Christine Grant Chronicle

Hello Grizzlies,

We have had a fantastic week of learning! Along with the many engaging lessons that have occured to start the year, students have also been quite focused as various start of year assessments are taken. These assist us with noting strengths and areas of focus for each and every student!

An additional fun note: A hawk was sitting above one of our playgrounds yesterday. Very cool moment when students started chanting, "Let's go Hawks!" :-)

The Liberty High School Homecoming Parade will be on Wednesday, September 18th from 5:45pm - 7:00pm.

WHEN: Sept 13, 2024 @ 4-7pm

WHERE: BIG PICTURE GALLERY & STUDIO

Liberty Plaza (185 Highway 965, Suite #3)

REGISTER HERE:https://www.bpgalleryandstudio.com/new-events-1/2024/9/13/ceramics-guided-open-studio

Arrival:

Walkers/bikers - We encourage the use of the paved city trails to come to/from school.

• The bike racks will be in the same location as past years.
• Please see lineup locations below.
• Teachers will lead students into the building at 7:50.

Bus riders

• Depending on arrival time, students will exit the bus and walk to lineup locations.

Daycare vans

• Drop off is in the lower lot.
• Students will walk to their lineup locations.

Kindergarten/preschool

• Students will walk to their lineup locations (east side playground).
• If arriving by vehicle and walking your student to these doors, please park in our lot and walk them to the door. This keeps our flow of traffic moving.

Champions (BASP)

• Arrive through main doors.

Dismissal:

The bell rings at 2:55 (1:55 Thursday). Bus/daycare vans, walkers/bikers and carline/BASP all depart at that time.

Walkers/bikers

• Dismissed through the north side doors.
• We encourage siblings to have a meeting location outside.

Bus riders

• Students will walk directly out to the bus.

Daycare vans

• Will be walked to the lower lot for loading.

Parent pick up

• Students sit by grade level(s) in the gym and wait for their number to be called.

We all know the patience needed when the lining up of cars takes place whether in the AM or PM (especially on rainy days). At Grant, we are very fortunate to have two parking lots and a great system in place! By following the directions below, the efficiency of dropping off and picking up students will be greatly improved.

Please have your child(ren) ready to exit the vehicle in the morning as you pull up. As for the afternoon, a continued focus is on having drivers stay in the vehicle...unless parking in the lot and walking your child across the main drive. Students get independent rather quickly with entering the curbside door of their respective vehicle and getting buckled up.

As a reminder, we ask that:

• The main lot (upper) is accessed by families driving in from the east (ex. Cedar Springs)
• The lower lot is accessed by families coming from the west (ex. Fox Run).
• This assists with achieving a balance of vehicle numbers and really helps when our families are leaving each of the lots.

A few points relative to safety and efficiency:

• Curbside drops and pick ups only...students can't be walking to/from the parking lot unattended.
• Students should enter/exit the vehicle from the curbside door of the vehicle.
• Please do not leave your vehicles unless parking in a marked parking space and walking your child to the front sidewalk.
• Pull ahead as much as possible.

We use a number system at Grant. When arriving by vehicle to pick up your child, we ask that you display your child's number. This is then communicated to the school for display in our gym. Upon seeing their number, students walk to either the upper or lower parking lot.

Hello Grizzlies,

Thanks to those who volunteered last year! All volunteers enjoyed their time being with our Grizzlies! We are rolling this out again for the 23-24 year.

Expectations are in place for students in both locations, and a volunteer would be paired with an experienced staff member. Some cafeteria duties include opening containers (milk, juice, etc..), giving out napkins and spending some time interacting in a positive manner. Playground expectations are also in place. Duties are primarily connected to being visible and available for student needs while monitoring for safe choices.

This sign up link offers opportunities to sign up for specific days and times. We included the lunch/recess schedule so you will know the grade level and location.

The district does have protocols for volunteering. This link will direct you to the online background check.

Not only do we appreciate any support, we are also excited that parents have the opportunity to get into the school and add to our positive and supportive atmosphere!

Thanks!

Mr. Turnis

The Christine Grant Elementary 24-25 Picture Day will be on September 20th.

If ordering online, you do not need to turn in an order form on picture day.

The order form is below.

Link:https://vando.imagequix.com/g1001134572

Dear Families,

As we prepare for the start of school tomorrow, we want to share updated information regarding student attendance expectations. Our main goal is for students to be in school daily and to confirm their safety with a parent or guardian if they are absent. While we understand absences may occur for reasons like illness, family activities, or appointments, the State of Iowa requires us to track the number of days missed, regardless of the reason. Because of the State’s new approach, there will no longer be a distinction between excused and unexcused absences.

Reporting Absences:
If your child will be absent, please notify your school’s attendance office before the start of the school day. You can do this by creating an Absence Request in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal or by calling the school attendance office. If we do not hear from you, the school will reach out to confirm your student’s safety and ensure you are aware of their absence.

State Attendance Requirements:
The Iowa Department of Education has implemented strict guidance that requires schools to address absenteeism. As part of this, schools will send notifications to guardians when a student has missed a certain number of days each grading period.

• First Letter: A written notification that your child has missed a certain number of days.
• Second Letter: A certified letter sharing that your child has reached 10% absenteeism in a grading period and that the district was required to inform the county attorney.
• Third Letter: If your child reaches 15% absenteeism, a School Engagement meeting will be scheduled, and an Absenteeism Prevention Plan will be created. If these steps are not followed, the county attorney may initiate legal proceedings.

Additional information about the State’s attendance requirements and absence exemptions, as well as district guidance, is available on the updated Attendance Page of our District website.

Regular school attendance is crucial for your child's success, both academically and socially. Thank you for your partnership in making this a successful year for all our students.

Sincerely,

Matt Degner
Superintendent
Iowa City Community School District

Good Afternoon,
We are currently participating in an extensive review of cell phone use in schools. As an important component of this review, we are seeking feedback from staff through the brief survey linked below. We understand that this is a busy time of year, and we appreciate you taking a few moments to share your thoughts on how cell phone use impacts our classrooms, hallways, and students' social-emotional well-being. Your input will help us ensure that our policies effectively support our students, their learning, and the overall school environment.

Below is the timeline for this review:

1. Board/community book study of “The Anxious Generation”: August 1
2. Staff survey: August - September
3. Student and parent survey: September - October
4. School board meetings for board members to discuss cell phones/technology/AI and hear from the community: August 13, August 27, September 10, September 24, October 15
5. Superintendent presents recommendations to the Board with a proposed implementation date: October 29

Thank you for your time and valuable feedback.

Follow this link to the Survey:
Take the Survey

Or copy and paste the URL below into your internet browser:
https://iowacityschools.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6qZMZfOkskN7lUG?Q_DL=cAtSgq64s7rHb9r_6qZMZfOkskN7lUG_CGC_7QXfPKBgDxYKZ01&Q_CHL=email

Welcome to the start of a new school year at ICCSD! We are excited to see familiar faces returning and to meet new families joining our learning community. Below are information and resources to help you support your student(s) with district technology.

Chromebook Logins (Passwords and QuickCards)
District-issued Chromebooks can log in using a district-provided username/password or, for grades K-5, a ClassLink QuickCard (QR code badge). While younger learners may benefit from using QuickCards, we encourage students to use their usernames and passwords whenever possible.

Chromebook Support
We want to ensure every learner can access functional technology. Our district does not charge families for technology repairs or replacements. If a device cannot be immediately fixed, we will provide a replacement to ensure students have the necessary tools for their coursework.

Infinite Campus Parent Portal
Parents and guardians can access the Infinite Campus Parent Portal to view student schedules, grades, assessment information, modify registration details, and more.

Securly Content Filtering
We use Securly for offsite content filtering on district-issued devices, ensuring compliance with federal laws and district policies related to internet safety. Guardians can receive a weekly email with highlights of their student’s online activities and access to the Securly Home portal for further monitoring and restricting off-campus access.

Please note that access to Securly can only be provided to one email address per student. To access student activity emails and the Securly Home portal, you must complete the “Securly Email” field in the 2024-2025 school year online registration.

Digital Resources for Students
We provide digital resources such as Canvas and ClassLink to support learners throughout our district. Students can access many other digital resources based on their grade level and course enrollments.

Questions and Troubleshooting
For issues with QuickCards, passwords, Chromebooks, or updating Securly email or Infinite Campus information, please contact your student’s teacher, your school’s library, or the main office. School staff will work with the technology department to address your questions and ensure your student can access their technology resources.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need further assistance. Thank you for your continued support and partnership in making this a successful school year!

North Central LIGHTNING school store is now open! Link is below.

Toddler, Youth and Adult sizes. Click "Products" to view all items.

Please indicate your student name and school during check out- we can deliver items to your students school.

https://north-central-middle-school-spirit-store.spiritsale.com/

Dear Families and Staff,

We want to remind you about Free and Reduced Meal applications for the 2024-25 school year. Per federal guidelines, applications must be completed each year. This is a separate process from registration.

If you have not already done so and feel your student may qualify, please be sure to complete the 2024-25 application for Free & Reduced Meals, which can be found at https://www.myschoolapps.com/Home/PickDistrict. If you need assistance completing this form, please get in touch with the Nutrition Services Department at (319) 688-1021.

Please complete the application before the start of school to ensure benefits are activated. Unfortunately, benefits cannot be applied retroactively, so any debt incurred prior to applying for free and reduced status is the family's responsibility.

We are dedicated to ensuring that all students have access to school meals and will provide the necessary assistance to make that possible. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions.

Sincerely,

Alison Demory
Director of Nutrition Services
Iowa City Community School District

The Color Run is the official kick-off to the Liberty Homecoming Week! Registration is now open and can be accessed by clicking here, or on the image below.

Looking for information on Securly, our web filtering tool? Find all the information here www.IowaCitySchools.org/Securly.

The school day runs from 7:55-2:55. Our weekly one hour early out (1:55) will be each Thursday this year.

Here is a link to the district elementary handbook. There will be some updates added soon relative to attendance. Please let us know if you have any questions.

Sarah Siddig is Grant's SFA.

Sarah can assist families in a variety of ways including, but not limited to:

• seeking out community resources
• assisting with registration
• building home-school connections
• locating school supplies and winter gear
• housing
• transportation
• attendance
• accessing mental health supports

As noted above, breakfast and lunches are back on a payment system this coming year. A pricing link is included above.

Breakfast is available at a cost daily for all Grizzly students from 7:40-7:50. If opting to have school breakfast, please use the front doors. Depending on the number of students accessing breakfast, we may adjust to an earlier time.

BIRTHDAY BOULDERS

The celebratory boulders have been fun! For a $10 donation to the PTO, you can “rent” the large boulders in front of the building and paint a special birthday message for your child on their big day.

Here’s how it works:

1. Sign up for a date to “rent” a boulder. Reserve both if you’re extra ambitious! The $10 reservation fee goes straight to the PTO support teachers, students, and staff at Grant.

2. Pay through our secure payment portal (you’ll get instructions after reserving your date)

3. Come up with your birthday message design idea. Is your kiddo into sharks? Cover the rock with blue and put Jaws on there. Does your child love all things strawberries? Paint a bushel of them around their name. It's all up to your imagination.

4. Gather your materials—we’ll advise you on the best kind of paint to use. You can begin painting after 4pm the day before your rental.

All the guidelines and details can be found on the sign up sheet >> Reserve a Birthday Boulder

https://www.facebook.com/ChristineGrantGrizzlies/

@ChristineGrantGrizzlies

https://twitter.com/GrizzlyGR8

@GrizzlyGR8

Email: turnis.ken@iowacityschools.org
Website: https://www.iowacityschools.org/Domain/4089
Location: 1000 Centro Way, North Liberty, IA
Phone: 319-688-1500
Facebook: facebook.com/ChristineGrantGrizzlies/
Twitter: @GrizzlyGR8

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.