A surge in student hunger — brought on by the suspension of a federal food assistance program beginning Saturday — will manifest as crisis in classrooms, decreased academic performance and increased behavioral challenges, Iowa school leaders say.
Johnson STEAM Academy arts integration coordinator Christina Farrell is guiding educators at the Cedar Rapids elementary school in infusing art into their lessons daily.
At Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids, the kitchen is a “maze” said Dana Visek, one of the kitchen managers at the school. More preparation space is needed, and meals are served on single-use plates because the high school does not have a dishwasher. All dishes used for cooking and serving are washed by hand in a three hole sink.
A $117 million school bond referendum — created with more than a year of community input — is headed to voters in the Cedar Rapids school district Nov. 4.
Students at Johnson STEAM Academy in Cedar Rapids painted a snow plow blade as part of a program that decorates city plows ahead of the winter season. Crews will use the blade on roads near the locations that created the artwork and give people a chance to see the artwork in action.
The Cedar Rapids City Council has signaled early intent to rezone the land around a former elementary school for a planned apartment development.
A Gazette reader wondered what the bomb shelter is used for today and whether government-supplied rations are still stored there.
Also in this week’s Government Notes roundup, the League of Women Voters of Linn County will host a Cedar Rapids school board candidate forum this week.
The Gazette asked candidates for Cedar Rapids school board why they’e running for office, their thoughts on College & Career Pathways, and how they will be responsive to the public if they’re elected in November.
Erskine Elementary Principal Alexis Pieper spent Monday working from the school’s roof after the students and the PTA met a goal of raising $15,000 for the Walk N’ Rock fundraiser earlier in the month.
Former Congressman Rod Blum suspends his campaign for Iowa’s open 2nd District U.S. House seat, while new attack ads target Iowa Republicans over wind energy tax credits, health care costs and the federal shutdown.
After the arrest of former Des Moines schools superintendent Ian Roberts over questions about his immigration and work authorization status, Gov. Kim Reynolds ordered all state agencies to use federal verification systems to confirm employment and licensing eligibility. The move has reignited debate over whether Iowa should mandate E-Verify statewide — and how reliable the system really is.
Three Cedar Rapids middle schools were rejected as satellite voting sites — a temporary absentee voting location available before Election Day — because of accessibility issues.
Cedar Rapids school board members are evaluating the way they communicate and developing a plan for “concrete, immediate improvements” including asking questions and having more in-depth discussions in public at the board table.
Funding transportation for field trips, providing meals for teachers during parent-teacher conferences and hosting school carnivals are just a few of the ways “small but mighty” parent teacher groups support their schools.
Daily Newsletters