The December 2019 newsletter is now available.

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Get to Know a Mighty Hawk: Ms. Abrams

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 sixth-grade teacher Abigail Abrams.  

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  How long have you been at Lucas?  What did you do before joining us?

Ms. Abrams: I have been at Lucas for five years. The year before that I was a substitute teacher in the district.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  What’s your favorite part of being a sixth-grade teacher?  Have you ever taught other grades, and if so, how does this age group differ?

Ms. Abrams: My favorite part of teaching sixth grade is that the students can be deep and insightful at times but also be playful and childlike as well. They like to play and be silly but are also capable of being so enlightened and curious. 

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  What made you decide to be a teacher?  Is there a teacher from you past who really inspired you?

Ms. Abrams: In college I wavered back and forth between several majors. After directing a summer camp one summer, I decided there would be one last change in my college direction. It was so appealing to me that this job is a little bit different every single day. Getting to know students and guide them through their learning is such an engaging experience. 

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  In a world with unlimited time and financial resources, what project would you love to do with your class?

Ms. Abrams: Our most recent science unit was a geology unit centered around the Grand Canyon. In a world with unlimited time and financial resources we would journey together to the Grand Canyon. Obviously we would charter a jet to get there. Once there we would be led on a tour of the canyon guided by top geologists and local guides to lead us safely around the canyon. We would definitely do some kayaking while we were there. Hopefully we could be involved in an active dig site as well. It would be a very full itinerary!

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  What’s something about you most Lucas families might not guess?

Ms. Abrams: Families might not know that I am from Iowa CIty and attended Lucas as a student as well as South East Jr. High and City High. 

November newsletter

The November 2019 PTO newsletter is now available.

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Get to Know a Mighty Hawk: Mrs. Weis

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 lead preschool teacher Beth Weis.  The preschool students call her Ms. Beth.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  How long have you been a teacher?  Have you always taught preschool, or have you taught different grades?

Ms. Beth:  I have been a teacher for about 14 years with a 20-year gap while staying home with my three children as they were growing up.  Along with preschool, I have also taught Kindergarten! :)

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:   Where are you from originally, and how long have you been in the Iowa City area?

Ms. Beth:  I grew up in Decorah, Iowa, and then came to Iowa City to attend the University of Iowa.  After graduation, I moved to the Chicago area where I had my first teaching jobs.  My husband and I then moved to Ames, IA, and finally back to Iowa City in 2000 where we have lived ever since

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  What is your favorite thing about teaching preschoolers?

Ms. Beth:  Teaching preschool is full of many amazing experiences!  Seeing the joy and excitement in each preschooler's eyes as they begin this new journey is truly heartwarming!  Also being a part of and helping contribute to those Aha! moments makes the job extra special!

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  Who was your favorite teacher when you were growing up?  Do you have a favorite memory of him/her to share?

Ms. Beth:  My favorite teacher was my 8th grade teacher, Mrs. Jordan!  Her enthusiasm as a teacher made such a difference in our learning!  We were eager to go to school every day to see what new activities she had planned for us!

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  What are your plans for the upcoming holiday breaks?

Ms. Beth:  We usually go back to Decorah for part of our break to spend time with my family and also my husband's.  Our family loves Decorah so we try to get up there as often as we can.

I want to thank the Lucas community for being so welcoming toward our preschool staff!  We are enjoying the opportunity to be part of the Mighty Hawk family!

Run for the Schools 2019

Run for the Schools 2019 is Sunday, October 27! 

Early bird pricing and T-shirt registration deadline is October 11! Register or Volunteer today at http://www.runfortheschools.com

Remember, it pays to for staff, students, and families to register and volunteer.  

Schools receive monetary Participation Awards from the Iowa City Road Race group for both their PE and Media Centers for having as few as 20 participants/volunteers.  Both runners and volunteers count toward this!

Run for the Schools TORCH trophies are awarded to the top three schools with the highest percentage of student participants in the run, based on that school’s total enrollment.  

The October 2019 newsletter is now available.

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Get to Know a Mighty Hawk: Mr. Malone

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 head custodian Dante Malone.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger: How long have you worked at Lucas, and what did you do prior to joining us?

Mr. Malone: I have been working for Lucas elementary for an year now. Prior to working for Lucas elementary I was a night sub working out of the physical plant and I also was an employee at loparex for 10 years in Iowa City driving the fork truck and machine operator

The Mighty Hawk Messenger: Where are you from?  

 Mr. Malone: I am originally from the westside of Chicago, Illinois. I moved to Iowa City back in 2004

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:Tell us about your family—you have a son who goes to Lucas, right?  Do you have other kids?  Do you like working in the same place he goes to school?

Mr. Malone: Me and my wife I have four children, ages from 27, 24, 12, and 4 years old. My 12 year old daughter attends 7th grade at Southeast Junior high, and my 4 year old son attend Lucas elementary where I currently work.  My 27 year old son graduated from Mount Mercy University back in 2017, and my 24 year old daughter graduated from University of Iowa, same year. I love working where my son attends school one because he has warmed up pretty fast because I work there. I love that they have started a preschool program this year,

The Mighty Hawk Messenger: Where would you go on your dream vacation?

Mr. Malone: My dream vacation would be to be able to take my kids, all of them, to Disney World, and also for me and my wife to go to the Bahamas.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?

Mr. Malone:  Something people don't know about me I have a granddaughter that's 3 years old.