Achieve Spring 2023

Message from Superintendent

Dr. Vickie Murillo

We are pleased to present this “Achieve” Magazine for our school district neighbors in Carter Lake, Council Bluffs and Crescent!

The stories in this edition of the magazine showcase our enriching 21st Century after school clubs, our accomplished students and staff members who are making us proud, and some tips to help children continue learning throughout the summer.

In reflecting on the 2022-23 school year, I am proud of the academic progress our students have demonstrated, as well as the collective efforts to support student wellbeing. We are elated for the 107 graduating seniors who earned their degree, diploma or certificate from Iowa Western Community College a week before they received their high school diploma!

We will continue to serve hundreds of students in our Camp Summer Explore and our Summer Meals programs, and will be busy preparing for another fantastic school year.

Thanks to our Council Bluffs Schools Foundation and their support that makes it possible to distribute this magazine to our valued community members. We appreciate connecting with you, and sharing insight into school district initiatives and successes that are making a positive impact on students and our community’s future.

We value your interest in our schools! Please contact us, visit our website and follow us on social media to learn more or to suggest story ideas for future editions of our magazine.

Sincerely,

Editor’s Note

Welcome to the award-winning Achieve magazine! We are excited to share the story of our District’s amazing students, teachers, staff and our generous community with you. We would appreciate any feedback you have on this publication, or suggestions for a future story. Please email us your feedback at communications@cb-schools.org. Thank you!

This publication would not be possible without the generous support of the Council Bluffs Schools Foundation and community donors. We extend our most sincere appreciation for their continued support of our mission.

Council Bluffs Board of Education

The Council Bluffs Board of Education meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of September, October, November, January, February, March, April and May. Meetings are held one Tuesday per month in June, July, August and December. Meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. in the Educational Service Center, 300 W. Broadway, Suite 1600, and they are aired live on Cox Channel 18 and the District’s YouTube channel, youtube.com/c/ CouncilBluffsCommunitySchoolDistrict.

Dr. Vickie Murillo, Superintendent

ABOUT: Achieve Magazine is proudly published by the Council Bluffs Community School District, with generous funding from the Council Bluffs Schools Foundation and advertisers. A digital version of this publication can be accessed online at www.cb-schools.org. The content of this publication can be accessed through Google translate online.

To request another copy of this publication, submit story suggestions, or place an advertisement, please call 712-328-6514 or email communications@cb-schools.org.

MISSION STATEMENT: The mission of the Council Bluffs Community School District is to guarantee that every student graduates with the knowledge, skills and character to become a responsible citizen and to succeed in a changing world by creating a leading-edge, inclusive educational system, which provides challenging expectations, diverse experiences, engaging curriculum and innovative teaching within a collaborative, caring community.

NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT: It is the policy of the Council Bluffs Community School District not to illegally discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, (for employment), national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, (for programs), socioeconomic status (for programs), physical or mental disability, religion, creed, genetic information, ancestry, geographic location, citizenship, political party preference or belief, familial status or any other protected attribute, in its educational programs, activities or employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy, please contact the district’s Equity Coordinator, Tim Hamilton, 712328-6423, thamilton2@cb-schools.org, 300 W. Broadway, Suite 1600, Council Bluffs, IA 51503.

COUNCIL BLUFFS COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT, 300 W. Broadway, Suite 1600, Council Bluffs, IA 51503

Achieve Magazine | Issue 14 | Spring 2023

ACHIEVE: The Magazine of the Council Bluffs Community School District

COVER PHOTO: Longfellow Elementary School teacher Riley Newman uses a Clear Touch interactive display in her classroom to show first grader Alaina Harter how to explore different multiples of ten as part of a math lesson.

Troy Arthur Board Member

David Coziahr Board Member

Lauren Myers Board Member

Jared Tripp Board Vice President

Chris LaFerla Board President

Jill Shudak Board Member

Patrick Peters Board Member

FUTURE READY

107 Seniors Also Graduate from Iowa Western

Students in the Council Bluffs Community School District are given the opportunity to aim beyond their diploma while still in high school.

The Diploma +1 pathways for students provide choices to pursue a second credential, whether preparing for college or to enter a career field training program immediately upon earning the high school diploma.

“The purpose of our expanding Diploma +1 Pathways is for our students to have more opportunities to secure industryrecognized credentials and college credits that can accelerate them on their path to a meaningful career,” said Superintendent Dr. Vickie Murillo.

For a record 107 graduating seniors this spring, the Diploma +1 path they walked resulted in a pair of graduations — one from high school and another from Iowa Western Community College for either an associate degree or a diploma or career certificate.

Last year saw 75 graduating seniors at Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson walk for the dual graduation ceremonies. When the Diploma +1 program launched in 2018, only two graduates had that accomplishment.

“It is quite the accomplishment to graduate from high school and college all in the same month,” Melissa Comine, chief of secondary schools, said during a May 9 ceremony held at Iowa Western’s Arts Center.

The ceremony recognized students from the Early College Academy, College Credit Acceleration, Career and Academic Pathway and TradeWorks at Iowa Western programs, which are all under the umbrella of the district’s Diploma +1 program.

Of the 107 students, 35 earned associate degrees with their high school diploma: 24 from the Early College Academy and 11 from the College Credit Acceleration program.

Some of the other dual graduates earning diplomas or certificates will continue their studies at Iowa Western, while some earning associates will go onto four-year programs.

Iowa Western President Dan Kinney called the partnership between the Council Bluffs Community School District and his college an

“amazing program” and noted how relatively few high schoolers manage to graduate from college programs at the same time.

Spencer Mathews, coordinator of the Early College Academy, said 11 seniors were on track to finish with a 4.0 grade-point average and several also received notable regional academic recognitions.

“This group of students represents one of the most decorated and accomplished senior classes in the history of the ECA,” Mathews said at the ceremony.

Julian “Mateo” Jaimes-Kermoade was one of the Career and Academic Pathway seniors recognized. He earned a food technician certificate from the culinary arts program and participated in the automotive technology program. He said both academic programs fit the “hands-on style” he prefers.

“They both helped me feel more prepared to take on those adult responsibilities that come after high school. The instructors were positive and encouraging and helped me believe in myself,” Jaimes-Kermoade said. “I really don’t know what I would have been doing after high school if it weren’t for Council Bluffs Community Schools providing these opportunities at a time when so many decisions needed to be made.”

This story was adapted from coverage in the Nonpareil. Find more stories or subscribe to the Nonpareil at nonpareilonline.com.

THE YEAR IN PHOTOS

A Look at Back at the 2022-23 School Year Thank

RELAX, READ & GET READY 12 Ways Children Can Keep Learning All Summer

Summer is a great time to relax, but it also offers plenty of time for children to learn new things. Here are twelve ideas to bring together fun and learning for your children:

Go to the library

The library is a fun-filled place year-round, but there’s always something going on during the summer months.

Sign up for the summer reading program if you haven’t already, and challenge your child to catch up on their reading log to earn prizes while enjoying fascinating stories.

Storytimes are offered regularly at both the Council Bluffs and Carter Lake public libraries, as are craft activities and other fun events.

Among the special events scheduled, the Carter Lake Public Library has a science show with Dr. Oxygen on July 18 at 1 p.m., while the Council Bluffs Public Library will host a magic show at 10 a.m. on July 5 at Bayliss Park.

Find schedules at councilbluffslibrary.org or carterlakelibrary.org along with information on summer reading challenge sign-ups.

Listen to podcasts

Want to learn some money management or answer some questions about how money works? American Public Media’s Marketplace produces Million Bazillion for young children and just launched Financially Inclined to share personal finance lessons for teens.

National Public Radio offers a wide array of podcasts, too. Check out Classical Sprouts to develop curiosity about classical music, or get answers to questions posed by children — like why do wolves howl? — in But Why?

PBS Kids also offers a variety of podcasts based on the public broadcaster’s acclaimed children’s programming. Find a complete list at pbs.org/parents/podcasts.

Take a day trip

Explore southwest Iowa’s scenic Loess Hills or even take in some new sites in Omaha or another nearby community.

Explore a passion

Does your child have something they are interested in — whether it’s tigers, trains, video games or dinosaurs? Ask them to take a deep dive into that subject over a week and then put together a presentation, in whatever form they choose, about all they have learned.

Create something

You don’t need art supplies to create a work of art. Look for a household objects to put together into a special creation, or take some chalk out to the sidewalk for a temporary art show.

Test a hypothesis

Use the scientific method to see how reliable the weather forecast is or how fast various objects fall.

Cook a good meal

Cooking is full of opportunities to apply math and chemistry concepts while learning a life skill that can always come in handy.

Get out in nature

Whether it’s a hike through a Pottawattamie County Conservation park or identifying birds outside your home, lessons abound outdoors.

Learn a new skill

A lazy summer day is a good time to teach your child how to do dishes, run laundry, fix something or change the oil in a car. They’ll thank you for it when they’re older.

Play a board game

While having fun, you can build vocabulary or other skills, practice counting and develop critical thinking skills to play strategically.

Write your story

Ask your child to chronicle their personal history or learn about, and then describe in their own words, a relative’s story.

Make some photos

Whether it’s on a smartphone or on film, a photo can tell a story. Try taking photos from different angles to see how the same subject can show in many different perspectives.

Courtesy Council Bluffs Public Library

‘A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE’ After School Clubs Bring Excitement, Enrichment

Jordan Jacobsen believes in the power of kindness.

A member of Kirn Middle School’s Kindness Club, Jordan and his friends send reassuring messages to students, teachers and staff at the school.

“The Kindness Club is great,” Jordan said. “If somebody is having like a bad day, you make a kindness card. You can deliver it directly to their classroom.”

The club is one of many after school groups at Kirn and Wilson Middle Schools that are offered through the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program, which also extends to the high school and elementary level. The clubs are designed to provide an enriching environment that encourages students to feel connected to their school and stay engaged in learning.

“We are in 11 buildings,” said program director Elana Zalar. “We’re able to cater to the kids at each building, and what their interests are, and make sure that they want to have some level of involvement.”

The elementary clubs are built around student interests, such as animals, art, gardening, math, robotics and sports, along with special themes like Harry Potter, Lego or Pokemon. The program even has a club for how to build a business.

Zalar said many middle school clubs begin to blend career exploration with academics, while the high school program focuses on careers and getting students into the community to work on building new interests and skills.

“These programs have the capacity to do a little bit more” than clubs run purely on a volunteer basis by teachers, Zalar said, while also offering opportunities on a larger scale.

“We’ve seen just a world of a difference in student performance,” Zalar said when students participate in the clubs.

Bloomer Elementary

Mara Barrett and first grader Marlowe Grzeskowiak were members of a club sponsored by Gifford Farm that was focused on learning all about various animals.

“We got to meet a bunch of animals,” Marlowe said. “We got to meet goats. We got to see ducks.”

kindergartner

Marlowe said she really likes animals, but — like many children — she sometimes doesn’t want to go to school. Knowing she has the club to look forward to helps her get ready to head out the door those mornings.

For Mara, the after school clubs are part of what makes Bloomer a fun place to be.

“I wanted to be with animals,” said Mara, who also joined the Zoo Club. “My neighbor, she doesn’t do school. She does home school. But I love school.”

Paraeducator Bret Bazer helps lead the Bloomer Harry Potter Club students through fun activities related to the world of wizards, such as creating their own Hogwarts house crest and wands.

“A lot of kids love the Harry Potter series,” Bazer said. “We just looked for projects to do with the kids and it took off from there.”

Fifth grader Denny Baker is one of Harry Potter devotees: “I really like Harry Potter — like my room is decked out in Harry Potter stuff,” she said.

The clubs provides Denny and her friends a place to unwind after school while enjoying the fandom with students from other grades and classrooms.

Those connections with each other are key to keeping students engaged and for them to make school a priority.

Get Involved With 21st Century Clubs

Elementary

4H Stem • Amelia & Dexter Society

Animal Adventure

• Baking

Bee Buddies

Art

Bingo

• Board Game • Book • Cheer

• Chorus • Craft • Dreamox / Lexia • Future Sports & Fitness

• Gifford Farm • Harry Potter

How to Build a Business • Jewelry

Program Director Elana Zalar

“We work to try to make sure that we’re doing something that kids want to be involved in,” Zalar said. “We use a lot of community partners, specifically at our elementaries. They just curate great programs.”

Not every Council Bluffs school has a 21st Century Community Learning Centers because the grant funding is awarded at a school level, with a limit on how many buildings can apply for each round of funding.

Bloomer and Edison recently were awarded $720,000 to fund club programs for the next five years, which includes paying staff to coordinate the clubs and provide support and communication with parents.

Alicia Almazan, a paraeducator at Kirn, said the Kirn Kindness Club made cards for all the teachers along with goody bags that included pencils, dry-erase markers, stickers and other last-minute classroom necessities. The club also looks to prevent bullying and make a difference at school.

“We give them life lessons on how they can be kind,” Almazan said.

While learning those lessons, they also make friends along the way, according to Jordan of the Kindness Club.

“They are a good source of learning,” Jordan said. “These clubs help children with their daily lives.”

• Kindness

Math

Movie • Newspaper • Play-Doh

• Pokemon • Robotics • Science

• Sign Language

Sisterhood

Wings & Petals Garden • Zoo

Middle School

Art Maker Space • Bee Kind

Board Games • Chess • Cooking

• Cursive • Dungeons & Dragons

• Film Fanatics • Heritage

History Day • Homework Help

• Jewelry

Launch

Math

Lynx

Paranormal

Project Lit • Robotics • Soccer

Strategy League • Tech MashUp • Tumbling/ Cheer • Wild Adventures

High School

All Writes Reserved • Anime

Chess • Credit Chasers • Culinary

• CyberPatriots

Dungeons & Dragons • Friends of Rachel

GSA •History • JROTC Tutoring

• Magic • Movie • Movie Critics

• Painting / Drawing

Poetry

Pottery • Sewing • Weightlifting

“ We’ve seen just a world of a difference in student performance.”

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM Jackets, Lynx Show Their Talents as Student-Athletes

Featured TJ students, from top left: Chloe Wieland • Alex Contreras • Ethan Bose & Tyler

Huey • Iliana Morris

• Girls Soccer Team

• Cara Ronk • James Collins • Oscar

Amador • Makayla Martin

Featured AL students, from top left: Boys Soccer Team• Suri Quigley • Molly Romano • Chris Wales • Liberty Bates • Aiden Perez • Ava Watkins • Emily Billings & Kylie Richardson • Evan Long

COMMUNITY CHAMPION Cleaveland Plays Key Role in Recognizable Projects

The Council Bluffs Schools Foundation annual Education Is Everyone’s Business Luncheon not only provides an opportunity for Foundation and school district leaders to update community and business partners about exciting initiatives in our schools, but also celebrates a community member who is deeply involved and making an impact in Council Bluffs.

Barry Cleaveland, who is a graduate of Abraham Lincoln High School, was this year’s Community Impact Award winner. Following high school, Barry continued his education at the University of Iowa, where he studied physics. After college, Barry joined the United States Department of Agriculture

Federal Crop Insurance Corporation. That was the beginning of an influential career in ag insurance that spanned more than 35 years.

Cleaveland’s career brought him back to Council Bluffs in 1991, and our community has been the benefactor of his leadership and passion to improve Council Bluffs ever since.

Barry was involved in some of the most recognizable projects in Council Bluffs in the past 30 years, including the I-80 interstate project, the Bob Kerry Pedestrian bridge, and RAGBRAI. He also played key fundraising roles for other projects such as the Wickersham Athletic Complex renovation, the Dream

Playground, and many more. His contributions go far beyond special projects. He has served on many boards, advisory committees and commissions,

including the Council Bluffs Planning Commission, CHI Mercy Hospital Advisory Board, the Pottawattamie Republican Party Central Committee, the 712 Initiative Board, Iowa West Foundation Advisory committees, Boys and Girls Club Board of Trustees, the Council Bluffs Airport Authority board, and the Council Bluffs Schools Foundation board.

For more than 32 years, Barry has been an influencer and trailblazer for many who share the same passion for making an impact in Council Bluffs.

During the luncheon, Superintendent Dr. Vickie Murillo highlighted the growing number of Diploma Plus One Pathways for students The keynote address was presented by Chris LaFerla, Executive Director of Council Bluffs Schools Foundation, on the need to support and elevate teachers.

“Nationally, there’s a teacher shortage somewhere around 100,000 teachers. That’s worse than it ever has been and it’s predicted to double by 2025… The reality is that you cannot have great schools, without great teachers. It doesn’t matter if those are public, charter or private schools. We need great teachers for our kids. Our kids deserve great teachers.”

Barry Cleaveland

DECISION DAY: Graduating Seniors Announce Plans

Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson High Schools celebrated the future plans of the members in the Class of 2023 on April 28 during the annual College and Career Decision Day.

Similar to a more traditional event for student athletes committing to play college sports, this day featured faculty, college and career representatives presenting certificates to the seniors to commemorate the graduates’ choices for the next step beyond high school. Those next steps could be attending

university or college programs this fall, but they can also include joining the military, entering a career or seeking skills training through unions or other specialized programs. Many students committed to Iowa Western to continue their education.

Decision Day also showcased the broad range of choices and opportunities students in the Council Bluffs Schools can take advantage of, such as registered apprenticeships and career certificates, through the district’s Diploma +1 programs.

It’s Summer! Kids Eat Free!

Meals available Monday through Friday through July 28, 2023 (except July 3 & 4)

Charles E. Lakin YMCA

Carter Lake Boys & Girls Club

Breakfast: 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM

Lunch: 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM

Children’s Square

Breakfast: 8:45 AM to 9:15 AM

Lunch: 11:45 AM to 12:15 PM

Thomas Jefferson High School

Breakfast: 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM

Lunch: 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM

Breakfast: 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM

Council Bluffs Public Library

Lunch: 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM

Edison Elementary — JUNE

Lunch: 11:45 AM to 12:15 PM

Edison Elementary — JULY

Breakfast: 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM Lunch: 11:45 AM to 12:15 PM

Franklin Elementary

Breakfast: 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM

Lunch: 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM

Hoover Elementary

Breakfast: 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM

Lunch: 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM

Longfellow Elementary

Breakfast: 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM

Lunch: 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Council Bluffs Community School District is participating in the Summer Food Service Program. Meals will be provided to all children ages 1 to 18 without charge. Meals will be provided, at a first come, first serve basis. Meals will be available to eat on site and cannot be taken out of the meal facility. Meals will be distributed at the locations listed from June 5 to July 28. All sites will be closed on July 3 and 4. For any questions please contact Lisa Stewart, Director of Nutrition Services, at (712) 328-6420. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

To view menus, please visit cb-schools.org/summerlunch • Look for the Summer Meal Banner at each site.

STUDENT STARS

Recognizing Students Who Go Above and Beyond

Thanks to the Council Bluffs Schools Foundation, outstanding students receive Student Star Awards & recognition during a Board of Education meeting

Iowa Governor’s Scholars

Tana Witt

2nd Place - Nursing Assisting

Steven Stangl

3rd Place - Medical Law and Ethics

Marlene Paramo 3rd Place - Forensic Science

Valeria Martinez 3rd Place - Dental Terminology & 3rd Place - Forensic Science

Alexa Tichota

3rd Place - Researched Persuasive Writing and Speaking

National History Day Qualifiers & Alternates

Dutch Smith Senior Historical Paper

Lelah Good Senior Individual Performance

Kaia Schleifman Senior Individual Documentary

Kate Schleifman Senior Group Website

Chloe Carter Senior Group Website

Anna Johnson Junior Individual Documentary

Abby Nelson Junior Group Exhibit

Adrienne Stotts Junior Group Exhibit

Iowa State Wrestling Tournament Qualifiers

Kassidy Fiala Girls — 155 lbs

Daniela Salinas Girls — 100 lbs

Jules Thomas Girls — 145 lbs

Cierra Wieland Iowa Girls — 125 lbs

Jay Vander Velde Boys Class 3A — 106 lbs

Jonathan Ryan Boys Class 3A — 120 lbs

Parker Herzog Boys Class 3A — 138 lbs

Warren Summers Boys Class 3A — 285 lbs

Benjamin Banta

Asa Neville

Phi Nguyen

Jennifer Rangel Mendoza HOSA Spring Leadership Conference

Iowa Individual All-State Speech

Sterling Angeroth Expository Address

Lola Shorney Literary Program

Mia Garcia Public Address

Lydia Cooper Reviewing

Cole Schroder Solo Improvisation

Tyson Bentley Prose

Emily Newby Prose

VEX IQ Robotics World Championship Qualifiers

Junior ROTC National Championship @ VEX Worlds Quarterfinalist & Amaze Award Winner

Dalton McCormick

Noah Welsh

Dara Pich

Xander Rowland

Division 1 Excellence Award & Division 1 Teamwork Champion/Judges Award

Kenley Aldmeyer

Jacoby Walker

Charleigh Moore

Elijah Cudd

Jackson Giles

Naomi Johnson

Iowa Boys State Swimming Qualifier

Gavin Rothmeyer 50-Yard Freestyle

Gates Scholar & QuestBridge Scholar

Jennifer Range

Abraham Lincoln

Division 1 Robot Skills Champion

Elliott Heckman

Ayden Dighton

Mason Jens

Luci Wolf

Division 1 Teamwork Champion Award & Division 1 Build Award

Braylen Bovee

Myles Lebaugh

Ashleigh Ronk

Aiden Hector

Elijah Burgett

Myles Whitsel

Zander Griffey

Iowa Mock Trial Tournament State Qualifiers

Eliana Brown

All-State Honorable Mention

Hannah Dillehay

All-State Honorable Mention

Melody Flenker

All-State Honorable Mention

Reaghan McDaniel

All-State Honorable Mention

Kylie Richardson

All-State Honorable Mention

Cloe Carter

Isabel Gonzalez Lopez

Camryn Moon

Nora Preston

Bryan Wall

Ashley Zuniga

SkillsUSA Iowa State Leadership & Skills Conference

Larissa Farris

SkillsUSA Gold Medalist Occupational Job Interview

Marysa Tompkins

SkillsUSA Bronze Medalist Related Technical Math

National Junior College Athletic Association Esports

Keller Cannon

Keller just finished his junior year at AL and first year at Iowa Western.

As an Early College Academy student, he won the NJCAA championship for Mario Kart as part of the IWCC Esports Team.

Emily Newby

GOING THE EXTRA MILE

Recognizing Educators, Staff Who Live the Mission

A FOND FAREWELL TO 2023 RETIREES

We bid a fond farewell with gratitude to

Brenda Copeland: Teacher, Rue/All Elementaries

– 42 years

• Kim Wettengel: Teacher, Rue/All

• Donald Schwartz:

Elementaries – 36 years • Randal Lau: Teacher, Abraham Lincoln – 35 years

Teacher, Kirn – 35 years

Miller: Interventionist, Hoover – 33 years

• Julie

• Jill Brandenburg: Teacher, College View/Hoover – 33 years

• Sandra

Leaders: Teacher, Thomas Jefferson – 31 years

• Beverly York: Teacher, Hoover – 31 years

Teacher, Hoover – 30 years

Teacher, Wilson – 29 years

•Teresa Rindone:

• Robin Luedtke: Administrative Assistant, Student & Family Services — 30 years

• Michael Koenig:

• Gjoa King: Teacher,

Carter Lake – 28 years

15 years • Marti Drake: Counselor, Kirn – 14 years

• Debra Pierson: Pre-K

• Daniel Fee: Teacher, Abraham Lincoln – 27 years

Teacher Assistant, Longfellow – 27 years

Gunder: Teacher, Hoover — 25 years

• Wanda

• Debora

Masker: IB Coordinator, Kirn/Wilson – 24 years

•

Debra Robinson: Paraeducator, Roosevelt – 23 years

• Tom Wilson: Truck Driver II, Nutrition Services –

13 years • Raymond Chase: Custodial Supervisor, Facilities, Maintenance and Custodial Services – 12 years

• Sharon White: Teacher, Kirn – 11 years

• Melissa Gorman: Admin Asst, Rue – 22 years

• James Crum: Teacher, Thomas Jefferson – 10 years

• Stephen Plummer: Teacher, Kirn – 22 years

• Penny Farrell: Paraeducator, Abraham Lincoln –

21 years

• Alan Koopmeiners: Custodian, Franklin

• Steven Smith: Teacher, Abraham Lincoln – 18 years

– 18 years

• Debra Lampman: Network Specialist II, Technology Support Center – 15 years

• Debra Potter: NS Supervisor, Nutrition Services –

• Timothy Dinges: Custodian, Facilities, Maintenance and Custodial Services – 10 years

•

Rita Tiarks: Administrative Assistant, Wilson – 10 years

• Lynette Petersen: School Administrative

Manager, Longfellow – 9 years • Loren Lintner: Teacher, Abraham Lincoln – 4 years

• Michael Reed: Custodian, Abraham Lincoln – 3 years

• Jack O’Brien: Truck Driver, Nutrition Services – 2 years.

Chad Schaa, PE Teacher, Hoover Elementary School March Licensed Staff Member of the Month

Beth Hartog, Paraeducator, Carter Lake Elementary School March Support Staff Member of the Month

Denise Hoag, STEM teacher, Thomas Jefferson High School February Licensed Staff Member of the Month

Buffy Brunow, Paraeducator, Kirn Middle School February Support Staff Member of the Month

TEACHING EXCELLENCE: Three Educators Honored

The Nelson Family Foundation recently honored three Council Bluffs Community School District educators during its 15th annual Excellence in Teaching Awards.

The foundation was established by H.H. “Red” and Ruth H. Nelson in 1997 and has given more than $250,000 to teachers and counselors in Council Bluffs and Lewis Central.

This year’s recipients include Christy Heckman, lead counselor at Abraham Lincoln High School; Lu McClellen, special education math teacher at Thomas Jefferson High School; and Danielle Philmon, preschool teacher at College View Elementary School.

Heckman has spent the past 13 years in the Council Bluffs Community Schools. Her colleagues, administrators and students all agree she provides her full attention and support to every student who passes through her door. She does this while juggling a number of roles and responsibilities that continue to improve the experience of both students and educators.

“I never could have managed to dig myself out of the hole I was in without her reaching out her hand and believing in me,” a student wrote in Heckman’s nomination. “I am just one of the many stories of lives she has affected and changed for the better.”

McClellen has been teaching in Council Bluffs for 19 years. Nominators highlight the curiosity, dedication, and — above all — kindness of McClellen in all aspects of her work. As one colleague stated, “We have a T-shirt here at Thomas Jefferson that says #BeeKind, and that is what I think about when I think of Lu McClellen.”

The Omaha Lancers hockey team has teamed up with the Council Bluffs schools. The Kirn Middle School Show Choir earned $1,120 from the Lancers as part of a fan night at a game on March 31. On a separate fan night, Franklin Elementary School students sang the

She helps to organize T.J.’s food and clothing pantry, the Helping Hive, and cosponsors a program called Credit Changes to help students receive help in their classes either before or after school each day. McClellen also helps teachers with materials for special education students in their classes

Philmon has worked within the Council Bluffs Community Schools for 17 years. Her nominations paint a picture of a dedicated, creative and extremely effective educator.

FUN FACTS

Many parents shared stories of their children’s success after working with her. One parent said, “Ms. Philmon paved the way for my first child — who had significant delays both socially and academically — to now be reading Greek mythology, on track to graduate and excited to attend school each day.” One of her colleague wrote, “Each year. Ms. Philmon finds a way to make school and our classroom a space that is safe, exciting and full of new experiences.”

national anthem as the district’s high school JROTC

color guard took the ice to display our nation’s flag.

Meaghan Sweeney’s class of fourth graders at Edison was awarded a Project Jack grant of $250 from the SWI Association of Realtors. The children created birthday cake kits for the Story Street Pantry to give to area families.

Pictured from left are Thomas Jefferson High School Principal Michael Naughton, Thomas Jefferson Special Education Math Teacher Lu McClellen, Abraham Lincoln High School Principal Bridgette Bellows, Abraham Lincoln Lead Counselors Christy Heckman, College View Elementary School Preschool Teacher Danielle Philmon, College View Principal Amy Andersen and Council Bluffs Community School District Superintendent Dr. Vickie Murillo.