JCSD E-Connection
Board updates, news, and events from the around the district
Week of November 9, 2020
All attempts are made to be as accurate as possible at the time of publication. Questions, comments, or concerns can be emailed to the JCSD Communications department at jcsdcomm@jdragonmail.us.
District News & Announcements
CIML Releases Winter Sports Guidance
The Central Iowa Metropolitan League has released its procedures for spectator admission to the CIML member school Winter Sports seasons.
Individual schools are responsible for communicating their seating availability and social distancing plan for each venue at home events. At all venues, individual family household units are encouraged to sit together to help with overall capacity. Spectators attending these events are required to wear a protective face covering unless underlying health issues make it unsafe for the individual. Read the Johnston Winter Sports Guidance here.
2020 All-State Choir, Band, and Orchestra Members Announced
Board Approves Shift to Temporary Online Learning Model
The Johnston School Board held a special meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 10 to address how we, as a district, should proceed with safely educating our students as COVID positivity, quarantine, and absence rates rise among students and staff.
They approved a recommendation to shift to remote (online) learning for grades 6-12 to begin on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020 and grades PreK-5 beginning on Friday, Nov. 13, 2020. A waiver will be submitted to the Department of Education to seek approval for a temporary online learning model from Nov. 16 through Nov. 24, 2020. Read the full recap here.
Fall Assessment Results Coming Your Way
Johnston students took district-wide assessments this fall to help teachers provide targeted instruction and support to students. K-7 students will be bringing home assessment results for FAST and MAP tests measuring reading, math, and for 7th graders, science in their backpacks.
Students in grades 8-12 will have their FAST and MAP results mailed. Online learner’s FAST and MAP results will also be mailed. Teachers will answer questions you might have in regard to the results of the assessments during parent/teacher conferences. In some cases, the results may not arrive in the mail before conferences, however, if you have any questions do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher or principal. Thank you for your continue support and interest in your child's education!
Board Highlights from November 09, 2020
- Request for New Club - JHS Red Cross Youth Group
- FY20 Audit Summary
- FY20 Financial Health
- Winter Sports Mitigation Plans
- Certified Enrollment
- First Reading of Policies 603.1 Basic Instruction Program, 603.2 Summer School Instruction, 603.3R1 Procedural Safeguards for Special Education Students, 603.4 Multicultural/Gender Fair Education, and 603.5 Health Education
- First Reading of Policies 603.6 Physical Education, 603.7 Career Education, 603.8 Teaching about Religion, and 603.8R1 Teaching about Religion Regulation, 603.9 Academic Freedom, and 603.9R1 Teaching Controversial Issues
- First Reading of Policies 603.10 Global Education, 603.11 Citizenship, 603.12 Guidelines, 603.13 Outside Resource People, and 604 Alternative Programs
- First Reading of Policies 604.1 Private Instruction, 604.2 Individualized Instruction, 604.3 Program for Talented and Gifted Students, 604.4 Program for At-Risk Students, and 604.5 Religious Based Exclusion from a School Program
- Approval of Special Education Associates (approved)
- Approval of New Social Studies Curricular Standards (approved)
- Approval of Infrastructure Upgrade 8-9 Middle School & Summit Middle School Change Order (approved)
- Approval of School Budget Review Committee Application for Modified Supplemental Amount (MSA) for Increased Enrollment, Open Enrollment Out, and/or Limited English Proficient Beyond 5 Years of Weighting (approved)
- Approval of Policy Regulation 705.1R1 Procedures for Contracts Aid with Federal Funds, Policies 705.8 Fraud Reporting and 213 Public Participation (approved)
- Approval of Policies 100 Legal Status of the School District, 101 Educational Philosophy of the School District, and 101.1 Philosophy Statement (Mission Statement) (approved)
- Approval of Policies 102 Equal Education Opportunity, Regulation 102.R1 Grievance Procedure, Exhibits 102.E1 Annual Notice of Nondiscrimination, 102.E2 Continuous Notice of Nondiscrimination, and 102.E3 Notice of Section 504 Student and Parental Rights (approved)
- Approval of Policies 102.1 Title IX Discrimination and Harassment Based on Sex Prohibited, 103 Long-Range Needs Assessment, 103.R1 Long-Range Needs Assessment Regulation, and 105 Assistance Animals (approved)
- Approval of Policies 600 Goals and Objectives of the Education Program, 601 General Organization, 601.1 School Calendar, and 601.2 School Day (approved)
- Approval of Policies 602.1 Curriculum Development, 602.2 Curriculum Implementation, 602.3 Curriculum Evaluation, 602.5 Community Education, and 602.6 Foreign Study (approved)
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Superintendent Kacer updated the board on staff absence numbers related to COVID (staff out ill, quarantined, or taking care of family members). She shared that all schools have had trouble keeping their buildings and classrooms adequately staffed. This has lead to teachers having to cover for their colleagues, administrators covering classrooms, and all buildings operating on a day by day basis.Discussion continued, with board members asking about substitute coverage, what other metro districts are doing, and if we have a plan for the long term.
Superintendent Kacer asked board members to consider a temporary move to an online learning model, starting November 11 with secondary students going online. Elementary students would go online starting November 13. A waiver would be filed with the DE for temporary online instruction November 16-24. This would take us through Thanksgiving break. The board supported this consideration and held a special meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 10 to approve a shift to a temporary online learning model for all students, grades PreK-12.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
There will be limited seating in the District Office board room, in a distanced and safe seating style. Seat availability is first come, first seated. Citizens are encouraged to watch the board meetings via the livestream at https://team1sports.com/johnston/. Meetings begin at 6 p.m. The remaining November board meetings will be held on Nov. 23rd.
CONTACT THE BOARD
Persons are encouraged to send questions, comments and suggestions to our board members. Each board member can be reached by email: Justin Allen; Dr. Jeanie Kerber; Jennifer Chamberland; Dr. Alicia Clevenger; Katie Fiala; Steven Hopper; and Soneeta Mangra-Dutcher.
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, 6510 NW 62nd Ave, Johnston, Iowa 50131, (515) 278-0470, bamendt@johnston.k12.ia.us.
Email: laura.sprague@johnston.k12.ia.us
Website: johnstoncsd.org
Location: 6510 NW 62nd Ave, Johnston, IA, USA
Phone: 515-278-0470
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnstonCSD/
Twitter: @johnstoncsd