Category: Charles City Schools

Charles City Schools, Comets

Comet bowlers qualify for state tournament, which is Monday

Chris Baldus

Charles City High School bowlers are chasing state titles again. The tournament is Monday in Waterloo. Both the girls and boys teams have qualified for the 2018 state tournament that this year will begin at 10 a.m. Feb. 19, at Cadillac Lanes. Fire destroyed Des Moines’ Plaza Lanes, which has been the tournament home. Both Comet squads notched the second-highest total team scores for the Class 1A qualifiers. The boys put up a 3,151 pin total, just behind Knoxville’s 3,168. The Comet girls recorded 2,929, behind Louisa-Muscatine’s 3,128. Individually, for the girls, seniors Macy Ross, and Arayah Nelson qualified. Ross qualified … Continue reading Comet bowlers qualify for state tournament, which is Monday

Charles City Schools, COLUMNS

CCHS speech: It can move you

Chris Baldus

It’s a long-running stupid joke with me. It’s something I’ll ask reporters when they come back from an assignment or a copy editor who finished proofing my writing. “Did you laugh? Did you cry? Did it move you?” Well, Thursday night, the Charles City High School speech kids made all three happen. I attended their public performance at the old middle school auditorium. This weekend they will perform for state contest judges in Decorah. Thursday, they performed for us. Full disclosure: I was there because my daughter, Rose, was a member of one of the improvisation teams. She, Mariah McKenzie … Continue reading CCHS speech: It can move you

Charles City Schools

CC school officials ask for feedback on high school plans

Chris Baldus

 Charles City School District residents have until Feb. 9 to comment on the plans and conceptual drawings for the high school replacement project. The plans presented at the Jan. 22, School Board meeting calls for removing the three circles at the high school and replacing them with “a new learning environment” as well as remodeling of the north and south wings. A message posted online by the district asks for feedback that “will be shared with school administration, Charles City Board of Education members, and architects.” The message also says the current plan “is not the final plan. With … Continue reading CC school officials ask for feedback on high school plans

Calendar, Charles City, Charles City Schools, New Hampton

Catch the CC Dance Showcase this Saturday, Jan. 27

Chris Baldus

The Charles City High School Pom Squad’s 2018 Dance Showcase begins at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, in the high school gymnasium. Along with the CC Pom Squad, the showcase will feature the New Hampton dance team, Dance Arts Center, the Jr Pom Squad, Alumni Dance, Senior Solos and Ricky & B. “This event will be amazing,” tweets CC pom coach Keisha M. Cummings. “You will not be disappointed.” Admission is $3 per person. Continue reading Catch the CC Dance Showcase this Saturday, Jan. 27

Charles City Schools

Charles City High School sends all speech students to state

Chris Baldus

By Mariah McKenzie. | FOREST CITY — Seven of Charles City High School’s eight speech groups that competed at districts this weekend are heading to the state competition, which will be Feb. 3 at Decorah. Waldorf College hosted the district competition for large group speech on Saturday. The first Charles City group to perform in the morning was senior Ashlyn Bauer and junior Ruby Peterson in their ensemble “Romeo and Juliet.” They received a 1 rating, which is the rating needed to move onto state contest. The next group was the trio of freshman Makenna Jensen, freshman Rosie Baldus and … Continue reading Charles City High School sends all speech students to state

Charles City Schools

What do you think of the CCHS modernization plan?

Chris Baldus

The Charles City Board of Education received a first draft of a Charles City High School modernization plan on Tuesday, Dec. 19. It is asking parents to review the first draft and offer your thoughts for future drawings. See this link to review information and to complete offer your thoughts. http://www.charlescityschools.org/News/draft-one-feedback Feedback on Draft One plans is due Jan. 6. Continue reading What do you think of the CCHS modernization plan?

Arts, Charles City Schools

PHOTO gallery: CCHS production of ‘The Addams Family’

Chris Baldus

  The Charles City High School presentation of the musical comedy “The Addams Family” wrapped up its three-day run (including a matinee for younger students) on Saturday in the Historic auditorium at the former middle school. The cast and crew of more than 50 students, as well as the pit musicians and adult directors, put in two months of rehearsal and building the gothic manor sets. Continue reading PHOTO gallery: CCHS production of ‘The Addams Family’

Arts, Charles City Schools

Marching Comets earn highest possible rating at state band festival

Chris Baldus

  FORT DODGE, Iowa — Beneath a darkened and stormy sky, the Charles City High School marching band performed the moody “Dark Knight” movie theme. Perfect. The rain also worked well with the theme to “Pirates of the Caribbean.” The marching Comets, whose show theme this year was “Heroes and Villians,” nailed their performance in the Iowa High School Marching Band Festival in Fort Dodge. They earned a Division I overall rating, the highest possible. The show also included the theme from “The Incredibles.” Below are all the results from the Fort Dodge site. The state festival is actually divided … Continue reading Marching Comets earn highest possible rating at state band festival

Charles City Schools

CCHS announces homecoming court; schedule

Chris Baldus

• CHARLES CITY — Homecoming week involves more than a parade, football and re-establishing alumni ties at Charles City High School. In the week beginning Monday, Sept. 18, that is a celebration of Comet Nation, the community will also welcome German exchange students, the marching band will compete for a festival title and the Charles City Hall of Fame will gain members. CCHS will also host a motivational speaker Marc Mero. A former professional wrestler — Johnny B. Badd of World Wrestling Entertainment and World Championship Wrestling — he had abused steroids as well as other drugs and alcohol, suffered … Continue reading CCHS announces homecoming court; schedule

Charles City Schools

CCHS announces Homecoming dress up days

Chris Baldus

Charles City Homecoming will be celebrated Sept. 18 – 23, and organizers are encouraging students, faculty, staff and the community to participate in the following theme days. Monday, Sept. 18 – Class Colors Day Purple — Grades 4, 8, 12 (Purple) Blue — Grades 3, 7, 11 Green — Grades 2, 6, 10 Red — Grades 1, 5, 9 Yellow — Kindergarten Pink — Preschool  Staff will wear Black with white accents Tuesday, Sept. 19 – America Day Red, white & blue (patriotic) Wednesday, Sept. 20 – Character Day Thursday, Sept. 21- Generations Day Freshmen: babies Sophomores: toddlers Juniors: adults … Continue reading CCHS announces Homecoming dress up days

Charles City Schools

5 things to know about Monday’s CC School Board meeting

Chris Baldus

The Charles City School Board’s regular meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 11, in the Charles City Middle School gather space, 7th grade learning studio. That is on the north end of the school on the first floor.Here are 5 things to know about Monday’s meeting: 1. High school senior Falyn Knecht, a CCHS senior, will be sworn in as the student member of the School Board. She will serve until the final regular meeting in May. She can join board discussions, but can’t vote and can’t participate in closed sessions. She is supposed to communicate board decisions to … Continue reading 5 things to know about Monday’s CC School Board meeting

Charles City Schools

10 things to know this month about Charles City Schools

Chris Baldus

From the return of a familiar face to Charles City School District finances, here are 10 things to know about Charles City Schools this week: 1. On Aug. 10, Erik Hoefer will begin his new tenure as a Charles City 3rd grade teacher. The popular teacher is returning after retiring in 2016 to attend seminary. He will also be the middle school cross country coach. 2. As of Aug. 1, Rob Pittman and Ryan Fank are co-coaching the Charles City High School wrestling team. 3. Pittman will lead a social studies trip to Peru this year. 4. Brad McKenzie is … Continue reading 10 things to know this month about Charles City Schools

Charles City Schools1 Comment

10 things you should know about Monday’s Charles City School Board meeting 

Chris Baldus

UPDATE (Tuesday, June 27): The School Board approved all items up for a vote Monday night. It took no action regarding the placemaker repurposing proposal from the city. From RAGBRAI emergency contingencies to the superintendent’s pay, here are 10 things to know about the Charles City School Board meeting that begins at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 26, in the 7th grade learning studio at the middle school. 1. All of the district’s schools and the North Grand Building will be emergency shelters for RAGBRAI visitors to Charles City in case of severe weather or other emergency on July 26 if … Continue reading 10 things you should know about Monday’s Charles City School Board meeting 

Charles City Schools

Charles City School Board approves Thomson option for North Grand building

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY -— Charley Thomson and his partners are now the proud owners of an option to purchase the historic building that had been home to the Charles City Middle School until last year. The Charles City School Board approved the agreement by a 4-1 vote Monday night. Jim Frisbie cast the lone nay vote. The board tabled a discussion about a city of Charles City proposal to work with a “PlaceMaker” to come up with a new repurposing plan for the North Grand building. Whether the board will still consider the city’s idea is yet to be seen, Superintendent … Continue reading Charles City School Board approves Thomson option for North Grand building

Charles City Schools

Charles City School Board to consider old middle school options on Monday, calls for public comment

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — With a purchase offer on the table as well as a pitch to work with the city and a “place maker” to create something unique that would draw people to the community, the Charles City School Board has some decisions to make about the former Middle School building.  A slate of options are on the board’s agenda for The board meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the 7th grade learning area on the new middle school. Zach Mannheimer of McClure Engineering Company met with the Charles City Council and then the School Board on May 30 about potential … Continue reading Charles City School Board to consider old middle school options on Monday, calls for public comment

Charles City Schools

Charles City district looks west for school design inspiration

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Ongoing research into design options for a new or renovated Charles City High School sent eight educators to Southern California. They will report their findings Monday to the School Board. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. In the 7th grade learning studio of the Charles City Middle School. The meeting agenda middle and high school teachers Ryan Rahmiller, Amanda Rahmiller, Brenda Bailey, Julie Holub, Dené Lundberg, and Melina Mena-Davis and instructional coaches David Voves and Brittni Molstead traveled to Southern California June 8-10 to tour the High Tech High Village in San Diego and the HTH campus … Continue reading Charles City district looks west for school design inspiration

Charles City Schools

Another first: In a new ceremony, Charles City 8th graders cross over to high school

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — On their final day as eighth graders, the Charles City High School Class of 2021 marched out the front door of the new middle school singing “Na na na na, na na na na, good bye!” They paraded Friday along Comet Drive — flanked by construction of the school district’s new bus barn to their left, and to their right churned dirt pushed behind the concrete curb during the drive’s construction. Like the class, the campus remains a work in progress with high expectations. The procession was led through the high school parking lot by students carrying … Continue reading Another first: In a new ceremony, Charles City 8th graders cross over to high school

Charles City Schools

Charles City School District announces Summer Food Program

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Charles City Community Schools will once again be participating in the Summer Food Service Program, a news release from the school district announced.  “Meals will be provided to all children without charge and are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service,” it said. Parents are encouraged to accompany younger children. An adult meal may be purchased for $3.50.  No food is to be shared or carried out of the building. Meals will be provided, on a … Continue reading Charles City School District announces Summer Food Program