Weekly Update: February 3rd, 2023
Weekly Update: February 3rd, 2023
Dear Grinnell Newburg Board of Education, Staff, Families, and Friends:
Happy Friday! February has certainly approached us quickly! The cold weather will hopefully leave the area later this weekend. On very cold days like this, I collaborate with area superintendents about road conditions, temperatures, and winds. We were fortunate this morning, although very cold that our area did not produce the wind as it did north of us, which created ice on roadways from blowing snow. Typically if the windchill becomes an extremely dangerous warning, we will delay or close school. For every incident, I evaluate the weather in the evening and very early in the morning before deciding.
PPEL VOTE March 7, 2023 Election is not a tax increase!
On March 7, 2023, we will ask our public through a vote at the polls to increase our PPEL by $0.67. Please know that this $0.67 will be coming from our Management Levy. Therefore it is a transfer of allocation, not an increase to the taxpayer. This will assist us in having dollars in the right fund to address building needs. Thank you for heading out to vote this March 7. Please know that if you have any questions regarding this election, please contact Lisa Briggs or me. For more information, you can view this document here: PPEL Vote FY23
Staff makeup day from fog day:
At this time, students will not have to make up the day from the extreme fog. Paraprofessionals will make the day up at the April Professional development training, and certified staff will make up the day on May 30, 2023.
2023-2024 Academic Calendar:
The 2023-2024 Academic Calendar has been posted on the website. It can be found by clicking the calendar tab at the top of the website, followed by the academic calendar, and then 2023-2024 Academic Calendar.
To review next year’s calendar, click here.
100th Day of School:
Another Fun Day filled with counting!
Chris Varney:
Congratulations to our very own Chris Varney from KGRN for being awarded The Sports Media Award by the Iowa High School Athletic Directors Association for “Promoting Sportsmanship, Ideals, Competition, and Standards through Athletics that Contributes to the Youth of our State.”
Grinnell Middle School Basketball:
7th and 8th-grade boys basketball teams vs. Lynnville-Sully. Both Tiger teams earned the win!
GHS Writers:
Hooray for GHS writers and artists! Three GHS students have received recognition and awards for their work in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards competition.
Emily Cooper received a Silver Key for her Dramatic Script, "Shades of Love."
Owen Shepardson received a Silver Key for his poem, "The Wandering, Wandering Infinite."
Deja Tucker received an Honorable Mention for her painting, "Ablution."
Congratulations to all!
High School Debate:
Congratulations to Grinnell's Congressional Debaters for their strong performance at the East Iowa District Qualifier Tournament on Saturday. Kiran Elfenbein finished in 3rd place out of 20 debaters in the House, and Kaia Chang Roper finished in 5th place out of 11 debaters in the Senate.
Ali Wood At Girls’ State Wrestling!
A season of firsts came to an end for junior Ali Wood. She was eliminated after day one of the IGHSAU State Wrestling Tournament on Thursday. We are so proud of you, Ali!
Ali wrapped up her inaugural season with a 25-16 record.
Grinnell Middle School Band Takes Iowa City:
GMS students participated in the SEIBA Honor Band. The concert was at the Voxman Music building in Iowa City. Great job representing Grinnell Middle School
Variety Show/Basketball Night:
Last night's activities were hopping at GHS with Girls' and Boys' basketball against Pella and the GHS variety show. Here are a few memorable moments.
Legislative Coffees:
The Grinnell LWV is once again hosting Legislative Coffees in the morning on March 4th and April 1st in person at the Drake Community Library and on Zoom.
For more information, click the following link to the news release in the virtual backpack.
Davis Food Drive: Donations for MICA
Beginning January 30th - February 17th:
Boxes are at the Drake Library, Grinnell Mutual, the Grinnell chamber, Hy-vee, and the Grinnell Newburg school office. Please donate canned foods or other items.
Don’t want to donate food items? Checks can be made payable to “G-N Schools” and dropped off at the district office (925 Broad Street) or Davis Elementary (818 Hamilton Ave). Students will purchase items with donated dollars.
For more information, click here.
Tunes & Treats:
Don’t miss out on ths special event this evening! Listen to some amazing music and enjoy a few treats!
Band Boosters:
The Grinnell Band Boosters will sponsor the "Tunes & Treats" Jazz Band Concert and Dessert Night. The event will take place on Friday, Feb. 3, starting at 5:30 p.m. in the GHS Auditorium. The Band Boosters will have individual, and family-sized bagged desserts available for purchase at the conclusion of the concert. These fundraising efforts will go towards middle school and high school contest entry fees, future uniform purchases, and other needs in the band department. If you are interested in helping with bringing a dessert to sell at the event, please click the following link: Sign up for Treats.
The Grinnell Middle School Jazz Band will begin at 5:30. Their set will include Rock Melon by Tim Fisher, The Funky Monkey by Rick Stitzel, and Come Fly With Me arranged by Rick Stitzel. The Grinnell High School Jazz Band will follow the GMS Band and will perform Puddle Jumpin' by Kris Berg, Always and Forever, composed by Pat Metheny and arranged by Robert Curnow, and Manteca, arranged by Mike Tomaro. Please come support the MS and HS Jazz Bands and the Grinnell Band program for the 2023 "Tunes & Treats" Jazz Band Concert and Dessert night!
Poweshiek County Community Impact Survey Information:
I’m writing to formally invite you to participate in a survey as part of The Poweshiek County Community Impact Feasibility Study. This is an exciting initiative being conducted by Central Iowa Shelter and Services (CISS), Poweshiek County, and the City of Grinnell, designed to consider how to best address poverty and homelessness in Poweshiek County. CISS is Iowa’s largest low-barrier shelter and the lead agency for coordinating housing services within the 15-county Rolling Hills Coalition, of which Poweshiek County is included.
Iowa-based partner, SHYFT, is conducting this initial comprehensive survey to reach as many community members as possible for their input. Additionally, we kindly ask that you please forward this email/share the survey link with others.
This survey is being used to discover as many of the potential community needs as possible. Below is a link to the survey that provides further information. It’s ~25 questions and intended to take roughly 7-10 minutes. The survey is anonymous. It cannot be paused, so please allow for the anticipated time. The survey will be open and available from 1/23 – 2/10.
Poweshiek County Community Impact Feasibility Study
Virtual Backpack:
If you are looking for an opportunity to get your student connected in the community, be sure to check out the Virtual Backpack. There are a lot of new flyers on the backpack. Be sure to take a look!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
Janet