JCSD E-Connection
Board updates, news, and events from the around the district
Week of May 4, 2020
All attempts are made to be as accurate as possible at the time of publication. Questions, comments, or concerns can be emailed to the JCSD Communications department at jcsdcomm@jdragonmail.us.
District's Facebook Page is Down
May 11 Raising Healthy Dragons: Social Media Deep Dive Webinar (Pre-registration required)
You are invited to join a webinar on Monday, May 11. Pre-registration is required!
"Social Media Deep Dive for Parents, Guardians, and Grandparents" will help you learn critical things to keep your kids safe in our digital day and age. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. Click here to register
• How to help your child safely navigate social media and gaming platforms
• Current apps - the good, the bad, and the ugly
• What the grooming process is and how predators use social media to groom our kids
• What social-media acronyms parents must know
• Our kids’ brains on social media: The science of social media, how does social media affect youth
• Sexual images and social media
• Privacy laws and our kids' phones
• How to communicate with your child/teenager
• How to stay engaged with your youth and their social media usage
*Not recommended for youth as we discuss apps they may not be aware of - - please see our youth webinar.
Website: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FNC_ZW-8RW2TxNPn4j3tGA
Thank you, Educators!
May is School Board Recognition Month!
Celebrate our School Nurses!
District News & Announcements
Crosse Selected as Assistant Activities & Athletics Director
Melissa Crosse has been selected as the new assistant activities and athletics director for the Johnston Community School District. She will assume her new role effective July 1, 2020.
She comes to Johnston from the Saydel Community School District, where she served as the Director of Activities and Community Education. Read the full story here.
Janni, Ding Named to 2020 Iowa Governor’s Scholar Program
Iowa’s top academic students have been chosen for the 2020 Governor’s Scholar Program. The Governor’s Office, the Iowa High School Athletic Association, and its title sponsor, the Iowa Farm Bureau, are presenting this recognition which began in 2003.
Johnston Students Compete in State Math Championships
Congratulations to ten Johnston students who qualified and competed in the online State Math Championship on Saturday, April 25, 2020. Each student had a chaperone to proctor the tests and answers were submitted digitally.
65 students competed from across the state and six Johnston students qualified to move on to the regional competition in May. Congratulations!
2019-20 Lunch Account Balances
With school buildings now closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year, we’d like to inform families of what will happen with their lunch account balances.
Non-graduating student
The account balance will remain in the student lunch accounts to be used next school year. Questions can be emailed to cspring@johnston.k12.ia.us
Graduating senior lunch account balances
- Remaining lunch money will be transferred into a sibling’s account.
- If the senior does not have a sibling in district, an email or phone call will be made to the parent to make arrangements for a refund check or option to donate remaining money to a student in need.
School Registration Reminder
Registration is now open for all students, grades PreK-12, for the 2020-21 school year. Complete the registration and/or re-enrollment update online, via Infinite Campus.
Update your vaccines: No shots, no school
JCSD Facilities Closed to Public
During this time of school closure, ALL JCSD facilities are closed to the public, including baseball/softball fields, MS track, HS track, and playgrounds.
Additionally, we will now be limiting the hours of wifi available at the drive-up networks from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. After 6 p.m., no on should be in the parking lot for any reason. Johnston Police will be contacted if loitering occurs.
Board Highlights from May 4, 2020
TLC Update
Educational Equity Review from the Department of Education
Approval of Revised FY 2020 Classroom Associate Sub Incentive (Approved)
Approval of FY 2021 Classroom Associate Sub Incentive (Approved)
Approval of Boiler Equipment Replacement at Johnston Middle School (Approved)
Approval of 2019-2020 Budget Amendment Hearing (Approved)
Approval of Infrastructure Upgrade 8-9 Middle School & Summit Middle School Change Order (Approved)
Approval of Tennis Court Gazebo Construction (Approved)
Approval of 1.0 FTE Social Studies Teacher at JHS (Approved)
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Superintendent Laura Kacer thanked board members for their work and dedication as part of May's School Board Recognition Month.
Dr. Nikki Roorda, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, presented the grading and reporting processes for grades PreK-5 and 6-12. Grading information was recently sent out to parents and students; Dr. Roorda provided additional insight to the document for board members.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Due to COVID-19 precautions and restrictions, all in-person board meetings have been moved to conference line or virtual meetings. Access information is published with the agenda on the Friday before the meeting. Meetings are also livestreamed at https://team1sports.com/johnston/.
CONTACT THE BOARD
Persons are encouraged to send questions, comments and suggestions to our board members. Each board member can be reached by email: Justin Allen; Dr. Jeanie Kerber; Jennifer Chamberland; Dr. Alicia Clevenger; Katie Fiala; Steven Hopper; and Soneeta Mangra-Dutcher.
Johnston Community School District
JCSD Non-Discrimination Statement
It is the policy of the Johnston Community School District not to illegally discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its 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 the district’s Associate Superintendent, Dr. Bruce Amendt, 6510 NW 62nd Ave, Johnston, Iowa 50131, (515) 278-0470, bamendt@johnston.k12.ia.us.
Email: laura.sprague@johnston.k12.ia.us
Website: johnstoncsd.org
Location: 6510 NW 62nd Ave, Johnston, IA, USA
Phone: 515-278-0470
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnstonSchools/
Twitter: @johnstoncsd