Greetings -

Highlights from the content that is included in this volume of my newsletter include new information on our upcoming book fair and some reminders about parent teacher conferences; please be aware that in the 'Notes from Our PTO' section of the newsletter, there is a link to a sign-up to assist with planning conference meals for our teachers.

Outgrown and/or Gently Worn Pants to Donate

If any families have any outgrown and/or gently worn pants to donate, our health office is in need. In particular, we are looking for boys and girls leggings and sweatpants (preferably sizes 5-10).

Want to acknowledge a staff member that is deserving of special recognition?

• Click Here

We've got a full week of school up ahead, followed by two short weeks and then we're turning the calendar to December!

Thanks, and have a great weekend.

- Eric Ewald
Principal, Van Allen Elementary

We will be hosting a Scholastic book fair November 18-22, 2024 at Van Allen. Students will be able to shop ONLY during their scheduled time or by appointment. We will also be open during parent teacher conferences November 20 from 3:10 PM-7:10 PM and November 22 from 8:00 AM-3:00 PM. Finally, we will have a companion online fair from November 18-December 1, 2024. The link to shop the online fair, view the interactive fair, and create a family ewallet is https://www.scholastic.com/bf/vanallenelementaryschool8

The ewallet is a secure way to add funds for your child to shop at the book fair. We will still be taking cash, check or credit cards for in-person purchases. The ewallet will allow you to add money to an online account. You can also share the link and have others contribute money. For example, my mom and dad live in Minneapolis, but they could add money to an ewallet for my child to shop. Setting up the ewallet is fairly simple. If you have questions, please let me know!

Teachers have been asked to set up Wish Lists or Classroom eWallets. If you would like to purchase a book for your child’s classroom, let me know and I can help facilitate that. You can also donate money to the classroom eWallet and let your child’s teacher do the shopping. I have also set up a library ewallet. The Library ewallet is: https://shop.scholastic.com/ewallet/fund?lang=en_US&walletId=26f59f42-47b7-4018-80f9-0520539c69c6 Check online for those eWallets or look for future texts with the information.

Please contact Sarah Latcham, at latcham.sarah@iowacityschools.org or 319-688-1188, if you have any questions.

• Fall conferences will be held during the following days/times:
• Wednesday, November 13th, 3:10 - 7:10pm
• Wednesday, November 20th, 3:10 - 7:10pm
• Friday, November 22nd, 7:40am - 3:40pm*
  • *There is no school on Friday, November 22nd
    
    

• The parent login page where you will sign-up for a conference is linked here. You will login in using your Infinite Campus parent portal username and password. Further directions for how to use this platform, PTC Wizard, are linked here. Please note that you will have the option between having your conference in-person at Van Allen or virtually via Zoom.

• Wednesday, November 20th

• Friday, November 22nd
• Wednesday - Friday, November 27th - 29th

Are you looking for coverage on days we don’t have school?

Van Allen BASP is offering an all-day program on Nov. 22 from 7:30am – 5:30pm at Van Allen with field trips, special events, and games during the day! These dates are open for any ICCSD elementary age student. Please reach out to Erica Eichhorn to inquire about these no school days at eeichhorn@coralville.org.

We are seeking to hire a 1.0 FTE Special Education Strategist I teacher for the 2024/2025 school year. For more information and/or to apply, please visit the link that is inserted below.

Any questions can be sent via email to ewald.eric@iowacityschools.org.

Please share this information with others who you think might be interested in either of these opportunities. Thanks!

Stay up-to-date on all things PTO, and join our 'VA Rockets PTO 2024' Facebook group! There are screening questions to ensure the group is limited to VA Parents joining.

Our PTO is soliciting your help in regards to planning conference meals for our teachers. Please use the SignUpGenius to sign-up for something. Thanks in advance; have a great day!

The Direct Ask Campaign launched on September 23rd and will run through November 15th; we plan to hold our annual Coin War during the final week (November 11th-15th).

• Tuesday, December 3rd, 6:30pm at Van Allen (in the library)

Digtal!

Get the app and collect money for Van Allen! It’s easy.

1. Download the Free App: Box Tops for Education
2. Register and select James Van Allen as your school.
3. Scan or take pictures of your receipts within 14 days of purchase.

Use the referral code INLK3WN8 when you sign-up and you’ll get 25 Bonus Box Tops when you scan your first receipt now through 05/31/2025, while supplies last!

Our District is deeply committed to ensuring a safe and healthy learning environment for all our students. In response to the rising concerns about food allergies and childhood obesity, we've made adjustments to our District's Wellness Policy concerning classroom snacks, birthday treats, and classroom celebrations. Please be aware that some elementary schools have chosen to celebrate birthdays without food, so we recommend checking with your child's school to learn about their specific practice.

When food is served to students in the classroom for snacks, birthday celebrations, or classroom festivities, we follow these guidelines:

1. Only fresh fruits/vegetables or store-bought items with clear ingredient lists are permitted (homemade foods are not allowed).
2. Foods served must align with the Healthy Food Guidelines/Smart Snacks (with the only exception being food related to District-approved curriculum lessons).
3. Foods containing peanuts or peanut butter, or those produced in facilities with potential cross-contamination, are not allowed.
4. Any food items that do not meet these guidelines will be sent back home.
5. We will provide parents and teachers with a list of approved foods (Healthy Food Guidelines/Smart Snacks) at the beginning of the school year.

These measures are designed to promote the health and well-being of our students while maintaining a positive and inclusive learning environment. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in supporting our commitment to their safety and health.

• Find all the information here www.IowaCitySchools.org/Securly.

Our District cooperates with approved community partners by posting eflyers online and distributing them electronically through our service provider, Peachjar. As part of our efforts to be more environmentally friendly, embrace innovative technology, and maintain fiscal responsibility, we have transitioned from paper to electronic flyer delivery.

• Listing of Van Allen Elementary's Current Peachjar Flyers

We’re now taking nominations for the 2024-25 Shine Awards! This is your chance to recognize employees who go above and beyond for our students and schools. Shine Award honorees inspire, make a positive difference, and leave a lasting impact in our school community.

Please consider the teachers, paraeducators, secretaries, nutrition services workers, student & family advocates, counselors, librarians, nurses, custodians, tradespeople, support staff, administrators, and more throughout our District who have had an exceptionally positive impact on students. Nominations can be submitted by completing the form at the following link: Shine Award Nomination Form. If preferred, you can also copy and paste the following link into your web browser: https://bit.ly/3QeTeUP.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to recognize the outstanding contributions of our team, especially those who have made the biggest impact on your family.

Sincerely,

Kristin Pedersen
Director of Community Relations
Iowa City Community School District

Students, Families, and Employees - The Ombuds Office is here to help! Visit https://www.iowacityschools.org/services-supports/ombuds to learn more!

We are continuing to embrace the HRS framework at Van Allen and throughout the ICCSD. Please see this linked form (also inserted, below) that helps us achieve Leading Indicator 1.6, "Students, parents, and the community have formal ways to provide input regarding the optimal functioning in the school."

This will be a standing item in our newsletter. Please note that submitting an idea to this form does not ensure that it will be implemented. Once we have a collection of responses to share, we will plan to include a recurring section within our newsletter dedicated to providing feedback and/or any response in regards to the different ideas that we have received from this form.

We use these platforms (below) to highlight our accomplishments (including pictures) and share relevant announcements and reminders.

Email: ewald.eric@iowacityschools.org
Website: https://vanallen.iowacityschools.org/
Location: 170 Abigail Avenue, North Liberty, IA, United States
Phone: (319)688-1185
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JVANorthLiberty/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanallen_iccsd

X: @VanAllen_ICCSD

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.