The Twain Tiger Times

Hello Tiger Family,

We are off to a great start to the 24-25 school year! After only six days back in the building, our Tigers are settled in and doing amazing! Our Tiger Expectations (Respect, Responsible, Caring) are shining so bright throughout the classrooms, hallways, playgrounds and spaces of Twain Elementary!

Thank you for.....

1. Helping our Tigers get back into the school routine and supporting our transition back to school.

2. Committing to getting our Tigers to school on time by 7:55 a.m.

3. Helping us maintain our safe environment when students are in the building by engaging in pick up and drop off at the front door.

4. Waiting to pull into the the circle drive until after the busses are in position.

5. Staying in your vehicle at all times during pick up and drop off. This helps our circle drive be more efficient and safe! Parents and families who wish to walk up to the building to pick up/drop off our Tigers should park on the street and walk up.

Please do....

1. Review the district's updated attendance policy and procedures. (Details are included below.)

2. Complete the application for Free/Reduced Lunches for the 24-25 school year. This application is required EVERY year. (Details are included below.)

3. Make sure all your contact information (phone numbers, addresses, emails, etc.) is updated in Infinite Campus.

4. Review Arrival/Dismissal Times and Pick Up/Drop Off Procedures.

Thanks for all you do to help support our Twain Tigers!. As Tigers, we will bring the light and love to all we do. We are all in for ALL Tigers! Please never hesitate to reach out if you have questions or concerns to express or ideas to share. We love to hear from you! Looking forward to an awesome month ahead!

Tigers together🧡 🖤,

Theresa Kirkman

Twain Elementary Principal

City High Drum Line visited our Twain Tigers. We had so much fun!

Monday, September 2: Labor Day, No School

Tuesday, September 3:

Wednesday, September 4:

• I-Smile Treatments Grades 2, 3 and 5 (beginning today and ending September 10th)

Thursday, September 5:

• Early Out @ 1:55 p.m.
• PTO @ 5:30 p.m. in Library

Friday, September 6:

Monday, September 9:

Tuesday, September 10:

Wednesday, September 11:

Thursday, September 12:

• Early Out @ 1:55 p.m.

Friday, September 13:

Monday, September 16:

Tuesday, September 17:

Wednesday, September 18:

Thursday, September 19:

• Early Out @ 1:55 p.m.

Friday, September 20:

Monday, September 23:

Tuesday, September 24:

Wednesday, September 25:

• 2nd Grade Field Trip to James' Theater

Thursday, September 26:

• Early Out @ 1:55 p.m.

Friday, September 27:

Monday, September 30:

• City's Homecoming Parade @ 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday, October 1:

• Flu Shot Clinic @ Twain for Public @ 3:15

Wednesday, October 2:

Thursday, October 3:

• Early Out @ 1:55 p.m.

Friday, October 4:

• Cars/vehicles cannot enter the circle drive until AFTER busses are parked. Vehicles/cars cannot park in front of busses for any reason. This could cause a bus to be blocked and unable to enter or exit the circle drive to pick up/drop off students.

• Stay in your car and wait for your child to come to you. Never leave your car unattended in the circle drive.

• Do not pass other cars or buses in the circle drive.

• Do not back out of the circle drive.

• The circle drive is only intended to be one lane, not two!

• Expect to wait 10-15 minutes in the circle drive. Many parents prefer to park on side streets and walk up to get their students.

Arrival Procedures

• Free breakfast is provided for all students from 7:30-7:50 a.m. If you would like for your student to participate in breakfast, please have them arrive at school between these hours.
• Supervision begins at 7:40 a.m. (As a result, students should NOT begin to arrive until after 7:40 a.m., unless they are participating in breakfast).
• School begins at 7:55 a.m. Students will be marked tardy if they arrive after this time.
• Students enter at the main entrance only. Students should not hang out on the back playground areas prior to school.
• Parents, Guardians, and all other visitors are not allowed past the front vestibule/office area once the building is open for students. (7:30 a.m. - 3:05 p.m.) This is for the safety of all students and staff.
• Parents/guardians are not permitted to enter the building to walk their student to their classroom.
• Please follow car line procedures.

Dismissal Procedures

• All students are dismissed at the front of the building at 2:55 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Students are dismissed at 1:55 p.m. on Thursdays. Please follow car line procedures.

Twain Elementary is excited to announce that we will be participating in the USDA’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) this year.

The FFVP provides all students with a variety of free fresh fruits and vegetables. It is an effective and creative way of introducing fresh fruits and vegetables as healthy snack options. We will be serving these snacks mid morning each day.

The Goal of the FFVP -

• Create healthier school environments by providing healthier food choices

• Expand the variety of fruits and vegetables children experience

• Increase children’s fruit and vegetable consumption

• Make a difference in children’s diets to impact their present and future health

This program is seen as an important catalyst for change in efforts to combat childhood obesity by helping children learn more healthful eating habits. The FFVP introduces school children to a variety of produce that they otherwise might not have had the opportunity to sample. We are excited for this opportunity! Ask your student what they had today for a snack!

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.

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

1. Twain T-Shirts are available for purchase via this link: https://mteonlinestore2024.itemorder.com/shop/home/. The online store closes on September 8th. All purchases benefit the Twain PTO.

2. Our first meeting will be at Twain at 5:30 pm on September 5th in the Twain Library. Following meetings will be held the 1st Thursday of each month at 5:30 pm. Translation devices are available.

3. Mark your calendars! Twain Tigers will walk in City's Homecoming Parade this year: September 30th @ 5:00pm. Details to come.

Follow PTO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/109614672461941

Dear Parent/Guardian,

Hello! We are excited to invite students from 3rd-5th grade to join Twain Elementary’s after school Chess Club. Every meeting participants will learn basic rules and strategy and play chess against each other. Participants should come ready to exercise their brains, win and lose gracefully, and have fun! A permission form is required and can be picked up in the Twain Elementary Office or from your Tiger's teacher. We will not be receiving more students after the first 25 sign-ups. Please feel free to send any questions to mills.wesley@iowacityschools.org.

Thank you,

Wesley Mills, Twain Building Sub

Details

Where: Twain Elementary Library

When: Wednesdays 3:00 - 3:30 beginning September 18

What: Chess :)

Sign up for Girls on the Run!

Attention Twain Elementary 3rd-5th grade families! Sign up now for Girls on the Run this fall—a fun, movement-based program combining physical activity with social-emotional learning. Practices are Monday/Wednesdays from 3:00-4:15 PM starting September 16th through November 6th.

Registration is open through September 11th. The cost of the program is $170, with payment plans and scholarships available at registration. Sign up and learn more at www.girlsontheruniowa.org/programs.

Practices are led by volunteer coaches who have all successfully completed training and a background check. We’re in need of one coach to ensure that our team will have the opportunity to participate in this transformative program this fall. Coach once or twice a week based on your availability! Learn more at www.girlsontheruniowa.org/coach!

Please use this link if you are interested in signing up.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1k9GDb36jpy_8Y5q48ZR7ZSOkZX0rzYO6zVLYd0z3iak/edit

Twain Elementary will be hosting the ICPL Bookmobile on Thursdays from 2:15 - 2:45 p.m. in the Circle Drive. It will run Monday, August 26 through Friday, December 20, 2024 this Fall. Please visit the following link for more information about dates and any updates. https://www.icpl.org/services/bookmobile

The Mark Twain Lucas Farms Food Pantry is hosted the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. at Faith UCC, 1609 Deforest Avenue, Iowa City. This is open to all Twain Families needing assistance with food.

In order to make the food pantry a success, the pantry is always looking for volunteers to assist in picking up, organizing and handing out food. If you are interested in volunteering to help, please contact a_satterly@msn.com. Your help would be greatly appreciated!

It's okay to ask for help! Our District has proudly partnered with CareSolace for 24/7/365 mental health care for students, staff, and their families. For more information, head to: https://www.caresolace.com/site/iccsd

The Ombuds Office serves as a general concern office and conflict resolution resource. The Office provides a safe, confidential space to discuss options to address any school or district-related concerns or conflicts. The Ombuds operates as an independent, impartial, informal, and confidential resource.

• Independent: Operates separately of other district departments.
• Impartial: Operates as a neutral resource. Does not take sides; works collaboratively with all parties.
• Informality: Does not operate as an office of formal notice or participate in formal processes.
• Confidentiality: Communications with Ombuds are confidential to the extent permitted by law.

You may contact the Ombuds at (319) 688-1312 or at ombuds@iowacityschools.org. For more information on the Ombuds role, please visit https://www.iowacityschools.org/services-supports/ombuds.

Regards,

Janet Abejo-Parker, MA, MSL, SHRM-SCP
Ombuds
Iowa City Community School District

7:30 a.m.: Students eating breakfast/bus riders arrive

7:40 a.m.: Doors open for students not eating breakfast to go to classrooms

• If your student isn't eating breakfast, please plan to drop them off after 7:40 a.m.

7:55 a.m. Tardy Bell (students should be in the building by this time)

2:55 p.m.: Dismissal (Mon. Tues., Wed. and Fri.) 1:55 pm. (Thurs)

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

Email: kirkman.theresa@iowacityschools.org
Website: https://www.iowacityschools.org/Page/2438
Location: 1355 Deforest Avenue, Iowa City, IA, USA
Phone: 319-688-1165
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/109614672461941