Future Ready Today Newsletter | |
No School, November 11
This is a friendly reminder that students will not have school on Monday, November 11th. This day is set aside as a staff professional learning day. While students enjoy a break from classes, our district staff will attend various professional development classes and trainings to continue improving their educational practices. Check out the full 2024-2025 District Calendar for future staff learning days and other key dates when students will not have class.
We want to remind working parents that the District has partnered with Champions to provide all-day childcare on these professional learning days. While the care will only be available at select locations across the district, it helps to give working families a convenient option for childcare on days when students do not have school. Care is available for any CRCSD kindergarten through 5th grade student at Erskine Elementary, Hiawatha Elementary, Kenwood Leadership Academy, and Viola Gibson Elementary School. In addition, Truman Early Learning Center will serve as the Champions childcare site for preschool students. For more information and to register your child to attend, visit www.discoverchampions.com or contact your child’s school office.
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Veterans Day
On November 11, we observe Veterans Day, a special time to honor and thank the brave individuals who have served, or are currently serving, in the United States military. This day was originally recognized as Armistice Day, commemorating the end of World War I on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. It was renamed Veterans Day in 1954 to honor all U.S. veterans for their dedication and sacrifice.
At Cedar Rapids Community School District, we want to instill in our students a sense of gratitude and respect for our veterans, helping them understand the value of service and freedom. We also want to extend our deepest thanks to our CRCSD employees who have served in the military. Thank you for your dedication and contributions to both our district and our nation. Thank you for your service!
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Dr. Grover Award
We’re thrilled to announce that our very own Dr. Tawana Grover, Superintendent of Cedar Rapids Community School District, has been named one of the Corridor Business Journal’s 25 Most Influential Leaders of 2024! This prestigious list honors those who have made a significant impact on the Corridor over the past year through their leadership, business achievements, and community involvement. The CBJ compiled the list of the top 25 based on votes from readers. Click here to view the full list of honorees.
Since joining CRCSD in 2023, Dr. Grover has been an advocate for our students, staff, and families, leading the district with a vision of innovation and educational excellence. This well-deserved recognition reflects her dedication, passion, and commitment to building a brighter future for CRCSD. Congratulations!
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25 Years of Service Award
We are proud to celebrate Cedar Rapids Community School District’s Chief Financial Officer, Karla Hogan, for her outstanding 25 years of service with the Iowa Association of School Business Officials (IASBO). Karla was recently honored at the IASBO Conference in Des Moines as one of just three members across Iowa to reach this significant milestone. Since joining the IASBO in 1999, Karla has brought her commitment to excellence to every role she has had, including her past 8 years at CRCSD. Congratulations, Karla, on this well-deserved recognition!
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Fall Sports Honors
The Mississippi Valley Conference (MVC) has announced its fall sports all-division honors for football, cross country, volleyball, golf, and swimming and diving. CRCSD is proud to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of our student-athletes who were selected for these all-conference teams. Your dedication, hard work, and sportsmanship are truly commendable. Congratulations on your amazing seasons and remarkable achievements! Click the button below to see the full list of honorees.
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Student Teacher Career Fair
Are you a student teacher ready to start your career? Cedar Rapids Community School District (CRCSD) invites you to explore your future with us at the upcoming Student Teacher Career Fair! Join us on November 19 from 4:30 to 6:30 PM at the Educational Leadership and Support Center (2500 Edgewood Rd NW) for an event dedicated to current student teachers interested in exploring a future at CRCSD.
You’ll have the opportunity to meet with district administrators for on-site interviews, making it easy to take the first step toward a full-time teaching position. You can also get answers on teacher licensure, learn about CRCSD’s pay and benefits, explore substitute teaching opportunities, and discover the support offered by the CREA Teachers Union. This is your chance to connect, ask questions, and discover the benefits of a career with CRCSD. Don’t miss this opportunity—come see what CRCSD has to offer!
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Festive Fundraiser for Metro Tradition
Since 1974, Metro High School has celebrated Thanksgiving with a heartwarming meal that brings all students and staff together. To keep this beloved tradition alive in its 51st year, Metro students are rolling up their sleeves to raise the money needed to purchase the food and supplies for this year’s feast. And you can help!
The students are making and selling “Woodland Wobblers!” These charming 13” x 13” wood turkeys are a perfect decoration to add holiday flair to your home or office. Each Woodland Wobbler is $25, with proceeds going toward the Thanksgiving meal. Free-will donations are also being accepted. Orders can be placed using the button below. Purchased turkeys will be available for pick-up at Metro High School. Snap up yours soon – these turkeys are wobbling off the sleeves, and supplies are limited!
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It’s Showtime! Students Shine in Weekend of Musical Magic
Ready for a weekend full of theater magic, catchy tunes, and show-stopping performances? Then look no further as our talented students light up the stages across the district. With everything from fairy tales and matchmaking to classic high school drama, there’s something for everyone. Here’s the lineup:
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Middle school students at McKinley STEAM Academy are performing Shrek the Musical Jr. This production is sure to bring laughs, adventure, and a message about friendship and accepting yourself as you are. Catch it Friday and Saturday, November 8 and 9, at 6:30 PM. Tickets are $5 and available through the McKinley main office. | |
Harding Middle School is bringing High School Musical Jr. to the stage this Friday and Saturday, November 8 and 9, at 7:00 PM. The cat will have you tapping your toes as they sing, dance, and channel their inner Wildcats. Tickets are $5 and available at the door. | |
Head over to Washington High School for the timeless musical comedy Hello, Dolly! Join Dolly Gallagher Levi in her quest for love and laughter, all set to unforgettable show tunes that will have you humming along. Performances are Friday and Saturday, November 8 and 9, at 7:30 PM in the Washington Auditorium. Tickets are available online here. | |
A huge round of applause to all of the students, directors, and everyone who’s been hard at work behind the scenes to make these productions possible. And to the cast and crew….break a leg! | |
This week, Van Buren student leadership members shared their vision for a new school building as OPN architects gathered input on what students hope to see and have in the design. | |
Last week, kindergarten students from Wright Elementary enjoyed a fun and engaging visit to Bloomsbury Farm for some hands-on learning! | |
Kenwood Leadership Academy students visited Transamerica to explore goal setting and leadership. We love partnering with community business leaders to show our students future possibilities! | |
Say hello to Benny the Bobcat! Officially chosen by the students at Nixon Elementary as their new school mascot, Benny had a chance to visit students in every classroom this week. | |
Erskine Elementary's 4th graders brought history to life by reenacting the Battle of Hastings. The students, who have been studying King William the Conqueror, took on the roles of King Harold of England and King William of Normandy. | |
"It was fun, but challenging. I learned right away not to give up," said Elizabeth, a 6th grader from RCCBA, after participating in a Building Thinking Classroom’s activity on factors, taxes, and employability skills like collaboration and transitioning. | |
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In case you missed it, here are recent news items about or of interest to Cedar Rapids Community School District students, teachers, and parents.
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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.
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