JCSD E-Connection
Board updates, news, and events from the around the district
Week of January 14, 2019
All attempts are made to be as accurate as possible at the time of publication. Questions, comments, or concerns can be emailed to Laura Sprague, JCSD Director of Communications.
District News & Announcements
2019-20 Academic Calendar Approved
January Calendar Reminders
Preschool Registration Opens January 30
Lee Receives Honorable Mention in Nat’l Finance Comp
Next Gen Personal Finance is pleased to announce an honorable mention winner of their second annual PAYBACK Challenge, Johnston High School junior Karson Lee.
This essay contest attracted more than 800 submissions from students in all fifty states. Lee was named a honorable mention recipients and will receive a $500 scholarship for his efforts. Read the full story here.
JCSD Offers New Seal of Biliteracy to Students
Hammering Out the Details: JHS Construction Class Builds Baseball Team Lockers
This year, students in Rhys South’s JHS construction technology class were asked to construct wood lockers and storage shelves for use at the new Johnston baseball complex. It’s a real-world project that builds skills in collaboration, critical thinking, productivity, communication, and much more.
Read the full story on this win-win solution for the construction class students and the baseball team.
Rachel's Challenge
n February 7, Timber Ridge Elementary students and staff will be holding a community event called Rachel’s Challenge at Johnston Middle School from 6:30-7:30 p.m., open to all community members 11 years of age and older.
Rachel’s Challenge is a program focused on making schools safer, more connected places where bullying and violence are replaced with kindness and respect, while learning and teaching are awakened to their fullest! It is a program started by the family of Rachel Scott, who was the first person killed in the Columbine High School shooting. The event during the day at Timber Ridge will encourage students to use kind words and do simple acts of kindness through the example of Rachel Scott. The community event is designed for anyone 11+ and is a presentation that tells the inspiring true store of Rachel Scott and how her dream is being fulfilled.
Learn more about Rachel’s Challenge on the website rachelschallenge.org
Thursday, Feb 7, 2019, 06:30 PM
Johnston Middle School, Northwest 62nd Avenue, Johnston, IA, USA
Thanks for Using the Tipline
The Johnston Schools mobile app (free, available for Apple and Android) features a 24/7 tipline, where a user can report an incident anonymously or self-identified and also include photos. While anonymous tips cannot be personally acknowledged, they are handled immediately and sent to the most appropriate person(s) for their attention.
We have seen a surge in tipline use this year and would like to thank our school community for their dedication to safe environments.
Board Highlights from January 14
REPORTS
ESSA Accountability and Support
Taxable Valuation Data for FY20
First Reading of Policy 200.5 Board Email Addresses
First Reading of Policy 203 Board of Directors Conflict of Interest
First Reading of Policy 204 Code of Ethics
First Reading of Policy 205 Board Member Liability
First Reading of Policy 206.1 President
First Reading of Policy 206.3 Board Secretary
First Reading of Policy 206.4 Treasurer
Approval of a new club - Fashion Club (approved)
Approval of a new club - National French Honor Society (approved)
Approval to pursue purchase of a used boat (approved)
Approval of Martin Bros. Distributing for food/supplies for January 1, 2019 - July 31, 2019 (approved)
Approval of Wallace Elementary School adaptive reuse to Johnston Administrative Building (approved)
Approval for Submission of Johnston's portion of the allowable administrative Grandwood costs (approved)
Approval for Submission of Johnston's portion of the allowable administrative Woodward Academy Day costs (approved)
Approval of School Budget Review Committee application to charge administrative costs (approved)
Resolution setting hearing on disposition of real property for Merle Hay Road recreation trial, phase 2 (approved)
Approval of E-Rate funding - wireless access points for Wallace Elementary (approved)
Approval of Johnston baseball and softball complex change orders (approved)
Approval of Per Mar security officer (approved)
Approval of the 2019-20 academic calendar (approved)
Approval of the 2020-2022 JEA Master Agreement (approved)
Approval of the 2020-2022 JESPA Master Agreement (approved)
Approval of the 9-12 course selection process and handbook (approved)
Approval of Policy 606.3 Animals in the Classroom (approved)
Approval of new Policy 105 Assistance Animals (approved)
Approval of new Policy 804.2 District Emergency Operations Plan (approved)
Approval of policies from Policy Primer Update (approved)
Approval of policies from Series 200 - Board of Directors (approved)
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Construction Update: David Dominguez (Stahl Construction) shared that the moderate temperatures were allowing crews to get quite a bit of work done on the baseball and softball complex. All turf will go in this spring. Dugouts are now done with concrete block work and roofs are being put on; cement for backstops has been poured and then safety nets will go back up. The baseball team building is also coming along; HVAC is done and the next steps are to drywall and paint the interior.
Superintendent Goals: Laura Kacer, interim superintendent, shared work being done on her goals, this time with the DMG Audit report. She reviewed the goals of the audit and then dug into what successes and needs were being shared at the elementary and secondary buildings. Principals and administrators will have a chance to discuss these further at an upcoming administrative retreat on January 31.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
There is one remaining January board meeting: January 28, 2019 at 6 p.m. at the District's Administrative Resource Center, 5608 Merle Hay Rd, Johnston IA.
CONTACT THE BOARD
Persons are encourages to send questions, comments and suggestions to our board members. Each board member can be reached by email: Greg Dockum; Jill Morrill; Justin Allen; Deb Henry; Steven Hopper; Dr. Jeanie Kerber; and Matt Stahr.
Johnston Community School District
JCSD Non-Discrimination Statement
It is the policy of the Johnston Community School District not to illegally discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its 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 district’s Associate Superintendent, Dr. Bruce Amendt, 5608 Merle Hay Road, Johnston, Iowa 50131, (515) 278-0470, bamendt@johnston.k12.ia.us.
Email: laura.sprague@johnston.k12.ia.us
Website: johnstoncsd.org
Location: 5608 Merle Hay Road, Johnston, IA, USA
Phone: 515-278-0470
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnstonSchools/
Twitter: @johnstoncsd