Thanks to support from parents, staff, and community volunteers, the district successfully collected 6,909 petition signatures, surpassing the required amount needed to get the bond language included on the November 7th ballot. The CRCSD Board of Education approved the resolution to call an election during a special board meeting on Thursday night. On Friday morning, CRCSD submitted the resolution to the Linn County Elections. 

“This achievement is a testament to the dedication and hard work of everyone involved. With this bond, we can look forward to a brighter future for our schools, students, and community,” commented David Tominsky, CRCSD School Board President.

If approved by voters in November, the bond measure will generate funds to allow the district to address critical improvements and investments to enhance infrastructure, safety measures, and learning environments for students and staff, including:

• Construction of a new 6th-8th middle school in the Kennedy school feeder system on a site that needs to be acquired. 
• Career and Technical Education (CTE) additions to Jefferson, Kennedy, and Washington High Schools to expand and improve the district’s vocational and technical education programs, ensuring students graduate career and college-ready. 
• Install a new turf practice field at Jefferson, Kennedy, and Washington, offering safer and more versatile playing surfaces for sports teams, marching bands, and PE classes.
• Renovations and Upgrades to the Kennedy cafeteria and kitchen, Metro High School gym, and Franklin Middle School to make needed repairs and improve overall functionality.

“Together, we can continue to invest in public education and the future success of our students by ensuring that they have the tools and facilities they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world,” added CRCSD Superintendent Dr. Tawana Grover. “It’s an investment in our children's future and the prosperity of our district and community.”

The district will now embark on a comprehensive community outreach campaign to educate and engage voters to ensure everyone has the information needed to make an informed decision on November 7th. The district invites community members to stay informed about the bond measure and the upcoming November election by visiting our official website, build.crschools.us. 

In a remarkable achievement, two Cedar Rapids Community School District students have been named semifinalists in the prestigious 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program. Theodore Brock and Ian McGrath, both seniors at Washington, have demonstrated exceptional scholastic abilities to earn their place among the nation's brightest students. This accomplishment is a testament to their dedication and hard work. 

The National Merit Scholarship Program is a highly competitive and esteemed academic competition that recognizes outstanding students across the United States. To become semifinalists, students must score in the top one percent of students nationwide on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. A total of 154 Iowa high school students are among the 16,000 students nationally to be named as a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist.

The next step in the National Merit Scholarship competition involves meeting additional standards and fulfilling several requirements. These include submitting a detailed scholarship application, a written essay, a recommendation from a school official, and SAT or ACT test scores. The finalists will be announced in early 202 and will go on to win some of 7,140 scholarships worth over $28 million. 

Jefferson Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

In a colorful and spirited celebration, Jefferson High School students gathered Thursday for an assembly to honor Hispanic and LatinX Heritage Month. Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month, which runs from September 15th to October 15th, is a time to recognize and celebrate the culture and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx Americans.

The assembly, which was planned by the students in the school’s Latinx Club, shared information about the Hispanic and Latinx communities and traditions, along with performances of several Latin dances. One of the highlights of the assembly was a “serenade” dance the students performed with Jefferson Principal Jessica Luna. 

The Latinx Club students hope the assembly helped their classmates learn and appreciate their diverse culture more while also shining a light on the importance of embracing the unique diversity at Jefferson High School. The group looks forward to organizing more events for the students, such as a "Baile" and Day of the Dead Activities later this year. 

Homecoming Dates

Homecoming, or HoCo as students call it, has arrived. This week is Washington High School’s homecoming. Students had a jam-packed spirit week full of amazing festivities, including their annual parade and bonfire on Wednesday evening. The Washington Warriors will take on the Jefferson J-Hawks tonight for their homecoming football game, where they will also crown this year’s homecoming court. Next week, Jefferson and Kennedy High Schools will hold their homecoming festivities. Below are the dates for each high school’s upcoming homecoming celebrations. Check with each school office on specific times and locations.

Washington

• Game - Sept. 22
• Dance - Sept. 23

Jefferson

• Parade - Sept. 27 
• Game - Sept. 28
• Dance - Sept. 29

Kennedy

• Parade - Sept. 27 
• Game - Sept. 29
• Dance - Sept. 30

Annual Verification Milestone

We wanted to take a moment to express our gratitude to our students’ families for your prompt and diligent response to our annual verification process. We have reached a remarkable 90% completion rate! Your participation in the annual verification process is instrumental in ensuring the accuracy of our student records, free/reduced school fee verification, as well as helping to improve communication between our schools and families. If you have not yet completed the annual verification process for your student, we kindly ask you to take a moment to do so by logging in to the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Please contact your student's school office if you have any questions or need assistance with the verification process. 

America Reads

Online registration is now open for the 26th annual America Reads literacy celebration, which will take place on October 19th & 20th. This program is designed to highlight the importance of reading. During the event, community members visit elementary classrooms to share their favorite children’s book with the students. Click here for more information and to register to read to a class. Registration closes on October 13th.

Save Your Receipts to Earn

Money For Your School

Many CRCSD schools are participating in Hy-Vee’s Cash 4 Students program again this year. This fundraising program allows local schools to earn money by saving and submitting Hy-Vee receipts brought in by students, staff, and community members. The schools receive $1 for every $200 worth of receipts submitted. The schools then use the money for field trips, classroom supplies, and special student activities. Receipts can be turned in to any school office and must be dated April 1, 2023, through March 31, 2024, in order to be eligible for this year’s program.

The Cedar Rapids branch of the NAACP held a welcome reception for CRCSD Superintendent Dr. Tawana Grover on Tuesday evening at the Cedar Rapids Public Library

Washington students in Mr. Johnson’s Anatomy and Physiology class got a chance to practice their surgery and wound suturing skills.

Students in the new Business Leadership Studies class at Roosevelt learned about email etiquette this week.

The Cedar Rapids Fire Department visited the kindergarten students at Erskine Elementary to teach them about fire safety. 

5th graders at Johnson Steam Academy learned how to canoe and engaged in hands-on science and engineering learning opportunities as part of the School of the Wild program this week. 

Franklin Middle School held its fall spirit week. Students and staff participated in the third day, Dress Like a Teacher Day!

In case you missed it, here are some of the recent stories in the news media about or of interest to students, teachers, and parents of Cedar Rapids Community School District.

• KGAN - Ed Thomas Coach of the Week: Cedar Rapids Jefferson’s Ed Miles
• Gazette - Cedar Rapids schools’ proposed $220M bond referendum would keep property taxes comparable
• Gazette - Harding band director Melissa Voss is runner-up for 2023 Excellence in Education Award

2023-24 School Calendar

2023-24 Preschool Calendar

Jefferson High School

Activities Calendar

Kennedy High School

Activities Calendar

Washington High School

Activities Calendar

Learn more about

breakfast and lunch

meals here.

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 Darius Ballard, Chief of Human Resources, Educational Leadership and Support Center, 2500 Edgewood Rd NW, Cedar Rapids, IA, (319) 558-2000.