Congratulations Class of 2023! | |
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CRCSD seniors are celebrating their academic accomplishments during graduation ceremonies this week. We hope they will look back on their experiences at CRCSD with happy memories and are able to draw from their knowledge, skills, and experiences obtained at CRCSD to help them on their new journeys. Congratulations to the Class of 2023!
If you are not able to attend the graduations in person, please check out KCRG 9.2, which will be broadcasting and streaming the events live. They will also be reairing the recordings of the ceremonies on 9.2 at the following dates and times.
- Washington - May 31st at 7:00 pm
- Jefferson - June 2nd at 7:00 pm
- Kennedy - June 3rd at 11:00 am
- Cedar Rapids Metro - May 28th at 3:30 pm and June 9th at 7:00 pm
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Gazette Senior Spotlight
This past weekend, The Gazette published a special feature highlighting eight Linn County high school students. The students were chosen by their school staff and represent the amazing diversity we have in our school districts. Each student shares their own unique story, perspective, and challenges on their journey to reach graduation. Congratulations to these students for sharing their stories.
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Senior Walks Wrapped Up
This Cedar Rapids Community Foundation's Senior Walks wrapped up this week. This annual tradition allows high school seniors to walk down memory lane before they walk across the stage to receive their diplomas.
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Last Day of School Reminder
Just a reminder that the last day of school for students is now Friday, June 2nd, and it will be a regular Friday early release. Students will no longer report on June 5th. The District is required by Iowa law to have 1,080 student contact hours, and we will have met this requirement by June 2nd. Please plan accordingly and mark your calendars to begin your summer celebrations a little earlier than planned! Thank you for your flexibility and understanding with this change.
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New Administrators for the 2023-24 School Year | |
We have great news to share with you. Several administration positions have been filled at CRCSD. Please help us celebrate these internal promotions and welcome the new staff members to CRCSD! | |
Jessica Johnson - Harding Middle School
Jessica Johnson (internal hire) has been named the Interim Principal at Harding Middle School, effective July 1st, 2023, pending board approval. Johnson has served as the Associate Principal at Kennedy High School for the past three years and previously as Associate Principal at Prairie Point Middle School and 9th Grade Academy for four years. Johnson also served as a science teacher and instructional coach at Washington High School for 10 years and started her teaching career at McKinley Middle School. “While I have loved my experience at Kennedy, I'm excited for the opportunity to join the hardworking Harding staff who are committed to student success. I look forward to collaborating with all staff, students, and families on continuing their school improvement goals. I can't wait to get started, meet staff and students, and learn more about the Harding community. Together we can make All Learners, Future Ready!”
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Ian LeMaster - Washington High School
Ian LeMaster (internal hire) has been named the Principal at Washington High School, effective July 1st, 2023, pending board approval. LeMaster has served as an Associate Principal at Washington High School for the last three years. LeMaster also previously served as a teacher and instructional coach at Jefferson High School from 2014- 2020. “It has been a blessing and an honor to serve the Washington community over the last three years as an Associate Principal, and I am overjoyed to continue to serve this community as the next Principal. I am so proud of all we have collectively accomplished over the past three years and can’t wait to continue to work collaboratively with our staff, students, families, and communities to take Washington to the next level.”
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Jessica Luna - Jefferson High School
Jessica Luna (internal hire) has been named the Interim Principal at Jefferson High School, effective July 1st, 2023, pending board approval. Luna has served as the Director of Climate and Culture Transformation for CRCSD this past school year. She has over 10 years of experience in education with experience as a building principal at both secondary and elementary levels, including expertise in student behavior and engagement support management and MTSS structures, both academic and behavior focused. "It is a privilege to be named as Interim Principal at Jefferson High School. I am excited for the opportunity to continue supporting CRCSD but at the building level. I cannot wait to work alongside Jefferson staff, students, and families in continuing the work around creating a safe and inclusive environment through strong relationships, engaging instructional practices, and staff efficacy."
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Middle School Students Qualify for National Competition
8th grader Evaline Petersen (Franklin), 8th grader Katie Hubbs (Harding), and 7th grader Raegan Reicks (Harding) took home top honors in the Iowa National History Day Competition early this spring. In June, they will travel to Washington DC to compete in the National History Day National Contents, competing against nearly 3,000 students from around the United States.
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National History Day is an annual competition for middle and high school students. Students are required to pick a topic and then do research, write papers, and present exhibits, documentaries, websites, and/or performances about their topic. This year’s projects had to fall under the theme: “Frontiers in History: People, Places, Ideas.” Through the competition, students learn critical thinking and problem-solving skills, research and reading skills, oral and written communication skills, and presentation skills. | |
Kennedy Symphony Rocks Out
When you think of Journey, Pink Floyd, Toto, or The Beatles, a symphony orchestra probably isn’t what comes to mind. But that’s exactly what happens at Kennedy High School.
Each spring, the Kennedy Symphony Orchestra electrifies its strings and presents a Symphonic Rock Concert. This annual event was first started back in 2006 by John Hall. Over the years, the concert has grown into a large musical production, now involving a guest conductor, lighting effects, fog machines, vocalists, electric guitars, and professional sound and video companies.
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Ninety-seven students participated in this year’s production, performing 13 classical rock songs from The Beatles, Journey, Styx, Pink Floyd, Ozzy Osbourne, White Stripes, Toto, and Creedence Clearwater Revival.
John Hall is retiring from his position at Kennedy at the end of the school year. Joseph Mnayer, current McKinley orchestra director, has already been named as his replacement, starting this fall. But don’t worry, Mr. Mnayer already said he plans to keep the Symphony Rock Concert going.
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Washington High School held its annual Frankfurter Festival last week. There were performances from several student groups, along with an art gallery showcasing student art projects. | |
Franklin Middle School students lit up the stage for their Spring Sing! Extravaganza. Students sang, danced, and cheered, all under the direction of Mr. Griffin. The show also helped raise over $1,000 for the choral music program. | |
Harding Middle School students received a Day of Awesomeness for their hard work. The event was open to any student who grew this year on the Iowa Assessments or iReady; every student qualified. | |
The Nixon 4th grade Gold Apprentices visited Northbrook Manor Care Center to sing and play music for the residents. | |
Congratulations to the Kennedy Boys’ Soccer Team for qualifying for State by defeating IC High by a score of 2-1. | |
McKinley STEAM Academy students had the opportunity to share their music with patrons at the Cedar Rapids Public Library. | |
Early Learning Openings
CRCSD is currently offering 4-year-old preschool opportunities through Cedar Rapids Early Learning. This program provides a nurturing environment for young students and helps lay the foundation for school success. There are currently several openings still available for this fall. For more information and to register, click here.
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Summer Meal Locations
CRCSD will once again offer students free meals over the summer. These meals help ensure kids can still get the nutritious food they may need even when school is closed. The meals are only available for children 18 years of age and younger and must be consumed on-site. For more information and to see the full schedule of meal sites for the summer, click here.
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Community Resource Hub
CRCSD would like to share a new community resource hub that is now available for all district families. The website contains a list of community resources in the area that offer help with housing, transportation, food assistance, childcare options, financial assistance, and more. Click here for more information.
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Newsletter Will Take a Short Summer Break
Next Friday will be the last edition of the district’s Future Ready Today Newsletter for this school year. But don’t worry; if anything important pops up over the summer, we will send out special emails and/or newsletters to help keep everyone informed. We plan to start the newsletter back up at the end of July or early August! Remember, we keep all past editions of the district newsletter on our website.
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Non-Discrimination Policy
It is the policy of the Cedar Rapids Community School District not to discriminate in educational programs and/or activities on the basis of race, creed, color, gender, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity, socioeconomic status, national origin, religion, disability, age (except for permitting/prohibiting students to engage in certain activities) or genetic information and in employment opportunities on the basis of age, race, creed, color, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, disability or genetic information. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy, please contact Jessica Luna, Diretor Culture/Climate Transformation, Educational Leadership and Support Center, 2500 Edgewood Rd NW, Cedar Rapids, IA, (319) 558-2000.
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