Longfellow Newsletter
Week of September 20th
Every Student Counts, Every Moment Matters!
#ICCSDtogether
First Bell-7:50 am / Tardy Bell-7:55 am
Message From Principal Webb
Dear Longhorn families,
Thank you for all of your support in the start of school. I love seeing all of the children back and learning. Everyone is starting to settle in nicely and the weather has been lovely. Please help your student check the lost and found as we have many items starting to collect and will be donating them soon.
Some of my highlights of the week:
*Joining 5th grade's morning meeting
*Joining grade level PLCs
* Listening to the stories from School of the Wild
If your child will be eating home lunch please help them remember to bring a healthy lunch from home. For example, a big bag of chips or pop does not follow our healthy food guidelines from the district.
We are completing our FAST testing of reading, math, and social-emotional skills this coming week. Guardians will get an update on how their child performed in the next few weeks and at conferences.
Finally, on Tuesday, the school board passed a mask requirement for staff, families and students which started on Wednesday of this week.
I hope everyone enjoyed their week and has a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Webb
đ-Celebrate City High Homecoming Week-đ
Monday, September 20th- Pirate Day~
Argh mateys, grab an eye patch and a scarf and prepare to walk the plank with this goofy spirit day. International Talk Like a Pirate Day, held each year on September 19.
Tuesday, September 21st- PJ Dayđ
This one's easy because it doesn't require any costumes. Roll out of bed and wear your PJs
Wednesday, September 22nd-Farm Day
Don a flannel shirt and some boots and get ready for some fun down on the farm.
Thursday, September 23rd-Sports Day
Dress in your favorite sports attire: soccer, football, cheerleader, etc
Friday, September 24th- City High or Longfellow Colors/Gear
Cheer on the City High Little Hawks by wearing red and white or celebrate Longfellow by wearing your Longfellow gear/ blue and yellow
Team Spotlight: Meet the Title 1 Support Team
Mrs. Ryan / ryan.katie@iowacityschools.org
My name is Katie Ryan and I grew up in Iowa City and attended Longfellow as a child! I am super excited to be back at Longfellow as a half-time Title I teacher. This is my 4th year in this role. Before that, I taught 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th grade at Wickham Elementary. My husband, Kirk, taught at Lucas Elementary for 10 years and is now the principal at Clear Creek Elementary in Oxford. Our son, Henry, is in 4th grade at Lucas; and our daughter, Julia, is 4 and attends La Petite Academy. When I am not at school, I enjoy going to concerts, exercising, reading, watching movies, and hanging out with my family. I love teaching students all of the skills that make up reading/writing and I look forward to working with our Longfellow Longhorns!
Free and Reduced Applications Due:
Free and Reduced Lunch applications are due by 10/4. Follow the link below to apply, or contact Caitlin Hauskins, Student Family Advocate at 319-531-7427⏠or stop into the main office!
Stuffs Etc and Houseworks/Kidworks Donations Benefit Longfellow
It's Time to Join Band!!
Is your student in 5th or 6th grade? This past week, Mrs. Clark visited each of the 5th and 6th grade classrooms to talk about band and see which instrument(s) might be the best fit for your student. Your student was sent home with a paper registration packet. This information is also available on our website at, https://sites.google.com/iowacityschools.org/joinband/home?authuser=0. Please have your student return the paper registration to school or register online by September 10th! Feel free to email me with any questions at clark.ashley@iowacityschools.org. Thank you!
Updated District News:
Dear Families and Staff,
On Monday, September 13, 2021, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa granted a temporary restraining order regarding the State of Iowaâs current mask requirement ban. The mask ban prevented local school districts, cities, and counties from enacting their own mask requirements. With the restraining order granted, until further notice, school districts in Iowa can require face masks in schools.
Following tonightâs Board meeting, the Iowa City Community School District is implementing a face mask requirement for all students, staff, and visitors in our buildings and on our campuses. This decision is largely based on the CDCâs strong recommendation that face masks be worn in schools, regardless of a person's vaccination status. This requirement also aligns with the advice of our local public health experts.
The face mask requirement goes into effect Wednesday, September 15, 2021. While it includes all individuals in our buildings and on our campuses, it also includes spectators at all indoor and outdoor events. Students actively participating in athletic competitions, whether indoors or outdoors, are not required to wear masks. Students and staff on the sidelines or bench are required to wear masks. For individuals who are eligible for face mask exemption, please complete the Face Mask Exemption Form and return it to your school nurse.
As a reminder and in compliance with the Presidentâs Executive Order on domestic transportation, students and staff are required to wear a face-covering while on a school bus or while utilizing other District-provided transportation. Failure to comply with this requirement could result in loss of bus riding privileges.
We appreciate your cooperation as we continue our efforts to control the spread of COVID-19 in our community. #ICCSDtogether
Sincerely,
Matt Degner
One Book Two Book Writing Submission
The studentâs name should be in the top right corner of the piece. The piece must have a title or be labeled âUntitled.â On the separate Student Submission Cover Form, the following information is required: Student name, grade, school, parent or guardianâs name and contact e-mail and phone number. This form is attached. In addition, it can be found as a Google Doc at http://bit.ly/OneBookTwoBook. This can be filled out and saved as part of a document along with the submission.
Student work, including the cover sheet, must be submitted to the City of Literature by Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. They can be mailed to the City of Literature, 123 S. Linn St., Iowa City, IA 52240; or e-mailed as a Microsoft Word attachment or PDF to info@iowacityofliterature.org. If using Google Docs, the submission also can be shared with info@iowacityofliterature.org (Please be sure to set your Google Docs sharing settings so that we can view your submission). The file name should include the studentâs school, grade and name (e.g. Hoover-4-HannahSmith or Garner-6-JasonJones). If using Google Docs, please download the file as either a Microsoft Word or PDF document. If the submission is handwritten or drawn, either scan and email a PDF or mail the original. Originals will be held for one month after the festival; it is the guardianâs responsibility to follow up if it should be returned.
The student work will be judged by a team from ACT in Iowa City. Recognized students will be honored at a âWrite Out Loudâ event during One Book Two Book in February 2022. Two grade level winners will be chosen, one in each of the following categories:
âThe Write Stuffâ: For language, clarity, structure, and emotional impact.
âFrom the Heartâ: For creativity, passion, and expressiveness.
These students will be invited to read their winning submissions. In addition, a percentage of all students whose submissions are deemed to be of outstanding quality also will be honored with a âcertificate of distinction.â They also will be invited to attend the âWrite Out Loudâ event.
All recognized students will receive certificates and prizes at the event.
The grade-level prize winners will have their work published in a booklet available at the festival.
Questions? Contact John Kenyon with the City of Literature office at (319) 356-5245 or john-kenyon@iowacityofliterature.org.
Snacks and Birthday Treats
The District is committed to providing a safe and healthy learning environment for our students. Due to the increase in food allergies and concerns with childhood obesity, changes are being made to the districtâs Wellness Policy regarding classroom snacks, birthday treats and classroom celebrations. Longfellow will follow these guidelines this year.
When food is served to students in the classroom as a snack, birthday treat, or during a classroom celebration, the following rules apply (ICCSD Wellness Policy 507.9):
- allow only fresh fruits/vegetables or purchased foods with the ingredients listed (no homemade foods).
- allow only foods that meet the Healthy Food Guidelines/ Smart Snacks. (the only exception to this would be food-tasting related to district-approved curriculum lessons)
- not allow foods with peanuts or peanut butter, or foods that were made in a factory where cross-contamination may occur.
- food that does not meet the guidelines will be sent home.
- a list of acceptable foods (Healthy Food Guidelines/ Smart Snacks) can be found on the Iowa City Community School District website.
To help slow the spread of COVID-19, the Iowa City Community School District strongly encourages universal indoor mask use for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to our schools, regardless of vaccination status. This is based on guidance from the CDC. In addition, the Presidentâs Executive Order on domestic transportation requires students and staff to wear a face-covering while on a school bus or while utilizing other District-provided transportation.
Check this out!
Longfellow Elementary stands with all people of color in the fight against racial injustice and inequality. We all deserve to be safe and secure. Longfellow Elementary, as part of the Iowa City Community School District, will not tolerate racism, hate, and other discriminatory acts. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. famously said that, âinjustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.â We will work hard to not let todayâs injustice stop us from creating a better tomorrow for our school community. Please know that even though it is summer, you can reach out anytime.
Below you will also find links to resources that are available for our staff and our community. Stay safe and take care. #ICCSDtogether
follow us on Twitter- @LongfellowScho1
Longfellow Elementary School
Every student counts. Every moment matters.
ADDRESS: 1130 Seymour Ave., Iowa City, IA 52240
PHONE: 319-688-1135
FAX: 319-688-1136
Kelli Webb, Principal
Caitlin Hauskins, SFA
Stacia Nkumu, Principal Secretary
Non-Discrimination Policy:
It is the policy of the Iowa City Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status in its educational programs, activities, or employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy, please contact the Director of Equity, 1725 N. Dodge St., Iowa City, IA 52245, (319) 688-1000.