Facilities Master Plan Update
Board of Education Approves Elementary School Next Step
The next-step recommendation from the Facilities Master Plan Taskforce (community members, CRCSD staff, architects) was approved March 28, 2022, by the CRCSD board of directors. 

A dynamic, new elementary school will be built on the Arthur Elementary School annex property (across the street from the Arthur main building), and the Arthur and Garfield Elementary School attendance areas will be combined. The distance between Arthur and Garfield is 1.1 mile. 

The plan includes closing Arthur Elementary and Garfield and opening the new school in the fall of 2024. Harrison and Madison Elementary School attendance areas will also be combined by fall 2025 and CRCSD is considering two options: Renovate the existing Harrison Elementary School structure or build a new building on the property of Madison Elementary School. None of the existing four buildings noted here will be demolished.
Important Reminders
Saturday, April 2: 8:00 - 4:30 p.m.
All-City Music Contest.- Jefferson High School

Sunday, April 3: 12:30 - 3:00 p.m.

Monday, April 11: 5:30 p.m.

Monday, April 25: 5:30 p.m.
CRCSD Happenings
Justin Blietz Named Roosevelt Creative Corridor Business Academy Principal

When you grow up one block from Roosevelt Creative Corridor Business Academy (RCCBA), a return to the school as newly-named principal is the adult version of “coming home.” Justin Blietz has been named RCCBA principal as of July 1, 2022. He grew up on Hinkley Avenue and has fond memories of playing basketball on the RCCBA outdoor courts and spending winter days on the beloved sledding hill. He also cites the great teachers and mentors throughout his time in the Cedar Rapids Community School District as the inspiration for him becoming a teacher and school administrator.
Washington High School students make a fashion statement

Sewing is back in, with a computerized twist

If you combine art class with entrepreneurship and a healthy layering of social-emotional benefits, you have the vibe found in the Fashion/Construction class at Washington High School. Joan Stekl, family and consumer sciences teacher, leads a group of students in the trifecta of fashion design, photography, and writing, along with creating a marketing poster. 

“We’re always looking for electives where students can learn new skills,” said Stekl. “We decided we needed to get this sewing thing back, and we quickly found it was a great way to support kids' creativity.”

When we visited the classroom, the students were exploring the “draping assignment” where they played the role of fashion designer by creating a draped design on their doll structure. Next steps involved photographing the creation and then writing a dynamic description to accompany the logo and poster design development.
Graduation Dates and Locations Set for Next Month

It's time to prepare for the upcoming celebrations!

Alliant Energy Power House - 7:00 p.m.
May 26 Jefferson High School
May 27 Kennedy High School
May 28 Washington High School

DoubleTree by Hilton - 2:00 p.m.
May 28 Metro High School
Para Appreciation Day - April 1st

Today, as every day, we appreciate the CRCSD para educators and all they do to support our students and staff. Their role in the classroom is essential to student success!

Susan Hester and Jorie Dillman have been paraeducators at CRCSD for several years and are currently at West Willow Elementary School. They love their work and find it both challenging and rewarding. "We love to watch students excel... to see the light bulb go off, that ah-ha moment when a student understands what you are teaching," says Hester.

Thank you!
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April 1, 2022