Our "You've Got This" video, tech champions, and arts integration 💜

Waterloo Schools Family,

This week has gone by in a blink! Monday's board meeting was filled with celebratory news, 2023-24 school calendars, and a $5,600 donation by the McElroy Trust Foundation. Our surrounding community has such a love for Waterloo Schools, and we're so thankful for that!

Lou Henry student, Diamond Martor was featured as this month's KCRG's Student of the Month. Her teacher Mikayla Vetter says she stands out as a leader, and always tries her hardest while accomplishing great things in and out of the classroom. Be sure to check out her acting debut in our newest video HERE!
With the weather throwing schedules through the loop last week, it has been determined that May 8 will be used as a snow make-up day (the other option was April 10).
Web programming student, Adrian Gomez, won the 2023 Congressional App Challenge and U.S. House Representative Ashely Hinson visited the WCC Thursday morning to congratulate Gomez along with classmates Connor Strickler and Antony Rivera who also participated in the challenge.

Waterloo Schools "You've Got This" video featuring Sahara Williams

Whether it's exploring Lego League, learning the skills of painting, or hitting free throws during basketball practice, Waterloo educators encourage their students each step of the way, assuring them, "You've got this."

Enjoy this early sneak peek of the video before it's shared out later today!

Waterloo FIRST Robotics Team places first at the Bettendorf Superqualifier event

The Waterloo Robotics team is ready for this weekend’s Iowa State FIRST Tech Competition Championships in Coralville! After earning the top ranking of 24 teams in the Eastern Superqualifier event in Bettendorf, team 7247 H20 Loo Bots is aiming for another top placement at the state event, and a ticket to the World Championships in Houston, Texas. Help us cheer them on this Saturday via live stream on Youtube starting at 8:30 a.m.!

You can also take a sneak peek at our upcoming Courier article featuring the Waterloo FIRST Robotics Team!

Board Approves Arts Integration Funding

Arts integration is heating up this spring! The board approved a continued partnership between Waterloo Schools, Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, and The Kennedy Center.

The decision specifically supports teaching artist residencies in late March at Becker Elementary, mid April at Lou Henry Elementary, and mid May at Lincoln Elementary.

Teaching artists include renowned tap dancer Quynn Johnson (pictured) and Dr. Cierra Kaler-Jones.

Additionally, we'll be hosting an Arts Integration workshop on Saturday, March 25, at Cental Rivers AEA, focused on actively exploring arts integration practices, learning alongside artists and educators, and finding out more about local efforts to "grow our own," teaching artists. Sign-up to attend using course ID #204863.

Planting the Seed Award-- Peterson & Tietz Florists and Greenhouses is eager to celebrate our employees! To nominate a colleague (any Waterloo Schools employee) for a monthly "Planting the Seed Award" simply send that person's name, your name, and a brief description of why you're nominating them to flowershop@ptflowers.com. Peterson and Tietz will choose a winner each month. They'll deliver a fresh flower bouquet or tropical plant with a special message of appreciation to the winner and congratulate the winner via social media.

Be Bold Awards -- It is with great pleasure that Superintendent Smith is announcing the start of our #BeBold Awards!! Please nominate any Waterloo Schools employee who has gone above and beyond to #BeBold in their job. In addition to being publicly recognized, all winners will receive a $25 (or more!) gift card to a local restaurant or small business. We plan to recognize up to five employees per month for the remainder of the school year. Nominate a deserving colleague using the #BeBold Employee Nomination Form!

KCRG's A+ for Education -- KCRG's A+ for Education program celebrates great teachers and educators...and it comes with a plaque, some great publicity for your school/building and $250 for the educator! You can find out more and find a nomination form at this link.

SOUP COOKING COMPETITION: The WCC will be hosting a soup cooking competition on March 7, from 7:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., followed by an all-you-can-eat soup luncheon for $15.00 cash per person. Lunches will include soup, assorted crackers, a drink, and cookies/bars. Come support our culinary and hospitality students with a great lunch!

SPRING BREAK: School is closed the week of March 13-17, 2023. As a reminder, those who are required to work have the option of working from home or reporting to the office.

GREETERS FOR GREATNESS: After spring break, we'll be starting the Greeters for Greatness volunteer program, which helps bring male community members in during the weekday to greet students and encourage them as they walk into school. Sign-up to volunteer!

BE AWARE EDUCATIONAL SERIES: Our Be Aware educational series continues next week on Wednesday, March 8 at the WCC, tackling the topic of unhealthy relationships with LaToya Hall of Amani Community Services. Come join us at 6:00 pm to learn more!

Join Waterloo Schools everywhere! Well, not everywhere. But in these digital worlds: