December 2018 Newsletter

The December 2018 newsletter is now available.

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Introducing our new counselor, Ms. Gilmore

Hello Lucas Mighty Hawks! 

My Name is Hallie Gilmore, and I am the new Professional School Counselor at Lucas Elementary. I am beyond excited to start my new role at Lucas in supporting students to succeed and have the best school year possible!

I was born and raised in Iowa City, just down the street from Lucas! I went to Longfellow Elementary and have been working there since last year as a para educator. I graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in Psychology in 2010. In 2016, I graduated from DePaul (where Dr. Jenkins went!) with my degree in Counseling Psychology. I worked at Lucas Elementary two years ago as a Reading Tutor, so I can’t wait to see some familiar faces. One of my passions is listening to

students and helping them be successful not just with academics, but also relationships with peers, and their own mental health. Outside of school I enjoy cooking, golfing, and playing with my cats.

If you would like to contact me, my e-mail address is: gilmore.hallie@iowacityschools.org.  I can’t wait to begin working at Lucas again on November 28th.

Have a great Thanksgiving,

Hallie Gilmore

November newsletter

The November 2018 newsletter is now available.

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Make a Mighty Difference; Mr. Kelley

Make a Mighty Difference is Lucas Elementary's annual fundraising campaign. Music teacher Nathan Kelley has shared some of the ways the funds raised through Make a Mighty Difference have impacted him and all Lucas students.

Mr. Kelley in his role as DJ for the Halloween Dance Party

Lucas PTO's help in the music room effects every student at Lucas everyday.  Our Lucas PTO helped purchased our current African drums, two of our $2,000 bass xylophones, many small hand held percussion instruments, lesson materials, and so much more.  Lucas is a special place for students to make music, and the Lucas PTO helps make sure that I have the supplies I need to make it happen. 

– Nathan Kelley, Lucas Elementary Music Teacher

Spotlight: The Cultural Proficiency Team

As Dr. Jenkins has reminded us, our theme for the school year is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s message, "What are you doing to serve others?"  Librarian Connie McCain and ELP teacher Dawn BarbouRoske are embodying that attitude with their membership on the district-wide Cultural Proficiency Team.

This group was developed under the leadership of former Director of Equity and Engagement Kingsley Botchway.  Since Mr. Botchway's departure from the district, Director of Special Projects Laura Cottrell has taken over as the contact point.  The group, comprised of representatives from schools throughout the district, has the goal of establishing teacher leaders in our buildings who are aware of and concerned about the achievement gap that exists in our schools.  Increased cultural proficiency is an important tool in bridging that gap and helping all students succeed.

Mrs. McCain and Ms. BarbouRoske both applied and were accepted onto the team.  The Lucas community is fortunate to have two representatives, as space is limited on the team and not every school has representation.  Mrs. McCain and Ms. BarbouRoske have a personal interest in issues of justice and fair treatment for all students, which was their motivation for applying to the team.

Ms BarbouRoske

Ms. BarbouRoske describes her experience on the team.  "Our role, particularly this year, began with analyzing components of the ICCSD-UI Partnership's Building Level Climate Survey data and ICCSD & Building level Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP) Goals.  Then each of us developed a year-long project around an area of need that's designed to align and support building goals with measurable growth.  We are not experts, but passionate educators dedicated to learning more about culturally relevant issues and practices and share our knowledge and support with fellow staff members and to assist in their development further along on the cultural proficiency continuum too."  She adds, "As a Cultural Proficiency Team leader and LGBTQ+ Advocate, I am willing to listen, assist, and support district staff, parents and students with diversity-related concerns, aid in navigating to the appropriate district resources and administration, and provide educational resources and occasional professional development."

Mrs. McCain

Mrs. McCain emphasizes that "[O]ur goal is to support teachers in nurturing a positive, accepting classroom environment for ALL students in the hope that a school-wide accepting attitude will greatly reduce acts [and] attitudes of bias."

Ms. BarbouRoske has been a leader in the district regarding LGTBQ+ issues, serving on the steering committee.  "As a teacher," she says, "I believe that I am equipped to handle a variety of situations and am willing to act as a liaison.  My door is always open to support those in need."  However, neither Ms. BarbouRoske nor Mrs. McCain is a counselor, and they are not equipped to handle specific conflicts.  They urge the Lucas community to view them as a source of information and support only.  Any student who experiences unfair treatment based on race, culture, gender identity, or sexual orientation should follow regular communication channels, such as talking to their teachers and Dr. Jenkins.

Ms. BarbouRoske may be reached at barbouroske.dawn@iowacityschools.org, and Mrs. McCain may be reached at mccain.connie@iowacityschools.org.

Make a Mighty Difference: Connie McCain

Make a Mighty Difference is Lucas Elementary's annual fundraising campaign. Librarian Connie McCain has shared some of the ways the funds raised through Make a Mighty Difference have impacted her and all Lucas students.

When the PTO offers financial support for the library, it has the potential to reach every single student and classroom. Every year the PTO purchases the American Library Association's book award winners, including the Newbery Award, Caldecott Award, and Coretta Scott King Awards. We also have an award in memory of the previous Lucas Librarian, Jean Gerig, and the PTO provides significant funding to purchase multiple copies of the nominated titles. Last year, the PTO funded a special purchase for the library. We replaced our last state book series, which was about 15 years old, with a new series, published in 2017! The books are attractive and informative, and the students love them! Fourth graders use them for research, and students in other grades check them out just for fun. We are so fortunate to have the PTO's active support and participation in our many Lucas endeavors! 

– Connie McCain, Lucas Librarian

Get to Know a Mighty Hawk: Mr. Graf

Each month, The Mighty Hawk Messenger profiles a Lucas staff member to help our community get to know him or her better.  This month, we talked to P.E. teacher Joe Graf, who has been teaching part time at Lucas for three years.  He also teaches at Shimek Elementary.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  How long have you been an educator?

Mr. Graf:  I have been an educator since 2000, so eighteen years.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  Where have you worked besides Lucas?

Mr. Graf:  I have worked at Clear Creek Amana at the North Bend building.  In Iowa City I have taught at Hoover, Garner, Weber, Van Allen, City High, Lincoln, Wickham, Alexander, South East, Lucas, and Shimek.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  What's your favorite part of working with elementary students?

Mr. Graf:  I love to teach something new they may not have done before.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  Who is an athlete or other public figure you admire, and why?

Mr. Graf:  Jesse Owens, because as an African American he showed Hitler what he and the USA could do in the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  What do you like to do when you're not working?

Mr. Graf: I am hanging out with my family, my wife and 30-year-old twins.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  What's something about you people might not guess?

Mr. Graf:  I taught Physical Education and Humanities to freshmen and sophomores at a high school in New York City in the South Bronx.