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North Central News
North Central Junior High: February Updates
Important Dates:
Feb 7th: Choir Concert 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm (Liberty High Auditorium)
Feb 9th: No School
Feb 12th: No School
Feb 13th - Feb 16th: Spirit Week
- Feb13th- PJ Day
- Feb 14th- Country vs Country Club (Country Western vs Country Club)
- Feb 15th- Flip Flop Day (Students dress like staff or teachers dress like students)
- Feb 16th- Crazy Hair Day
Feb 14th: PSTO Meeting 11:30 am - 12:30 pm (Main Office)
Feb 16th: School Party 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm (NCJH Cafeteria/Gym)
$5 to get in
$1 pizza
50 cents for pop
Feb 21st: 6th and 7th grade parent Webinar Meeting
https://iowacityschools-org.zoom.us/j/92232389759
Feb 22nd: Orchestra Concert 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm (Liberty High Auditorium)
Feb 29th: Band Concert 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm (Liberty High Auditorium)
March 1st: End of 2nd Trimester
Student(s) of the Month
Meet Some of Our Awesome Staff!
Mrs. Rode
My name is Anna and I live in Iowa City with my husband Chris and our 4 children (ages 15, 12, 6, and 3). We have lived in Arizona and Colorado, but in early 2015, we decided to return to and remain in the Iowa City area. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends. We love to travel and have a goal of crossing off as many national parks as we can every year!
I earned an AA with a concentration in Early Childhood Education, followed by a BA in Studio Art/Photography and Women’s Studies and finally, MEd in Elementary Curriculum & Instruction, with several additional courses in Early Childhood Education and Structured English Immersion. After some travel in Guatemala and Honduras, I completed my student teaching in Costa Rica, teaching English to kindergarten students. I’ve worked in a variety of educational environments, including private, Montessori, Waldorf, nature-focused and public schools. I have enjoyed working with children for as long as I can remember, and I'm really grateful to join the welcoming and student-focused staff at North Central Junior High.
Ms. Garcia
Hello my name is Rosalinda Garcia and this is my first year teaching! I recently finished up my student teaching this December up in Cedar Rapids. I majored in Elementary and Middle level education at the University of Northern Iowa. I am originally from Ottumwa, Iowa and that is where my family currently lives. I have a younger brother, who works as a mechanic and a sister, who is currently a sophomore in high school. In my free time, I like to spend time with my three cockatiel birds. Their names are Sushi, Tito, and Nibbles. I also enjoy playing board games and going outside (when the weather is warmer). I look forward to being part of this community and getting to work with all the students and staff.
Mr. Awad
Hello! My name is Mark Awad.
I was born in Egypt, but grew up in the States. My childhood heroes (I know because I had to write about them in the 3rd grade) were Albert Einstein and Luke Skywalker. As a kid, I was into math, music, riding my dirt bike off of things I shouldn’t, and The Hobbit. Things snowballed from there.
This is (gosh) my 15th year of teaching orchestra in the ICCSD – hard to believe that it’s been that long! I’ve been lucky, this whole time, to work with kids from the first day they pick up an instrument in elementary school through their 8th grade year. In that span, I get to watch them grow and gain confidence through their first group practices, as they tackle more varied and advanced music in junior high, and then as they sail off into the brave, new world of high school.
I’ve gotten to hear students playing in their university orchestra for the first time and others featured on the radio. Recently, a former student showed me a picture of her first baby, which didn’t make me feel old at all.
Making music and learning along with my smart, funny, creative, goofy students is absolutely the highlight of my job. When I’m not doing that, I enjoy reading, hiking, attempting to bake the odd pie, funky bass lines, pretending to work out, trying to speak French and Arabic, and, when the weather’s nice, falling off my mountain bike.
If you’re reading this, remind your kids to practice (and be nice to their parents while they’re at it) and maybe I’ll see you at a concert, soon. ;-)
Registration for 2024-25
Registration Schedule for 2024-2025
9th Grade Registration - Liberty HS
January Email notices go out to prospective 9th (student & parent)
Wednesday, February 7 Academic Planning Day at North Central with HS
Counselors
-Registration presentation to all 8th graders via LA8
Online registration opens
Monday, February 12 Virtual Parent informational meeting 6:00 PM
Wednesday, February 14 Counselors return for registration walk through
Online registration closes
8th Grade Registration
For current 7th graders going into 8th grade 2024-2025
Friday, February 16 Counselors will present registration information
Via Lit 7 classes - online registration opens
Friday, February 23rd Google Doc due/Registration Closes
Middle School Registration
For current 5th & 6th graders going into 6th & 7th grade 2024-2025
Wednesday, February 21st Incoming 6th and 7th grade PARENT Informational Meeting (webinar) 6:00pm https://iowacityschools-org.zoom.us/j/92232389759
Mrs. McDonough and Mr. Sturgell will visit 5th & 6th grade classrooms to present registration information on the following days:
Monday, Feb 26th Kirkwood 12:30-2:30
Tuesday, Feb 27th Garner 1:00-3:00
Wed, Feb 28th Grant 12:30-2:30
Thursday, Feb 29th
Friday, March 1st Van Allen 10:30-12:30, Penn 1:00-3:00
Friday, March 8th Deadline for JH Google Forms to be completed on-lineSoutheast Iowa Honor Band:
14 North Central students represented North Central at the Southeast Iowa Bandmasters Association Honor Band. They have been preparing since September, and auditioned in early January against students from all over Southeast Iowa.
Of those 14 students, we also had 4 selected to the IBA All-Iowa 8th Grade Honor Band and 4 others selected as alternates, which is a new record for North Central! This is like the 8th grade version of All State, and means they were among the top 1-2 students on their instrument.
Congratulations to the following students!
Jiwon Kim, flute (IBA Alt)
Macy Kacmarynski, flute
Malaya McConnell, oboe (IBA)
Victor Yao, clarinet (IBA)
Parker Schwickerath, clarinet (IBA)
Yuzuka Fujikawa, clarinet (IBA Alt)
Lincoln Osborne, clarinet
Zechariah Ho, alto sax (IBA Alt)
Macy Van Abbema, alto sax
Elshareef Elsheikh, bari sax (IBA Alt)
Jack Smith, trumpet (IBA)
Link Ortman, french horn
Naomi Carter, trombone
Oliver Brock, trombone
North Central Board Game Club
North Central's Board Game Club is hosting a fundraiser at Geek City Games in North Liberty on Saturday, February 17th from 12-4pm. Come learn to play demos of some of our favorite games! A portion of any board games purchased that day will be donated to the club. Bring your friends and family!
Student Artwork!
PrideCon 2024: February 24th
PrideCon 2024 is a free youth summit open to all LGBTQIA+ youth in junior high and high school. This year’s PrideCon will take place on Saturday, February 24th at the University of Iowa Lindquist Center, Teacher Leadership Center. PrideCon is a place for queer youth to create community, learn about identity, develop leadership skills and share talents. This event is FREE to all LGBTQ+ youth ages 12-18 years old.
Student Artwork
Congrats Ms. Astor
Congrats to Ms. Astor for publishing her first book! Ms. Astor works in our cafeteria and is excited about writing and publishing her first book. You can find more information about her book Chase It here!
PSTO UPDATES
PSTO Information: https://northcentral.iowacityschools.org/students-families/psto
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.
North Central Junior High
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.