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North Central News
North Central Junior High: May Updates
Important Dates:
May 7th: Choir Concert 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm (Liberty High Auditorium)
May 8th: PSTO Meeting 11:30 am - 12:30 pm (Main Office)
May 10th: School Party 6:00 pm - 8:00pm (North Central)
May 14th: Orchestra Concert 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm (Liberty High Auditorium)
May 21st: Band Concert 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm (Liberty High Auditorium)
May 24th: Chamber Orchestra 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm (Liberty High Auditorium)
May 27th: No School- District Closed
June 5th: Last Day of School
June 5th: 8th Grade Awards Assembly 9:30 am -10:30 am (Liberty High Auditorium)
Congrats to our Retirees!!!
Mrs. Tafolla
My name is Heidi Tafolla and i am finishing up my 33rd year of teaching! I currently teach Lit7 at North Central Junior High. Before that, I taught elementary school grades 1-3 for 28 years, mostly in the Iowa City Community School District. I spent 5 years at Columbus Junction Elementary and 5 years at West Liberty Elementary. I also spent time teaching undergraduate reading & writing methods courses at the University of Iowa and Cornell College. My husband and I have four children, all graduates of either IC West or IC Liberty. I live in the country and really enjoy spending time outside, enjoying my children, and of course READING books. With retirement, I look forward to getting back to golfing and playing piano, spending time fishing at the MS river with my cousins, and visiting my children. My three oldest live in the south....so I will plan a few extra visits during those winter months. ; ) . I will also be subbing next year to keep me on my toes!
It has been a pleasure to teach so many children, meet so many families, and have such good co-workers/friends over the years. My heart is full.
Ms. Burger
My name is Sue Burger. I have been teaching in Iowa City since 1990. I started my career teaching elementary school at Hills Elementary and Mark Twain Elementary. Some of my favorite memories from that part of my career were combining literature with United States History, the pet days, and going on field trips to Des Moines to tour the capitol and Living History Farms. I helped open North Central Junior High in 2006. It has been a wonderful experience to work with 7th graders. Some of my favorite times are reading The Outsiders (the students are always forewarned that I will cry) and seeing the students grow as readers. I love it when they recommend books for me to read and we get to have discussions. Some of the things I do outside of school are walking, reading of course, and traveling with my family. I am officially an empty nester which seems surreal to me. I do a lot of road trips to Davenport and Waverly where my girls are currently studying at in college. I also am learning how to fix up a house with my son. It has been an adventure. When I retire, I am not sure what my next adventure is going to be. I am trying to figure out what I'm going to be when I grow up. I want to continue to be with people. I also plan on traveling. I have a bucket list of places I want to visit. I have enjoyed my years here at NCJH. I am grateful for the wonderful staff and families I have worked with throughout the years.
Mrs. Raim
My name is Michele Raim and I am in my 6th year at North Central Junior High as the Health Office Paraeducator. I have really enjoyed the staff and students that I get to know here at NCJH! Prior to coming to the Iowa City School District, I worked in a very similar position at a Clear Creek Amana elementary for 11 years. After graduating from Iowa State University, I started my career path by working at a group home for mentally challenged people in Marion for 19 years. I enjoy gardening, crochet and going for walks with my dog in my free time. I also love taking care of my "grand-dogs" when my 2 daughters and their husbands are out of town. I live on a farm with my husband and I plan to help out more on the farm when I retire. As my son-in-law says "I won't be retired, I'll be more tired."
Mr. Loan
Born 5-28-1959. Born and raised on a farm. Now live on my grandpa's farm. Graduated 1977 from Lone Tree High school. Farmed for 15 years. Built houses for 2 years. Joined union as a laborer for 20 years. Retired out of union at age 55. Then got on as a custodian at NCJH and have been here 11 years. Got married to my wife Lynn in 1980. Have four kids and nine grand kids so far. Am looking forward to retirement and travel with my wife. And spend time with grand kids. Every job I have done I try to leave my mark of kindness and trying to fill gaps to help out. I will miss the staff here and the kids. They feel like grand kids to me. I will find something to do as long as the good lord will let me. I will stop back when I can.
Students of the Month
Student Artwork!
The Bolt Space Boys provided breakfast for the staff!!!
Build My Future Field Trip
Build My Future Field Trip
Build My Future Field Trip
PSTO UPDATES
Thank you to our PSTO for providing conference meals for the staff at North Central! We are so grateful to have your support. Our families rock!
We have an awesome staff at North Central and are glad to support and celebrate them through the school year! To do this, North Central Parent Student Teacher Organization (PSTO) is in need of a few parent volunteers. We are looking for officers for the 2024-2025 school year. Meetings are held monthly during school hours. Most meetings last 30-45 minutes. PSTO Officers will be:
President –open
Secretary – open
Treasurer – JoAnna Droll-Madole
Hospitality – Kelly Brubaker
District Parent Organization Rep – open
Please contact current President Jan Beaver (dnjbeaver@southslope.net) with any questions.
PSTO Information: https://northcentral.iowacityschools.org/students-families/psto
CELL PHONE POLICY
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
Email: miller.colby@iowacityschools.org
Website: https://www.iowacityschools.org/Domain/1327
Location: 180 East Forevergreen Road, North Liberty, IA, USA
Phone: 319-688-1210
Twitter: @NCJHLightning
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.