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.

Save the tricks, but share the treats: Make a Mighty Difference for Lucas

As your ghosts and goblins prepare for tomorrow's school Halloween festivities, keep in mind that the Halloween dance is just one of many fun activities the Lucas PTO sponsors for our kids. You can play a vital role in ensuring that these and other opportunities continue by supporting the Make a Mighty Difference fundraiser with a financial or a time commitment.

Lucas parents just like you have committed dozens of hours to creating a fun and memorable afternoon for our students. Additional activities are planned throughout the school year that will need your support. We ask that you consider how you might best support our Lucas community and then make a commitment--either of money or time or both--to Make a Mighty Difference.

On the campaign web page you'll find links donate time and money--both of which are vital for carrying out PTO activities.

Lucas PTO makes a Mighty Difference by funding:

• Technology - Computers, Smart Boards, I-Touch
• Enrichment - Field Trips, Visiting Authors, School of the Wild
• Outdoor Educational Playscape - Outdoor classroom space, Nature based play, Prairie Pocket, School Garden, playground equipment
• Family Activities - DEED events, Family supper, Free Family Nights, Fun Night

Lucas families Make a Mighty Difference by volunteering to:

• Prepare food for teachers on conference nights
• Assist on picture day (helping students move from classrooms to photo room)
• Set-up, serve, and clean-up Family Supper
• Organize games for Fun Night
• and MUCH MORE!

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

You can add your commitment of volunteer hours to our tally by filling out this online form or by contacting Volunteer Coordinator Nancy Cassady at ncassadyim@gmail.com.

A mighty big THANK YOU to everyone who has committed time and money so far! Please see our Wall of Fame for a list of donors.

Girl Scout information night is Sept. 5 at Lucas

Attention all girls! Would you like a club just for you and your friends? Do you like crafts? Games? Songs? How about cookies, trips, or horses? 

All of this and more is available to every Girl Scout, even if you don’t want to be in a troop!  Girl Scouts will be visiting Lucas on Thursday, September 5 at 6:00 p.m. in the multi-purpose room to answer questions and help you get involved in scouting. Ask your teacher or the office for one of the colorful stickers that Girl Scouts provided us.  See you at Girl Scout night!”

 

Updated: Track club invites young runners to first practice Feb. 3

The Iowa Speed Track and Field Club will begin practice for the season on Sunday, Feb. 10. Anyone in 2nd-8th grade is welcome to join the club, which is coached by Joey and Heather Woody of Iowa City. Practices will be held every Sunday from 6-7:30 p.m. at the University of Iowa indoor track. The club fee is $40 per month, but scholarships are available by contacting the coaches: coachheather10@gmail.comcoachheather10@gmail.com

Check mate! Lucas chess club meets Fridays at 3 p.m.

The Lucas Chess Club will hold its first meeting this Friday, Sept. 7 at 3 p.m. in the art room. The club meets weekly and is open to 1st through 6th graders (and Kindergartners with chess experience.) Parents, please print and sign this permission form and send it with your student on Friday. Parent volunteers are also needed (no chess experience necessary!) Please contact Stephen Heywood  at lucaschessclub@gmail.com

Get creative with summer arts camps and workshops

Thanks to Ms. Leslie and Mrs. McNiel for this great list of summer arts experiences for elementary students.



Willowwind School
Willowwind School, 950 Dover St., Iowa City.
Willowwind sometimes has children’s art classes and has a summer art camp. Call the school for more detailed information. Registration forms available at http://www.willowwind.org/docs/file/WWSummer11FINAL2.pdf or at the school. Call: 338-6061.

Puppet Classes
Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre, 319 N. Calhoun St., West Liberty
Eulenspiegel has several classes and camps during the year during which children build puppets of different styles and learn how to manipulate them. Also children will learn about staging, rehearse and present shows. Call: 319-627-2487 or visit http://www.puppetspuppets.com/workshops or e-mail owlglass@avalon.net for more information.

Iowa City Recreation Division
Robert A. Lee Recreation Center, Gilbert and Burlington streets, Iowa City.
The Iowa City Recreation Division has Saturday, winter break, and summer classes for students in grades K-6. For registration information, deadlines, prices and classes, go to www.icgov.org . Call: 356-5110.

Iowa Fiber & Arts Summer Camp
Summer camps for kids ages 7 and up. Each camp is one week long. Kids age 7-9 learn weaving, spinning, felting, knitting and dyeing. Kids age 10 and older focus on sewing, quilting, weaving, fiber arts and dyeing. Camps held on an 83-acre farm between West Branch and Tipton in Cedar County, operated by Diane Fleshin. Round trip van transportation provided from the Iowa City area. Call: 351-9010 or go to www.fiberarts.com for more information.

Market Street Theater School
Summer camps offer one-week and two-week comprehensive theatrical training in Iowa City for children age 4 to 12 and teenagers. Students will collaborate to create an original performance piece. Call: 337-4993 or visit www.2msts.org for a full description of all camps.

Prairie School of Art
After school, Saturday and summer art workshops for children age 4 to 12. Workshops can include themes of junk, recycled art, puppets, clay, papermaking and tie dye. Prairie School of Art is located at the home of Peggy Fitzgerald in Iowa City. More information: Request list of classes and registration forms by sending an e-mail to PegnRo@aol.com.

United Action for Youth
Summer art camp -- Camp Create. A one-week creative art camp for ages 9 to 12. Kids will be exposed to new creative art opportunities and learn new techniques including textiles, beading, multi-media collage and drawing and painting.
Camps are during the morning at UAY, 355 Iowa Ave., Iowa City. Call: 358-9406 ext. 601 or e-mail: iuaystumullins@yahoo.com to register.

University of Iowa Arts Share Program
Children entering grades 1-6 can enroll in week-long summer arts camps featuring workshops in music, theater, visual arts, creative movement, writing, live performance and on-campus field trips. Camps are 8:30 a.m. to noon each day. Different activities are offered each week so children can enroll one or both weeks. Call: 335-1618 or e-mail artsshare@uiowa.edu or go to www.uiowa.edu/artsshare

University of Iowa Belin-Blank Center
The Belin-Blank Center offers numerous summer camps for children in grades 2-11. Most campers sign up for either one- or two-week-long sessions and have the option of staying overnight. These camps allow students to take challenging courses, enjoy a variety of cultural and educational activities and experience classes and daily life on a college campus. Camps include Challenges for Elementary Students, Junior Scholars Academy, Iowa Governor’s Institute, Visual Arts Institute and National Scholars Academy. Registration forms and requirements available online at www.education.uiowa.edu/belinblank/summer/programs . Cost: Varies per session, some sessions have partial scholarship funding. Call: 335-6148.

University of Iowa Summer Journalism Workshops
This camp offers various journalism workshops for high school students. The workshops include news writing, editing, design, yearbook, photojournalism, broadcast, graphic design and Web design basics. Campers choose a workshop and spend the week getting hands-on experience learning the ins and outs of their focus. Registration deadline June 20. Registration forms available at www.uiowa.edu/~journshp/registration/registrationmain.html. Cost: $395 to $445 ($475 to $495 after June 1). Call: 335-3455 or e-mail David Schwartz at david-schwartz@uiowa.edu.

Home Ec Workshop
207 N. Linn Street, Iowa City
Home Ec is a textiles and fabric store that also offers classes in sewing, knitting, dying and fabric surface design. Some of these classes are open to children. These classes are advertised in the Press Citizen “Go” section on Thursdays. To find out more about classes and to register, call Home Ec at 337-4775.

Harte School of Art
421 Oakland, I.C.
The Harte School of Art is based on a unique program designed and developed by Lyudmila Harte. This K–12 program includes studying Art Theory and Art History through carefully constructed art projects. Students of all ages are encouraged at every stage of the program to express themselves by means of a wide variety of artistic media: painting, drawing, printing, collage, and sculpture. Exposure to various artistic styles, movements, and methods gives students the opportunity to try everything from realism to decorative art to abstract art. This approach allows students to discover their own artistic style and to develop it further. To find out about summer classes and to register, call 338-7843. The school’s website is www.harteschool.com 

New youth track club seeks participants; first practice March 25

Calling all runners! A new youth track club is forming in Iowa City and all students in second through sixth grades are invited to check it out. The first practice is this Sunday, March 25, from 5-6:30 p.m. at the University of Iowa Recreation Center/Indoor track (across from Kinnick Stadium.) Weather permitting, this practice may move to the outdoor track; if so, a note will be posted on the indoor track doors. Participants should wear running shoes and athletic clothing.

The club is founded and run by Iowa City parents Heather and Joey Woody, both former track stars at the University of Northern Iowa. Joey Woody is currently an assistant track and field coach at the UI.

For more information, contact Heather Woody at 404-4984 or coachheather10@gmail.com.

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.

Little Hawk Baseball Club seeks 8- and 9-year-olds

The Little Hawk Baseball Club, which serves serves as the official feeder system for City High baseball, is looking for 8- and 9-year-olds to participate on baseball teams for the 2012 season. An initial try-out in September yielded 7 boys on each team. Rather than cut players to make one 9U team, they are having a
second tryout to find more participants. This tryout will take place on Thursday, Oct. 13, from 5:30-7 p.m. on Field 3 at Mercer Park. To be eligible to participate, boys must attend an elementary school in the City High district and be either 8 or 9 years old, or younger, on May 1, 2012. Practices will begin in January. More information is available in their tryout flier.

Register by May 25 for 'Let's Play' Music Summer Camp!

Music teachers are teaming up to put together one of the first, FREE summer music camps at Lucas Elementary School, and they are inviting students from Lucas, Lemme, Mann and Wood Elementary Schools to register for this exciting event!

The "Let's Play" Music Summer Camp takes place from Monday, June 20 through Friday, June 24 at Lucas Elementary School, 830 Southlawn Drive, Iowa City. Students will participate in three sessions each day: Orff Schulwerk/Xylophones, World Drumming, and Movement/Dance. 

On Friday, the last day of camp, there will be a sharing session for parents in which the kids will share and perform what they have been working on all week. The times for these sharing sessions are:

Grades 2-3:  8:15 to 11:30 a.m.

Grades 4-6: 12:30 to 4 p.m.

Students will be placed in a group on a first come, first served basis. This camp is free! Once the classes are assigned, more information and required forms may be sent home. All forms must be completed and returned if your child is to participate by MAY 25th! Online applications are due May 27th! No Exceptions

Print, fill out and send to Lucas the following form. Or you can fill out a registration form online by going here.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name of Student (First)_____________________________(Last)__________________________

School ___________________________________________ Grade:___________

Email: ______________________________________ Phone Number: ____________

Indicate the transportation plan for your child after each class (e.g. parent will pick up, child will walk, etc.): ________________________________________________________________

____ Yes, I plan to attend my child’s sharing session on the last day.

Would you be willing let another child in your neighborhood ride with you and your child so they can make it to summer camp? ____ Yes ____ No

Child’s Signature: __________________________________ Date:_________

Parent's signature: __________________________________ Date: _________

New calendar available for summer youth programs

Looking for activities for kids this summer? Check out the summer calendar prepared by Johnson County Social Services.

The calendar provides tons of ideas for free and reduced-free activities, including sports camps, music lessons, public library hours, and other great information.

Click here to download the PDF.

Lucas Family Science Night is May 26!

Lucas Family Science Night will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 26, featuring the University of Iowa Department of Physics and Astronomy's Hawk-Eyes on Science outreach program.

Dale Stille, instructional resource specialist, and professor Vincent Rodgers will conduct exciting demonstrations on magnetism, lasers and electricity. 

Come up close to watch or volunteer to see how they work! This is a fun and engaging presentation for all ages!

More information about Hawk-Eyes on Science can be found here.

Group discount available for Tim Dwight Football Camp

Lucas Family Resource Center Director Yolanda Spears would like to hear from parents who are interested in registering for an upcoming football camp led by former Little Hawk, Hawkeye and NFL player Tim Dwight June 15, 16 and 17 at South East Junior High School.

The cost per camper (which includes a t-shirt, shorts and a bag) is $200, and the deadline for registering is May 31. But a group rate of $150 is available for groups of 10 or more students. Yolanda is hoping there is enough interest among Lucas families to get the price break. Please email her to let her know if you're interested at Spears.Yolanda@iccsd.k12.ia.us.

Meanwhile, more information about the camp is below:

Tim Dwight Camp Details

Children attending camp will experience football fundamentals taught by the best collegiate and high school coaches from the Midwest-along with hands on instruction throughout by former NFL player, Iowa Hawkeye and City High Alum Tim Dwight.

Cost: $200 per camper (includes t-shirt, shorts, bag)

*Registration required and no walk-ins allowed. Deadline to register is May 31, 2011. A late fee of $25 will be added on to registrations received after that time.

NEW THIS YEAR Campers will bring sack lunch Wednesday and Thursday. Camp BBQ on Friday!!

Discount Rates available:

• Group registrations are welcome: A minimum of ten campers is considered a group and all forms must be mailed together w/ accompanying payments. Cost reduced to $150 per camper! No on-line registration is available for groups.
• Sibling Discount: A third child in the same immediate family who registers for camp pays only $100 registration fee- ½ Price!

Date: June 15, 16 & 17th 2011

Time: 9:00am- 4:00 pm (approximate )

Location: South East Junior High School – Iowa City, Iowa

Ideas and Leadership for Lucas Kids Clubs Needed

Lucas Kids Clubs are back! Yolanda Spears is helping to coordinate our popular school-wide Kids Club program, which will be offered one day a week after school throughout the month of April. Two clubs in the works are scrapbooking and knitting but we would like to offer more. If you have an idea and/or are willing to lead a club, we want to hear from you.

Past clubs that have been popular are volleyball, cooking, basketball, peace club, dance, cheerleading, bike rodeo, kickball, and pets. If you would like to lead one of these clubs or have another idea, please submit it to Yolanda Spears (email: Spears.Yolanda@iccsd.k12.ia.us or call 688-1140) by Friday, March 4. Permission slips for the clubs will be sent out after spring break.

Lucas kids love these clubs! In the past, nearly 200 kids have participated. Please help us provide more club options!