Greetings -

With Thanksgiving approaching, as previously shared via email, we’re inviting you to join us in a (not so) secret mission (given how many of our school staff are also parents) to brighten the days of our amazing Van Allen Staff. We are asking YOU to write a quick note about someone on our staff to express what they do/have done that you’re thankful for—whether it’s a kind gesture, a favorite memory, or just the incredible effort they put forth each and every day. Simply click here to share your note of thanks. Please submit your notes by the end of the day on Monday, November 25th so that we are able to deliver them to our staff before they leave for Thanksgiving break. Let’s flood our staff with kindness and thanks - they deserve it! Thank you in advance for your willingness to be a part of this secret mission.

Speaking of thanks, I want to take a moment to express how thankful I am to be a part of such a wonderful school community at Van Allen. Through the daily interactions with our students, I continue to experience the joy that led me to pursue a career in education. I am equally grateful for our families and the encouragement, involvement, and support that creates a strong foundation for everything that we are able to accomplish. It is an honor to work alongside all of you as we aim to inspire learning, act with empathy, and maximize each and every student's potential.

I want to wish each of you a Thanksgiving that is filled with gratitude. Have a great weekend, and take care.

- Eric Ewald
Principal, Van Allen Elementary

• Wednesday - Friday, November 27th - 29th

We are seeking to hire a preschool and special education teachers for the 2024/2025 school year. For more information and/or to apply, please visit the link that is inserted below.

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!

Stay up-to-date on all things PTO, and join our 'VA Rockets PTO 2024' Facebook group! There are screening questions to ensure the group is limited to VA Parents joining.

In the spirit of the PTO's purpose of "Enriching the Education of the children of Van Allen" and helping bridge the gaps in funding, we are asking you to consider doing just that by fulfilling a Wish (see the links that are included, below) made by our wonderful staff. Any contribution is greatly appreciated! Many thanks!

• Specials/Supports
• Pre-K and Kindergarten
• First Grade
• Second Grade
• Third Grade
• Fourth and Fifth Grades

Items can be dropped off with Karen in the office, or sent to school with your student to give to Karen. We are hoping to distribute Wishes to the Staff prior to Winter Break on December 13th.

• Tuesday, December 3rd, 6:30pm at Van Allen (in the library)

Digtal!

Get the app and collect money for Van Allen! It’s easy.

1. Download the Free App: Box Tops for Education
2. Register and select James Van Allen as your school.
3. Scan or take pictures of your receipts within 14 days of purchase.

Use the referral code INLK3WN8 when you sign-up and you’ll get 25 Bonus Box Tops when you scan your first receipt now through 05/31/2025, while supplies last!

It’s that time of year again—winter weather is just around the corner! Snow, ice, and cold can sometimes mean schedule changes. We want to make sure you have the information you need to stay updated on our inclement weather announcements, including school cancellations, delays, and early releases.

Here’s how you can stay in the know:

• Inclement Weather Guidelines: Visit www.IowaCitySchools.org/WeatherGuidelines to review our detailed plan for cancellations, delays, and early releases.
• Late Starts on Thursdays: In the event of a late start on a regularly scheduled early dismissal day (Thursday), the early dismissal will be canceled, and school will follow regular dismissal times.
• Timely Notifications: You’ll receive email, phone, and text notifications with weather announcements.
• Follow Us Online: Stay informed by checking our website and following us on Facebook, X, Instagram, and Threads for updates.
• Check Out Our Mobile App: Download our official Iowa City Schools mobile app for a centralized hub of all school and district-related information, including weather notifications.

We’re here to help! If you have any questions about our weather procedures, feel free to contact our Educational Services Center at (319) 688-1000.

Our District is deeply committed to ensuring a safe and healthy learning environment for all our students. In response to the rising concerns about food allergies and childhood obesity, we've made adjustments to our District's Wellness Policy concerning classroom snacks, birthday treats, and classroom celebrations. Please be aware that some elementary schools have chosen to celebrate birthdays without food, so we recommend checking with your child's school to learn about their specific practice.

When food is served to students in the classroom for snacks, birthday celebrations, or classroom festivities, we follow these guidelines:

1. Only fresh fruits/vegetables or store-bought items with clear ingredient lists are permitted (homemade foods are not allowed).
2. Foods served must align with the Healthy Food Guidelines/Smart Snacks (with the only exception being food related to District-approved curriculum lessons).
3. Foods containing peanuts or peanut butter, or those produced in facilities with potential cross-contamination, are not allowed.
4. Any food items that do not meet these guidelines will be sent back home.
5. We will provide parents and teachers with a list of approved foods (Healthy Food Guidelines/Smart Snacks) at the beginning of the school year.

These measures are designed to promote the health and well-being of our students while maintaining a positive and inclusive learning environment. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in supporting our commitment to their safety and health.

• Find all the information here www.IowaCitySchools.org/Securly.

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.

• Listing of Van Allen Elementary's Current Peachjar Flyers

We’re now taking nominations for the 2024-25 Shine Awards! This is your chance to recognize employees who go above and beyond for our students and schools. Shine Award honorees inspire, make a positive difference, and leave a lasting impact in our school community.

Please consider the teachers, paraeducators, secretaries, nutrition services workers, student & family advocates, counselors, librarians, nurses, custodians, tradespeople, support staff, administrators, and more throughout our District who have had an exceptionally positive impact on students. Nominations can be submitted by completing the form at the following link: Shine Award Nomination Form. If preferred, you can also copy and paste the following link into your web browser: https://bit.ly/3QeTeUP.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to recognize the outstanding contributions of our team, especially those who have made the biggest impact on your family.

Sincerely,

Kristin Pedersen
Director of Community Relations
Iowa City Community School District

Students, Families, and Employees - The Ombuds Office is here to help! Visit https://www.iowacityschools.org/services-supports/ombuds to learn more!

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.

We use these platforms (below) to highlight our accomplishments (including pictures) and share relevant announcements and reminders.

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/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanallen_iccsd

X: @VanAllen_ICCSD

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.