Eagles' Voice Newsletter

Every year for Friend of Education, we write up our speech that is personal to that recipient and truly comes from the heart. Well, in keeping with our technological era, this year, I decided to Google it.

What makes a Friend of Education? And lo and behold, up pops Andy’s picture. Please refer to Andy Reimer, it says. And there is a list of characteristics that make up such a person.

1. Often comes from a family of givers. Just say the name “Reimer” in this town and you will often hear, “What a great family”, “They do so much for this area”, “Such good hearts”, from his dad Doug who has served on various boards in the surrounding communities, cousin Jason who is a current and respected school board member, and even Andy’s wife who continues to grace our school district with her wisdom and kindness. Andy gives because he chooses to and wants to. We love our students, that’s a given, but to find someone on the outside, per se, who also gives of their time and money – and money, I repeat, is both admirable and telling of their true nature.

2. Loves children. This cannot be more apparent in the fact that Andy has volunteered to chaperone classes of all grades – even kindergarten. You will see him working at our spring and fall sporting events – rain or shine – and we all know the unpredictable weather of our spring sports. He has an easy smile and seemingly unlimited patience, which works well with our kids and is most often needed from our volunteers. The simple fact that he thinks of all students, outside the circle of his own kids, shows the heart of someone dedicated to improving the lives and education of all children.

3. Respect for the school district. Andy has graciously donated his own money to better the classrooms as well as matching funds from his company to improve on landscaping and functioning of the school. The fact that he consults with Mr. Wahls as to what would most benefit from those funds is another testament to his caring and considerate nature. So many teachers and students have felt the impact of his giving over the past few years, from the resources in our classrooms to the playground and surrounding areas.

4. Is gracious. When told he would be receiving the award, Andy replied with, “there are so many others who deserve this award as much as if not more than I.” That, in itself, is the sign of a true giver. For him, it just comes naturally, so maybe it would be a surprise to feel so honored and singled out. But it wasn’t a surprise to those who have felt the impact of his gifts, time, and caring when in his presence.

So, along with Google and the students and staff of Clayton Ridge School district, please help me congratulate our 2019 Friend of Education – Mr. Andy Reimer.

Elementary students made patriotic decorations to honor the veterans at the Veteran’s Day Program

Mrs. Michele VonHandorf, CRMS Secretary

CRMS students recently presented their collective knowledge and learning about the Mississippi River for both parents (at the MS Concert) and other students (at school the next day). The Mississippi River Project began as a collaborative activity between Mr. Lawrence's science lab, Mrs. Smith's social studies lab, and Mrs. Fassbinder's TAG lab.

First, the three groups researched the Mississippi River from their lab's perspective (e.g science or social studies) and became experts in their area.

Six groups were then formed to represent one of six Mississippi River ports or towns, experts were dispursed into the new groups. The ports/towns students represented were Lake Itasca, at the source of the Mississippi, Praire du Chien, Guttenberg, St. Louis, Memphis and lastly New Orleans at the mouth of the river.

Each student group created a presentation about their port/town which moved historically and chronologically downstream. (Ancient Lake Itasca to modern-day New Orleans).

The goals for the projects were not only learning more about the magnificent river that flows by our school but also practicing the skills of collaboration, compromise, delegation, and consensus while researching from their point of view.

Science experts researched animal life, navigation, and pollution, social studies experts explored geography, history and famous people, which TAG experts dug into the culture and miscellaneous items.

For the presentations, the river was laid out to scale - 1 ft = 95 miles in the school hallway. All of the lock and dams were labeled along with major cities. Students did an amazing job with the process and with sharing their learning for an authentic audience. #WellDone #EagleExcellence!🦅 (Pictures by Erica Collins)

New high school business teacher, Mrs. Lori Crum, is settling in to her new position at Clayton Ridge. She is kept busy teaching seven different high school classes, which means seven different preparations for her.

“I enjoy the variety,” she shared. “It’s the perfect business schedule, even though it takes a lot of time to get ready for each class.”

Mrs. Crum spent her early years north of the Clayton Ridge area. She grew up in Waukon and graduated from high school there. She then attended the University of Northern Iowa, graduating with a degree in Business Education.

Because of her husband’s job, which requires a lot of mobility, Mrs. Crum has taught at a variety of schools in Iowa’s neighboring states. Included are Plano, Addison and St. Charles in Illinois, Portage and Dodgeville, Wisconsin and Lanesboro, Minnesota.

“As my husband is the main breadwinner, we need to go where his job took him,” she explained.

Mrs. Crum is married to Arnie Crum, and they now live in her hometown of Waukon. They have two grown sons. Ryan is 24 and lives in Madison. Eric, 21, is following in his mother’s path as a student at the University of Northern Iowa.

Mrs. Crum had been interested in sports all of her life, both as a participant and an observer. She enjoys walking and running, and when inside, she loves to bake. Although their sons are not at home anymore, the Crums have two Fox Red Labs, Boon and Bailey, to enjoy when she isn’t doing school work.

Mrs. Michele VonHandorf, CRMS Secretary

The Making STEM Connections grant that Mrs. Stannard and Mrs. Lawrence were awarded is being used to implement STEM concepts with their 5th grade students. The grant is sponsored and provided through the Iowa Governor's STEM Scale-Up Program. The goal of the grant is to engage students in critical thinking, problem solving and hands-on engineering practices in addition to academic knowledge. And it is lighting up our student’s imagination, curiosity, and creativity! STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Students are learning to code and program with the Hummingbird Bit Kit. They learned the parts and processes to put the kit together and code the Hummingbird to light-up a single LED light and make it blink. We will continue to work with these kits to spark their interest. The teachers set up several different stations for students to pick from and experience. Several students have used the 3D Doodler Pens, MagnaTiles, Kinetics, Wikki Sticks, Rock Painting, Gravity Maze and much more. The grant included a tool chest, several different types of tools, Strawbees, 3DUX, Make-dos, Makey-Makeys, a sewing machine and kit, and so much more! 5th grade teachers are asking for donations for plastic melting, sewing and lego building so that we can extend the learning even further. If you are able to donate new or used items, please drop off at the Clayton Ridge Elementary School in Garnavillo.

Please consider donating the following items:

Colored plastic bags

Building Supplies such as Legos, Magna Tiles, K’Nex, wooden blocks

Fabric and Thread

Iron and small Ironing Board

Yarn/Ribbon

Ink Pads

Scrap lumber in small pieces

Crafting supplies such as paint, colored tape, paint pens, and more

The Elementary EAGLES+ students have started learning about STEAM projects. For our first

project, the students in all classes completed the Goldilocks STEM activity. They had to design a

chair made out of cardboard objects that would hold Goldilocks attached to a full can of

vegetables. All of the groups were able to build a chair to hold Goldilocks on their first attempt.

All of the students did a great job working together and problem-solving as they completed the

activity.

Toddler Time - December 13 at 10:30 a.m.

Join Miss Nancy for stories, songs, fleece boards, crafts and playtime.

Program is suitable for 2-4 year old children.

Community Movie - December 17 at 6:30 p.m. showing White Christmas

Movie Matinee - December 20 at 2:15 p.m. showing Elf

School Day Out Camp -December 27 from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Register at the Elkader Extension Office - 245-1451

Cost $12.00, K-3rd grade welcome to attend.

Teen Night Out - January 3 at 6:00 p.m.

Board games, movie and pizza

Library closings - December 24,25, Jan. 1

Library closing early December 31 at 1:30 p.m.

For more information please contact the Guttenberg Library at 252-3108 or guttlib@alpinecom.net

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Email: ndegidio@claytonridge.k12.ia.us
Website: http://www.claytonridge.k12.ia.us/
Location: 131 South River Park Drive, Guttenberg, IA, USA
Phone: (563)252-2341
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Clayton-Ridge-Community-School-District-1669852486604559/