Statement from District Regarding Racist Posts, Preschool Registration January 29 and More, Tigers Together: Every Student. Every Day. Multiple Ways. #TigerPride

In light of this past week’s events and the grossly inappropriate postings on social media, we want to bring clarity to our position as a District.

Acts of racism, either verbal or written, will not be tolerated and are subject to consequences.
Board policy #504.5.1 Anti Bullying/Harassment has been long established and clearly prohibits verbal and physical harassment based on race, as well as a number of other prohibited bases.
Board Policy #502.4 Freedom of Expression
Student expression must be appropriate.
Viewpoints and opinions must be responsible.
Racist actions and related language will cause a substantial disruption to our educational program and as a result, fall under our jurisdiction.
It does not matter whether our students are on or off-campus, their actions and language have consequences.

Our District Equity Committee is working to make many changes in our District. The committee's shared goal is to create actionable change so that every student feels safe, supported, and heard.

Our equity webpage will be launched soon that will include action steps, committee agendas/minutes, training, and family/student resources. As a reminder, we do have an anonymous reporting system that anyone is able to use to report incidents.

We recognize the harm that this situation has caused and want all of our students, staff, and families to know that the district is taking steps to dismantle the racism that exists in our schools. We know there is much to do and we are committed to providing each and every student with a safe, equitable, and inclusive learning environment. It will take all of us working together; students, staff, parents, and our community.

Holmes Junior High Wins Excellence in Environmental Ed Award

The Iowa Association of Naturalists-Iowa Conservation Education Coalition (IAN-ICEC) Awards for Excellence in Environmental Education recognize the incredible contributions of environmental educators, partners, and supporters to the advancement of environmental literacy in Iowa. The IAN-ICEC Environmental Education Excellence Awards are named in honor of those who made important contributions to the understanding of the wealth of Iowa’s natural and cultural resources.

The Sylvan Runkel Environmental Education School Award was written by Cedar Falls District AmeriCorps member, Gabby Crooks. Gabby nominated Holmes Junior High School for their school-wide composting project, in partnership with Cedar Valley Medical Specialists and Rite Environmental, which kicked off in the fall of 2020. This award recognizes specific environmental education movements in traditional schools that are collaborative, cross-disciplinary, supported by teachers, staff, students and parents, and benefit the community and student involvement. Despite the many challenges associated with food waste reduction (especially at a school district) in a COVID world, the leaders at Holmes Junior High have still managed to assist students in diverting over 2,000 pounds of food waste & 90 pounds of plastic from entering the landfill through encouragement, education and demonstration.

Many thanks to Gabby & Mary (previous AmeriCorps volunteer) for their dedication and consistency during every lunch period to provide the support needed for students; Associate Principal, Eric Rosburg, for his leadership for our AmeriCorps members and Holmes students; as well as Maya and Dr. Ravi Mallavarapu for being the catalyst to get this initiative started at Holmes Junior High!

CFHS Sophomore bassoonist Preston Atkins has been selected as a finalist in the 2021 Richard Record Rising Stars Competition. This competition is sponsored by the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra, along with Mayo Clinic Health System. He will perform this Saturday, January 30, 3:30 p.m. Livestream Competition on YouTube. For more details and a link to the competition, follow this link. Preston is the son of Miyuki Atkins, and is a member of the Cedar Falls High School Bands.

NEIBA announces 2020 Philip Sehmann

Excellence in Teaching Award

The Philip Sehmann Excellence in Teaching Award (High School level, Middle School level, Elementary level) is given in memory of Mr. Sehmann who had a highly distinguished career as Director of Bands at Crestwood Community Schools. This award is presented to those individuals who meet the criteria of excellence, dedication and commitment to the value of instrumental music education in our schools.

Ben Byersdorfer is this year's recipient. He is in his 13th year as band director at Peet Junior High. There he teaches two concert bands, one jazz band and individual lessons at the 8th and 9th grade levels. He previously served as band director at SCMT Middle School in Thornton, Iowa for two years. His 8^th grade concert band was selected to perform at the Iowa Bandmasters Association Convention in 2015 and 2019. In 2018, Ben was named a recipient of the R.J. McElroy Trust Gold Star Award for Outstanding Teaching. Ben’s wife Ann is a 5th and 6th grade band director in Cedar Falls Schools.

Two Grants Support connect>CF Program

The Cedar Falls Schools Foundation (CFSF) was recently awarded grants from the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa (CFNEIA) and Lincoln Savings Bank (LSB) Foundation to support the connect>CF Program.

connect>CF provides reduced-cost home internet service to eligible students and families in the district. Established in 2018, connect>CF is a collaboration between the district and Cedar Falls Utilities that addresses the homework gap and brings the value of connectivity into households – a need that has only increased due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.

“We are so appreciative of this show of support from the CFNEIA and LSB Foundation and are honored to help even the scales among our students and families,” stated Monica Boyer, CFSF Executive Director.

connect>CF is an ongoing effort, sustained by donations from individuals, business, organizations and grants. To learn more about connect>CF, or to donate, click here .

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR 2021

GOLD STAR AWARDS

FOR OUTSTANDING TEACHING

Nominations are open for the 2021 Gold Star Award 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 Award committee from all nominations and teacher applications. Each winner receives a $1,000 cash award and a $500 classroom grant. This year’s award will be May 18, 2021 with more details to follow.

The Gold Star Award 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. I can think of no better year to nominate a deserving teacher than this!”

Nomination forms are available online at www.goldstarteacher.com. Anyone may submit nominations. Nomination deadline is February 20th. Nominees will be notified and have until March 22nd to apply.