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.)

Free Science & Math Festival Sept. 18 at UI

It's never too soon to start planning your weekend. On Sunday afternoon from 1-5 p.m. check out iExploreSTEM, a FREE festival to nurture the interests of Iowa's K-12 children in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The event will feature more than 45 fun hands-on educational activities including:


Future Engineers Contest -- Create the tallest tower in 8 minutes
CyberAnatomy -- Learn anatomy like a medical student
Pitch and Win -- Pitch your business idea to investors in 3 minutes!
Turbine Testing -- See a model working wind turbine & make your own
Diagnostic Detectives -- Diagnose a case and play lab Jeopardy
Mobile Science -- Visit working mobile weather and communications labs
AND LOTS MORE!!!


When: Sunday, Sept. 18, 2011 1-5 p.m.

Where: State Hygienic Lab, UI Research Park, Coralville, IA

Information: www.iExploreSTEM.org or gina-schatteman@uiowa.edu

Shout out to donors who are making a Mighty Difference!

The Lucas PTO wants to send a shout-out and a tip of the hat to some of the folks who have already made a difference by supporting the Make a Mighty Difference fundraiser at Lucas Elementary School. A HUGE thank-you to:

ConAgra Foods

Goodfellow Printing

Sara Baird

Julia Burton

Judy & Ben Clark

The Cox Family

Freda Dixon

Tobi Drake

Lorie Dykes

Kristi Fitzpatrick

Dawn Fitzpatrick & Brad McDowell

Joel and Jill Graff

David Amy Greazel

Stephen Heywood

Ben & Brooke Hill

John & Mary Kenyon

Jennifer Lee Howard

Jeni Lewis

Les & Nancy Lipschutz

Andy & Sarah Lynch

Jennifer Lynch

Debbie & Joe Manning

Rob & Anna McComas

Kathleen McKay

Michelle Norman

Cathy & Charles Novak

Joseph Pavelich

Jay & Chris Phillips

Stephen & Melinda Pradarelli

Pam & Steve Quigley

Dave Snyder

Renne Speh

Danella Van Tasell

Leslie & Andy Veit

Mary Lee & George Veit

Helene Volkert

Larry & Marilyn Walberg

Wayne & Dixie Walker

Janis Williams

Joey Young

THANKS for making a Mighty Difference!

The Lucas PTO Fundraising Committee

Make a Mighty Difference fundraiser tops $7,000

The Make a Mighty Difference fundraising campaign has brought in $7,068.12 as of today! 

Thanks to all of you who have dug deep so the Lucas PTO can continue to support our great school without requiring our students to sell items many of you told us you didn't want or need. 

Despite our progress, we still have a way to go to reach our goal of raising $25,000 by October 10. So if you haven't given, please consider doing so today -- whether it's $25, $50, $100 or more! Every dollar makes a difference. And if every Lucas family donates $90, we’ll reach our goal with ease. 

Don't forget that 100 percent of your tax-deductible donation will benefit Lucas through classroom support, library books, special events and field trips, music and physical education and more. You can write a check to the Lucas PTO or donate online at www.makeamightydifference.org.

Also, please look for a flyer in your child's take-home folder today encouraging Lucas families to give. And, as always, Go Mighty Hawks!

Free Winter Clothing Distribution

2011 Children’s Free Coats and Socks & Underwear Distribution

(Children MUST be present)

This is a free distribution of winter clothing in infant, child and adult sizes.
Included in the distribution are coats, hats, gloves, scarves, boots, sweatpants, sweatshirts, sweaters and blue jeans.

Date: Saturday, October 8

Time: 9:00AM to Noon

Three Locations Near You:

North Liberty
NL Community Pantry
85 North Jones Blvd

Iowa City
Eastdale Mall
1700 S. 1st Ave

Coralville
Community of Christ
2121 South Ridge Dr

September Lucas News now online

The first newsletter of the 2011-12 school year is now online! Click here to view the September issue of the Robert Lucas Newsletter.

Fundraiser slowly gaining ground, but we need more help!

The Lucas “Make a Mighty Difference” fundraising campaign pulled in a little more support since last Friday, for a new total of $5,902.80. Again, hats off to the parents, grandparents, school staff, community members and others who are digging deep to help us reach our goal of raising $25,000 for our great school by October 10 – just over five weeks away!

Remember, if every Lucas family donates $90, we’ll reach our goal with ease! So if you haven’t given yet, and you’re looking for motivation to do so, consider the testimonials from members of the Lucas community below.

And as always, Go Mighty Hawks!!!

The world has changed a lot since the time I went to elementary school in Iowa City. Getting our kids ready to be productive members of society means providing them with real life learning opportunities. I have contributed to the Make a Mighty Difference campaign because I want Lucas students to have the same opportunities for learning that kids in new schools have. In fact, I want Lucas kids to be not only connected through technology, I want them to be just as comfortable exploring nature and caring for the environment as they are interacting online! I am proud to be the principal at Lucas. Our kids deserve our support.

- Julia Burton

Principal, Lucas Elementary

We have been part of the Lucas family for more than 10 years. This is a school that has given our two girls a fantastic elementary experience. Now with the Make a Mighty Difference campaign we are excited to be able to give directly to Lucas instead of having our donated dollars go to a third party fundraising company. We are proud to be part of this campaign, which will help ensure every child has the opportunity to receive an excellent education. Go Mighty Hawks!

- Melinda and Stephen Pradarelli

Lucas parents

We were excited to give to the Make a Mighty Difference Campaign because we love Lucas Elementary School and we don't want our kids to have to sell things to our family, friends and neighbors. We support the PTO's efforts to streamline fundraising so our kids can focus on learning.

- Renee Speh

Lucas parent

Lucas kids are lucky to receive high quality education, which Iowa City schools are known for, from dedicated teachers and staff who do an amazing job with increasingly finite resources.  There is no shortage of ways we can choose to spend our money these days, but I did not hesitate to give to the Make a Mighty Difference campaign because it is an investment in our children and their future.

- Ben Hill

Lucas Parent