Hello Family and Friends,

We hope that you have a wonderful Spring Break. It is very important that everyone gets the proper rest and relaxation--Spring Break has come at the perfect time. After we return, time just flies by!

There are a lot of negative things going on in the world. It can be scary and confusing. Please talk to your children and encourage them to talk to someone about their feelings. Children need support even when we think everything is going smoothly with them. Talking about and sharing feelings is so important for all of us. There are many avenues at school for children to talk through their feelings. Please let us know what we can do to help at school if you are looking for support.

In addition to the support available at school, listed below are several community resources with which the District has a strong partnership to support our students, families, and staff. We encourage you to reach out if you need additional support.

• CommUnity: CommUnity Crisis Center’s talk/chat/text line is available 24/7 for students, families, and staff. Call 1-855-325-4296 and you’ll be connected to a trained crisis counselor in Iowa City.

• United Action for Youth: Specialized support and therapy services for youth and their families. Contact 319-338-7518 to speak with a counselor.

• Synchrony Employee Assistance Program: Synchrony provides free counseling to District personnel as an employee benefit. Contact 319-351-4357 to speak with a counselor.

Please take advantage of the counseling support and resources that are available. Know you are not alone.

--

Andy Gahan

Principal, Coralville Central Elementary

Message on Vaccines

Our District strongly encourages eligible individuals to get the COVID-19 vaccine. For individuals 5 years of age and older who have not yet received the COVID-19 vaccine, this vaccine locator may be used to find a provider near you.

No School - Spring Break (March 14 - March 18th)

Did your child come home and tell you about our Kindness Cafe on Feb 28th? We had such a great time celebrating our respectful, responsible, safe and KIND cougars. There were so many fancy outfits, fun music and ticket drawings during lunch that day!

A lot of librarians really like the small details. They are not my strong suit . (Is it bad to admit that?) But I do love big ideas. Did you know your kids’ library learning can be centered around three concepts? Any time we’re doing anything in library class, I am covering something under these overarching ideas: Information and Inquiry, Lifelong Readers, and Future Readiness.

If we dig down deeper under Information and Inquiry, we learn about intellectual freedom, intellectual property, organization of information, information sources, and the inquiry process.

Beneath Lifelong Readers, we learn about the purpose of the school library, reading as a mirror, window, and sliding glass door, and reading for growth.

And then, under Future Readiness, we become aware of creativity and problem-solving, mindset, rights and responsibilities, and the global community.

I love these big ideas in the Library.
**
Did you read what Miss Becca shared in this week’s Smore about talking to your kids about the invasion of Ukraine? If you’d like some clear concise information about the country itself, take a look at one of my favorite GWAEA resources called CultureGrams: https://online.culturegrams.com/ The username and password is the same as other GWAEA sites. If you don’t have it, please email me redmond.devin@iowacityschools.org, and I will share it with you right away. Kids’ Edition is less wordy than the World Edition.

Devin Redmond (she/hers)

Teacher Librarian

Coralville Central Elementary : ICCSD
Google Voice (text) : 319.435.8220

Instagram @cclibrary

Facebook @coralvillecentral

Twitter @devinred

Follow @cclibrary on Instagram for BN recommendations from CC Staff AND CC Students!

School Hours are Mon, Tues, Wed and Fri from 7:55 - 2:55, Thursdays are 7:55 - 1:55.

If your student isn't going to be able to attend school, please call the office (319.688.1100) to report their absence. Thank you!

For individuals that have received the Covid-19 vaccine, we strongly encourage you to get the booster. Boosters are now available for those ages 12 and older. For individuals five years of age and older who have not yet received the COVID-19 vaccine, this vaccine locator may be used to find a provider near you.

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 Eric Howard, Director of Equity and Employee Relations, 1725 N Dodge St, Iowa City, IA 52245, 319-688-1000, howard.eric@iowacityschools.org.