
North Central News
North Central Junior High: June Updates
Important Dates:
June 5th: Last Day of School (1 hour early release)
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.
8TH Grade Awards Assembly!
We are excited to celebrate our outstanding 8th grade class. On June 5, from 9:30am - 10:30am, we will have our 8th Grade Awards Assembly at the Liberty High Auditorium. 8th grade students will be bussed to and from the event. We look forward to this event and ask for your help with the following to make sure things run smoothly:
- Parking will be a challenge, we recommend carpooling as much as possible.
- We must limit guests to two per student. Based on the size of our 8th grade class, two guests per student would be Liberty High’s auditorium capacity.
- If you have a Liberty High student and your Liberty student is attending as one of the guests, please contact the Liberty attendance office and excuse them at least 24 hours in advance.
- Many 8th grade families have plans to leave after the ceremony. If your student will not be coming back to school after the event or plans on leaving early that day, we ask that you call our attendance office (319-688-1210) before Friday, May 31 and let us know.
- Guests can arrive at Liberty between 9:00am - 9:25am and head directly to the auditorium. The program will start at 9:30am.
Studs!
Students of the Month!
Congrats Victor Yao!
Victor Yao was the SIGMA Foundation State of Iowa Winner in the InvestWrite essay competition in the 6-8 grade division. Congrats Victor!
6th and 7th Grade Information
Any student in 6th or 7th grade for the 2024 - 2025 school year, who needs busing to NCJH, must fill out the district's Application for Pupil Transportation :
https://www.iowacityschools.org/students-families/transportation.
Forms may be returned to Carla Brinkman at NCJH (brinkman.carla@iowacityschools.org) or to Esme Davis in the transportation department (davis.esme@iowacityschools.org).
North Central Middle School will be transitioning to an all Online Registration for the 2024-2025 school year. We will discontinue printing out schedules for students. All 6th - 8th grade students will be able to view their schedules in Infinite Campus. Please make sure your student knows their account information before leaving for the summer. To login to Infinite Campus your student needs to know their school email address and their password they use to login to their chromebook. (They should visit their elementary school library if they do not know this information)
To access Infinite Campus please visit the Infinite Campus website:
https://iowacityia.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/students/iowacity.jsp
and use the Google Sign In button to view your Infinite Campus account. Schedules will not be finalized until August 2024.
Liberty Fund
Leave a Legacy and support The Liberty Fund - Recognize your soon to be Liberty HS Bolts! The Liberty Fund’s Mission is promoting a strong Liberty community through collective fundraising to:
- Provide students a broad and rich learning experience
- Support school co-curricular programs
- Ensure all students have access to opportunities
- Champion Liberty Pride
You are invited to become a permanent part of Liberty with your own personalized, engraved paver in your preferred location at the entrance of Liberty. Your donation helps ensure all students have access to opportunities.
- Donate $250 or more for the opportunity to engrave a paver brick at the entrance of Liberty High School on our Path of Recognition.
- Red “terra cotta” pavers can be inscribed with a gift of $250. Silver pavers can be inscribed with a gift of $500.
- Donations toward an inscribed paver may be made in a single payment or in multiple installments over time. If you elect to make multiple gifts over time, please track your total donations and email us at libertyhighfund@gmail.com when you have reached the donation threshold for a red or silver paver.
- Donations made on or before March 31 of each school year will be engraved in May of that school year.
Please see this google form for more information on how to purchase your paver.
Thank you for your support!
The Liberty Fund
PSTO UPDATES
Dear NCJH Families,
Thank you! Thank you for your generous donations to the PSTO to help provide meals, treats and gifts to our wonderful teachers and staff during conferences and Staff Appreciation Week. As we wind down the school year, we are planning for next year. We wish the best of luck to our students and families as they transition to high school. Our activities for next year will include:
-Stock the Workroom with snacks and drinks-September
-Provide 4 conference meals-( 2)October, January and April
-Teacher Wish List- December
-Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week- May
The PSTO committee are looking for individuals for our co-hospitality group, who are available during school hours to help with our various activities. We will have a sign-up genius in the fall for those who would be willing to help out. Thank you again.
With much gratitude,
NCJH PSTO
Please contact current President Jan Beaver (dnjbeaver@southslope.net) with any questions.
PSTO Information: https://northcentral.iowacityschools.org/students-families/psto
Melody Nimmo is an 8th grader at North Central Junior High. She submitted the winning Color Run t-shirt design and will receive a $25 Panchero's gift card, and free event registration and t-shirt. Congratulations Melody!
Notification to Community on Open Sites
Iowa City Community School District is participating in the Summer Food Service Program. Meals will be provided to all children without charge and are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service. Meals and snacks will be provided, on a first come, first serve basis. We will be operating the program from June 17 through August 2nd (all locations closed 7/1-7/6; additional variations noted) at the following site locations:
Antelope Mobile Lending Library: Afternoon Snack served as noted below from June 19-August 10 with following stops-
Wednesdays: Western Hills Mobile Home Park (MHP)-3701 2nd St, Coralville (1:15-2:45) ; Breckenridge MHP-4494 Taft Ave SE, IC (3:30-5); Waterfront HACAP Office, 367 Southgate Ave, IC (5:30-7)
Fridays: Coralville Food Pantry, 804 13th Ave, Coralville (12:30-2); Mercer- 1317 Dover St, IC (3:15-4:45)
Saturdays: Recency MNP-4455 Oak Crest Hill Rd SE, IC (12:15-1:15 pm); Casey’s-1904 Broadway St, IC (1:45-3:15); Open Heartland- 3 E Benton St, IC (5-6:30 pm)
Coralville Food Pantry, 804 13th Ave, Coralville
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; Lunch from 11:30 a.m.-12 noon & Afternoon Snack from 1:00-1:30 pm
Also closed on 6/19
Hills ES, 301 Main St, Hills;
Monday and Wednesday only, Non-congregate (grab & go) meals including breakfast and lunch for 2 to 3 days provided from noon -1pm
Iowa City Public Library, 123 S Linn St, Iowa City
Monday-Friday; Afternoon Snack from 2-2:30 pm; June 17-August 9,
Library closed on 7/4
Wetherby Park, 2400 Taylor Drive, Iowa City
Monday-Friday; Morning Snack from 10:30 -11:00a.m.
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508- 0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
1. mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
2. fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
3. email: program.intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Iowa Non-Discrimination Statement:
“It is the policy of this CNP provider not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or religion in its programs, activities, or employment practices as required by the Iowa Code section 216.6, 216.7, and 216.9. If you have questions or grievances related to compliance with this policy by this CNP Provider, please contact the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Grimes State Office building, 400 E. 14th St. Des Moines, IA 50319-1004; phone number 515-281-4121, 800-457-4416; website: https://icrc.iowa.gov/.”
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.