Longfellow Newsletter
Week of: May 23rd-29th
Every Student Counts, Every Moment Matters! #ICCSDtogether
Message From Principal Webb
Dear families,
It's the last official week of school! Wow, what a crazy way to end a school year!
We will have pick up times below for families to get their student items remaining at school. Please remain in the car and someone will bring the items to you!
The 6th-grade graduation information is below. A zoom link was sent to 6th-grade families yesterday. Please email Mrs. Webb or any 6th-grade teacher for the link!
Pick up times for student belongings at Longfellow are:
- Wednesday, May 27th, 1:00-6:00 PM
- Thursday, May 28th, 8:00-11:00 AM
We will utilize our North door car line for curbside service again. It's very helpful if you have your children's names and grade written on a piece of paper for us!
Finally, we will have a "Zoom-Up" to the next grade for our students. This will happen on Tuesday. Please see the information below for the times. Your current teacher will email you a link to join the Zoom-Up and meet the teachers of the next grade!
Have a great weekend!
Sincerely,
Kelli Webb
Zoom-UP to the Next Grade!
Current K-5th graders will have the opportunity to meet the next grade's teachers on Tuesday, May 26th! Please see the below schedule for your time to zoom up! The zoom link will come from your current grade teacher.
Schedule
K to 1: 11:30-11:45 -for current Kindergarten students to meet 1st-grade teachers
1 to 2: 11: 45-12:00- 1st-grade current students to meet 2nd-grade teachers
2 to 3: 12:00-12: 15- current 2nd-grade students to meet 3rd-grade teachers
3 to 4: 12:15-12:30-current 3rd-grade teachers to meet 4th-grade teachers
4 to 5: 12:30-12:45- current 4th graders to meet 5th-grade teachers
5 to 6: 12: 45-1:00-current 5th graders to meet 6th-grade teachers
Focused Learning areas at Longfellow:
Classroom Corner:
Throughout summer Lexia and Dreambox will still be available. Families are able to keep their devices as well. Teachers however will not be available to help problem-solve weekly after the last week of school. Keep reading and working the best you can! We look forward to seeing everyone in the fall.
Music
Hello Musical at Home Longhorns!
We hope to see you this week at Specials Zoom Class Time!
THIS WEEK’S ALL ABOUT ME PLAYLIST HIGHLIGHTS:
Madison Schuchert, 6th Grade, and Norah Oakland, 4th Grade
Check out their playlists! We have been listening to our Longhorn friends’ favorite music during specials’ zooms this week!
Click on Madison Schuchert's Spotify Playlist "About Me"
Norah Oakland:
Q: What song makes you want to dance?
A: Dance Monkey
Q: What music do you listen to when you’re feeling sad?
A: Sunflower
Q: What song gets you pumped up?
A: God’s Plan
Q: What song best describes you?
A: Rise
Q: What song calms you down or helps you fall asleep?
A: Silent Night
Q: What artist reminds you of a friend or family member?
A: Rise
To send in your “All About Me” Playlist, please fill out this google form or print a hard copy/write your own list and mail it to me at Longfellow Music, 1130 Seymour Avenue, Iowa City, IA 52240! You can also find this on your Clever Music Classroom Page!
6th grade students - For the 6th grade celebration, we are asking all sixth graders to submit any or all of your musical performance of “Lean on Me,” via this private FLIPGRID LINK (also found in your Clever account under the 5/6 music page) by Tuesday, May 26th. No one but Ms. Brown can see your submission.
Make sure to sing or play your instrument along with Ms. Brown’s recording (also found on your clever music page) so it is in the same key and the same tempo.
Use an earbud/bluetooth to listen to the recording while you simultaneously record your own version.
TIP: afterward, don't listen to your recording, because it might sound sort of weird. Don't worry, it won't once we put everyone together with the accompaniment and other voices!
Please record yourself in “landscape mode” on a phone or tablet.
Even if it’s just a small part of the song - please send in!
Let Ms. Brown know if you want to have a solo during the song. Otherwise, she will have you singing with the group.
Teachers and family members can do it too!
The final product will showcase the 6th grade team singing together! Here is an example of this kind of project created by the City High Marching Band! It is so cool!
Physical Education- Ms. Sobaski
Longfellow Moo'vers!
It is almost Summer time. There will be less rain and more sunshine coming our way. I hope you are all able to spend more time outside!
In the meantime, here are some fun optional activities to get your bodies moo'ving:
Born to Move - Dance and Fitness Combined
It has been great to see some of your faces in our optional Specials' Zoom Meetings! I look forward to seeing more of you this week!
Stay Safe!
Ms. Sobaski
Art
Hello Longfellow Artists! I can’t believe we made it to the end of the school year. Thank you for continuing to create through these uncertain times. I hope you continue to find joy and empowerment by creating over the summer.
Student Art Work will be returned next week during the student pick up times. Classroom teachers have put art work in bags with students other belongings.
This week try using recycled materials to create art! I find the artist El Anatsui very inspiring. Here is a video of his workshop in Nigeria:
Here are the videos of “Art at Home with Ms. Q”.
Drawing Chalk Flowers:
Sketchbooks:
Window hearts:
Follow msqartroom on Instagram http://instagram.com/msqartroom
to help us to stay connected during this time.
I hope to see some of you next week during our last week of specials zooms!
Reading Support from Title 1
Hi readers & leaders, from Ms. V & Mrs. Pauley!
As we know, learning to read requires strengthening two main parts of our brain: the orthographic processor, which recognizes print, & the phonological processor, which manipulates sounds. When these two processes come together efficiently, we’re able to read accurately & fluently!
Practicing phonological awareness is easy in that it doesn’t require any materials--just your ears & voice! Below are some prompts for adults or older kids to say out loud to emerging readers. At the most complex level is phonemic awareness, or manipulating sounds (phonemes) within words. Now that we’ve isolated all the sounds in words, let’s change them to make new words.
Adding Sounds
Prompt: “I’m going to say a word. You will add a sound to make a new word.”
More Support: “Put up a finger for each sound in the word. Where is the beginning? Where is the end?”
“Say rub. Add /g/ to the beginning. New word?” (grub)
“Say ice. Add /n/ to the beginning. New word?” (nice)
“Say ban. Add /d/ to the end. New word?” (band)
“Say win. Add /k/ to the end. New word?” (wink)
Deleting Sounds
“Say bench. Now say bench, but don’t say /ch/.” (been)
“Say stop. Now say stop, but don’t say /s/.” (top)
“Say cloud. Now say cloud, but don’t say /k/.” (loud)
“Say goat. Now say goat, but don’t say /t/.” (go)
Substituting Sounds
“Say woke. Now say woke, but instead of /w/, say /p/.” (poke)
“Say kiss. Now say kiss, but instead of /k/, say /m/.” (miss)
“Say safe. Now say safe, but instead of /f/, say /m/.” (same)
“Say teach. Now say teach, but instead of /ch/, say /n/.” (teen)
Student Family Advocate- Ms. Amanda
Please see the attached flyer for a mobile pantry in Iowa City. Additional languages will be available soon. Please share widely for anyone needing food resources. We will accept walk-ups and families may pick for their friends with no questions asked. We will not ask for identification so anyone is welcome.
Library- Ms. Morey
As we wrap up this school year I want to remind you to keep reading! Here is a video from the Iowa City Public Library to help you login and use your AIM card to check out a book online: https://youtu.be/-UzHZ5h7FkU If you need your student ID # for this please email Mrs. Morey
With the "new" school year comes a new crop of Iowa Children's Choice Award books. These fiction books are chosen every year by Iowa Teacher Librarians for students in grades 3-6 from a range of genres and lengths. Students across the state vote on their favorite in the spring. By the way, voting for this year was postponed due to the coronavirus, but I will be letting you know when it's time for that. In the meantime, here are this (2020-2021) year's books:
- Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed
- Because of the Rabbit by Cynthia Lord
- Bob by Wendy Maas and Rebecca Stead
- Captain Superlative by J.S. Pulver
- Front Desk by Kelly Yang
- The Great Treehouse War by Lisa Graff
- Greetings from Witness Protection! by Jake Burr
- Harbour Me by Jacqueline Woodson
- Lemons by Melissa Savage
- Louisiana's Way Home by Kate DiCamillo
- Mr. Bixby's Last Day by John David Anderson
- New Kid by Jerry Craft
- The Perfect Score by Rob Buyea
- The Rhino in Right Field by Stacy Dekeyser
- Saving Winslow by Sharon Creech
- Squirm by Carl Hiaasen
- Strays Like Us by Ceclia Galante
- The Unteachables by Gordon Korman
- The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser
- You Don’t Know Everything, Jilly P! by Alex Gino
Next time I will share info about local summer reading programs!
Extended Learning Program (ELP) Ms. McDonald
Choose an adventure at Google Earth Voyager. Google Earth's Voyager is a showcase of interactive guided tours, quizzes, and layers that aim to help educate everyone about the world, locations near and far. Interested in castles and what influenced their design? Travel to several sites and learn how angles, line of sight and properties of circles help define the geometry of castles.
Safe travels!
Latest Communication from the District:
Dear Families,
We hope that this update finds you and your family well. On behalf of the entire Iowa City Community School District staff and Board of Directors, you remain in our thoughts and we continue to wish you good health throughout this uncertain time.
Below you will find updates and information on multiple topics surrounding the ongoing COVID-19 situation. Please know that we continue to put the physical and mental wellness of our students, staff, and families first in our decision-making. We are here to support you in any way that we can; please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have.
Retrieving Student Items from Buildings:
We are currently coordinating the pick-up of any student items left at school. These items will be pre-packaged for families to pick-up outside the building along with an opportunity to retrieve any medication that still needs to be distributed. All schools will have social distancing measures in place and families will not be allowed inside the building. If students have items from school they need to return (district-owned instruments, library books, textbooks, etc.), they should be dropped off at this time as well.
Below is the schedule for student pick-up of items:
- Elementary students: May 27, 2020 (from 1:00PM-6:00 PM) and May 28, 2020 (from 8:00AM- 11:00 AM) are the designated days for students in Preschool through grade 6 to retrieve any needed items from school. Parents of elementary children will follow the typical “car line” path. Please drive up to the building (staying in your car), state your child(ren)’s name, and a staff member will bring your child’s items to you. Students do not need to be present during pick-up.
- Grades 7 through 11: May 26 and 27, 2020 are the designated days for students in grades 7 through 11 to retrieve any needed items from school. Students and families will receive specific times and additional information from their building principals.
- Seniors: May 21, 2020 is the designated day for all seniors to retrieve any needed items from school. At each high school, the Office of Technology and Innovation will provide two cardboard pallet boxes for senior students to return their technology devices. The slotted pallet box should be used for Chromebooks, iPads, and computers. The non-slotted pallet box should be used for additional technology accessories (chargers, cases, and other miscellaneous items). Please consult on-site staff if you have any trouble locating the technology drop-off boxes. Students and families will receive specific times and additional information from their building principals.
Additional details regarding the retrieval of student materials will be provided by your building principal.
Instrument Return Policy
- Please KEEP your instrument if you are returning to the same school next year and if the instrument is in working condition (you should return if it needs repair).
- Students in the 6th, 8th, and 12th grades should return their school instruments.
- Students who are moving out of the district or to a new school should return their instruments.
- Please make sure all instruments are labeled with your name, school, and instrument.
Summer Programming and Events:
After great consideration of the health and safety of students, staff, families, and visitors, we have made the difficult decision that we will not offer in-person summer programs through at least July 5, 2020. Summer programs include, but are not limited to, BASP summer programs, youth programs, sports camps, athletic practices, and competitions. This also includes our Extended School Year program, which will be delivered through an online format all summer.
In addition, all events scheduled to be held in District facilities or on District grounds during the summer will be canceled through July 5, 2020. The exceptions to this decision are the State- and County-mandated primary elections on June 2, 2020, daily grab & go meal distribution, and high school graduation celebrations. Determinations about programming and events in July 2020 will be made no later than June 15, 2020.
We are aware that the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) has announced that they will not make a decision about this year’s high school baseball and softball seasons until June 1, 2020. Should the decision be made to proceed with the baseball and softball seasons, we will allow for use of our facilities as outlined by the IHSAA and only for baseball/softball. No other athletic programs or groups will be allowed to use District facilities or grounds for practices, camps, or competitions until further notice.
Building and Grounds Closures:
All District schools, buildings, playgrounds, and outdoor facilities will remain closed to the public through at least July 5, 2020. This closure includes the cancellation of all activities and any events held at buildings or on school grounds.
The District is directing all employees to work remotely and not visit District buildings or offices unless specifically directed to do so. We are asking that all families, students, and community members avoid visiting buildings and campuses during the extended closure. While we recognize this could create an inconvenience, the safety of our students, families, staff, and the greater community is of primary importance, and we encourage all in our community to remain at home as much as possible.
School Nutrition:
The District has been operating free Grab & Go meal pick-up sites for students while schools have been closed and we will continue to do so through the end of the school year, with the exception of Monday, May 25, 2020, in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. As we have done in the past, we are committed to offering a summer meal program for our students beyond the end of the school year. We will continue our grab & go meal program in a fashion similar to this spring through June and July. The locations and schedule for the summer meal program will be announced no later than May 28, 2020. Click here for the full schedule and list of meal pick-up sites through May 29, 2020.
Continuous Learning:
As you know, the District continues to provide learning opportunities for all students. These learning opportunities will continue through the remainder of the scheduled school year. We encourage you to visit the ICCSD Learning at Home page on the District website. This page houses the information that has been shared with families over the past few weeks and offers translations into multiple languages if needed.
Through the remainder of the scheduled school year, we will be here to support this continuous learning and we will continue to actively develop our plans for a return to school next year with a focus on addressing any learning gaps that occur as a result of COVID-19.
In Closing:
Thank you for being our partner during this unprecedented time. Together, we are doing what is right to protect the safety and well-being of our community. The past seven weeks have shown us that we are capable of tremendous things when we work together. In case you missed our heartfelt message to our school district community, we encourage you to check out our In This Together video. Take care and stay healthy. #ICCSDtogether
Sincerely,
Kristin Pedersen
Director of Community Relations
Iowa City Community School District
Nutrition
Children are welcome to come to the sites; however, this new guidance assists the District in providing even more meals to children throughout the community. Meals are free and available to children age 1 – 18. While not required, a parent/guardian/caregiver will be asked to share the school name where each child attends when picking up a meal (if the child is of school-age). The identified school does not have to be in the Iowa City Community School District and, again, this information is suggested (and appreciated), but not required. Free Grab & Go meals are available at each site from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, unless otherwise noted.
Meal Pick-up Sites:
City High School
Hills Elementary School (12:10 – 1:00 pm)
Mann Elementary School
North Central Junior High
Northwest Junior High
South East Junior High
Twain Elementary School
West High School
Wood Elementary School
Breckenridge Mobile Park (12:10 – 1:00 pm)
Cole’s Communities Mobile Park (11:00 – 11:50 am)
Forest View Mobile Park (12:10 – 1:00 pm)
Hilltop Mobile Park (11:00 – 11:50 am)
Holiday Lodge Mobile Park (11:00 – 11:50 am)
Lakeridge Mobile Park (11:00 – 11:50 am)
Regency Mobile Park (12:10 – 1:00 pm)
This program will be solely for pick-up of meals and meals will not be consumed on-site. The District encourages families to continue to be proactive in reducing the risk of COVID-19 by not congregating at the school site once meals have been distributed. Meals are intended for immediate consumption and should be stored/refrigerated as needed. Additional resources for food assistance can be found through the United Way of Johnson County.
community food resources
Community Crisis Services and Food Bank; 1121 South Gilbert Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240. Food Pantry open: Mon, Wed, Fri 12pm-4:30pm, Tuesday, 12pm-7pm, and Thursday 9:30am-4:30pm, and Saturday, 9:30am-2pm.
IC Compassion Food Pantry; 1035 Wade St, Iowa City, IA, 52240. Food Pantry Open: Wednesday, 12pm-4pm and Thursday, 5:30pm-7:00pm.
During this time make sure you get outside, drink lots of water, and take care of yourselves.
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
Amanda Mosley, 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.