Tournier and Furries 4 Fosters Honored ❤️🙌, Revenue Purpose Statement Info + MUCH MORE #CFtigerpride #everystudenteveryday

U.S. Cellular Awards CFHS Student as Young Humanitarian

CFHS junior Aaliyah Tournier is one of U.S. Cellular’s three winners for the first phase of the company’s The Future of Good program. Tournier was selected among more than 1,200 nominations from across the country as those who bring fairness to their communities. As a selected winner, Tournier received $10,000 to further her cause during halftime of last Friday night’s CF boys basketball game. Tournier is a boys basketball student manager.

When Tournier grew up, she always shared her stuffed animals and blankets with the foster kids who stayed in her home. Tournier noticed that the gesture gave them comfort and she wanted to share that with other foster kids in her community.

Tournier started Furries 4 Fosters, which allows her to collect new stuffed animals and blankets for foster kids. This has prompted an ongoing partnership with Cedar Valley Angels to help distribute tote bags filled with comfort items. She also has worked with Kadens Kloset’s Winter Wonderland to ensure every child gets a warm and fuzzy gift for the holidays. Since starting Furries 4 Fosters, Tournier has donated hundreds of blankets to the Allen Hospital Child Protection Center and local DHS offices.

The U.S. Cellular donation will help Tournier support additional foster kids, build a website and incorporate other online technology for her nonprofit.

Watch the latest Parent University episode focused on CF CAPS!

Download an absentee ballot request form here . Absentee request forms must be submitted by February 21. The Revenue Purpose Statement is not additional funding or a tax increase. The Revenue Purpose Statement simply allows the district to spend the funds as allowed by Iowa law. A special election date has been set for March 3, 2020, to approve the 1% sales tax revenue purpose statement. All Iowa school districts are required to have a public vote that authorizes expenditures from the revenue received from the SAVE tax. A simple majority is required.

Cedar Falls Lions Seek Nominations for Outstanding Educator

The Cedar Falls Lions Club is seeking nominations for the 2020 outstanding educator of the year. Candidates must be full-time teachers or administrators in preschool through 12th grade working for Cedar Falls Community Schools, St. Patrick Catholic School or Valley Lutheran School. Educators may not nominate themselves. The deadline for nominations is March 1.

Nominations will be evaluated based on the following set of criteria:

A commitment to service learning, including engagement of students in service to the community.
A collaborative style that seeks input from a diverse community and strives for continual growth and improvement.
A record of student character development that reflects service to others and the promotion of kindness.
Educational leadership that motivates student learning.
Dedication to students and education.

The recipient of the award will receive up to $500 and a plaque from the Lions Club. Nomination forms are available online at bit.ly/2RDXX5G .

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR

2020 GOLD STAR AWARDS

FOR OUTSTANDING TEACHING

Nominations are open for the 2020 Gold Star Awards for Outstanding Teaching. The program honors ten outstanding teachers in Black Hawk County every year.

Eligible nominees must teach in Black Hawk County schools as full or part-time non-administrative staff. They must teach at preschools, elementary, intermediate or high schools certified by the Iowa Department of Education.

Gold Star teachers are chosen by the Gold Star Awards committee from all nominations and teacher applications. Each winner receives a $1,000 cash award and a $500 classroom grant. This year’s awards will be presented at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center on May 19, 2020.

The Gold Star Awards was created in 1989 by the R. J. McElroy Trust and KWWL. “Great teaching is so important to our community,” said McElroy Trust executive director Megan McKenzie. “The program honors all teachers and highlights the work of ten of our best. The awards ceremony is fast and fun and something that surprises everyone, every year—especially the teachers.”

Nomination forms are available online at www.goldstarteacher.com . Anyone may submit nominations. Nomination deadline is February 20. Nominees will be notified and have until March 23 to apply.

Cedar Valley Character Counts Seeking Nominations

Do you know an individual, organization or business that exemplifies trustworthiness, responsibilities, respect, fairness, caring and citizenship?

Make a nomination here for the Cedar Valley Character Counts awards. Nominations should be submitted by March 2 and selections will be recognized at the Champions of Character Celebration in the Cedar Valley on April 13.

Champions of Character will be selected to show support and appreciation from our community and let the great state of Iowa understands that Character Counts in the Cedar Valley.

Congratulations to the following #tigerpride CFHS student-athletes pursing academics and athletics next year, pictured right to left:

Collin Bohnenkamp, Truman State University , Football

Leah Dierks, Hawkeye Community College , Dance

Riley Fleshner, University of Wisconsin-Parkside , Soccer

Jada Golden-Smith, Kirkwood Community College , Volleyball

Jaxon Heth, Briar Cliff University , Basketball

Krisha Keeran, Case Western Reserve University , Tennis

Cael Loecher, University of Northern Iowa , Football

Nicole Motzko, Wartburg College , Soccer

Joshua Ollendieck, Truman State University , Basketball

Jacob Remmert, University of South Dakota , Football

Annika Strohm, Missouri S&T , Soccer

Anna Taft, Hawkeye Community College , Track and Field

Kyle Trunnell, University of Northern Iowa , Track and Field

Foundation Receives $25,000 from Black Hawk Economic Development for CAPS

The Cedar Falls Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CF CAPS) program is an innovative High School Elective Course that takes students outside of the traditional classroom for half their day, each day for an entire semester. They are immersed in professional environments to develop problem-solving and professional skills to work on real projects for real business clients. This experience along with focused development on career exploration helps prepare each student-associate for their purpose beyond their life as a student. CF CAPS is an example of how business, community and education can partner to produce personalized learning experiences that educate the workforce of tomorrow, especially in high skill, high demand jobs.

The CF CAPS program believes that every student should have an opportunity for this kind of experience, regardless of where they live. Black Hawk Economic Development recently awarded a $25,000 grant to the CF CAPS program to support the development of a Cedar Valley CAPS program, in an effort to impact more students and districts. Thank you BHED!

Click here to learn more about CAPS.

Is "Fortnite" a regular word at your house? Not sure about the game? Check out Common Sense Media's Parent's Guide to Fortnite so you understand the game and can discuss it with your players.

Kindergarten Roundup is fast approaching, on March 31! With that in mind, please be sure that your child’s immunizations are up to date and physicals are done prior to school starting in the fall. We will have information at the event about dental screenings and vision screenings. If your child has any significant health needs, the sooner you contact the school nurse the better, as it gives us time to communicate and have plans in place.

Vaccine Requirements: 7th and 12th grade students 2020-2021: When scheduling your medical provider visits keep in mind that the Meningococcal Vaccine, specifically A/C/Y/W vaccine, is REQUIRED for all incoming students entering 7 ^th and 12 ^th grades for the 2020-2021 school year. Students must have the vaccine prior to the first day of school to attend and will not be permitted to attend until the vaccine has been administered. Incoming 7th graders have an additional requirement of a Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) vaccine booster.

Please contact your student's health office if you have questions.