JCSD E-Connection
Board updates, news, and events from the around the district
Week of August 16, 2021
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 News & Announcements
Welcome Back, Dragons!
The start of the 2021-22 school year is almost here! Whether you are new to our district or have been part of Dragon Nation for many years, we are excited to have you with us!
As a reminder, grades K-12 start school on August 23; preschool starts August 30. Teacher assignments and bus route information are posted within Infinite Campus. Please take a look at those to help everyone in your family prepare for a good first day.
Many buildings have their back-to-school events this week; masks are optional and supported for all in our facilities. Video options are also offered for those who cannot attend in person. Please check with your school for complete details.
We hope you have a wonderful school year! Go Dragons!
Back-to-School Events and Dates
School Meals Update for the 21-22 Year
During the 2021-2022 school year, all JCSD students will be allowed one breakfast meal and one lunch meal each day at no cost through the USDA Seamless Summer Option. Read more.
- Breakfast and lunch will be served daily at all school sites. Breakfast is served at elementary sites starting at 8:25 a.m. and at secondary sites starting at 7:15 a.m.
- Additional food items may be purchased. Parents can prepay money into the child’s lunch account for this purchase with debit/credit card at paypams.com.
- Secondary students may purchase ala carte food items for an additional charge. Extra entrées are available for $2.50 for grades 6 – 12. All students may purchase extra milk for $.50.
JCSD 2021-22 Health & Safety Handbook Approved
At the August 06, 2021 special board meeting of the Johnston Board of Education, board members voted 7-0 to approved the JCSD 2021-22 Health & Safety Handbook, outlining mitigation and school health and safety procedures as students and staff prepare to return to buildings. Read the handbook here.
The health and safety of the JCSD students, staff, and families are first and foremost in planning for the 2021-22 school year. The plans presented in this guide represent district-level work and mitigation strategies, based on current health conditions in our community.
JCSD Booster Bash is August 20
The 2021 Booster Bash will be in a reverse parade format on the night of the Johnston High School Powerade Challenge Football Scrimmage on August 20, from 5:30-6:30 pm.
The reverse parade will allow for assigned space to the school groups along the sidewalk. Vehicles will be able to drive by each individual school group. Let's Go, Dragons!
Bolar Named Nat'l TSA Officer
Johnston High School junior Esha Bolar has been named a national Technology Student Association (TSA) officer, serving as the organization’s secretary for the 2021-22 school year.
In her officer’s bio, Bolar recounts her formidable experiences in TSA, such as serving in two state offices, sergeant-at-arms and secretary. Congratulations, Esha! Read more.
JCSD Homecoming Shirts & Decals
Purchase your 2021 Homecoming Shirts and Johnston car decals today to support the Johnston Dance Team! Orders are due Sunday, August 29th at midnight. Orders will be delivered to your school Monday September 13th or can be shipped to your home!
Click here to order:
https://johnstonhomecomingshirts2021.itemorder.com/sale
Dance It Out With the Johnston Mini Dance Team Camp!
Come move and groove with the Johnston Varsity Dance Team! Students will learn a fun, upbeat dance that will be performed at the halftime of the 10th grade football game on Friday August 27th. Camp will take place in the student’s school gymnasium after school on Thursday August 26th from 4-6pm. All students need to be picked up by 6 PM each day. Registration includes a camp t-shirt and snack. End of camp performance will take place on Friday August 27th – approximately 5:30 PM. Parents who want to watch the performance will be required to pay the admission fee to get inside the stadium.
Cost: $35
Date: 8/26 (performance on 8/27)
Time: 4-6pm
Register here https://johnston.ce.eleyo.com/search?q=dance&redirected_yet=true or by calling Johnston Community Education @ 515-278-0552
Calling All Johnston Alumni!
We are restructuring the Johnston Alumni Association and need to update our alumni database with current contact information! Membership is free!
Click here to enter your email and receive NEW updates on upcoming alumni events, including a golf outing, high school tours, and a reunion football tailgate! Stay up to date on news and events by following the Johnston Alumni group on social media:
- Twitter: @AlumniJCSD
- Facebook: facebook.com/JohnstonAlumniAssociation
Board Highlights from August 16, 2021
- 2021-2022 Graduation Ceremony Discussion
- Activities Update
- First Reading of Policies 603.6 Physical Education and 606.2 School Ceremonies and Observances
- Approval of Student Handbook Updates (Approved)
- Approval of Johnston Middle School Track Improvements Project Change Order (Approved)
- First Reading of Policies 701.2 Transfer of Funds, 803.1 Disposition of Obsolete Equipment, 401.4 Employee Complaints, 401.14 Social Media Responsibility, Regulation 401.14R1 Social Media Responsibility, and 411.3 Classified Employee Letters of Assignment (Approved)
- First Reading of Policies 401.18 Conducting Background Checks, 410.1 Substitute Teachers, 411.8 Classified Employee Probationary Status, 413.2 Classified Employee Retirement, 401.10 Employee Expression, and 412.3 Classified Employee Group Benefits (Approved)
- First Reading of Policies 604.1 Private Instruction, 604.10 Online Courses, 200.3 Responsibilities of the Board of Directors, 206.1 President, 206.2 Vice President, and 401.5 Employee Records (Approved)
- First Reading of Policies 213 Public Participation in Board Meetings, 213.1 Public Complaints, 302.5 Superintendent Evaluations, and 303.6 Administrator Evaluations (Approved)
- First Reading of Policies 501.14 Open Enrollment Transfers - Procedures as a Sending District, 501.15 Open Enrollment Transfers - Procedures as a Receiving District, and 505.5 Graduation Requirements (Approved)
- First Reading of Policies 502.3 Student Expression and Student Publications, 502.3R1 Student Expression and Student Publications Code, 504.3 Student Publications, and 504.3R1 Student Publications Code (Approved)
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Superintendent Laura Kacer went over Polk Co. COVID positivity rates and shared a slide on nationwide spread levels of COVID. She then spoke about FERPA regulations in regards to classroom and grade-level notifications for close contacts of a positive case. Due to it being identifiable when a very small number of students in a class are out with a communicable disease, grade-level notifications will be sent to families and maintained on a district COVID dashboard.
District-wide ISASP results have come in. Johnston, like most districts, is seeing a pandemic slip in terms of year-over-year scores. However, Johnston scores remain well above the state averages for percentages of proficient and above proficiency test scores. Buildings will continue to dig into their data for building-wide plans over the next year. Parents will be receiving electronic access to test scores the week of Sept. 6, 2021.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Board meetings are held in person at the District Office, 6510 NW 62nd Ave, Johnston. All public comments must be read in person. The board meetings are livestreamed and available on demand at https://team1sports.com/johnston/. September board meetings will take place on September 13 and 27, beginning at 6 p.m.
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. Nikki Roorda, 6510 NW 62nd Ave, Johnston, Iowa 50131, (515) 278-0470, nikki.roorda@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/JohnstonCSD/
Twitter: @johnstoncsd