Christine Grant Chronicle

Hello Grizzlies,

Our Outdoor Classroom is coming right along! We've had a few classrooms already sitting in the space this week. Thanks to our 4th graders for putting in quite a few plants yesterday. We look forward to when the gazebo will be installed...fingers crossed that it's this fall!

Feel free to come by nights and weekends to check out the progress!

Fall Break (no school):

Friday, October 11th

Monday, October 14th

Tuesday, October 15th

The Red Wheel fundraiser packet will come home with your child this week. Please support Grant Elementary by having your child sell the great merchandise included in the catalogs. Please send in your order forms and money to school (class teacher or office) by Monday, October 21. Items will be available for pickup in November.

Thanks for your support!!

Dear Families and Staff,

I want to provide an update regarding the next steps in our Re-Envisioning Our Elementary Schools initiative. As we continue working to ensure that we make thoughtful and informed decisions, gathering some additional data from independent experts and more information about our budget projections will be essential before proceeding with the committee's development.

We understand the importance of building trust and transparency, and this process will be no different. I also realize how difficult and stressful these conversations can be and have been for our community. Comprehensive data from professionals and increased time to better understand our budget reality will allow for more informed, thoughtful discussions.

The challenges facing our district have not changed—we are still focused on the impact of enrollment trends, Educational Savings Accounts (ESAs), and years of critical underfunding from the state. However, before we engage fully in developing solutions, we need to ensure we are working with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive data available. Once formed, we want to ensure that the committee has the critical pieces of the puzzle and that our solutions are sustainable and beneficial.

Here is the information we aim to capture before forming the committee:

• Enrollment Projections: We have contracted with a demographer to provide comprehensive enrollment projections. Accurate projections are essential for understanding how to best plan for the future and how many students we can expect to serve.
• October Certified Enrollment Count: Our certified enrollment count in October will help us analyze whether enrollment has increased or declined, identify open enrollment trends, and assess the second-year impact of ESAs.
• Certified Annual Report: The Certified Annual Report is being finalized now, and its financial insights will help inform our budget planning for this school year.
• Facilities Study: We plan to conduct a study to better understand the capacities and limitations of our current facilities as we have had beautiful facility improvements the last 10 years.
• Cost Analysis—Staffing and Transportation: Any changes to our elementary schools will likely impact staffing and transportation costs. We need to continue to study these factors in depth to ensure accurate, data-driven decision-making.

Thank you for your continued trust and patience as we work through this process together. We remain committed to engaging with our community and ensuring that our schools, students, and budget are set up for success in the years to come. We look forward to updating you as we move forward with this work.

Sincerely,

Matt Degner
Superintendent
Iowa City Community School District

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

Once again this year, the Iowa City Community School District is excited to offer Influenza vaccine clinics in our schools. We’re pleased to announce a new partnership with Towncrest Pharmacy to provide this service. You can find the full clinic schedule on our district website. To schedule your vaccine appointment, please follow the link and instructions provided below:

1. Click the following link: https://cornerstoneimmunize.as.me/?calendarID=10676666
2. Please select the “BOOK” button to the right for the school where you will receive your vaccine.
3. Select the time you would like to receive your vaccine.
1. Elementary School Clinics
1. Begin at 2:15 pm for school staff only
2. The public clinic will run from 3:15 pm-5:00 pm
2. Middle School & High School Clinics
1. Begin at 3:15 pm for school staff only
2. The public clinic will run from 4:15 pm-6:00 pm.
4. Fill out all information and upload a picture of your pharmacy insurance card.
5. Select CONFIRM APPOINTMENT at the bottom of the page.

The day of your vaccine appointment:

1. Arrive at the school on the selected date and time of your appointment.
2. Please bring your pharmacy insurance card.
3. All children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

If you have any questions regarding the influenza vaccine or need assistance scheduling, please call Towncrest Pharmacy at (319) 337-3526.

Dear Families and Staff,

If your child qualified for free or reduced-price meals last year, please be aware that the grace period for this eligibility is ending soon.

Each year, your student’s meal eligibility continues for the first 30 days of the new school year. This means last year’s eligibility expires on October 4, 2024.

Starting Monday, October 7, 2024, any student who has not submitted a new application will return to paid meal status. To avoid any interruptions, please complete a new application before the rollover period ends. You can easily apply online at myschoolapps.com.

If you’ve already applied or received a notification from the school district confirming your benefits, you can disregard this message.

We encourage you to apply even if you're unsure if your family will qualify. Financial situations can change anytime during the school year, and applications are available year-round. If your circumstances change, feel free to reapply at any time.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact our Nutrition Services Office at (319) 688-1021 or email Jackie Andresen at andresen.jackie@iowacityschools.org.

Sincerely,

Alison Demory
Director of Nutrition Services
Iowa City Community School District

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

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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.