The mitten post: how to donate, reclaim and retain

Cassie’s Mittens, the annual community drive for new mittens, gloves, and hats, ends tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 19. Please bring any new items to the office by the end of the school day. These items are then distributed throughout the community.

You may also have noticed that your personal collection of mittens, hats, scarves, sweatshirts, etc. has diminished over the last few months. Stop by the Lucas lost and found (table in hallway outside main office) to claim those long-forgotten items. Anything left behind will be taken to Goodwill during the winter break.

Finally, to avoid such unintentional recycling of winter items, please be sure your child's name is written on the tag, especially snow pants. Many students have black snow pants and it can be very difficult to know precise ownership. Make sure your child is prepared to play outside. In order to play in the snow, children must be wearing snow pants, boots, and of course a coat. If children are not wearing their winter gear, they will have to stay on the blacktop areas of the playgrounds.

IC Parks and Recreation Dept. offers Winter Break Camps Dec. 21-30

The Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department is offering Winter Break Camps Dec 21- Dec 30. Activities will include sports, games, arts and crafts, special visitors and field trips.

For more information go to www.icgov.org/pr , the school district virtual backpack at http://www.edline.net/pages/ICCSD/Virtual_Backpack or call Joyce Carroll, Iowa City Recreation Division at 356-5100.

Hays discusses Everyday Math; free math game apps available Dec. 20

If your child's math homework seems as unrecognizable to you as a lesson in Swahili, fear not. It's a curriculum vastly different from the one most parents remember from their school days, but one that research shows is more effective in teaching kids to think and solve problems than previous methods based on rote memorization.

That was the message from Julie Ewert Hays, math resource specialist, to the PTO at last night's monthly meeting. Hays offered an overview of the Everyday Math curriculum, shared examples of the types of problems students are working as they gain a mathematical foundation, and offered ideas for ways parents can help, even if the methods seem foreign.


Developed at the University of Chicago and used in Iowa City schools for at least seven years, Everyday Math uses everyday situations to encourage thinking and problem solving while instilling basic math in all students. Hays said that every concept is revisited five times in a two-year stream, so that if students don't fully master it the first time through they have plenty of additional opportunities to solidify their skills before moving forward. Students rarely use a text book, but a resource book with definitions and detailed explanations of how each type of problem is done is available to borrow from your child's teacher.


Hays noted that the curriculum is language-based, relatively fast-paced and cyclical, which can be difficult for some students with learning disabilities. In such cases, Hays is available as a resource specialist to work with the classroom teachers to identify resources that will address an individual student's needs.


Hays encouraged parents to help foster their children's mathematical growth through classroom volunteering, parent letters, Home Links/Study Links and playing math games at home. She also shared that Everyday Math is offering 12 math game apps for iPhone, iPad or iPod touch for free on Tuesday, Dec. 20. (These are usually $1.99 each.) To download these games search "Everyday Math" in your app store.

In addition, there are resources for parents available on the Everyday Math website. Some of these require a login, which is available from your child's teacher.

Free Family Fun Night is Dec. 16 at Mercer Rec. Center

Lucas PTO is hosting a Free Family Fun Night on Friday, Dec. 16, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Mercer Recreation Center (2701 Bradford Drive.) Activities will include a bounce house, roller skating, game room, and basketball. Healthy snacks will also be provided. There is no charge for any of these activities or snacks. Bring the whole family for a fun Friday night! For more information, or to volunteer to provide healthy snacks, please contact Renee Speh.

City High hosts girls basketball gamp Dec. 21-22

Iowa City High’s Girls Basketball Program will be hosting a two day Holiday Basketball Camp on December 21 and 22. The early session (Grades 3-6) will be from 8 to 10 a.m., and the second session (Grades 7-8) will be from 10 a.m. to noon.

The camp will take place in the main gymnasium at City High. Iowa City High Head Coach Bill McTaggart and his staff will offer instructions with the help of members of the varsity girls' basketball team. All participants are to bring comfortable clothing and tennis shoes. Each camper will receive a t-shirt and other prizes.

The camp instructors will teach basketball fundamentals along with multiple basketball drills and games. Please bring this registration form along with your payment on Dec. 21st. The fee is $25.00.

Guest speaker will discuss math curriculum at Dec. 12 PTO meeting

Julie Ewert Hays, math resource specialist, will speak to the PTO on Monday, Dec. 12, at 7 p.m. about the math curriculum our children are studying and the best ways for parents to support learning, growth and development in math. This presentation is relevant for all grade levels and comes on the heels of a similar presentation focused on reading at last month's PTO meeting.

Make your list and check it twice; a tax-deductible gift to Lucas is mighty nice

As you plan your holiday gifts, please consider including Lucas Elementary. Though our “Make a Mighty Difference” fundraising campaign has ended, you can still make a donation before Dec. 31 and deduct it on your 2011 taxes. Your gift will help Lucas PTO support Lucas teachers, provide classroom supplies and educational materials, fund new technology, and develop outdoor learning initiatives. For information on how to donate via paypal, cash or check, visit the Make a Mighty Difference website.

Time and talent also make great gifts; volunteers needed school-wide

Not all gifts are monetary. Lucas can also benefit from your gifts of time and talent. Classroom volunteers are needed at many grade levels, primarily to help students with reading and math assignments. (Detailed instructions will be provided.) Giving a student individual attention for even 30 minutes a day can make a significant difference in his or her academic progress. Volunteers are asked to commit to a regular day and time; 30 minutes per day is ideal, but any consistent block of time can be accommodated.

Parents, grandparents and other trusted adults are welcomed as volunteers after completing the Iowa City Community School District Volunteer Application. Depending on your availability and classroom needs, you may not be matched with your own child’s classroom. After completing a volunteer application, please contact Lucas Secretary Elise Denniston (Denniston.Elise@iccsd.k12.ia.us) with the days/times you are available.