Shimek Shout Out
May 20th, 2022
Dear Shimek Family,
First, I hope that this newsletter finds you and yours well!
What an amazing couple of weeks we've had...
To recap we celebrated our school nurses, Jodie and Jen, we held our last PTO meeting of the year in the library and via Zoom, and we had an amazing turn-out for our End of the Year Shimek Community Celebration. Thank you so much to the City High Track team and all of the volunteers who helped organize this event! On the 18th our East Side Orchestra held a spectacular concert at City High and our 5th & 6th grade students participated in the district's first 5th & 6th grade track meet in three years! (In the meantime we did a little teaching and learning, too.)
And we're looking forward to finishing the school year strong! In the next couple of weeks we are going to celebrate our Preschool students' last day of school on May 25th and we will hold graduations for our Kindergarten and 6th Grade classes on May 31st. We also plan to post our tentative class lists with teacher names for the 2022-23 school year on the 31st, before our last day of classes on June 1st. As a reminder, everyone is invited to our all-school picnic that will start at 11:45am on the 1st and classes will dismiss one hour early on this day, as well. It's going to be an exciting last few days of school.
We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful learning community here at Shimek and our families are such a large part of this. As always, thank you for your continued support. You are the best!
Take care and we look forward to seeing you all very soon.
Most sincerely,
Chris Pisarik, Principal
Important Information Regarding Your K-2 Child's District Issued Device!
Starting June 2nd, the Iowa City Community School District will migrate from using Clever Badges to ClassLink Quickcards as the primary Chromebook K-2 login method. Your student has been provided a new Quickcard and on June 2nd, 2022 they will need to use this new QuickCard to log onto their device, instead of the Clever Badge. Students will not be able to use their Chromebooks this summer if they don't use these new Quickcards (or use their username and password).
Our district is providing students and families two additional resources regarding this change:
If for any reason your child is not able to login over the summer the Help Desk will be available by phone 319-688-1000 ext 4357, email at helpdesk@iowacityschools.org, or by live chat at https://innovation.iowacityschools.org/.
Iowa City Music Auxiliary
May 2022 Sponsorship Campaign
IowaCityMusicAuxiliary.org
Dear Music Parents and Patrons,
As the school year comes to a close, we are grateful for the opportunity to support the dozens of directors and more than 4,200 students involved with performance music programs in the Iowa City Community School District. With help from our generous patrons, we raised funds for sheet music, virtual learning tools, entry fees, and bus transportation. This year, with donations and grant money from sponsors like you, 100+ Men Who Care, and the ICCSD Foundation, over $20,000 of new instruments, equipment, and supplies went to support students in our growing elementary music programs!
Are you interested in helping? Your support significantly reduces the cost of music education for the families in our community. Consider supporting our music students and directors by making a tax-deductible donation to the Iowa City Music Auxiliary. Every donation at any level adds up and is appreciated.
THERE ARE TWO WAYS TO DONATE:
Online
By check
IowaCityMusicAuxiliary.org/donate
Please be sure to choose “Music Auxiliary” in the Select-a-Campaign dropdown.
Iowa City Music Auxiliary
PO Box 5426
Coralville, IA 52241-5426
We invite you to visit our website for more details. On behalf of our school music programs, thank you for supporting our kids in music!
Sincerely,
Tracy Kueter
2021/2022 Music Auxiliary President, icmusicauxiliary@gmail.com
It’s time for our annual PTO NON-Fundraiser and we are asking for your help to support the efforts of the Shimek PTO! This is a simple and easy fundraiser for the PTO and doesn’t burden you with asking your students (or you) to sell products or magazines to help raise funds for our school. Instead we are asking that you consider a tax-deductible donation to support the efforts of the Shimek PTO. ALL of your donations stay at school and there is no extra work for you or your child. We won’t be able to have our biggest fundraiser, the Carnival, this year, so perhaps consider donating what you might have spent at the Carnival.
What do you want YOUR MONEY to go toward? The PTO sponsors many different programs at the school. K-6 Field Trips, Technology Upgrades, Playground Equipment Purchases & Upgrades, Outdoor Education, Fall Supper, School of the Wild, Visiting Authors, Clubs, Stars on Stage, Teacher Appreciation and much more!!
Last year, with your help, we raised nearly $3,000! Again, 100% of our funds stay with our awesome school. Please consider donating (or encouraging family members to donate) to help us continue the PTO’s focus of making Shimek an exceptional place to go to school. No contribution is too big or too small.
Since we can’t meet in-person, we would like all donations to be submitted through the PTO PayPal Account. To donate, please follow the URL below or scan the QR code. Check donations may also be sent to Shimek Elementary, 1400 Grissel Pl, Iowa City, IA 52245.
Giving Levels:
$ 25 I am excited to not send my children out as door-to-door salespeople!
$ 30 I am relieved to not purchase magazines that I have no time to read!
$ 50 I am thrilled not to have to purchase more expensive gift wrap!
$100 I really shouldn’t eat all of that chocolate and candy anyway!
$150I am delighted not to have to pester others (grandparents!) to buy anything!
$(Any donation is welcome) Simple and easy!ICCSD Districtwide Parents Organization (DPO)
The ICCSD Districtwide Parents Organization (DPO) wants to make sure all schools are represented in DPO and that all parents are aware of our organization and what it does for ICCSD students!
So first, who are we? The DPO is an independent organization that represents parent organizations across the district with the goal of promoting active engagement and awareness through monthly open meetings that include speakers on matters related to education as well as opportunities to interact directly with the ICCSD administration, foundation, and school board.
Now that you know a bit about the DPO, how can you get involved?
Become a Representative for your school: Each school building has up to two voting members of DPO (the PTO President and an appointed DPO Representative) but meetings are open to all. The DPO board is asking all school PTAs/PTOs to assign their 2022-23 DPO Representative before this school year ends so we can start the new school year with all schools connected.
Consider Volunteering as DPO Secretary: The DPO Executive Board has two open elected secretary positions in need of being filled immediately. Please contact the DPO if you are interested!
Attend DPO meetings: The DPO Board also encourages all district parents and caregivers to attend DPO meetings to:
- Connect with parents from other schools’ parent organization.
- Find out what is happening in our district directly from the school board & administration
- Learn from experts about important matters related to children, youth, and education
- Exchange ideas and gain information on local, state and national legislative issues.
Meetings occur at 11:30 AM on the second Wednesday of the month, September–May (unless otherwise noted) currently over Zoom with hopes of rotating meeting locations among the schools in the future. We are excited to involve all of our parents! Please reach out to us with questions, and we look forward to seeing you at meetings this fall!
Sincerely,
The ICCSD DPO Board of Directors
Friday, May 27th, 2022 - ICCSD Message Regarding COVID-19 Health & Safety Updates
Dear Families and Staff,
Our District has continued to track COVID-19 rates in our schools and in our county while also working closely with Johnson County Public Health and local health experts regarding appropriate COVID-19 safety protocols. Unfortunately, the Johnson County COVID-19 transmission level has again shifted into the “high” category.
As a reminder, our District continues to follow our health and safety guidelines, which are adjusted based on the county transmission level. Due to this shift into the “high” transmission category, we encourage you to wear a mask indoors when appropriate, practice social distancing when possible, and stay home when sick as these continue to be effective COVID-19 health and safety measures. On May 16, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit ruled that school districts cannot universally require facemasks to be worn; however, we continue to strongly encourage their use when COVID-19 transmission rates are high in our community. In addition, it is recommended to get vaccinated (and boosted) if you are eligible.
We recognize that we are three days from the end of the school year. Many celebrations are taking place today and next week throughout the District. We will allow students to gather in mixed classroom cohorts for these celebrations. In addition, we are going to continue to allow visitors and volunteers into buildings through the last day of school. We strongly encourage all students, staff, and visitors to wear a mask while in a school building or while attending graduation ceremonies.
These health and safety precautions play a critical role in controlling the spread of COVID-19 within our community and protecting those that are most vulnerable to the virus. We appreciate your support and collaboration in keeping our community safe.
Sincerely,
Matt Degner
Superintendent
Iowa City Community School District
New federal program helps residents pay past-due water bills
Date: 10/07/2021
Contact: Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP)
Phone: 319-337-5765
Over $10 million in federal aid will soon be available to Iowans who have past-due water bills and may face disconnection.
The State of Iowa has received over $10 million from the federal government as part of the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program. Those interested in applying for financial assistance on past-due water bills can apply beginning Friday, Oct. 8, 2021.
The payment is made directly to the water vendors on behalf of the household.
Funds from the water bill assistance program are being distributed through the Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP) - Waterfront Office. To apply, call HACAP at 319-337-5765, or visit www.hacap.org.
To find additional utility, energy, or rent assistance, visit IowaFinance.com, or call Johnson County Social Services for assistance 319-356-6090.
The City also offers a Utility Discount Program for Income Eligible Customers. For more information, call Customer Service at 319-356-5066, or visit www.icgov.org/utilities.
Important Shimek Dates & Upcoming Events
Wednesday, May 25th - Last Day of Classes for Pre-School
Monday, May 30th - Memorial Day (No School)
Tuesday, May 31st @ 1:45pm - Shimek Kindergarten Graduation - Kindergarten Families Welcome
Tuesday, May 31st @ 6:30pm - Shimek 6th Grade Graduation - 6th Grade Families Welcome
Wednesday, June 1st - Last Day of Classes for 2021-22 School Year
*11:45-12:30 - Shimek All School Picnic - Families Welcome!
*One-hour early release at 1:55pm on the Last Day of Classes.
Thank You, Girl Scouts!
High Reliability Schools Work
HRS also gives our district a common language to name what we’re doing... It offers us the tools needed to assess our current reality and the structure to better align our building initiatives. And HRS provides all of our schools the processes and mapping needed to set direction for where to focus next. We are looking forward to partnering with you in our efforts to make Shimek an even better space for children to grow and learn!
About Us
Embracing and Inspiring Excellence is what we do and who we are.
On behalf of the entire Shimek family, welcome to our community. Welcome home.
Email: pisarik.chris@iowacityschools.org
Website: https://www.iowacityschools.org/Page/11406
Location: 1400 Grissel Place, Iowa City, IA, USA
Phone: (319)-688-1160
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Shimek-Elementary-School-1392477191054590/
Twitter: @shimcirc