Iowa Women's Basketball Tickets - The Perfect Christmas Gift!

Give the gift of a great experience this year with Iowa Women's Basketball tickets! Lucas Elementary families can purchase tickets to the Iowa vs. Maryland game on Sunday, January 10th for only $5 each!

To purchase tickets:

1. Go to www.hawkeyesports.com/tickets 2. Scroll over "Buy Tickets" tab on the top left of the screen 3. Click "Group Ticket Window" in the drop down menu 4. Insert: LucasElementary as the Sign-In ID (case sensitive) 5. Insert: MightyHawks as the Password (case sensitive) 6. Select the Sunday, January 10th game against Maryland 7. Follow the instructions to process the order. If you have any questions or issues, please contact Rachael Bedell at 319-384-4299 or at rachael-bedell[at]hawkeyesports.com

PTO Meeting Monday, December 14 at 7PM

We hope you can join us Monday, December 14 at 7:00pm in the Art Room for our November PTO meeting! Babysitting is available.

December Agenda

November Minutes

Get to Know A Mighty Hawk - Principal's Secretary Angela Kessler

Each month the Lucas PTO is featuring a teacher or staff member on the Mighty Hawk Messenger blog. This month we spoke with Angela Kessler, Principal Ken Turnis' secretary. 

Photography generous donated by Lucas parent Amanda Monday, owner of BirdsDream Design. 

When I walk the kids to school, I always notice two matching trucks in the staff parking lot. Which two teachers have the same tastes in Ford F-150s?   

Ha! That would be Mr. Turnis and me.  Mine goes faster and can throw mud farther.  

I heard sometimes your truck doubles as a school bus. Can just anyone give a student a ride home from school? 

Not everyone can give students a ride home, just the privileged people. The District requires that you take a safe driving course through Durham to give rides home to students. It is not required that secretaries take the course but it comes in handy to be able to do so when someone needs a ride.

With the university and other demographic factors, the student population at Lucas can often be in flux. In an average week, roughly how many students transfer into or out of Lucas? What steps to you take to ease their transition? 

On average we transfer 4.77 students in or out of Lucas Elementary. This year has been higher than in the past. Knowing in advance that a student is leaving is always helpful for the student. I try to make sure that all teachers are aware of the transition date so they can assist and help the student with closure in leaving and saying goodbye to friends. Some things that I try to do to help the children with the transition is to find out where they are going and call the school to tell the secretary that they are coming. Sometimes I give the student envelopes and stamps so we can write letters back and forth. I’ve sent cards with the records to the students so they get something when they get to their new school. Every student is so different, so it depends on the student. 

What was the most unexpected thing that ever happened to you at work? 

I have sooooo many stories of unexpected things. Probably the MOST unexpected thing was the marriage proposal. I had a kindergartener boy ask me if I would marry him when he was older, like when he got to 3^rd grade.   

Before you landed at Lucas I hear you were jetting all over the world as director of purchasing and a global project manager. What was your most exotic destination?  

Well, I’ve been to 20 countries. The most exotic….. Greece maybe. Turkey was a little scary. A few of my favorites are Slovakia, Italy and Japan.

Your Halloween costumes are the stuff of legend. What was your favorite? 

Scooby Doo for sure. The only downfall was that no one knew it was me. Cindy Loo Hoo was fun too.

Inquiring minds want to know if there is any family link between you and 1st grade teacher Ann Kessler. 

Good question, I might have to look into this. As far as we know there is not, but I might have to get on Ancestry.com to see. 

Would you describe an average day in the Lucas office? 

They are all very unique and exciting. I am not sure that I could describe just one. Someday I will write a book… Our day always starts with smiling faces and a little hustle and bustle. We enjoy that so much that we do it again at the end of the day!

Other posts in this series: 

Music Teacher Nathan Kelley
Family Resource Center Director Yolanda Spears
Modified Teacher Jessica Flannery

Short's Burgers Eastside Lucas Fundraiser - Wednesday, Nov. 25th

After prepping all day Wednesday for Thanksgiving dinner, take the night off by ordering take-out from Short's Burgers Eastside 5pm-10pm, Wednesday, November 25th and 15% of your order will go to Lucas Elementary PTO!

It's sure to be crowded so consider calling 319-338-7743 to make a take-out order. Click here for Short's take-out menu for easy ordering.

Toys For Tots Sign Up Information

Christmas Sign-up Dates

November 30^th – December 4^th, Monday- Friday, 9:00am-12:00pm & 1:00pm-4:00pm. (Closed for Lunch 12:00-1:00pm)

Register at: The Salvation Army, 1116 Gilbert Court, Iowa City, IA 52240, Phone: (319)-337-3725

To register you MUST have the following:

• Photo ID for Head of Household/ Applicant. If ID address is different than address on application you must bring proof of address.
• Social Security Cards for Every Child. If you do not have a Social Security card, you must bring the sheet showing you have applied for one.
• Proof for Each Child’s Date of Birth. You must bring proof of birth date for each child such as their Medicaid card, birth certificate, passport, school records etc.
• Proof of Income for the Entire Household. You must bring proof of all income: Employment, Unemployment, Child Support, SS/SSI/SSDI. (Examples: pay stubs, unemployment award letter, insurance card, etc.) NOTE: If you have no income, you must bring statement from unemployment office showing income for the last 12 months, Food Stamp statement, TANF letter, etc.

To Qualify for the Toy Program:

• Child’s date of birth must be Dec. 29, 2000 or later.
• You must be a Johnson County Resident.
• Parents/Applicants may only register children who are in their legal custody. Children's SSN will be cross-matched to avoid duplicate registrations.

Please have ALL of your information ready when you come to register!

Scholastic Book Fair This Thursday and Friday!

It's Book Fair Time!

The Scholastic Book Fair will be held in the Multipurpose Room

4:00-7:30pm, Thursday, November 12
7:30am-3:30pm, Friday, November 13

This year Lucas is participating in a Scholastic program called All for Books. We collect donation from our Lucas community, and the money collected helps in two ways: We used the donated money to purchase books for Lucas AND for every $1 raised, Scholastic Book Fairs donates $1 to organizations such as Kids in Distressed Situations, Inc. and the Kids in Need Foundation. This is a great way to put books in our classrooms and make a difference in the world!

To support All for Books, please bring your loose change to the Lucas library on Monday, November 9 through Thursday, November 12. There will be a collection bin for each grade level. Which ever grade level collects the most donations will earn a free book for each of that grade level's classroom libraries!

PTO Meeting Tonight at 7:00pm!

Join us tonight at 7:00pm in the Art Room for our November PTO meeting! Babysitting is available.

November Agenda

September Minutes

November Newsletter Available Online

In case you missed the Mighty Hawk Newsletter in your child's backpack, a digital copy is available for viewing:

November 2015 Newsletter

November 2015 Newsletter (Spanish)

A big THANK YOU to Lucas parent Aprille Clarke for translating our newsletter into Spanish each month! 

Coats of Kindness Giveaway - THIS SATURDAY

Coats of Kindness Giveaway

Date: Saturday, November 7, 2015

Where: Grant Wood Elementary Cafeteria

Time: 9:00-11:00am

Please come and choose from the following attire: Coats, snow pants, hats,

gloves, mittens, and scarves.  Infant through adult sizes are available.

Almost 2,000 items are available. First come first serve.

All items are free! Children need to be present.

(Sponsored by students at Longfellow, Hoover, Shimek, Wickham, Weber, SEJH, Nolte Preschool and Regina Elementary)

Get to Know A Mighty Hawk - Modified Teacher Jessica Flannery

Each month the Lucas PTO is featuring a teacher or staff member on the Mighty Hawk Messenger blog. This month we spoke with a 15-year Lucas veteran, Modified Teacher Jessica Flannery. 

Photography generous donated by Lucas parent Amanda Monday, owner of BirdsDream Design. 

Thanks for taking the time to talk to me today. I understand that you've been teaching at Lucas for since the beginning of your career 15 years ago. What originally inspired you to become a special education teacher?

I thought I was going to be a kindergarten teacher. When I went to college I had a double major in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education. At the time UNI's Early Childhood Education major had a special education component to it. I had some great "field experiences" at different schools with varying levels of special needs children.

When I started subbing my first year as a teacher I was drawn to the Early Childhood Special Education class that was at Lucas at the time. A month into the school year I did a long term subbing job in that class and just fell in love with the kids. That October, Lucas' special needs numbers increased and the school was approved to hire a third teacher for the then SCC (self contained classes). I was asked to apply by the principal and was very happy to accept the position. I originally taught the middle class out of the three rooms.

What is the special education population like at Lucas?

Awesome! Our special needs kids are each unique individuals just like all the kids in Lucas. I walk down the halls of Lucas and see diversity not only in the modified classrooms, but in the general education classes as well. It is one of the things I love about the Lucas community.

I understand that in the Iowa City Community School District the attitude is that all special education students are general education students first. How much time do your students end up spending in more traditional classroom setting?

It really depends on the individual child: their abilities, their needs. Each child is different so they all spend different amounts of time in their general education class. My goal is to include them as much as possible.

At the start of this school year, I read an article in the Press-Citizen by a local parent with an autistic child about how to talk to your children about how to be inclusive and kind to their autistic classmates. Do you have additional thoughts about how Lucas students (and parents!) can be inclusive and kind to your students?

I love this question! I am very lucky to work with great teachers who talk about acceptance of all students in their classrooms. I feel that the best thing that kids and families can do is talk to each other. I try to go into the general education classrooms of students I have and talk to their peers about my students needs at the beginning of the year.

I think the best thing Lucas families have to offer each other is acceptance.

Other posts in this series: 

Music Teacher Nathan Kelley
Family Resource Center Director Yolanda Spears

Shop Now for Mighty Hawk Apparel!

They're back!!! Lucas tshirts and apparel!

Show your Lucas Mighty Hawk spirit with a new t-shirt or sweatshirt, available now in our online “store:” http://tinyurl.com/lucas-mightyhawks

Short and long-sleeve t-shirts and crewneck sweatshirts are available in youth and adult sizes from small to extra-large. Hoodie sweatshirts are also available in adult sizes (youth sizes are not large enough to fit the Mighty Hawk logo.)

Order now through November 15 only. Delivery is expected in the first week of December—perfect for holiday gift giving! Please contact Mary Kenyon at mgkenyon8 [at] yahoo [dot] com if you have questions or need assistance.

Sign Up to Volunteer for the Lucas Halloween Dance!

The annual Lucas K-6th Halloween Dance is next Friday and we need volunteers! The dance will be held on Friday, October 30th from 3:45 - 5:15 pm. Follow the link to the Sign Up Genius to volunteer for this fun event!

Nine Day Left to Make A Mighty Difference!

With only NINE DAYS to go until the end of the Make A Mighty Difference Fundraising Drive, WE NEED YOU! As of today we have raised $6,829! Go Mighty Hawks! We have $3,171 left to raise to help provide our students with classroom supplies, field trips and equipment that greatly enhance their learning!

To donate, go here.

Thank you to everyone who is has already donated! Don't forget to ask your family and friends to make a tax-deductible donation as well!

Tailgate Tonight at 5PM!

Going to the City High game tonight? Come out to the Lucas Tailgate at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church parking lot tonight at 5:00pm! Donations accepted for the eats.

Box Tops for Education Collection

It's time for our fall Box Tops for Education collection! Flyers went home with students earlier this week. Enclose the Box Tops you've been saving in a sandwich bag and send them in with your student to school. Special thanks to anyone who sends them already counted in batches of 50 and labeled as such!

Second Grade Dominating Make A Mighty Difference Compeition

The grade-level competition continues to be fierce! Twenty-one percent of the second grade class have made donations to the Make A Mighty Difference campaign with kindergarten following closely behind with 18 percent.

There is still time to make a donation! You can donate online by clicking here, or by downloading this form and sending in with cash or a check payable to 'Lucas PTO' to:

Lucas PTO c/o ICCSD Foundation
1725 N. Dodge St.
Iowa City, IA 52245

Mark Your Calendars! Next PTO Meeting Monday, October 12!

Looking forward to seeing you at 7PM, Monday, October 12 in the art room! Babysitting is provided.

To get a preview of the PTO meeting agenda for Monday, October 12, go here.

To catch up on our September meeting, you can read the minutes here.

For past meeting minutes and agenda, go here.

Flu Shot Clinic - TOMORROW

The Visiting Nurses Association will be offering a Flu Shot Clinic Wednesday, October 7th from 4:00-6:00pm at Lucas Elementary. The flu shot or mist are available. Please bring current medical insurance card. NO COST to children enrolled in Medicaid or without insurance.

Lucas Grades Compete to Make A Mighty Difference!

With just a couple of weeks left in our Make A Mighty Difference fundraising drive, the grade-level donation competition is tight! Each donation counts as a point no matter what size! The winning grade will receive an in-school party. Only three donations separate 2nd Grade and Kindergarten!

If you haven't made a donation, do so today! You can also encourage family and neighbors to donate. As long as your student is referenced in the donation, it will count toward your child's grade.

You can send a cash or check, made out to "Lucas PTO", with your child to school. Or go to our Make A Mighty Difference page to make an credit card donation.

Register for Adult English Language Classes TONIGHT at Parent's Night!

Adult English Language Classes

Lucas Families

Sponsored by Lucas PTO (Parent Teacher Organization)

Registration will be held: October 1st starting at 5:00-6:00 during Lucas Elementary Parent Night

Stop by the Family Resource Center Room (Ms. Yolanda) to pick up your form

Registered adults will attend class on Monday October 5th at 5:45-7:00 to meet the teacher, get information about class expectations, determine language level, the complete class schedule and meet other students.

NO CHILDCARE FOR THIS NIGHT!!!!

Class is scheduled to meet regularly in the Art Room

Monday and Wednesday evenings from 5:45-7:00

Lớp học tiếng Anh dành cho người lớn

Gia đình của Lucas

Lucas PTO (Cha mẹ, giáo viên tổ chức) tài trợ

Đăng ký sẽ được tổ chức: ngày 01 tháng 10 bắt đầu từ 5:00-6:00 chiều tại trường Lucas vào Đêm Cha Mẹ

Dừng lại phòng trung tâm tài nguyên gia đình (Family Resource Center Room) (bà Yolanda) để lấy mẫu đơn của bạn

Người lớn đăng ký sẽ tham dự lớp học vào thứ hai ngày 05 tháng 10 lúc 5:45-7:00 chiều để đáp ứng các giáo viên, nhận được thông tin về kỳ vọng của lớp, xác định mức độ ngôn ngữ, lịch học đầy đủ và đáp ứng các sinh viên khác.

Không có chăm sóc trẻ em cho đêm này!!!!

Lớp được lên kế hoạch để đáp ứng thường xuyên trong phòng nghệ thuật

Thứ hai và thứ tư buổi tối từ 5:45-7:00 chiều

Madarasa ya Lugha ya Kiingereza ya Watu Wazima

Familia Ya Lucas

Kufadhiliwa na PTO (Shirika ya Mzazi na mwalimu) shule ya Lucas

Usajili (Registration) utafanyika Oktoba 1^st, 2015 kutoka 5:00pm-6:00pm wakati wa usiku  wa wazazi shuleni Lucas

Fika kwa chumba cha “Family Resource Center” (Bi Yolanda) kuchukua fomu yako

Watu wazima waliyosajiliwa (Registered) watahudhuria darasa siku ya Jumatatu October 5th kutoka 5:45pm-7:00pm   kukutana na mwalimu, watapata taarifa kuhusu matarajio ya darasa, wataamua kiwango ya lugha, watapa ratiba kamili ya darasa  na kupatana na  wanafunzi wengine.

SIKU HII HAKUTAKUWA NA HUDUMA YA WATOTO!!!!

Darasa imepangwa kukutana mara kwa mara katika chumba cha Sanaa (Art Room)

Kila Jumatatu na Jumatano Jioni kutoka 5:45pm-7:00pm

Clases de Inglés para Adultos  

Familias de Lucas 

Auspiciado por Lucas PTO (Organización de Padres y Maestros)

El registro se llevará a cabo el 1º de octubre de 17:00 a 18:00 horas durante la "Lucas Elementary Parent Night" (Noche para los Padres en Lucas Elementary). Pase por "Family Resource Center Room" (Sala de Centro de Recursos) de Sra. Yolanda y retire el formulario. Los adultos que se registren asistirán a la clase el lunes 5 de octubre de 17:45 a 19:00 horas para conocer a la profesora, obtener información sobre las expectativas de las clases, determinar el nivel de su idioma, recibir el horario completo y también para conocer otros alumnos. 

¡ESA NOCHE NO SE OFRECERÁ CUIDADO DE NIÑOS!

La clase está programada para encontrarse regularmente en "Art Room" (Sala de Arte)

Lunes y miércoles por la noche de 17:45 a 19 horas. 

Get to Know A Mighty Hawk - Family Resource Center Director Yolanda Spears

Each month the Lucas PTO will be featuring a teacher or staff member on the Mighty Hawk Messenger blog. This month we spoke with Family Resource Center Director Yolanda Spears. 

How long have you been at Lucas?  How long have you worked in the school district and/or in community organizing?

Wow, now you are going to get a complicated answer to what seems to be a very easy question. My boys and I moved to the area from the Penn Elementary area when they were in 2nd and 4th grade. During that time I was pursuing my bachelor’s degree in social work and working too.  Whenever there were UISW school projects that could be taken to the community I would always choose Lucas Elementary. Over 8 years ago, I was asked to assist with a grassroots effort to bring a Family Resource Center to Lucas. I realized that this was my dream job once the school district approved of the position here at Lucas and the rest is history. 

That’s so interesting! Why does Lucas have a Family Resource Center? Do all elementary schools in the district have them? 

Lucas has a FRC because of parent and staff hard work in advocating for the families here at Lucas Elementary. We spoke to community members, gave tours, and presented findings about how our school make up was going through a change (just like other schools in the district) and how we would benefit from having an FRC. All schools in the district have access to a Student and Family Advocate now, which is a fantastic change from when I started in the job.

What does a typical day look like for you?

Hopefully my day starts with coffee and after that nothing is typical. I have parents come to visit with me, I may accompany a child to a doctor visit, I could be meeting with Mr. Turnis, I return calls, I am setting up a fun program for the kids/families, and the list goes on and on. I see myself as the link between school, home, and the community. All those links means that I have to be flexible and responsive to the needs of a variety of people and entities

What programs are you involved in at Lucas?

I assist families’ access to district-wide programs like Joan Buxton School Children's Aid and Healthy Kids Community Care Clinic. My job gives me the ability to work on bringing additional programming that is “exclusive” to Lucas Elementary. Additional programming often comes with collaborations such as: performers with UI Hancher, First Presbyterian Church with Operation Backpack, and our newly formed Adult ELL program with Lucas PTO/ICCSD 21st Century Grant. This is just a few and I am always looking forward to collaborating with parents to bring new and fresh programming ideas.

Busing has been a big issue in our district this year. Did this issue impact Lucas students?

Busing is still an issue especially with the school time changes. I believe that to get a positive learning environment for our kids, families to be informed and unite. One of the ways Lucas families came together is when the ICCSD considered eliminating discretionary bussing across the district. This directly affected the safety of the Lucas kids and families living in Modern Manor and Sunrise Village. Our parents pulled together to disseminate information (English and Spanish) to make sure everyone was well informed and how to advocate for our community. They showed up in mass to the school board meeting. It was a wonderful moment.

Go Mighty Hawks! How can Lucas families continue to support each other?

The best support is getting to know each other. Modern day schedules, technology, and various time constraints hinder families from socializing. The school, with the help of parents, strives to bring programming to school to give parents opportunities to get to know each other. Don’t let differences or barriers stop you from getting to know another parent. Another way to support is to volunteer at the school. I can guarantee that you will meet a new parent if you attend a PTO meeting, help with the school garden, etc.

Do you ever need volunteers in your office? What opportunities do you have this year? 

I do need volunteers from time to time. Often the assistance that I need comes in the form of spreading the word to families and/or offering to attend a school function. This year I will be working on an Adult ELL program, Operation Backpack, Stuff the Truck Event, UI Hancher performances, and the list continues to grow depending on the needs/wants of our families. The best way to find out what is going on for the Family Resource Center is to 'like' the Facebook page: Lucas Elementary Family Resource Center.

Level with me. Who is your favorite Lucas student of all time?

My all-time favorite student….Wow….what a tough question!!! I would have to say my sons Evan (US Marine stationed in Hawaii) and Cameron (lives here in Iowa City). I learned so much being a parent at Lucas Elementary because of them. They come to visit me from time to time and that makes me sooooo happy.

A little bird told me you are a huge fan of all Chicago sports teams (except the White Sox!).

I actually like the White Sox too and that may seem a little odd. I have been very lucky to see the Bulls, Blackhawks, White Sox, Bears, and the Fire win major championships during my lifetime. I want to live long enough to see the Cubs do the same… "Go Cubs Go"!!!! I would trade in the most fantastic seats to any Chicago sports team game if I could watch a game on TV with my parents. My father loved the White Sox. My mom was a Chicago FAN-antic, lover of all things competitive (bowling, race car, ping pong, tiddly winks, etc.) and my first sports guru who started the sporting spark!!!

Other posts in this series: 

Music Teacher Nathan Kelley

Lucas Garden Potato Harvest!

All three kindergarten classes got to help harvest potatoes in the Lucas garden on Wednesday, September 23. Thanks again to our wonderful volunteers, Cathy Gehris and Peg Bouska, and to Cate Burke for her tireless efforts! 

Homecoming Parade 2015

Thanks to everyone who turned out for the City High Homecoming parade! We had a blast! Thanks to everyone who submitted photos to mightyhawknewsletter@gmail.com (keep sending them!). 

The first picture is of Lucas principal Ken Turnis carrying a future Mighty Hawk who had tripped and fallen. Also, a shout out to the Lucas parent who represented the Lucas spirit in our Mighty Hawk costume!