Superintendent's Message for November 2023

Happy Thanksgiving Chargers!!

This is an exciting time in our lives and we generally give thanks for everyone in our lives.  I challenge you to thank the people that have made a difference in your life not just now but throughout the year.  A motto I heard recently at a conference was “ assume everyone's intentions and actions are for the good.”  It seems like in today's world we, me included, tend to jump to conclusions without listening to other people's views.  I really think it is a comment that can make our world and our school community a better place. 

My message is a little late due to the school board meeting being a week later due to the election results.  We needed to wait for the official results before installing the newly elected Board members for our district. 

District Business Highlights 

The Chartion Community Schools inducted two newly elected Board members at their November 20th meeting.  Jarid Howell and Ryan Dachenbach were installed by Board Secretary, Chloe Trenary.  Pictured below are our School Board members.  From Right to left - Jarid Howell, Ryan Dachenbach, Vice President Sarah Willis, Becky Shelton, and Board President Dustin Shivers.

The Van Allen playground was officially dedicated and open to the public. Mr. Morgan, the staff, and the students held a ceremony for the public to officially dedicate the playground.  The School Board accepted the Van Allen Elementary School Playground Improvements Project as fully complete and established the date of acceptance of its completion as November 20, 2023. Below is a picture of the students and staff of Van Allen Elementary.  

The CCSD School Board approved agreements for the planning, design, and management by 10- Fold Architecture + Engineering for following three projects: Van Allen and Columbus Window Replacement Project , the High School HVAC Controls Replacement Project, and the  High School Science Classroom Renovations - Phase 1 HVAC Improvements Project. ESSER funds will be used to pay for the majority of these projects which must be used by September 30th, 2024. The agreed costs for all three projects was $97,937.50.  A breakdown of each project can be found on our website in our November 20th Board agenda.

The State of Iowa allows districts to use five virtual learning days in their calendar this year.  We have surveyed the staff for input and have weighed the advantages and disadvantages. The School Board approved the administration to use these when they feel it is necessary and beneficial to do so.  We plan to use December 22nd as a practice day to gather information and data to ensure future success if we use them due to weather-related cancellations later in the school year. At this point we will only use them if we have a rough winter with snow days we can foresee in order to be prepared.  Building staff and administrations are each working out a plan to communicate with parents and other stakeholders.  Be looking for Parent Square information to be sent your way in the near future.  

The Department of Education has provided guidance and a model policy related to disciplining students who make threats of violence in our schools. The administration has reviewed the guidance and will comply with the new legislation to the best of our abilities.  District policy has been revised to reflect the new legislation, and the school board approved the first reading.  It is under review and will be up for a final review next month for the Board to act on.

There will be a special Board meeting on January 29th, 2024 to review and consider approval for the design, bidding, and construction schedule for the following projects: the Van Allen and Columbus window replacement, the HS HVAC control replacement, and the HS science classroom renovations. 

Please see the November 20th School Board agenda for other School Board actions and business discussed and approved.  

Celebrations

Mrs. Johannes and some of our students were invited to speak at the Chariton Rotary about the English as a Secondary Language Program (ESL).  Our program reinforces the techniques, methodology and special curriculum designed to teach ELL students English language skills, including listening, speaking, reading, writing, study skills, content vocabulary, and cultural orientation. These students did an excellent job of presenting the materials and sharing their experiences with the Rotary members.  

Congratulations to the CCHS National Honor Society 2023 inductees.  New inductees this year are in the right photo below. They are Kelly Morgan, Leah Gonthier, Jordyn Kaufman, Leah Chandler, Hailee Smith, Paige Andrews, Adrian O'Leary, Ethan Werts, Brett Morgan, Chase Willis, Mason Smith, Aiden Burbridge, Sydney Cain, Paige Ballard, and Taytum Smith.  Current members (left photo) are McKinleigh Milledge, Alivia Curtis, Karcyn Michael, Mariah D'Attilio, Bradley Hobbs, Maddi Howell, David Crabb, Mckenzie Snook, Isaac Sundquist, and Addie McGee.

Congratulations to the Chariton volleyball players who received SCC conference honors.  Addie McGee was 2nd team while Ava Johnson, Bailey McGee, and Mallory Willis received honorable mention recognition. 

The High School Cross Country Team had a terrific year.  They won the SCC Championship for the second straight year, and the team qualified for the State Cross Country meet in Fort Dodge. Their coach, Eli Horton, was named At-large Coach of the Year.  Well deserved.  Eighth-grader Cy Stuart also ran well.  He won all seven races he competed in and finished 5th at the state meet held in Ankeny.  

Chariton Community Schools helped honor and celebrate our local veterans during special ceremonies planned by our respected buildings.  Our wrestling teams also helped serve breakfast at Hy-Vee and take the opportunity to thank them all for their service to our country.  The pictures below are just a few of the special moments during our school and community events.  

The Chariton High School’s The Sound of Music production was presented on November 3rd-5th under the direction of Tyler Urich and Justin Sharp.  Below are a few pictures from the beautiful performances and the cast.  It was great to see the talents of our students displayed for our high school students and the community.  Well done!!!!

Our school had seven Charger football players make the 2A District 7 football team.  1st team - Mason Smith, 2nd team members - Chase Willis, Kenton Jensen, Brock Oxenreider, and Jace Gwinn, and the Honorable Mention team were Kyzer Arnold, Quinten Gruwell, and William “JoJo” Yeager.  Congratulations !!!

I am very proud of our school’s progress and dedication over the past year and a half to improve the educational process and facilities for our students, staff, and community.  I would like to thank the previous school board for their hard work and commitment to get this done, and their time and energy to do so.  I would also like to publicly thank and show my appreciation for the leadership of our outgoing School Board members - Casey DeHoedt and Jamie Aulwes.  Their leadership and guidance on the Chariton School Board have been instrumental in the school district's progress.  They will be missed THANK YOU!!!!

GO CHARGERS AND THINK BIG !!!!  

Mr. Baker  #LBE

Phone - 641-774-5967

Email- brad.baker@chariton.k12.ia.us

Twitter -  @Super_Charger