School performance celebrations

Iowa School Performance Profiles

Released Today With

Celebrations for Cedar Rapids

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires all states to publish report cards reflecting the performance of the state, schools and school districts. Iowa’s report card is called the Iowa School Performance Profiles. The report cards provide an overall view of school performance and reflect the core measures that contribute to a school’s accountability determination. This data is updated annually.

The information contained in the report allows parents, staff and other stakeholders to celebrate achievements and focus on areas for improvement. Both the Iowa School Performance Profiles and the Iowa School Report Card are reflected on the https://www.iaschoolperformance.gov/ site.

For the Cedar Rapids Community School District, we have some exciting celebrations within the data:

88% (28/32) of our schools maintained or improved their accountability by at least one level.
25% (8/32) of our schools moved from low accountability (Priority or Needs Improvement) to high accountability (Acceptable or Commendable).
One building improved their accountability by two levels, going from Needs Improvement in 2021 to Commendable in 2022.
9 schools dropped at least one demographic subgroup from their targeted status. 8 of the 9 schools now have no targeted subgroups.
75% (24/32) of our schools improved their overall ESSA scores from 21-22.
50% (16/32) of our schools require no subgroup support, up from 31% (10/32) in 2021.
8 schools have come off the ESSA designation list

We are excited about our growth and appreciative of all the hard work of our students, staff and families. We have so much to celebrate.

Nicole Kooiker, Deputy Superintendent

Join us for Maple Grove Elementary's Open House!

We are ready to open our doors and share our newest elementary school with you.

On Thursday, October 27th, from 4:30 - 6:30 pm we invite the community to see what is inside of our newest elementary school, Maple Grove. The official ribbon cutting program will take place at 4:30pm.

"I am so excited for our community to see the newest CRCSD building and see how effective design for collaboration drives instruction and student connection forward," said Nick Duffy, principal at Maple Grove.

Students will be leading tours of the new structure and giving a personal account for how the new space is helping them become Future Ready learners.

A message from the

school board president

The CRCSD Board of Directors wants to share with you that we plan to appoint an interim superintendent in the next few working days. This item will be on the October 24, 2022, board agenda, but we want to first communicate this to all of you - the dedicated CRCSD staff and supportive families.

Given Superintendent Noreen Bush’s continuing health journey, she will no longer be the District’s acting superintendent, effective November 1, 2022. The interim superintendent will likely be named at the October 24, 2022, board meeting and will begin the role as early as November 1, 2022.

Our continued love, care and support are with Noreen and her family.

Sincerely,

David Tominsky

Board President

CRCSD Superintendent search next steps

This week, the Cedar Rapids Community School Board hired Hazard, Young, Attea, and Associates consulting firm to search for the District's next superintendent. This search firm has helped in the selection process of the last four superintendents that have led CRCSD.

Your voice will be significant as we work through the process with the consulting firm. Please be alert for future community input sessions. Stay tuned!

The last chance for your family give us your input.

As we continue our journey of strengthening an inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students, family feedback remains key in this process. We value your input, as it provides us with a wider lens towards our strengths and areas of growth both within our school buildings and throughout the community.

See below for the survey link with questions regarding your experience with the Cedar Rapids Community School District. The survey closes on Oct. 28th.

Family Feedback Survey

Every Learner. Future Ready.

Celebrating Latinx and Hispanic Communities

We are proud to celebrate our Hispanic and Latinx families and staff during Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month. From September 15- October 15, Hispanic and Latinx communities are celebrated for their history and what they bring to the future. Some of our CRCSD schools developed their own celebrations, from creating Hispanic and Latinx Heritage groups to studying the historical contributions of Latin Americans.

See celebrations from several schools

Boys and Girls Cross Country MVC awards

The Mississippi Valley honors cross country athletes with awards

CRCSD would like to honor runners from all three high schools participating in Cross Country this fall.

The Mississippi Valley conference hands out awards to select runners with a first team, second team, and honorable mention. Also, congrats to the runners who punched their tickets to the state meet.

Check out the honorees

Trunk or Treat Event

Trunk or Treat is just around the corner

Be sure to mark your calendars for the third annual Trunk or Treat, held on Saturday, October 29th.

The trunks will be open beginning at 1:00 pm and running to 4:00 pm at the Kingston Stadium west parking lot, 907 15th Street SW. This event will happen rain or shine.

CREA/CRCSD sponsors this collaborative community outreach event. We ask for family-friendly costumes and, please, no pets.

CRCSD High School Coach Spotlight

Kira Schmoke

Washington Cheerleading Coach

Say hello to Washington's Head Cheer Coach, Kira Schmoke! This is Kira's first year as the head coach, and by day you can find her teaching health and PE at Washington. She loves teaching the girls new cheers and stunts, and seeing the excitement and love they have for a sport that she loves too.

Leslie Nelson

Kennedy Diving Coach

Leslie is in her 16th year as Kennedy's Diving Coach, In total, Leslie has coached various sports for the CRCSD for 36 years, including being the assistant swim coach at Harding for the last 4 years. By day, you can find her teaching Physical Education and Swimming at Kennedy. "I enjoy watching the growth of each individual and how their confidence blooms as the season progresses!"

Important Reminders