Get to Know a Mighty Hawk: Ms. Gilmore

Each month, The Mighty Hawk Messenger profiles a Lucas staff member to help our community get to know him or her better.  This month, we talked to our new guidance counselor, Hallie Gilmore. 

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  We’re excited to have you at Lucas!  Based on your experience working here previously, what are you excited about as you begin this new job? 

Ms. Gilmore:  I am most excited to see familiar faces of students! I had such a wonderful experience with the hardworking, caring, students I knew a few years ago and I cannot wait to get to know all the new students I haven’t yet gotten a chance to know. 

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  When you were a kid, did you expect you’d become a guidance counselor?  If not, what did you hope to be when you grew up?

Ms. Gilmore:  I did not think I’d be a School Counselor at all! It took a lot of time and experiences in different jobs in schools and with children to realize that my personality and passions actually suited me very well to school counseling. When I was a kid I thought I wanted to be a lawyer. It turns out that I’d much rather help students, families, and teachers be able to have a wonderful and productive school year instead.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  What is it about working with kids that you most enjoy?

Ms. Gilmore:  I absolutely LOVE seeing how excited students get when they overcome an obstacle at school and realize that they can do so much more than they may think they are capable of. I also love how caring, silly, and fun students can be with me and with other students. I hope that in and out of the classroom students will be able to have fun with me and learn that it is ok to ask for help when they need it. 

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  I understand you’re an Iowa City native but you went away to school.  Where did you study, and what made you decide to come back?

Ms. Gilmore:  I am an Iowa City native and I think Iowa City is one of the most wonderful places to grow up and live. I went to the University of Iowa for undergraduate and fell in love with Psychology. After graduating I moved to Cádiz, Spain to be an English teacher in a bilingual elementary school. I loved the people and culture I met and experience in Spain, but missed my family and friends quite a bit. My time there helped me to understand that I belonged in a school helping students but that I wanted to pursue my love of psychology some more as well. I went to graduate school in Chicago at DePaul (where Dr. Jenkins went!) in my studies at DePaul I learned how to be a Professional School Counselor and became even more passionate about helping students. I ultimately came back to Iowa City to be closer to my family and friends and cannot wait to start helping students learn and thrive in my hometown.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  If you could only listen to one musical artist or band, read the work of one writer, and watch the movies of one actor or actress for a whole year, what would your three choices be?

Ms. Gilmore:  One Direction. Hands down. I have always loved pop music, boy bands in particular. The fact that One D is British and I’m an anglophile is just an added bonus. Dr. Seuss is an all time favorite writer of mine because his works show very important life lessons while also rhyming, being silly and having awesome illustrations! Aside from every One D song ever, my favorite song ever is “Circle of Life” from the Lion King. I love the movie and am so excited to see the new live action version. I know that’s not an actor or actress, but I’d be fine only watching Lion King for a year. 

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  What’s your favorite healthy food?  What’s your favorite treat?

Ms. Gilmore:  My mom is a dietitian and has inspired lots of healthy eating habits. I cannot ever get enough kale or spinach! It was a long and winding path to get to this point but there isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t have some leafy green. I am particular about my treats, but will never ever turn down a cookie! I’m a bit of a cookie monster.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  What is something about you Lucas families might be surprised to learn?

Ms. Gilmore:  My favorites are Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, and Merle Haggard. I have a growing collection of these wonderful singers (and many more) on vinyl. I also cook many delicious things and golf whenever I can.

I am so very excited and grateful to be the new School Counselor at Lucas. I care very deeply about the welfare and success of all students and hope I can get to know each and every one at Lucas!

December 2018 Newsletter

The December 2018 newsletter is now available.

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Introducing our new counselor, Ms. Gilmore

Hello Lucas Mighty Hawks! 

My Name is Hallie Gilmore, and I am the new Professional School Counselor at Lucas Elementary. I am beyond excited to start my new role at Lucas in supporting students to succeed and have the best school year possible!

I was born and raised in Iowa City, just down the street from Lucas! I went to Longfellow Elementary and have been working there since last year as a para educator. I graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in Psychology in 2010. In 2016, I graduated from DePaul (where Dr. Jenkins went!) with my degree in Counseling Psychology. I worked at Lucas Elementary two years ago as a Reading Tutor, so I can’t wait to see some familiar faces. One of my passions is listening to

students and helping them be successful not just with academics, but also relationships with peers, and their own mental health. Outside of school I enjoy cooking, golfing, and playing with my cats.

If you would like to contact me, my e-mail address is: gilmore.hallie@iowacityschools.org.  I can’t wait to begin working at Lucas again on November 28th.

Have a great Thanksgiving,

Hallie Gilmore

November newsletter

The November 2018 newsletter is now available.

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Make a Mighty Difference; Mr. Kelley

Make a Mighty Difference is Lucas Elementary's annual fundraising campaign. Music teacher Nathan Kelley has shared some of the ways the funds raised through Make a Mighty Difference have impacted him and all Lucas students.

Mr. Kelley in his role as DJ for the Halloween Dance Party

Lucas PTO's help in the music room effects every student at Lucas everyday.  Our Lucas PTO helped purchased our current African drums, two of our $2,000 bass xylophones, many small hand held percussion instruments, lesson materials, and so much more.  Lucas is a special place for students to make music, and the Lucas PTO helps make sure that I have the supplies I need to make it happen. 

– Nathan Kelley, Lucas Elementary Music Teacher

Spotlight: The Cultural Proficiency Team

As Dr. Jenkins has reminded us, our theme for the school year is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s message, "What are you doing to serve others?"  Librarian Connie McCain and ELP teacher Dawn BarbouRoske are embodying that attitude with their membership on the district-wide Cultural Proficiency Team.

This group was developed under the leadership of former Director of Equity and Engagement Kingsley Botchway.  Since Mr. Botchway's departure from the district, Director of Special Projects Laura Cottrell has taken over as the contact point.  The group, comprised of representatives from schools throughout the district, has the goal of establishing teacher leaders in our buildings who are aware of and concerned about the achievement gap that exists in our schools.  Increased cultural proficiency is an important tool in bridging that gap and helping all students succeed.

Mrs. McCain and Ms. BarbouRoske both applied and were accepted onto the team.  The Lucas community is fortunate to have two representatives, as space is limited on the team and not every school has representation.  Mrs. McCain and Ms. BarbouRoske have a personal interest in issues of justice and fair treatment for all students, which was their motivation for applying to the team.

Ms BarbouRoske

Ms. BarbouRoske describes her experience on the team.  "Our role, particularly this year, began with analyzing components of the ICCSD-UI Partnership's Building Level Climate Survey data and ICCSD & Building level Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP) Goals.  Then each of us developed a year-long project around an area of need that's designed to align and support building goals with measurable growth.  We are not experts, but passionate educators dedicated to learning more about culturally relevant issues and practices and share our knowledge and support with fellow staff members and to assist in their development further along on the cultural proficiency continuum too."  She adds, "As a Cultural Proficiency Team leader and LGBTQ+ Advocate, I am willing to listen, assist, and support district staff, parents and students with diversity-related concerns, aid in navigating to the appropriate district resources and administration, and provide educational resources and occasional professional development."

Mrs. McCain

Mrs. McCain emphasizes that "[O]ur goal is to support teachers in nurturing a positive, accepting classroom environment for ALL students in the hope that a school-wide accepting attitude will greatly reduce acts [and] attitudes of bias."

Ms. BarbouRoske has been a leader in the district regarding LGTBQ+ issues, serving on the steering committee.  "As a teacher," she says, "I believe that I am equipped to handle a variety of situations and am willing to act as a liaison.  My door is always open to support those in need."  However, neither Ms. BarbouRoske nor Mrs. McCain is a counselor, and they are not equipped to handle specific conflicts.  They urge the Lucas community to view them as a source of information and support only.  Any student who experiences unfair treatment based on race, culture, gender identity, or sexual orientation should follow regular communication channels, such as talking to their teachers and Dr. Jenkins.

Ms. BarbouRoske may be reached at barbouroske.dawn@iowacityschools.org, and Mrs. McCain may be reached at mccain.connie@iowacityschools.org.

Make a Mighty Difference: Connie McCain

Make a Mighty Difference is Lucas Elementary's annual fundraising campaign. Librarian Connie McCain has shared some of the ways the funds raised through Make a Mighty Difference have impacted her and all Lucas students.

When the PTO offers financial support for the library, it has the potential to reach every single student and classroom. Every year the PTO purchases the American Library Association's book award winners, including the Newbery Award, Caldecott Award, and Coretta Scott King Awards. We also have an award in memory of the previous Lucas Librarian, Jean Gerig, and the PTO provides significant funding to purchase multiple copies of the nominated titles. Last year, the PTO funded a special purchase for the library. We replaced our last state book series, which was about 15 years old, with a new series, published in 2017! The books are attractive and informative, and the students love them! Fourth graders use them for research, and students in other grades check them out just for fun. We are so fortunate to have the PTO's active support and participation in our many Lucas endeavors! 

– Connie McCain, Lucas Librarian

Get to Know a Mighty Hawk: Mr. Graf

Each month, The Mighty Hawk Messenger profiles a Lucas staff member to help our community get to know him or her better.  This month, we talked to P.E. teacher Joe Graf, who has been teaching part time at Lucas for three years.  He also teaches at Shimek Elementary.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  How long have you been an educator?

Mr. Graf:  I have been an educator since 2000, so eighteen years.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  Where have you worked besides Lucas?

Mr. Graf:  I have worked at Clear Creek Amana at the North Bend building.  In Iowa City I have taught at Hoover, Garner, Weber, Van Allen, City High, Lincoln, Wickham, Alexander, South East, Lucas, and Shimek.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  What's your favorite part of working with elementary students?

Mr. Graf:  I love to teach something new they may not have done before.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  Who is an athlete or other public figure you admire, and why?

Mr. Graf:  Jesse Owens, because as an African American he showed Hitler what he and the USA could do in the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  What do you like to do when you're not working?

Mr. Graf: I am hanging out with my family, my wife and 30-year-old twins.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  What's something about you people might not guess?

Mr. Graf:  I taught Physical Education and Humanities to freshmen and sophomores at a high school in New York City in the South Bronx.

October 2018 Newsletter

The October 2018 newsletter is available.

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Make a Mighty Difference: Kirk Ryan

Make a Mighty Difference is Lucas Elementary's annual fundraising campaign.  Fifth grade teacher Kirk Ryan has shared some of the ways the funds raised through Make a Mighty Difference have impacted him and his students.

The Lucas PTO is simply amazing. They are always going above and beyond to make sure that the students of Lucas are getting everything that they need to be successful. One specific way that they help students be successful is through the funding of field trips. Field trips allow our students to have experiences that they cannot have at school and may not able to have at home. This is just one of the many ways that the Lucas PTO helps our students be successful! Thank you Lucas PTO!

Make a Mighty Difference: Ariel Glasman

Make a Mighty Difference is Lucas Elementary's annual fundraising campaign.  Special education teacher Ariel Glasman has shared some of the ways the funds raised through Make a Mighty Difference have impacted her and her students.

This will be my fifth year as a Lucas special education teacher and the PTO has been vital to our classroom's success. Each year, I have received funding directly from the PTO to contribute to classroom materials. I teach students with complex needs and I use this money for everything from jumbo crayons to straws. The best thing PTO gives us, though, is access to the community. We have had the opportunity to go to Camp Courageous each year, with PTO paying the steep bus bill and student attendance fees. This is a field trip the kids look forward to every year--and the staff and parents in my classroom love going, too! Indeed, one student, who does not use verbal speech to communicate, indicates her excitement to go to Camp Courageous each year by bringing over a picture of the camp to show the teachers in our room. Because of PTO, I can assure her that yes, we will go to Camp Courageous this year! The PTO's generosity extended to funding a second field trip. For the first time ever, our class was able to attend the Special Olympics in Cedar Rapids. The students learned new games and I was able to give parents information about Special Olympics. Thank you, PTO, for the opportunities you have given our K-4 classroom! 

– Ariel Glasman

Get to Know a Mighty Hawk: Dr. Jenkins

We are excited to welcome our new principal, Dr. Kathy Jenkins, to Lucas Elementary.  The Mighty Hawk Messenger had the chance to ask Dr. Jenkins some questions to help us get to know her.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  Tell us a little about yourself.  Where did you grow up?  Where did you work prior to Lucas?

Dr. Jenkins:  I grew up on the Westside of Chicago in Illinois. I come from a family of 12 siblings.
I attended Lane Technical High School. Afterwards, I applied at DePaul University in IL while working as a tuition counselor for approximately 15 years. My duties as a tuition counselor included creating and disbursing tuition bills, preparing itemized statements and helping families to understand charges, expenses and financial aid awards. During this period of time, I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Dual Masters’ Degrees in Teaching and Learning/Early Childhood and a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  When you were a kid, did you imagine that you'd become a principal one day?

Dr. Jenkins:  As a child, I knew I always wanted to have a positive impact on others.  I worked hard to stay out of trouble and tried to do the right things.  I did not imagine I would be a principal, but somehow, I had a sense that I would serve others.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  Is there a teacher or other educational staff member from your past who made a difference in your life?  What was it about him/her you found inspiring?

Dr. Jenkins:  My mother was my first teacher who instilled the importance of altruism and empathy in me at an early age.  She modeled high expectations and standards throughout my entire childhood and never accepted excuses.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  This year's theme is "What are you doing for others?" How did you choose this?  How do you envision it influencing our school year?

Dr. Jenkins:  When you serve others, when you make someone's life better, when you model high expectations and standards...you become a light and you can show others a better way.

"What are you doing for others?" is a quote by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  As educators, we are public servants for Lucas scholars, families, and community members of the school district.  This quote sends the message that we must make every effort to ensure that ALL students learn and grow.  It is our obligation to fulfill this responsibility.  It is also my personal philosophy that the best leaders are servants because they put the needs of others above their own, which is the greatest joy someone can experience.  Ultimately, the quote sets the tone that we must have daily ethical conversations in order to hold one another accountable, which will help us to make the right decisions for our students.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  If you could only read one author, listen to one musician, and eat one food for a whole year, which would you choose?

Dr. Jenkins:  I would read Gwendolyn Brooks because her characters portray ordinary people who do extraordinary things.  I would listen to Kirk Franklin because his music is inspirational and uplifting.  I would choose to eat potatoes because they are versatile and I could prepare them in a variety of ways.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  What is something interesting about you that people might not know?

Dr. Jenkins:  Something I think is interesting is that I took piano lessons and would like to resume one day.

September 2018 Newsletter

The September 2018 newsletter is now available.

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School supply lists 2018/2019

School supply lists for the 2018/19 school year are available.

School supply lists

Follow up: Resources for Parents on topics of race and racism

Dear Lucas Elementary Community:

Lucas parents received an email from Kingsley Botchway II, ICCSD director of equity and engagement, on May 11, alerting us to recent racist comments made by students at Lucas Elementary. At the May 14 Lucas PTO meeting, we discussed the incidents and learned from Mr. Botchway and Principal Turnis the ICCSD processes for responding to racist expressions  in school. Today, we are writing to our school community to invite further discussion, and to provide some thoughts and resources as the school year nears the end.

The primary goal of Lucas PTO is “to provide Lucas students with the best educational experience possible” (https://www.iowacityschools.org/domain/922). Racism makes this goal unachievable. As Lucas parents and teachers, we are deeply concerned about the ways children of color and their families experience racism in their daily lives.

It is common for we as parents to feel overwhelmed or uncomfortable when talking to our kids about race and racism. Yet often, our greatest learning opportunities exist in discomfort. Parents present at the May PTO meeting discussed our desire to learn more and better understand racism so that we can begin taking action to eliminate it. We do not hold the naive belief that we can make all racism disappear; but if we can work to make Lucas Elementary a school where all children can get the best educational experience possible, we will be making a difference.

In this spirit, we invite the Lucas community to use the many resources at our fingertips to learn and to engage in ongoing dialogue about race and racism - especially with our children. As a starting point, we include below a list of links to “Resources for Parents” provided by our school district.

Please contact Rebekah Tilley at rtilley@gmail.com or text 319-512-9137 if you are interested in joining other Lucas parents in a PTO subcommittee to continue our discussion of race and racism, and begin identifying steps we can take as parents to improve the learning experience of all students in our school. We look forward to announcing additional learning opportunities in the coming weeks and months.  

Resources for Parents:

Raising Race Conscious Children http://www.raceconscious.org

Resources for Talking to Kids about Racism https://bouncebackparenting.com/resources-for-talking-to-kids-about-race-and-racism/

Talking to Kids About Racism and Justice: a list for parents, caregivers & educators https://docs.google.com/document/d/1s0lCA3FlulVhK6DFE2d3uYCipc6ApY8Gn2rMwm6fYqw/mobilebasic?pli=1

Race Conscious Kids http://www.theparentingjunkie.com/race-conscious-kids-some-ideas/

Families for Racial Justice and Collective Liberation http://www.creatingdemocracy.org/parenting-for-c

Tips for Raising “Woke” Children http://phddreams.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/RaisingWokeChildren_TipsResources_TCruz-2.pdf

Children Are Not Colorblind: How Young Children Learn Race http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.621.9728&rep=rep1&type=pdf

How to Talk to Kids About Race: Books and Resources That Can Help http://www.readbrightly.com/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-race-books-and-resources-that-can-help/

Children’s Books to Support Conversations on Race, Racism & Resistance https://medium.com/embrace-race/26-childrens-books-to-support-conversations-on-raceracism-resistance-15b189c1bab9

Resources for Talking to Kids about Racism https://bouncebackparenting.com/resources-for-talking-to-kids-about-race-and-racism/

Music performances

Here are some recent music performances by our Mighty Hawk band members.

Hedwig's Theme (6th grade)

Ramp it Up (6th grade)

Turbo Rock (5th grade)

Crunch Time (6th grade)

May newsletter

The May newsletter is available.

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Goodbye Mr. Turnis

Ken Turnis, the Lucas principal for the last three years, has accepted the position of principal at the newly-established Christine Grant Elementary in North Liberty.   The Mighty Hawk Messenger had the chance to talk to Mr. Turnis about this change.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  How long were you principal at Lucas, and what did you do prior to working here?

Mr. Turnis:  This is my 3^rdyear at Lucas. My career in education started as a daycare owner/director for 2 years before moving to the San Francisco bay area and teaching middle school for 3 years.  A return to Iowa brought me into Johnston and a 4^thgrade position. 3 years later, I moved into an assistant principal role.  I was in this role until we had all our children in school.  The principal job search led to Iowa City, and we have just loved being in this community!

The Mighty Hawk Messenger: Tell us about this exciting new opportunity at Christine Grant Elementary.  What are you most looking forward to there?

Mr. Turnis:  The opportunity to open a new building extends well beyond the structure.  I am most excited to take the many steps involved in bringing students, families, staff and community together in the creation of a positive culture of learning.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger: What will you miss most about Lucas?

Mr. Turnis:  Relationships.  Becoming a colleague and friend to so many individuals will be the most missed item by far…

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  What advice do you have for students, staff, and families as we welcome our new principal?

Mr. Turnis:  Just to welcome her in the same way that I experienced!    

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  What advice do you have for the new principal as she begins work at Lucas?

Mr. Turnis:  To always be you.  Listening to others, appreciating differing perspectives and ideas, and offering time and support to any needs that arise.  Smiling and laughing while celebrating the many positives that occur each and every day is a necessity!  

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  What is your favorite memory or funny story about your time at Lucas?

Mr. Turnis:  Too many to count!  A few minutes ago, I paused my typing as three primary-aged students came in to tell me about their awesome day!  The positive energy, smiles and act of jumping up and down with excitement….those are the best moments!!

Spotlight on Orff Club

Fourth graders Jacob Turnquist and Carly Drake prepare for rehearsal

What's an Orff, anyway?  Is it an acronym?  Is it an instrument?  Is it something you say when you stub your toe?  Music teacher Nathan Kelley explains that Orff Club, a group of Lucas students who play xylophones and similar instruments, was named after Carl Orff.  Orff was a German composer who believed that children should be their own composers.  This philosophy is the foundation of the teaching approach Mr. Kelley uses in Orff Club.  Carl Orff also inspired the development of children's xylophones like the ones used in school.

Mr. Kelley was the first general music teacher in the district to start a percussion ensemble.  He started Orff Club in 2007 at Lucas and has been leading it ever since.  Orff Club is open to fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students who earn their membership through hard work in class and teacher recommendations.  Mr. Kelley says the goal of Orff Club is to give students the opportunity to play and perform more challenging music than they do in general music class, as well as giving children who love music a chance to learn and work with other music lovers.

Fourth graders Liz Degner, Elizabeth Gugliuzza, and Lukas Schoen prepare for rehearsal.

Orff Club members will soon have some opportunities to demonstrate their skills.  The fourth grade Orff Club will give a demonstration at the music informance on May 9, as well as performing their full show on the last day of school, May 30, at 1:00 p.m.

The fifth and sixth grade Orff Club will perform at the Tiffin Elementary Music Festival, which features elementary music performance groups from the area.  It will take place at Clear Creek Amana High School Auditorium from 6:30-8:30 on May 17th.

Mr. Kelley is proud of the work Orff Club members do, and one of his favorite memories is of the time Orff Club performed at the Iowa Music Educators Conference in Ames.  It is a gathering of music educators from around the state to collaborate and learn.  "It was an honor to showcase Lucas work to so many music educators in Iowa," he says.

Students in fourth, fifth, or sixth grade who are interested in joining Orff Club should keep an eye out for announcements from Mr. Kelley in the upcoming school year.  We're lucky to have this exciting program for our students and Mr. Kelley's leadership!

Order School Supply Packs by 6/15

Thanks for a great STEAM Night

Thanks to all the students and families who participated in our second annual STEAM night, and thanks especially to the parents, teachers, and community partners who worked to make the evening a success.  Not many eggs survived the drop, but a lot of toothpick towers withstood the storm, and the penny boats floated beautifully.  The students also had fun learning about (and touching!) real brains, hearts, and lungs; changing the pH of water just by blowing bubbles in it; inflating balloons through the power of chemical reactions; watching dancing robots; learning about density; and building foil towers to support rocks.

Mr. Turnis got some great videos of our students in action.

Toothpick Towers 1

Toothpick Towers 2

Egg Drop 1 

Egg Drop 2

Robots

Boats

April 2018 Newsletter

The April 2018 Newsletter is now available.

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Get to Know a Mighty Hawk: Mrs. Lovetinsky

We're excited to have several relatively new staff members at Lucas, and we'll get to know them as the year progresses.  This month, we talked to art teacher Amanda Lovetinsky.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  How long have you been at Lucas, and what did you do prior to joining us here?

Mrs. Lovetinsky:  This is my 2nd year at Lucas.  Before this, I taught art at St. Jude Elementary and LaSalle Middle School in Cedar Rapids.  I was also a counselor and coordinator at the University of Iowa's Wildlife Camps.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  Did you always want to be an art teacher?  If not, what did you hope to be when you grew up when you were a kid?

Mrs. Lovetinsky:  When I was in 2nd grade I met a friend who taught me how to draw horses.  I have loved drawing and art ever since.  My grandmother and several aunts were teachers.  And I love working with children.  So sharing art has always been something that I enjoy.  Now it is part of my job!

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  What’s your favorite part about working at Lucas?

Mrs. Lovetinsky:  There are so many things I love about working at Lucas.  This year, my favorite part is probably the new art room!  We have so much space to move around and there is room for all of our supplies and art.  I am very thankful for the opportunity to work here. 

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  Who are some of your favorite artists, and why do you admire their work?

Mrs. Lovetinsky:  I have so many artists that I admire.  My top 3 are probably: Czech painter, Alphonse Mucha.  Because of they beautiful way he paints people (and I'm part Czech)! Leonardo DaVinci; because I studied art in Italy, and I love the science and thought in his art.  And Andy Van Schyndle.  When my husband and I started dating we realized we both had artwork by the same artist!

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  In a world with no financial or space limitations, what kinds of art projects would your students do?

Mrs. Lovetinsky:  We would travel all over the world!  We would visit museums, study the artists in their home towns, try making our own work in their style, and eat lots of great food to help us soak up the culture.  (And it would be wonderful to have plenty of chaperones to come with us to help and play.)

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  What’s something about you Lucas families might not know?

Mrs. Lovetinsky:  I have lived in Iowa City most of my life.  I went to Roosevelt, Weber, Northwest and West.  Besides art, I am also passionate about reading and gardening.  In the next few years my husband and I hope to get chickens for our yard!

Spotlight on Safety Patrol

Safety Patrol member Niko Plum Cuba guards first grader Miles Abbas-Clark and his family during school drop-off time.

Have you ever wondered what's the story behind the kids you see guarding intersections at the beginning and end of the school day?  Read on to learn about Safety Patrol, a group of Lucas sixth graders who have dedicated themselves to ensuring the safety of Lucas students and families.

Safety Patrol is made up of rotating teams.  Members are assigned a week of duty during which they need to arrive at school by 7:25 and stay until 3:05.  After that week is done, another team takes over.  This year there are six teams, so each member only serves one week and then has a five-week break.  In order to remain members, students must not have multiple office referrals or unexcused absences.  Second-grade teacher Mr. Turnquist has been the group sponsor for the last three years, when he took over for Mr. Moore.  He does his best to be supportive of Safety Patrol members, filling in for them in case of illness or other conflicts.  He says that members have been very loyal and responsible overall.

Mr. Turnquist provides training to the Safety Patrol members, showing them the five different points around the school where they will serve.  He uses a rotating schedule, so each member can work a variety of locations.  It also helps him identify the needs that arise due to absences.

Mr. Turnquist rewards the members' hard work with hot chocolate and marshmallows on the Friday of their assigned week during the winter months.  The students also celebrate with a pizza and movie party at the end of the year.

Niko Plum Cuba remembers seeing Safety Patrol members when he was younger.  "[They made] me think, 'Hey, I would like to do that,'" he says.  While he doesn't enjoy getting up at 6:15, he appreciates the hot chocolate after his cold morning assignments.  Katy Harmsen advises future Safety Patrol members to "DRESS WARMLY IN THE WINTER!"

Safety Patrol members do not go out into the street and cannot stop traffic, but they protect pedestrians by holding their arms out and waiting for the intersection to clear before signaling to the students that it is safe to cross.  In certain areas, such as Willow Street, visibility is difficult.  In that location, Safety Patrol members work in pairs, one stationed on top of the hill and the other at the crosswalk.  They then signal to one another to communicate when it the coast is clear for pedestrians.  

Katy doesn't mind the extra work that comes with being assigned to the Willow Street station.  "I like helping at Willow Street because a lot of my friends cross there," she says.  Niko agrees that there are fun aspects to the job, such as the time he sang Star Wars while on duty.  Lila Tallman encourages future sixth graders to join safety patrol, because it's a fun way to contribute to your school.  Sometimes others even pitch in.  Ilan Tallman remembers when "someone in an orange coat [was] pointing out his hand at passing cars and screaming, 'It's a crosswalk!'"

It can also be a dangerous job.  Katy remembers a time when a parent ran over her friend's foot!  Fortunately, the parent was riding a bike and not driving a car.  It can be frustrating to Safety Patrol members when kids (and adults!)  don't follow their guidelines.   Remember, they're doing their best to keep the students safe.  Their motto is "Let's go save some lives!"  Let's all help them in this goal and respect the extra work they put in to support our kids.

Quick and Easy Raffle Ticket Templates

The Lucas Carnival Raffle has some fantastic prizes this year, and the more times you enter, the greater your chances of winning.  But who wants to write your name and contact information on every single ticket?  Here's your answer.

These editable PDFs will let you fill out your information once and have it duplicate on multiple tickets.  Then just print them out, snip them apart, and bring them to the Carnival with payment (just $1 per ticket!).  You may also return them to school ahead of time.

Note:  When you click the links below, the default view will not be editable.  Use the Download function to get the editable version.

28 of the same ticket

28 blank tickets (not duplicated)

20 of the same, 8 of the same

10 of the same, 10 of the same, 8 of the same

Cakes needed for the Cake Walk

What's everybody's favorite game at the Lucas Carnival? the Cake Walk, of course! And need AS MANY CAKES AS POSSIBLE.

The Cake Walk is much like musical chairs, only when the music stops and your number gets called, you win a cake!!

Lucas PTO relies on the generous and creative donations of parents, grandparents and kids, to bake a cake, decorate a masterpiece, or bring in something already made at the bakery. The more cakes we get donated, the more kids and parents can win! As an added bonus, the most creative and bakery-worthy cakes will be auctioned off - with all the proceeds going right back to Lucas!

Please consider donating one or more cakes for Lucas CARNIVAL NIGHT.
 
Bring your well-covered donated cake(s) to the office anytime from 8:00-3:00 on Friday the 23rd or 12:00-3:30 Saturday the 24th. Questions? Email Brooke at brookemhill@gmail.com or text/phone 319-400-1976

March 2018 newsletter available

The March 2018 PTO newsletter is now available.

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Spotlight on Spelling Bee

Mark your calendars--the annual Lucas Team Spelling Bee is coming up on March 6th (1st/2nd grades and 5th/6th grades) and 8th (3rd/4th grades).  All events take place at school and start at 6:30 p.m.  Students must register ahead of time to participate. 

This is an exciting tradition that has been going on since 2009.  It was originally hosted by DEED (Dads Engaged in Engineering Dreams), and while that group has dissolved, the PTO has continued their most popular activities.  One thing that makes the Lucas Team Spelling Bee unusual is the team format.  Mary Kenyon, a Lucas parent and the organizer of the spelling bee, describes it:

"For many people, the term 'spelling bee' conjures horrible mental images (flashbacks?) of the nerve-wracking anticipation of speaking in front of the whole class or school and the fear of humiliation at getting the word wrong. Our team approach eliminates the fear and puts the spotlights on what kids know, rather than what they get wrong. Working together, teams of two or three students have about 20 seconds to decide how the word should be spelled and then write it on a white board. When time is called, the teams hold up their boards and our volunteer judges make note of which teams got the correct spelling. This is done quietly at the judges' table--no announcement is made and often the kids don't know who spelled the word right or wrong. They all just move on to the next word. At the end of the 20 minute round, the judges tally the total number of correct words for each team and the top teams advance to the second round. This time, the teams can still confer and decide together what the correct spelling is. Then one member of the team stands and spells the word out loud. Again, the judges quietly tally the total number of correct words for each team. At the end of the oral round, the team with the most correct words is declared the winner."

Students have the opportunity to study a large list of words ahead of time, and the organizers choose a random set of words from the lists.  Miles Crall, a fourth grader, has been participating in the spelling bee since he was in first grade.  He says the hardest word he's come across in his preparation has been monotonous.  An adult volunteer, usually a teacher, reads the words for the teams to spell.  Mary remembers laughter erupting in last year's first and second grade bee when Mr. Turnquist announced that they should spell underwear.  

Mary offers this advice for students who take on the Lucas Team Spelling Bee challenge.  "It is helpful to review the word lists and take note especially of the homophone pairs. Then remember to listen carefully when the word reader uses the word in a sentence so you know which word is called for. I've seen plenty of kids get 'thrown' by the word throne! Most importantly, just have fun with your friends and put forth your best effort."

Miles appreciates the supportive, low-stress environment.  He suggests that students participate even if they're feeling nervous.  "You have nothing to lose if you lose," he says.

Though there's not much time left to study, students can still register for the spelling bee.  The online registration form, as well as the word lists and official rules, are available at http://themightyhawkmessenger.blogspot.com/2018/02/2018-team-spelling-bee.html.

Grades 3, 4 and 5 ELP Parent Nomination

The yearly screening of students for participation in the Extended Learning Program (ELP), the elementary program for gifted and very high ability students, is underway for the 2018-2019 school year. This program is appropriate for students who are at the highest academic levels in their grade. Students can enter this screening pool by Iowa Assessments scores, teacher nomination or parent nomination.  

For more details, including a link to the online nomination form and information about other grades, view this document.
No forms will be accepted after March 23rd, 2018 at 4:00 PM.