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Greetings Garner Gators!
My name is Debbie Bennett and I am your new principal for the 2020-2021 school year. I have been a part of the Iowa City Community School District for 4 years. I moved from Chicago, Illinois where I was an educator for 15 years. While in Chicago, I taught in various school systems including Chicago Public Schools. I received my bachelors degree for the University of Illinois (Champaign,Illinois), two Masters degrees in education from Concordia University, and my administrative degree from National Louis University in Chicago.
Throughout my educational career, I have been a junior high teacher, Math Chairperson, Math coach, and PBIS facilitator. Starting at Kirkwood Elementary in 2016, I was a 6th-grade teacher. Then in 2018, I became the assistant principal of Kirkwood and Twain Elementary Schools. Last school year, I was split between Kirkwood and Weber Elementary Schools until the decision was made for me to be at Weber as their full-time assistant principal.
I have had many wonderful experiences within the Iowa City Community School District and look forward to having many more with you. The first key in great communication is building a relationship. Before school starts, I would love to get to know you and your family. Here’s a challenge for you:
Send me a family picture introducing who you are and what you were able to do this summer. Please include your student’s name and grade and one thing that you are grateful for. I plan to make a collage with our family pictures to hang in my office. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to email me at bennett.debbie@iowacityschools.org.
#FinestGreatestBest
Debbie Bennett, Principal
(319) 688-1190
bennett.debbie@iowacityschools.org
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District Seeking CEDAC Representatives
The ICCSD Community Education District-wide Advisory Council (CEDAC) is seeking three new representatives to represent citizens from the following:
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Return-to-Learn Update (9/24/20)
We are looking forward to welcoming our students back into our schools in a hybrid learning model beginning Monday, September 28, 2020. As we shared earlier, we have implemented comprehensive health and safety mitigation techniques to help create a safe learning environment when students return. Expectations reflect guidance and consultation from the CDC, IDPH, and JCPH. One important note, face masks will be required for students and staff while in our schools, on District property, and while riding the bus or in other District vehicles. We will provide a minimum of two cloth face masks for each student; however, students are encouraged to bring their own if they so choose.
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Return-to-Learn Update (9/18/20)
We are regularly monitoring the daily COVID-19 positivity rates in Johnson County. The rates have continued to drop in our community over the last several days with today’s positivity rate at 8.2%. Due to this, we are excited to announce that the District will transition into a hybrid learning model beginning Monday, September 28, 2020.
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Return-to-Learn Update (9/16/20)
We would like to provide information regarding the process we are using to determine movement between learning models (100% off-site, hybrid, 100% on-site). Much like the decision-making process for inclement weather days, our Board of Directors has authorized the Superintendent to make decisions regarding transitions between learning models. To help guide that decision-making process, we have developed a COVID-19 Decision Matrix which was approved by the Board on September 1, 2020. The matrix was developed in collaboration with Johnson County Public Health and Johnson County Emergency Management. It provides data guidelines to determine if a shift in learning models is required for an individual building or the entire District.
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Return-to-Learn Update (9/11/20)
The District has continued to monitor the COVID-19 positivity rates in Johnson County. Based on a fourteen-day positivity rate of 20.4% as of Wednesday, September 9, and support from both Johnson County Public Health and our School Board, the District petitioned the State for permission to continue in a 100% off-site learning model for up to an additional two week period. Permission was granted from the State late yesterday.
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Return-to-Learn Update (9/8/20)
Today, the Iowa City Community School District learned of the court’s decision to deny our request for emergency injunctive relief. This relief would have allowed for local control regarding school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. While this is not the determination that we feel is in the best interest of our community, we have prepared for this possibility.
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Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to Garner Elementary School's Parent Teacher Organization whenever you shop on AmazonSmile! Click below for more details.
