Longfellow Newsletter

First Bell-7:50 am / Tardy Bell-7:55 am

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Hello Longhorn Families!

It's been a short week with No school on Monday or Tuesday but we still managed to pack in a lot of learning! Our FAST testing for math, reading and SEBH has started along with prepping for our Family Dance Night next week on Thursday evening and sharing our big yellow ticket winners!

Our February has a lot of school based connection opportunities with a PTA zoom meeting, Multicultural Night, Show Your Talent and Parent Teacher Conferences. We have a lot of events planned in the near future sign up below as we would love to see all of our families join us when possible!

Just a reminder that I love to hear the great things happening with our scholars at Longfellow so feel free to share through email, phone or talking points.

Reminders and highlights are also shared on our Facebook page-follow along!

Take care and stay well!

Sincerely,

Principal Webb

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0K88Fha0QZaWQeV5Xel4KODdPIOutq_HNhU_VI0yKZ2TcnA/viewform?usp=sharing

Hello families! Last week we sent home a Multicultural Night interest form. This is a special night at Longfellow where we get to know each other and our diverse cultures. There is food, dancing, singing, language lessons, and more! If your family would like to participate, we would love to see you there! Here is an informational slideshow and the form we sent home last week. Thank you!

When: February 13th at 5:00-6:30
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1HvsP8FB2-IAhfcbvhtgFsPbjPtntIL3pzwMArZUMJ3E/edit?usp=drive_web

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1B8eqbBqUul1NJRZ0sZpIIezPH6-_I9xrkdZ8T-PNPGM/edit?usp=drive_web

The Longfellow Talent Show is set for February 20th!

We are seeking Longfellow performers (students and teachers welcome!)

Any student interested in performing will be included, if a guardian has signed them up. Sign up here,

Important dates:

January 28th and 31st: "show your talent” sessions; during school hours. Think of this as a rough draft performance and an opportunity to confirm interest. Students should be signed up before these dates.

Wednesday, February 19th: Rehearsal. Directly after school 3-5:30 pm.

Thursday, February 20th: Show! 6 pm (students involved in the show will be called early at 5:15.)

Please direct any questions to fanniehungerford@gmail.com

Hello Longfellow Families! This is a reminder that Thursday, January 30, from 6-7 PM, Longfellow Music and PE will host our second annual "Longhorn Community Dance Night!" for students and their families in the Longfellow gym. The students have been practicing a number of dances from around the world and are looking forward to dancing with their families. We look forward to seeing many of you there!

Mr. Broeker, Mr. Hemann, and Ms. Rogers

NOTE: Because this is not a school day activity, our expectation is that students who participate will be accompanied by an adult family member.

Art Room News

It’s time for the MidWestOne Bank Art Show! This is an optional project. All entries must be submitted to Ms. Lasansky by February 14, 2025. Each year, MidWestOne Bank selects 50 featured artists, and the chosen artwork will be professionally framed through their partnership with Blick Art Materials in Downtown Iowa City.

ALL entries will be displayed at the MidwestOne Bank Downtown location, and everyone is invited to the open house on April 3, 2025.

Important Instructions:

• Projects must be mounted on a separate sheet of construction paper at home.
• The entry form must be filled out, signed, and attached to the back of your artwork. (See the entry form for full instructions.)

I am very excited to see all the entries!

Ms. Lasansky

The purpose of the Celebration Rock is to promote school spirit at Longfellow Elementary School. Parents, caregivers, students & staff have the opportunity to “Rent the Rock” to recognize a student’s birthday, show school spirit, thank or recognize a teacher or staff member, mark congratulatory events, etc. It is a great way to spread positive messages and increase excitement in our community! 100% of the funds raised through the Celebration Rock will be used by the school or PTA for events and for school improvement for our amazing students!

Call the office if you are interested in renting the rock! 3196881135

Follow this Payment link https://givebutter.com/4GsRpD to complete the process by paying $10 or writing a check to Longfellow PTA and dropping off at the office

Get ready to celebrate! What you need to paint a spirit rock: - 1 can of spray paint for each side - acrylic paint for the colors you need for your design - paint brushes and stencil brushes worked well - chalk to plan out the design before painting - other helpful supplies: paint stirrer, paint can opener, scissors, baby wipes for drips, paper towels-- if you want to donate extra supplies after you are done, you can leave them at the office for others.

Questions? Call Longfellow office at 3196881135

Sign up your child to participate in an after-school world language program this spring. This is a wonderful opportunity for your child to immerse themselves in Spanish through fun, engaging and interactive activities where they can practice their language skills. Spanish classes will be offered at Longfellow on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. The Spanish classes will have a duration of eight weeks this spring starting the week of February 3. The classes are free for families with generous support from the Longfellow PTA and the University of Iowa School of Education. Register for the program here by Friday, January 17th.

Help needed: Seeking volunteers as classroom helpers to attend each weekly session for either language. No knowledge of Spanish is necessary. If you are interested in volunteering or have questions, contact Lidia Sana Pfoccori, lidia-sanapfoccori@uiowa.edu.

Longfellow carnival will be here before we know it! To make this fun event happen we need lots of help. Please reach out to the PTA if you are interested in being a part of a planning committee. We will be solidifying the date for our spring carnival at our next PTA meeting January 8th via zoom. Please email co-president Ali Nixon at annixon83@gmail.com or the PTA at IClongfellowpta@gmail.com if interested in helping with planning and/or join the PTA meeting for more information and to get involved.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F4BA9AF29A2F85-53858342-carnival?fbclid=IwY2xjawHtCN1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHUQ5KRw0KUV9SDfRbAK-kfZ7pPQ3PrHce6w5NuTblUY8ruDhfM-YaVUgmg_aem_4ngUGx-x8IYT4oul403WSQ#/

The Iowa City Districtwide Parents Organization (DPO) is an independent organization led by an executive board and composed of voting members that represent parent organizations across the district.

You are encouraged to attend DPO meetings for the following reasons:

• Connect with parents from other schools’ parent organizations
• Find out what is happening in our district directly from the school board and administration
• Learn from experts about important matters related to children and education
• Exchange ideas and gain information on local, state, and national legislative issues

Upcoming meeting dates / topics (in-person and on Zoom) 6:30-8pm:

• Wed. February 12, 2025 - Legislative update
• Wed. March 12, 2025 - Officer Mike Smithy - Safety for Students
• Wed. April 9, 2025 - Scholarship Reception
• Wed May 14, 2025 - Wrap-up & community building

Just drop receipts in the tub in the front entrance or send them with your student to take to the office.

Jan. 29th- Lunar New Year- No School day

January 30th- Dance Night 6-7:00 pm

Feb. 10th-13th I-Smile treatments for 2nd, 3rd and 5th-

Feb. 7th- 3rd grade field trip

Feb. 13th- Multi-Cultural Night

Feb. 19th- 1st grade to Englert

Feb. 20th- Talent Show

Feb. 26th- PT conferences

March 5- PT conferences

March 7th- No School- PT Conferences

PTA Meetings:

February 5th, Zoom

March 5th, Zoom/In Person Hybrid

April 2nd, Zoom

May 7th, Zoom

June 4th, Zoom (Year End-Wrap Up, etc.)

• 
  We’d love to welcome your little one to our preschool family! Our teachers are certified in both general and special education, and we offer free half-day programming for 4-year-olds in all of our elementary schools, with full-day options also available.
  
  Preschool registration for the 2025-26 school year opens Feb. 6, 2025. Register on-site between 4 & 6 pm at City High, Liberty High, or West High School. Online registration is also available beginning at 4 pm on Feb. 6.
  
  Learn more at www.IowaCitySchools.org/Preschool

Parents are invited to fill out the general field trip permission form for your student here:

https://forms.gle/gaWpP2gFYYKD2npbA

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

Student Handbook :https://www.iowacityschools.org/students-families/student-handbooks/elementary-handbook

Longfellow Elementary School

Every student counts. Every moment matters.

ADDRESS: 1130 Seymour Ave., Iowa City, IA 52240

PHONE: 319-688-1135

FAX: 319-688-1136

Kelli Webb, Principal

Teresa Svec, Principal Secretary

Sasha Frauenholz, School Facilitator

Non-Discrimination Policy:

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 the Director of Equity, 1725 N. Dodge St., Iowa City, IA 52245, (319) 688-1000.