Welcome New Administrators | |
Matt Russell
We are pleased to announce the hiring of a new building administrator at CRCSD. Matt Russell has been named interim Principal of Cedar River Academy at Taylor, pending board approval. Mr. Russell will replace former principal Andrea Scott, who recently retired. Mr. Russell has served Cedar Rapids as a teacher and teacher leader, working directly with CRA families. Additionally, Mr. Russell has served as a lead principal and assistant principal in the College Community School District.
“I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have been appointed as the interim principal of Cedar River Academy at Taylor. Meeting the remarkably dedicated staff has been a true pleasure. I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to assist our teachers in their efforts to create a safe and collaborative learning environment where we can deliver high-quality instruction to all of our CRA students,” says Mr. Russell.
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Colleen Fangman
We are pleased to announce the hiring of Colleen Fangman as the associate principal at McKinley STEAM Academy, pending board approval. She replaces Joslin Hanna, who was promoted to principal at Erskine Elementary School. Fangman previously served CRCSD in a preschool director role. She returns to CRCSD after being a consultant for Grant Wood AEA. Colleen is looking forward to building relationships with students and families.
“One of the most exciting things I've experienced so far at McKinley is seeing former preschool students as middle school students and sharing memories with them,” adds Fangman.
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The Cedar Rapids Community School district will be hosting one final community bond information session before election day. Join us on Monday, November 6th, from 7:00-8:00 p.m. in the Jefferson High School cafeteria. District leaders will provide an overview of the bond, the projects included, and the financial impact on residents. Audience members will also have the opportunity to ask questions. We hope to see you there. | |
Voting Information
There are several different ways to cast your ballot for the November 7, 2023, election
EARLY VOTING: Early satellite voting is available at the following locations and times:
- Lindale Mall -
- Saturday, November 4: 11:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
- Sunday, November 5: 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
- Cedar Rapids Downtown Library
- Saturday, November 4: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
ABSENTEE BALLOTS: Absentee ballots must be received by the Linn County Auditor’s Office by the time the polls close (8 p.m.) on Election Day.
ELECTION DAY: On election day, November 7, 2023, eligible voters can vote from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at their assigned polling place. To find your polling place, click here.
Click here to see a sample ballot. For more information regarding the election or ways to vote, please contact the Linn County auditor’s office.
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Construction Update from Trailside Elementary
Progress continues to be made at the new Trailside Elementary construction site. The construction crews are currently working to complete the roof on the school. Trailside Elementary is the third new school building in the CRCSD’s Elementary Facilities Master Plan. Both students from Arthur and Garfield Elementary will attend Trailside when it opens in the fall of 2024.
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Construction Progress at the Student Build House
Crews made significant progress this week at this year’s Student-built house in Hiawatha. Earlier this week, students worked alongside professional teams to hand lift roof trusses over the garage. The following day, a crane helped raise the house’s main roof supports. Finally, students shingled the roof, helping to get the house covered. The students are working hard to get the house enclosed and most of the outside world done before winter arrives. Then, they will focus on completing the work inside the home. Their goal is to have the home complete before the end of the school year.
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Spook-tacular Career Exploration Happening at RCCBA
Middle school is a crucial period in a student's life where they begin to develop their interests, talents, and values, which makes it an ideal time to introduce them to leadership, career exploration, and employability skills. That’s why Roosevelt Creative Corridor Business Academy launched a new Business Leadership Studies Class and Business Enrichment Series this year, becoming the first middle school in Iowa to offer its students a dedicated business course.
Teacher Abby Turley and Magnet Coordinator Kate Riley designed the programs to offer students a unique opportunity to gain experience and insight into various career fields by connecting with local business leaders. Their goal is to help students make informed decisions about their future career paths, along with equipping them with the skills they need to be successful in the future. The programs also allow students to see how their classroom learning is used in the real world.
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Bolt Barbershop Grand Opening
A once empty classroom is now “buzzing” with excitement at Franklin Middle School. The unused room is now home to the school's new Bolt Barbershop.
The idea of offering free haircuts to Franklin students started a few years back with former staff members Ben Ethier and Eriece Colbert. They knew middle school can be challenging for some students as their bodies grow and change. Often times at this age, a student’s physical appearance can shape their self-esteem and self-confidence. And if their family is struggling financially, a haircut might not be an option. So the two started “Quarterly Cuts,” a program that brought in local barbers four times a year to provide students with a free haircut. When Ben and Eriece left Franklin, the PTA wanted to keep the program going. But they did more than that - they opened a barbershop inside the school!
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Washington Thespians Back in Action
Washington High School students will take center stage next weekend to present the play “Mean Girls (High School Version).” The show is based on the hit 2004 film and tells the story of Cady Heron, who is trying to fit in a clique-filled school ruled by a group of popular girls called “The Plastics.” When Cady and her friends organize a "Revenge Party" to change the social order at school, she learns you can't take on the queen bee without getting stung. You can catch the show on November 9, 10, and 11 at 7:30 p.m. in the Washington auditorium. Tickets are available online and at the door.
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Metro Greenhouse Open House
This week, Metro High School celebrated the completion of their new greenhouse and outdoor classroom space. On Wednesday evening, Metro staff held a reception for the community partners who helped make the project possible. On Thursday, an official ribbon-cutting ceremony was held along with a community open house. The public had the opportunity to tour the new spaces, talk with students and staff, and view current projects.
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Jefferson High School Snow Plow Art
In collaboration with the Cedar Rapids Public Works Department, Jefferson High School participated in the "Paint a Plow" program that gives organizations a chance to paint a city plow, which will be used during winter snow removal efforts. This year, three groups at Jefferson High School Building took part in the program.
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Get Ready to "Fall Back"
This is a friendly reminder that Daylight Saving Time ends this weekend, on Sunday, November 5th. Make sure to turn your clocks back one hour before you go to bed on Saturday night. This means you will gain an extra hour of sleep and wake up with a little more daylight in the morning. This is also a great time to check the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms to ensure they work properly.
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Glance Around The District | |
Our elementary cafeteria staff got in on the Halloween fun this week. They provided students with a side of pizza toppings that students then used to create “monsters” on their pizza. | |
Taft students in Mrs. Miller’s science class learned about energy transfer by using a blender bike. It was a fun, hands-on activity for the students, with a tasty snack at the end. | |
Mr. Mello’s cooking class at Cedar River Academy worked together to make chicken wings. Each group created their own sauce, and after their taste test, they reflected on how they would change their sauce next time. | |
Ms. Hands' class at Madison Elementary had fun in the library this week reading their books in the dark with flashlights. | |
At Grant Elementary School, Student and Family Advocate Nicci Miles works with HACAP to provide food each week to students in need. Currently, 73 Grant students are served with Operation Backpack. | |
3rd graders at Viola Gibson showcased their musical talents during their performance of “Hats!” last week. The musical explores different kinds of hats, their uses, and the people who wear them. But ultimately, it shows that it's not the hat that makes a person special but what's underneath! | |
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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.
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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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