters in this election.
Incumbent Gina Primmer and Retired Educator Bill Grove Elected to Board of Education
Gina Malloy Primmer and Bill Grove were elected to the 2008-09 Board of Education and will each serve 3-year terms. Mrs. Primmer will begin her third term on the Board. Grove, a retired educator and school superintendent from Eldora-New Providence, is a new addition to the Board. Challenger Mike Krivocucha and incumbent Janine Headen did not receive the necessary votes to be elected.
District Honors Three "Partners in Education"
Superintendent Martha Bruckner presented the first-ever "Partners in Education" awards to three outstanding organizations during the All-Staff Back to School event on August 13th. They were recognized for Innovative Leadership and Support of Educational Excellence in the Council Bluffs Community School District Honorees include the Centennial Rotary Club, the H.H. "Red" and Ruth H. Nelson Family Foundation, and the Iowa West Foundation.
Honorees include (l to r) Chuck Smith, President of the Iowa West Foundation Board of Directors, Jo Kossow representing the Centennial Rotary Club, and John Nelson of the H.H. "Red" and Ruth H. Nelson Family Foundation.
Each organization initiated unique programs to enhance educational opportunities and to promote the value of education. According to Superintendent Bruckner, they are exceptional models and examples of how partnerships can make a difference. Below are brief descriptions of each organization's efforts in partnership with the Council Bluffs Schools:
Centennial Rotary
The members of this local service club announced its plans last year to "adopt" this year's fifth grade class at Washington Elementary School. The project, entitled Project 2016, will bring club members together with the students monthly for field trips, career talks and fun activities.
H.H. "Red" and Ruth H. Nelson Family Foundation
John Nelson and his family foundation honored five teachers in the community with "Excellence in Teaching Awards" with a commemorative trophy, $5,000 cash awards and Burger King gift certificates to use as they wish.
The Iowa West Foundation
The Iowa West Foundation stepped forward with incredible support and announced at $1.7 million grant in support of education over a three-year period. The priority initiatives will begin in the 2008-2009 school year.
• $420,000 is for School Administration Managers (SAMS) to support principals and strengthen instructional leadership. In other states, SAMS have freed up significant time for principals to work with teachers on improving instruction. Bruckner said seven schools in the district will have SAMS.
• $680,000 is for improved user-friendly technology tools to assist teachers throughout the district. An upgraded network, a student data analysis system, and a curriculum management system are all critical for schools to assess students and help them meet their goals of graduation.
• $70,000 is to purchase two shuttle buses to improve access for students to educational opportunities in the district. Free and regular transportation throughout the day between Abraham Lincoln High School, Kanesville School, Thomas Jefferson High School, and the Tucker Center is needed. Transportation often is a barrier for students to engage in these opportunities. Kanesville is a credit recovery center, and Tucker houses career preparation programs for youth.
• $556,000 is for Scholarships and Training for Adult Re-entry Students (STARS). This program, which is administered by the Community Education Foundation (CEF), provides a supplemental scholarship source for low-income adults to attend post-secondary educational institutions. The program started in 1997, and a recent evaluation showed the program to be highly effective, but underutilized. The Iowa West funding will increase STARS scholarships, support staff, and provide marketing materials. New CEF Executive Director Julie Payne said, “nearly 100 STARS participants have received degrees, but we want to double that in two years.”
Council Bluffs Schools partner with Community Education Foundation and Boys & Girls Clubs to offer 21st Century Community Learning Centers at four sites.
Parents of students at Carter Lake Elementary, Edison Elementary, Roosevelt Elementary and Washington Elementary are invited to register their children to participate in a free innovative and exciting after-school program. Each site will have new 21st Century Community Learning Center programs, beginning the first day of school, August 14th. Each site will be able to serve 60 students in grades kindergarten through 6th grade. The Community Education Foundation and its Kids & Company will facilitate the programs at Washington and Edison Elementary Schools. The Boys & Girls Club will facilitate the program in Carter Lake at the Boys & Girls Club. Transportation from school to the club will be free every school day. Boys & Girls Club will also host the program for Roosevelt students at the school through December and then move to the new Boys & Girls Club on the Lakin Campus for the remainder of the school year.
For more information, contact the host organization:
Community Education Foundation/Kids & Company: 322-8800
Boys & Girls Clubs: 256-6029 or 347-5867
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Employee Wellness Program Got its "Start!" October 1st with a Wellness Screening
More than 100 employees attended the Start! Employee Wellness Program kickoff celebration and screening on Wednesday, October 1st The event at Thomas Jefferson High School featured YMCA personal trainers screening participants on weight, body-mass and blood pressure. Free healthy snacks were on hand along with plenty of motivation to get staff "Started" off on the right foot!
You can still be part of the Start! program, created by the American Heart Association. You are encouraged to register at http://mystartonline.org to track your activity. Register under the company name Council Bluffs Community School District at zip code 51503. The team/department name is your school or building. Questions? Contact your building's team leader or District Start! coordinators Traci Matters or Nicole Smith. Get Started!
Thomas Jefferson Students Travel to Washington D.C.
This summer four Thomas Jefferson students were selected to travel to Washington D.C. These students, who are all members of the College Bound Club and Graduates of 2010, are Craig Larsen, Trevin Taylor, Rebecca Deal, and Kendra Robinson. Each student was selected based on their grades, leadership, and attendance record. While they were in Washington D.C. they attended the Seventeenth Annual Student Leadership Congress and were able to meet Iowa Senator Tom Harkin.
Thomas Jefferson Students (starting from right) Rebecca Deal, Trevin Taylor, Kendra Robinson, and Craig Larsen pose for a picture with Senator Tom Harkin along with two other Iowa high school students.
Abraham Lincoln Student Named National Merit Semi-Finalist
Wyatt Seals, a senior at Abraham Lincoln High School was named a National Merit Semi-Finalist and has completed the application and essay to be considered as a Finalist in the National Merit Scholarship program. Wyatt is the son of Monte and Rebecca Seals and is a very active student.
He plays the trombone in the marching and jazz bands, plays the piano, and is on the tennis team. His coursework includes Honors Early Start Trig/Pre-Calculus, AP Chemistry and College Calculus from Iowa State taken over the ICN. "Every year I try to take the most rigorous classes I can," Wyatt says.
As a sophomore, he took AP Physics and the Principles of Engineering.
He is interested in Engineering, perhaps "mechanical" to pursue his interest in robotics/automation/animitronics. He toured MIT and Harvard a few years ago on a trip to Boston. He is excited about Harvard’s new program that combines an engineering degree with an MBA which he heard about from his friend Tessa Brow. He has applied to Iowa State and is looking into a few other schools such as the Colorado School of Mines.
Elementary Staff Members Invited to Meetings to Discuss Sixth Grade Placement
Elementary staff members are invited to attend one of the following meetings hosted by Superintendent Bruckner to discuss Sixth Grade placement for the future:
Tuesday, Sept. 23rd
4:15 p.m.
at Franklin Elementary
Now Accepting Monthly Employee Recognition Nominations
The Council Bluffs Community School District Monthly Employee Recognition will continue this year. Currently, nominations are being accepted for employees who deserve special recognition by the Board of Education. All licensed staff members and support staff members are eligible for nomination. There is a link to the nomination form under Quick Links on the left hand side of the home page. Please return the nomination forms to Traci Matters at the Educational Service Center. If you have any questions please contact Diane Ostrowski at 328-6443.
Revenue Purpose Statement Approved by Voters
During the School Election on September 9th, district residents approved a Revenue Purpose Statement that will allow the district to focus the resources on the current building improvement project needs AND allow the district to borrow ahead on the estimated revenue for the next 20 years so that major and costly school building renovations can occur in a timely manner.
This Statement aligns with the Board of Education’s adopted goal to “Develop and begin to implement a multiple-hear master facilities plan to assure all Council Bluffs Community School District students are educated in excellent facilities by 2015.”
With the estimated $6-$7 million in sales tax revenue per year, the District will continue to update and renovate school facilities. In addition, the District has the ability borrow against the anticipated sales tax revenue to be received through the year 2029 to fund the necessary projects in a shorter time period.
Abraham Lincoln ROTC Places Well in National Championship Drill Meet
The Abraham Lincoln ROTC attended the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Championship Drill Meet in Orlando, Florida from August 14-20. They placed very well at the meet and received the Special Judges Award. This award was given in recognition of their overall excellence in competition and outstanding spirit. Overall they received first, second, third, and fourth place in various categories. Listed below are the awards, categories, and students who participated in each drill. Some seniors who graduated this past spring were allowed to participate. Those cadets are listed with an asterisk behind their name.
First Place in Female Individual Drill
Asheia Cook*
Second Place in Male Individual Drill
Colton South*
Second Place in Unarmed Exhibition Drill
Audrianna Bent
Natasha Campbell
Asheia Cook*
Phaedra Florea*
Anna Marie Johnston
Amanda Manifold*
Brittney Parrott
Tabitha Smith
Jacob Westcott
Nick Worl
Second Place in Color Guard
Audrianna Bent
Asheia Cook*
Chris Frost
Amanda Manifold*
Colton South*
Jacob Westcott
Second Place in Dual Rifle (Male)
Chad South*
Jacob Westcott
Third Place in Armed Exhibition Drill
Ian Barone
Asheia Cook*
Chris Frost
Branden Gunn
Amanda Manifold*
Chad South*
Colton South*
Kevin Thompson
Jacob Westcott
Nick Worl
Third Place in Dual Rifle (Male)
Chris Frost
Colton South*
Fourth Place in Color Guard
Natasha Campbell
Phaedra Florea*
Anna Marie Johnston
Tabitha Smith
Chad South*
Kevin Thompson
Thomas Jefferson's Pep Club Delivers Food to Mohm's Place
Thomas Jefferson's new Pep Club collected canned food items at the annual orange and white football scrimmage on August 22, 2008. In order to gain admittance to the game fans were asked to bring a canned food item. Over 200 cans of food were collected and donated to Mohms place.
Thomas Jefferson Students Jacqui Staler and Austin Hennings help deliver food collected at the schools annual football scrimmage.
Cargill Employees Donate School Supplies
Kile Smith and Matt McCune dropped off school supplies on August 26, 2008 that were donated by themselves and their fellow Grain Elevator Employees from Cargill. There are 18 employees total in the Grain Elevator Department, and they donated the supplies to support the community. Among the donated items were glue, notebooks, highlighters, and markers that will help ensure students and teachers have a productive school year.
Matt McCune (left) and Kile Smith present school supplies to Diane Ostrowski. The supplies were donated by Cargill employees.
Thousands of School Supplies Donated by Frontier Savings Bank
On August 7th Frontier Savings Bank held its annual "Fill the Bus" event, which collects school supplies from the community. This is the fourth year Frontier has held the event, resulting in more than 15,200 supplies for area students. The supplies were divided among schools within Council Bluffs. The supplies, including pencils, crayons, scissors and backpacks, help students be equipped with the right tools to begin the school year .
Frontier Savings Bank President Gary Matters and Loan Operations Officer Marial Wagner present to Superintendent Martha Bruckner and School Board member Glen Mitchell some of the 15,000 school supplies donated through the bank's "Fill the Bus" program.
Kindergarten and 9th Grade Students Now Required to Have
Dental Screenings;
Lead Screenings also Required for Kindergarten Students
All students entering kindergarten and 9th grade are now required to provide verification of having a dental screening. In addition, kindergarten students are required to provide verification that they have had a blood test to detect the level of lead. This is part of a new Iowa law designed to help prevent illness in Iowa children. While students cannot be excluded from school if the verification is not provided, links to local resources will be provided to help ensure all students meet this requirement. Parents are asked to provide the verification along with proof of immunizations in the first weeks of school. This information will be kept on file at the school. (link to printable form for dental screening verification)
New Websites for High School Bands
Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln both have new websites to stay updated on their band events. Thomas Jefferson’s site includes a calendar, previews of music they will be playing, and information about the different ensembles. It also features a virtual reunion page for TJ band alumni. Abraham Lincoln’s site also has a calendar, ensemble information, and recordings of their music. The site also features a list of the band’s accomplishments. The calendars include Thomas Jefferson’s summer band camp which is the week of July 28 and Abraham Lincoln’s which starts August 4. To explore each high school’s new website and for a complete list of dates and times for band camp please follow the links below.
Abraham Lincoln
Thomas Jefferson
Link to Archived Stories
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