Greetings -

It's been a busy first week of fall at Van Allen!

• Our second grade students took our first field trip of the year, on Monday, attending the Nolte Academy production of Carnival of the Animals at the James Theater. This field trip was courtesy of the Any Given Child program.
  
  
• Our fourth grade classes had a visiting muralist during their art classes this week. (Pictures below)
  
  
• Our fifth grade students are underway with their week of outdoor learning at School of the Wild. The have experienced three of the five days, so far, and will finish next week.
  
  
• Students were helping with some of the planting for our outdoor classroom that is under construction. (Pictures below)

• We had our second school-wide assembly of the school year, this morning. We finished with a minute-to-win-it game of caterpillar dash!
  
  
• Our students earned bubbles for meeting their goal of 8,000 PBIS Rewards points earned during the month of September. These points are awarded to students when they demonstrate respect to self, others, and property. (Pictures, below)
  
  
• As of today, the replacement of our east side playground is officially underway. The new structure is expected to be open and ready for use by Monday, October 28th.

Thanks, and have a great weekend.

- Eric Ewald
Principal, Van Allen Elementary

• Friday, October 11th
• Monday, October 14th
• Tuesday, October 15th

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

Van Allen BASP is offering an all-day program on Oct. 14, Oct. 15, Oct. 31, Nov. 5, and 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.

Van Allen's Picture Day will be on Thursday, October 24th.

Online order form is linked, here: https://vando.imagequix.com/g1001135149

If ordering online, you do not need to turn in an order form on picture day (order forms will be shared closer to picture day)

We are seeking to hire a 3.5 hours/day (7:40am - 11:10am) special education paraeducator 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.

• Tuesday, October 1st, 6:30pm at Van Allen (in the library)

The PTO is bringing back the Fall Fun Fair, rebranded as the Fall Blast Off! Save the Date for Thursday, October 24th. More information, coming soon...

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).

WHERE HAVE ALL THE BOX TOPS GONE? Box Tops hav gone digital!

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!

As a reminder, we are currently participating in an extensive review of cell phone use in schools. As an important component of this review, we are seeking feedback from parents/guardians through the brief survey linked below. If you have not already done so, please take a moment to share your thoughts on how cell phone use impacts our classrooms, hallways, and students' social-emotional well-being. Your input will help us ensure that our policies effectively support our students, their learning, and the overall school environment.

Survey Link:
https://iowacityschools.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_d4KmSzrYT6cDd2K

Thank you for your time and valuable feedback.

Sincerely,

Matt Degner
Superintendent
Iowa City Community School District

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

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

Dear Families, Staff, and Students,

Recently, there has been an alarming increase in school threats circulating nationwide on social media and in our school district. These are designed to create fear and spread misinformation, which many schools across the country, including ours, have experienced. Thankfully, the threats in our area have all been found to be non-credible, but we still take each one very seriously.

When someone learns of a post that includes potentially threatening or concerning information, the most appropriate and effective course of action is to report the post to police and school officials. Please do not reshare or repost these messages. Doing so only leads to increased fear, speculation, and the spreading of misinformation – which is often the very intent of the individual making the post.

Please talk with your children about the seriousness of making idle threats, sharing gossip or rumors, or re-posting false information. Please urge them to share their concerns directly with an adult, or they may do so anonymously through our Say Something tool. All threats are taken seriously, and making them comes with significant school disciplinary and legal consequences. We encourage you to reinforce these points with your students.

Please remember that no weapons of any kind are allowed in our schools. This includes look-alike weapons, which can cause panic and confusion. Any situation involving a weapon or even something that looks like a weapon will be handled with the utmost seriousness.

We all play a role in maintaining a safe and secure learning environment. The phrase "If you see or hear something, say something" is more important than ever. By coming forward with information, you are helping to keep our schools safe for everyone.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Matt Degner
Superintendent
Iowa City Community School District

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.