2016 Lucas Spelling Bee Sign-Up

The 2016 Lucas Elementary Spelling Bee will be held on Tuesday April 26^th (grades 1-2, and 5-6) and Thursday April 28^th (grades 3-4) at 6:30pm on both nights.

This is a team spelling bee where groups of 2-3 students will work together to spell words in both a written and oral round.  Members of the winning team from each of the bees will have their names added to the plaque in the front hallway at Lucas.  It’s an exciting Lucas tradition!

To participate please turn in your sign up sheet by Wednesday April 6, or sign up online through this link.

Last day of school is June 6; 2 p.m. dismissal

Just a reminder that the cold winter with canceled school days has extended our school year until Friday, June 6. Dismissal on the last day of school will be at 2 p.m. We wish you a safe summer and look forward to seeing you Thursday, Aug. 14, for Popsicles with the Principal and Tuesday, Aug. 19, for the first day of school!

Corridor Autism Resources Expo is June 7 at Cedar Rapids Public Library

The Corridor Autism Resources Expo will be held Saturday, June 7, at the Cedar Rapids Public Library, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Educational and information sessions will be held throughout the day in Whipple Auditorium, including presentations by Theatre Cedar Rapids and Frank Varvaris. Dozens of exhibitors will be on hand throughout the day to share information and resources available in our community for those with a family member or individuals on the autism spectrum. For more information see: https://www.facebook.com/events/221626448032526/

Kindergarten registration is Thursday, Feb. 27

Do you have a five-year-old or a neighbor who is or will soon be five? Spread the word--Kindergarten Registration is this Thursday, Feb. 27 at all Iowa City Community School District elementary schools from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Parents should bring the child's birth certificate showing the child will be 5 by Sept. 15. Immunization records and proof of residency are also requested. The registration process may take up to 30 minutes. Entering Kindergartners are not required to attend. A separate event to introduce them to the school and teachers will be held later this spring.

Make connections at first PTO meeting Sept. 9 at 7 p.m.

The first PTO meeting of the year is right around the corner. Mark your calendar for Monday, Sept. 9, at 7 p.m. to come learn about ways you can be involved in building the Lucas community. You could win a Lucas t-shirt (and find out why it says RRCS.) You'll probably pick up a tasty treat. And you'll certainly connect with fellow Lucas parents.

All Lucas parents are members of the PTO and your level of involvement is totally up to you. Our meetings last one hour, and free child care is provided in the Kindergarten room.

Future meetings (always the second Monday of the month at 7 p.m.) are:

• October 14
• November 11
• December 9
• January 13
• February 10
• March 10
• April 14
• May 12

PTO Makes A Mighty Difference by supporting:

• 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

While you have your calendar handy, here are a few additional dates:

Tuesday, Sept 10 - Open House at Lucas with dinner provided by The River Church

Friday, Sept 20 - Lucas Family Tailgate at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church prior to the City High football game. Hosted by DEED (Dads Engaged in Engineering Dreams) our Dad’s group at Lucas.

Wednesday, Sept. 25 - City High Homecoming Parade (Lucas group organized by DEED)

If you have any questions about Lucas PTO or a specific event, please feel free to contact PTO co-presidents Leslie Veit or Renee Speh

Music to your ears: Spring general music concert dates announced

Check the schedule below and mark your calendars for the time and date of your child's class music performance. The students will share a sample of what they've learned this year in music classes with Mr. Kelly.

Thursday, April 25
1 p.m.: Kindergarten
1:30 p.m.: 1st grade

Thursday, May 9
1 p.m.: 2nd grade
1:30 p.m.: 4th grade

Thursday, May 16
1 p.m.: 3rd grade
1:20 p.m.: 5th grade

Last day of School: 6th grade musical entertainment

Celebrate Lucas 50th anniversary Sunday, May 5

Mark your calendars for the Lucas Elementary 50th Anniversary Celebration, Sunday, May 5, from 2-4 p.m.! Program includes remarks from Supt. Steve Murley, ICCSD Board President and former Lucas teacher Marla Swesey and former Lucas principal Brian Lehmann. Friends, neighbors, former students and teachers are invited. Birthday cake for all!

Registration for Fall 2013 Kindergarten is Feb. 26

All elementary schools in Iowa City will hold Kindergarten Registration on Tuesday, Feb. 26, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you have any five-year-old (or soon-to-be five) friends or neighbors who will be starting Kindergarten at Lucas in August, please encourage them to stop by the school with a birth certificate or passport to show that the child will be 5 years old by Sept. 15, 2013. Children do not need to accompany the parents; their Kindergarten introduction will come later this spring when Lucas holds its Kindergarten Roundup on April 18.

School picture re-takes are Friday, Oct. 26

If you missed picture day or weren't happy with the results, you have another shot at it this Friday, Oct. 26, at 10 a.m. Send your child with the prints you received and alert your classroom teacher to your need for a re-take. If you missed picture day entirely, just bring the original order form.

Take note: First TWO days of school are early dismissal

Just a friendly heads up that both Thursday, Aug. 16, and Friday, Aug. 17, are one-hour early dismissal days. School gets out at 2 p.m. both days. After that, we'll be back to our regular weekly early dismissals on Thursdays only.

Mark your calendars for year-end awards and 6th grade promotion ceremony

Lucas students will receive awards for Optimist Good Reader, Student Council, Leadership, Perfect Attendance, and many other achievements at the annual Awards Assembly Tuesday, May 29, at 9 a.m. In addition to the awards, items from the Student Council Time Capsule will be on display. The assembly is for students in grades 3-6.

Later that week, we'll send off our 6th graders with a promotion ceremony at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 31. Those students may may leave with their parents after the ceremony.

Yes you CAN (donate your deposit to Lucas PTO Oct. 8)

Lucas PTO is collecting all for-deposit cans and bottles on Saturday, Oct. 8, from 8:30-10 a.m. Bring those cans and bottles that have been piling up in your garage to the Lucas front entrance on Saturday, and PTO representatives will take them to the Can Shed to redeem for cash to support our projects.

Help the school and save yourself from the Hy-Vee can room. It's a win-win!

Picture day is this Friday, Sept. 23

Your child should have received an informational sheet from Lifetouch regarding school pictures this Friday, Sept. 23. Parents have the option of ordering pictures online or with the order form/envelope included with this information sheet. The information sheet has a school code needed to complete the online order. When your online order is complete, you will be prompted to print the order form for your child to present to the photographer. If you prefer to use the order form, please send the completed form and payment (cash, money order or check payable to "Lifetouch") with your child on Friday.

March with Lucas Elementary in the City High Homecoming Parade September 28

 

Help celebrate Mighty Hawk and Little Hawk pride Wednesday, September 28, by marching with Lucas Elementary School in the City High Homecoming Parade. 

 

Lucas families are invited to gather at Mercer Park no later than 5:15 p.m. and look  for the Lucas Mighty Hawk Banner. The parade begins at 6 p.m. and ends at Bates Field (City High).

All Lucas families are invited, but students MUST be accompanied by an adult.

Wear a Lucas shirt if you have one. And bring a bag of candy if you want to hand it out along the parade route.

Questions? Contact Joe Bell at jk.bell@mchsi.com or 319-354-2281.

K-3 Back-to-School Night is tonight at 6:30

Families of students in kindergarten through 3rd grade are invited to Back to School Night from 6:30 to 7:30 this evening. Let your child show you around the classroom and take the opportunity to chat with the teachers.

Don't forget to vote in school board election today

Area voters are electing five new members of the School Board for the Iowa City Community School District today. Polls are open until 8 p.m. In school elections, several polling places are consolidated, so be sure to check your voting location before you head out. Most families in the Lucas neighborhood will cast school ballots at Lemme Elementary (3100 E. Washington) or City High (1900 Morningside Drive.)

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.

ICCSD 2011-12 Calendar now available

The Iowa City Community School District School Board on Tuesday approved the 2011-2012 school calendar.  Two versions are available: one is the calendar summary and the other is the academic school year calendar. For the academic school year calendar, click here. For the calendar summary, click here.

New online religious holiday calendar available

A calendar listing most of the major religious holidays throughout the year is now available online. This calendar will help PTO chairs and others avoid conflicts with special celebrations when planning school activities. Please note that the calendar is maintained by the Iowa City Community School District, not Lucas Elementary School. Click here to view the PDF. You can also access it by clicking the Calendar link in the left-hand column of the blog.