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North Central News
North Central Junior High: April Updates
Important Dates:
April 9th: U of I Band Festival
April 10th: No School
April 11th: PSTO Meeting 11:30 am - 12:30 pm (Main office)
April 15th & 18th: ISASP Testing for 7th and 8th Grade Students
April 19th: No School
April 22-26: Spirit Week
Monday (4/22) Twin Day
Tuesday (4/23) Red, White, Blue Day
Wednesday (4/24) Soccer Mom/BBQ Dad
Thursday (4/25) Career Day
Friday (4/26) Tropical Beach Day
April 23rd: Midterm
April 23rd: 8th Grade Financial Literacy Field Trip (Kirkwood Regional Center)
April 23rd: Parent Teacher Conferences (4:45 pm - 7:45 pm Virtual)
April 26th: 8th Grade Hancher Trip
April 26th: School Party (6pm - 8pm)
Pop 50 cents
Pizza 1 dollar
Admission $5 or bring 5 items to donate to the NL Food Pantry.
Meet Some of Our Awesome Staff!
Mr. Buckman
My name is Don Buckman, and I have been teaching special education for 32 years. After all this time, I still get a kick out of coming to work and establishing relationships with students and staff. Along the way have been stops at high schools in Camanche, Shawano (Wisconsin), and Newton. This is my 12th year at North Central Junior High School. In addition to teaching, I have coached a variety of sports including football, basketball, and baseball. Away from school, I enjoy exercising, watching baseball, reading, and spending time with my daughter, Justine. If I do eventually retire, I would love to find a year-round warm weather climate. Mr. Buckman is also a snazzy dancer and is often identified as George Clooney at airports.
Mr. Ditch
I graduated from the University of Iowa and have been living in North Liberty since 1996. My wife Kris, who teaches at Liberty HS, and I have three beautiful daughters: Anna (23), Lauren (22) and Lucy (20). All of them passed through the halls of NCJH.
In my free time, I enjoy playing basketball, disc golfing, fishing, hiking and camping. I am the chess club sponsor, a boy's basketball and soccer coach. It is important for students to get involved!
Working with a supportive staff and diverse student body makes each day unique and rewarding. I look forward to the future, doing my part to give our students the best possible experience during their days at NCJH.
Mr. McCall
My name is Caleb McCall and I am a Supervisory Paraeducator at North Central Junior High. I am a graduate of ICCSD and attended West High. I started at North Central in January of this year. I am just beginning my career in education, having graduated from the University of Iowa in December of 2023 as a social studies educator. I have worked in the district as a substitute teacher for the past few years, and have been enjoying my role at North Central. Outside of school, I enjoy attending sporting events, and concerts, as well as spending time outdoors and with friends and family.
Math Counts
Congratulations to Kyros Wu, Jiwon Kim, Victor Yao, and Anaya Patil on their 2nd place team finish at the MathCounts state competition held in Ankeny, Iowa on Fri. March 22nd. Over 120 students participated in the event from the state of Iowa. North Central's team of 4 students placed 2nd in the state! Individually, Jiwon Kim placed 3rd and Kyros Wu placed 2nd in the state. Kyros and Jiwon will represent the state of Iowa (along with 2 other students from Northwest JH) at the National MathCounts competition in Washington D.C. May 13-14th.
Collaborating on a game and practicing English is Jose Aguilera, Adam Ahmed, Sharif Abbas, and Wilson Claudio
Student Artwork!
PSTO UPDATES
Thank you!!!! On April 23rd, the last Parent Teacher Conference Day, a catered lunch we be provided to North Central staff. We are able to do this because of your donations throughout this school year. Your contributions are appreciated!
We have an awesome staff at North Central and are glad to support and celebrate them through the school year! To do this, North Central Parent Student Teacher Organization (PSTO) is in need of a few parent volunteers. We are looking for officers for the 2024-2025 school year. Meetings are held monthly during school hours. Most meetings last 30-45 minutes. PSTO Officers will be:
President –open
Secretary – open
Treasurer – JoAnna Droll-Madole
Hospitality – Kelly Brubaker
District Parent Organization Rep – open
Please contact current President Jan Beaver (dnjbeaver@southslope.net) with any questions.
Music Auxiliary
Spring Fundraiser
The Iowa City Music Auxiliary is a non-profit organization that supports music students in grades 5–12 in the Iowa City Community School District by raising money to help pay for sheet music, musical equipment, entry fees, and more. Please consider supporting our band, orchestra, and choir students by purchasing hanging ferns and/or flowering baskets using the link below. All orders must be placed by April 1. Orders can be picked up in early May – just in time for Mother’s Day!
Click the link below for more information and to place an order.
https://iowacitymusicauxiliary.org/spring-garden-fundraiser/
Thank you for supporting Performing Arts in our local schools!
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:
STUDENT DROP OFF
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.