North Central News
North Central Junior High: February Updates

Important Dates:
Feb 6th-10th: Spirit Week
Monday: PJ Day
Tuesday: Twin Day
Wednesday: Dress like the 80's Day
Thursday: Dress like a parent/grandparent or guardian Day
Friday: Team Day
Feb 10th: School Party 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm (NCJH Cafeteria/Gym)
Feb 13th: Show Choir Exchange with North West 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm (NCJH Lower Gym)
Feb 15th: Jazz Bands at Liberty Jazz Showcase
Feb 15th: PSTO Meeting 11:30 am - 12:30 pm (Main Office)
Feb 17th: No School
Feb 21st: Orchestra Concert 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm (Liberty High Auditorium)
Feb 24th: Show Choir Competition @ Marion High School
Feb 25th: Show Choir at Liberty High's Swing Show 2:30 pm (Liberty High)
March 1st: Band Concert 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm (Liberty High Auditorium)
March 3rd: End of 2nd Trimester
Meet Some of Our Awesome Staff!
Ms. BurgerMy name is Sue Burger. I have been teaching since 1990. I started my career out teaching elementary students for 16 years. Then I decided I wanted to pursue my passion for teaching reading and helped open North Central in 2006. I have been here except for one year when I taught ELL students. I enjoy junior high students because they are full of energy and they keep me young. My three children, Derek (25), Abigail (21), and Genevieve (18) keep me busy going to their activities, musicals, plays, and visiting them at college. As a family, we enjoy going to Northern Minnesota to ski, hike, and travel to new places. Outside of school, I enjoy reading, taking walks with my friends, playing Wordle, Quordle (and other word games), and being with my family. | Ms. Solomon My name is Amanda Solomon, and I am in my 5th year of teaching. Prior to coming to North Central, I had taught various science classes at different schools in both Iowa and Colorado, such as High School Physics, Earth & Space, Environmental Science, as well as 7th Grade Science. I currently teach 7th Grade Science and Earth & Space Science at NCJH. I love to spend time with family/friends, travel, hike, complete DIY projects around the house, and add to my ever-expanding rock collection. :) This year, my personal goal is to become better at golf! I have felt so grateful and appreciative to be a part of the North Central community, and I love having the opportunity to teach our students here. | Mr. PauleyMy name is Tyler Pauley and I'm in my 10th year as an educator and 18th year of working with school age children. I worked in the before and after school programs in the district prior to becoming a teacher. I taught for 4 years as a 6th grade teacher at Garner Elementary in North Liberty and this is my 6th year at North Central. As an elementary teacher I taught all subjects and as a junior high teacher I've taught 7th and 8th grade science classes as well as 8th grade American Studies. I am currently teaching 7th grade Global Studies and in my 3rd year as one of our building halftime Instructional Coaches. I have been a coach of athletics both at North Central and Liberty High School for several years, but have taken time off to spend with my daughter and pursue my second graduate degree in the Principalship program at the University of Northern Iowa. I have lived in the Corridor my entire 34 years of life and graduated from Iowa City West High School in 2007. I have a 3.5 year old daughter named Cleo and my girlfriend Sierra works in the mortgage department at Hills Bank in Coralville. I have a passion for teaching and empowering students to grow and improve as lifelong learners. I have loved working at North Central for the past 6 years as both a teacher and coach. I look forward to continuing to serving the students of the Iowa City Community Schools. |
Ms. Burger
My name is Sue Burger. I have been teaching since 1990. I started my career out teaching elementary students for 16 years. Then I decided I wanted to pursue my passion for teaching reading and helped open North Central in 2006. I have been here except for one year when I taught ELL students. I enjoy junior high students because they are full of energy and they keep me young.
My three children, Derek (25), Abigail (21), and Genevieve (18) keep me busy going to their activities, musicals, plays, and visiting them at college. As a family, we enjoy going to Northern Minnesota to ski, hike, and travel to new places.
Outside of school, I enjoy reading, taking walks with my friends, playing Wordle, Quordle (and other word games), and being with my family.
Ms. Solomon
Mr. Pauley
My name is Tyler Pauley and I'm in my 10th year as an educator and 18th year of working with school age children. I worked in the before and after school programs in the district prior to becoming a teacher. I taught for 4 years as a 6th grade teacher at Garner Elementary in North Liberty and this is my 6th year at North Central. As an elementary teacher I taught all subjects and as a junior high teacher I've taught 7th and 8th grade science classes as well as 8th grade American Studies. I am currently teaching 7th grade Global Studies and in my 3rd year as one of our building halftime Instructional Coaches. I have been a coach of athletics both at North Central and Liberty High School for several years, but have taken time off to spend with my daughter and pursue my second graduate degree in the Principalship program at the University of Northern Iowa.
I have lived in the Corridor my entire 34 years of life and graduated from Iowa City West High School in 2007. I have a 3.5 year old daughter named Cleo and my girlfriend Sierra works in the mortgage department at Hills Bank in Coralville. I have a passion for teaching and empowering students to grow and improve as lifelong learners. I have loved working at North Central for the past 6 years as both a teacher and coach. I look forward to continuing to serving the students of the Iowa City Community Schools.
Registration for 2023-24
9th Grade Registration - Liberty HS fall 2023
Friday, February 3rd Liberty counselor presentations at NC
Email notices go out to parents/students
Monday, February 6 Parent Meeting/Webinar TBA
Friday, February 10
Academic Planning Day at North Central - Students will complete online registration with Liberty counselors
Online registration opens
Online registration closes
8th Grade Registration
For current 7th graders going into 8th grade 2023-24
Monday, February 13th Counselors will present registration information
Via Lit 7 classes - online registration opens
Friday, February 17th Google Doc due/Registration Closes
7th Grade Registration
For current 6th graders going into 7th grade 2023-24
Tuesday, February 21st PARENT Informational Meeting (webinar) 6:00pm
Mrs. McDonough and Mr. Sturgell will visit 6th grade classrooms to present registration information on the following days:
Thursday, Feb 23rd Penn 8:15am
Thursday, Feb 23rd Kirkwood 12:30
Friday, Feb 24th Grant 1:30pm
Friday, March 3rd Deadline for JH Google Forms to be completed on-line
Southeast Iowa Honor Band:
Congratulations to the following students, who have been working since September to audition for the SEIBA Honor Band. This is a new North Central record for number of students selected:
On Flute: Abby Watters
On Clarinet: Clara Frank, Victor Yao, Yuzuka Fujikawa, and Luqmaan Khan
On Alto Sax: Zechariah Ho, Jaimie Johnson, and Macy Van Abbema
On Trumpet: Colin Finch, Miles Poolman, and Olivia Watters
On French Horn: Link Ortman
On Trombone: Cy O'Dell
and on Percussion: Marquita Spading and Melissa Tian
Special congratulations to Abby and Clara, who were also selected for the All-Iowa 8th Grade Honor Band in May!




Girl's Wrestling!
Inaugural season for the Girls Wrestling team here at NCJH. Still time to sign up for anyone interested.

Student Artwork

PSTO UPDATES
PSTO Information: https://www.iowacityschools.org/domain/1340
Food and Drink at School
CELL PHONE POLICY
North Central Cell Phone Policy
Cell Phone/Personal Technology Policy & Confiscation Procedures
Cell phones: Students may use cell phones during passing time and at lunch while school is in session. All phones must be put away, and ringers silenced before entering the classroom. Phones in use or view during class time may be confiscated by staff (this includes using phones to listen to music). Students who refuse to comply will be subject to additional school consequences. Additionally, students are not allowed to have headphones/earbuds on or in their ears during class. At North Central Junior High School the following steps will be used to enforce the policy:
1. At the beginning of class all teachers/staff will say “secure your phones”
2. Students should have their phones put away and out of sight.
3. If the phone is out or being used, the teacher will confiscate the phone and deliver it to the main office where it will be secured until the end of the day.
4. If a student is refusing to give up his/her cell phone a counselor or administrator will be called and escort the student to the office where the phone will be secured.
5. If a student’s cell phone/device is confiscated three (3) different times, it will be held at school until a guardian comes to school to pick it up. A conference will be requested with student/guardian/admin to discuss possible solutions and/or additional consequences such as:
a. Multiple-day cell/device detention;
b. Trimester long cell/device detention;
c. Yearlong cell/device detention
ATTENDANCE:
If your student will be absent for any reason, please make sure you notify the NCJH Main Office (319-688-1210 or via email at barber.kandi@iowacityschools.org) by 9:00am on the day of the absence. Emailing teachers does not excuse the absence. If your student needs to leave early, please notify the main office and a pass will be given to your student to leave class early. Students must check out in the main office before exiting the building.
STUDENT DROP OFF
Students are not allowed access to the building before 8:30am. Students wanting to meet with teachers, must get permission from the teacher prior to the meeting, to be let in to the building before 8:30am. The office will not allow students in to the building before that time unless notification from the teacher has been given to the main office. Students will not be allowed up to meet with teachers before 8:15am unless that has also been clearly communicated with office staff.
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY 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 (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:
- Laura Gray, Director of Diversity and Cultural Responsiveness (programming), gray.laura@iowacityschools.org
- Eric Howard, Director of Equity and Employee Relations (employment), howard.eric@iowacityschools.org, 1725 N. Dodge Street, Iowa City, Iowa 52245, (319) 688-1000; or
- If you are unsure how to proceed or would like assistance in discussing your options, you may also contact Janet Abejo-Parker, Ombuds, ombuds@iowacityschools.org or (319) 688-1312.