Spring Achieve 2021

Editor’s Note Welcome to the fifth issue of the award-winning Achieve magazine! We are excited to share the story of our District’s amazing students, teachers, staff and our generous community with you. We would appreciate any feedback you have on this publication, or suggestions for a future story. Please email us at communications@cb-schools.org.

This publication would not be possible without the generous support of the Council Bluffs Schools Foundation and community donors. We extend our most sincere appreciation for their continued support of our mission.

Council Bluffs Board of Education

Message from Superintendent Dr. Vickie Murillo

The Council Bluffs Board of Education meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of September, October, November, January, February, March, April and May. Meetings are held one Tuesday per month in June, July, August and December. Meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. in the Educational Service Center, 300 W. Broadway, Suite 1600, and they are aired live on Cox Channel 18 and the Council Bluffs Community School District’s YouTube channel.

President Chris LaFerla

We are pleased to present our “Achieve” Magazine for our school district neighbors in Carter Lake, Council Bluffs and Crescent!

Thanks to our Council Bluffs Schools Foundation and their support, we publish this news magazine to connect with you and share stories of our wonderful students and staff members.

This year has been one for the history books. Looking back, I feel pride and gratitude...Pride in the extraordinary ways all of our staff members helped ensure our students were safe and learning at high levels, and in the resilience and positive attitude of our students, with the support of their parents; and Gratitude for the partnerships that were strengthened and formed to meet the needs of students and families in the face of the pandemic.

In this Spring edition, we share successes of students, highlight outstanding staff members, recognize those who are retiring after dedicated service to our school community, and feature the success of our early childhood preschool program in preparing three and four-year-olds for kindergarten and beyond. In the Council Bluffs Schools, we are passionate about providing opportunities for our youngest learners, and are proud of the data that demonstrates the positive impact that our programs have on children and their futures. District preschoolers, especially those who are enrolled based on risk factors, begin preschool with slightly lower skill levels but increase at a greater rate than their counterparts in other preschool programs in Iowa. We look forward to expanding our preschool programs to serve even more children in the future.

Thank you for your interest in and support of our school district and for reading this magazine that has received an Award of Excellence from the Iowa School Public Relations Association for the first four editions! In the upcoming Summer edition, we will feature highlights of our graduation ceremonies and preview the new school year. We love sharing our stories that we encourage you to share with your friends and family members. Have a safe and enjoyable summer!

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Vice President David Coziahr

Troy Arthur

Kyle McGlade

John Minshall

Dr. Jill Ogg-Gress

Jill Shudak

COVER PHOTO: Preschool students, from left, MyaJo VanRyckeghem, Angelo Lovejoy-Matthews, Declan Bohannon and Ataleah Wolfe say hello in between interactive learning stations at Bloomer Elementary School. More on page 5.

ABOUT: Achieve Magazine is proudly published by the Council Bluffs Community School District, with generous funding from the Council Bluffs Schools Foundation and advertisers. A digital version of this publication can be accessed online at www.cb-schools.org.

The content of this publication can be accessed through Google translate online.

To request another copy of this publication, submit story suggestions, or place an advertisement, please call 712-328-6514 or email communications@cb-schools.org.

MISSION STATEMENT: The mission of the Council Bluffs Community School District is to guarantee that every student graduates with the knowledge, skills and character to become a responsible citizen and to succeed in a changing world by creating a leading-edge, inclusive educational system, which provides challenging expectations, diverse experiences, engaging curriculum and innovative teaching within a collaborative, caring community.

NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT: It is the policy of the Council Bluffs Community School District not to illegally discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, (for employment), national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, (for programs), socioeconomic status (for programs), physical or mental disability, religion, creed, genetic information, ancestry, geographic location, citizenship, political party preference or belief, familial status or any other protected attribute, in its educational programs, activities or employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy, please contact the district’s Equity Coordinator, Tim Hamilton, 712328-6423, thamilton2@cb-schools.org, 300 W. Broadway, Suite 1600, Council Bluffs, IA 51503.

COUNCIL BLUFFS COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT, 300 W. Broadway, Suite 1600, Council Bluffs, IA 51503 Achieve Magazine | Issue 5 | Spring 2021

ACHIEVE: The Magazine of the Council Bluffs Community School District

PRESCHOOL SUCCESS

Early Learners Excel in Pre-K Classrooms

The Council Bluffs Community School District proudly provides our community’s young learners with the opportunity to prepare for success in school through high-quality preschool programs.

In 10 of our elementary schools, and with community partners, we serve 466 3 and 4-year-olds in 32 classrooms. The children selected to participate meet eligibility requirements and are generally at-risk of starting school as a 5-year-old less prepared than many of their peers. Preschool is an equalizer for so many children.

Due to funding and space limitations, only about 50% of incoming kindergarten students are served annually in our fullday preschool programs. Some of the students are served in other private programs, yet each year about 25% of our incoming kindergartners do not have opportunities for formal programs.

Short- and Long-Term Positive Effects Many studies have shown that children with access to high-quality early learning opportunities are more prepared for kindergarten. They have increased vocabulary and language, better math and social skills, and more positive relationships with peers and adults at school. Children who are healthy and prepared when they enter kindergarten are more likely to have success in school, to graduate and enroll in college, and be more prepared for job opportunities as adults.

The CB Schools invests in early childhood education as a benefit to the community as young children grow to be successful adults and contributing members of society. Some studies suggest that every dollar invested in early childhood education can yield anywhere from $4 to $16 in returns. This is the result of increased high school graduation, college completion, economic development and

Kindergarten Readiness-% At or Above Benchmark State Spring

State Fall 100

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CBCSD Fall 89

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CBCSD Spring

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Social Emotional

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personal income. When children have access to high quality preschool, studies show a decrease in the need for special

Cognitive

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education services, dependence on social welfare, and reductions in crime-related costs and incarceration rates.

Results of Preschool Assessments One of the key tools we utilize to assess student progress and the effectiveness of our preschool programs is Teaching Strategies GOLD, which is conducted by teacher observation on an ongoing basis and is grounded in 38 research-based objectives for development and learning in six key developmental areas of social emotional, physical, language, cognitive, literacy, and math. The GOLD assessment is utilized by all school districts in the state of Iowa offering State-wide Voluntary Preschool programs.

Teachers use this data to communicate students’ progress to families, and also to develop whole group, small group, and individual student action plans based on their data. Our district preschool programs, which meet all Iowa Quality Preschool Program Standards (IQPPS) standards, have proven success in student growth and achievement of the widely held expectations of what children should know and be able to demonstrate.

Each year, at least 90% of preschool students meet or exceed this benchmark in each of the six assessed developmental areas.

Additionally, the students enrolled in the CB Schools preschool programs make more progress toward demonstrating kindergarten readiness skills prior to entering kindergarten than their peers enrolled in other Iowa school districts’ Statewide Voluntary Preschool programs.

The graph compares data between four-year-old preschool students in the state of Iowa and CBCSD in terms of kindergarten readiness skills from fall to spring.

With the success of students in preschool, the Council Bluffs Schools is exploring ways to increase the number of students who have this opportunity.

ACHIEVE: The Magazine of the Council Bluffs Community School District

Spring 2021

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SHOWCASING ROBOTICS

Robotics Club Teams Qualify for World Championships VEX Robotics World Championship Qualifying Teams Team 3130A Baby Yoda (Franklin) Elementary Excellence Award Ellie Wunderlich and Alex Large Team 2501Z Zom-Bees (Wilson) Teamwork Championship, Robot Skills and Middle School Excellence Award Mackenna Sorensen, Ella Dunlap, Anson Hynek, Logan Sullivan Team 2501V The Killer Vee’s (Wilson) Teamwork Championship & Amaze Award Jayden Fujii, Alex Wunderlich, Tommy Harmon, Alan Arthur Team 2501W The Hive (Wilson) Design Award Jasmine Large, Kendall Bell, Ashley Ronk, Kaeleb Myers

Several club teams from the Council Bluffs Community School District accepted bids to participate in the 2021 VEX Robotics Live Remote World Championship in May. The Robotics Education & Competition Foundation virtual championship included 1,600 teams from 30 countries and 49 U.S. states who competed in timed, heart-pounding robotics competition.

Team 2501B The Hive (T.J.) Teamwork Championship Chase Koletzke, Brandon Whitsel, Dylan Carmen Team 2501J Full Metal Jackets (T.J.) Excellence Award Cara Ronk, Alondra Cruz, Alysa Arthur

BUILDING A LEGACY

Generous Families Make Gifts to Support Schools

Two families made significant gifts to the Council Bluffs Schools Foundations to give ongoing financial support to the Council Bluffs Schools community.

Family of the late George “Jim” Thompson set up a $63,000 endowment from his estate to create a scholarship for a Thomas Jefferson graduating senior to pursue an education or a trade. The family plans to continue donating to the endowment fund in future years.

The first Thompson-Coziahr Scholarship of $3,000 was awarded this spring, said Nancy Coziahr, Thompson’s sister and executor of his estate. She said the family has had four generations graduate from the school, tracing the family’s history back to the school’s founding in 1921. The graduates include Nancy and Walter Coziahr; her father, George Thompson; her brother, GeorgeThompson; Nancy and Walter’s daughter, Mary; Tom 4

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David Coziahr, his wife Luanne, his parents Nancy and Walter Coziahr and Council Bluffs School Foundation Chris LaFerla hold an oversize check commemorating the family’s donation.

(Courtesy CBSF)

Coziahr; Jane Van Horne; Nancy and Walter’s son, David Coziahr; and David and Luanne Coziahr’s twin sons, Matt and Will.

The family has a strong connection with the trades, as Walter Coziahr’s father founded

Coziahr Heating and Air Conditioning in1936. David Coziahr now runs the business.

“Giving back to the community is a way of life in our family,” said David Coziahr, who is also the vice president of the school board.

The Cheri K. Nielsen and Dr. Barb and Les Licklider Endowment Fund was set up by Barb Licklider, who was principal at Wilson from 1985 to 1990. Les Licklider, her late husband, taught at Wilson and Kanesville.

The $235,000 fund will provide about $12,000 in annual support for Wilson Middle School and its staff and students.

“The endowment fund will provide Wilson students with access to leadership training and field trips. The endowment fund will also ensure individual student needs are met,” Principal Mike Naughton said.

For information about making a donation, visit cbsf.org or call 712-322-8800.

ACHIEVE: The Magazine of the Council Bluffs Community School District

DECISION DAY

A.L. and T.J. Seniors Declare Future Plans

Carter James signs his certificate with his commitment to attend Iowa Western.

Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson High Schools celebrated the future plans of the members in the Class of 2021 on April 30 on Decision Day. Similar to a more traditional event for student athletes committing to play college sports, this day featured faculty, college and career representatives presenting certificates to the seniors to commemorate the graduates’ choices for the next step beyond high school.

More than 250 participating students committed to attend more than 30 different universities and colleges, as well as the military, career and skills training in unions and specialized programs. More than half of the students committed to Iowa Western Community College to continue their education.

Decision Day 2021 marked the first time a student — Brayden Nelson (shown at below at left), a senior at Thomas Jefferson — is entering a registered apprenticeship program with a local manufacturing company. That addition showcases the broad range of choices and opportunities students in the Council Bluffs Schools can take advantage of, thanks to the school district’s Diploma Plus programs.

Congratulations to all of the 2021 graduates!

Brayden Nelson demonstrates his plans to join the registered apprenticeship program at Lozier with support from CTE coordinator Paul Hans (back left), Iowa Workforce Development Director Greer Sisson (back right) and Lozier’s Ralph Kleinsmith.

Abby Tague signs banner with her commitment to attend UNI

Brandy Sudario excitedly displays his Decision Day certificate and Midland University pennant.

Abraham Lincoln teacher Carrie Booms-Ryan (right) celebrates with fellow future Iowa State Cyclones (pictured from left) Kaitlyn Richardson, Caitlin Weber and Harper Snead, who are holding up Decision Day certificates.

UNBELIEVABLE WORKPLACE

Council Bluffs Schools Recognized as Top Employer

Everyone knows the Council Bluffs Schools offer unbelievable educational opportunities for its students, but it also offers a certified Unbelievable Workplace for its employees.

A new program from the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce designated the Council Bluffs Community School District as one of the 2021 Unbelievable Workplaces based on a survey of employee engagement and satisfaction.

We know there are many exceptional employers throughout our region, and we feel it is important to recognize them for their

hard work and dedication to their employees and community’s alike,” said Drew Kamp,

chamber president and CEO. A Moodtracker survey found that 96.8% of Council Bluffs Schools respondents say they consistently put in extra effort at work.

“Working for the CB district is truly an honor. I am surrounded by a dedicated staff that has committed themselves to educating the community that I am a part of,” according to an anonymous survey respondent.

The school district was one of only 16 area employers to receive the designation, and it is one of the largest. Find more information at unbelievableworkplacescb.com.

ACHIEVE: The Magazine of the Council Bluffs Community School District

Spring 2021

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BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

Students Have Fun on Stages, Tracks and Fairways

Featured Thomas Jefferson High School students, from left to right: Tennis — Jace Mundt • Golf — Katelyn Gwennap • Soccer — Hannah Belt • Tennis — Rukshona Muidinzoda • Track – Hailey Carlson • Soccer — Julio Infante • Track — Troy Tran

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ACHIEVE: The Magazine of the Council Bluffs Community School District

Featured Abraham Lincoln High School students, from left to right: Tennis — Savannah Maisel • Soccer — Brandon Toledo • Soccer — Liberty Bates • Golf — Ali Buell • Tennis — Chris Wailes • Track — Hannah Dillehay • Track — Kelsy Fox

ACHIEVE: The Magazine of the Council Bluffs Community School District

Spring 2021

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LEAVING AN IMPACT

Ogg-Gress ‘Exemplifies’ Idea of Community Impact

The Council Bluffs Schools Foundation recognized Dr. Jill Ogg-Gress as its 2020 Community Impact Award recipient.

The purpose of the award is to recognize alumni or partners of the Council Bluffs Schools who are working to improve the lives of our children and families, and create a better future for our community through leadership, service, and vocation.

Dr. Ogg-Gress works as a Family Nurse Practitioner and Emergency Nurse Practitioner, and she is also a full time Assistant professor at Georgetown University.

Despite her demanding career, Dr. OggGress has served her community as a member of the Council Bluffs Community School District Board of Education since 2013, and she is the parent of an Abraham Lincoln high school graduate.

In preparation for this school year, Dr. Ogg-Gress was instrumental in providing key input for the school district’s Return to Operations and Return to Learn plans that were developed, beginning in the spring of 2020 when the pandemic forced the closure of in-person learning.

“Recognizing the need when COVID hit our community was easy, ‘’ said Dr. Ogg-Gress, “not just from a health care perspective, but as a school board member, how important it was to share that knowledge and be able to provide direction at a moment’s notice.”

At each step, Dr. Ogg-Gress volunteered

Chris LaFerla, Executive Director of the Council BLuffs Schools Foundation, left, presents the Community Impact Award to Dr. Jill Ogg-Gress, right.

her time and knowledge to help our schools return to learning as safely as possible.

As a Nurse Practitioner, she has served on the front line in our community, treating patients with COVID-19 since the very early stages of the pandemic.

“Dr. Ogg-Gress exemplifies the meaning of Community Impact,” said Chris LaFerla, Executive Director, Council Bluffs Schools Foundation. “We are honored to recognize her as the 2021 Community Impact Award Recipient.”

The Community Impact Campaign just wrapped-up, and the Council Bluffs Schools Foundation is humbled and grateful for the support from our community, parents, staff, and business partners.

Together, we can do more.

Join us in supporting organizations like the Council Bluffs School Foundation that do more for our community every day.

Our donors provide critical support for the children, families, and staff of the district;,for programs like the Early College Academy, Teacher Professional Development programs, Classroom Grants for teachers, students in need of assistance, and more.

We would like to give a special thanks to our weekly campaign sponsors, American National Bank and PowerTech.

To learn more or to make a donation, visit cbsf.org.

www.american.bank Member FDIC

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ACHIEVE: The Magazine of the Council Bluffs Community School District

SYMPHONIC SENSATION

Franklin Fourth-Grader Wins Composition Contest

A Franklin Elementary School student has won a composition contest for young composers held by the Omaha Symphony.

Out of more than 200 entries, fourth-grader Kendra Jurek’s “Thanks to You” was selected and the symphony premiered it during a virtual concert for elementary students.

“Kendra wrote a great piece,” said Liz Kendall Weissner, the symphony’s director of education and community engagement. “We had some good submissions.”

The competition was open to all grades, but fourth- and fifth-graders comprise the majority of the participating composers. The song had to be playable by recorders and xylophones. Conductor Ernest Richardson picked the winner from finalists.

The piece was arranged for orchestra

by John David Beasley, who added an introduction and interlude based on Kendra’s melody, Weissner said. The middle part of the arrangement features a section with just her melody being played by recorders and a xylophone, which is repeated at the end.

Most people probably don’t know that Kendra is a budding composer, but it’s no secret that she’s a music lover, according to Heidi Kirsch, her music teacher at Franklin.

“Kendra really enjoys music — both performing and writing,” Kirsch said.

The chorus sang the Star-Spangled Banner last year at an Omaha Lancers hockey game, said Kendra’s mother, Tammy Jurek.

Kirsch assigned students in music class to write a composition, and Kendra entered hers in the contest. Kendra is purposeful and deliberate in her writing, her teacher said.

Franklin Elementary School fourth-grader Kendra Jurek holds sheet music for “Thanks to You,” the piece she submitted to an Omaha Symphony composition contest, which was ultimately selected from more than 200 entries.

(Courtesy Joe Shearer/Daily Nonpareil)

“Her piece, ‘Thanks to You,’ has a very sweet, smooth, gentle and lyrical melody,” Kirsch said.

The simple melody has five different notes in keeping with contest guidelines, which asked students to limit pitches to G, A, B, C, and D. One-measure rhythm patterns were also provided, but Kendra chose her own rhythms. It took her three or four days to write the 12-measure work, Kirsch said.

Kendra writes music outside of class, too, and wrote lyrics over summer break, she said.

Kendra used to sing with her late father and enjoys singing in church, where her grandpa sings and plays guitar for worship services, her mother said. She also likes to sing with her sister, Lillian, and with the family’s karaoke machine.

“When it’s summer, they do take their music outside,” Tammy Jurek said.

This story by Tim Johnson of The Daily Nonpareil is shared with permission. For more coverage, visit nonpareilonline.com.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Grad’s Next Stop? Med School Rolando Martinez Rico plans to become a doctor someday.

The recent graduate of Abraham Lincoln High School is looking forward to college this fall at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and has already been admitted to the University of Nebraska Medical Center, where he’s already taken classes as part of the UNMC High School Alliance program.

Martinez Rico will be part of UNO’s Urban Health Opportunities Program with the goal of becoming a radiologist or cardiologist.

“I am still exploring the fields to see what interests me more,” he said. “I am looking forward to the college experience as well as the opportunity to pursue a career I am extremely passionate about!”

ACHIEVE: The Magazine of the Council Bluffs Community School District

At A.L., Martinez Rico was involved in the National Honor Society, Jazz Band, Upward Bound and Speech. He was also the co-head of the Student Relations Committee for the Student Council and drum major of the Band.

He also volunteers for the Centro Latino of Iowa and the Council Bluffs Public Library.

Martinez Rico said he appreciated Mrs. Steinmetz and Ms. Ambrosy-Stephens, who helped him fill out scholarship applications; Mr. Waller for developing crucial life skills; and Mr. Moritz who gave him inspiration.

“At the end of the day, they were always there every step of the way supporting my journey,” Martinez Rico said. “I want to thank them for helping me to flourish and grow into the person I am today.”

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HALL OF FAMERS

Abraham Lincoln Inducts Four Alumni to Hall of Fame Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson have a proud tradition of honoring outstanding alumni by inducting them into their Hall of Fames.

The 2020 ceremonies were postponed. The A.L. ceremony was held earlier this spring. The T.J. ceremony will be held next school year.

Jeff Ballenger Class of 1983 Jeff Ballenger’s family has a long history at Abraham Lincoln High School. You could say that they have the Lynx spirit running through their blood.

In high school, Ballenger was a varsity athlete, participating in basketball, tennis, track, speech, and debate. He then attended Hardin-Simmons University in Texas, where he earned a degree in political science. In his college years, he worked for the Abilene City Council and interned in the Washington, D.C., office serving Rep. Charles W. Stenholm.

After college, he returned to Council Bluffs to join Ballenger Automotive, his family-owned and operated business, in sales and marketing. He opened his first car wash in 1991. With the help of a great team, he built the company to where it is today, with 11 locations in the metro area. Jeff’s Wash and Glo was Kate Cutler Class of 1963 A strong and successful figure in her field, Kate Cutler earned her place as an esteemed lawyer and leader in Council Bluffs.

Cutler earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education at the University of Iowa and taught in schools in both Council Bluffs and Sioux City before pursuing a degree at Creighton University School of Law. She finished as one of the few women in her program, and she landed a coveted assistant attorney job in the Pottawattamie County Attorney’s Office for five years.

Cutler then took a position at Mutual of Omaha, where she worked for a total of 12 years.

She served as the chairman of the board for the Council Bluffs branch of the Habitat for Humanity, even becoming the volunteer director of the branch for over two years in between paid directors. Cutler worked 10

Spring 2021

later renamed Gorilla Car Wash.

Ballenger has helped to raise millions of dollars as chairman of the Central and Western Iowa Honor Flights to send World War II veterans to see their memorial in Washington, D.C. In 2011, he received an honorary military rank from Gov. Terry Branstad.

He also won the Jason Award for Community Contributions from Children’s Square. The Red Cross has also named him a Hero of the Heartland in recognition of his charitable work.

Connie Jo Coleman Podendorf Class of 1969 Connie Jo Coleman Podendorf lives a life in which her passions shine for all to see, and those passions can be summed up by three things: performing arts, generosity, and Council Bluffs.

A Council Bluffs native, she raised two children here and has served the community through her work at Mercy Hospital among other places. Podendorf has been involved in the local theater scene throughout her life and has used her talents, creativity, and kindheartedness to touch countless hearts.

Podendorf has known that the arts are vital for every individual and community ever since she was a young student involved in speech, drama, and music at Abraham Lincoln. Her talent continued to grow throughout her life as she became involved in plays and musicals at several metro area theaters.

An impeccable performer, she earned Theater Arts Guild awards for her lead roles in productions in 1979 and 2010.

She’s also been honored for her behind-the-scenes work as a stage manager and director, and she’s served on the TAG board.

Podendorf has coached in the A.L. speech department for 21 years, volunteering for an estimated 2,700 hours, modeling confidence and kindness. Many students who affectionately refer to her as “Mama Po.”

for several years with a large corporate firm but worked with small private businesses and various law firms. She also works closely with non-profits, including the Iowa West Foundation, and provides supportive legal aid for low-income persons.

Cutler faced challenges as a lawyer, a profession in which men have been highly favored.

However, she has been a part of a legacy that raised awareness and opened new opportunities for women.

Doug Goodman Class of 1974 (Posthumous) Doug Goodman was a lifelong resident of Council Bluffs.

He attended elementary and junior high in the Council Bluffs Community School District and received his associates degree from Iowa Western Community College, his bachelor’s degree from Buena Vista University, and a master’s from Creighton University — all while working at Council Bluffs Savings Bank.

Goodman spent more than 38 years in banking and rose to the position of president at Peoples National Bank and Iowa Market President at American National Bank until his retirement in 2012..

Education was important to Goodman, as he felt it was a vehicle for youth to succeed in their chosen career aspirations.

He was honored to be the first alumnus to be president of the IWCC Board of Trustees, and was recognized as the 2012

Outstanding IWCC Alumnus.

His passion for moving the city forward was felt through his involvement and his willingness to raise money and awareness for many causes, such as Dream Playground, Bayliss Park, IWCC and Mercy Hospital. He served on boards of Iowa West, Westfair, Chamber and SWI Educational Foundation. He was a charter member of Leadership CB. Goodman remained active in the community until his passing in 2018.

ACHIEVE: The Magazine of the Council Bluffs Community School District

MAKING HISTORY

Seniors Earn Iowa Western Degrees and Certificates

The Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson students who were part of the Spring 2021 graduating class from Iowa Western were honored by the Board of Education on May 11.

The students represent a record number of Diploma Plus students achieving their second credential earning a total of 26 Associate’s Degrees, 6 Nurse Aide Certificates. 3 Industrial Technology Certificates, and 10 Welding Certificates.

Board of Education members, Superintendent Dr. Vickie Murillo and Iowa Western President Dr. Dan Kinney congratulated the graduates, thanked their parents for their support, and shared their gratitude for the partnership that affords the opportunity for so many students to achieve a college degree or certificate

while in high school, at no cost to the students or their parents.

These students graduated from Iowa Western in a virtual ceremony in early May that was held two weeks prior to receiving their high school diplomas during the Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson commencement ceremonies.

ABOVE: Dr. Vickie Murillo, Council Bluffs Community School District Superintendent, and Dr. Dan Kinney, Iowa Western President, surrounded by graduates earning both high school and college credentials.

BeYouAtIW.com / 712.325.3277

This is where my passion became my major.

With more than 80 areas of study, including online and hands-on courses, discovering your career is easy at Iowa Western.

Zoe, Student

RIGHT: Early College Academy student Kayla Whitworth thanks the Board of Education for the opportunity to earn a college degree while in high school.

STUDENT STARS

Recognizing Students Who Go Above and Beyond Thanks to the sponsorship of the Council Bluffs Schools Foundation, outstanding students receive Student Star Awards, and are recognized by Superintendent Dr. Vickie Murillo and the Board of Education.

Iowa Governor’s Scholars

Student Athletes Daniel Fitch (A.L.)

HOSA Spring Leadership Conference

Braden Mohr

Outstanding HOSA Leader 1st place – Home Health Aide 2nd place – Pharmacology

Melanie Martinez Perez

1st place – CPR/First Aid 2nd place – Home Health Aide

Madison Ratay

1st place – CPR/First Aid

Sara Long

All-State Basketball First Team Josh Dix (A.L.)

1st place – Health Career Photos

Rolando Martinez Rico (A.L.)

State Bowling Bennett Olsen (A.L.)

Julia Nightser (T.J.)

Blanca Guevara Rangel

1st place – Community Awareness

Linda Roque

1st place – Community Awareness

Brandy Sudario

2nd place – Cultural Diversities

Stephanie Pacheco Gomez 3rd place – Cultural Diversities 3rd place – Home Health Aide

with advisor Patty Pettit

DECA National Qualifiers

Kelsey Wathen

Apparel & Accessories Marketing

Harper Snead

Sports & Entertainment Marketing

with teacher Kristy Nickolisen All-State Speech

All-State Basketball Third Team Jillian Shanks (A.L.)

Cassidy Powell (T.J.)

State Basketball: Abraham Lincoln High School

Jeanette Rice

Molly Higgins

Solo Mime (Large Group)

Expository Address (Individual)

Rolando Martinez Rico, Molly Higgins & Andres Valdez Perez

Solo Musical Theater (Individual)

Radio Broadcasting (Large Group)

Kadance Burhenne

Expository Address (Individual) After Dinner (Individual)

Kayla Whitworth

Reviewing (Individual)

Chloe Brooks Gabby Jobe

Prose (Individual)

Macy Wilson

Solo Musical Theater (Individual)

Teagan O’Shea

Improvisation (Individual)

with teachers Dirk Waller & Matt Schmidt

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ACHIEVE: The Magazine of the Council Bluffs Community School District

GOING THE EXTRA MILE

Recognizing Educators, Staff Who Live the Mission

January: Michele Martin,College View Library Clerk,(left) with Principal Amy Glime

January: Lara Blair, Lewis & Clark Behavior Support Program Teacher

February: Kayla Brockman, Edison Health Associate

February: Nicole Damgaard, Longfellow Reading Interventionist

March: Jennifer Blair, Kirn Counseling Administrative Assistant/ Registrar, with Superintendent Dr. Vickie Murillo, Kirn Principal Amanda Jens and Board of Education Vice President David Coziahr

March: Sarah Buckholdt, Edison Math Coach, with Superintendent Dr. Vickie Murillo, Edison Principal Janine Crain and Board of Education Vice President David Coziahr

A FOND FAREWELL TO 2021 RETIREES We bid a fond farewell with gratitude to Mary Belling: School Nurse, Carter Lake – 46 years • Michael Johnson: Assistant Principal, Kirn – 44 years • Doreen Knuth: Principal, Carter Lake – 40½ years • Jean Coughlin: Teacher/Literacy Interventionist, Carter Lake/Franklin – 33 years • Lori Thomas: Teacher, Thomas Jefferson – 33 years • Diane ZechMunch: Teacher, Wilson – 33 years • Becky Rieck: Teacher, Hoover – 32 years • Cyle Forney: Assistant Principal, Abraham Lincoln – 32 years • Jay Conyers: Teacher, Thomas Jefferson – 30 years • Paul May:

Head Custodian, Hoover – 30½ years • Denise Jennings: Teacher, Kirn – 30 years • Donnette Kremke-Bastian: Counselor, Longfellow – 30 years • Debra Fetch: K-5 Match Curriculum Specialist, District – 30 years • Diane Storey: Math Teacher, Thomas Jefferson – 27 years • Kristy Nickolisen, Teacher, Abraham Lincoln – 24 years • Julie Smith: Chief of Secondary Schools, District – 23 years • Gail Brow: Teacher, Kirn – 23 years • Dan Strutzenberg: Teacher, Thomas Jefferson – 23 years • Mary McGlade: Teacher, Thomas Jefferson – 23 years • Edgar Thomas Jr.: Custodian, Abraham Lincoln – 16

ACHIEVE: The Magazine of the Council Bluffs Community School District

years • Joseph Hanshaw: Head Custodian, Thomas Jefferson – 15½ years • Jeanie Scott: Paraeducator, Bloomer – 14 years • Susan Martin: Teacher/ Mentor, Elementaries – 13 years • Ruth Stoops: Paraeducator, College View – 12½ years • Rita Yasson: Teacher, Roosevelt – 8 years • Brianna Stoll: Accounting Specialist, ESC – 7 years • Mary Lee: Teacher, Kirn – 7 years • Lois Watson: Cook/Server, Thomas Jefferson – 5½ years • Monte Richardson: Truck Driver, Nutrition Services – 3½ years • Sandra Leinen: Cook/Server, Hoover – 3½ years • Jack O’Brien: Driver Van, Kanesville – 3½ years Spring 2021

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STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Pettit HOSA Teacher of the Year

We are proud to announce that Patty Pettit was named the Iowa HOSA Advisor of the Year for the second time in 11 years.

Nominators cited her creativity and persistence in influencing aspiring medical professionals while still in high school. HOSA is the group for future health professionals.

Pettit joined the Council Bluffs Schools in 2009 as a school nurse, and then answered the call the very next year to advance health science education for students interested in health careers.

Pettit earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Clarkson College as well as Teaching and Career & Technical Education

certificates from the University of Northern Iowa.

As both a teacher and nurse, she can demonstrate the skills and attributes students need to pursue a health career. She sets high expectations, and helps prepare HOSA students to excel at the state and international student medical health competitions.

Patty loves teaching First Aid and life-saving skills. “It makes me feel very special to hear my students’ excitement as they reflect on their experiences in and out of the classroom,” she said.

Although it was a challenging year due to the pandemic, students did have the opportunity for the last eight

weeks of school to observe the application of health careers in action at Mercy Hospital as well as an eye clinic, dentist office, physical therapy facility and retirement community.

Whether teaching health careers exploration, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology or CPR/First Aid, she is inspiring students and helping them jump start their futures.

Through the partnership with

Iowa Western, Pettit’s students are already going face-toface with patients and earning advanced certificates along with their high school diploma. Next year, students will also have the opportunity to participate in a CNA registered apprenticeship program.

“Who would have ever thought I would have this opportunity,” Pettit asked. Our response? “We are so glad you did!”

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Smith a T.J. Living Legend James Smith went from running on what is now the Bob Nielsen Track & the Gale Wickersham Stadium football field to tackling Big 12 foes on the Iowa State Jack Trice Stadium football field.

As an athlete in football, basketball and track at Thomas Jefferson High School — graduating in 2005 before going on to Iowa State University’ to graduate in 2009 — Smith is called by T.J. Head Track Coach Bob Nielsen “without a doubt one of the greatest TJ athletes of all time, if not the best.”

“James Smith is the best we’ve ever coached as an athlete, but mostly as the man that he has become,” Nielsen said. “We are proud that James represents the Thomas Jefferson track team.”

Smith is on the Iowa All-Time Best Track Performance list. At the Drake Relays, he earned the silver medal his senior year in the 100 meters. At the 4A Iowa State Championship meet, Smith finished fourth in the 100 meters to earn Elite All-State honors for his senior year. Smith was a fivetime champion in the Missouri River Conference with golds as a sophomore and as a junior.

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Spring 2021

His three wins as a senior in the 100, 200 & 4 x 100 relay set meet records at the time with the 100 & 200 marks still standing as MRC standards. Still on the Tee Jay track record board are school marks set in 2005 as a senior.

In football Smith played three years at running back, safety and linebacker for the Jackets at the varsity level.He was a twoway starter who earned Second Team All-State honors and was a three-time All-Missouri River Conference selection, while serving as a captain for his team.

“James was the type of player who you did not assign a gap to. He could cover them all. We didn’t want to take away from his athleticism so we just let him

play,” Former Football Head Coach Dan Strutzenberg said.

At Iowa State, James excelled at football in Big 12 action.

James was a rare two-year captain, leading the team his junior year in tackles from his safety position. Honors included Honorable Mention All-Big 12 (2008 Associated Press & Coaches), plus Big-12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll for academics (Spring 2007, Fall 2007 and Spring 2008).

Former T.J. Basketball Coach Dave Lutz reminisced that Smith was a three-year varsity starter, who “was the ultimate team player. He never worried about stats, but instead just wanted his team and teammates to have

success. James made playing defense cool. He stepped up to every challenge and always guarded the opponent’s top scorer with a lot of success.”

Smith thanked Nielsen, Strutzenberg, Lutz, Coach Jay Conyers, Coach Todd Barnett and Coach Doug Muehlig for his successes.

“My highlights while at CBTJ weren’t really about setting records or obtaining recognition for my god-given talent,” Smith said. “My highlights are of the coaches I had around me and who cared more about me as a person than my athletic abilities. They built character and provided guidance.”

After graduating from Iowa State, Smith began his career at Polk County Juvenile Detention Center in Des Moines as a youth service worker. In his fifth year, he was promoted to team leader.

He is marking his 11th year with Polk County this June.

Smith has been coaching football for the past four years at Dowling Catholic High School and this spring is his first year serving as an assistant sprint coach. Currently, he resides in West Des Moines with his family.

ACHIEVE: The Magazine of the Council Bluffs Community School District

FUN FACTS The 26 Early College Academy seniors earned a combined $5.3 million in scholarships while earning an associates degree at Iowa Western at no cost to the student’s family.

New Diploma Plus Pathway features for next year will include early childhood education, computer science, information technology and an apprenticeship in welding.

ENTER OUR CONTEST! Our Schools are full of shining stars. How many are located in this edition of Achieve? Count the number of stars of any kind you find and email us at communications@cb-schools.org, or message our District Facebook to enter your submission.

The winner will receive a special prize from CB Schools!

Congratulations to our fall winners RaiLynn Clark and her mother Kris Clark and our winter winner Maria Lopez!

ACHIEVE: The Magazine of the Council Bluffs Community School District

IMPORTANT DATES

Please check the official calendar at cb-schools.org

July 30 Summer Meal Program Concludes August 3 New Student Registration at All District Buildings August 23 First Day of School

Spring 2021

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COUNCIL BLUFFS COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT 300 W. Broadway, Suite 1600 Council Bluffs, IA 51503

Council Bluffs Community School District challenges learners at every level to achieve more by delivering more choices, more opportunities and more ways to succeed.

www.cb-schools.org Download the district’s free mobile app available for Apple and Android devices

712-328-6446

communications@cb-schools.org

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