‘Make Your Mark’: Fifth, sixth-graders break in new Prairie Creek Intermediate School

CEDAR RAPIDS — Fifth-grader Vashon Whittaker confidently walked into school Wednesday at Prairie Creek Intermediate ready to do what he loves best — learn math and motivate other people, his mother said.

“He likes to cheer people up, solve their problems and make sure everyone has a good day,” Vashon’s mother, Lisa Whittaker, said with a smile outside the newly opened fifth- and sixth-grade school.

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She said she has experienced teachers who “go over and beyond the call of duty” In the College Community School District. ”It’s not just a job for them,“ she said. ”They treat every child as if it’s their child.“

Prairie Creek Intermediate School, 8451 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids, was constructed as part of a facility plan to meet the demands of a growing student body in the district. It was part of a $54 million bond that was overwhelmingly approved by College Community district voters in March 2020.

“It’s hectic and scary, but exciting to be in a new school building,” said sixth-grader Madeline DeBerg, 11. “It’s very new and clean.”

Prairie Creek Intermediate has the capacity for 1,200 fifth and sixth-graders, whereas the previous building had outgrown its 700-student capacity. That previous building, formerly known as Prairie Creek, will be renovated this year in to a ninth-grade center.

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Prairie Creek Intermediate has eight “neighborhoods” or “pods” that each hold about four classrooms of the same grade level with a common space, lockers and restrooms. This makes it easy to “zone out and focus on learning” instead of having to worry about navigating a large building, Madeline said.

A couple of her favorite subjects are science and social studies, and Madeline said her science teacher told her they were going to get to do some fun experiments this year.

Not all school districts have an intermediate school model where fifth- and sixth-graders have the opportunity to become more independent before they enter middle and high school, where they regularly transition from one class to another.

But the “neighborhood” school model is becoming more common. The Cedar Rapids Community School District opened two new elementary schools called West Willow and Maple Grove designed similarly, as did the Linn-Mar Community School District.

Prairie Creek Principal Jen McDonnell said it’s unusual to lead a school where half the students are new every year. She gets to know them by “being present,” she said.

Kids also find ways to connect with her. McDonnell even has had students make appointments with her to discuss their ideas, such as that “PE should be every day for three hours,” she said with a laugh.

McDonnell said there’s a “lot of pride” in the new Prairie Creek building. The theme of the building this year is “make your mark,” McDonnell said. It’s the idea that kids are starting to make their mark on the world.

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“It’s awesome to watch, at this school, kids come in holding the hand of an adult and walk out confident in the belief of who they are and will become as young adults,” McDonnell said. “I really do believe fifth and sixth grade is a time in life that is transformational.”

Amber Williams, a sixth grade literacy teacher at Prairie Creek Intermediate, said she hopes students leave her class at the end of the school year feeling “empowered,” knowing how to effectively communicate and advocate for themselves.

“For students at any age it can feel scary talking out loud or writing a paper and reading it to the class,” Williams said. “As you get older, communication in all forms is the key to success. You have to communicate with other people your dreams, desires, hopes, challenges, humility and accountability.”

One way Williams teaches this to her students is by being open with them about the mistakes she makes. “I may misspeak or write things incorrectly. Failure is part of the learning process,” she said.

Megan Hempstead, a fifth grade literacy teacher, said she feels “spoiled” in the new school building.

“Going from a space that sometimes felt congested to a space that is open and welcoming is really beautiful,” said Hempstead, adding that it can help the students better focus on learning when they’re in a more comfortable environment.

First of the last days at Starry Elementary

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At Starry Elementary School in Marion, educators Wednesday welcomed kindergarten, first and second-graders to their last first day of school in the building, 700 S. 15th St.

The 63-year-old elementary school will be replaced next fall by Parkview Elementary School, which is under construction at 101 Third Ave., Marion.

Rebecca Von Behren has taught at Starry for 20 years. She currently is a reading teacher, providing extra academic support to students who need it based on scores on a standardized test called the Formative Assessment System for Teachers (FAST).

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Knowing it’s her last year in the building is “bittersweet,” said Von Behren, who has taught only at Starry, even as a student teacher while at the University of Northern Iowa.

“This has been my home,” she said. “Never in my life did I dream I would be in a new building, but to see it happening is so exciting for the kids, families, staff and community.”

The new school is part of a $36 million facilities plan funded by a $31 million school bond referendum approved by Marion Independent School District voters in March 2021. The additional $4 million come from an existing statewide penny sales tax.

Under the plan, Starry Elementary will be renovated — possibly to serve as an extension of Marion High School.

While Von Behren is cherishing her last school year at Starry, she is looking forward to “taking the people, kids, families and staff” with here to Parkview next year.

Comments: (319) 398-8411; grace.king@thegazette.com

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