
Van Allen Newsletter
A Preview and an Update for Our School Community
February 9, 2024 | Volume 14
A Note from the Principal
We made it through a wild January and seem to be back in the swing of things. Please be sure to note the 'dates to know' that are listed below. We've got quite a few things, fast approaching.
Thanks, and have a great weekend!
- Eric Ewald
Principal, Van Allen Elementary
Dates to Know:
No School: Monday, February 12th
Conference Sign-Ups Go Live: Wednesday, February 14th
PTO Meeting: Wednesday, February 21st (at Van Allen)
Conferences: Wednesday, February 28th and Monday, March 4th
No School: Monday, March 4th
Kindergarten Registration: Monday, March 4th
Two Hour Early Dismissal: Friday, March 8th
Spring Break: March 11 - March 15
Designate ICCSD Honorees!
We ❤️ our amazing Iowa City Community School District teachers, staff, and volunteers! Let’s recognize them!
The 2024 Districtwide Parent Organization (DPO) Honoree Recognition Form is live!
The ICCSD DPO Teaching Scholarships for ICCSD Students was established in 1954 in honor of Kate Wickham, who taught in the Iowa City Schools from 1902 to 1939. Since then, students planning a career in teaching have been awarded more than $80,000 in scholarships. These scholarships are made possible by donations from Parent Teacher Organizations, individuals, and area groups in honor of individuals who have contributed to our schools.
For each $50 contributed to the DPO Scholarship for Future Teachers Fund you or your organization(s) are entitled to designate one Honoree. Traditionally, Honorees have been current or retiring teachers, administrators, staff, and exemplary volunteers who have contributed to the education of ICCSD students.
We will celebrate both the seniors’ winning scholarships and the Honorees at the DPO Honoree & Scholarship Reception at the ICCSD Education Services Building on Wednesday, April 10th at 6PM.
Honoree Nomination Deadline: March 31, 2024, at 11:59pm
DPO Honoree Recognition Form: Honoree impact statements at the reception in April, when we award the scholarships.
Employment Opportunity
Any questions can be sent via email to ewald.eric@iowacityschools.org.
Please share this information with others who you think might be interested in either of these opportunities. Thanks!
Girls on the Run, Spring 2024
Van Allen is excited to be bringing Girls on the Run back for the Spring 2024 season, but we need your help! We are in need of 2-3 more coaches to ensure that our team will have the opportunity to participate. Coaches do not need to be runners, they simply need to have a desire to support and encourage the limitless potential within our kiddos. Practice times will be Mondays and Wednesdays from 3pm to 4:15pm starting the week of March 18 and ending May 22. Learn more and sign up at https://www.girlsontheruniowa.org/coach or email our GOTR site liaison Mrs. Choun at choun.alisa@iowacityschools.org We look forward to supporting our students and building rapport throughout this season! Thank you for considering!
Inclement Weather Guidelines
Good Afternoon Families and Staff,
Winter weather has arrived! Just a friendly reminder that our District's Inclement Weather Guidelines, outlining decisions for delays, cancellations, and early releases, are available on our website at www.IowaCitySchools.org/WeatherGuidelines. Please note the change to the school day if there is a late start issued on a Thursday.
When we make decisions about changes to the school day, we are committed to keeping families informed in a convenient and timely manner. Alongside our email, phone, and text notifications, we encourage you to follow us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram. Additionally, we recommend downloading our mobile app, which provides a centralized hub for all school and district-related information.
If you have any questions, please contact our Educational Services Center at (319) 688-1000.
Info. from the Coralville Parks & Rec. Dept.
Liberty High School Sports Camps are now LIVE!!!
- Register today to secure your spot!
Arrival and Dismissal Notes
- The only reason that a student should be getting to school before 7:40am is if they are eating breakfast (starts at 7:30am) or signed-up to attend our before-school program.
- Vehicles should utilize the east loop as it can accommodate many more vehicles whenever possible in an effort to keep traffic moving.
The time spent in car line both before and after school will be reduced if/when everyone follows the procedures that are outlined below. These are in-place to ensure that our school environment is safe, supportive, and orderly. Thanks for your patience, and thanks for your attention to this.
Digital Student Handbooks
Peachjar Flyers
Our District cooperates with approved community partners by posting eflyers online and distributing them electronically through our service provider, Peachjar. As part of our efforts to be more environmentally friendly, embrace innovative technology, and maintain fiscal responsibility, we have transitioned from paper to electronic flyer delivery.
Shine Award
Snacks & Celebrations
The District is committed to providing a safe and healthy learning environment for our students.
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 (linked).
Thank you for your attention to this.
🚨 High Reliability Schools (HRS) Update 🚨
We are continuing to embrace the HRS framework at Van Allen and throughout the ICCSD. Please see this linked form (also inserted, below) that helps us achieve Leading Indicator 1.6, "Students, parents, and the community have formal ways to provide input regarding the optimal functioning in the school."
This will be a standing item in our newsletter. Please note that submitting an idea to this form does not ensure that it will be implemented. Once we have a collection of responses to share, we will plan to include a recurring section within our newsletter dedicated to providing feedback and/or any response in regards to the different ideas that we have received from this form.
#VanAllenPride - Follow and Like Us
We use these platforms (below) to highlight our accomplishments (including pictures) and share relevant announcements and reminders.
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Van Allen Elementary School
Email: ewald.eric@iowacityschools.org
Website: https://vanallen.iowacityschools.org/
Location: 170 Abigail Avenue, North Liberty, IA, United States
Phone: (319)688-1185
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JVANorthLiberty/?ref=settings
Twitter: @VanAllen_ICCSD
Non-Discrimination 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, 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 Eric Howard, Director of Equity and Employee Relations, 1725 N. Dodge St., Iowa City, IA 52245, 319-688-1000, howard.eric@iowacityschools.org.
Principal at Van Allen Elementary in the Iowa City Community School District