Future Ready Today: District Newsletter April 9

Future Ready Today: District Newsletter April 30

In this historic episode of Future Ready Today, Isabelle and Justin break down the Cedar Rapids Community School District’s "Path Forward" following the Board of Education’s landmark vote on April 27, 2026. We dive deep into what the new Intermediate School Model (Grades 5–6) means for your students, the details of the approved school consolidations, and the transition timeline that gives families a full year to prepare for the 2027-2028 changes. Beyond the headlines, we celebrate a staggering week of student excellence. From the Jefferson Academic Decathlon team’s 2nd-place finish in the nation to Kennedy’s dominance at the Drake Relays and the innovative "Art as Activism" journey to Chicago, our students are proving that excellence happens every day in CRCSD. We also welcome new leadership to Grant Wood Elementary, share the much-anticipated graduation schedule, and look ahead to a well-deserved long weekend for our students.

Future Ready Today: District Newsletter April 23

We are in a season of "full circle" moments in Cedar Rapids. As we look toward the final Board of Education vote on school boundaries, we also celebrate the traditions that make our district home. In this episode: * The Defining Moment: Dr. Lannin previews the April 27th Board meeting and explains why the "Strategic Redesign" is focused on 2027 and beyond. * Senior Walks: The Class of 2026 heads back to where it all began to inspire the next generation. * Be a Hero: Celebrating School Lunch Hero Day and an invitation to drive a bus at the "Yellow Bus Experience" on May 1st. * Safety First: A recap of National Youth Violence Prevention Week and the "Peace Pledge" taken by our secondary students. * Annual Verification: Why it’s time to update your Infinite Campus portal to stay connected. 📅 Key Dates: * April 27: Board of Education Meeting (Boundary & Consolidation Vote). * April 30: GreenState Give & Grow Match Deadline. * May 1: NO SCHOOL (Teacher Directed Day) & School Lunch Hero Day. * May 1: Yellow Bus Experience at Kingston Stadium (9 AM - 3 PM).

Future Ready Today: District Newsletter April 16

In this pivotal episode, we dive into the formal recommendations for the future of our schools and celebrate the outstanding achievements of our staff, students, and volunteers. With no school for students tomorrow (Friday, April 17th), we’re taking a moment to look at the big picture for the Cedar Rapids Community School District. In this episode: * The Future of Our Boundaries: We break down the official recommendation of Boundary Scenario #2 for the 2027–2028 school year. Learn why this clockwise rotation was chosen over other proposals to ensure long-term stability, balanced enrollment, and true feeder patterns for our students. * Have Your Say: A major call to action regarding the In-District Permit Survey. We discuss how families can help shape the process for attending schools outside their neighborhood during this transition. * Award-Winning Educators: A huge congratulations to Avery Anderson (Harrison@Madison Elementary) for being named Orchestra Iowa’s Music Teacher of the Year! * The Heart of Service: We recap the Volunteer Recognition Award Ceremony and celebrate Jenna Jandik, our District’s Outstanding Volunteer and nominee for the 2026 Iowa Governor’s Award. * Innovation & Excellence: * Learn about our recent STEM BEST Explore Awards bringing cybersecurity, robotics, and national park conservation to our students. * Our Finance Team hits a home run with the ASBO Certificate of Excellence, proving our commitment to transparency and fiscal responsibility. * Glance Around the District: From 6th-grade blood structure studies at McKinley to "Frog Prince Day" at Cleveland and a massive 6th-grade pickleball tournament at Taft, we highlight the magic happening in our classrooms. 📅 Key Dates & Links * Friday, April 17: NO SCHOOL for students (Teacher Comp Day). * Monday, April 27: Board of Education Final Vote on school consolidations and boundaries. * In-District Permit Survey: Link available in the district newsletter—don't miss your chance to provide feedback! * Truman Family Art Night: Tonight! (4:30 – 6:30 PM).

Future Ready Today: District Newsletter April 9

🎙️ Episode Description: Graduation Milestones & The Road to Summer Release Date: Thursday, April 9, 2026 Hosts: Isabelle & Justin In this high-energy episode, we celebrate a historic achievement for our students and take a look at the finish line for the 2025-2026 school year. From record-breaking graduation rates to upcoming theater magic, there is so much to be proud of in the Cedar Rapids Community School District. In this episode: * A Historic Leap: We break down the phenomenal news from the Iowa Department of Education. CRCSD’s 4-year graduation rate has surged to 81.98%—a nearly 5% jump since 2023! We discuss what this means for our community and highlight the incredible progress in closing achievement gaps for our Black, ELL, and Special Education student groups. * The Final Countdown: Mark your calendars! We officially announce the last day of school (Wednesday, June 3rd) and provide the specific early dismissal times for all levels. * Leading the J-Hawks: Meet Derek Dixon, the newly appointed Activities Director for Jefferson High School. We discuss his "Together We Soar" vision for the future of J-Hawk athletics and fine arts. * Titans on the Playground: We recap the "Titans Takeover" at Polk Alternative Education Center. Hear how professional football players are mentoring our students through reading and some legendary recess basketball games. * Warrior Excellence: Student Spotlight on Washington senior Lily Barker as she heads into her final golf season with a clear focus on the state leaderboard. * Arts & Stage: A guide to the upcoming "must-see" high school productions, including Kennedy's The Wizard of Oz, Washington’s The Princess Who Wouldn't Wear Pink, and Jefferson’s The SpongeBob Musical. * Double Your Impact: How you can turn $50 into $100 for our schools this month through the GreenState Credit Union "Give & Grow" match program. 📅 Key Dates & Links * April 17: NO SCHOOL for students (Teacher PD Day). * April 17-18: The Wizard of Oz @ Kennedy High School. * April 23-25: The Princess Who Wouldn't Wear Pink @ Washington High School. * April 30: Deadline for the GreenState Match. * May 14-16: The SpongeBob Musical @ Jefferson High School. * June 3: LAST DAY OF SCHOOL (Early Dismissal: 1:20 PM MS/HS; 2:20 PM Elementary).

Future Ready Today: District Newsletter April 2

We’re back from Spring Break and diving straight into the "big picture" for CRCSD. From the first look at new boundary proposals to setting the dates for our seniors' big walk across the stage, this episode is packed with essential updates for every family in the district. In this episode: * Boundary Redesign Deep Dive: We recap last night’s Community Open Houses. What’s the difference between Scenario 1 (maintaining high school lines) and Scenario 2 (balancing enrollment district-wide)? We explain how these proposals aim to create long-term stability and equity. * Your Voice, Your Choice: A guide to using the Online Address Lookup Tool to see how your family might be affected, plus the link to the Community Feedback Survey (don’t miss the April 8th deadline!). * New Leadership at Viola Gibson: Introducing Kamber Boeckmann, a 22-year district veteran who will take the helm at Viola Gibson Elementary this July. * Graduation Countdown: It’s getting real! We announce the official dates and times for the Class of 2026 commencement ceremonies—grab your tissues and planners. * ISASP Success Strategies: Testing is officially underway. We share quick tips on how parents can help their students (grades 3–11) feel confident, fed, and focused through April 23rd. * Iowa’s Got Talent: A preview of the Kennedy Choral League’s variety show competition happening tomorrow night, April 3rd, at CSPS Hall. * Health & Safety Check: Important reminders on dental certificates for Kindergarteners and 9th graders, plus how to get free immunizations through Metro Care Connection. * Glance Around the District: Meet Valley, the newest support dog at KLA, and hear about the Pancake Breakfast that kicked off testing week at McKinley. 📅 Key Dates & Action Items: * April 3: Iowa’s Got Talent @ CSPS Hall (7:00 PM). * April 8: DEADLINE for the Boundary Feedback Survey (Noon). * April 13: Formal boundary recommendation presented to the Board. * April 17: School Bus Safety Poster Contest submissions due. * April 28: Dental screening certificates due to school nurses. * May 19–23: CRCSD Graduation Week!