The seventh annual Regional Spelling Bee, hosted by Southwest Educational Development Center is C-O-M-P-L-E-T-E. We are proud to share that the first-place winner was Jenessi Sawyer, a 4th-grader representing South Elementary within Iron School District. She correctly spelled the word "tenacious" in the final round to secure the championship.
The competition, held in the Auditorium of Canyon View Middle School, brought together 18 talented students from the school districts of Beaver, Iron, Kane, Millard, and Washington counties, as well as spellers from Valley Academy Charter School. Students in grades 3 through 8 were eligible to compete.
The event provided a platform for students to showcase their spelling proficiency and academic dedication. Participants engaged in multiple rounds of competition, demonstrating their knowledge of vocabulary and orthography.
All 18 participating spellers received a medal and a certificate of participation in recognition of their efforts. The top three spellers were each presented with a trophy.
We the People of the United States ... Fifth-graders throughout the district are set to learn a little bit more about the preamble of the Constitution from Superintendent Dr. Lance Hatch.
Throughout March and April, Hatch plans to visit each school with his presentation which includes an introduction to six key concepts in the preamble. Students then have the opportunity to work in a group to define each concept in language a child of elementary age will understand.
Working as pairs they look at some key historical events and try to come to a consensus of how the preamble's key points fit into each. Finally, each student was tasked with choosing a preamble promise, writing a school rule that connects with the promise and the explaining how the new rule relate to the promise.
Parowan Elementary Teacher Karissa Degener said the lesson is an exciting opportunity for students to interact with the superintendent.
"He's relatable," Degener said of the superintendent's visit. "He comes in and makes that effort, not only for the students but for the teachers. I think the preamble is an essential component for our community, and it's great for students to learn these promises for now and in the future."
Utah author Bethany Wiggins visited with 7th and 8th grade English Language Arts classes at Cedar Middle School recently. Teacher Machelle Maxwell invited Wiggins after learning it had been nearly two decades since an author came just to CMS.
The students gathered in the gym each class period to hear how Wiggins got her start. Later, they were able to ask questions about her characters and future ideas for books.
Wiggins told the middle school students about her own struggles in school, due in part to undiagnosed ADHD. She wrote her first book after being challenged by her sister. The 750-page attempt was garbage, she said. But she didn't let that stop her. She soon thereafter sat down and wrote a 250-page novel. She then approached hundreds of agents and did not get discouraged as each told her no.
She is now known for her publication of six young adult novels, including:
• Shifting
• Stung
• Cured
• Dragon's Price
• Dragon's Curse, and
• Dragon's Revenge.
At this point, she said, she doesn't really have anything new in the works.
“We are so grateful Bethany would come today and speak to our 7th and 8th grade students about her life and her books." Maxwell said. "She mesmerized our students today.”
Did you know that there will be a lunar eclipse this week? In partnership with Cedar Breaks National Monument, Iron County School District has compiled some moon activities to help you prepare for the lunar eclipse. Maximum viewing will be early Friday morning (about 12:58 a.m. March 14).
Students K-5 who completed the observations and journal it can get a special lunar eclipse sticker. Learn more about the Lunar eclipse and the opportunity at https://5il.co/3406e
Happy Valentine's Day! We were out and about in the elementary schools today and just love seeing the smiles and creativity of our students. You can definitely feel the love!
On the cover! Each year East Elementary invites students to submit their interpretation of that year's theme. Staff then vote to pick the winning picture. The first place winner's art will be the front cover of the yearbook this year. The 2nd - 4th place winners' art will be featured on the back cover of the yearbook. The first place winner also receives a free yearbook. The theme for school year 2024-25 was, "A Year in Our Shoes".
1st place = Kenzi Snyder, 5th grade
2nd place (tie) = Addison Foremaster, 3rd grade
2nd place (tie) = Cole Smith, 5th grade
3rd place = Berlynn Peterson, 5th grade
4th place = Henry Woodall, 5th grade
The Utah Music Educator's Association honored ICSD's Executive Director of Secondary Education Roy Mathews as Outstanding District Administrator. Mathews has spent 31 years in education. Mathews said the band, orchestra and music programs in Iron County are exceptions. Thanks to voter-approved bond funds, the music facilities for Cedar Middle School and Canyon View Middle School are now state-of-the-art. Not only did the rooms expand in size, but they now include practice rooms and instrument lockers. "It is an honor to be recognized," Mathews said, "but the true honor has been witnessing the hard work and dedication of our teachers, who invest countless hours in helping our students grow through their love of music."
The halls of Fiddlers Elementary were full of excitement as families gathered for the annual Chinese Night. Students ran from activity to activity. The fun included writing "Lucky" in Chinese, making a Zodiac sack puppet, coloring a clothespin dragon, practicing chopstick skills by moving pom poms into a cup, cutting lanterns and more. Chinese immersion students entertained family members with their songs. Parents from throughout the community were also invited to come learn more about the immersion program.
Iron County School District welcomes its two newest Board of Education members. Tyrel Eddy, representing District 3, and John Taylor, representing District 1, took the oath of office in a special meeting Monday. The board also elected to continue with Ben Johnson as Board President and Michelle Tullis as Board Vice President.
Bringing imagination to life. First-graders at Iron Springs Elementary received an early Christmas gift thanks to the work of Cedar Middle School art students. The first-graders were tasked with designing their favorite monster, including descriptions of its habitat and eating habits. The drawings and descriptions they created were then given to middle school students to bring to life out of a sculpture. Arts Integration Specialist Kirsten Anderson presented the special gifts to students Tuesday. Cries of delight were present as each child compared their 3D monster to the one they envisioned. It's a moment many will remember and cherish for years to come.
Cedar Middle School is conducting a Lockdown drill.
A Lockdown means all exterior and interior doors are locked and no one is let in or out of the building or out of classrooms. Students move to the nearest classroom immediately, teachers clear the hallways, students move to the safest area of concealment.
A Lockdown is called when there is a possible threat or hazard inside of the school building.
In the event of an actual Lockdown, parents and guardians will be kept informed of updates and instructions through Alert messages when full and accurate information is available. Parents/guardians should not go to or contact the school in the event of a REAL Lockdown.
Food + games + family x math = Fun! North Elementary families participated in a Math Family Night. Each grade level gave families packets with easy math games that can be played at home. The games piggyback on concepts students are learning in class. The students also had a chance to win a board game. The activities were prepared to add a little fun to math practices at home.
The Board of Education will hold its regular meeting in the Canyon View High School library at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 22. You can view the agenda at https://irondistrict.org
Reminder to parents and guardians: Iron County School District students are not in school Oct. 18 and Oct. 21. Schools and district offices will be closed Oct. 21 for fall break. Enjoy the cool fall weather!
Do you remember the carefree days when you were a child and were able to ride your bike or walk to school the first time? Our elementary schools are recognizing the national Walk, Bike and Roll to School Day on Oct. 9. This day gives students the opportunity to experience that excitement. The effort also is to raise awareness about active transportation, build healthier habits, promote safety and safe school routes, and strengthen community relations.
We know that many students ride the bus to school. On that morning, bused students at East, Enoch, Fiddlers, Iron Springs, North and South elementary schools, will be given the opportunity to unload the bus at a designated spot and walk a short distance to school. Those who do not want to participate can stay on the bus. Escalante Valley, Parowan and Three Peaks elementary schools will recognize the day in a different manner due to safety concerns.
At each school, law enforcement, PTA volunteers and city leaders will greet the students and offer them a sticker and granola bar. Safety tips will also be displayed. Please speak with your child about safety measures they should use whenever they walk, bike or roll.
Nature often inspires art. Students from Iron County School District joined others at the SUU Mountain Center for a day of "Art on the Mountain." Students could participate in plein air painting, figure drawing and 3-D art. At the end of the day, student pieces were recognized and awarded. ICSD winners in the categories are: Clay - High School
1st place- Coulson Ohms, CVHS
2nd Joseph Lee, CHS
3rd Shelby L., CHS
Landscape Painting - High School
3rd place - Samantha Brunson, CVHS
Clay-Middle School
2nd Place- Aspen G., CMS
3rd Place- Kimber Moody, CMS
Landscape Painting- Middle School
3rd - Madelyn Johnson, CVMS
Figure Drawing- Middle School
1st- Emma Larson-CMS
School Resource Officer Lehi Afatasi made quite an entrance when he pulled up on the first day of school at Cedar Middle School. His police vehicle joins the fleet of other Cedar City Police vehicles wrapped with school logos. The Warriors wrap is "fire" as the students say. We appreciate the presence of SROs on all our secondary campuses as they work to keep schools safe.
Property owners recently received a tax notice in the mail. At first glance it appears that taxes included in the county basic school levy went up significantly — 29.3%
That is not true. If taxpayers compare the proposed taxes to the 2023 taxes, the actual increase is .67%.
This video explains the true increase using actual tax notices: https://youtu.be/MmciWeMxvqw
Welcome back students! Thousands returned to Iron County School District today. Administrators, school student body officers, Southern Utah University athletes and cheerleaders, and even a few mascots welcomed students back. We are excited to once again have the sound of students in our hallways. #ironstrong
Wondering what the inside of the addition to Cedar Middle School looks like? Join us today at 4:30 p.m. for the ribbon cutting. Thank you voters for the 2021 bond that made this possible.
