Future Ready Today Newsletter

CRCSD Receives Major Grant


We are excited to announce that Cedar Rapids Community School District has been selected to receive an almost $15 million Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP) Grant from the U.S. Department of Education. CRCSD is one of only 12 districts in the country—and the only district in Iowa—to receive this honor. This is a remarkable achievement, reflecting our collective dedication to the future of our students, staff, parents, and community.


This grant will support the launch of our Future Ready College & Career Academies at Washington and Jefferson High Schools, bringing groundbreaking opportunities to our students. With this funding, we will invest in cutting-edge equipment, technology, and resources, while also developing hands-on, career-connected learning experiences. The College & Career Academies will provide smaller, more personalized learning environments for students, with career-focused coursework that leads to industry-recognized credentials and certifications.


Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, we will introduce a 9th Grade Freshman Academy focused on college and career-connected learning. Following this, in the 2026-2027 school year, we will launch three career-specific pathway academies for 10th-12th grade students at both Washington and Jefferson High Schools. These pathways will empower students to gain valuable skills and credentials, preparing them for postsecondary education or direct entry into their chosen careers.

News and Updates

Reminder on School Breakfast


The Food and Nutrition Department would like to take a moment to share that the Cedar Rapids Community School District is giving kids a healthy start each school day with school breakfast. Join us for a nutritious and delicious breakfast every morning, Monday through Friday, at all of our schools! Breakfast is FREE at all of our CEP-qualifying schools. Non-CEP schools are Pierce, Maple Grove, Viola Gibson Elementaries, Taft Middle School, and Kennedy High School, where a breakfast costs $2.35. You can view the breakfast menu on the District's Nutrislice website.

Washington Homecoming Week


It’s been an exciting and busy week at Washington High School as students and staff celebrated their homecoming with a series of exciting events. The week featured themed dress-up days where students showcased their school spirit in creative outfits. A spirited homecoming parade and bonfire on Wednesday brought the community together. The energy continues tonight as the Warrior football team takes on the Iowa City Liberty Lightning. That match-up kicks off around 7:15 PM at Kingston Stadium. During the halftime of the varsity game tonight, the Washington Homecoming royalty will be crowned. The festivities come to an end Saturday evening with the homecoming dance. Check out some of these images from the week!  

Hazel Health


Hazel Health mental health teleservice is now available for student appointments in all CRCSD schools! Hazel Health helps eliminate barriers to receiving quality mental health care for all CRCSD students, at no out-of-pocket cost to their families. We are excited to offer this additional support to our students’ well-being.


Students must be referred to the program by a school staff member or their parent/legal guardian via the webpage my.hazel.co/crschools. Once referred, students will meet with a licensed therapist virtually to help address their concerns. Appointments are available at school and at home Monday-Friday from 7 AM to 7PM. Services are 100% confidential and are free for students. Click here for an instructional video on how to create an account and refer your student. To learn more about Hazel Health, click here.

America Reads Sign-up


Online registration is now open for the 27th annual America Reads literacy celebration, which will take place on October 17th and 18th. This program is designed to highlight the importance of reading to our students. During the event, community members visit elementary classrooms to share their favorite children’s books with the students. Click on the button below to register to read to a class. Registration closes on October 10th.

Sign up to read

You are Invited to Attend CRCSD's Sessions at Iowa Ideas Conference


CRCSD would like to invite parents and community members to participate in the Iowa Ideas 2024 Virtual Conference, hosted by The Gazette on October 10th and 11th. This annual event brings together Iowans from all walks of life to explore, discuss, and collaborate on solutions to some of the state's most pressing issues. 


CRCSD staff will be participating in two panel discussions, one on school infrastructure, scheduled for Thursday, October 10th at 11:45 AM. This session will dive into critical issues affecting school districts across Iowa. With rising inflation and ongoing underfunding of schools, many districts are struggling to maintain their infrastructure. The discussion will also cover the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) and General Obligation (GO) Bonds. The second will be on recruiting and attracting educators to Iowa, scheduled for Thursday, October 10th at 3:00 PM. Which will discuss what school districts are offering to attract and retain educators. To learn more about the session and to register for the Iowa Ideas 2024 Virtual Conference use the button below. 

Register here

Glance Around CRCSD

This week, RCCBA students flexed a critical future-ready skill. Students were introduced to summarizing mats, which helped them develop their own thinking, share their thinking with their team, and create a summary together—a critical #futureready skill.

This week, a group of Metro STEAM Academy students attended the Iowa State University’s Ag Exploration Day. Students explored a variety of agricultural careers while learning about planters, welding, and other agribusiness topics. 

KLA kicked off another year of Leader Lunches this week! Students and community leaders chatted about goal setting, personal strengths, and making a plan for success—all while enjoying some delicious food! 

Are you faster than a calculator? Scholars in Ms. Wiley’s class at Hiawatha Elementary played “Beat the Calculator” in math class to see if they could solve math problems faster than using a device.

Members of the Wilson Middle School Ram Leadership Council spent a morning at the Indian Creek Nature Center, learning about effective communication and leadership styles in a natural setting. 

The art room at Harding Middle School got a spruce up with some student artwork. Check out the talented artists in Mr. Busta’s art class. 

In the News

In case you missed it, here are recent news items about or of interest to Cedar Rapids Community School District students, teachers, and parents.

Gazette: Cedar Rapids schools awarded nearly $15 million to support career readiness program

KCRG: 'Student Built Homes' class works to train next generation of construction, trade workers amid shortage

Jefferson High School

Activities Calendar

Kennedy High School

Activities Calendar

Washington High School

Activities Calendar

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breakfast and lunch

meals here.

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Non-Discrimination Policy

It is the policy of the Cedar Rapids Community School District not to discriminate in educational programs and/or activities on the basis of race, creed, color, gender, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity, socioeconomic status, national origin, religion, disability, age (except for permitting/prohibiting students to engage in certain activities) or genetic information and in employment opportunities on the basis of age, race, creed, color, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, disability or genetic information. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy, please contact Darius Ballard, Chief of Human Resources, Educational Leadership and Support Center, 2500 Edgewood Rd NW, Cedar Rapids, IA, (319) 558-2000.

October 4, 2024