Red Pride Review- March 12th, 2021

A NOTE FROM TOM MESSINGER

March 12, 2021

Cardinals,

Spring Break is here and there is no school until Monday, March 22, 2021. Once we come back to school, we have a short time left and want everyone to buckle down and end this year on a high note. The last day of school for students is Friday, June 4, 2021. We continue to have no early dismissal for students on Monday’s for the remainder of the school year. This is to make up the days missed in January and February due to inclement weather. Our year is winding down but we still have a lot to accomplish.

With time off from school, we realize many people will be enjoying a break from the routine. There are just a few reminders for students and staff as we come back to school after Spring Break:

• if you are feeling sick - stay at home,
• wear a mask when you return to school, and
• continue to wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.

The Newton Community School District will continue to track our numbers and make them available on the dashboard of the Return to Learn website. Currently from our students and staff we have 5 individuals who are positive with COVID-19, 10 people quarantined due to positive exposure, and 6 waiting for test results. This is down from 6 positives, 21 quarantined, and 33 waiting for test results from one month ago, and 27 positives, 78 quarantined, and 44 waiting for test results in November 2020. We are in a position to finish strong, but we need the cooperation and support of everyone.  

It’s been a great experience seeing how Red Pride brings everyone together to make the most of a difficult situation. It has been exciting to witness the determination of our students, families, staff, and community supporting the learning of our young people. Don’t let up. Keep moving forward. And don’t forget - Red Pride Lives Here!!



Yours Truly, 

Tom Messinger 

Newton Community School District Superintendent 

Teachers Working With Remote Learners

It has been a unique year, but teachers are still giving it their all in the classroom and virtually. We have greatly appreciated their dedication to students and Newton Community Schools. Check out what is like for teachers leading remote learners. 

High School Bowling Team

Congrats to the High School Bowling team for a great season! Learn a little more about the team, their journey, and how they have made a home at Cardinal Lanes! 

TEACHER FEATURE 

Meet Rachel Tomas, she is an instructional coach at Thomas Jefferson Elementary school. With years of experience to share with students and teacher alike, Rachel brings a level of knowledge and caring to TJ that is appreciated by all that have the chance to work with her!

March 23rd

• Track & Field: Boys Varsity Scrimmage vs. Ankeny Centennial @ Ankeny Centennial High School
• HS- National Honor Society Induction Ceremony: HS Auditorium (7:00pm-9:00pm)

March 25th

• High School Boys Basketball Banquet: MS Cafeteria - (6:30pm-8:30pm)

March 26th

• Soccer: Boys JV and Varsity Scrimmage vs. Carlisle @ Carlisle High School (TBD)
• HS- Cafe Production: High School Auditorium (7:00pm-10:00pm)

Upcoming Academic Calendar Dates

• March 12th-19th - Spring Break
  • All District
• March 15th- Grab and Go Meals
  • Free (No Sign up Required)
  • 11am-12:30pm
• March 22nd- District; Board Meeting (6:30pm-9 pm)
  • EJH Beard Administration Center - Room 105A / via ZOOM
• March 23rd- Start of 3rd Trimester WEST Academy)

GRAB AND GO MEALS

Monday, March 15th from 11:00 am - 12:30 pm

Our Food Service Department will be providing Grab and Go Meals for Spring Break. Be sure to pick up FREE meal packs for your enrolled students!

Check out the School Board meeting highlights from the meeting on March 8th, 2021 here!

Looking for School Improvement Advisory Committee Members

The Newton Community School District is needing the assistance of parents, community members, students, and staff. It’s that time of year when the Cardinal Community is charged by the Newton CSD School Board to convene a School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC) in order to strengthen the student enrollment inNewton. Morespecifically,theNewtonCommunitySchoolDistrictBoardofDirectors has set a bold, but achievable, goal to improve the net open enrollment for the Newton Community School District by 3.25% of the total enrollment. Achieving this goal may take 3-5 years to meet.

All school districts in Iowa must utilize a SIAC to make recommendations to the Board about the following components:

1. Major educational needs

2. Student learning goals

3. Curriculum, assessment and instruction

4. Long range and annual goals that include, but are not limited to, the state

indicators that address reading, mathematics, and science achievement

5. Bullying and harassment prevention goals

6. Any other issues which relate to school improvement.

This year, we are asking for your help to find ways to reduce our open enrollment deficit by finding our characteristics of success, identifying the ways to meet the needs of our community’s children, and forming or improving our relationships with families and with the community.

We have two meetings on our calendar this spring: April 21 & May 5 from 5:00 - 6:30 PM to be held at the EJH Beard Administration Center (1302 1st Ave W). A meal will be provided. Following our second SIAC meeting, recommendations will be presented to the school board. We want you to be a part of this. If you have interest in joining the SIAC please complete the survey below. We are seeking around 30 volunteers. We are not asking for a long term commitment from people - the membership in SIAC will be renewed each year. Let your Red Pride show!

Take The Survey HERE! 

Have A Happy Spring Break!