Van Allen Newsletter
A Preview and an Update for Our School Community
December 8, 2023 | Volume 10
A Note from the Principal
Greetings -
Last Friday we started the day with our fourth school-wide assembly. Here's what we did:
- We acknowledged receiving over 10,000 PBIS Rewards points durning the month of November when students demonstrated respect to self, others, and property.
- We recognized our students who had gone above and beyond respecting self, others, and property to earn a Rocket Boosters during the month of November.
- We determined if several scenarios were examples of Social Awareness, or not. Social Awareness was our morning meeting focus for the month of November.
- We introduced our 6th grade Empathy Rockets group.
- We shared that our morning meeting focus for the month of December is going to be learning about Relationship Skills. Relationship Skills include: being a good listener, developing positive friendships, showing gratitude, practicing good problem-solving skills, resisting negative social pressure, showing leaderships, and standing up for the rights of others.
- We set a goal of earning 12,000 PBIS Rewards points for the month of December; if we meet our goal, we will celebrate with a Snow Day at School on 12/22.
- We finished with 12 students playing a Minute-to-Win-It game!
Have a great weekend. Go Rockets!
- Eric Ewald
Principal, Van Allen Elementary
Student Council has planned their first project (see the image, above). We are going to collect hats and gloves to keep here at Van Allen for students in need. Our fundraiser will run from December 11 through December 22. There will be boxes in our pods/near our classrooms for your donations.
The Iowa Heartlanders ICCSD Game
Join us at the Iowa Heartlanders ICCSD Game presented by MidWestOne Bank on Sunday, December 17th at 2:05pm! $4 from each ticket purchased through this link will benefit the Foundation for ICCSD. Join us for a post-game skate presented by The Family Dental Center. Upon conclusion of the game fans can participate in our post-game skate presented by The Family Dental Center. Fans should bring their own skates and will be required to show their ticket for re-entrance to the arena to participate after retrieving their skates.
12:55pm Dismissal on Friday, December 22
No School: December 23 - January 7
Time to "BRING IT ON" Van Allen
Please help support our Liberty High School Cheer Team.
Liberty Varsity Cheer will host our 2024 Mini Cheer clinic on Tuesday, January 30th from 4:30pm-6:30pm in the Aux gym, with a performance on Friday February 2nd.
Registration link: https://register.ryzer.com/camp.cfm?sport=5&id=254950
Direct Ask Campaign
Dear Van Allen Families,
The Van Allen PTO would like to thank everyone for their generous support during this fall's Direct Ask Campaign! The PTO is proud to announce it reached its fundraising goal of $10,000 by raising a total of $10,000.11. (Yes, we beat the goal by 11 cents!)
Once again, the students did a tremendous job of raising money for the PTO during the Coin War, where they raised a total of $866.35! The top three grades were as follows:
- 1st Place - 5th grade - $326.59
- 2nd Place - 1st grade - $162.50
- 3rd Place - 2nd grade - $138.23
The Fifth Graders were rewarded for their efforts with a pizza party from the PTO before Thanksgiving break.
Again, thank you to everyone who contributed to the PTO's campaign this year! As always, all of the money raised goes directly to supporting our students, teachers, and staff at Van Allen!
Go Rockets!
-- The Van Allen PTO
Inclement Weather Guidelines
Good Afternoon Families and Staff,
Winter weather has arrived! Just a friendly reminder that our District's Inclement Weather Guidelines, outlining decisions for delays, cancellations, and early releases, are available on our website at www.IowaCitySchools.org/WeatherGuidelines. Please note the change to the school day if there is a late start issued on a Thursday.
When we make decisions about changes to the school day, we are committed to keeping families informed in a convenient and timely manner. Alongside our email, phone, and text notifications, we encourage you to follow us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram. Additionally, we recommend downloading our mobile app, which provides a centralized hub for all school and district-related information.
If you have any questions, please contact our Educational Services Center at (319) 688-1000.
Info. from the Coralville Parks & Rec. Dept.
Little Free Library
Our Little Free Library is no longer weather resistant. Books placed here will mold and become water damaged. If you have donations, please take them to the nearest Little Free Library https://littlefreelibrary.org/map/ or bring them inside to our teacher librarian, Mrs. Latcham.
Additionally, let us know if you know of a group or family interested in repairing and then maintaining the Little Free Library. Thank you!
Arrival and Dismissal Notes
- The only reason that a student should be getting to school before 7:40am is if they are eating breakfast (starts at 7:30am) or signed-up to attend our before-school program.
- Vehicles should utilize the east loop as it can accommodate many more vehicles whenever possible in an effort to keep traffic moving.
The time spent in car line both before and after school will be reduced if/when everyone follows the procedures that are outlined below. These are in-place to ensure that our school environment is safe, supportive, and orderly. Thanks for your patience, and thanks for your attention to this.
Digital Student Handbooks
Peachjar Flyers
Our District cooperates with approved community partners by posting eflyers online and distributing them electronically through our service provider, Peachjar. As part of our efforts to be more environmentally friendly, embrace innovative technology, and maintain fiscal responsibility, we have transitioned from paper to electronic flyer delivery.
Shine Award
Snacks & Celebrations
The District is committed to providing a safe and healthy learning environment for our students.
When food is served to students in the classroom as a snack, birthday treat, or during a classroom celebration, the following rules apply (ICCSD Wellness Policy 507.9):
- allow only fresh fruits/vegetables or purchased foods with the ingredients listed (no homemade foods).
- allow only foods that meet the Healthy Food Guidelines/ Smart Snacks. (the only exception to this would be food-tasting related to district-approved curriculum lessons)
- not allow foods with peanuts or peanut butter, or foods that were made in a factory where cross-contamination may occur.
- food that does not meet the guidelines will be sent home.
- a list of acceptable foods (linked).
Thank you for your attention to this.
🚨 High Reliability Schools (HRS) Update 🚨
We are continuing to embrace the HRS framework at Van Allen and throughout the ICCSD. Please see this linked form (also inserted, below) that helps us achieve Leading Indicator 1.6, "Students, parents, and the community have formal ways to provide input regarding the optimal functioning in the school."
This will be a standing item in our newsletter. Please note that submitting an idea to this form does not ensure that it will be implemented. Once we have a collection of responses to share, we will plan to include a recurring section within our newsletter dedicated to providing feedback and/or any response in regards to the different ideas that we have received from this form.
#VanAllenPride - Follow and Like Us
We use these platforms (below) to highlight our accomplishments (including pictures) and share relevant announcements and reminders.
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Van Allen Elementary School
Email: ewald.eric@iowacityschools.org
Website: https://www.iowacityschools.org/Domain/643
Location: 170 Abigail Avenue, North Liberty, IA, United States
Phone: (319)688-1185
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JVANorthLiberty/?ref=settings
Twitter: @VanAllen_ICCSD
Non-Discrimination 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.
Principal at Van Allen Elementary in the Iowa City Community School District