North Central News
North Central Junior High: November Updates

Important Dates:
-students arrive to Liberty at 6:45pm to tune and warm up.
November 8th: No School/Teacher PD
November 9th: Choir Concert (7:30 pm - 8:30 pm Liberty High Auditorium)
November 13th: Stadium Cleanup (7:00am Kinnick Stadium South Endzone)
November 16th: Band Concert (7:30 pm - 8:30 pm Liberty High Auditorium)
November 17th: End of first Trimester
November 18th: No School Records Day
November 23-25: No School (Thanksgiving Break)
November 26th: Stadium Cleanup (7:00am Kinnick Stadium South Endzone)
Meet some of our Amazing Staff!
Ms. Given My name is Amy Given and I am entering my 1st year at North Central Junior High as a Special Education teacher. I am entering my 22nd year in education. I have served as a Special Education teacher in Iowa for 4 years (the first three being in Cedar Rapids). I have also held positions in teaching and school administration in Illinois. In Illinois, I also served as a Program Director in Child Welfare and have fostered several children in my home. I enjoy spending time with my children and grandchildren when I have free time. I also enjoy hanging out with our two dogs. I am impressed with the quality of educators in Iowa City and am proud to be a part of the North Central Junior High. | Mr. Brenneman My name is Ben Brenneman and I am entering my 6th year at North Central Junior High, this being my 2nd year as the Engagement Intervention Specialist (EIS). Prior to entering my role as the EIS I worked as a supervisory para for 4 years. I also started my education working career as the assistant director of Alexander Elementary's BASP. Currently I am in my 2nd and final year of earning my Master's in Professional School Counseling from Buena Vista University. In my free time I love to fish, play golf, spend time with my dog (Maggie) , visit family, travel, and watch sports. I love serving the families and students of all that come through our building. I am passionate about solving issues that arise regarding academics, behavioral concerns, and mental health. I continue to look forward to working with and serving our community as we continue through the 2022-23 school year. | Ms. Collins¡Hola! My name is Jenny Collins, and I am the Spanish teacher here at North Central. I have just begun my 7 th year here, and am in my 31 st year of teaching. Before coming to North Central, I was a high school teacher for 24 years where I taught Exploratory through Spanish Four. I have two daughters, Alexandra, age 30 and a nurse in the Pediatric ICU at the University of Iowa, and Emily, age 28, and an engineer for John Deere Financial near Des Moines. Both got married in the last two years to two wonderful young men. I was fortunate to be able to teach in their high school while they were students, and loved chaperoning their many speech meets, band and choir competitions, and drama performances. I am now looking forward to the next chapter, when they start to have their own children. I recently adopted a dog, Dobby, who embodies the true spirit of a “Free Elf.” He keeps me busy helping him to learn his manners and appropriate behavior (he was a stray), but he is a cuddly boy and is eager to learn to be good. I grew up near North Liberty, attended Penn Elementary and Northwest Jr. High, and graduated from West High school. I lived out of the area for many years and was thrilled to be able to return and give back to the community that gave so much to me. |
Ms. Given
Mr. Brenneman
In my free time I love to fish, play golf, spend time with my dog (Maggie) , visit family, travel, and watch sports.
I love serving the families and students of all that come through our building. I am passionate about solving issues that arise regarding academics, behavioral concerns, and mental health. I continue to look forward to working with and serving our community as we continue through the 2022-23 school year.
Ms. Collins
¡Hola! My name is Jenny Collins, and I am the Spanish teacher here at North Central. I have just begun
my 7 th year here, and am in my 31 st year of teaching. Before coming to North Central, I was a high school
teacher for 24 years where I taught Exploratory through Spanish Four.
I have two daughters, Alexandra, age 30 and a nurse in the Pediatric ICU at the University of Iowa, and
Emily, age 28, and an engineer for John Deere Financial near Des Moines. Both got married in the last
two years to two wonderful young men. I was fortunate to be able to teach in their high school while
they were students, and loved chaperoning their many speech meets, band and choir competitions, and
drama performances. I am now looking forward to the next chapter, when they start to have their own
children. I recently adopted a dog, Dobby, who embodies the true spirit of a “Free Elf.” He keeps me
busy helping him to learn his manners and appropriate behavior (he was a stray), but he is a cuddly boy
and is eager to learn to be good.
I grew up near North Liberty, attended Penn Elementary and Northwest Jr. High, and graduated from
West High school. I lived out of the area for many years and was thrilled to be able to return and give
back to the community that gave so much to me.
8th Grade Silver Volleyball Team
Silver Volleyball | Silver VolleyballFront Row: Celina El Sayed, Edie Miller, Jenner McMorris, Zoe White Back Row: Ryan Shileny (team manager), Ellie Wilson, Hadley Miller, Mia Arnold, Morgan Bennett, Lizzie Nolte | Student Section |
American Studies Liam brought in a primary artifact for our Native American presentations. It’s a leather dress from a Native American tribe in Wyoming given to his grandpa. Emily graciously modeled for us | American Studies Mrs. Nolte co-teaching American studies. She brings so many gifts and talents to the classroom and our school community. | American Studies Outdoor classroom. Students conducting a scavenger hunt on Native American trivia |
American Studies
American Studies
She brings so many gifts and talents to the classroom and our school community.
American Studies Students worked in groups to research Native American regions and tribes across the US. They delivered their presentations to each other in the fabulous library lab created by Tricia Carty | American Studies Students worked in groups to research Native American regions and tribes across the US. They delivered their presentations to each other in the fabulous library lab created by Tricia Carty |
American Studies
Student Artwork
Seminar Class
On Friday 10/28/22 seminar classes walked over to Van Allen Elementary to share the carnival game projects they have created with the Van Allen PE classes. The kids have put in a lot of hard work this trimester brainstorming ideas, designing, and creating their games, and it will be exciting to see them put to use. Students will also be recording data to see if their games fall in the desired win/loss ratio to ensure our games are profitable.
The projects are great and I am very proud of their effort and collaboration with group members. We did a practice run earlier this week with the PE class here at NCJH that went very well. I will attach some pictures. I will also take pictures at the elementary to share with you. For those who may have helped with anything for this project - Thank You!
Your kids are all fantastic,
Mr. Lutjen


PSTO UPDATES
A huge thank you to the PSTO (Parent Student Teacher Organization) and all of our families for providing meals to our staff during parent teacher conferences. Thank you for always thinking of our staff and taking care of us. We are grateful for all of the support.
PSTO Information: https://www.iowacityschools.org/domain/1340
CELL PHONE POLICY
North Central Cell Phone Policy
Cell Phone/Personal Technology Policy & Confiscation Procedures
Cell phones: Students may use cell phones during passing time and at lunch while school is in session. All phones must be put away, and ringers silenced before entering the classroom. Phones in use or view during class time may be confiscated by staff (this includes using phones to listen to music). Students who refuse to comply will be subject to additional school consequences. Additionally, students are not allowed to have headphones/earbuds on or in their ears during class. At North Central Junior High School the following steps will be used to enforce the policy:
1. At the beginning of class all teachers/staff will say “secure your phones”
2. Students should have their phones put away and out of sight.
3. If the phone is out or being used, the teacher will confiscate the phone and deliver it to the main office where it will be secured until the end of the day.
4. If a student is refusing to give up his/her cell phone a counselor or administrator will be called and escort the student to the office where the phone will be secured.
5. If a student’s cell phone/device is confiscated three (3) different times, it will be held at school until a guardian comes to school to pick it up. A conference will be requested with student/guardian/admin to discuss possible solutions and/or additional consequences such as:
a. Multiple-day cell/device detention;
b. Trimester long cell/device detention;
c. Yearlong cell/device detention
ATTENDANCE:
If your student will be absent for any reason, please make sure you notify the NCJH Main Office (319-688-1210 or via email at barber.kandi@iowacityschools.org) by 9:00am on the day of the absence. Emailing teachers does not excuse the absence. If your student needs to leave early, please notify the main office and a pass will be given to your student to leave class early. Students must check out in the main office before exiting the building.
STUDENT DROP OFF
Students are not allowed access to the building before 8:30am. Students wanting to meet with teachers, must get permission from the teacher prior to the meeting, to be let in to the building before 8:30am. The office will not allow students in to the building before that time unless notification from the teacher has been given to the main office. Students will not be allowed up to meet with teachers before 8:15am unless that has also been clearly communicated with office staff.
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY STATEMENT
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.