A Note From Mr. Gahan
Dear Coralville Central Families,
I’m incredibly proud of our students, teachers, and staff for the smooth start to the school year. Routines are in place, and expectations are being met. I’m excited to see the progress our students will make throughout the year.
While there may not be a lot of daily homework, please encourage reading at home and review a few math facts here and there. However, the most important thing is ensuring that kids have time to be kids—to play, explore, and enjoy their time. Striking a balance between school, homework, and downtime is essential for everyone’s well-being.
Enjoy the weekend!
Sincerely,
Andy Gahan
319.666.1100
Here is the policy for all students' personal devices.
Personal Devices (i.e. cell phones, smart watches, tablets, personal laptops, etc.):
- ALL cell phones and other electronic devices, including smart watches, must be turned in at the start of the day.
- Phone calls can only be made from a school phone with adult supervision.
- If you need to contact a parent about an issue at school, you must first speak to a teacher or another adult about the situation.
- If it is discovered that a student has not turned in their device, parents will be called to pick it up from the office.
The district will not be held accountable for lost or stolen items brought to school by a student.
A further note, this policy extends to field trips. NO PERSONAL DEVICES WILL BE ALLOWED ON ANY FIELD TRIPS.
We are off to a great start in Classroom Counseling! Here is an update about what social-emotional learning area we will focus on this month at each grade level. Ask your students what they are learning in Classroom Counseling?
Preschool - Getting to know school, listening, sitting
Kindergarten - Listening, paying attention, making mistakes + practicing
1st Grade - Paying attention, getting distracted, helpful thoughts
2nd Grade - How to get good at something, making mistakes, helpful/unhelpful thoughts
3rd Grade - Changing our brain, making mistakes, getting good, practice
4th Grade - Setting a classroom goal, making a plan
5th Grade - Setting a personal goal, making a plan, making changes
Please remember if you would like me to meet with your child for any additional social-emotional support you can reach out via phone (319.688.1100), email (bender.becca@iowacityschools.org), or this referral form (Counseling referral form).
Becca Bender
School Counselor
Coralville Central
319.688.1100
What you need to know about LICE...
Getting lice is NOT a sign of poor hygiene, so don't be embarrassed if your child gets it. It is important to treat this situation as a matter of fact and not something for your child to be ashamed of. Please remind your student not to share hats, coats or hoodies with other students as this is often how lice spreads. They also spread during sleepovers, when sharing pillows, or lying with heads together.
What you need to know about head lice:
- Head lice are tiny insects that feed on blood from the human scalp.
- Lice are a nuisance, not a public health concern as they do not spread disease.
- Lice do not jump or fly. They can only crawl from one place to another.
- A nit is an egg that is glued on the hair shaft close to the scalp where it can stay warm. Nits are more commonly found around the ears, temples, and along the hairline in the back.
- A sure sign of a lice infestation is a child who is continuously itching his head. However, DON'T be fooled into thinking that if your child isn't itching they must be lice-free. Some children seem to tolerate lice without noticeable itching, particularly early in an infestation. Also, itching can have other causes, such as an allergic reaction, dandruff or simply dry scalp.
- While long hair is more tedious to deal with during an infestation, cutting the hair will not solve the problem as the eggs are laid at the base of the hair shaft.
How to PROPERLY SCREEN for head lice:
Researchers performed a study on 300 children in an elementary school that showed visual inspection of dry hair caught only 29% of active infestations, versus a "wet combing" method that caught 91% of active cases. The wet combing method (which requires a "nit" comb can be found here http://greatervancouverliceclinic.ca/wet-combing-instructions).
Regardless of wet versus dry inspection:
- Make sure you use bright lights and/or a magnifying glass to examine the hair.
- Section off the hair and inspect closely for live bugs AND for teardrop shaped nits (eggs).
- Systematically work your way around the head.
- Check regularly. Catching an infestation early makes treatment easier and more likely to be successful.
REMEMBER!
Since eggs hatch in 7-10 days, the key to success in getting rid of head lice is to REPEAT whatever treatment you settle on and to monitor after treatment you settle on and to monitor after treatment for several weeks. You can only break the cycle if you stop the newly hatched lice from laying new eggs.
Be sure to wash bedding and clothing in hot water and dry on hot heat after lice are found.
Classroom Snacks & Celebrations
The District is committed to providing a safe and healthy learning environment for our students. Due to the increase in food allergies and concerns with childhood obesity, changes have been made to the district's Wellness Policy regarding classroom snacks, birthday treats, and classroom celebrations. Some elementary schools are celebrating without food, so please check with your child's school to find out their practice.
When food is served to students in the classroom as a snack, birthday treat, or during a classroom celebration, the following rules apply (ICCSD Wellness Policy 507.9):
- allow only fresh fruits/vegetables or purchased foods with the ingredients listed (no homemade foods).
- allow only foods that meet the Healthy Food Guidelines/Smart Snacks. The only exception to this would be food-tasting related to district-approved curriculum lessons.
- not allow foods with peanuts or peanut butter, or foods that were made in a factory where cross-contamination may occur.
- food that does not meet the guidelines will be sent home.
- a list of acceptable foods (Healthy Food Guidelines/Smart Snacks) will be made available to parents and teachers at the beginning of the school year (and can be found on the district web site).
Examples of Acceptable Foods:
- Veggie straws or chips
- Skinny Pop or Boom Chicka Pop popcorn
- Cheddar Goldfish or Annie's Cheddar Bunnies
- Gluten-free pretzels or pretzel chips (example: Snyder's brand)
- Carrots
- Applesauce
- Fruit leathers
- Benton's animal crackers (Aldi)
- Apples, bananas, cuties
- Pirate's Booty
- Mott's, Welch's or Annie's fruit snacks
**Snacks MUST be individually packaged.
**All snacks MUST be PEANUT/TREE NUT FREE and MUST NOT be made in a facility that processes nuts. The packaging should not have any NUT Allergy Warnings.
Read the ingredient label for any allergy warnings.
**Snacks that are not on the approved list will be sent home.
**Non-food items are always preferable so all students may safely enjoy a treat. Some examples include:
- Stickers
- Washable tatoos
- Bubbles
- Pencils/erasers
Please send EXTRA Clothes!
Attendance Information
Dear Families,
Before the start of the school year, we shared information with you about our updated school attendance guidelines based on new state regulations. Since then, we have received additional guidance from the State of Iowa. We want to provide more information about our approach this year, including the state-mandated changes, particularly regarding absence exceptions and the related Infinite Campus attendance codes.
Some absences are exempt from these new guidelines, so it's important to provide specific details when reporting your child's absence. The following absence types will not count towards student absenteeism and will be coded as excused in Infinite Campus:
- Absences related to illness or medical appointment - After a student reaches the equivalent of (8) days of absence related to illness or medical appointments, parents will be required to provide documentation for the medical absence(s) to continue to be considered excused. Absences may be taken in hourly segments. Families are encouraged to provide documentation to the school for ongoing health concerns so we can proactively work with your family to best serve your student.
- Absences related to a family medical emergency.
- Absences while attending religious services or receiving religious instruction.
- Absences excused for sufficient reason by any court of record or judge.
- Absences related to an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that affects attendance.
- Absences related to a Section 504 plan under the Federal Rehabilitation Act that affects attendance.
Due to the new State guidance, any absence that does not fall into one of the above categories will appear as unexcused in Infinite Campus and will count toward student absenteeism. As a reminder, our primary goal is for students to be in school daily and to confirm their safety with a parent or guardian if they are absent.
State Attendance Requirements:
The Iowa Department of Education has implemented strict guidelines that requires schools to address absenteeism. As part of this, schools will notify guardians when a student has missed 5%, 10% and 15% of days each grading period. Based on State Law, schools must also notify the county attorney when a student is absent 10% of the days in a grading period. For more details, please visit the updated Attendance Page on the district website.
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.
Important note: In the Attendance section of the Infinite Campus Parent Portal, you will see your child's total number of excused and unexcused absences. Following state requirements, 'excused' indicates absences that are exempt from state reporting requirements, and 'unexcused' indicates absences that the state requires us to categorize as non-exempt.
Consistent school attendance is essential for your child's learning and development. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we navigate these new guidelines.
Sincerely,
Matt Degner
Superintendent
Iowa City Community School District
Attendance Information
Dear Families,
Before the start of the school year, we shared information with you about our updated school attendance guidelines based on new state regulations. Since then, we have received additional guidance from the State of Iowa. We want to provide more information about our approach this year, including the state-mandated changes, particularly regarding absence exceptions and the related Infinite Campus attendance codes.
Some absences are exempt from these new guidelines, so it's important to provide specific details when reporting your child's absence. The following absence types will not count towards student absenteeism and will be coded as excused in Infinite Campus:
- Absences related to illness or medical appointment - After a student reaches the equivalent of (8) days of absence related to illness or medical appointments, parents will be required to provide documentation for the medical absence(s) to continue to be considered excused. Absences may be taken in hourly segments. Families are encouraged to provide documentation to the school for ongoing health concerns so we can proactively work with your family to best serve your student.
- Absences related to a family medical emergency.
- Absences while attending religious services or receiving religious instruction.
- Absences excused for sufficient reason by any court of record or judge.
- Absences related to an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that affects attendance.
- Absences related to a Section 504 plan under the Federal Rehabilitation Act that affects attendance.
Due to the new State guidance, any absence that does not fall into one of the above categories will appear as unexcused in Infinite Campus and will count toward student absenteeism. As a reminder, our primary goal is for students to be in school daily and to confirm their safety with a parent or guardian if they are absent.
State Attendance Requirements:
The Iowa Department of Education has implemented strict guidelines that requires schools to address absenteeism. As part of this, schools will notify guardians when a student has missed 5%, 10% and 15% of days each grading period. Based on State Law, schools must also notify the county attorney when a student is absent 10% of the days in a grading period. For more details, please visit the updated Attendance Page on the district website.
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.
Important note: In the Attendance section of the Infinite Campus Parent Portal, you will see your child's total number of excused and unexcused absences. Following state requirements, 'excused' indicates absences that are exempt from state reporting requirements, and 'unexcused' indicates absences that the state requires us to categorize as non-exempt.
Consistent school attendance is essential for your child's learning and development. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we navigate these new guidelines.
Sincerely,
Matt Degner
Superintendent
Iowa City Community School District
https://vando.imagequix.com/g1001134882
Please use link or QR code to order pictures for picture day!
Traffic Patterns at Coralville Central
The link below is the description of the expectations for drop-off and pick-up at Coralville Central. Thank you for following these guidelines. We want everyone to make it safely and on time.
Hello, Coralville Central Families,
I am happy to announce that we will continue to partner with the university for writing club. The writing club will meet on Mondays after school from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. and is available to students in grades 2nd - 5th. This will start on Monday, September 9th. Please fill out the form to get signed up! Forms should be turned into Mr. Mendoza, Student Family Advocate.
Form attached below.
Thank you,
Student and Family Advocate
Coralville Central Elementary
Iowa City Community School District
Email: mendoza.michael@iowacityschools.org
Office #: 319.688.1100 Ext. 4513
Team Breast Friends Celebrate 10th Anniversary of the 5K Rack Run
Iowa City, Iowa – October 13, 2024 – Team Breast Friends proudly announces the 10th anniversary of the 5K Rack Run, set to take place on Sunday, October 13th, 2024, at the Terry Trueblood Recreation Area in Iowa City. This milestone event invites participants to run or walk to support breast cancer patients in the Corridor, with all proceeds directly benefiting those in need.
This year’s event will feature chip timing for participants who wish to record their run times. Registration is now open at getmeregistered.com, and all are encouraged to join this community effort, whether running or walking, to make a difference in the lives of those battling breast cancer.
Since its inception, Team Breast Friends has raised over $598,000.00, providing critical funding for mammograms and other diagnostics for underinsured breast cancer patients in the local area. The organization, a local 501(c)(3), ensures that every dollar raised stays in the Corridor, directly supporting patient diagnostics or offering personal grants.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the 5K Rack Run is just one of the many events planned by Team Breast Friends to raise awareness and support for breast cancer patients. Watch the Team Breast Friends’ website or social media posts for information about other fun October events.
About Team Breast Friends:
Team Breast Friends was founded by a handful of friends with a mission to make a positive difference in the lives impacted by breast cancer and to bring awareness through their efforts. Over the years, the team has become a dedicated local organization committed to supporting breast cancer patients in the Corridor through fundraising events like the 5K Rack Run. With a focus on funding diagnostics and providing financial assistance, the team has made a significant impact in the community, ensuring that underinsured patients receive the care they need.
For more information about Team Breast Friends, visit teambreastfriends.org.
To register for the 5K Rack Run, visit getmeregistered.com.
Contact:
Patty Frantz
Team Breast Friends
icbreastfriends@gmail.com
teambreastfriends.org
Facebook: Team Breast Friends
