SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2018
Partners in
Education
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PARTNERS IN EDUCATION
Poyner’s Partners in Education Waterloo Schools are generous with support prepares students
EVANSDALE – Poyner El ementary School’s Partners in Education are Tyson Fresh Meats, Tyson Prepared Foods, Barnes and Noble Waterloo, First Security State Bank, Prince of Peace Church, Hy-Vee Crossroads, Elk Run City Hall and St. Mark’s Church. Lead teacher Jill Barta says the schools “Partners in Education are always ready to support. We are amazed at their generosity.” The school’s partners participate in numerous school projects and activities, such as providing funds, supplies and volunteers for the annual Thanksgiving Food Basket, holiday Adopt-aFamily, Iowa Assessment snacks, school supplies, May Day baskets for each grade level and the Barnes and Noble book fair. First Security State Bank provides and serves cookies and juice for all six evening music performances. The bank also donated money to cover the cost of bussing third- through fifth-
for the future DR. JANE LINDAMAN
Superintendent’s Message
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grader to attend a viewing of the movie “Wonder.” Hy-Vee donated walking taco ingredients to the Parent Teacher Organization for Bingo night and gave a discount on cookies for Family Night. Tyson Fresh Meats donated
taco meat for various school activities. Tyson Prepared Foods donated a Summer BBQ gift bag for the Barnes and Noble drawing, and employee raised to help the school purchase a reading program for kindergarteners and first-graders.
Partners becoming more active at West High WATERLOO – West High School is partnered with John Deere, Kaplan University and The Other Place on Ridgeway. During the school year, John Deere hosted a booth at the Parent-Teacher conferences and donated supplies for the West High Christmas wrapping fundraiser at Crossroads Mall. The Other Place on Ridgeway assited with feeding the staff during Parent-Teacher conferences, as well as Student of the
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Month and Teacher Appreciation recognitions. Assistant Principal Bryon Phillips says the school is fortunate to have Partners in Education who are becoming more
active each year. “We are looking forward to working with our partners in the years to come to enrich the educational experiences of the students and staff here at West High.”
On behalf of Waterloo Schools, we want to take this opportunity to thank all the businesses, organizations, churches and families who partner with us. We continue to start new partnerships and grow existing ones. Now in my fourth year as superintendent, I have been with Waterloo Schools for 13 years. I came to Waterloo Schools in 2005 as a principal at Bunger Middle School and later moved to the district office as a director and associate superintendent. I am passionate about our students, staff, families and community. As many of you know, Waterloo Schools is on a mission to improve student learning and our school system. Our staff works very hard to personalize learning for each and every student. We believe in Global Thinking and Limitless Choices for all the students we serve. We are proud to be one of only two districts in the state of Iowa offering the International Baccalaureate program, and do so at both East and West High School. The IB Program is a highly challenging, two-year program for juniors and seniors, which extends students’ perspectives, deepens their knowledge and allows them to broaden their understanding of national and international studies. The IB program encourages students to become an active part of change in their community through the creative, action, service requirement. This program has been an excellent addition for our high school students. Our career and technical programming continues to expand
as a way to make learning more relevant for students by connecting content to careers. We want to ensure students have the chance to Lindaman explore career options while in high school. This builds a bridge between high school and post-secondary life, but also makes learning more relevant. It helps answer the age-old question, “Why do we have to learn this?” We know that the future of the Cedar Valley and global economy depend on preparing our young people for careers that are either currently unfilled or have yet to be created. Waterloo Schools is truly blessed to work with some of the best businesses and organizations in the Cedar Valley. Housed on the north end of Central Middle School, our Waterloo Career Center will grow from five to 20 career pathways by 2020. Involvement and support from our partners is critical to the expansion of CTE, bringing both time and talent to our entire district. The support we receive goes far beyond anything we could provide within our usual resources. We truly are grateful and appreciative of everything our partners do. Now in our 29th year of the Partners in Education program, we know continuing to grow a network in the community is beneficial for the entire Cedar Valley. While better preparing our young people for their own career preparation, it also helps to provide highly skilled employees for the Cedar Valley. Together we are building a more vibrant future!
PARTNERS IN EDUCATION
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Bunger recognizes Partners’ contributions Bunger Middle School shares partnerships with four businesses: The Other Place in Evansdale, Peters Construction, First Congregational Church and John Deere Waterloo Foundry. First Congregational Church transports students of the month
to their luncheon each month, while the Other Place hosts the lunchen. Peters Construction provides $20 monthly for the waiter tip for the luncheon. Both Peters and First Congregational adopted several families for the Christmas holiday.
“Bunger Middle School prides itself on building relationships with their students and making sure every student is recognized for their strengths and abilities,” explains sixth-grade social studies teacher Jennie Gross. “Partners in Education that
Partners participate in Becker projects Students at Becker Elementary School are appreciative of their Partners in Education: Noodles and Company, Department of Correctional Services, University of Northern Iowa and Rose Hill Miracle Church. Noodles and Company participates in the Reading Goal and Attendance Incentive Program, providing feel meals to students who have meet their goals. They also provide meals and donations for raffles and partner with the school to raise funds for hungry families. “For every dollar we raised Noodles and Company was able to provide 10 meals for our community. We were able to raise $500 which equaled 5,000 meals for hungry families within our community,” says Alex Hansen, Becker lead teacher and PIE coordinator. Partners volunteered through donations or time at both of the Becker Bash, Back to School Night, Trunk or Treat and our Diversity Celebration. They also participated in the AdoptA-Family project and canned food drive for Salvation Army. The Deparment of Correctional Services provides volunteers that work the events and connect with families. More than 100 UNI students worked with teachers and students, and Rose Hill Miracle Church provides tutoring service in math, reading, writing and science.
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Highland Partners make school a better place At Highland Elementary School, Partners make Highland a better place to teach and go to school, says Elaine Brown, kindergarten teacher and PIE committee member. Partners are Nazareth Lutheran Church, ReaLife Church, Petersen & Tietz Greenhouse and Florist, Omega Cabinets, John Deere Tractor Cab and Assembly Operations and Lincoln Savings Bank. In addition to hosting student of the month luncheons, partners participate by providing a yearly staff recognition treat, providing dinner for staff during parent-teacher conferences and cookies and lemonade for music concerts. In addition, partners participate in the Adopt-AFamily holiday project; pay for tickets for students to see a play at the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center; participate in My Waterloo Days parade and Earth Month activities, provide
two free bikes as incentives for Iowa Assessments; participate in the Carnation Sale fundraiser; provide and serve the Back-toSchool meal the week school starts; provide for the December book giveaway to students and guest readers; visits as children are arriving and eating breakfast; staff the annual Fall Festival; and collect Hy-Vee receipts. Highland staff members nominate each other to win a monthly award for “going above and beyond” at school. The winner receives a flower bouquet donated from Partner Petersen and Tietz and a $25 gift card from one of the partners. Children at Nazareth Lutheran Church and Highland students have a pen pal project. “We can always count on our partners to help us with any needs we have. Our partners always have our back. They work with us to make Highland a better place for everybody,” says Brown.
support Bunger do an amazing job at providing us with people that spend time with these students each month, and the students are provided a pizza meal to enjoy. The students enjoy this monthly experience and are so proud they get to celebrate the
accomplishment.” Seventh-grader Raeanne Platt says, “Our partners in education made it possible for me and my peers to go to the OP for becoming student of the month. Me and my school really appreciate what they do.”
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PARTNERS IN EDUCATION
Partners, Cunningham students share collaboration Dr. Walter Cunningham School for Excellence has six Partners in Education: Community Bank & Trust; St. Timothy’s Methodist Church, the city of Waterloo, Waterloo Public Library, Hellman Associates, KBBG and Candeo Church. “Our Partners in Education are absolutely amazing. I love having the opportunity to collaborate with our partners, finding ways to improve the teacher and student experience at Cunningham,” says Emily Miranda, mentor coach. Each month a group of students that show STAR behavior is served a pancake breakfast to enjoy with their parents. Community Bank and Trust provides the supplies and several of our partners come every month to serve this breakfast. Mr. and Mrs. Capps from St. Timothy’s donate time every week to organize and count milk moola,
Support for Hoover students from partners Hoover Middle School has partnerships that help their students. The school’s Partners in Education are ReMax Realtors, Amy Wienands Real Estate, Mercy Health, Horace Mann, Friendship Village, Hampton Inn, Fareway, Wildwood Ranch and Ed Gallagher. Partners help honor students of the month and provide support for numerous projects and activities.
Lunch buddies Maddie Crichton and fourthgrader John’Naija Demoss COURTESY PHOTO
box tops and H-Vee receipts. Partners donated bags of candy and their time for Trick or Treat Night, and serve as lunch buddies. “ I’m really happy to have a lunch buddy. He is nice and makes me excited to learn. He makes lunch a lot more fun for me,” explains thirdgrader Marcus Gardner. Partners provided holiday dinner for more than 20 families through Adopt-A-Family. St. Timothy’s and the city of Waterloo bought butterflies and flowers decorated by fifth-grade students to sponsor their end-of-the-year field trip. Partners donate raffle prizes and provide volunteers to run the carnival, and fourth- and fifth-grade students visit partners to sing holiday carols. Community Bank and Trust and city of Waterloo partner
with a fifth-grade class serving as a journal buddy for each student to help promote writing. “The fifth-graders love writing to their Journal Buddies. They get so excited to read the responses. Our partners do a great job making it a special, individualized experience for each student,” says Kathryn Danielson, fifth-grade teacher. Candeo Church sponsored and organized a large project providing coats, hats, gloves, and boots for students, Winter Bundles of Joyu. They came to the school and distributed these items. The Salt Company, an organization within Candeo Church, provided more than 20 volunteers that committed to being lunch buddies with some of our students. They came each week and built great relationships.
East High’s partners help students succeed Partners in Education at Waterloo’s East High School help students make a positive impact. The school is partnered with Elks Lodge No. 290, Regions Bank, Bethany Bible Chapel and John Deere. The Elks Lodge donates both funds and facility for student of the month lunches, giving students a sense of pride in their accomplishments, as well as acknowledging parental support Bethany Bible Church donates gifts for the student of the month and provided space and snacks for PBIS reward for annual lock-in. Students are rewarded for going entire year without any behavioral referrals and have C’s or higher in all their classes. The church also provided dress code appropriate fleeces so students could stay in class and materials for students.
John Deere donated funds for the PBDA picnic and awards, donated gift cards to student of the month recipients, donated money for the Academic Awards ceremony and the PBDA group picture. As a result students are kept focused on making good choices, provided motivation to work hard to receive awards and keeps students engaged in school. Regions Bank donates gifts for student of the month awards, volunteers to serve staff meals during conferences, fleece and coats for students and provided dress code appropriate clothing for the clothing closet. Their support rewards students for making positive choices and getting good grades, helps create a sense of community among staff, helps students follow the dress code and stay warm.
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Partners assist Expo students throughout the year Expo Alternative Learning Center has five Partners in Education: Sunrise Exchange Club; Texas Roadhouse; Orchard Hill Church; Tad Bean; and John Deere Engine Works Pop Can Committee. Texas Roadhouse continues to support the Expo Alternative Learning Center by providing monthly gift certificates for staff and student leaders of the month. The Sunrise Exchange Club recognized six seniors at an awards breakfast. Each of the six seniors wrote an essay and received the Accepting the Chal-
lenge of Excellence Award which includes a small scholarship. The club also presents an overall ACE scholarship to a senior. Tad Bean continues to support Expo Alternative by helping with fundraisers at Young Arena and wrapping gifts at Crossroads Mall. Tad supports students and staff by attending the holiday meal and end-of-year celebration. For the past several years Orchard Hill Church has partnered with the Expo Alternative Learning Center by donating items for the PBIS Store and
prizes for prom. “This has been a true partnership because we help with the Christmas in Walnut program sponsored by Orchard Hill Church, and in turn, they donate leftover items to our school for the students,” says Assistant Principal Henry Shepherd. The items donated include clothing, earbuds, makeup, basketballs, footballs, purses, wallets, watches and more. The Expo Alternative Learning Center’s Student Lighthouse Team will volunteer at the 2018 Christmas in Walnut program.
On May 4, students and staff will participate in the Annual Service Learning Day and a few classrooms will volunteer at the Sunrise Exchange Petting Zoo. Students rake, paint and prepare for animals to move into the zoo for the summer.
The center’s annual holiday meal was made possible in part by a generous gift the John Deere Engine Works Pop Can Committee. Each year the committee donates a large number of turkeys for the meal and extras to assist families.
Irving Partners show care for students Irving Elementary School Principal Amy Schmidt describes PIE as “such a light in a school, but in our school, it is even more. It is a true opportunity for our students to see that not only do we as their teachers care about them, but that the community cares about them, too.” The school is partnered with Church Row Historical Neighborhood Association, CUNA Mutual Group, First Baptist Church, First United Methodist Church, First Presbyterian Church, Ravenwood Nursing & Rehab Center, StruXture Architects, Trinity American Lutheran Church, Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, Wells Fargo Bank and DuPaco Community, Credit Union and Waterloo Exchange Club. During the school year, partners participate in the Adopt-a– Family holiday project. They also donated items for 100-day celebrations, volunteer as pen pals and provide school supplies for students and for ongoing needs throughout the school year. Partners donate money raised at various events and provide funding for mentor meeting space. “I think they are important because if students don’t have supplies, they help those students so they can have the things
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they need to do their work. They also help us go places that I may not get to go to if it wasn’t for them,” says third-grader Levonte Crockett. Fifth-grader Lyric Campbell says, “Thanks for all the things you have done for us, like donating you time, volunteering, etc.” Cory Arensdorf explains, “We greatly appreciate all that our partners in education do us all of us here at Irving Elementary. You are a crucial part of our success though your dedication, persistence, and commitment to our school. You are truly a part of our Irving family. Thank you.” In addition, Partners are paired with students as pen pals and
donate hats and mittens for student, created and provide support through direct programming such as Boys II Men. The Waterloo/Cedar Falls Courier donated more than 50 winter coats for students in need. Newspapers also were provide to third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students. “Students stayed extra warm this year with coats donated from our Partners in Ed,” says first-grade teacher Mrs. Moeller. “Our partners are always thinking outside of the box in regards to the traditional roles that partners play, creating groups such as Boys 2 Men, and we see the impact they are making,” says Adriane Carlson, family support.
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PARTNERS IN EDUCATION
Partners share time, talent, finances with Kittrell Kittrell Elementary School students and their Partners in Education share an active collaboration. Partners are Veridian, The Other Place on Ridgeway, Olive Garden, Hammond Avenue Brethren Church, Unity Presbyterian Church, Invision, Target, Optimist Club and the American Cancer Society. “We have a variety of PIE who assist our school in a plethora of ways. They give of their time, talents and finances, for which we are appreciative. We have built lasting partnerships which continue supporting us with the upkeep of our building, provision of activities and experiences which increase our student’s schema, and they spend time building relationships with students,” says Principal Audrey Wallican-Green. Fourth-graders are pen pals with members of the Hammond Avenue Brethren Church, and partners support the school by supporting holiday giving baskets, providing contributions to the Kittrell holiday store, as well as assisting with gift wrapping, and are active in No Strings Attached, Trunk or Treat and the summer grounds clean-up. Partners support the Thanksgiving breakfast, the fifth-grade bake sale, assist the Relay for Life Team in fundraising, and Verdian has helped students learn about
financial matters through the Superhero Saver Credit Union. PIE and the Parent-Teacher Organization have started meeting monthly to plan activities together. “ I appreciate our partnership with American Cancer Society.
We have a very active Relay for Life Team, and we have participated in the Relay each year. We also have a mini Relay Recess for our elementary students. We even have a PIE in the Face at an assembly to celebrate students for raising money for the
American Cancer Society,” says Linda Harris. Students like Aubrey Gwee, Jada Woodson and Jeniya Rouse enjoy getting to know new people through writing to pen pals and at the annual luncheon. “It is fun to meet our pen pals
that we know a little bit about and then get to meet them. We had a pizza lunch together,” says fourth-grader Kolesen Smith. Principal Green adds, “I love having such awesome partners and look forward to adding more PIE to our great team.”
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PARTNERS IN EDUCATION
Lowell partners care about success
Partners synergize with Kingsley students to improve school At Kingsley Elementary School Partners in Education make many things possible for students and staff. Their partners Manor Care, Vanderloo Chiropractic, Cedar Valley Vein Clinic, KWWL-TV, Hy-Vee on Ansborough Avenue, University of Iowa Credit Union and Westminster Presbyterian Church. Partner involvement begins in August when partners assist with Meet the Teacher night. They also help with Adopt-AFamily during the holidays and host a staff luncheon, Business partners are pen pals with students and provide snacks for Iowa Assessments. Students spread holiday cheer by caroling for business partners.
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“Our business partners also synergize with our students at meetings to discuss what steps they could take together to make our school and community even better,” says Principal Amber Dietz. Fifth-grader Calem Baez-Caldwell says, “Partner in Ed meetings are fun, and we actually get to help run the school and do stuff for the school with our business partners,” says Calem Baez-Caldwell, a fifth grader.
Carver’s partners provide range of support to school At George Washington Carver Academy, Partners in Education support the students and staff through their involvement. Their partners are: Hope City Church, Hy-Vee Logan Avenue, UnityPoint Health Allen Hospital , Wartburg College, MidWestOne Bank and St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. “Our partners do a lot to impact the lives and academics of our students each and every day. They go above and beyond to support our students, staff and families. We appreciate their dedication to Carver,” says lead teacher Neldrekka Whitaker. Among partner activities with the school: Student of the month luncheon, field trips,
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career fairs, books for book club, school supplies for students; holiday Adopt-A-Family; books for families at family night events, pencils and incentives for Iowa Assessment tests; food for family nights and conferences, participation and support of the Parents and Pastries event , the My Waterloo Days parade, Bucks Night and more. “Our Partners in Education have been tremendously accommodating and helpful in our work this year. Carver has been fortunate to receive generous donations for students. We are fortunate to have such strong community supporters,” says Sheena Canady, assistant principle and athletic director.
Lowell Elementary School’s Partners in Education are: Hometown Foods, Witham Auto, Country View, Black Hawk County Court House, Grace Fellowship Church, Greenwood Pharmacy, Nestle USA, Black Hawk County Engineer, Cadillac Bowling Center, First Wesleyan Church, Lincoln Savings Bank, Waterloo Bucks, Cornerstone Fellowship Church and Image Pointe. “Our partners are amazing, They are always willing to help us out with whatever we need and genuinely care about the success of our students,” says lead teacher Adam Ahrendsen. Nestlé USA donated a $5,000 Healthy Living and Wellness Grant to the school which will be used to promote healthy living for students, staff and family at Lowell. They also will provide two new bicycles to students who have read a certain number of minutes during each month – with each month’s eligibility, their name are put into a drawing Black Hawk County will provide fifth-grade students the opportunity to participate in a mock trial at the Black Hawk County Courthouse, along with a tour of the county jail and Juvenile Court Services in April. Grace Fellowship Church provided staff with lunch and bags with desk and teaching supplies to at the beginning of the school year. The church also prepared, served and helping arrange for the Annual Lowell Thanksgiving Dinner, and other Partners participated in donating food for the Food Drive along with Lowell’s Student Lighthouse Team. Cadillac Bowling Center provides a thank-you event for students who participate in Lowell’s Safety Patrol. Many partners participate in monthly journaling with first through fifth-grade students, as well as providing treats and special goodies to classrooms for holidays. Also, many partners provide volunteers help to read with students and in classrooms
and volunteer and provide meals for family nights. Partners also provide treats and special incentives for classroom parties, participate in the Christmas Adopt-A-Family project, the Shining Star Luncheon, holiday caroling, reading buddies, candy sales and more.
Partners provide coats, hats, gloves, backpacks and other school supplies and provide funds and clothing items for uniform ideas at the Dress Code Clothes Exchange, as well as participate in the Great Pumpkin Challenge at the Fall Festival.
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PARTNERS IN EDUCATION
Career Center offers real-world training for students JEFF FROST
Executive Director Professional Technical Education Waterloo Community Schools
Housed in Central Middle School, the Waterloo Career Center is alive with hands-on, real-world training for high school students. After several years of study, a task force of students, parents, staff and community/business members recommended the Waterloo Schools expand our career and technical education offerings so students can explore career interest areas while in high school. These courses are proven to greatly engage students in content, while allowing them to work toward an area of certification and better prepare them for life after high school. The committee studied many different programs nationwide but quickly focused on technical education as being right for our students. It effectively engages high school students along with increasing graduation rates and the percentage of students who attend post-secondary schools. It also keeps students in school and reduces dropouts. With such a broad base of business and industry in the Cedar Valley, technical education will build a strong partnership between schools and businesses. From this, grew the Waterloo Career Center. Opened on the campus of Central Middle School at the beginning of the 2016-17 school year, the center housed two programs initially, Nursing and Digital Graphics. Beginning this school year, three new programs were added; Advanced Manufacturing, Early Childhood Education and Information Technology- Networking. Four new programs will be added this fall; Information Technology- Web and Mobile, Interactive Digital Media, Marketing and Sustainable Construction, with the ultimate goal to have 15-17 programs in place by the 2020-21 school year. Currently, the Waterloo Career Center is undergoing an extensive renovation at a cost of approxi-
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mately $14 million. All of this is being funded with one-percent sales tax proceeds. Renovation began in January 2018 and is scheduled for completion in 18 months. This 80,000-squarefoot renovation will transform the Waterloo Career Center into a modern, 21st century learning environment, with a collegiate and workplace feel. The goal is to provide the best education for our students and ensure each student is equipped with the skills necessary to be a
productive citizen and have a promising and fulfilling future in the fast-changing world of career opportunities. Knowing that Career and Technical Education provides a chance for students to learn content through real-world career applications, the Waterloo Career Center mission is to accomplish the following, including: 1. Explore a career area of interest including but not limited to: health fields, manufacturing, informational technology, education, construction, or STEM; including all 16 identified career pathways and 79 career clusters. 2. Increase the high school graduation rate of students in the Waterloo Career Center above the national average of 81 percent to the 93 percent graduation rate for students that attend technical high schools, all while increasing a student’s overall attendance rate. 3. Assure that 75 percent of students graduating from a pathway within the Waterloo Career Center go onto a post-secondary institutions or career field tied to the pathway.
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4. Increase student engagement for all. Many students are passively engaged and do not see the relevance of what they are learning, while others are disengaged to the point of dropping out. This program provides a proven instructional alternative. 5. Improve the way we edu-
cate all students. When students underperform, drift aimlessly in college, disengage in school or even dropout, the cost to parents, community and society is great. How will we know that we have accomplished this mission? Please see CAREER, Page 9
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Waterloo’s Lincoln school appreciates partnerships
Career From 8
Well, some indicators we will be looking at include: District Graduation rate increases District dropout rate decreases Enrollment increase in both numbers and percentage of class capacity Retention from Year 1 to Year 2, Year 2 to Year 3 Attendance dates for Career Center students at their respective high school Number of industry certificates earned Number of concurrent college credit hours earned by WCC students Another key component of the Waterloo Career Center has been the amazing number of businesses that have either stepped up as collaborative sponsors of our programs, or have expressed interest how to
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become a partner. These partnerships are giving our students multiple opportunities to explore the specific career fields available within the program they are in. These partners have allowed our students to tour their businesses, do internships and provided us with critical curriculum insight and repurposed equipment for use at the Waterloo Career Center. They have also given of their time as guest speakers and mentors, allowing our students
receive first-hand knowledge about that specific career. Lastly, our teachers are also doing externships at these businesses, allowing them to stay up to date on what is current best practice in the industry. There are a lot of amazing things happening at the Waterloo Career Center. We would invite anyone that wants a tour or to discuss what is occurring out there to contact the Waterloo Schools, and we will get set you up!
Lincoln Elementary School in Waterloo appreciates the involvement of their Partners in Education: VGM, CBE Group, River’s Edge Christian Church, Waterloo Blackhawks, Greater Cedar Valley Alliance and Chamber, Principal Financial Group, US Bank, KBBG, International Paper Company and Waterloo Fire and Rescue. Partners host monthly student of the month luncheons at their business, including a tour. They pair with fourth- and fifth-graders for pen pals, volunteered to help serve at the community Thanksgiving dinner, as well as providing food. They participate in teacher appreciation events, at conferences, holiday baskets, school uniform donations and more. VGM Group is extremely active in the program. This year, VGM
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hosted a student of the month lunch, and all seven students visit VGM once a year for lunch and a tour. Eighty-nine fifth-graders are pen pals with VGM employees. VGM will host a pizza party for pen pals on May 17. Students visited VGM to sing Christmas carols and hang their artwork. VGM had a jeans day to raise funds for Well Wishes baskets and purchasd cooked turkeys for their Thanksgiving meal served to Lincoln families.
Proud partner in education By joining forces with ISG, StruXture Architects now has the opportunity to provide greater depth, increased professional opportunities, and the continuation of a synergistic set of values based on the unwavering belief that our growth should focus on the betterment of our people, firm, and communities served. As a solutions-based design firm that is focused on real world issues, we seek opportunities to partner with educational institutions and community leaders to improve the world around us while recognizing that this starts by investing in our youth. This commitment is showcased through our support of District referendums and design work in creating 21st century learning environments that support learning styles and maximize engagement. With the help of schools and communities, we are proud to take part in designing the future.
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Partners enhance Opportunities strengthen at Hansen programs at Cedar Heights
Cedar Falls High partners provide ‘authentic’ projects Cedar Falls High School shares partnerships in the CAPS program with Viking Pump Inc., Kryton Engineered Metals, Invision Architecture, Cedar Falls Utilities, UnityPoint-Bio Med Tech, Far Reach and the University of Northern Iowa. Other community and business partners include Mill Race, Allen College, UnityPoint hospitals, How Factory, Master Brand/Omega, city of Cedar Falls, Community Main Street, MUDD Advertising, Bergen KDV, Memory Makers Photography, Hawkeye Community College and Sidecar Coffee. Partners provide and participate in authentic, value-added projects, as well as provide
mentors and opportunities for job shadowing and tours. “It really is an opportunity to provide career readiness skills by focusing on real-world experiences outside of the classroom,” says Dan Conrad, Cedar Falls Schools director of secondary education. Superintendent Andy Pattee says, “It’s embedded opportunities for students working with professionals in professional careers,” while CF CAPS Student-Associate Justin Witt says the CAPS experience is exciting “because it has to do with engineering. I want to get into engineering (as a career). Really, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me.”
sembly, First National Bank gives a citizenship award, 93.5 The Mix gives a communication award, and Martin Bros has donated a gift certificate to a parent or parents who have made a deserving contribution to Hansen School. Last year was the school’s first STEM award given by Sartori Hospital.
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to our primary students. It is so nice for the students to see and hear adult’s model good reading habits! Thank you to all the partners for all that they do for the students at Cedar Heights,” says Bonnie Ruebel, first-grade teacher. Special education teacher Erin Blasberg says “my students absolutely love spending time with the adults through our Ambassadors program created with our Partners in Education. When the Ambassadors come, the students get so excited to share a meal with them and do a fun activity.” ISG’s Tracy Neymeyer says their company believe Partners in Education’s mission is “to develop partnerships between the community and schools for the purpose of enhancing the academic and social development of students, which is why our employee-owners have served as Ambassadors of the program for many years.”
make our communities a more caring place to live for all of us.” In conjunction with the counselor’s unit on careers, Sartori Hospital hosts a career fair for sixth graders. They visit various departments and talk with staff about their positions. On the last day of school as-
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CEDAR FALLS — Cedar Heights Elementary School has partnerships with ISG (formerly StruXture Architects), Next Generation Wireless, Runner’s Flat, Waterloo Black Hawks, Cedar Heights Presbyterian Church, Hartman Reserve Nature Center and Urban Pie. Partners provide guest readers for classrooms, donations of clothing, winter gear and school supplies, participate in the Adopt-A-Family program during the holidays, mentor students in the Ambassadors, support the annual fun fair through volunteering and donations, and host Cedar Heights Day at a Waterloo Black Hawks game. “Our Partners in Education have done a wonderful job of enhancing the instructional program here at Cedar Heights. The teachers are grateful that the partners take time out of their busy work schedule to come to Cedar Heights and read
CEDAR FALLS — Hansen Elementary School shares partnerships with Sartori Memorial Hospital, First National Bank, 93.5 The Mix, Martin Brothers and Caribou Coffee. “Partners in Education allows us to work actively with local businesses in an effort to strengthen our students’ educational opportunities and our community involvement as a school,” says Page Foss, PIE coordinator. First National Bank donates practice checks to students in sixth grade. Students learn about decimals and money in a fun, interactive way. First-graders carol through the halls of Sartori during the holidays. In addition, fifth- and sixth-grade choir and band and orchestra students perform for the staff, providing added incentive to learn and practice songs in classes.The audience gives students added incentive to learn and practice songs in music class, choir and band/orchestra. Each partner sponsors a Hansen family in need and provides gifts, food and baskets of goodies for them. All grade levels create tray favors for the hospital. “Every year Hansen’s Partners in Education generously help provide holiday gifts for our families who might be struggling. Their generosity takes burden away from parents who are not able to provide holiday gifts for their children and thus allows the parents to fully enjoy the season. The smiles on our recipient’s faces tell it all; our partners abundantly care about our students and their families. We continue to be in awe with how generous our partners are. We are truly thankful for the difference our partners make in the lives of our students,” explains first-grade teacher Jennifer Anderson. Hansen counselor Jen Alexander notes, “Our Partners in Education do many things to support our families and students, some seen and some unseen. Knowing we can count on our partners to help us help kids is what working together is all about. Ultimately, they help
EXPIRES 8/31/18
PARTNERS IN EDUCATION
Partners assist Orchard Hill with many activities CEDAR FALLS — Orchard Hill Elementary School shares partnerships with Cedar Valley Rotary Club, Sandy Stuber, Realtor of RE/Max Home Group Pizza Ranch and Candeo Church. The Partners in Education assist with a variety of activities during the school year. Cedar Valley Rotary helps out monthly with child care during POWWER meetings, and Candeo Church volunteers weekly as mentors and reading buddies, as well as providing help and resources for families in need. Sandy Stuber supports the school’s Fun Fair with the prize room. First-grade teacher Mrs. Schlatter praises Candeo for having “provided our school with some outstanding, caring volunteers who are willing to give their time to come in and listen to kids read. This shows the kids how very important they are to so many and how reading is the key to success.” Principal Andrea Christopher says both Candeo and Rotary “have been phenomenal in
Holmes partners with CF credit union CEDAR FALLS – Holmes Junior High School is partners with Cedar Falls Community Credit Union. Among many activities and programs, the credit union participates in the Adopt-AFamily program, and provides guest speakers for such classes as consumer economics and civics. Students, staff, and the Cedar
Falls Community Credit Union partnered with members of the Holmes Student Council to raise over $2,000 for the Adopt-AFamily program this year. Due to CFCCU’s generosity and the efforts of our students and staff more than 20 Holmes’ families benefited from this effort,” says Jeremy Jones, principal.
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helping us meet the needs of our families, students, and teachers. They are engaged, willing, involved and very reliable. We are so appreciative.” Sandy Stube and, Re/Max Home Group singlehandedly managed the Fun Fair prize room for several years by not only do-
nating the prizes students can earn, but also being in charge on the night of fun fair to hand out the prizes. They have also headed up the Hy-Vee receipt and Box Top collection program by counting, submitting and providing prizes to the top classes each month.
CF Lincoln thankful for strong partnerships Lincoln Elementary School is proud to have many partners to support learning. They share relationships with First United Methodist Church, Oakridge Realtors, various departments from the city of Cedar Falls and First Presbyterian Church. The relationship with First United Methodist Church continues to grow. The school has volunteers who support the kindergarten, first, second and third-grade classrooms each week. The school partners with the church on the Change A Child’s Story program designed to provide reading assistance and donations to our school.
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First United Methodist Church has donated both time and monetary donations to the school through this partnership, which allows the school to provide a book for each child at Lincoln to take home. The church also supports students during the holidays by requesting gifts through a Mitten Tree. Oakridge Realtors support the Parents and Lincoln School (PALS) group during our annual Wacky Winterfest. This fundraiser is a huge support for the students and school. Several departments of the city of Cedar Falls help to support work with students. The
police and fire departments visit kindergarten and first-grade classes. The Cedar Falls Public Library supports the second grade, while third-graders visit the Hearst Center. The Reclamation Department supports fourt-graders. Principal Ralph Bryant says, “We are thankful for a new partnership with First Presbyterian Church of Cedar Falls. They have volunteered to support our Bike Rodeo, Farm To School and Wacky Winterfest. This new collaboration has been a huge support. We are thankful to have many active partnerships to support our students and staff.”
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