Shimek Shout Out
October 8th, 2021
Thank You & Some Information on the Important November 2nd Vote
We hope this newsletter finds you and yours doing well heading into the second full week of October! I'd like to start this letter by thanking all of the many Shimek community members who made time at the end of September to formally thank our healthcare professionals. Reading the cards and letters from our students warmed my own heart - I'm sure your words and pictures helped provide a little more sunshine in someone else's day, too.
As many of you are probably aware, on 'November 2, 2021, the Iowa City Community School District will ask voters to consider the renewal of the Iowa Secure and Advanced Vision for Education Levy (SAVE) and the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL). The no new money renewal of these levies allows the District to complete the promise of FMP 1.0 and to embark on Facilities Master Plan (FMP) 2.0 with no tax increase. This extension of SAVE and PPEL also provides funding for District-wide lifecycle projects that would otherwise pull vital teaching and learning dollars from the District’s general fund. This progress would come with no increase to the current tax rate.
Our District will hold two community information sessions on the extension of PPEL and SAVE. Superintendent Matt Degner will share details about the November 2, 2021 vote and answer questions from participants. The information sessions will be held virtually on the following dates:
(The first session was held on) Tuesday, October 5 from 5-6:00 pm...
(The next session will be held on) Wednesday, October 20 from 5-6:00 pm
(Zoom link: https://iowacityschools-org.zoom.us/j/92800531354)
You can learn more about our District’s plan at
www.IowaCitySchools.org/FMP2.0.
We appreciate your engagement in this process and please vote on November 2, 2021. #ICCSDtogether'
The most significant impact on Shimek's facilities would be the addition of a new multipurpose space to be used for lunch, assemblies, and future community events. This space would include a new kitchen and offer the opportunity to renovate and add restrooms for the building. Not only would these be a welcomed additions and improvements, but they would have a significant impact on class scheduling in our building; allowing us greater flexibility to implement better research-based practices when designing the school day for our children.
The vote on November 2nd impacts our community and district in other ways, as well. In addition to the City Council seats that are up for election, four ICCSD School Board members will be selected on this day. A sample ballot and information about all of these important decisions can be found here.
As always, we appreciate all of your continued support. Our Shimek community is simply amazing! Wishing you all the best and a fantastic weekend.
Most sincerely,
Chris Pisarik, Principal
A HUGE Thank You to Our PTO and Shimek Community
For more information about this piece and what it does, you can click here. Below are some pictures of what the structure looks like in its completed form:
*Please note that in order for the glider to match our existing play equipment, our color scheme is different from the examples shown here.
Grades 1-8 One Book, Two Book
Students in grades 1-8 in Iowa City-Cedar Rapids Corridor area school districts, or home school students in those equivalent grades, are encouraged to submit one page of writing for the 2022 One Book Two Book festival from the Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature. This can be any type of writing: story, essay, poem, song lyric, graphic novel page, etc. The piece must be an original work, written this school year, and in polished form – ready for publication. It should be on one side of an 8.5x11 page. It can be single-spaced, but must be at least 12-pt. and in Times or equivalent font. The page should have margins of 1” on each side. Submissions that are longer than one page will not be considered.
The student’s name should be in the top right corner of the piece. The piece must have a title or be labeled “Untitled.” On the separate Student Submission Cover Form, the following information is required: Student name, grade, school, parent or guardian’s name and contact e-mail and phone number. This form is attached. In addition, it can be found as a Google Doc at http://bit.ly/OneBookTwoBook. This can be filled out and saved as part of a document along with the submission.
Student work, including the cover sheet, must be submitted to the City of Literature by Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. They can be mailed to the City of Literature, 123 S. Linn St., Iowa City, IA 52240; or e-mailed as a Microsoft Word attachment or PDF to info@iowacityofliterature.org. If using Google Docs, the submission also can be shared with info@iowacityofliterature.org (Please be sure to set your Google Docs sharing settings so that we can view your submission). The file name should include the student’s school, grade and name (e.g. Hoover-4-HannahSmith or Garner-6-JasonJones). If using Google Docs, please download the file as either a Microsoft Word or PDF document. If the submission is handwritten or drawn, either scan and email a PDF or mail the original. Originals will be held for one month after the festival; it is the guardian’s responsibility to follow up if it should be returned.
The student work will be judged by a team from ACT in Iowa City. Recognized students will be honored at a “Write Out Loud” event during One Book Two Book in February 2022. Two grade level winners will be chosen, one in each of the following categories:
“The Write Stuff”: For language, clarity, structure, and emotional impact.
“From the Heart”: For creativity, passion, and expressiveness.
These students will be invited to read their winning submissions. In addition, a percentage of all students whose submissions are deemed to be of outstanding quality also will be honored with a “certificate of distinction.” They also will be invited to attend the “Write Out Loud” event.
All recognized students will receive certificates and prizes at the event.
The grade-level prize winners will have their work published in a booklet available at the festival.
Questions? Contact John Kenyon with the City of Literature office at (319) 356-5245 or john-kenyon@iowacityofliterature.org.
A Blast from the Past: Picture Day 1991-92 School Year
How About Picture Day 1977-1978 School Year?
ICCSD Message on Masks and Vaccines
To help slow the spread of COVID-19, the Iowa City Community School District requires universal mask use for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to our schools, regardless of vaccination status. This is based on guidance from the CDC. In addition, the President’s Executive Order on domestic transportation requires students and staff to wear a face-covering while on a school bus or while utilizing other District-provided transportation.
In addition, our District strongly encourages eligible individuals to get the COVID-19 vaccine. For individuals 12 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.
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, October 13th - Shimek PTO Meeting from 6:00pm-7:00pm (via Zoom)
Sunday, October 24th - ICCSD Run for the Schools
Tuesday, November 2nd - No School - Teacher Professional Development Day
Wednesday, November 10th - Shimek PTO Meeting from 6:00pm-7:00pm (via Zoom)
Thursday, November 11th - Parent & Teacher Conferences from 2:10pm-7:00pm
Wednesday, November 17th - Parent & Teacher Conferences from 7:40am-7:10pm
November 24th-26th - No School
Wednesday, December 8th - Shimek PTO Meeting from 6:00pm-7:00pm (via Zoom)
December 18th-January 2nd - No School
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