Grinnell High School
Grinnell Middle School
Davis Elementary School
Bailey Park Elementary School
Fairview Elementary School
each named as Apple Distinguished School
Grinnell, Iowa September, 2021 — Grinnell-Newburg Community Schools is pleased to announce that every school building in the district has been recognized as an Apple
Distinguished School for 2021-2024 for our emphasis and the ability to empower our students as learners who can achieve at their maximum potential.
Apple Distinguished Schools are centers of innovation, leadership, and educational excellence. They use Apple technology to connect students to the world, fuel creativity, deepen
collaboration, and make learning personal.
“I have learned so much about the integration of online learning during one of the most challenging times in education. My ability to reach students has changed the way I think about teaching and learning. I will never go back to my old way of teaching”.
- Jonathan Kotz, 4 th Grade Teacher
The selection of each school in the Grinnell-Newburg School District as an Apple Distinguished School highlights our success in creating an innovative and compelling learning environment that engages students and provides tangible evidence of academic achievement.
The Grinnell-Newburg Community School District, located in rural Iowa, is a school district that is transforming education for students who live surrounded by farm country. The Grinnell Community rallies to support our students through various educational partnerships to not only live in a connected world, but to also be connected to the world. Innovation, especially during the time of a pandemic, became evident as we navigated lessons to reach destinations for our students beyond the rural 224 square miles within the boundaries of the district. Living in rural Iowa, the Grinnell Newburg School District found a way to create equitable access for students to develop critical thinking so that they are prepared to compete in a global economy.
Press contact: Dr. Janet M. Stutz
School representative: Title: Superintendent
Phone: 641-236-2700
Email: janet.stutz@grinnell-k12.org
I hope that this weekly update finds you well! This is just a reminder that next week is a short week, and fall break will be November 24-26. Students will return to school on Monday, November 29, 2021. I hope that you find time to spend time with family and friends during the break! Stay well!
Report Cards will either be sent home for K-4 students or available via Infinite Campus for 5-12 on Tuesday. Middle School and High School students' report cards will receive a notification that their student’s grades are available on Infinite Campus. If you need a copy of the report card, please contact the counseling office.
Our school district has requested a Needs Assessment Survey conducted by the Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB). The survey is designed to help us assess our strengths and areas of needed improvement, with a focus on improved student achievement. We would like your opinions and judgments in response to the brief survey linked below. The survey takes an average of 9 minutes to complete. All responses are anonymous.
Just click the link below, or paste it in your browser and follow the instructions. Thank you for your participation and helping to make improvements for our students. Please reply with any questions.
Please join me in welcoming the Grinnell-Newburg Board of Education newly elected Board Members: Roger Belcher, Chris Starrett, Laurel Tuggle Lacina (second term), and Tyler Harter. These members were sworn into office and took their seats to serve our community this past Wednesday, November 17. They join current Board members Steve Sieck, President, Dustin Smith, Vice President, and Emily Guenther. Congratulations!
School board members sit on a number of committees, which advise the district in areas of policy, curriculum and instruction, and planning. These committees may be made up of parents, members of the community, faculty, administration, and in most cases, members of the Board. All sessions for the following committees are open to the public, but public input is not generally solicited during committee meetings.
Facilities Advisory Committee
This advisory committee considers long range planning for facilities and other elements of facility development and construction in order to make sound recommendations to the Board.
Dustin Smith, Roger Belcher, Tyler Harter
Finance Advisory Committee
This advisory committee considers district finances and business practices/procedures. This includes various school district financial funds, administrative salaries, negotiations, and any other financial topics needing Board review or action.
Steve Sieck, Chris Starret, Dustin Smith
Policy Advisory Committee
This advisory committee reviews policy, recommends changes and oversees the three year cycle for policies. Changes recommended by the advisory committee are presented to the Board of Directors for approval.
Emily Guenther, Tyler Harter, Roger Belcher
Curriculum Advisory Committee
This advisory committee reviews curriculum, recommends changes, and oversees curriculum processes. Changes recommended by the advisory committee are presented to the Board of Directors for approval.
Laurel Tuggle-Lacina, Steve Sieck, Tyler Harter
School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC)
This committee considers curriculum, staff development, student achievement, and other similar topics that may be acted upon by the Board of Directors.
Laurel Tuggle-Lacina
Organization Committees
The following committees include representation from the Board of Education. Board members attend, participate in meetings, and provide reports to the Grinnell-Newburg Board of Education.
These meetings are not necessarily open to the
public.
Calendar Committee Board representative: Roger Belcher, Steve Sieck
Iowa Association of School Boards Delegate: Steve Sieck
Safety and Crisis Planning Committee Board representative: Laurel Tuggle-Lacina, Chris Starrett
GNSF Representative: Emily Guenther
Chamber representative: Janet Stutz
Booster Liaison: Dustin Smith
The Varsity Debate Team won the Central Iowa Debate League Championship last night! Your Tigers defeated the Norwalk Warriors 6-2, with Ella Stephens and Iris Mackenzie winning four ballots and Timo Mobley-Benoist and Alexander Crites winning two ballots. In addition, Iris Mackenzie and Alexander Crites were Varsity All-Conference selections, and Peter Simpson, Kiran Elfenbein, and Brittany Kifer were JV All-Conference award winners. Congratulations to all!
The REDI (Reimagining Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) Committee will be giving away holiday book bundles (while supplies last!) featuring various holidays and traditions to encourage diversity education. The table will be located near the Grinnell-Newburg School District Office from 5-7 pm tonight. These books are supported by a grant to Grinnell College from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Come visit the REDI table at Jingle Bell Holiday!
Enjoy the photos of happenings around the district below! Enjoy your weekend. There will not be a weekly update distributed Next week! Enjoy your long Fall Break!
Enjoy your weekend!
Sincerely,
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 Jill Haacke at jill.haacke@grinnell-k12.org. Please call 641-236-2700 with questions.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering!
