Troy Arthur Board Member David Coziahr Board Member
2 Summer 2022
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, CouncilBluffsCommunitySchoolDistrict.youtube.com/c/
Hello to our school district neighbors in Carter Lake, Council Bluffs and Crescent! Thank you for your interest in our schools and the successes of our community’s children. Together, with our Council Bluffs Schools Foundation, we present this quarterly magazine to keep you informed about our school district initiatives and achievements. We love to share stories of how our students reach their full potential with more opportunities, more choices and more ways to succeed than ever Insidebefore!thisedition of our magazine, I hope you will enjoy seeing the smiling faces of our 2022 graduates who earned a record number of second credentials through our Diploma +1 Pathways. We are also proud to showcase our outstanding and dedicated staff members who support the development of each child throughout their educational journey. As we prepare for the school year to begin on August 23rd, we look forward to a year filled with exciting experiences for students in and out of the classroom. We remain dedicated to preparing all students to earn their high school diploma and a second credential through a growing number of pathways to fit all Weinterests.inviteour community to support student success by encouraging our community’s children to attend school every day and do their best. We will be promoting #ShowUp to accentuate the benefits of being in school, participating in class and in extracurricular activities, and being engaged in learning and preparing for a successful future. This year, we will continue to remain focused on student support and safety, with comprehensive emergency preparedness plans, procedures and training. We will also monitor for any potential increase in COVID-19 among students and staff. I invite you to contact us or visit our website to learn more or to suggest story ideas for future editions of our magazine.
COUNCIL BLUFFS COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT, 300 W. Broadway, Suite 1600, Council Bluffs, IA 51503 Achieve Magazine | Issue 10 | Summer 2022
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.
Lauren Myers Board Member
Jill Shudak Board Vice President Chris LaFerla Board
BoardJaredPresidentTrippMember
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! Editor’s Note
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.
COVER PHOTO: Jacee Tindall and Noah Van Scoyk show off their diplomas at Abraham Lincoln High School’s graduation ceremony on May 20, 2022, held at the Mid-America Center. Find more photos from graduation on Pages 4–5.
Council Bluffs Board of Education
Sincerely, Dr. Murillo, Superintendent Message from Superintendent Dr. Vickie Murillo
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.
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.
ACHIEVE: The Magazine of the Council Bluffs Community School District
Patrick Peters Board Member
ACHIEVE: The Magazine of the Council Bluffs Community School District Summer 2022 3
Diploma +1 Pathways include:
• Transition Alliance Program through Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services, which offers certification in work ethic proficiency, skills to pay the bills pre-employment skills or employment-based certificates.
Members of the Council Bluffs Schools Board of Education, Superintendent Dr. Vickie Murillo and Iowa Western President Dr. Dan Kinney honor the AL and TJ graduates of Iowa Western Community College on May 10, 2022.
• Certificate Advancement Program, where students earn a certificate in culinary arts or health science from Iowa Western.•TradeWorks Academy to earn a National Center for Construction Education as well as a Research Core Curriculum Credential.•TradeWorks at IWCC, where students earn a certificate or diploma in a technical career area from Iowa Western.
The Diploma +1 vision provides a growing number of pathways for each student to earn one or more additional credentials, whether that’s an associate degree or a career certificate or another designation of future readiness. In fact, of the Class of 2022, 73% earned a second credential, and many earned more than one.
• National Career Readiness Certificate to achieve platinum, gold and silver distinction.
DIPLOMA PLUS
75 Council Bluffs Seniors Graduate from Iowa Western
• Biliteracy Seal, where students earn a certification of proficiency in two languages from the Iowa Department of Education.
• Early College Academy, where students are able to earn an associate of arts, science, or applied science degree from Iowa Western Community College.•College Credit Acceleration Program to earn a minimum of 24 Advanced Placement or Concurrent Enrollment college credits.
Seventy-five Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson high school seniors graduated twice this spring, earning an associate degree, diploma or certificate from Iowa Western Community College in addition to their high schoolThat’sdiploma.upfrom two graduates in 2018 — the launch of the Diploma +1 Pathways program.
• TS Bank Internship, in which students can earn the American Bankers Certificate.
4 Summer 2022 ACHIEVE: The Magazine of the Council Bluffs Community School District FUTURE READY 543 Graduates Celebrate Together as Class of 2022
ACHIEVE: The Magazine of the Council Bluffs Community School District Summer 2022 5
Camp Summer Explore is the elementary and middle school summer program of the Council Bluffs Community School District. Students are offered unique programs to boost their achievement while engaging in learning experiences. In addition, field trips to a variety of community partners provide new opportunities for exploration, and the middle school program is hosted by the Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium in Omaha. Find more information about the programs at www.cb-schools.org/summerlearning.
Students Develop Friendships While Learning
6 Summer 2022 ACHIEVE: The Magazine of the Council Bluffs Community School District
SUMMER EXPLORATION
ACHIEVE: The Magazine of the Council Bluffs Community School District Summer 2022 7 LYFT UP: 56 High Schoolers Explore Career Pathways FINISHING UP: 8 Students Earn Diplomas in Summer The weeklong freshman transition program Leveraging Youth on the Freshman Team gave 40 Thomas Jefferson and 16 Abraham Lincoln incoming freshman the chance explore career pathways and set them up for succees in high school. Students visited the Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy’s ethanol plant south of Council Bluffs (pictured at right) as well as TS Bank, The Hub and other businesses during afternoon field trips. LYFT is supported by Iowa West Foundation and the District’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers. SIRE plant manager Dan Wych talks to incoming freshmen next giant ethanol tanks during a tour of Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy’s plant for LYFT program participants on July 13, 2022. TIM JOHNSON/THE DAILY NONPAREIL
Alumni & Friends Raise $15,000 at Golf Outing
8 Summer 2022 ACHIEVE: The Magazine of the Council Bluffs Community School District
Kids learn best in good company. Your child’s development can be further enriched where they’re already learning every day. Register for before- and after-school care at your child’s school! Sign up for Kids & Company at cbsf.org.
The second annual Alumni & Friends Golf Outing was a huge success thanks to our incredible alumni and friends. Participants of the sold-out event experienced a day full of funParticipantstogether. from across the country joined us for the scramble. A special highlight was the Thomas Jefferson Class of 1977 reunion, which hosted four teams. The scramble featured teams designated to represent Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson high schools. At the end of the tournament, scores were tallied and Thomas Jefferson was announced theTogetherwinner! they raised more than $15,000 in support of the children, families, and staff of the Council Bluffs Community School District. Thank you to our wonderful event sponsors: Silverstone Group | HUB International, Joe Clanton with Better Homes & Gardens, Greg Duncan with State Farm Insurance, and John Dresher with American Family Insurance. Find more about the Council Bluffs Schools Foundation, including other upcoming events and ways to stay engaged, at www.cbsf.org.
FORE-WARD TOGETHER
ACHIEVE: The Magazine of the Council Bluffs Community School District Summer 2022 9 BEYOND THE CLASSROOM Jackets, Lynx Athletes Hit the Diamond Featured student-athletes, from top left: Jacket Baseball Team • Braydon Lincoln • Joey Podraza • Charlee Breitkreutz • Shaeley Bose • Lexi Smith • Jacob Lesley • Lynx Softball Team AL baseball photos courtesy Rob Peters
Samantha Schreier Assistant Principal, Thomas Jefferson Schreier has served as an English language arts teacher at AL. Schreier has served in the Council Bluffs Schools since 2013. Schreier holds an Specialist in Educational Leadership degree.
Administrators Appointed to New Roles in District
Superintendent Dr. Vickie Murillo has announced the following updates to the Council Bluffs Schools administrative team for the 2022-23 school year.
Michael Naughton Principal, Thomas Jefferson High School Naughton has served as the principal of Wilson for two years, and joined the District in 2000. He taught elementary and middle school, and he was Edison’s principal before leading Wilson.
Cristi Midkiff Assistant Principal, Wilson Middle School Midkiff served as a math instructional coach at Rue and has been with the District since 2009, first as a teacher before becoming a coach. She holds a master’s in educational leadership.
Congratulations to these leaders! Zach Pope Principal, Roosevelt Elementary Pope was an assistant principal at Wilson for three years and prior to that was the lead teacher for the summer program.
Jerri Larson Assistant Principal, Wilson Middle School Larson has served as a principal since 2004 at Gunn, Crescent, Walnut Grove and Franklin. Previously, she was an assistant principal at Kirn and now brings her experience to Wilson.
Janelle Valla Principal, Lewis & Clark Elementary Valla has been a first grade teacher at Rue. She joined the District in 2013 and added the role of classroom strategist in 2017. She holds a master’s in educational leadership from UNO.
Courtney Cronk Principal, Rue Elementary Cronk was a first grade teacher at Edison and has taught in the District since 2014. She served in both building and district leadership capacities and holds two master’s degrees.
10 Summer 2022 ACHIEVE: The Magazine of the Council Bluffs Community School District
Devin Schoening Principal, Crescent Elementary Schoening has been the coordinator of the K-12 Virtual Academy since 2020. Crescent is the host for the academy. Schoening has also been a District technology coach since 2010. Dr. Tracy Mathews Chief Academic Officer Mathews was the chief of schools for preschool through grade 5. In this role, Mathews will lead the Teaching & Learning Department in PK-12 curriculum, instruction and assessment. She has been at the Council Bluffs Schools since 2007 and joined District leadership in 2017 as the director preschool programming, and she is a former principal of Crescent and Lewis & Clark.
Previously, Pope taught special education at Thomas Jefferson.
James Larsen Assistant Principal, Wilson Middle School Larsen has been an AL social studies teacher and classroom strategist. Larsen has been with the Council Bluffs Schools since 2008 as a teacher, instructional coach and assessment coordinator.
JoAnna Letz Principal, Wilson Middle School Letz served as assistant principal of Wilson from 2016 to 2018 and as a TJ assistant principal from 2018 to 2021. She was principal of Lewis & Clark and has been in the District since 1997.
Charla Johnson Principal, Franklin Elementary Johnson is joining the Council Bluffs Schools from Omaha, where she has been an elementary principal since 2010. Prior to that, she was an assistant principal and instructional facilitator.
PROVIDING LEADERSHIP
Luke Peterson AD/Assistant Principal, Thomas Jefferson Peterson has been the activities director at Kirn since 2013, where he taught PE and served as head coach for football and track. He has been the school’s liaison with high school coaches.
John Schultz Assistant Principal, Thomas Jefferson Schultz has been a secondary principal in Nebraska and Iowa since 2012 including Gross Catholic and the Sidney Community Schools. He is pursuing a educational doctorate.
Chris King Assistant Principal, Thomas Jefferson King joins the Council Bluffs Schools this year after serving as director of student services in the East Union Community Schools in Afton, Iowa, and as a teacher in other Iowa school districts. Tanya Windham Assistant Principal, Abraham Lincoln Windham has been the administrator of the Heartland Therapeutic School and Children’s Square Academic Center. A school administrator since 2013, Windham previously worked at TJ.
John Crall Assistant Principal, Abraham Lincoln Crall joins the Council Bluffs Schools this year after serving as a special education teacher and mentor teacher at Ames High School since 2010. Crall has earned three master’s degrees.
Melissa Comine Chief of Schools - 6-12 Comine was named as the interim chief of high schools in November 2021 and now serves both the middle and high schools, including in career and technical education, Early College Academy and Diploma +1 Pathways. She had worked in the Omaha Public Schools for the past 23 years, most recently as the chief academic officer of curriculum and instructional support.
The Abraham Lincoln Girls Soccer team capped off an historic season this year by becoming the first A.L. girls team to appear in a state championship game. With a record of 17-4, the AL Girls would be crowned Missouri River Conference Champions for the 3rd year in a row and for the 4th time in the last 5 seasons. This would also lead the Lynx to their 4th straight state tournament appearance (No 2020 season due to COVID-19).
Casey Moran Assistant Special Education Director Moran was principal at Rue and has been with the District since 2014. Prior to Rue, he was the principal of Bloomer and Lewis & Clark. He has served as a classroom teacher, district math coach, middle school basketball coach, high school assistant soccer coach, and summer school building supervisor. Moran is in the dissertation phase of an educational leadership program.
According to head coach Robbie Miller, the players focused this year on a change in the team’s culture. “We worked on character development off the field, because we know our girls are more than capable of handling things on the field. In looking ahead to next season, Coach Miller highlighted all of his players and specifically the seniors. Coach Miller said his favorite part of this historical run was Hanna Shimmer’s “golden goal” that sent the team to the championship match. After this season “full of joy,” he expects the Lynx to continue their success next season.
ACHIEVE: The Magazine of the Council Bluffs Community School District Summer 2022 11
HISTORIC SEASON
The Lynx girls started off the playoffs with a 10-0 win over fellow MRC opponent, the Sioux City East Black Raiders. The Lynx would then take on the Sioux City West and defeat the Wolverines by a convincing score of 6-1 to advance to the quarterfinals against Des Moines Dowling. The AL Girls would put up 3 goals on the Maroons and not allow them to get to the net, securing their trip to the semifinals and a date with the Ankeny Hawks, the 2019 state champions who had defeated the Lynx earlier in the regular season. Adjustments were made and the Lynx were able to clip the Hawk’s wings in overtime with a 1-0 victory. Unfortunately, a heartbreaking loss to the #5 ranked Ankeny Centennial Jaguars in the Class 3A championship game by the score of 2-0 ended the girl’s season coming up just short. However, with the impact these players made this season, there would be no reason for the players to hang their heads. They had accomplished more than many that came before them and made their friends, family, school, city, and fans all proud. After the game, seniors Hanna Schimmer and Paige Bracker, along with sophomore Lexy Mayo would all be honored and were each named to the Class 3A alltournament team. Paige Bracker was also selected as Iowa’s only National Scholar AllAmerican by the United Soccer Coaches. This is one of the highest honors a student soccer athlete can receive.
Mark Schuldt Chief of Schools - K-5 Schuldt supported six elementary schools as well as the two middle schools this past year, and now will work with the principals at 11 elementary schools on continuous school improvement. Schuldt first joined the Council Bluffs Schools in 1998 as a teacher at Longfellow. He’s been an AEA K-12 math consultant and principal at Gunn and Roosevelt. He has two master’s degrees.
First State Championship Appearance for AL Girls
2. Eat a nutritious meal. It’s hard to focus when you’re hungry, so make a plan for your child to have a breakfast and lunch. Keep in mind that those nutrition meals are available for free at your child’s school. Growing minds need the building blocks to keep growing their bodies.
The keys include making sure your child is ready to learn from the moment the bell rings and has what they need to continue learning throughout the school day, including when it comes to homework and extracurriculars. This year, we’re asking student to #ShowUp but that means more than just attendance. It means showing up for themselves, for their friends and classmates, for their families, for their teachers and for their school. We want them to #ShowUp for the big game, #ShowUp for their group project, #ShowUp for a friend who needs help and #ShowUp when a little extra help is needed with an assignment. Here are five tips to help set your child up for success on their first day and for each day of the upcoming school year:
A new school year presents an opportunity to establish new routines that can make a big difference for academic success — as well as calmer mornings and easier school nights.
5
Among the strategies we use to keep our students safe are the following:
• Hold means students stay in their class or move to the nearest classroom, while staff are checking the halls and resume teaching.
4. Communicate with your school. Parents need to know the expectations set by their child’s teachers. Download the PowerSchool app to keep track of grades, assignments, tardies and absences. Families should reach out early if they have any concern to discuss.
• All doors are locked, and the main entry doors are monitored by school staff members during student arrival and dismissal times.
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• Evacuate means students and staff move to an announced location. Shelter
1. Establish a routine. A regular bedtime, and enough sleep, is important, but take a few minutes each night to have everything ready for the morning — clothes set out, homework in a packed backpack, a plan for lunch, etc. Make sure homework is done promptly at a regular time, and build in some time to read.
LockdownEvacuateHold
• All schools have an advanced network of video cameras that are monitored and remotely accessible.
ACHIEVE: The Magazine of the Council Bluffs Community School District PREPARED Back to School Tips to #ShowUp Ready to Learn
• Keyless entry systems in our school buildings allow authorized and traceable access for employees with keycards. Most of the systems are already in place, with
• All schools have safety vestibules that restrict access to the school by directing all visitors through the main office for screening purposes.•Inaddition to the School Police Resource Officers assigned to our middle and high schools, dedicated security guards are on duty at Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln High Schools.
3. Ask about their day. Showing interest in your child’s studies and activities is a signal of its importance, so don’t take “nothing” for an answer when asking what they learned. Ask if there are any obstacles to your child’s success and discuss strategies to overcome them, or reach out to your child’s school for assistance.
5. Make adjustments as needed. No one is perfect, and everyone has a bad day. So when plans don’t work or routines start to break down, it’s OK — that just means it’s time to get back on track. Consider discussing with your child why a change is needed and what lessons might be learned from where things went amiss, but show them how to regroup and be ready to #ShowUp the next day. Secure installation at the remaining school buildings expected by December. • The District uses a Visitor Management System in all buildings. The system scans an identification card, such as a driver’s license, and conducts an on-the-spot check of the nationally-compiled sex offender database. Once cleared, a visitor sticker is then printed with the visitor’s photo, the day’s date, and destination within the school, for the visitor to wear during their visit.
The community should also be familiar with the Standard Response Protocol terminology used when schools are faced with a situation where an emergency could develop:
The Council Bluffs Community School District remains focused on student support and safety, with comprehensive emergency preparedness and operations plans, procedures and training. Recent incidents of violence within schools have underscored the importance of this preparedness.
• Lockdown means doors are locked, lights are turned off and students are asked to stay out of sight and remain silent.
BE
WE’RE READY: Support, Safety Remain Top Priority
• Secure means students return inside and proceed with business as usual, while staff increase their situational awareness.
• Shelter means a safety strategy is used for a hazard like a tornado warning or flooding.
• Advanced intrusion detection systems alert designated school personnel when the building is unoccupied. Standard Response Protocol
The following students are also part of this national championship team: Garret Foster Dara Pich Dalton KassandraJacquelineMcCormickBuntenNatalieBobzienJosephHibbertHirsch-RollinsKayleyCoffeyKaciWohlers
Two outstanding students competed in the International Career Development Conference and Competition. Kaylee Woolsoncroft, 1st Place, Integrated Marketing Campaign Guadalupe Ramirez, 1st Place, Integrated Marketing CampaignAir Force Junior ROTC National High School Drill Meet Champions
Recognizing Students Who Go Above and Beyond
Anna Newby and new graduate Emily Newby from AL received the Outstanding Women’s History Award for their group documentary project: “Pinning Down Diplomacy: Inside Madeleine Albright’s Diplomatic Jewelry Box.” Lelah Good from Kirn received the outstanding Military History Award for her individual Documentary “Be Silent: Go Public.”
Technology Student Association National Qualifiers 2022 Mason McCreedy-Sprinkel, Evan Garton (with teacher Denise Hoag) and Miguel Soria (not pictured) of TJ took 2nd Place in the Webmaster cateogory of the TSA State Competition and competed in nationals.
ACHIEVE: The Magazine of the Council Bluffs Community School District Summer 2022 13
Meredith Struebing from AL qualified for the National History Day Contest with her paper “Speak No German: The Bah-bel Proclamation.”
STUDENT STARS
State Track
Kaia Schleifmann from Kirn also qualified for the National History Day Contest with her individual documentary: “Debating Desegregation: Crisis In Little Rock”
Fifteen cadets participated in the All-Service JROTC National High School Drill Meet in Daytona Beach, Florida in April and brought home outstanding honors, including a National Championship in an unarmed division with 27 teams of like size from around the nation. Other accomplishments at the National Meet include: 4th Place: Inspection, 4th Place: Exhibition, 1st Place: Regulation and 1st Place: Color Guard. Drill team graduating seniors were: Cadet Alizia Frieze National Fist Place Drill Commander Megan CarmellaAshtonGraceHannahWilsonLiwaiConantSaundersHargens
Thanks to the sponsorship of the Council Bluffs Schools Foundation, outstanding students receive Student Star Awards, and are recognized by Superintendent Dr. Vickie Murillo and the Board of Education.
State History Day Award Winners and National Qualifiers 2022
State DECA and National Qualifiers 2022
Abbi Lasale (with Coach Traci Stoop) earned 2nd place at the Class 4A State Track Meet in the 400 meter hurdles with a time of 1 minute, 4.59 seconds. This time set a school record, and ranked in the top 30 in the U.S.
State Tennis Abraham Lincoln High School doubles partners Chris Wailes and Ty James qualified for the State Tennis Tournament after earning 2nd place at Districts.
District
• 5 YEARS OF SERVICE: Ryan Boege, Wendy Ziegler, Vanessa Deis, Tondi Ronk, Tracey Michaels, Terrence McGurren, Taylor Larson, Sarah Wright, Sarah Sloan, Stephanie Poast, Stefanie Mortensen, Stacey Hohneke, Sherri Guerrero, Shelby Kaczmarek, Shelly Clark, Sarah Biorn, Rebecca Elbert, Patricia Stuart, Phillip Smith, Nathan Harm, Nathaniel George, Michelle Fastnacht, Megan Sivard, Matthew Scheidle, Michael Reed, Melissa Peffer, Mattie Misfeldt, Megan McLaughlin, Melinda Grove, Misty Gilleland, Michael Brown, Lorie Wilcoxson, Larry Sward, Laura Scarpello, Laura Brown, Katherine Adams, Kara Vezeau Crouch, Kathleen Schmedding, Kori Russell, Kenna McGurren, Karen Hannam, Jill Scheer, Jocelyn Rathbun, Julie Mooney, Jared Meyer, Jami McCuen, Jami Hoover, Jessica Frederickson, James Eddy, Jakob Dorsett, Joy Chambers, Jennifer Campbell, Holly Miller, Gary Rindone, Gabrielle Miller, Geri Clemons, Felisha Neighbors, Felicia Moreno, Emily Solomon, Erika Martinez Padron, Elizabeth Hecker, Erin Burns, Emily Baxter, Dawn Von Mende, Desiree Overall, Denise Koehler, Danielle Mendoza, Daniel Black, Christina Whitmore, Christian Von Mende, Corissa Millikan, Christopher Martin, Bianca Lopez, Amber Sward, Abby Robinson, Amy Parks, April Hill, Andrea Harman, Abigail Cornelison, Alexandrea Prucka, Ashley Calhoon, Brett Abbotts, Teresa Hamilton, Vickie Murillo, Laura Pierson, Hailey Hiers, Jack O’Brien, Kristen Wagoner, Wendy Wallace
Dan Black inspires orchestra students at Kirn and A.L., where he’s been for the past five of his 14 years as a classroom teacher. Black’s ability to develop positive and productive relationships with students is one of his greatest strengths. His classroom environment is one of mutual respect and trust. He is also able to engage students in the content and frequently models his thinking for students, which helps to make learning more accessible. He established a parent orchestra event, where sixth grade orchestra students teach their parents how to play instruments. He also has developed new connections between the Lynx Orchestra program and the Omaha Symphony Music Mentors program, the Omaha Area Youth Orchestra and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln music faculty. Black is a proud ambassador for Council Bluffs, presenting his work far and wide at multiple conferences, most notably for the Iowa Music Educators Association and at the National Modern Band Summit. Due to his caring personality and efforts, enrollment in the instrumental music is at an all-time high.
Brittany Hettrick is a caring educator who places students at the center of her work. She often shares her knowledge during professional development meetings and listens to others for growth opportunities. She is well respected by peers, and her opinion is trusted by many. Hettrick is in her seventh year as an elementary principal, and she is beginning her second year at Longfellow. Under her leadership in hiring, teacher development, distributed leadership, and feedback, Longfellow has reported a positive impact on student achievement. When challenges arise, Hettrick always approaches the situation with a calm demeanor and a solution-oriented mindset. She thinks strategically, which allows her to develop and execute school improvement plans with precision and focus. She has created a strong school climate.
In her own time, she is taking sign language classes to assist Deaf and hard-of-hearing students. She supports T.J. by attending after school programs, sports, drama and music.
GOING THE EXTRA MILE Names Employees, Principal of the Year
McClellen uses her decades of experience to benefit Extended Learning Program students to make them as independent as possible and prepare them to transition from high school to adulthood.
Kirn Middle School & Abraham Lincoln High School
• 25 YEARS OF SERVICE: Sharon Anderson, Marleen Peterson, Lisa Simonetti, Katherine Reed, Johanna Ross, Janell Boes, Christine Jenkins, Bryan Pregon, Alicia Sausedo, Amy Gustafson, Joanna Letz
• 20 YEARS OF SERVICE: Wendy Leazenby, Robert Roane, Ryan Loots, Nicole Meyers, Melissa Walden, Margee Hendrickson, Lea Brandenburg, Kylene Moore, Kelly Duffek, Jennifer Rotert, Jamie Naughton, Jessie Devereaux, Jenni Degner, Denise Talbott, Darcie Smith, Danielle Alcaraz, Christopher Nymann, Bethene Adams, Amy Anderson
BRITTANY HETTRICK 2022 Principal of the Year Longfellow Elementary School JUDY McCLELLEN 2022 Support Staff Member of the Year Thomas Jefferson High School
35 YEARS OF SERVICE: Terry Tanner-Mcneal, Suzanne Shudak, Kim Wettengel, Cynthia Stark, Beverly Johnson, Angela Parks • 30 YEARS OF SERVICE: Sandra Leaders, Kay Durfey, Dawn Cox, Carmen Kinsley, Beverly York, Ann Clinton, Todd Barnett, Marty Shudak
RECOGNIZING 2022 EMPLOYEE MILESTONES IN SERVICE
Paraeducator Judy McClellen sees each student’s possibilities and not their disabilities and is always encouraging her students. She strives to build relationships with students, and she learns the strengths of each one, as well as learning about all of their interests.
14 Summer 2022 ACHIEVE: The Magazine of the Council Bluffs Community School District
McClellen is an integral part of the Helping Hive food program at T.J. She is truly here for the children and families and makes a positive impact every day.
• 15 YEARS OF SERVICE: Patricia Schmitz, Trina Casey, Sheila Cleaver, Stacy Brown, Robert Miller, Ronda Buchta, Matt Young, Michael McIntosh, Krista Walter, Kimberly Alexander, Jerri Mitchell, Jenny McKenzie, Jamie Bradley, Jessica Aldrich, Heather Thomas, Heather Hall, Debralee Lithimane, Debra Lampman, Christopher Brewer, Brian Circo, Aileen Dowell, Anne Lainson, Tracy Mathews, Jeanie Scott, Brooke Roberts
Recently, McClellen has helped introduce the ELP students to the TradeWorks program where they are learning daily living skills like using tools. She takes the lead to assist nonverbal students in how to utilize technology for daily communication and work.
• 10 YEARS OF SERVICE: William Sisser, Tara Whittington, Tia West, Tara Cavanagh, Sharon White, Stephanie Heyer, Ryan Sinclair, Rachel Horton, Rebekah Harmon, Natalie Bantz, Michael West, Molly O’Siochain, Matthew Johnson, Malia Hendricks, Lisa Poe, Linda King, Lynne Eckley, Kimberli Shaffer, Kerri Presser, Krista Johnson, Kourtney Huffman, Kaitlin Haller, Johnna Sillik, Jessica Rosenberg, Julie Perry, Jessica Hols, Jennifer Haney, Joseph Euteneuer, Heather Humbert, Erin Waters, Elizabeth Koepp, Elmer Ellefson, Cassandra Scoblic, Carrie O’Donnell Brink, Cassandra Nicklen, Crystal Lewis, Brandon Fisher, Brenda Capel, Brittany Hettrick Jensen
DAN BLACK 2022 Licensed Staff Member of the Year
Hettrick leads by example and is the epitome of a leader who has high expectations for herself and others and will provide a high level of support to ensure the success of all stakeholders in her school community.
Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson High School students participated over 2,330 times in 123 clubs during the 2021-22 school year. kindergarten students this fall will be part Class 2035! They attend school total their K-12 in CB Schools.
a combination of
and extracurricular activities
a
The incoming
Please check the official calendar at cb-schools.org Back to School Night Monday, August 22nd Elementary: 4-6 p.m. Middle: Last names A–L 4:30–5:30 p.m.; M–Z 5:30–6:30 p.m. High: 6-7 p.m. First Day of School K-12 Students: Tuesday, August 23rd Preschool Students: Thursday, August 25th Labor Day – No School Monday, September 5th End of First Quarter –Student Vacation Day Friday, October 28th IMPORTANTDATES 22 23
of the
ACHIEVE: The Magazine of the Council Bluffs Community School District Summer 2022 15 FUN FACTS
All CB Schools students will continue to receive daily free breakfast and lunch throughout the school year as part of the USDA-sponsored Community Eligibility Provision.
experience
Council Bluffs is proud to have formed the first-ever Girls Wrestling Team to compete during this inaugural season of the Statesanctioned High School Girls Wrestling Program. A combined AL and TJ team will compete in the 14 weight classes for the 2022-23 season. They’ll represent our district with an iconic Black Squirrel as their mascot.
of 2,340 days throughout
of
CB Schools residents are invited to participate in one of the standing committees, including Career and Technical Education Advisory; Facilities; Finance; Policy Review; and School Improvement Advisory. For descriptions or to apply, visit the district’s website.
can expect to
the
COUNCIL BLUFFS COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT 300 W. Broadway, Suite 1600 Council Bluffs, IA 51503
