Wildcat News
SPRING BREAK (March 15-19)
Safe, Responsible, & Kind...
Dear Grant Wood Families:
This week is all about Spring Break! No school/classes for all ICCSD students. While the temperature is at times dipping into chilly again, we nonetheless wish for everyone to have opportunities to enjoy the week.
Let us start the enjoyment with a celebration of one of our 4th grade classes, Ms. Fobian's class who ranked in the top 25 of the 484 participating schools of the Hy-vee Squat Challenge. The class was awared first Aid Kits and Snacks - all of which will be distributed after Spring Break. Congratualtions Ms. Fobian's class - we are very proud of each of you!
#WildcatStrong
Today, Sunday March 14th - we move our clocks forward one hour - due to Daylight Savings Time. Our cell phones tend to automatically adjust, however, it is important that we manually adjust our microwave, stove, and alarm clocks; as well as our clocks in our cars/vehicles.
Classes will resume on Monday, March 22nd for all students. On March 22nd, we will also have a new member join the Grant Wood team - that will be our new Student & Family Advocate, Ms. Alyssa Palante. We will read more about Ms. Palante in next week's newsletter.
#GrantWoodSafe
#GrantWoodResponsible
#GrantWoodKind
Interim-Principal: Ms. Maria, martin.maria@iowacityschools.org
School Facilitator: Mr. Brown, brown.ryan@iowacityschools.org
Counselor: Ms. Newman, newman.heather@iowacityschools.org
Student & Family Advocate: Ms Palante, palante.alyssa@iowacityschools.org
Instructional Design Strategist (IDS): Ms. Mangan, mangan.ashley@iowacityschools.org
Attendance Secretary: Ms. Steggall, steggall.kara@iowacityschools.org
Office Secretary: Ms. Peggy, tucker.peggy@iowacityschools.org
Email: martin.maria@iowacityschools.org
Website: https://www.iowacityschools.org/Domain/552
Location: 1930 Lakeside Dr, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA
Phone: 319-688-1180
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grantwoodwildcats/
Twitter: @20_GrantWood_21
Congratulations Ms. Fobian's 4th grade #WildcatStrong
Ranked in the top 25 of 484 participating schools in the Hy-Vee Squat Challenge
March... Women's History Month
History is never constructed by any one individual or group of individuals - it is constructed by all of us, and all that came before us. Heritage months are an attempt to acknowledge the contributions of groups that have historically not been acknowledged much if at all in our textbooks. Learning about the breadth and depth of history gives us a more complete understanding of the complexity of human interactions: socially, politically, economically, educationally, etc. March is Women's Histroy Month.
Did you know that there are two versions of Sojourner Truth's "Ain't I A Woman" speech - one version from the year during which it was given, 1851; and one version from 12 years later, 1863. https://www.nps.gov/articles/sojourner-truth.htm
Extended Learning Program (ELP) for 2021-2022
The yearly screening of students for participation in the Extended Learning Program
(ELP), the elementary program for gifted and very high ability students, is underway for
the 2021-2022 school year. This program is appropriate for students who are at the
highest academic levels in their grade. Students can enter this screening pool by Iowa
Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP) scores, teacher nomination or parent
nomination. More information is available on the district website
Go to: Departments --> Curriculum --> Curriculum Areas --> Extended Learning Program (ELP)
--> Elementary Services.
Only grades 3 through 5 are included in this screening process. Kindergarten and first grade students are being screened for ELP services through in-class lessons and collaboration with the classroom teacher throughout the school year. All 2nd graders will be screened in the Spring.
Parents will receive notification about second grade screening when it is scheduled at
their child’s school. No parent or teacher nominations are necessary for grades K-2. If you would like to nominate your third, fourth or fifth grade child to be tested for ELP
services, please complete a parent information form.
Forms will be available online between February 21 and March 26, 2021 at https://forms.gle/y8nRipaSbDW6fR6h8.
Paper forms will be available in the school office during the same time. No forms will be
accepted after March 26, 2021 at 4:00 PM.
What is a conundrum? A situation where there is no clear right or good solution. Yet, a difficult choice must be made...
Who deserves the greatest share of the treasure?
Watch video (http://vid.ly/9s5q7v) and discuss.
You can also click on the image on the right to watch the video.
Go to your ClassDojo account and submit your response, https://www.classdojo.com/
There is no right nor wrong answer and you'll earn ClassDojo points from Ms. Maria (Principal) for submitting your answer, an answer that includes your reason "why".
I look forward to reading your responses.
Considering/Planning International Travel...
Similarly, please note the updated Johnson County Public Health travel guidance for those considering travel (domestic and international).
Guidelines for after international travel can also be found on the Iowa City Community School District website: https://www.iowacityschools.org/Page/19021
After International Travel:
- Quarantine for 7 days and get tested for COVID-19 3-5 days after travel.
- If you test negative, you may return to district buildings after a full 7 day quarantine (return on day 8).
- If you don’t get tested for COVID-19, you must quarantine for a full 10 days after travel (return on day 11).
- Avoid being around people who are at increased risk for severe illness for 14 days, whether you get tested or not.
2021 Climate Survey
Between March 22 and April 2, 2021, students in grades 5-12 will be invited to join their classmates in completing the 2021 Student Climate Survey. Participation in the survey is strictly voluntary and no student is required to fill out the questionnaire. The survey will take approximately one class period, 40 minutes, to complete. You may view the 2021 Student Climate Survey on our district website.
The purpose of the survey is to collect information about our youth so we can better assess how they experience the classroom and school environment. It is important to ask children to tell us what is good and working in their schools, and what needs improvement, from their perspectives.
All information collected will be confidential. Information from the survey will be linked to individual student records in order to assess whether students’ classroom and building experiences correlate with student outcomes. Individual identifiers (such as name, student email, and student ID) will be removed from the data for analysis and in any reporting (internal and external). The overall survey results will then be analyzed by our team to evaluate and develop programs to better address student needs.
If you would prefer your child/children not participate in the survey, please email Michelle Croft at croft.michelle@iowacityschools.org, or contact your child’s building by March 12, 2021, and your child/children will be provided a neutral activity during the survey class period. There is no penalty for anyone who decides not to participate.
*Grant Wood, 319-688-1180
If you have questions or concerns regarding the 2021 Student Climate Survey, please feel free to contact Laura Gray (gray.laura@iowacityschools.org).
Nominate a teacher...
Nominate an educator that has "overcome stressful circumstances, limited resources, and new technologies to connect with children and continue providing an engaging educational environment.... Any educator who has made a significant contribution to student-centered active learning is eligible for the award. Nominations can be submitted from parents, educators, administrators, students, and community members."
- "fosters an "active learning" environment."
- provides "innovative & impactful lessons or activities."
- "demonstrates a spirit of cooperation, responsibility, and respect"
Additional Community Resources...
The following resources are available to students and families for assistance with academic achievement, mental health, and emotional well-being. Additional information on Covid-19 and School-Age Child Care assistance are also available.
Coding for Kids (Free options)
No visitors:
For health and safety reasons we cannot receive visitors onto our campus beyond the office. No visitors into our classrooms nor our cafeteria. To help with keeping our community physically distanced, please keep in mind that the Grant Wood office secretaries along with others can be reached by phone, 319-688-1180 and email. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact us:
Principal: Ms. Maria, martin.maria@iowacityschools.org
School Facilitator: Mr. Brown, brown.ryan@iowacityschools.org
Student Family Advocate (SFA): Ms. Palante, palante.alyssa@iowacityschools.org
Instructional Design Strategist (IDS): Ms. Mangan, mangan.ashley@iowacityschools.org
Counselor: Ms. Newman, newman.heather@iowacityschools.org
Attendance secretary: Ms. Steggall, steggall.kara@iowacityschools.org
Office secretary: Ms. Peggy, tucker.peggy@iowacityschools.org