Weekly Update: February 17th 2023
Weekly Update: February 17th, 2023
Dear Grinnell Newburg Board of Education, Staff, Families, and Friends:
Happy Friday! Our Grinnell Tigers are having a fantastic week! Take a look below at all of the activities that our students are participating in and their success stories. Congratulations to all participants!
Please mark your calendars for the upcoming election on March 7, 2023. Information regarding the polling place for Grinnell-Newburg School District Families is listed below.
Just a reminder, there is no school this Monday, February 20, 2023. It is an identified holiday for the district!
Snow day makeup! At this time, the makeup days for certified staff will be on May 30-31. Paraprofessionals will make up one day on the April 3 PD day and one day on May 30. Students will not have days to make up at this time. Let’s hope the snow season will soon be behind us.
GHS Debate
The GHS Debate Team had an exceptional performance at the East Iowa District Tournament on Friday and Saturday. All four Grinnell's Public Forum teams finished in the top half of the field, posting a combined record of 12-7. Peter Simpson & Kiran Jones finished in the top two and qualified for the NSDA National Tournament in June!
March 7th Election:
The Grinnell-Newburg School District is holding a special election on March 7, 2023. The tax rate will remain the same.
This one ballot question asks our voters to approve an additional $.67 Physical Plant and Equipment Property Tax and Income Surtax (PPEL) Levy. However, this WILL NOT RAISE THE OVERALL TAX RATE OF THE DISTRICT since the board will reduce the Management Levy by $.67. PPEL revenues may only be used for facility improvements and will be used for necessary school building work.
You may cast your vote on March 7, 2023, at the Elk's Lodge for Poweshiek County school district residents, or at The Kellogg City Hall, for Jasper County school district residents. The Polling Places are open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Please contact Dr. Janet M. Stutz ( janet.stutz@grinnell-k12.org), or Lisa Briggs (lisa.briggs@grinnell-k12.org)
Solo/Ensemble at GMS
The Solo Ensemble at GMS last week was a huge success, and the community was deeply impressed with the talent our students showcased.
GHS Swimming
The boys' swim team had three good performances at the state meet on Friday and Saturday.
Justin Durr re-broke his school record in the 200 IM.
The 200 Medley Relay (Jeff Sieck, Isaac Rhinehart, Justin Durr, Brody Petig) dropped a few tenths to go 1:42.83 which is only .5 off the school record set last year. They finished 21st.
The 200 Free Relay (Jeff Sieck, Isaac Rhinehart, Justin Durr, Brody Petig) had a clean race and competed well. They finished 22nd.
State Wrestling:
Way to go to our GHS Wrestlers at State this week in Des Moines - Max Mintle (152) lost his first match, won his second, and is in the 3rd place consolation bracket; Logan McDonald won his first match, lost his 2nd, won his 3rd match, and lost in the consolation bracket; Gene Blalock won his 1st two matches, lost his third and is now in the consolation bracket.
GHS Girls Basketball Team:
Saturday @ 7:00 PM versus Vinton-Shellsburg will be held at home. A win will pave the way for State.
Six GHS Large Group Speech groups will participate in the IHSSA All-State Festival in Ames Saturday! Be sure that you purchase your ticket ahead of time: The schedule and tickets can be found here: https://www.ihssa.org/
Community Information
Legislative Coffees
The League of Women Voters will host the first of two Legislative Coffees on March 4th from 10 AM to 11 AM at Drake Community Library and via Zoom. The event will be moderated by Terese Grant who will convey questions supplied by the audience before and at the event as time allows. The second Coffee will be on April 1st.
Representative Dean Fisher (House District 53) will make a brief remark and then answer questions on issues expected to be considered by the Iowa Legislature in the current session.
If you will be joining via Zoom please register in advance for The Coffee using this link (also available at the Grinnell League of Women Voters Facebook page): https://us02web.zoom.us/
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. This same link will work for both Coffees.
We encourage you to submit questions in advance to GrinnellLWV@gmail.com. The deadline for submitting questions via email is 5 PM on Thursday, March 2nd, so that the event host has time to organize the questions. Questions will not be shared with anyone before the Coffee. Attendees will also be able to write down questions at the event or post questions in the Zoom chat while the event is underway, but priority will be given to questions submitted in advance.
Legislative Coffees are sponsored by the League of Women Voters and the Grinnell Chamber of Commerce to provide residents the opportunity to learn about current legislative proposals as well as to ask questions and raise concerns.
The event will be recorded. The recording belongs to the LWV, and we respectfully ask that others not record the event.
Grinnell Community Theater Lion King Jr. Auditions
Grinnell Community Theater is hosting auditions for Lion King Jr on Saturday, February 25th, from 1:00 to 5:00 pm at the Loft Theater at 926 Broad Street for students grades 2-8. For more information, check out the flyer here.
Pancake Dinner
SHE Counts is having a Pancake Dinner fundraiser for the 1st Gen scholarship on Feb. 20th from 5-7 pm at West Side Diner. They are looking for volunteers to help serve and clean up. If you are looking for service hours, this would be a great opportunity. Here is a sign up link for students.
For more information, check out the flyer here.
Light Up the Night Dance:
The Daddy Daughter’s dance is quickly approaching. Be sure to look at the flyer below for ticket purchases and information!
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!
The activities calendar can be found here for further information regarding school events in the upcoming weeks.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
Janet