Dear Grinnell Staff, Families, and Friends:

More than half a century ago, Black Americans, putting their lives on the line, pushed our country to be better, to work toward an America where they enjoy the same rights as white citizens. Today, as we look around, demonstrations across the country calling for racial equality make it very clear that Black Americans are experiencing the very same pain that motivated earlier generations to lead a multiracial movement for an America that embodies ideals we hold.

Sometimes in Grinnell, a community where we celebrate being good neighbors, and pride ourselves on looking out for each other, it can feel like we live apart from problems that people in other parts of the country are experiencing. However, people right here in Grinnell have experienced and are experiencing the same pain as Americans across the country. This is not okay. It’s not okay when Black students in our district feel pain as a result of experiences they have at school. Our public school buildings must feel like home for everyone.

Our schools must also prepare all students to live in our racially diverse United States. I have heard from numerous graduates of our district over the past couple of weeks that they are unprepared to understand what we see unfolding as a country. This is not okay. We must do better.

Earlier this week, we were honored to gather a small group of people from across our community—teachers, elected officials, business leaders, parents, students—to brainstorm together and to create partnerships that will help us move forward. In the coming weeks, this small group will grow larger, leading to initiatives in the curriculum, district training, and community-wide social engagement. We are excited about sharing plans with you as they develop.

Change will not happen overnight. But we will change and grow together. We must do this as one community.

Sincerely, 

The Grinnell-Newburg Board of Directors
Dr. Janet M. Stutz, Superintendent

Weekly Update: April 30, 2021

Dear Grinnell-Newburg Board of Education, Staff, Families, and Friends: 

Happy Friday! It is hard to believe that tomorrow will be May 1, 2021. This time of year seems to fly by as we complete the end-of-the-year assessments, lessons, and units. Spring is definitely here and another year will soon be closed as one that brought many challenges for the books. We all know how challenging this year has been through the Derecho, pandemic, and navigating COVID. The warm weather, new blooms, and bright green grass is a sign of new beginnings and hope for all of us to get back to some sort of normalcy soon.   

I continue to collaborate with our Emergency Management group to review protocols and procedures for COVID as we examine the positivity rate in our county. Our 14-day positivity rate was listed as .4%. We will continue to require masks until the end of June in our buildings, this will cover summer school, and then we will re-evaluate moving forward for next year.   

Vaccines are available to anyone 18 and older by contacting our Iowa Department of Public Health to schedule a time. Open this link here to learn more information.  Guidance for COVID from Iowa Department of Public Health You can also learn more about domestic and international travel here.

Facilities Assessment:

This past week our architects, engineers, and construction management team reviewed our facilities and will prepare a priority assessment for Board consideration.  This assessment will assist us as we evaluate our HVAC systems to prioritize air quality using ESSER relief COVID funds, learning environments and make adjustments as needed to our current maintenance plan.  

ESSER 11 and 111 Relief Funds:

The building principals will be scheduling time with the building leadership team (BLT)  at each school to review priorities for the remaining ESSER dollars. We have started a brainstorm list based upon needs for students in the areas of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) identified temporary staff positions and resources to close the achievement gap. This is one-time dollar allocation must be spent by June of 2023 for COVID mitigation and closing any instructional gaps due to COVID. Much of the allocation will go toward air quality mitigation (HVAC roughly 1.2 million) and 20% (as required however we are looking at a much higher percentage and roughly $600,000) will go toward closing the achievement gap. After the BLT teams review and provide input, we will share with the Board the recommended plan.  

Knocked Your Socks Off!

Please consider sending an email to janet.stutz@grinnell-k12.org to nominate a staff member who has knocked their socks off! Each week we continue to share these amazing stories of staff members whose nominations have been considered for the award. We have had many and will continue to share these stories throughout the school year weekly. This week we are sharing two recipients!

Jordan Smith

Jordan Smith, a High School Science teacher, has knocked his socks off! Jordan was nominated by one of his students. The nomination read, “I think he has had a great impact in the science field as an educator and has helped students understand things better than anyone else. His personality is wonderful and he makes his classes fun”. I had an opportunity to interview Mr. Smith and I asked him about what he enjoys the most about teaching his students and he shared, “I enjoy making connections with students and foster an environment that allows students to share opinions as to their opinions matter. I develop those connections so that I can help them to not only find a love for science but also to help them to find their place in the world. These connections are what I enjoy the most. My favorite units of study are those concepts that center around animal adaptations and natural selection that is science nerd stuff”.  Congratulations Mr. Smith for making an impact on your students and creating those connections for them to be prepared for our world! Way to Go! 

Kim Weber, School Nurse, you too have knocked your socks off! Kim was nominated by a colleague. Her nomination read, “She's always so awesome at how she talks to our kids when she's having to check on them for any reason! So patient, so kind. We have a student that was recently diagnosed with diabetes. Many times I've heard her teaching this child about carbs and counts, etc. She has such a unique way of educating them about their situation without it seeming scary or like they are being punished in any sort of way. I've even heard her teach a child how to count the number of seconds for an insulin shot in Spanish. :) She comes over and helps us with any medical issue we need her help with. She keeps our health plans current, fields our questions and concerns. I mostly just love the way she talks to the students no matter what the issue or illness is. She's truly wonderful to work with”! 

Golf Photos: Take a look at our Tiger Golfers as they swing into action!   

Tigers Track Team in Action as they host GHS senior night at home!

Photos Courtesy of The Grinnell Herald-Register

Coach Schultz! We wish you all the best as you look forward to retirement! Thank you for your service to our students! Way to go coach!   

Soccer 

GMS Students participate in a virtual choir experience!  

Below is the YouTube link for the Real Men Sing Virtual Choir that several 7th and 8th Grade GMS students sang in. Wartburg College sponsored the event and students throughout Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin participated. The students are singing "The Awakening" by Joseph M. Martin. Photo collage of all of the GMS students who participated.  

Watch the performance below via this link!  

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3blSP7gJ1g

Upcoming Events:

Have an awesome weekend!

Janet

Interested in volunteering for the Grinnell-Newburg Schools?  There are many ways that you can help to enrich the educational experiences of our students through volunteering.  From reading to a class, to volunteer coaching, to helping out with activities, there is something for everyone. 

Applicants would need to submit a volunteer application and a background check.  Please download the documents and email them to Judy Smith at judy.smith@grinnell-k12.org.  Please call 641-236-2700 with questions. 

Thank you for your interest in volunteering!