When Iowa students return to school later this month, they may notice books, including important works of literature, have disappeared from library shelves, and younger students will find certain topics can no longer be discussed in their classrooms. That’s because on Friday, a three-judge panel of the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals lifted the preliminary […]
ICCSD
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa City Community School District releases list of 68 books it’s removed (so far) to comply with the new state law
On Monday, the Iowa City Community School District released the “current list” of books it has removed from schools in its “ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with Iowa law Senate File 496.” Gov. Kim Reynolds signed SF 496 into law in May, after it was pushed through the Iowa Legislature with only Republican votes. Among […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Cindy Smith, ICCSD’s liege of lunch, strives to put locally grown food on students’ trays
Have you ever wondered what really goes into making a school lunch? Feeding an area the size of the Iowa City Community School District (ICCSD) requires balancing students’ nutritional needs, dietary restrictions and preferences under a limited budget and federal regulations. I had the opportunity to speak to Cindy Smith, the purchasing and procurement director […]
Posted inLetters
Letter from the ICCSD Board of Directors: Whose choice really?
Submitted by J.P. Claussen on behalf of the Iowa City Community School District school board In the debate over private school vouchers, Governor Reynolds and her supporters are attempting to frame the decision to funnel millions of dollars away from Iowa’s public schools as “parental choice.” One problem with this argument is that it isn’t […]
Posted inLetters
Letter to the ICCSD board: Period products should be free and accessible in schools
By Sara Brenneman, Iowa City Dear ICCSD School Board, I have been a woman in the school district for 11 years. For six of those I have lacked feminine hygiene products when needed, which feels incredibly unjustified and unfair. I believe it is time for a change. Schools need to supply feminine hygiene products in […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Drive-through COVID-19 test site opens in North Liberty
Free rapid antigen testing and PCR testing are available through a new drive-through COVID-19 test site set up by the Iowa City Community School District (ICCSD) at Liberty High School in North Liberty. “There are no out-of-pocket costs, but those with insurance are asked to bring their insurance card,” the district said in a statement […]
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Iowa City Community School District cancels classes for Thursday due to extreme cold
The Iowa City Community School District announced on Wednesday evening it had canceled all classes for Thursday “due to extremely cold temperatures.” The district also canceled its grab-and-go meal service for the day. Iowa City Schools will cancel all classes for Thursday, January 6, 2022, due to extremely cold temperatures. Please note, there will be […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Racist slurs, threats and disparities: Why Iowa City high school students walked out of class Friday
Over 100 Iowa City Community School District (ICCSD) students participated in a protest on Friday afternoon, walking out of school as the final period began and meeting on the Pentacrest to discuss racism within the district and what they consider the failure of schools and district administration to address it. On Nov. 8, students at […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa City schools will host COVID-19 vaccine clinics for students between the ages of 5 and 11
Iowa City schools will hold COVID-19 vaccination clinics for students between the ages of 5 and 11 starting next week, the Iowa City Community School District announced on Wednesday. The CDC and FDA gave final approval to the use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday. Statewide, there are approximately 284,000 children in that age […]
Posted inCommunity/News
School board approves mask mandate for Iowa City schools
The Iowa City Community School District Board of Directors voted unanimously at its meeting on Tuesday night to create a universal face mask policy for district schools, to combat the spread of COVID-19. The policy requires students, staff and visitors to mask up when in school buildings. The mask mandate also applies outdoors on school […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa’s ban on school mask mandates halted by federal judge
A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) on Monday afternoon that stops the Reynolds administration from enforcing its law prohibiting Iowa school districts from creating their own face mask mandates. “Iowa’s mask mandate ban makes it dangerous for disabled or immunocompromised children to attend school, but several pediatricians opine it is dangerous for […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa City mask mandate: UI and ICCSD say they can’t require masks; Mayor Teague discusses enforcement
The University of Iowa will not change its policy of encouraging but not requiring mask-wearing on campus, despite the mask mandate issued by Iowa City Mayor Bruce Teague on Thursday night. As a state agency it is bound by state law, a UI spokesperson said shortly after the mayor announced the mandate. On Friday, the […]
