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We hope you enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday break.
It's hard to believe, but the first semester of the school year ends on Friday, December 22.
Classes will dismiss at 12:30 p.m. on December 22 for the Winter Break.
Classes resume on Tuesday, January 3.
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District Celebrates Results | |
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The district has been reviewing our 2023 spring ISASP (formerly Iowa Basic Skills) test scores. We have several measures that we use to determine how our students are doing. These measures include evaluating our district and state assessments, grade-level benchmark assessments and classroom-level assessments.
While these more notable assessments are important, the most meaningful teaching and learning happens on a day-to-day basis in each respective classroom! This day-to-day learning and ongoing assessment is what is most valuable to us as a school system for each of our learners.
Listed below are some highlights from the ISASP data. As a reminder, students are only tested in grades 3-11 and only in the areas of Math, English Language Arts and Science. While we are very proud of these scores, we understand the need to keep growing and improving to help all our students be successful learners!
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English Language Arts
- All grade levels above the state average
- Five ELA grade levels were 10 plus percentage points over the state average
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Math
- Seven grades levels were 10 plus percentage points over the state average
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Science
- Tested in only three grade levels (5th, 8th and 10th)
- All grade levels above the state average
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Iowa School
Performance Profiles
Recently, the Iowa Department of Education released the Iowa School Performance Profiles, which rates school performance based on a number of measures including academic achievement, student growth, graduation rate, progress in achieving English language proficiency, Conditions of Learning, and postsecondary readiness.
The ratings are exceptional, high performing, commendable, acceptable, needs improvement and priority.
All schools in the district received a "Commendable" rating.
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Thank you, Voters!
During the election on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, voters approved the Central Springs Community School District’s Revenue Purpose Statement.
This will allow the district to continue to use funds made available through the Iowa Legislature’s 2019 extension of the Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE), more commonly known as the One-Cent Sales Tax.
| On election day, seniors from Mr. Arians and Mr. Shafer's social studies classes went up to Manly City Hall to see democracy in action. They learned how easy and simple the process of voting is. The seniors were also told the procedure to ensure the ballots were secure. | | | |
District and Sports Boosters Collaborate to Open Online Spirit Shop | |
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As the weather begins to turn, we'd like to remind families that the district has the ability to use up to five e-learning days. E-learning days allow students to continue their lessons from home.
An E-Learning day will be announced via JMC. Here are the basic instructions for students and families:
Elementary students:
- Packets were sent home at conferences or with report cards.
- Students should complete the assigned work on the E-Learning day and return it to school to receive credit for the day.
Intermediate Grades 4-5:
- Packets were sent home during conferences or with the students whose parents did not attend conferences.
- Students complete and return the packet the next school day.
- Teachers will check and respond to student emails throughout the school day.
Middle School Grades 6-8:
- Assignments will be posted in Google Classroom by 9 a.m.
- Teachers available on Google Meet from 10-11 a.m. and 1-2 p.m.) should students need assistance. Teachers will check and respond to student emails throughout the school day.
High School students:
- E-Learning assignments, which may include videos, will be posted in Google Classroom by 9:00 a.m.
- On Mondays, assignments will only be posted. However, at an instructor's discretion and with advanced notification provided prior to the canceled school day (Tuesdays through Fridays), students may be required to meet via Zoom or Google Meet during a predetermined 40-minute scheduled class time.
- Faculty hours from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. This time is set aside for students to reach out to faculty members, via email, to ask questions regarding current course content and assignments.
- To receive credit, completed E-Learning assignments must be submitted within two days. Student participation and engagement, as evidenced by assignment completion, will be recorded by each instructor.
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Preschool and Elementary students and staff took part in Red Ribbon Week, a national event held October 23-27 to encourage students to pursue healthy, drug-free lives. The staff and students participated in special activities all week. Those activities included dress-up days, a coloring sheet activity, a guessing game, and a Red Ribbon Week random raffle.
In Guidance Classes and in homeroom, students were encouraged to make good choices to live a happy and healthy life.
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Red Ribbon Week Raffle Winners Pictured back row l to r: Carter Tangman (3rd), Xzavier Gerken-Oelson (2nd), Jaxon Lindsay (1st), Decker McDonough (3rd). Front row l to r: Mayleen Rosokow (2nd), Olivia Lambert (1st), Joelle Davison (K) Kimberly Starkey (K). Not pictured: Phoenix Porche (PK) and Konnor Hamand (PK) | Guessing Game Winner Raegan Chambers (3rd) | |
Red Ribbon Week Raffle Winners Pictured l to r: Roman Hawkins (K), Ryan Leewright (1st), Bralyn Lorentzen (3rd), Natalia Alden (2nd), and Kohen Schafbuch (1st). Not Pictured: Mickey Trebil (PK), Waylon Martinson (K) and Keaton Duenow (PK) | Guessing Game Winner Gus Mason (1st) | |
Thank You Partners in Education | | |
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North Iowa Ag gifted agriculture resources to our third-grade classrooms. There are wonderful books, games and short magazines to use. | |
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The NS-RF Educational Foundation held its final annual meeting on October 9, 2023
Awards given totaled $2,199.89. After these awards are distributed, the NS-RF Educational Foundation will be disbanded as the assets have been depleted. The NS-RF Educational Foundation was organized in 1997 to further the education of NS-RF students by providing financial assistance, supplies, and/or materials, including but not limited to scholarships and awards.
If you have any questions regarding the Foundation, please contact a board member: Renee Christiansen, Michelle Miller, or Pat O'Donnell.
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School Board Elections took place on November 7.
Congratulations to newly elected members Sean Arthur and Josh Berman. They will officially begin their terms at the December 18 Board of Education meeting, joining Ashley Kohler, Joe Rowe and Jean Schilling.
The Central Springs CSD would like to send a special thank you to Dave Luett who has served on the Board since September 2005. He has been a key member who worked hard to help merge the NC and NSRF districts in 2011, and has helped form the foundation of the District we have today. Special thanks alsoto Lori Ginapp who began her service in September 2015. Both have given their dedication and service to build the educational environment that we have today for our area students.
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Football
A total of 34 student-athletes competed in football this Fall. The JV team went 6-1 and finished with the best winning percentage from any CS football team in the history of the school. Many underclassmen also contributed at the varsity level and earned varsity letters. The varsity team finished with a 1-8 record in a tough 1A district. The team loses five seniors, but the upcoming players look to fill the gaps left behind by those players. Coach Blickenderfer thanks everyone for all the support and encouragement given to this program, and the players and staff throughout the season.
Volleyball
The CS varsity volleyball team ended up with a match record of 23-11, one of the best records for our program. The highlights of the season were defeating Lake Mills at the Forest City tournament and then again in the first round of 2A Regional play. The team earned a 1st place finish at the Mason City tournament, defeating Osage in the finals. The 2nd round of Regional play was against #8 Aplington-Parkersburg, a match that went to five sets and a defeat by a small margin of 4 points in the deciding set. Five players received All-Conference recognition on the East side of the Top of Iowa Conference: Zari McDonough (1st Team, Top of Iowa East Player of the Year), Aubrey Hoeft (1st team), Ellyan Ryan (2nd team), Paige Prazak (2nd team), and Cameron Cobb (Honorable Mention).
A shoutout to Aubrey Hoeft who also made the 2023 Academic All-State Volleyball team. A cumulative GPA of 3.75 or higher, an ACT score of 27 or higher and a class rank in the top 15 % of the class are the criteria to be selected.
Cross Country
The 21-member team had a very successful season. Four of the girls and five of the boys set individual PR's during the season. Gavin Ryner and Claire Rye qualified for State. Claire Rye earned 1st team All-Conference honors and Gavin Ryner, Carter Lanphere and Addyson Main earned 2nd team All-Conference honors. The boys team finished in 3rd place and the girls team finished 5th at the District meet.
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Congratulations to the Girls Rugby Team! They finished fourth in the state at Youth Rugby State Tournament! | |
Student council hosted our annual Senior Citizen Dinner on November 9. The kitchen staff prepared a Thanksgiving turkey dinner with all the traditional side dishes. The kindergarten and first grade provided the entertainment. We served over 90 seniors this year at the Nora Springs Campus! | | |
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First-grade student Jack Paulus was the first Panther Fan to use the new bleachers. He cheered on the 7th grade volleyball team who defeated GHV at their home opener. Jack is the son of Tarah and Ryan Paulus of Nora Springs. Go Panthers! | |
Earlier this fall, Mr. Dobel and Mrs. Fessler took sophomores in the Industrial Education classes to the NIACC Simulation Day. The students were able to experience simulated semi-driving, welding, and construction. They also listened to a panel of business owners discuss employment opportunities, salary, and certifications. | |
In Early November, juniors in Mr. Dobel's Industrial Technology courses toured the CTE programs at NIACC and also did a worksite tour at Hawkeye Preferred Tooling Group in Charles City. Senior Lamar Barragan shared his experience in the building trades program. | |
Fourth graders had some "Fun on the Farm" as they visited Floyd County Fair Grounds for their annual Farm Safety Day. It was exciting to see our high school FFA students as leaders of our groups. | |
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All Central Springs Staff participated in "Stop the Bleed" training during November professional development. Minutes count!
This was an important life-saving training for our staff to participate in. Shown here, staff from Nora Springs practice wound packing and the use of a tourniquet.
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The juniors took their annual Social Studies trip to the Gold Star Museum at Camp Dodge. They learned through interactive displays, military exhibitions, and the firsthand experiences of a Korean veteran of the sacrifices Iowans have made in military conflicts throughout US History. After completing their tour of the museum, the Iowa National Guard supplied MRE's (Meals Ready to Eat) for the students to experience how soldiers eat in the field. | |
Mr. Shafer's Civics classes took a tour of the Manly cemetery to visit the local Veterans' memorial and view the tombstones of the local heroes who served our nation. One of the tombstones visited was Edward Tosel. He was a soldier killed in action during WWI from Manly and the namesake of the Manly American Legion Post #110. The students then toured the Edward Tosel American Legion Post #110. They were taught the significance of the POW-MIA ceremonial table, the riderless saddle, and the wall of unit patches at the legion. | |
K-3 Elementary Music Concerts | |
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Monday, December 18, in Manly @ 6 p.m.
Thursday, December 21, in Nora @ 6 p.m.
(Makeup Date for either: January 9th)
Monday, April 29, in Manly @ 6 p.m.
Tuesday, April 30, in Nora @ 6 p.m.
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