Abraham Lincoln Football Player Records 2nd Best Rushing Performance in Iowa History
Abraham Lincoln Marching Band Receives 10th Consecutive Division I Rating
Abraham Lincoln Students Accepted into Visual Arts Mentoring Program at Kent Bellows Studio
Arts Building Communities in Schools Grant Brings Student Art to Life at the Historic Dodge House
Carter Lake Adopts New Anti-bullying Theme
Congratulations to Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson for Playoff Appearances
Employee Wellness Program Got its "Start!" October 1st with a Wellness Screening
Flu Immunization Clinics for Council Bluffs Families Held at Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson
Longfellow Students Participate in Public Art Initiative
Successful Council Bluffs School District Alumni Tailgate Connects Past with Present
Student Art Exhibit Now on Display
Students Perform at Holland Performing Arts Center
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Program Looking for Outstanding Youth Volunteers
Thomas Jefferson Monticello's Regiment Finishes Season with 14th Straight IHSMA Division I Rating
Tucker Center Students Run Mock Presidential Election
Washington, Walnut Grove, and Hoover Students Walk to School
Student Art Exhibit Now on Display
More than 100 pieces of student artwork now on display at the Educational Service Center were unveiled to the community during the first quarter Student Art Exhibit grand opening reception on October 28th. Two-hundred proud students and parents as well as teachers and administrators attended the event, featuring artwork from all schools. Members of the Thomas Jefferson String Quartet provided the entertainment for the event. Special thanks to the district art teachers for gathering and creating the art exhibit. Everyone is invited to see the display in the first floor conference room during November and December.
Congratulations to Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson for Playoff Appearances
The Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson football teams both made it into the post season this year. Their first post season games were yesterday, Wednesday, October 29th. Abraham Lincoln headed to Pleasant Hill, Iowa to play Southeast Polk. Abraham Lincoln fell to Southeast Polk 6 to 41. Thomas Jefferson lost to Ottumwa with a score of 12 to 35 in Ottumwa, Iowa.
Now Accepting Monthly Employee Recognition Nominations
The Council Bluffs Community School District Monthly Employee Recognition will continue this year. Currently, nominations are being accepted for employees who deserve special recognition by the Board of Education. All licensed staff members and support staff members are eligible for nomination. There is a link to the nomination form under Quick Links on the left hand side of the home page. Please return the nomination forms to Traci Matters at the Educational Service Center. If you have any questions please contact Diane Ostrowski at 328-6443.
Carter Lake Adopts New Anti-Bullying Theme
Students at Carter Lake Elementary School have adopted a year long theme entitled, "I CAN Make a Difference...RIGHT NOW!" This theme was developed by school counselor Denise Beyenhof. As part of this program, each week a student is chosen in every classroom that has "made a difference" in some way and receives a can of 7 UP as a visual prize for their efforts! The 7 UP Can was chosen as a symbol because of the themes “7 special words”. In addition, the pop can is to remind students they CAN make a difference personally, socially and academically. Students are encouraged to be the best student, friend and person they can be! The Dr. Pepper/7 Up Company graciously donated the cans of 7 UP in support of the theme! The school principal, Mrs. Kazmierczak, has also adopted the theme and has placed it at the top of the weekly parent newsletter. An anti-bullying curriculum has also been taught in conjunction with the “I CAN” theme during the months of August and September. Students are introduced to friendship skills, social and personal differences and the acceptance of others. As personal and classroom goals, students and staff will be signing an “Anti-Bullying” Pledge Poster to hang in the cafeteria. There is also a new “Bully Patrol” group in which 5th and 6th grade students are chosen to “watch” for bully type behavior and report it to the counselor. Student identities are kept confidential so they are not labeled in any way. All students will have the opportunity to be on the patrol in order for those students “at-risk” of bulling or becoming bullies themselves to be pro-active and feel like they are “making a difference”.
Thomas Jefferson Monticello's Regiment Finishes Season with 14th Straight IHSMA Division I Rating
On Saturday October 18th Thomas Jefferson’s performance at the Iowa High School Music Association State Marching Festival capped off a very successful season for the Regiment. Their season included performances at four home football games, the Thomas Jefferson /Abraham Lincoln Tailgate Party, five field shows, two parades, and the Grand Opening of the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge connecting Council Bluffs and Omaha. The competitions that they placed in included StarFest in Sioux City IA, ValleyFest in Des Moines, IA, and the Omaha Marching Invitational where they received a Division II - Excellent Rating. They also placed in the South West Iowa Band Jamboree in Clarinda IA where they received a Division I - Superior Rating. The Regiment received the same Division I rating on the 18th in Glenwood, Iowa. Drum Majors Brittany Imrie and Jamie Hall received a 3rd place finish out of 20 bands at the Omaha Marching Invitational, adding to the Regiment’s success. The show for their competitions features the music of Carlos Santana and includes “Everybody's Everything,” “She's Not There,” and “Novus,” featuring senior trumpet player Mike Schoening and Color Guard Captain Beth Leos. The show closes with “Santana” that featured Mike Schoening and Junior Trumpet player Kylene Carlson. The Regiment's next perfomance is in the Veteran's Day Parade on Saturday, November 8th
Students Perform at Holland Performing Arts Center
Thomas Jefferson freshman Nick Taylor, who was named July’s Classical Kid by KVNO, performed at the Omaha Area Youth Orchestra’s 50th Anniversary Celebration on October 19th. Taylor’s brother Jacob, a 7th grade student at Wilson Junior High, played the cello at the anniversary celebration.
Fourteen-year-old Taylor has played the bass for five years. He has performed at the Holland three times before. This is 12-year-old Jacob’s first time playing at the Holland.
The celebration was held at the Holland Performing Arts Center and nearly 1,000 people attended. There were 300 children in four orchestras ranging from third grade to high school who were featured in the show. To read more about this event from the Nonpareil’s article please click here.
Tucker Center Students Run Mock Presidential Election
Students at the Tucker College and Career Center ran a mock presidential election for this year’s General Election. They have been studying both Barack Obama and John McCain’s campaigns for the past month. Students followed news stories, campaign websites, and local speakers for the campaigns. as well as material prepared by the Secretary of State of Iowa. The students, who are members of Sonya Stejskal’s Government and American History classes held their mock election on October 15th with Obama coming out as the winner. The voters included students in other Tucker Center classes who used elections forms received from the Iowa Secretary of State. The final count placed John McCain at 27 votes and Barack Obama at 67 votes. The totals were reported to the Iowa Secretary of State, and will be compiled with totals from all other schools throughout Iowa and posted on October 31st.
Abraham Lincoln Marching Band Receives 10th Consecutive Division I Rating
The Abraham Lincoln High School Marching Band received a Division I rating at the Iowa High School Music Association State Field Marching Competition. This is their 10th consecutive Division I rating. The contest was held on October 18th in Glenwood, Iowa, at the high school stadium. The Marching Lynx performed to the music of "The Doors" including the songs "Touch Me", "Light My Fire", and “Peace Frog/Love Her Madly".
The Abraham Lincoln High School Marching Band also competed in the Waukee Marching Band Festival on October 11th. The Marching Lynx performed very well as they received 4th place out of 7 bands and a Division I rating. The flag corps received 3rd place out of 7 bands, and the drum line received 4th place out of 7 bands. Patrick Peters was selected as the number 1 drum major in the competition.
The final results in the Waukee competition went as follows:
1st Place Johnston High School
2nd Place Clinton High School
3rd Place Sioux City North High School
4th Place Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln High School
5th Place Marshalltown High School
6th Place Indianola High School
7th Place Ottumwa High School
Abraham Lincoln’s Football Victory Helps Thomas Jefferson
Abraham Lincoln’s 56-42 victory at Sioux City East on Friday, October 10, which featured Austin Ebertowski’s 451-yard rushing performance, boosted the Lynx’s conference record to 1-1. It also, unofficially, helped Thomas Jefferson clinch its first-ever postseason berth. The Yellow Jackets beat Sioux City North 42-14 also on that Friday to earn at least a share of the Missouri River Conference title. The Jackets own the tiebreaker over North and after losing to Abraham Lincoln Sioux City East has 2 MRC losses and cannot catch Thomas Jefferson. The Iowa High School Athletic Association won’t officially say that any school has qualified for the postseason until after next week, but, for all intents and purposes, the Jackets, who have never qualified in the 36-year history of the state’s playoff format, are in. The Lynx are still in the hunt for the playoffs.
Washington, Walnut Grove, and Hoover Students Walk to School
On Wednesday October 8, 2008 Washington students participated in a Walk to School Event as part of the national iWalk program. October 8th is the International Walk to School Day, and at 8:00 a.m. over 100 students walked from Children’s Square to Washington School. Walnut Grove Elementary also held a Walk to School event on October 8th with around 213 students participating. Around the nation, events like this are taking place throughout October, which is International Walk to School Month. Hoover Elementary held their event on Wednesday, October 15th. Hoover students walked from Kirn Junior High School to Hoover Elementary, and had around 50 students participate. The YMCA helped coordinate the Walk to School events. After the walks the YMCA held drawings for prizes while the kids enjoyed a healthy breakfast.
Flu Immunization Clinics for Council Bluffs Families Held at Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson
The Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) is holding two flu immunization clinics for adults and children 6 months and older. The first clinic will be held on Saturday, October 25 from 9:00 am -12:00 pm at Abraham Lincoln. The second is on Saturday, November 1 from 9:00 am- 12:00 pm at Thomas Jefferson. Individuals under the age of 19 must have a parent/guardian with them while receiving the vaccination. There is no appointment necessary, and two types of vaccination will be offered. Flu shots will be available as well as a nasal-spray called FluMist. The cost of a flu shot is $25 and FluMist is $30. According to the VNA getting early vaccination in October or November can help protect individuals from the flu during January and February, the peak months of flu season.
Longfellow Students Participate in Public Art Initiative
Seven energetic third grade students from Longfellow Elementary were asked to participate in the taping of a DVD to educate the community about the value of public art. The students provided their insight and reaction to the community's newest and, at nearly 50 feet tall, undoubtedly most visible pieces of art, entitled "Molecule Man" by Jonathan Borofsky. The students had the opportunity to get up close and personal with the larger-than-life sculpture funded as part of the Iowa West Foundation's Public Art Initiative. The students were accompanied by principal Peg Shea and art teacher Johnny Lynn Williams.
Abraham Lincoln Football Player Records 2nd Best Rushing Performance in Iowa History
Austin Ebertowski, a sophomore at Abraham Lincoln, rushed for 451 yards as the starting tailback in their football game on Friday October 10. Abraham Lincoln earned a 56-42 victory over Sioux City East. Austin carried 41 times for the 451 yards which will officially go into the IHSAA record book as the second-most 11-man rushing yards in Iowa history. First place is held by Alden's Don Larson who gained 455 back in 1954. Before Friday’s game Ebertowski had carried 30 times for 189 yards. He started in the tailback position because Dustin Davis was out with a shoulder injury. He has also been working as receiver, and he's been the team's starting free safety all season. For more information click here for the story from the Omaha World Herald.
Arts
Building
Communities in Schools Grant Brings Student Art to Life at the Historic Dodge House
The creative talents of Thomas Jefferson students are currently being featured at the Historic General Dodge House, thanks to a significant three-year ABC Grant--"Arts Building Communities in Schools." The $5,000 per year grant provided by the Iowa Arts Council supports the time needed to establish communication and understanding between partners, to find ways to combine existing resources in creative ways and to develop new learning opportunities for students.
In this second year of the grant, more than 100 students were teamed with six local artists to create a sight and sound exhibit in the 1869 Victorian era Historic General Dodge House. Students collaborated with the local artists to explore visual and aural aspects of art while examining their community’s history. The result is an exhibit, entitled "Dodge This" which features abstract painting, photography, mixed media and social commentary. The teaching artists are Jody Boyer, Margaret LaBounty, Machaela Morrissey, Russ Nordman, Josh Powell and Brian Tait.
The public is invited to view the exhibit at the Dodge House now through November 14th. Students featured in the exhibit include Brittany Bryan, Maureen Davis, Heather Fink, Samantha Lloyd, Jamie McDonald, Stacey Meehan, Makayla Nelson, Jordon Sanford, Austin Schuler and Patricia Wickwire.
This project was made possible by the teaching artists as well as Thomas Jefferson principal Judy O’Brian, certified art teacher Carrie Pope, music teacher Travis Walker, community partner Patricia LaBounty as well as the Historic General Dodge House, it Docents, General's Ladies, Board and staff members.
Successful Council Bluffs School District Alumni Tailgate Connects Past with Present
More than 100 alumni, friends and family members attended the 5th annual C.B. Alumni Association tailgate on Friday, Sept. 26th. Guests were treated to performances by members of the marching band and flag teams from Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln.
Abraham Lincoln Students Accepted into Visual Arts Mentoring Program at Kent Bellows Studio
Andrew Lippert, Chase Hiffernan, Ashley Clark, and Antonio Garcia have been selected into the Visual Arts Mentoring Programs at The Kent Bellows Studio and Center for Visual Arts. They were accepted because of their artistic vision and drive. The Kent Bellows Studio and Center for Visual Arts is a nonprofit organization in Omaha founded upon the perspective that everyone possess the power to think and act creatively when given the necessary balance of freedom and support. Students at The Kent Bellows Studio participate in hands-on, authentic art experiences while receiving opportunities for one-on-one mentoring from professional artists as well as peer mentoring from other young artists. In the Visual Arts Mentoring Programs, the Abraham Lincoln students will spend 16 weeks developing their own artistic voice and communicating powerful concepts. The students will investigate other artists, experiment with various media, and research issues that have meaning on both a personal and a public plane.
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Program Looking for Outstanding Youth Volunteers
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program is looking for high school and middle school students who have demonstrated oustanding community service over the past year. This is the programs 14th year searching for students who serve their community. This is a national program with the top two finalists from each state receiving $1000. Other state finalists receive Medallions and Certificates of Excellence. Students interested in this program should apply at www.prudential.com/spirit. For more information about this program please contact your school's guidance counselor.
Employee Wellness Program Got its "Start!" October 1st with a Wellness Screening
More than 100 employees attended the Start! Employee Wellness Program kickoff celebration and screening on Wednesday, October 1st The event at Thomas Jefferson High School featured YMCA personal trainers screening participants on weight, body-mass and blood pressure. Free healthy snacks were on hand along with plenty of motivation to get staff "Started" off on the right foot!
You can still be part of the Start! program, created by the American Heart Association. You are encouraged to register at http://mystartonline.org to track your activity. Register under the company name Council Bluffs Community School District at zip code 51503. The team/department name is your school or building. Questions? Contact your building's team leader or District Start! coordinators Traci Matters or Nicole Smith. Get Started!
