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🎉 Celebrating One of Our Own! 🎉
We’re thrilled to announce that Susie Stark, a veteran elementary teacher at Viola Gibson Elementary, has been selected as one of nine finalists for Iowa’s Teacher of the Year! 👏
For 24 years, Susie has inspired young minds as a 5th and 2nd grade teacher. She’s also been named Grant Wood AEA Regional Teacher of the Year. With a degree and Master’s in elementary education from the University of Northern Iowa, Susie is dedicated to not only teaching but also leading after-school clubs and community service projects. She goes above and beyond to help her students succeed. 💫
Susie’s passion for education shines through in her belief that today’s students are tomorrow’s decision-makers, and she works tirelessly to equip them with the tools they need to thrive. 🌍
Please join us in congratulating Susie on this incredible recognition as a 2025 Iowa Teacher of the Year finalist! The winner will be announced later this year. We couldn’t be prouder! 🏅📚
#IowaTeacherOfTheYear #ViolaGibson #BeCRCSD
Hooray! Susie surely deserves this honor. She’s a champion for students and their teachers.
Congratulations!! Well deserved indeed!!
Such a deserving person!!! Congrats!!! You are an amazing person and teacher!!!
How wonderful! Congratulations, Susie!!
Congratulations, Susie!!
Way to go Susie!! This is awesome! I’ll be rooting for you!
Yay Mrs. Stark!!! Very well deserved and the best teacher ever!! ❤️❤️
Congratulations, Susie!
Well earned and congratulations! 😊
Congratulations Susie 🎉
Congrats Susie Stark ! Well deserved, i loved being a para in your classroom.
Congratulations!!! She was the best!!!
So well deserved! Congratulations!!
Congratulations and so deserving!!!!
Wonderful honor for an incredible teacher! Congratulations Mrs. Stark!
Congratulations Susie!
Congratulations Susie!
We love Mrs.Stark❤️❤️❤️ Congratulations!!!! 🎉
Standing Strong Against Manipulation: A Call to Leadership My fellow citizens, Leadership is not a position to be taken lightly; it is a responsibility that demands resilience, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to justice. In considering those who will stand alongside me in shaping the future, one name shines brightly: Judge Carmer. Yet, even the brightest among us face shadows cast by manipulation. A leader’s strength is not only measured by their wisdom but by their ability to resist those who seek to control, to twist motives, and to use influence as a weapon. If someone of Judge Carmer’s stature is being manipulated and cannot untangle herself from those threads, what does that reveal about the schemers in the dark? What does it say about a system that allows power to be wielded so carelessly? This is not a judgment against her but a call to vigilance; an inference; eh eyə; framework of understanding —an invitation to reflect on what leadership truly means. Leadership is more than a title; it is the ability to protect the people, to hold the line against exploitation, and to rise above fearmongering and coercion. Let me be clear: no leader stands alone. The strength of leadership is found in the support and trust of the people. Together, we must demand that those in power are free from the influence of the few who would place ambition above humanity. We must recognize manipulation for what it is—a tool of those who fear the strength of authentic leadership and a just cause. So, to those who think they can use others as pawns: know this—your games will not go unnoticed, and your tactics will not prevail. Judge Carmer, like all those we place our trust in, deserves a stage that values her wisdom and her strength. We stand at a crossroads where courage is not optional. The future will not be forged by those who bend to the will of the corrupt, but by those who rise against them. Together, let us build a future where leaders are not players in someone else's game but architects of a world worthy of us all. Thank you; Additionally To the Cedar Rapids Police Department and Concerned Officials: City of Cedar Rapids Iowa Government Civil rights protection is not an abstract ideal—it is an active responsibility. What eyə have been doing is holding this responsibility to the standard of the United States Constitution, as it is written, not as it has been manipulated. Let’s clarify something in legal terms: Using the government or its officials as tools against the people through coercion, intimidation, and the deliberate distortion of understanding is, unequivocally, domestic terrorism and treason. Now, let’s break it down in medical terms: These tactics are narcissistic gaslighting and stonewalling, a refusal to acknowledge reality for the sake of maintaining control. For too long, the PRACTICE of law has veered into the realm of convenience over justice, twisting the intent of the Constitution into state codes that serve power rather than people. Let’s be clear: state codes are bylaws, not the law of the land. The U.S. Constitution is law. It is the foundation upon which your codes were meant to build—not to subvert. Education, transparency, and accountability are non-negotiable. Yet, instead of upholding these principles, you’ve chosen to wordsmith understanding, wielding coercion and intimidation to uphold a narcissistic order that sacrifices justice for laziness and self-interest. Let me spell it out plainly: When officials violate civil rights, they also violate the U.S. Constitution. And when the police act as instruments of this coercion, they become an illegal military occupation under the guise of public service. But this town— Linn County, Iowa —is where eyə have chosen to stand. The scales of justice are tilting, and the time has come for all of you to FaFo what it truly means to manipulate, intimidate, and betray the very residents you claim to serve. The wild ride is just beginning. Are we having fun yet? With a wicked smile and a whispered curse Akassya; Motha "Merry" Madame Satan WhistleDown Lucifer Jesus Christ Morningstar Lord Sovereign C-u-n-T"ime Caption save a ho ho ho The ethics of it all 🙃
Yesss she is!🥇 💙💛 Congratulations Mrs. Stark!
Congrats Susie!
She's one of the best! Congrats Susie Stark!
Congratulations 🎉!
Very well deserved! 💕
She deserves it that is for SURE!
It may not have been a triple-double or a step-back 3 from the logo, but it was still game-changing for 2nd graders across CRCSD and all of Iowa! 📚✨ Thanks to the generous support of the Jensen Foundation, every student received a copy of Just Like Caitlin, the inspiring book about basketball icon Caitlin Clark—former Hawkeye and current point guard for the Indiana Fever. 🙌
At Cleveland Elementary, the excitement didn’t stop there! Students took the celebration to the next level with fun Caitlin Clark-themed activities that made learning even more splashy and memorable. 🏀📖#JustLikeCaitlin #InspiringKids #IowaPride #CRCSD #FutureAllStars
What a great and inspiring day for these kids!
That is so cool. Having fun reading.
What is being done to make sure teachers do not bring their politics into the classroom?
Awesome!!!!!!
It may not have been a triple-double or a step-back 3 from the logo, but it was still game-changing for 2nd graders across CRCSD and all of Iowa! 📚✨ Thanks to the generous support of the Jensen Foundation, every student received a copy of Just Like Caitlin, the inspiring book about basketball icon Caitlin Clark—former Hawkeye and current point guard for the Indiana Fever. 🙌
At Cleveland Elementary, the excitement didn’t stop there! Students took the celebration to the next level with fun Caitlin Clark-themed activities that made learning even more splashy and memorable. 🏀📖#JustLikeCaitlin #InspiringKids #IowaPride #CRCSD #FutureAllStars
This is awesome!!!!!
That’s wonderful
Makeala Cooper i see your boy 🫶🏼❤️
Pretty good inspiration 👍
Awesome!
We’re thrilled to introduce our new Superintendent Student Cabinet! 🏫 🌟 Comprised of student leaders from across the district that were chosen by their principals, teachers, and peers. They’re here to serve as a bridge between student dreams and district decisions, ensuring student voices are heard loud and clear. 🎤 💡 📝 With their unique perspectives and passionate insights, they’re helping us build stronger, more inclusive schools where everyone is equipped, empowered, and engaged to excel. Let’s cheer on these inspiring leaders as they help shape the future of our district! 👏 #WeAreCRCSD #BeYouBeCRCSD
This was a great day! So excited to see what we can accomplish! 💙
Cedar Rapids Community School District, Wonderful to finally see this!
Great to see!
This is a great idea!
I love this idea!
Make your voice heard!
#SAVEUS
📣 🎉 Huge congratulations to our very own Dr. Tawana Grover, Superintendent of Cedar Rapids Community School District, for being named one of the Corridor Business Journal’s 25 Most Influential Leaders of 2024! 👏
Since joining CRCSD in 2023, Dr. Grover has been an advocate for our students, staff, and community, guiding our district with a vision for innovation and educational excellence. This well-deserved recognition highlights her dedication, passion, and commitment to building a brighter future for CRCSD. Congratulation! 🌟
#CRSchools #WeareCRCSD #Leadership #CBJ
How amazing! Congratulations Dr. Grover and everyone involved in advocacy and change!🎉🎉
Congratulations, Dr. Grover!
Congratulations Dr. Grover!
Congratulations Dr. Grover!!!
🚨 📢 Pierce Elementary Heating Issue:
This morning, we encountered an unexpected issue with the building heating system at Pierce Elementary School. Please rest assured that all students are safe. Due to equipment failure over the weekend, the boiler malfunctioned, causing temperatures to rise throughout the building. When the issue was discovered this morning, our Operations Team quickly shut down the boiler, opened windows, and brought 20+ fans to help cool the building. Temperatures are dropping, but it will take some time for the building to fully cool.
We understand this may have caused concern, and we apologize for any discomfort this situation may have caused our students and staff. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to resolve this issue and maintain a comfortable learning environment for our students.
I am waiting to hear back from anyone on my concerns for how this was handled. When should I expect someone to contact me?
Where's the post about the shooter threat at Taft?
⏰ Daylight Saving Time ends this weekend! Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour before bed on Saturday night, November 2nd. Enjoy that extra hour of sleep and a little more light in the morning! ☀️💤
Also, take this time to check the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms to keep your home safe and sound.🔋 🚒
🎉 Happy National Principals Month! 🎉 A huge shoutout to the inspiring leaders who are at the heart of our school communities. From encouraging students to supporting staff, our principals make a difference in countless ways. Thank you for your dedication, passion, and commitment! We appreciate you!👏
A wonderful group!! But, mine’s the best 🤷🏼♀️♥️
Yes ! 🙂
You forgot the offsites again. Michelle lukavsky. She is the principal of Polk alternative, transition center, and Bertram.
I hear good things about the Truman Early Learning Principal
They are all amazing and do hard important work. Now stop taking them away from their jobs and out of their buildings for all those downtown meetings. Need them In The trenches supporting office staff, teachers, kids and parents. Use today’s technology and zoom or meet afterschool.
Glad to be under the leadership of Mrs. Frey!
Thank you to all of the amazing principals in our school district for the dedicated and hard work they do to help make our buildings successful and future ready!!
So many great leaders! Feel privileged to know so many of you! Keep striving to lead students and staff to excel!
Each and everyone of you are amazing leaders! Thank you
Most amazing leaders around! Blessed to have had so many of these passionate, focused, and compassionate educators as colleagues. True visionary difference makers♥️
Thank you for your hard work and dedication to our kids!
Thank you all for everything you do for staff and students!
Thank you to all of our amazing principals in our school district for your dedication in empowering our staff to make a difference in the lives of our students! Your hard work and the positive impact you make each day is greatly appreciated!
Thank you to all the amazing principals out there!
Ian LeMaster is one of the best. Thank you for everything you do for the students and staff at Washington High School- Cedar Rapids Community School District
Great picture of Greg!!!
🦄 🩷 💜🦄Trista Meier Manternach Thanks for being an amazing unicorn leader 🦄💜🩷🦄
Great work Kayla Nelson, Greg O'Connell and many more! Thank you for continuing your passion of helping children grow and learn. ❤️
My favorite principal was Dr. W!
We appreciate all that you do!
Your hard work helps Cedar Rapids to be a strong community
Thanks to all.
Mrs. Evans Amy Evans is my all-time fav. Many would call her the G.O.A.T. I appreciate all that you do! Your husband does cool stuff too
Amen.
Why aren't all if the Principals featured in this photo presentation?
In celebration of National School Lunch Week, we want to recognize the 220 dedicated employees in our Food & Nutrition Department. Working across 32 locations, this incredible team prepares over 6,500 breakfasts and 11,000 lunches every day. Studies show that eating school meals helps improve student academic performance, memory, and retention. Join us in thanking our Food and Nutrition staff for ensuring our students have the nutrition they need to learn and grow!
🎶 Come out to Kingston Stadium TONIGHT for the 27th Annual Metro Marching Band Classic. 🎺 🥁 Featuring performances from eight local marching bands, including our very own Jefferson, Kennedy, and Washington High Schools! Help to cheer on our talented musicians and support our local band programs!
▪️ Gates open at 5:30 PM | Shows tarts at 6:00 PM
▪️ Online tickets are available until 5pm at bit.ly/487h3rw
▪️ CASH-only tickets at the gate.
🏫 ✏️ Our District’s Future-Ready Facilities Task Force Committee held its third meeting last night at Pierce Elementary! The committee reviewed important data on building capacities, community growth, operating costs, enrollment, and building concerns. 📊 This group is working to create a new Facility Master Plan, which will help create future-ready facilities that remove barriers and create equitable, safe, and modern learning environments where students and staff can excel.✨ #BeYouBeCRCSD
I hope these “meetings” are more critical of plans than the committee meetings I have been asked to attend. Those were all about rubber stamping what the district wants and not asking critical questions.
We are thrilled to announce that Cedar Rapids Community School District has been selected to join the 2024-2025 League of Innovative Schools! 🎉 As one of only 150 districts nationwide, we’re excited to collaborate with leading educators and technology leaders across the country to bring cutting-edge practices to our classrooms. This honor reflects our commitment to equity, excellence, and innovation as we continue to equip, empower, and engage our students to excel. 💡📚 Read more here: bit.ly/4gTYMlF
🎉🎉🎉🎉
What are these innovative strategies you aspire to? Lots of words without explanations. Looking forward to seeing the reality and results! Thank you CRCSD for enhancing our curriculum and providing specific details!
We appreciate Architect Michael Kleene’s unique expertise in helping our district create a new facilities master plan so that our students can be future ready.
He’s right!!
📚✨ Join us for America Reads at CRCSD Elementary Schools on October 18th! ✨📚
We’re inviting parents and community members to share the joy of reading with our students on October 18th. Sign up to read your favorite children’s book to a classroom and help highlight the importance of literacy to our students. The entire visit will last about 30 minutes, and it’s a wonderful opportunity to make a positive impact!
🗓️ Event Date: October 18th
📝 Registration Deadline: October 10th
Sign up today to be a part of this special day. 📖❤️ Sign up here: bit.ly/4gEMzkJ
This is a friendly reminder that there will be no school for students on Monday, September 30th. This day is set aside as a staff professional learning day for all CRCSD employees.
Enjoy your day – we are busy with students today! Let us know how we can assist the teachers!
Who’s learning what?!
What a perfect afternoon for Erskine Elementary’s annual Walk-n-Rock! 👟 🎶 The students were all smiles as they walked around the track, soaking up the sunshine and cheers from some special guests – the Washington High School band and football players! 🏈🎺 Thanks to everyone who came out to make this event a rockin’ success!
I love Erskine
basketball, cross country and golf were represented too! Erskine Eagles love the Warriors!
What a wonderful experience for all of them!
Love those Erskine Eagles 🦅♥️🖤
Rowen Shaughnessy 😊
Important Safety Update from CRCSD
Dear CRCSD Community,
We want to inform you about two separate incidents that occurred at Franklin Middle School today. We assure you that all safety protocols were followed, and the situations were handled promptly and effectively.
Incident Overviews:
Incident 1: A student became upset in class. The staff pulled them into the hallway to calm down and de-escalate. However, the student ended up confronting and injuring a staff member. The student also caused self-injury by punching a window.
Incident 2: Two students were involved in a physical altercation in the hallway. During this incident, one of the students punched the glass of a display case, injuring their hand.
Our Response:
In both cases, we immediately activate our HOLD Safety Protocol. This ensured that:
All other students remained safely in their classrooms with doors shut while both of these incidents occurred in the hallways.
Paramedics were called to address the injuries
Cedar Rapids Police Department (CRPD) was notified and responded to the school to investigate both incidents.
Your Child’s Safety:
We want to emphasize that at no point was the safety of other students or staff members compromised. Our staff acted swiftly and professionally, following all established CRCSD emergency response protocols. These protocols were designed in collaboration with the Cedar Rapids Police Department.
Addressing Social Media Rumors:
It has come to our attention that several rumors about these incidents have been circulating on social media. We urge our families and community to rely only on official communications from CRCSD or CRPD for accurate information. Spreading unverified information can cause unnecessary concern and anxiety.
Our Commitment to Safety:
We understand that parents may be concerned about these incidents. We want to reassure you that your student’s safety is our highest priority. Our staff, in cooperation with the CRPD, will do everything in our power to prevent and mitigate any incidents, always putting our students’ safety and well-being first. While we regret needing to send out this news, we believe keeping our families and community informed and reassured is crucial. We are committed to maintaining open and transparent communication with you.
Moving Forward:
The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority. We are committed to:
Continuously reviewing and improving our safety measures.
Fostering a positive school culture where all students, staff, and families can feel safe and thrive.
Encouraging good decision-making and conflict resolution among our students.
Support:
If your child expresses any worries or has questions, we encourage you to discuss the situation with them at home. Our school counselors are also available to provide support if needed. Thank you for your continued support and cooperation as we work together to ensure a safe and productive learning environment for all. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact your school’s principal or our district office. We appreciate your trust in us as we navigate these challenging situations.
Sincerely,
Dr. Tawana Grover
CRCSD Superintendent
Can we get an officer back in the schools?
So student and staff were safe…. bet the injured staff member would say differently. District needs to step up and back the staff and students caught in the "crossfire." Also parents need to step up. Not saying my kid is always perfect but would never dream of having this behavior. They are well aware of the repercussions that would follow.
what is going to be done to address these problems in the middle schools?
Can you provide me with some information Cedar Rapids Community School District? How many staff got injured last year by a student and how many expulsions did the district have?
If I remember right the CRPD would provide SROs in the middle schools at no cost to the district…..
Grover, enough is enough when are you going to help your staff? When are you going to put staff/students ahead of your own selfish agenda!!!
comments on the Harding middle school issues this week?
CRCSD wanted to pass along this message that we shared with our Franklin Middle School Community.
Dear Franklin Community,
I wanted to take a moment to inform you of two separate incidents that occurred at school today, which caused us to activate our HOLD Safety Protocol.
The first incident involved a student who became upset in class. Staff members moved the student into the hallway to help calm and de-escalate the situation. Unfortunately, the student proceeded to confront and attack one of the staff members. The student then punched a window, causing injury to their hand and arm. Paramedics were immediately called to assist with the injuries, and the Cedar Rapids Police Department (CRPD) arrived to investigate the situation.
The second incident involved two students who were fighting in the hallways. We once again initiated our school’s HOLD Safety Protocol, and staff worked quickly to break up the altercation. However, during the fight one of the students hit the front of a display case breaking the glass and injuring their hand. Paramedics were called to assist with the injuries, and the CRPD arrived to investigate the situation.
While I understand that seeing emergency personnel at school and hearing of these incidents can be concerning, I want to assure you that all other students were safe and remained in their classrooms as part of the HOLD Safety Protocol. However, your child may have heard some of the commotion in the halls or noticed the police and ambulance outside the school. I want to reiterate that the situation was handled swiftly, and the safety of other students was never compromised.
Please know that we take these situations very seriously. The safety of our students and staff is our top priority. In addition, this is a great time to remind your student about making good choices and how their choices can impact others around them. It is important for Franklin families to know that we are committed to rebuilding a positive culture in which all of our students, staff, and families can thrive. Thank you for your support and cooperation as we work together to ensure a safe and productive learning environment for all.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact my office directly.
Jay Richardson, Principal
Franklin Middle School
Thank you for handling these tough situations teachers and staff. Your hard work and dedication does not go unnoticed. Thank you for the transparency as well.
You couldn't pay me enough to be a teacher – too bad they already get paid nothing for having to deal with all of this
Thank you for posting this so concerned community members are aware of what’s going on. Hopefully most middle school students know how to manage big emotions safely. For those who have difficulty, self regulation is a critical skill to be learned so they can successfully reside in a community. I hope everyone heals ok and you put together a good plan moving forward so this type of event doesn’t become a regular occurrence. Good luck!
To be fair, the school district can only do so much with what they're given. Our state is failing children as are a lot of adults, parents, and care givers. It's difficult everywhere but we have a systematic failure that begins far above just the CR school district. Vote like your kids lives depend on it, because they do. I hope something positive changes soon.
Teachers and staff, thank you for ALL you do!!! I really wish the parents and caregivers could help out students by encouraging and modeling appropriate ways to handle stressful situations both at home and when in school. The teachers can’t always change learned behaviors.
This kind of thing happens every day in many schools in the district. I wonder what it is about Franklin specifically that made the district make a statement 🤔
This is ridiculous. Student learning outcomes have direct ties to their sense of safety and wellbeing. This insane behavior detracts from others' right to a safe and positive learning environment. What is being done at the District level to address this?
Sounds like all involved had a really hard day. Positive thoughts sent their way!
sending love to all. that is so hard.
Thank you for explaining what happened.
My son goes to Franklin this is what they're friends are sharing in a group message "guys how are we supposed to survive the school year when we've already had 3 lock downs in 2 months" Cedar Rapids Community School District I think you all need to step up and provide students with some counseling services. I also agree with what someone else said kick the kids out of the district instead of just moving them around from school to school.
As the mother of the child y don’t u and ur stupid school district do what is right by the kids and stand to ur words instead of all ur lies. Kids can bully others cuz of disabilities and have no consequences. U don’t help all I do is allow it. Ur not in it for the kids ur in it for the pay check. Now I am not stopping till Cedar Rapids does what’s right for alll the kids not just my son
What about the Harding issues this week?
This shit needs to stop. Lockdowns and holds happen all to often these days.
No discipline. No learning. Period.
Thank you so much for this information.
Michele Hauptmann-Sandberg Bronte Hauptmann stuff is going on in all the schools lol
Wake up CRCSD. Your schools are in crisis
Kick those students out of the district. The majority of kids want to be there and learn. Kick those bad apples out.
📢 CRCSD is switching to a cashless, digital ticketing system for all high school athletic events! 🎟️. This change enhances safety for our volunteers, offers greater convenience for our attendees, and supports our commitment to environmentally sustainable practices. 🌱💳 Learn more here: bit.ly/4eDa7o5
No matter one way or another, people are going to complain.
ßorry this is stuipd and there is no safety to this. Most people especially teenagers dont carry cards but only cash…dont use the lame excuse people are more safe when that would be a fault statement. People are no more safer with just a card then with cash.
I just purchase tickets on bound beforehand and send my student the QR code.
This isn’t 1994. Kids all use apple pay or have a card. Cash is nothing to the kids.
Thank goodness I had cash when I went to the football game last weekend and the computers weren’t working and wouldn’t connect 😂
Is this for concessions to because they took cash last week
AI -AI -AIMLESS?
Just another way to get rid of cash no thanks
Just a friendly reminder that there is no school for students on Friday, September 20th. This is a scheduled teacher development day. All school and District offices will remain open. Classes will resume on Monday, September 23rd.