Nov. 2015
Volume 91
Issue 2
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Iowa Superintendent of the Year
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Adriana Ibarra Reporter
After being superintendent for over eight years, Martha Bruckner was named Iowa Superintendent of the Year. On October 29th, there was a reception at TJ honoring Bruckner and her accomplishment. “It is the consistent work of so many people who are working very hard to make our school district and our community the best it can be,” said Bruckner. “I love the chance to represent all those people and to let others in Iowa know about our great work.” Dr. Bruckner has a double major in English and Speech. After she graduated with her majors, she returned to UNO to receive her master’s degree. “I have been in education for over 40 years, having the opportunity to work as a high school teacher, assistant principal, principal, school board member, university professor, associate superintendent, and now a superintendent. It seems that they all might have prepared me for this wonderful job I now have in Council Bluffs Schools.” When Bruckner went into her first meeting, she was told that there was not much she could do as a superintendent,
Superintendent Dr. Martha Bruckner talking with sophomore Scott Foote in a classroom. Photo by Elise Willits.
because students enrollments were being declined. Brucker felt the need to do something about the situation. Being a leader, Bruckner knew she could not give up, that is why she approached the problem with her “yes we can” catch phrase. “I have had great mentors including professors and colleagues, who have helped me realize that education is a wonderful way to have an impact on the world we live in,” said Bruckner. Affecting students lives is what made Bruckner come into the teaching business. She cares for the students so much that she feels accomplished and happy every time that they learn something that has come from her.
“I have enjoyed working with students and working to support students. That’s really the reason most educators get into the business. I have had a great opportunity to work with lots of other adults who also care very much for students. We get our “kicks” whenever we get a sense that we’re helping students - whether individually or in groups.” Bruckner’s yes-we-can statement has led to more enrollments in the Council Bluffs School District since 2007. Throughout these years, the school administrators of Iowa organization has seen Dr. Bruckner’s work and were very impressed, thus being the reason she was named 2015-16 superintendent of the year.
Didn’t see the signs Morgan Barth Reporter
CBCSD Chief Technology Officer David Fringer with Wilson students. Photo by Derrick Johnson.
Derrick Johnson Editor-in-Chief
After many months, BLink is officially out to the public. The Council Bluffs Area Wi-Fi Consortium announced their plan to implement the first phase of Bluffs Community Wi-Fi on Thursday, October 15th. “The goal of BLink is to bring as much free Wi-Fi to the public as possible,” said Council Bluffs Community Schools Chief Technology Officer Dave Fringer. “This is not the first Wi-Fi plan
in Council Bluffs, but it’s going to be the biggest. The whole community is our classroom.” The community was really committed to getting the project underway. Some of the biggest supporters were Pete Tulipana and the Iowa West Foundation, as well as Google and the Charles E. Lakin Family Foundation. Their donations were some of the largest contributors toward the grand total which happened to be around $3,000,000.
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Thomas Jefferson is the only school in Council Bluffs to have not school zone signs, and this is a safety issue, because drivers would be able to drive dangerously without increased punishment. At most schools, there is a 15 or 25 mph speed limit sign that usually sits on corners, or somewhere in front of the school. The yellow lights on the sign flash during school hours, so drivers are fully aware that school is in session. Those who are caught speeding will be given a fine that holds $250 for each traffic violation and an additional $500 for each offense. “If there is no “School Zone” sign designated, then it would just be a regular speeding ticket,” said Wilson Middle School Student Resource Officer (SRO) Chris Hite.
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Graphic made by Michael Hiers.
Thomas Jefferson sits on Broadway, one of the busiest streets in the city. The red light cameras on Broadway are suppose to reduce speeding and accidents, by reminding drivers that they would face a ticket if they run a red light. But even with the cameras officers aren’t able to catch everyone who speeds around the school. “For it to be an official zone, it must be marked
as such,” said Officer Hite. “Unfortunately, no sign, no higher fine.” Before any renovations had occurred at TJ, there was a crosswalk that would safely let students and pedestrians walk across the street. “I believe that the cross walk was eliminated because students were walking across the street, at or near the crosswalk without waiting for a green Continued on page 3