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The Cedar Rapids Community School District is reaching out to provide you with an opportunity to update important information regarding your student(s). Due to recent changes in the law, CRCSD is asking all parents to confirm any alternative names, nicknames, or preferred names that their student(s) will be using. For example, if your son’s legal name is Anthony, but he typically goes by Tony. School employees will not be able to call your student(s) by their preferred name/nickname until it has been confirmed by a parent and updated in Infinite Campus.
An email will be sent to all parents on Tuesday, September 17th, asking you to confirm your student’s preferred name/nickname. This email will contain a link to a form allowing you to update this information directly in Infinite Campus. This form will only be available from September 17th to October 3rd. We appreciate you taking the time to review this now.
Should you need to make any change to this information after October 3rd, you will be required to fill out a paper form located in each school’s office. You can also update the information each summer during Annual Verification. Please contact your building administrator should you have any questions.
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Drive-Thru Petition Signature Collection | |
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There’s another chance for the community to sign the petition for the proposed $220 million bond on the November ballot. Come to Kennedy, Jefferson, or Washington High Schools on Monday, September 18th, for a Drive-Thru Petition Signature Collection Event. From 4:30-6:30 pm just drive through the Kennedy horseshoe, the Jefferson Arcade, or the Washington Arcade (all located near the main entrances of each high school). Volunteers will be on hand for you to sign the bond petition from your car or to drop off any signatures you’ve collected. It's important to note that signing the bond petition does not indicate support or opposition to the bond itself. Rather, it allows the petition language to be placed on the ballot for voters to decide.
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Trivia Igniting Classroom Engagement
It’s no secret that keeping middle school students engaged and focused can be quite a challenge. But Mr. Ciabatti, an 8th-grade social studies teacher at Franklin Middle School, is using an innovative approach to change that.
Mr. Ciabatti has started introducing a little friendly competition at the beginning of his class periods. As students enter his room, they log on to an online trivia game. They compete against each other, answering general knowledge questions. With their scores projected live on a screen at the front of the room, their competitive spirit kicks in.
"I found students are VERY competitive when it comes to earning some type of reward. The trivia competition sparks their competitive spirit, but it also gets them participating and learning. They really focus and give their all," said Mr. Ciabatti.
The top 3 scorers in the class get the coveted title of “Trivia Champions of the Day” along with a small treat. While the competition only lasts a few minutes, Mr. Ciabatti sees the effects lasting throughout the class period.
"I find they are more attentive and engaged afterward. Even those who typically don’t pay much attention or don’t participate in class get into the trivia, which carries over into the lesson,” adds Ciabatti.
While he is excited to see the trivia working in his classroom, his ultimate goal is to foster a lifelong love of learning among his students.
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Meet our Bark-tastic Helpers!
Since September is National Service & Therapy Dog Month, we thought it was the perfect time to introduce the district’s bark-tastic therapy dogs - Hopkins, Harper, Keely, Bleu, and Eco. These furry companions are not just adorable; they bring a wealth of benefits that contribute to our students' emotional and social well-being, academic success, and overall happiness. All of the CRCSD therapy dogs are trained and certified. They act as teachers, motivators, listeners, and friends to our students and staff. They help to reduce stress and anxiety levels and provide a calming influence on students. Many students also read aloud to the dogs since they offer a non-judgemental audience, helping them to build confidence and improve their literacy skills. If you want to learn more about these paws-some helpers, click here.
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News, Updates, & Reminders | |
Homecoming Dates
Homecoming is just around the corner for Jefferson, Kennedy, and Washington High Schools! It is a time for students, staff, and alumni to come together to show their school pride as they celebrate their school. Each school has its beloved homecoming traditions that echo the unity and spirit of our district. Below are the dates for each high school’s upcoming homecoming celebrations. Check with each school on the specific times and locations of each activity.
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Jefferson
- Parade - Sept. 27
- Game - Sept. 28
- Dance - Sept. 29
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Kennedy
- Parade - Sept. 27
- Game - Sept. 29
- Dance - Sept. 30
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Washington
- Parade & Bonfire - Sept. 20
- Game - Sept. 22
- Dance - Sept. 23
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Attendance Matters!
September is Attendance Awareness Month, and we wanted to remind our students and families of the importance of regular school attendance. When students miss school, they miss important instructional time that can't be replaced. In fact, missing 10% or more of the school year (18+ days a year) can put children at risk of academic failure. Research shows they are less likely to read proficiently and graduate high school. For our students to succeed, they need to be at school. Help your child get to school every day so that they can stay engaged, successful, and on track to graduate.
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Glance Around The District | |
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Police Pal Shawn visited
2nd graders at Wright Elementary to teach them about stranger danger. Officer Shawn Burke visits the class several times a year to teach various safety lessons.
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First graders in Mrs. Harrison’s class at Harrison Elementary have been learning about the life cycle of apple trees. As part of the lesson, they sampled apples to compare their taste, smell, and feel. | |
Johnson STEAM Academy 4th graders worked on their team work, communication, and problem-solving skills this week during a cup tower challenge. | |
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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.
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Follow us on social media for the latest updates: | |
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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 Darius Ballard, Chief of Human Resources, Educational Leadership and Support Center, 2500 Edgewood Rd NW, Cedar Rapids, IA, (319) 558-2000.
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