Happy Thanksgiving From CRCSD

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, I want to express my gratitude and appreciation for the incredible community that makes up the Cedar Rapids Community School District. 


This year has presented its share of challenges, but together, we have demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to the well-being of our students and staff. I am thankful for the dedicated educators who continue to inspire and support our students, the hardworking staff members who ensure the smooth operation of our schools, and, most importantly, the students who bring joy and excitement to our halls every day. All of the great things happening in our district are because of you. 


To our families and community partners, you play an integral role in the success of our students and schools. Your support, involvement, and commitment are invaluable, and for that, we are truly grateful. Thank you for being an essential part of the CRCSD family.


Here’s to a happy and safe Thanksgiving Break with your family and friends. 


With heartfelt appreciation,

Superintendent Dr. Tawana Grover

News and Updates

Thanksgiving Break Reminder


This is a friendly reminder that there is no school next Wednesday (Nov 22) through Friday (Nov 24) for Thanksgiving Break. District offices will also be closed on Thursday and Friday, and there will be no district newsletter next week. We hope everyone has a happy and safe Thanksgiving break, and we look forward to welcoming students back when classes resume on Monday, November 27th.

Taft and Harding Middle School Updates


As you may recall, CRCSD made the decision to close the dome portions of Taft and Harding Middle School last month when engineers found issues with some of the support beams in each dome. We wanted to give you an update on the progress of the repairs. 


The district has continued to work with engineers from Raker Rhodes, Solum Lang Architects, and McComas-Lacina Construction to find a solution for fixing the deteriorating external beams.

Click here to learn more

Spinning a Web of Learning


8th graders at Franklin Middle School have been studying the genetic traits of spiders. In particular, the genetics behind the strength of the silk that a spider produces to make their webs. 


Different amounts/types of proteins have a varied effect on the strength and flexibility of the spider’s silk and the webs they create,” shares Franklin science teacher Brian Jeffords.


Another thing spiders use their silk for is a process called “spider ballooning.” After hatching, baby spiders use their silk like a parachute to catch the wind, carrying them away to a new home. The strength and flexibility of the spider’s silk determines their ability to catch a breeze and how far away they will float. 

Mr. Jeffords then challenged the students to do their own “spider ballooning” experiment. The students were tasked with constructing a spider “parachute” that would catch the wind, carry a fake spider some distance away from the launch point, and land the spider safely on the ground. Students got to choose what materials they wanted to use to build their parachutes. They also had to learn some basic physics concepts like gravity, surface area, air resistance, and terminal velocity.


Then the big day came to test their spider parachutes. Mr. Jeffords dropped each one from the roof of the school down to the students waiting below. They observed how the different materials used to build each parachute had an effect on how it performed, just like how the characteristics of a spider’s silk play a role in its outcome. 


This activity provides an engaging, interactive experience for students to apply the concepts they are learning in the classroom," adds Mr. Jeffords.

State Thespian Honors


Congratulations to the Jefferson High School Theatre Department for taking home 1st place in the Studio Theater Category at the State Thespian Festival this past weekend. They won for their production of Grimm Brothers Fairy Tale Repair Shoppe, which they performed as part of the Playtime Poppy Children’s Theatre this fall.

Cold & Flu Reminders


As temperatures start to fall, the number of cold, flu, and respiratory virus cases starts to rise. The flu season typically runs from October through April, with an uptick during the holidays. We wanted to provide you with our district’s student illness guidelines and a few reminders to help reduce the spread of illness in our schools.


Student Illness Guidelines:

Students will be sent home from school if they have any of the following:

  • A temperature of 100.4º F or higher.
  • Active illness-related vomiting and/or diarrhea. 
  • Other significant symptoms - frequent/uncontrollable cough, severe sore throat, extreme tiredness, etc.


Students Return After an Illness:

Students may return to school after an illness when:

  • Fever-free without fever-reducing medication.
  • No active vomiting and/or diarrhea.
  • Other symptoms of illness are improving.


During times of high community/school illness, the length of time a student must remain home after fever/symptoms of illness may change based on the recommendation from Linn County Public Health.


Health Tips:

  • Here are some helpful reminders to help reduce the spread of illness. 
  • Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze with a tissue or your upper arm/elbow. Wash/disinfect your hands after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
  • Disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines/boosters and receive a seasonal flu vaccine.

Stay Up To Date On All Things CRCSD!


There are several ways to get news and information about the Cedar Rapids Community School District. From our website to our weekly newsletter and social media accounts, you can get information on district happenings, reminders about important dates, and see all the great things happening in our schools.

Glance Around The District

Congratulations to Taft Middle School’s Maddux Armstrong for being selected for the All-Iowa Middle School Honor Jazz Band. He was one of only 20 students selected for this ensemble from across the state.

2nd graders in Mrs. Kuch’s class at Hoover Elementary School are learning place values and adding two-digit numbers in Math this week. They use bundles and sticks to help them visually add the numbers together.

Congratulations to the Harding Middle School 7th & 8th grade bands on their first concert of the year.

The 4th graders at Johnson STEAM Academy are integrating art and science to learn about beetles. Each student selected a beetle, conducted research, and then made it come to life with clay and paint. 

CRCSD In The News

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

District Calendars

2023-24 School Calendar

2023-24 Preschool Calendar

Jefferson High School

Activities Calendar

Kennedy High School

Activities Calendar

Washington High School

Activities Calendar

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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.

November 17, 2023