December Newsletter

The December newsletter is now available.

Newsletter--December (English)

Hoja de noticias--diciembre (español)

Get to Know Miss Lampe

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 third grade teacher Jennifer Lampe, who is in her second year as a Mighty Hawk.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  Prior to joining us at Lucas, where did you live and what did you do?

Miss Lampe:   Prior to joining Lucas I lived in Gilbert and taught 3rd grade at Gilbert Intermediate.  

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

Miss Lampe:  My absolute favorite part about working at Lucas is being with the kids all day.  I love coming to school each morning and can't wait to see the kids when the bell rings.  Lucas students are such amazing kids!

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  Which teacher from your past made the biggest difference in your life?

Miss Lampe:   My favorite teacher was my third grade teacher, Mrs. Buchanan.  I had her at Stewart's Creek, where I grew up, just north of Dallas, TX.  I remember her always being happy and willing to help.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  If you could spend your winter break anywhere in the world (and take your family and dogs with you), where would it be?

Miss Lampe:   If I could spend my winter break anywhere in the world, I would definitely go somewhere tropical. My two golden retrievers love to swim and my entire family loves the beach.

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

Miss Lampe:   My favorite healthy food would be salads with chicken on them.  I am not a big fan of sweets, but I love salty foods.  My favorite treat is popcorn made on the stove.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  What are you most proud of?

Miss Lampe:  I am most proud of all of my years in teaching.  This is my 16th year, and I love it more and more each year.  I have the most rewarding job!

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  Is there anything else you’d like the Lucas community to know about you?

Miss Lampe:  I love being at Lucas and have felt so welcome here.  It is a great school, with wonderful staff and students.

Spotlight on Running Clubs

Lucas students know how to go the extra mile!  

Girls on the Run is a national organization that has had a presence in eastern Iowa for ten years and at Lucas since 2014.  Participants include girls from grades 3-6. This season recently wrapped up with a 5k run and a community impact project.   This year, the Girls on the Run members raised nearly $100 for hurricane recovery through a hot cocoa, tea, and coffee fundraiser.

Let Me Run is a similar group for boys in grades 4-6.  It is also a national organization, though it is new to eastern Iowa, and this is the first year Lucas students have participated.  The Let Me Run team also culminated their season by running in their first team 5k.  According to the Let Me Run website's purpose statement, "We hope to reduce the challenges associated with a lack of emotional expression in pre-teen and teenage boys, which can lead to stress, sickness, disease, addiction, and violence."

Both groups offer financial assistance to help cover membership fees--in fact, nearly 60% of Girls on the Run participants receive some financial assistance, and over $86,000 in scholarships was awarded last year in the Eastern Iowa Council.  Ms. Keninger is participating in Team 10 Cubed, which is a group dedicated to raising money to support the Girls on the Run scholarship fund.  She and the other Team 10 Cubed members will run ten 10k runs in ten months.  Let Me Run's scholarships are funded entirely by donations.  If you would like to donate or know of a local business, civic group, or faith community that would like to support Let Me Run, visit LetMeRun.org/Donate.

The spring season for Girls on the Run will begin at the end of February, and you can find promotional materials and registration forms in the main office or from Ms. Crowe, Ms. Goodwin, or Ms. Keninger.  The start date for the spring season of Let Me Run has not yet been determined, but if you are interested in learning more, visit LetMeRun.org.  Let Me Run registration forms will be available online.  Keep an eye out for details on the Lucas PTO Facebook (facebook.com/LucasElementaryPTO) and in Peach Jar emails. 

Questions?  Contact Ms. Keninger (keninger.chelsea@iowacityschools.org) for Girls on the Run or Eva Schoen (egschoen@gmail.com) for Let Me Run.

Run for the Schools update

Did you know that schools receive money from Run for the Schools based on participation, both from runners and volunteers? Take a look at this year's totals from all over the district. Thank you for helping our music and PE programs--next year let's do even better!

Run for the Schools participation totals 2017

Willow Street traffic map

0. Please Give us a Brake - Crosswalk on Willow Street

   We are concerned that the crosswalk on Willow Street is posing a potentially hazardous situation to walkers that cross at this intersection. We have noticed that very few drivers yield to pedestrians at this crosswalk and that a number are parents of children at the school. We ask your participation in being respectful of children crossing at this location by stopping to allow them to cross when approaching the intersection. The safety guards are there to help minimize conflict but it would be GREATLY appreciated if drivers would take a moment to yield to young pedestrians to ensure they get to school as safely and efficiently as riders. Thanks!
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

November newsletter

November 2017 newsletter (English)

La hoja de noticias de noviembre 2017 (español)

Traffic map, as referenced in the newsletter

Welcome to Megan Goodwin

We're excited to have several new staff members this year, and we'll get to know them as the year progresses.  This month, we talked to our new Behavioral Interventionist, Megan Goodwin.



The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  What did you do prior to joining us at Lucas this year?

Ms. Goodwin:  Before coming to Lucas I worked at The Homestead doing ABA with children who have autism.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  What's your favorite part about Lucas so far?

Ms. Goodwin:  I've loved getting to know the kids and teachers.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  What are some of your hobbies and interest?

Ms. Goodwin:  I enjoy reading, listening to music, going to movies and plays, and watchings sports.

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

Ms. Goodwin:  If I could only eat one thing for a year it would be tacos.  I would listen to Ingrid Michaelson or Young the Giant.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  Is there anything else you'd like the Lucas community to know about you?

Ms. Goodwin:  I love reading and being active.

October Newsletter

The October newsletter is now available.

English

Spanish

Warm Clothing and Winter Outerwear Distribution

Families in need can now choose among three different locations for free distribution of warm clothing and winter outwear.

When:  Saturday, October 14, 2017, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Where:  

Iowa City - The Kingdom Center / The Dream Center

611 Southgate Ave. (corner of Southgate and Keokuk)

Coralville - Community of Christ

2121 South Ridge Drive, Coralville (South of Holiday Road, next to North Ridge Park)

North Liberty - Grace Community Church

2017 Dubuque St NE, North Liberty (near Liberty High)

See attached flyer for all the details.  

Get to Know a Mighty Hawk - Mr. Shaw

We're excited to have several new staff members this year, and we'll get to know them better as the year progresses.  This month, let's get to know Mr. Michael Shaw, our new Family and Student Advocate.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  What were you doing before you took this position, and what made you want to work at Lucas?

Mr. Shaw:  Before coming to Lucas I was the Student and Family Advocate at Weber Elementary.  I was the first fulltime Family Resource Center Coordinator (it has evolved into the position of SFA) at Grant Wood Elementary and prior to that I completed my undergraduate practicum at the North Liberty/Penn Elementary Family Resource Center.  I chose Lucas because I am a social worker and an eastsider.  I love working with families and their children in the interest of promoting and supporting high achievement in public education.  Working closer to home makes it easier for me to do the kind of community building and advocacy work that is a critical part of what it means to me to be a social worker.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  What’s your favorite part about working with kids?

Mr. Shaw:  Witnessing joy and growth.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  What do you do on a typical weekend?

Mr. Shaw:  Sleep until the sun comes out, reconnect with my partner, clean up the house, make at least one breakfast dinner, workout, and relax with my children.

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

Mr. Shaw:  Healthy food: a colorful salad and breakfast dinners. Treat: solid chocolate of any kind that is untainted by fanciful explorations (i.e. cherry chocolate, chili chocolate, chocolate with sprinkles, etc.)

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  What else do you want Lucas students and families to know about you?

Mr. Shaw:  My role at Lucas is to support all students in maximizing their academic potential.  This support includes helping all families understand how they can best support their children’s learning; promoting culturally competent teaching, practice and pedagogy within our school; and providing additional support to families and children that might have greater barriers to learning.  I believe that an equity driven public education system is the best tool for sustaining a vibrant and inclusive democracy.  I am always open to courageous conversations about how we coexist in this world.  I have been and will always be a domestic and sexual violence Victim Advocate.  Music is playing in my head all the time, so if you talk to me about any kind of music, I’m all in.  I believe Girls On The Run is all that and a slice of cold chocolate cake.  I am a Cubs fan for reasons that go beyond baseball and I don’t hate the White Sox or Cardinals. 

Run for the Schools

Run for the Schools 

Sunday, October 15!

​The 20th annual Run for the Schools race, which raises money for the Iowa City Community School District and Regina Catholic schools, is October, 15, 2017.  Races include Half-Mile and Mile Fun Runs, 5K and 10K Run/Walks, and a Half-Marathon Run.  Sign up individually or as a family.  Register by September 30th to get a Run for the Schools T-shirt!

There are 3 ways for you to participate and earn participation credit for your school:

Run or Walk in the race – Register now or get more information at www.runfortheschools.com

Volunteer to help on race day! Volunteer RFTS Sign Up

Make a donation for Run for the Schools to the ICCSD Foundation at Run for the Schools Donation

Box Tops for Education

It’s Box Tops time! Clip and return your Box Tops by October 20th for our fall fundraiser! Last year we raised over $1300! Be sure the Box Tops haven’t expired and place your child’s name. grade, and teacher’s name on the INSIDE of the plastic baggie for the classroom competition.

Happy clipping!

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View the full letter (Spanish)