Category: Schools

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

Charles City Schools

Eighth-graders reconnect community with cemetery

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — The incoming freshman class at Charles City High school will bring with it a resume like none before. For one thing, they reconnected a community to its cemetery. Many of the eighth graders’ efforts were on display Friday at a community open house at Riverside Cemetery: A drama troupe of eighth graders performed its short play about James Cullen’s death, the last lynching in Iowa, seven times in the cemetery chapel. The students researched and authored the play. Student guides outside the chapel presented their research on and restoration plans for the chapel. Stations throughout the cemetery … Continue reading Eighth-graders reconnect community with cemetery

Charles City, Charles City Schools

‘Placemaker’ could be answer to former Charles City Middle School problem

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — The clamor of sneakers on polished terrazzo floors, lockers slapping shut, and fledgling teenagers chattering is gone. Hollow echoes mostly fill the former home of the Charles City Middle School. It’s been nearly a full school year since CCMS moved to its new campus. Despite all the meetings and professional study of community facilities, needs and wants, the future of the 1931 art deco building at 500 N. Grand Ave remains uncertain. Charles City Administrator Steve Diers suggests that a professional “placemaker” might be the missing link to getting city and school district leaders to finally back … Continue reading ‘Placemaker’ could be answer to former Charles City Middle School problem

Charles City Schools

Charles City students to present Riverside Cemetery projects Friday 

Chris Baldus

Charles City eighth graders film some video of Riverside Cemetery using a drone. — Photo courtesy of Ryan Rahmiller CHARLES CITY — Riverside Cemetery will be a lively place Friday. Eighth graders are making sure of that. Since October, these Charles City Middle School students have been working on meeting many needs at the cemetery through their project dubbed “Tomb It May Concern.”  “The students have been working so hard on their chosen projects and we have had many successes and acknowledgments from the community,” says an email to parents from the eighth-grade teaching team of Ryan and Amanda Rahmiller, … Continue reading Charles City students to present Riverside Cemetery projects Friday 

Arts, Charles City Schools

CC Jazz groups close out their year in Central Park

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Jazz on the River became Jazz in Central Park this year as the amphitheater was damaged by floodwaters last year. The Charles City High School Jazz Ensemble and a group composed of middle and high school musicians performed Saturday, May 6, at the final jazz concert of the year. The playlist was extended by a few songs that the Jazz Ensemble prepared for the high school’s annual Ice Cream Social that was cancelled. The days performance was capped with the social’s traditional finale, “In the Mood.” Continue reading CC Jazz groups close out their year in Central Park

Charles City Schools

Charles City Middle School announces 3rd quarter honor roll

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY (IOWA) Charles City Middle School releases its honor roll for 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students for the third quarter of the 2016-17 academic school year. In order to be on the Charles City Middle School honor roll a student must have a quarter grade point average of at least 3.00, a full class load at the middle school, and no grade lower than a C- in any of the student’s subjects. The following students are recognized for their individual academic success: SIXTH GRADE Kristen Aikey Kaylie Banks Caiden Biggerstaff McCoy Bilharz Kayden Blunt Maya Bruening Logan Carey Jared … Continue reading Charles City Middle School announces 3rd quarter honor roll

Charles City Schools

Western directs her CCHS orchestra finale; Class  of 2017 band musicians reach milestone

Chris Baldus

By Chris Baldus | news@northcedarreports.com CHARLES CITY — The spring concert for the Charles City High School Symphonic Band and the String Orchestra is special every year as seniors say goodbye to their music family. This year, it was special on a whole new level. And sad. Monday’s performance was Director Nancy Western’s finale with the full Charles City orchestra. She has accepted the school district’s early retirement offer and will be done at the school year’s end. Alumni, parents and peers took turns speaking on stage at the North Grand Auditorium to tell her how grateful they were to … Continue reading Western directs her CCHS orchestra finale; Class  of 2017 band musicians reach milestone

Charles City Schools1 Comment

Charles City Schools announce spring concert schedule

Chris Baldus

The Charles City School District recently published on its website this list of spring school concerts. Monday, May 1 — Charles City High School Band & Orchestra Spring Concert, 7:30 p.m., North Grand Auditorium Saturday, May 6 – Spring Jazz Concert, 4 p.m., Central Park, Main Street, Charles City (Rain location: North Grand Auditorium) Tuesday, May 9 – Charles City High School Vocal Concert Finale, 7:30 p.m., North Grand Auditorium Tuesday, May 16 — 5th-6th grade Band & Orchestra Concert, 6 p.m. North Grand Auditorium Tuesday, May 16 — 7th-8th grade Band & Orchestra Concert, 7:30 p.m., North Grand Auditorium Monday, … Continue reading Charles City Schools announce spring concert schedule

Nashua-Plainfield

N-P to auction off part of its Prom Grand March

Chris Baldus

NASHUA — Silken and shimmering gowns, elegant hairstyles and corsages. Sharp-creased tuxedos, cumber buns and bow ties. After the Nashua-Plainfield prom goers walk the path adorned to complement their glamor, stopping for photographs at a specially crafted pergola, the auction begins. To help fund future construction projects in the school’s   Tech Program, a cedar pergola that was hand-crafted by junior class students will be auctioned off at the end of the Grand March, which begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 29. The pergola is about 8 feet square and the winning bidder must pick it up by Sunday, April 30. … Continue reading N-P to auction off part of its Prom Grand March

Charles City Schools

Longtime Charles City teachers accept retirement offer

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Seven Charles City teachers with a combined years of service of 203 years are taking the school district’s early retirement offer when the school year ends. They are: Janet Boge, special education teacher, 36 years Lynn Feller, early childhood special education teacher, 21 years Shirley Holm, 6th grade science and reading teacher, 23 years Roxanne Kennedy, elementary vocal music teacher, 40 years Vicki Krumwiede, special education teacher, 22 years Barbara Lauterbach, special education teacher, 32 years Nancy Western, orchestra teacher and director, 29 years. One support staff employee, Cheryl Sonberg, and instructional assistant of 26 years also is … Continue reading Longtime Charles City teachers accept retirement offer

Charles City Schools

Charles City educators travel to tour school designs

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Three Charles City School Board members, two teachers and a high school confidential secretary  are on the road to tour two northern Minnesota schools as the district deliberated design for a new or renovated high school. The group is gathering information on 21st century school designs and will report back to the 21st Century Schools task force organized to gather information for a possible Charles City High School renovation or construction project. The group includes teachers Brian Bohlen and Jacob Gassman, board members Jason Walker, Robin Macomber and Lorraine Winterink. The group is traveling to Duluth, Minn., … Continue reading Charles City educators travel to tour school designs

Charles City Schools

Charles City Schools to add soccer teams next school year

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Soccer is coming to Charles City High School next school year. The Charles City School Board  approved the addition of soccer to the 2017-18 high school activities. The district currently has an agreement with Mason City allowing Comets to play on the boys and girls teams. One girl and seven boys from Charles City are playing for the Mohawks. (Read spring sports report) The Charles City Family Y soccer program for children in grades Kindergarten to 8th grade has about 300 players, including about 60 from middle school grades. (Y soccer photos) A survey conducted by School … Continue reading Charles City Schools to add soccer teams next school year

Charles City Schools

Jordan and Menken named king and queen of CC Prom

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY —A large head last seen in public during the Charles City 2016 Homecoming Pep Rally made an appearance Saturday night at the CCHS 2017 Prom Grand March. The bigger-than-life cardboard head of Prom king candidate Alex Koehler accompanied queen candidate Kristyn Pellymonter around the “red carpet” in the competition gym attached to the new middle school addition. Pellymonter danced and waved — as did the other court members during their promenades — as she took her place among them awaiting the crowning moment. Koehler was only there in spirit because he is playing football in Italy at the … Continue reading Jordan and Menken named king and queen of CC Prom