PANTHER PRESS
February 21, 2020
Dates to Remember
March 9 & 12: Parent/Teacher Conferences
March 12: Two-hour early dismissal
March 13: No School (Comp Day)
March 16-20: Spring Break
April 10: No School (Good Friday)
April 13: No School (Professional Development)
For the most up-to-date information on all school activities, see the district calendar.
Panther Success Graduate
Upcoming home events -
* Mon, Feb. 24: 8 BBB v. Grinnell - 430 PM (@KMS)
* Sat, Feb. 29: V BBB Class 1A Substate Final - 700 PM (@KHS)
State Competitions!!
Peter Picard swam the butterfly leg for the Indianola/Knoxville medley relay team at the State Swimming Meet in Iowa City last weekend and helped them to a 15th place finish in the event!
After auditioning, Katie Collins was selected to sing the National Anthem at the beginning of the Class 2A opening round session of the State Wrestling Meet on Thurs., Feb. 20!
Girls basketball plays at Gilbert in a Regional Semifinal on Sat., Feb. 22 at 500 PM.
Our girls finished the regular season 19-2 and were undefeated SCC Champions.
Keagan McCarty has qualified for the Class 1A State Bowling Meet in Waterloo on Mon., Feb. 24!
Boys Basketball will plays Grinnell at Pella in a Substate Quarterfinal on Mon., Feb. 24 at 630 PM.
Valentine’s Day!!
Several TAG students recently made 62 valentine gnomes to deliver to Homestead Assisted Living- Knoxville for Valentine's Day.
1000 Points!!
A HUGE congratulations to juniors Maggie Wilkins and Kieren Nichols who both recently scored their 1000th career points respectively!! Scoring 1000 career points is an incredible accomplishment during a high school basketball career - and reaching this elite milestone in your junior year is even more impressive! Congratulations Maggie and Kieren!! Maggie joins senior Katie Keitges as current girls basketball team members in the 1000 point club!
Logo Committee Update!
Our Logo Committee had our third and final meeting with Letterman Creative on Wednesday, February 5. At our December 18 meeting, they had presented us with options and based on our feedback - made some minor revisions to the logo system and fonts and then presented those to us at our February 5 meeting. We should have the final logo system product in the near future and will be presented to the school board in March for final approval.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
- All home events in the Knoxville High School gym and all school concerts in KPAC will be streamed LIVE on the NFHS Network! Go to www.nfhsnetwork.com for more details!
- Get schedules for all extra-curricular middle school and high school activities by going to www.knoxville.k12.ia.us and then clicking on "Activity Calendar". You can even sign-up for email notifications so whenever we make a change to a schedule - you can be notified immediately.
- Follow the Knoxville Activities Department on Instagram! @knoxvilleactivities
Tickets for Rock of Ages ON SALE NOW!
We will ONLY be offering GENERAL ADMISSION tickets at Box Office the day of performances. (GREY SECTIONS below)
If you like sitting in the GREEN or BLUE SECTIONS you MUST pre purchase ONLINE ONLY and your receipt will serve as your ticket.
Ticket prices are $10 for students and adults. (Activity passes are NOT accepted for these performances.) This is how we continue to bring amazing musicals to the stage year after year! Thank you in advance and ROCK ON!
Any questions, please email knoxvillehsdrama@gmail.com.
LINK FOR ONLINE PRE-PURCHASE!
https://knoxvillehs.seatyourself.biz
KHS TAG Make Valentines Gifts for Homestead Residents
Hy-Vee Promotion to Benefit KMS
Congratulations to Knoxville Middle School on being selected by our local Hy-Vee to be part of Reusable Bag Program! The Hy-Vee Reusable Bag Program supports local non-profits. With every $2.50 red "My Heart" Reusable Bag sold at your local Hy-Vee during the month of MARCH 2020 it will generate a $1 donation to KMS.
The Hy-Vee Reusable Bag Program, which launched in November 2019, is a reusable bag program that facilitates community support with the goal to make a difference in the communities customers live and work. Knoxville Middle School was selected as the MARCH 2020 beneficiary of the program by store leadership at the Hy-Vee located in Knoxville Iowa. KMS will receive a $1 donation every time a $2.50 red "My Heart" Reusable Bag is purchased at this location during MARCH, unless otherwise directed by the customer through the Giving Tag attached to the bag. For more information, visit https://hy-vee.bags4mycause.com/.
The Book Fair is Coming!
Once again the West, Northstar and Middle school libraries will be hosting a spring book fair in conjunction with Spring conferences. These book fairs will be open all day and during each of the scheduled conferences nights starting March 6th - 12th. New since the last several book fair is the ability to use eWallet. This is a great way to allow your child to make purchases without having to bring cash to the school. You can also shop online too! Thank you for supporting our book fairs!
7th Grade Science
How does energy flow and matter cycle through the living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem? What role does photosynthesis have in these processes? Ask any Knoxville 7th grader and they should be able to tell you! As part of their study in ecology and their in depth work that covers several Iowa Core and NGSS standards, students have been creating concept maps that outline the relationships between different types of consumers and the role that each has in the flow of energy and cycling of matter through ecosystems! Check out a few examples of their thoughtful work!
4th Grade Studies the United States Census
In preparation for the decennial Census students watched several videos explaining what the Census is and why it is important to participate. Students in Ms. Haning’s class then worked together in pairs to compare the population of our state to another state of their choice. Students were really surprised to find out that some larger states, such as Wyoming, had smaller populations. We then played a City Population Bracketology game in teams. Students worked in teams to decide which cities had the largest populations. If they answered correctly they got a point. The team with the most points earned a prize!
After looking at some of the amazing Census data, students in Mrs. Spriggs’s science classes discussed how important it was to have a safe, warm home to grow up in our great country. Those people who live in areas where there are many earthquakes often fear that their homes and lives could totally change for the worse in a split second. Students had the task of creating an earthquake resistant structure with toothpicks and marshmallows and then being able to test it on a vibrating surface. Many students realized how important it was to have a strong, flexible foundation in order for their houses to survive an earthquake. Engineers today are able to build with materials that move with an earthquake and are able to withstand many aftershocks.
_______________________________________________
Hard Surface Routes
BUS STOP LOCATION CHANGE
Effective, Monday, February 17, the bus stop at Wheel Estates (Dollar General) will be relocated to the road directly behind the empty KFC building.
A.M. pick up time and P.M. drop off time will remain the same.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact the transportation department at 641-842-3313.
_______________________________________________
It’s time to think spring...and fall school health requirements! NOW is the time to schedule physicals, dental appointments, eye exams and immunization updates. Here are some highlights of various requirements for fall:
Will you have students in the following grades in the Fall 2020? If so, here’s what they’ll need:
- Pre-Kindergarten: immunizations, physical
- Kindergarten: immunizations, lead screening, physical, eye exam, dental exam
- 3rd graders: eye exam
- 7th graders: immunization update of Tdap and Meningococcal required
- 9th graders: dental exam
- 12th graders: immunization update of Meningococcal
Find forms and information on the School Nurse web page.
Need immunizations? Marion County Public Health can help: call 641-828-2238.
If you’d like help reviewing your child’s immunization record to determine what they need for the fall, call me and I’ll be glad to review it for you.
- Cell: 641-891-6016
- Ofc: 641-842-6551 ext 10
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Driver Education Session Begins March 2
Driver Education will be offered at Knoxville High School through Triple ‘R’ Driving School again this spring, beginning on March 2, 2020.
- Mr. Tom Grimm and Ms. Paige Bolton will be the instructors for this session. Classes will run for three hours each class day. The dates and times are listed on this information and registration form.
- Knoxville students enrolling can mail registration forms to the address listed OR drop off registration form and deposit to the KHS office.
If you have any questions concerning the driver education program at Knoxville High School, please contact Ryan Rump at 319-470-6975, or e-mail triplerdrivingschool@gmail.com.
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Subscribe or Update Your Notifications for Weather Alerts
Knoxville Schools utilizes GovDelivery to communicate weather cancellations, delays and/or changes to district activities. We recommend all parents/guardians sign up to receive email and/or text notifications. Anyone is welcome to subscribe, including community members interested in schedule changes for activities purposes.
If you signed up in the past for this service, you do not need to sign up again but you will need to adjust notifications if your child changed to a different school building this year.
Screenshots are pictured below of the subscription process. If you need assistance, please contact: Lisa.Willis@kcsd.k12.ia.usor 641-842-6551 opt 1.
Estimated property tax impact to fund key projects less than originally expected
The Knoxville Community School District Board of Education has approved a general bond referendum question that will appear on a special election ballot Tuesday, March 3, 2020.
The question will ask voters to approve the first phase of the district's facilities improvement plan, at a total cost of $26.25 million. If approved, the 20-year bond would have a net property tax impact of $8.79 per month on a $100,000 home, $18.53 per month on a $200,000 home and $28.08 per month on a $300,000 home.
These tax impact numbers are lower than the district and board previously expected. An approved bond would place KCSD's levy rates in the middle of comparable districts in the area—and still less than Carlisle, Melcher-Dallas, Pleasantville and Indianola.
"We are very pleased that we have found a potential solution to our facilities needs that will limit the property tax impact on our community members," said Cassi Pearson, KCSD Superintendent. "We look forward to continuing an open and transparent process that began with 20 community members on a taskforce that created the proposal to address the needs. Over 430 residents have signed the petition to call for the March 3 Referendum that could fund the necessary projects."
Phase I of the plan would include a new Knoxville Middle School building, along with air conditioning for Northstar Elementary and an HVAC system upgrade at Knoxville High School. Construction on these projects would take place between 2020 and 2022.
Phase II would be funded through the use of the one-penny sales tax (known as SAVE). It would
include an extensive renovation to Northstar Elementary and athletic facility improvements throughout the district. Construction on these projects would be scheduled for 2022 to 2024.
To learn more about KCSD's facility needs, five-year plan, and the March 3 bond referendum, please visit the Knoxville School’s website at www.knoxville.k12.ia.us.
KCSD VACANCIES
Please click the following link to apply for any of the following positions: http://www.knoxville.k12.ia.us/district/vacancies/
- HS Boys/Girls Tennis Asst. Coach (2019-20 school year)
- MS Baseball Coach (2019-20 school year)
- MS Softball Asst. Coach (2019-20 school year)
- 9th Baseball Coach (2019-20 school year)
- Substitutes (Teachers, Associates, Nutrition, Bus Drivers, Custodians)
- HS Special Education Teacher (2020-21 school year)
- MS Language Arts / Special Education Teacher (2020-21 school year)
- MS Vocal Music Teacher (2020-21 school year)
- 8th Grade Volleyball Assistant Coach (2020-21 school year)
- 9th Grade Football Coach (2020-21 school year)
- 8th Grade Football Coach (2020-21 school year)
Calendar Approved for Next School Year
2020-2021 ACADEMIC CALENDAR
The KCSD school board recently approved the academic calendar for the 2020-2021 school year. Please see below for your planning needs.
Knoxville CSD Board Information
The Knoxville CSD Board of Directors is committed to Ensuring a Culture of Excellence for Every Student. Community members and visitors are welcome to attend our meetings on the second and fourth Monday each month at 5:30 p.m.
The primary purpose of our board meetings is to conduct business. An official meeting is the only means by which we, as a board can carry out our legal duties or exercise our legal powers. These meetings provide an opportunity for decision-making and offer an opportunity for the public and school district staff to establish a formal dialogue with us. Postings of these meetings are placed on the district website, www.knoxville.k12.ia.us. Please visit often to be informed.
Choose Knoxville
Open Enrollment applications: if you do not live in the Knoxville district, you can still choose Knoxville for your child's education.
Deadlines for filing for open enrollment for the 2020-2021 school year:
- March 1, 2020 for 1st—12th grade
- September 1, 2020 for Kindergarten
Please call Lisa at the District Office for additional questions @ 641-842-6551, opt.1.
Neighbor Helping Neighbor
End of the Month Meals
The End of the Month Meal program or E.O.M.M. was started in 2002 and is a not-for-profit organization and can only continue as long as generous people are willing to donate their money, time, can food items, or grocery gift cards. Any of these donations may be dropped off at New Covenant Church at 1510 West Madison Knoxville, Iowa. If you send a check please make it out to New Covenant Church and put “E.O.M.M. program” in the memo section.
We send out our deliveries from New Covenant Church 1510 West Madison. If people would like to have their meals delivered to them please call the church office at 641-842-3176 preferably the week before we start serving meals so that we can have an idea of how much food we need to prepare. The only information we need to have is your name, address, a phone number where we can reach you, and the number of meals you would like to have.
If you prefer to dine out you are more than welcome to go to the Jenkins Center on Main Street. We provide the casserole and vegetable or salad, whichever is on the meal plan and the people from Living Word Fellowship provides the dessert, coffee, and excellent service. No questions asked.
Our meals typically consist of a casserole for the entrée, a dinner roll, a hot vegetable, or a cold “salad” (these are flip-flopped each meal) , and a dessert. I also like to have a sandwich meal at least twice during the season. This would consist of a Manwich burger, scalloped corn, cole slaw, and a dessert. Our meals are “comfort food” and are good sized portions because nobody should go hungry.
These are the dates for the 2019-2020 season:
- February: 24th-28th
- March: 23rd-27th
If anyone has questions or would like to have someone talk about our program please E-mail shiloh1971@hotmail.com.
Marion County Food Coalition Calendar & Information
Marion County General Assistance M-F 8-4:30pm (in the Marion County Courthouse)
IMPACT Community Action - Food Cards to Fareway/Hy-Vee to be used every 6 months
Food Share Mobile Food Pantry: 3rd Wednesday of the month
Attica Mobile Pantry 10-10:30
Harvey 10-10:25
End of the Month Meals: Organized by New Covenant Church; held at 315 E. Main St. (Jenkins Center) 5:00 - 545PM: Feb. 24-28; March 23rd-27th (Call 641-842-3176 for delivered meals)
______________________________________________________________________________________
Celebrate Community Church (641-828-7603) Email: bruce@celebratechurch.com
Marion County General Assistance/Veteran's Affairs (641-828-2201) Email: mkuhn@co.marion.ia.us
Helping Hands (641-842-6933) Email: finanhollinrake@yahoo.com
Marion County Senior Nutrition (641-205-3811) Email: jiworthington@marionph.org
KFYI ~ Knoxville Food Youth Initiative Email: robemai@mchsi.com, vgoodykvikesfan@gmail.com &/or knoxvillelibr@yahoo.com
Invest Vote YES
KCSD ADMIN. OFFICE
The Panther Press is a weekly collective newsletter for parents & community members. If you have an article or flyer to share, please submit to knoxville@kcsd.k12.ia.us for consideration. Your feedback is always welcome and appreciated!
Stay connected:
- District: https://www.facebook.com/KnoxvilleCSD/
- High School: www.facebook.com/KHSPanthers/ & twitter.com/KHS_Panthers
- Middle School: www.facebook.com/PanthersKMS/ & twitter.com/Panthers_KMS
- Northstar: www.facebook.com/NorthstarElementary/ & twitter.com/MrKeitges
- West: www.facebook.com/knoxvillewestelementary/ & twitter.com/pantherswest
Rate us on greatschools.org!
Email: knoxville@kcsd.k12.ia.us
Website: www.knoxville.k12.ia.us
Location: 309 W Main St, Knoxville, IA, United States
Phone: 641-842-6551
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KnoxvilleCSD/