August 12, 2022 

Cardinals, 

     The excitement has begun!!  On Tuesday, August 9, 2022, the newest members of the Cardinal family reported to work.  There are 43 new teachers who officially became part of our school district, and were also welcomed at the Chamber of Commerce’s Welcome Luncheon on Wednesday, August 10, 2022.  The community of Newton is very fortunate to have such a strong group of people joining us for what is sure to be a great year.

     The newest members of our Cardinal teaching staff are:

  • Jenna Bakeris - Berg Middle School
  • Erin Bright - WEST Academy
  • Dan Cibula - Berg Middle School
  • Kristin Coble - Thomas Jefferson
  • Abigail Fish - Newton High School
  • Cali Foglesong - Berg Middle School
  • Taylor Fricke - Aurora Heights
  • Shannon Garringer - Specialized Behavior Program
  • Pam Gramlich - Berg Middle School
  • Ellen Grabe - Emerson Hough
  • John Harper - Newton High School
  • Sydney Honsbruch - Berg Middle School
  • Carrie Hook - Thomas Jefferson
  • Christie Hughes - Emerson Hough
  • Haley Jenkins - YMCA Preschool
  • Adam Kallal - Newton High School
  • Matthew Karsten - Thomas Jefferson
  • Lea Kunkel - Aurora Heights
  • Kirsten LaBlanc - Berg Middle School
  • Elizabeth Larscheid - Emerson Hough
  • April Laverman - Newton High School
  • Mary Beth Lawson - Berg Middle School
  • Kristina Loschen - Specialized Behavior Program
  • Amber Martenson – Aurora Heights & Emerson Hough
  • Melissa Messinger - Thomas Jefferson & Woodrow Wilson
  • Jennifer Palmer - Aurora Heights
  • Jensen Pauley - Thomas Jefferson
  • Hannah Pierce - Thomas Jefferson
  • Zachary Plank - WEST Academy
  • Trevor Rau - Emerson Hough
  • Matthew Reinfeldt - Berg Middle School
  • Kelley Scherbring - Aurora Heights
  • Leah Sengbusch - Berg Middle School
  • Charlie Taylor - Newton High School
  • Joss Teed - Berg Middle School
  • Summer Teed - Berg Middle School
  • Amanda Thomas - Berg Middle School
  • Darcy VanDam - Berg Middle School
  • Trey Vanderlaan - Emerson Hough
  • Dana Venenga-Harper - Newton High School
  • Lucas Warner - Woodrow Wilson
  • Jake Wood - Berg Middle School
  • Skylar Young - Berg Middle School

 

     We are also excited to introduce a new face to the administrative team.  Jen Soderblom will be the new Assistant Principal at Berg Middle School.  In addition, there are a few changes within our administrative team.  Laura Sherratt will be the new Dean of Students at Newton High School, and Jim Beerends will be the full time Assistant Principal at NHS.  Laura Selover will be performing a dual role as Human Resources Director and Principal at WEST Academy.  Bret Miller will be the new Berg Middle School Principal.  Jolene Comer will take over as Principal at Aurora Heights, and Tara Zehr will be the new Principal at Emerson Hough. 

     New faces and different roles will not stop what comes next - the amazing experience our youngest members of the Cardinal Family will have on August 23, 2022, when they come back through the doors of our school buildings.  Exceptional staff members will be greeting the students, providing educational opportunities, and preparing them for the next levels of their lives.  And it is going to be awesome!!  Here in the Newton Community School District we have staff that will demonstrate a set of core values each and every day.  Our entire school community will be honest, caring, positive, fun, and supportive.  That is the Cardinal Way!

 

Welcome back! 

Tom Messinger

Superintendent, Newton Community School District 

Welcome New Teachers!

The Newton Community School District would like to extend a huge thank you to the Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce for hosting the New Teacher & Administrative Staff Welcome Luncheon at the DMACC Conference Center. 

The support from the Gold Apple, In-Kind, and Friend of Education Sponsors is greatly appreciated.  This event is a perfect example of the support given to our school district by people and organizations right here in Newton.  Our Cardinal staff are extremely lucky to be a part of this amazing community.

Learn About the EFR Program

What is EFR? Learn about this great resource offered to students, teachers, and family members. 

Meet Board Member Liz Hammerly!

Meet Liz Hammerly and learn about what she brings to the Newton Community School District Board. 

Newton Community Education Foundation

August 2022 Update

In 2021 the Berg Middle School CTE & FFA program was selected to receive an NCEF grant totaling $1,346.50.

This money was used to grow the newly formed FFA program at Berg Middle School. The funding was used to purchase a set of middle school FFA jackets for members to wear to official FFA events. Additionally, purchased with the funding was FFA paraphernalia including an FFA flag, gavel, official FFA manuals, and an officer station marker set. 

Finally, funding for was used for the registration costs and other expenses associated with the first FFA event away from the district–the Fall CTE Day. The first year with an FFA program, at Berg Middle School, was a success in part due to the resources provided by this grant. 

Over 40 middle school students joined FFA this year, installed a middle school officer team, attended numerous events and contests, and had one of the public speaking contest teams make it to the state contest this year. 

 

We are glad to thank NCEF for the grant, and its contribution to a successful year at Berg Middle School. 



Applications are now available for Free and Reduced Lunches

Learn more about our free and reduced lunch plan and how to prepare for meals this upcoming school year!

Applications will be available @ each school office & the EJH Beard Administration Center effective July 26th.  They will also be available here from the district's website. 

The pandemic guidelines, where all students received free meals, are no longer in effect.

It's important that families complete an application.  These applications not only determine free/reduced meals, but also free/reduced fees (registration, technology, etc.).

Here is the link to our Free & Reduced applications- Apply here

More info here!


See the latest updates on Middle School and High School Activities and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for daily updates on activities and results!


Board Highlights-August 8th,2022

Check out the School Board Meeting Highlights from the meeting on August 8th, here!

Did you miss our last School Board Meeting??

Our Next meeting is August 22nd, 2022 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm 

EJH Beard Administration Center - Room 105A / via ZOOM

View our eBOARDsolutions/Simbli site: Meeting Agenda & Supporting Documents

You are invited to participate in our board meetings:

In-person: EJH Beard Administration Center (1302 1st Ave W, Newton) - Conference Room 105A

via ZOOM: Joining instructions here

Meeting ID: TBD Passcode: TBD

Questions? Call Christine Dawson, Administrative Assistant at 641.792.5809 (District Office, Option 0)