Video compiled by Taylor Palmer, District Social Media Coordinator

Mrs. Stephanie Thomas, K-7 School Counselor

Students in Ms. Bodish’s Kindergarten Class created colored glasses as part of a lesson on citizenship. The story, We’re Not So Different After All, challenges students to focus more on how we are alike than different and most important to be kind. These are important to citizenship because these ideas make a positive difference in our school and community.

Back Row: Cruz R., Brynnlie B., Amelia M.

Middle Row: Bee W., Josh M., Lucas S., Mitchell T., Reid H., Blair H.

Front Row: Katelyn F., Bently B., Paislee H., Naomi C.

Mrs. Stephanie Thomas, K-7 School Counselor

On Wednesday, May 30, Clayton Ridge Elementary students participated in field day. The activities included: 100 m dash, relay race, egg on a spoon relay, shoe relay, water cup relay, hula hoop relay, and kickball.

Mrs. Deb Henkes, CR Technology Coach

Clayton Ridge elementary students have been busy this spring learning lots of new things using their iPads.

In Mrs. Clefish's 2nd Grade students have been using their best fluent reading to read and record books from their classroom library. The recordings are then made into QR Codes which have been placed in the books. Future students can then scan the QR code to listen to the recording as they read the book to themselves. This will help build fluency and comprehension with students as well as provide an authentic audience for student work. Scan the QR Code below to listen to Kaylee reading "Parts" by Ted Arnold.

2nd Grade also created a new project blending social studies and technology. Each student had a National Monument to research: find at least 3 facts about the site, we used a map app to figure out how long it would take to travel to our destination, used a second app where we searched for pictures to match our facts and put it all together to create a poster and record a comment about the monument/place. As a wrap-up, students “commented" on another’s poster with a question about the monument/place. It was an intense project for 2nd graders, but lots of learning and lots of fun was the worth the hard work.

A big thanks to Mrs. Henkes for her guidance and to Ellen Johnson (School Board member) for pitching in and helping us be successful!

First graders in Mrs. Willenborg's class used their iPads to record book reviews by making their books "talk". See the link below. They then drew a picture of their favorite character from the book. Here is "Pete the Cat" by Abby. The 1st graders have had a lot of practice using their iPads for fluency so this next step up for them was a great fit.

Ms. Streich's first grade students are using their iPads to help reinforce their understanding of telling time. Students were asked to record both the analog and digital times for various activities throughout the day. This activity is a great example of formative assessment and knowledge building as students think through the process.

Mrs. Cindy Kleusner, MS Teacher

For the past few years, Clayton Ridge Middle School has been blessed with volunteers, who come in during our Advisory/Recess periods, to read with some of our students. Thanks to these wonderful people, most of our students have been able to achieve their Quarterly Accelerated Reading goals. Most students look forward to reading with their partner, and both students and volunteers enjoy the relationships they have with built with one another.

On Thurs., May 19, 2018, we thanked our volunteers with a little ice cream social. This year's volunteer readers were: Denise Saunders, Joyce Schoulte, Carol DeSotal, NaDyne Meyer, Hillary Burns, Sue Kuenzel, Ron Kaiser, Jean Miller, and Kathy Idhe.

Mrs. Sara Lawrence, MS Teacher

This year the fourth-grade class read Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder and enjoyed a field trip to Osborne Nature Center to reinforce and highlight the novel. Students enjoyed many activities, such as pioneer games, making butter and cooking bread, a nature hike, plant identification, visiting the animal exhibits, and old-fashioned fishing along the Volga River.

Ms. Sara Lawrence, MS Teacher

The fourth grade class participated in tree planting with Kenny from Osborne. Students planted a locus tree in the backyard at the CRMS to celebrate Earth Day.

Mrs. Sara Lawrence, MS Teacher

Alayna and Emma Blume brought in their Brown Swiss calf, Arizona, to share with the fifth-grade class.

Her beautiful big brown eyes won the heart every student!

Mrs. Deb Henkes, CR Technology Coach

Clayton Ridge Middle School students have been learning how to use the magic of green screen to create videos to show what they know. Mrs. Werges and Mr. Lawrence combined classes recently completed their Time Travel unit. Students in CRMS 7th grade worked in groups to create a video about their chosen historical period highlighting their research and learning about the science and environment factors from the era. Below is an excellent example of the project.

Mrs. Deb Henkes, CR Technology Coach

Students in 6B read the novel "My Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George. Mrs. Werges then challenged the students to create a commercial and a segment with topics from the novel that could be modeled after an IPTV nature documentary. During the project students researched the topics, wrote the script and storyboarded, learned green screen recording tips and how to use the Green Screen iPad app. Students used creativity, problem solving and collaboration to create their video segments which were then combined to form a whole class video.

Mrs. Deb Henkes, CR Technology Coach

The 4th and 5th grade students also learned how to use green screen recording by practicing forecasting the weather. Students worked with partners to learn all aspects of how to create a green screen video so that they will be ready to create more projects highlighting their learning in the future.

Mrs. Stephanie Thomas, K-7 School Counselor

Clayton Ridge Elementary was treated to an exciting science show! Students witnessed a range of energy, from potential energy to (controlled) explosions, from thermal cameras to people-power, explore where energy comes from, and where it ends up. How do we generate the energy we use every day and how do the choices we make affect our environment? The students were able to see energy as it feeds giant light bulbs, feel energy through static charges, and created energy themselves through hand cranks and running —not to mention explored energy at the molecular level inside a giant, life-sized snow globe! Also, we took a thermal image of our student body at the end of the show!

Mrs. Lori Bunting, MS Teacher

On Tuesday, May 15, some of Mrs. Bunting and Ms. Vlazny’s students had the opportunity to spend a day at Camp Courageous in Monticello. They experienced many different activities, including Zipline, rock climbing, outdoor cooking, making ice cream, miniature golf, arts/crafts, farm animal experience, horse riding. The weather was beautiful, and the kids had a GREAT time.

Mrs. Jill Stannard, MS Teacher

Mrs. Julie Hansel, 8-12 School Counselor

Mrs. Deb Henkes, CR District Technology Coach

Check out the video link below to see highlights of the Clayton Ridge Elementary and Middle School Spring Concert! #CRMusic #EagePride!

Submitted by Mrs. Carolyn Ihde, 8-12 Ag and Science

Since the inception of the program, the World Food Prize Iowa Youth Institute has engaged over 1,000 students from more than 225 schools across Iowa and continues reaching and inspiring students across our state to fight hunger at home and abroad and to explore STEM career paths. Students were immersed into the world food insecurity and interacted with Governor Kim Reynolds, Lt. Governor Adam Gregg, Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, Acting Chief Scientist & REE Deputy Under Secretary of USDA, world-renowned faculty experts and business leaders.

Des Moines, Iowa (May 4, 2018) – Last Monday, the seventh annual World Food Prize Iowa Youth Institute brought together 309 students from 134 high schools at Iowa State University to explore critical global food security issues and discover academic and career paths in STEM fields.

“I recall being here on campus for the first Iowa Youth Institute in 2012 when it was held in the Memorial Union,” said Gov. Kim Reynolds during the Youth Institute, “The fact that today we are only able to accommodate all of the students and teachers here on the floor of Hilton Coliseum is a testament to the vision of the World Food Prize leadership, and the hard work of everyone who has been involved, including the faculty and staff of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Your dedication and investment in the young leaders who are here today is remarkable and we are so fortunate to have leaders who value the talents and ideas of our students.”

Mentored by Carolyn Ihde from Clayton Ridge High School, Kristen Willenborg researched Water and Sanitation in India; Terry Hefel researched Spoilage and Waste in Fiji.

The Iowa Youth Institute has now reached over 64 percent of all Iowa high schools since its inauguration in 2012 and has been referred to as the most unique and innovative event to inspire Iowa high school students to become global leaders. This innovative experience encourages students to explore academic and career paths in fields related to STEM, agriculture and global development and aims to inspire the next generation of leaders through authentic research presentations and networking opportunities with global experts.

“IYI is one of the best experiences for students,” said Casey Dunley, an educator from Des Moines Roosevelt. “From researching real-world issues to generating viable solutions, to creating the paper based on new learning methods, to today’s event; this is a wonderful opportunity to show students that they have the power to have an impact on the future.”

Interested students select a developing country and research a key factor affecting its food security. Students then present their ideas to a roundtable of university and industry experts at the Iowa Youth Institute, participate in interactive activities in labs and classrooms on campus, and interact with innovative leaders from across the state. All students who participate automatically receive a $500 scholarship to Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and are eligible to apply for the prestigious Wallace-Carver Fellowship program in partnership with the USDA. The top Iowa participants will also be selected to join scientists and policy experts from around the world at the three-day World Food Prize Global Youth Institute in October.

Since 2012, Iowa State University has awarded over $250,000 to students participating in World Food Prize programming, ensuring that young leaders have access to a high-quality education, professional mentors, and are prepared to tackle our world’s toughest issues in hunger and poverty. The top Iowa participants will also be selected to join scientists and policy experts from around the world at the three-day World Food Prize Global Youth Institute in October.

“I commend you for being here, for embracing the desire to improve the global food supply, and for wanting to take action on behalf of people you might never know,” said Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, Administrator and Acting Deputy Under Secretary REE, USDA during her morning keynote presentation. “You, as a generation, are important to USDA, because you will be the consumers, the employees, and the leaders of our future. Your efforts can make the difference.”

In 2017, The Iowa Youth Institute hosted a record participation of 309 students from more than 134 schools, and aims to eventually reach every school in Iowa to meaningfully engage students interested in these careers. This one-day event is offered at no cost to teachers or students. More details are available at www.worldfoodprize.org/iowayouth.

ABOUT THE WORLD FOOD PRIZE: The World Food Prize is the foremost international award recognizing the achievements of individuals who have advanced human development by improving the quality, quantity or availability of food in the world. The Prize was founded in 1986 by Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, recipient of the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize. Since then, the World Food Prize has honored 46 outstanding individuals who have made vital contributions throughout the world. The World Food Prize annually hosts the Borlaug Dialogue international symposium and a variety of youth education programs to help further the discussion on cutting-edge global food security issues and inspire the next generation to end hunger.

ABOUT THE WORLD FOOD PRIZE YOUTH PROGRAMS: The World Food Prize holds statewide youth institutes in several states to inspire young people to continue the legacy of Dr. Norman Borlaug and fight hunger by pursuing educational and career paths in global agriculture; the goal is to eventually have every school in our home state of Iowa participate. The top students each year and others from around the country are invited to attend the World Food Prize Global Youth Institute in October, where they participate in other World Food Prize events such as the Borlaug Dialogue international symposium and the Laureate Award Ceremony. There, youth interact with experts, participate in hunger relief programs and activities, and present their research findings to peers and global leaders. Over 20 students from the programs each year are then selected as Borlaug-Ruan International Interns, and are sent on all-expenses-paid, eight-week internships at research centers in Asia, Africa, Latin American and the Middle East. Finally, students who participate in the World Food Prize youth programs are also eligible to apply for Wallace-Carver internships with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Mr. Louis Cook, HS Social Studies

Right to left: Trevor H., Ben A., James H., Hunter F., Allee M., Andrew S., and Sondean S.

Clayton Ridge Community School District has both a north and south campus. The northern campus is located in the midst of the rolling prairie of Garnavillo, Iowa and currently serves students in grades 4-7. The southern campus is situated among the picturesque Mississippi River bluffs and boasts a magnificent view of the mighty river and Lock & Dam 10 in Guttenberg, Iowa. The south campus serves preschool, elementary (K-3), and grades 8-12.

Email: nshaw@claytonridge.k12.ia.us
Website: claytonridge.k12.ia.us
Location: 131 South River Park Drive, Guttenberg, IA, USA
Phone: 563-252-2341