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Weekly Update: April 23, 2021

Weekly Update: April 23, 2021

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

Happy Friday! Spring is trying to emerge from the winter’s grasp and let’s hope this weekend it finally breaks through. I hope that this weekly update finds you and your family well and looking forward to the final 6 weeks of school. It is amazing how quickly time has gone by. It certainly has been a challenging year, however with those challenges we seek ways to navigate positively as we take care of each other, ourselves, and our students. Thank you to all who have been supporting us through these difficult times.   

Spring Sports! We love seeing our Tigers in action on the fields. Keep taking those photos and send them to amber.robson@grinnell-k12.org  

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!

Kevin Hosbond: 

Kevin Hosbond, High School English Teacher and Speech Sponsor! Kevin has knocked off his socks in many ways to support our Tiger students, staff, and families! It was wonderful to have an opportunity to listen to what brings Kevin joy in teaching and his desire to bring new ideas to his classroom for students to learn and grow. Kevin’s nomination stated, “Kevin Hosbond knocks his socks off on a regular basis. Mr. Hosbond’s ability to build relationships with his students and other staff is a model that we should all emulate. His positivity and ability to problem-solve solutions and bring people together creates a positive work environment. Mr. Hosbond has the ability to find solutions through challenging situations. His stories help others to come together, ideas to resolve challenges, and hope for all is why I recommend him for this nomination. We are grateful to have him as a teacher, Speech coach, and colleague. We are so glad that he joined our Tiger Family''!  Mr. Hosbond shared, “I have been teaching for 20 years, this is only my second district, and I enjoy what I do. I especially enjoy learning from other leaders and bring those ideas back to my classroom. I search for innovative ways through new ideas that have been shared with me and adapt them so that students can have incredible experiences. We have had to find a lot of ways to adapt this year. The opportunity to be innovative this year came out of learning how to adapt. I enjoy teaching not only my students but also adults through professional development not only in Grinnell, but I also had the opportunity to present at state and national events. I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to use those skills that I have learned from so many others and bring them here”. Way to go Kevin!      

Kathy Peterson, you too have knocked your socks off! Kathy is a first-grade teacher at Fairview Elementary School. She has been in first grade her entire career! Kathy will be retiring this school year and we will miss her dearly. Her soft voice, bright smile, and calming demeanor have created a learning environment in which children love to come to school and be in her classroom. Kathy stated, “I love first grade. I really want my children to come to school knowing that it is a safe place where they are loved and cared for by everyone around them. If they are happy, that is how they will learn best. I love to see the kids be proud of themselves and feel that sense of accomplishment. If that can happen, then I know that I have done my job”! Kathy also shared how grateful she was for the support from so many who assisted online learners during challenging times. She shared that although she knows it has been a tough year, she feels that it has been one of the best due to everyone coming together to problem solve and figure it out for our students. Kathy was nominated by a parent of an online student who is grateful for all of the hard work and effort to assist their student.  

CatchLife 30 Participants:

Congratulations to our 79 staff members who have completed the 30-day challenge toward an enriched healthy lifestyle. Staff members focused on social and emotional well-being, hydration, exercise, sleep, and eating three vegetables and two fruits daily. We have collected some data about how the staff made progress over the 30 days and we are excited to share this information with district staff members in hopes that more staff will want to join the second round and keep it going. Way to go Tigers!

Summer Slick Program:

The Grinnell-Newburg School District is excited to offer the Summer SLICK program again summer for Kindergarten through 4th-grade students.  We are looking to provide targeted reading instruction and enrichment opportunities to students in fun and engaging ways!  The program will utilize the free summer breakfast and lunch program and will be housed out of Davis Elementary.  Additional activities and programming will be provided by the Blank Park Zoo, the Science Center of Iowa, Drake Community Library, etc.  First-round invitations have been delivered and are due back no later than Monday, May 3rd.  After that, we will be opening up the program to any student and family until the program is filled.  Please also watch out for enrichment opportunities available for students in grades K-12 coming in the next few weeks. Please contact Brian Conway or Lisa York with any questions about the program at the contact information listed below.

• brian.conway@grinnell-k12.org

• lisa.york@grinnell-k12.org

COVID Vaccine Update from IDPH:

• COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics Offered at Public Health (April 21_Call Public Health to Schedule a COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment)

  • Persons 18 years of age and older can call Poweshiek County Public Health (PCPH) to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment. Appointments can be scheduled by calling (641) 236-2385, Option 2, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments can only be reserved when speaking with a live scheduler; please do not leave voice messages.

Additional Resource:

• Vaccinate Iowa – Statewide Vaccine Availability Resource

Don’t forget to check out the Virtual Backpack!

Upcoming Events:

Have a wonderful weekend! Spring is here!

Janet