NSCSD Superintendent Updates
9.22.22
October
As we approach the winter season, I hope this article reminds us how we handle school schedule interruptions or cancelations.
The National Weather Service recently consolidated and renamed winter weather events. Wind Chill Watch/Warning/Advisory will be consolidated into Extreme Cold Watch/Warning and Cold Weather Advisory. Hard Freeze Watch and Warning will be consolidated into Freeze Watch/Warning.
Each weather event presents a different challenge to delay or cancel classes. Please know that any decision made is with the safety of our students, teachers, and staff in mind. Here is the process for deciding weather-related school closures. Initially, I watch the weather forecasts. I will use the local television station forecasts, the Weather Channel, and the National Weather Bureau for information when a storm is developing. Then as a storm approaches, I will consult with Derek Hamilton, North Scott Transportation Manager. I also consult externally with the Bettendorf, Pleasant Valley, and Davenport school districts, Scott County Road Department, National Weather Service, and other North Scott community departments. The Iowa DOT provides information through its website that is considered. I gather as much information as possible to ensure our buses, parents, and student drivers can safely get to and from school.
We begin the decision process very early in the day when a storm comes in overnight. We consider the amount of fallen snow, current road conditions, and the forecast. We know that conditions may vary because the North Scott School District covers a large area. Our goal is to decide between 4:30-5:00 a.m. We want to decide early in consideration of the number of students and staff heading to school around that same time.
I am not a big fan of late starts. Late starts and early releases put a lot of stress on families. A late start that turns into a cancellation can make it difficult for families to find daycare for their young children. We will use a late start when we know the road conditions will be OK with a delay. Early release will be used when conditions deteriorate, and we must get the students home. I expect both of these to be used on rare occasions.
Extreme Cold Warnings can also cause school to be canceled. When an extreme cold warning has been issued, temperatures are sustained 35⁰ or more below zero for an extended period, school will be canceled. An extreme cold watch or cold weather advisory will not cause a school cancellation or delay. All of the Quad Cities school districts follow these guidelines for cold weather.
Once a decision is made, we will notify all staff and students through the school messenger system and call the local television stations. As much as I would like to think everyone will agree with every decision I make, I know that will not likely happen. I always strive to make the best decision possible based on current information. As a parent or guardian, if you disagree with my decision, you always have the right to keep your child home for safety.
Let’s all hope that this winter is kind to all of us.
GO LANCERS!
Sincerely,
Joe Stutting, Superintendent
Lancer Productions Radium Girls Tickets
Show Dates:
Thursday, October 31, 2024 at 7pm
Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 7pm
Sunday, November 3, 2024 at 2pm
October CogAT Testing
In October, your child will be pulled to take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT). This test is administered every year to 3rd and 6th grade students in our district.
These tests measure learned reasoning and problem-solving skills in three different areas: verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal. Reasoning skills develop gradually throughout a person’s lifetime and individually at different rates. Reasoning does not measure such factors as effort, attention, motivation, and work habits, which contribute to academic achievement. Below are some reasons we have decided to administer the CogAT test for the data it can provide.
Teachers use the CogAT to help students learn more effectively. For example, if the teacher sees a student’s pattern of relative strength and weakness, the teacher can provide challenging opportunities for the student to do the kind of thinking s/he does best. Conversely, teachers can provide additional support when a new task relies on a student’s relative weakness.
The results of the CogAT will be used by the district to help identify academically gifted students.
The Verbal Battery measures flexibility, fluency and adaptability in reasoning with verbal materials and in solving verbal problems. These reasoning abilities play an important role in reading comprehension, critical thinking, writing and virtually all verbal learning tasks.
The Quantitative Battery measures quantitative reasoning skills, including the understanding of quantitative symbols and concepts. These skills relate to problem solving in math and other disciplines.
The Nonverbal Battery measures reasoning using geometric shapes and figures. Students are asked to invent strategies for solving novel problems. They must be flexible in using these strategies and accurate in implementing them on this section of the CogAT test.
Thank a Bus Driver! National School Bus Safety Week October 21-25th
Important Transportation Update for Parents/Guardians
To ensure the safety and efficiency of our school transportation system, students are required to ride only the bus they are assigned to. This policy helps us maintain accurate attendance and ensure that every student arrives home safely.
Exceptions can be made for consistent changes related to childcare needs on early release days. If your child requires a permanent change to their bus route due to a regular childcare arrangement, please contact Derek Hamilton, Transportation Supervisor at 563-285-9801 to discuss these accommodations. All requests must be arranged in advance.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in helping us keep all students safe.
North Scott Food Services - 2024-25 Free and Reduced Meal Applications are being accepted
At North Scott Community School District, our Identified Student Percentage rate sets us apart from other nearby school districts. Because of this, we're not eligible for the Community Eligibility Provision that offers free meals to all students. But don't worry, NS families can still apply annually for these meal benefits!
In these challenging economic times, we understand that many families have experienced job changes or losses. We want to remind you that our Free and Reduced Meals Program is available to assist students in need. Whether your circumstances have recently changed or you’ve never applied before, we encourage you to check if your family qualifies. The application process is quick, confidential, and could provide your child with healthy meals at little to no cost. No one should hesitate to apply—this program is here to help.
Online applications are also available with E-Registration. Log into the parent portal at
https://northscott.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/parents/northscott.jsp and go to “More” and
“Meal Benefits”. Then follow the application process to apply for Free/Reduced meals for your
household
North Scott Child Care
North Scott Child Care still has openings for the 24-25 School Year. We have before & after school at Alan Shepard, Virgil Grissom & Ed White. At Virgil Grissom we provide care for 3 yr olds & 4 yr olds before & after preschool. For more information please call Theresa Tobin at 563-285-9710 or theresa.tobin@north-scott.k12.ia.us. Visit the Child Care Page on the district website for registration forms.
North Scott Boosters- Apparel Webstore
If you are interested in customizable North Scott apparel, please visit the Boosters store through BSN. Apparel will be shipped directly to your household not the school.
Upcoming School Board Meetings
- Monday, October 28th at 6:30 p.m. - North Scott High School Media Center
- Monday, November 11th at 6:30 p.m. - District Office Board Room
- Monday November 25th at 6:30 p.m. - Alan Shepard Elementary
NS Vision 2025 Update
- Regional Innovation Center: Power is on. Still slated for phase1/mod 1 Fall 2024 completion, phase 2/mod 2 to be completed - January 1.
- Wrestling room: Updating fire system and awaiting approval from fire marshall.
- Neil Armstrong: Bricks on outside finishing, floor poured this week, more work to do on the inside.
- Junior High: New addition is set for a first semester finish and is being painted and finishing.
- Metals Lab/Welding: Classroom is being used, awaiting parts and machinging tools delivery to begin hand ons
- Lancer Stadium: Stadium -Signed off on track and field. Punch list is being finished for inside building under stadium.
- Solar project: Neil Armstrong, Virgil Grissom, Transportation Building, Wrestling Building and RIC are slated for solar and in still in process.
Welcome to Peachjar!
Peachjar is in full swing!
Have a flyer to post and no peachjar access?
Please follow these Steps:
Create a Peachjar Account:
Visit www.peachjar.com and sign up as a 'Community Organization'.
Follow the prompts to complete the registration process.
Ensure accurate and up-to-date information is provided during account creation.
Inform the School District:
Once your Peachjar account is created, email michelle.skadal@north-scott.k12.ia.us
Share the email address used to register the Peachjar account.
Wait for Promo Code Email:
After informing the school district of the Peachjar account creation, wait for Peachjar to send an email.
Peachjar will send an email containing the FREE Promo Code connected to your organization's account.
Online Registration
Online registration for the 2024-2025 school year is now open via Infinite Campus.
If you already have an Infinite Campus Parent Portal account, please follow the steps below to complete the registration process:
- Follow this link to log-in to the Parent Portal
- Select "More" at the bottom of the dark menu on the left
- Select "Online Registration" at the bottom of the menu
- Note: there are two sections on this page: Existing Student Registration & New Student Registration - be sure to click "Start" in the correct section
- Click the "Start" button next to "24-25 Student Registration"
If you do not have an Infinite Campus Parent Portal account, please follow this link to create an account and register your student(s).
Note: Even if you registered in May or June fees should have appeared in your account July 1, 2024.
For assistance, please contact Dan Marceau at dan.marceau@north-scott.k12.ia.usor 563-285-3208.
2024-2025 School Calendar
The North Scott School Board approved next year's school calendar at the January 8 board meeting. It may be viewed and downloaded here.
