Longfellow Newsletter
Week of September 27th
Every Student Counts, Every Moment Matters!
#ICCSDtogether
First Bell-7:50 am / Tardy Bell-7:55 am
Message From Principal Webb
Dear Longhorn families,
What a fun week we have had with celebrating City High's Homecoming! See some highlights below. Also, check out the many community happenings this weekend.
Please remember the importance of your student arriving on time each day. School starts at 7:50 and the tardy bell rings at 7:55. If students arrive late they must enter through the front office door. After school students need to return home to check in before playing on equipment. The BASP program has access to the playground until 6:00 pm each day after school. Any student on the playground without supervision will be sent home.
An attendance reminder: students who have more than 5 tardies, or 8-10 absences will need to have a meeting at the school to see what supports we can put in place to support school attendance.
Mark your calendars for Picture day: October 22nd.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Webb
Homecoming Dress Up Days
Meet the Kindergarten team:
My name is Mrs. Swartzendruber. I have been teaching for 22 years. I enjoy yoga, gardening and being outdoors with family. I believe all students are learners and leaders. I live in Kalona with my husband, Aaron, and my three children, Owen, Olivia & Poppy along with our dogs Gus & Daisy and our cat Penny.
My name is Mrs. Muir. I have been teaching for 7 years. I enjoy walks with my family, spending time outside and baking. I live in Iowa City with my husband, Charlie, and my two children, Everest and Maddox along with our dog, Rizzo. I believe each student is unique in their own way.
Longfellow Front Porch Music Festival
Free and Reduced Applications Due:
Free and Reduced Lunch applications are due by 10/4. Follow the link below to apply, or contact Caitlin Hauskins, Student Family Advocate at 319-531-7427 or stop into the main office!
Stuffs Etc and Houseworks/Kidworks Donations Benefit Longfellow
https://theicm.org/contribute/fundraiser-events/move-it-dig-it/
Updated District News:
Dear Families and Staff,
Last year, COVID-19 forced us to rethink many of our practices within the school day including our classroom celebrations, such as fall, winter, and spring parties. The decision to do away with elementary classroom celebrations last year provided time for us to reflect on the overall classroom party concept. Our work around equity is at the forefront of everything we do, and in recent years we have looked at participation in our classroom parties through an equity lens. For cultural or religious reasons, many of our families opt for their students not to participate in one form or another. For those that do participate, access for all students is not the same (i.e. lack of costumes, food, cards, etc.). It is for those reasons that we will continue with the practice of no classroom parties moving forward.
We understand that celebrations are an important part of our students’ school experience. Each of our schools will continue to find inclusive ways to have classroom and school-wide celebrations, that don’t fall around holidays, throughout the school year. While these may look different, they will continue to be part of our system of support. We strive to make all students and families feel welcome and included in all aspects of our school day and our school community.
Sincerely,
Matt Degner
Superintendent
Iowa City Community School District
Snacks and Birthday Treats
The District is committed to providing a safe and healthy learning environment for our students. Due to the increase in food allergies and concerns with childhood obesity, changes are being made to the district’s Wellness Policy regarding classroom snacks, birthday treats and classroom celebrations. Longfellow will follow these guidelines this year.
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 (Healthy Food Guidelines/ Smart Snacks) can be found on the Iowa City Community School District website.
To help slow the spread of COVID-19, the Iowa City Community School District strongly encourages universal indoor mask use for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to our schools, regardless of vaccination status. This is based on guidance from the CDC. In addition, the President’s Executive Order on domestic transportation requires students and staff to wear a face-covering while on a school bus or while utilizing other District-provided transportation.
Check this out!
Longfellow Elementary stands with all people of color in the fight against racial injustice and inequality. We all deserve to be safe and secure. Longfellow Elementary, as part of the Iowa City Community School District, will not tolerate racism, hate, and other discriminatory acts. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. famously said that, “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” We will work hard to not let today’s injustice stop us from creating a better tomorrow for our school community. Please know that even though it is summer, you can reach out anytime.
Below you will also find links to resources that are available for our staff and our community. Stay safe and take care. #ICCSDtogether
follow us on Twitter- @LongfellowScho1
Longfellow Elementary School
Every student counts. Every moment matters.
ADDRESS: 1130 Seymour Ave., Iowa City, IA 52240
PHONE: 319-688-1135
FAX: 319-688-1136
Kelli Webb, Principal
Caitlin Hauskins, SFA
Stacia Nkumu, Principal Secretary
Non-Discrimination Policy:
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 the Director of Equity, 1725 N. Dodge St., Iowa City, IA 52245, (319) 688-1000.