Iron County School District

Our bus drivers are ready! Bus drivers put their skills to the test during the annual "Bus Roadeo" at Woods Ranch. The afternoon included safety reminders, a physical assessment, pre-trip check of a bus with 15 "issues", making a left turn with a vehicle in the opposite lane, navigating a diminishing alley and carefully winding a bus through a serpentine course. Are you wondering if your student qualifies for the bus? Check your address at http://www.infofinderi.com/ifi/?cid=ICSD38UM4SQ2J or click on transportation under departments on the district website. You can even drop a pin if you're address doesn't come up as valid.

We are thrilled to announce the installation of a Retired Flag Drop-Off Box at Parowan High School. The box is dedicated to respectfully and properly retiring American flags. The school wants to ensure the flags are handled with the honor they deserve. The box is installed near the front doors of the school. Toni Robison, a teaching coach at the school, proposed the idea after seeing a similar box. Principal Kim Bailey and others then went on a hunt for a perfect drop box. “I’m all for it,” Bailey said. “It sounded like a great idea. It brings the community together, we can educate kids about it, this has a lot of purposes. And it’s something we want to do to extend the school into the community." Bailey said an old mail box was eventually acquired and was then repurposed with a new coat of paint and decals identifying its purpose. Just in time for Independence Day, the box is now available for flags that have become tattered and worn. In fact, one flag has already been dropped into the box. Last year, to celebrate Veterans Day, the school held a flag retirement ceremony and retired hundreds of American flags. Prior to the ceremony, student government members properly folded the flags to prepare them. Bailey said the tradition will continue with the flags that are collected in the box. Students, staff, and community members are invited to use the service to help uphold the dignity of our national symbol. #FlagRetirement #CommunityService #ProudToBeAnAmerican🇺🇸

When a teacher takes a day off, ESS substitutes step in and take the classroom under their wing. Iron County School District is grateful for the many who help keep schools running smoothly when the teacher cannot be there. Some even become the teacher as they serve for extended periods of time while a teacher recovers from unforeseen issues. ESS Southern Utah helps fill those vacancies. Recently they recognized a few who went above and beyond, and thanked all substitutes with a lunch. Those recognized were: • Most days in the classroom — Laree Kurtz (182 days) • Most Schools Helped — Annaleigh Worthen (18 schools) • Most days at one school — Susan Lipsie (CVHS 87 days) • Iron Substitute of the year — Roger Ming Several also won raffle prizes.

Often they are behind the scenes, but we wanted to bring our facility maintenance staff forward to show our appreciation for all they do to make schools run smoothly. Recently, Iron County School District administrators started their day a little early to put together a breakfast for the maintenance and facilities staff, including custodians, ground crews, warehouse and more. The group was recognized as the team of the year for all the work they do.

Summer hours for the Iron County School District Office start today. The office will be open from 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and closed Friday. Call 435-586-2804 if you have any questions.

We cannot thank them enough. Our principals are academic leaders, strategic planners, community builders, student supporters and financial stewards. Today is National Principal Appreciation Day. How grateful we are for each and every one of these school leaders who are experts in communication, innovation, trustworthiness, fairness, enthusiasm, motivation and flexibility. Spend just a short time in any our schools and you will see them adapt to whatever the day brings. Round of applause to our principals!

To celebrate National Teacher Appreciation Day, our local McDonald’s owner/operators have approved a fundraiser on Tuesday, May 7 from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. where 20% of all digital sales during that period will be tracked and donated to the Iron County School District Foundation. That money is used to support teachers and classrooms with funding that cannot be met through regular budgets. It is a simple process for you to help: Download the McDonald’s app and order your meals from 5-8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 7 The restaurants will track all digital app sales and will donate the percentage to our district.

Join Iron County School District at its annual transition night on April 30 for connections to agencies that help support families of students with disabilities. The open house event will be from 6 p.m.-8 p.m., Tuesday, April 30, in the District Board Room, 2077 W. Royal Hunte Dr., Cedar City. Agencies like TURN, Voc Rehab, Crimson Counseling and Chrysalis will be on site to answer questions.

Shout out to Canyon View High School! Ahhhh ... CV! Today they were recognized for 25 years of Excellence ratings in accreditation. Heather Goodwin, Utah state director for Cognia, presented the school with a plaque and a banner. Pictured are school administration and employees who have been with the high school during those 25 years.

Just a reminder that teachers will be involved in professional development for the rest of the week. There will be no school for students March 13, 14 and 15 (Wednesday-Friday). District offices will be open regular hours Wednesday and from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday.

Feeding students! Big shoutout to Gilbert Development, a local company supporting students. The company donated $5,000 to local lunch lady accounts. Those funds will help pay off negative balances of students throughout the district. Vice President Adam Urquidez said there are many places where they could make a donation, but making sure students do not go without lunch is important to him and others in the company. Thank you so much Gilbert Development Corporation !

Do you have a child or know someone with a child who will turn 5 by Sept. 1? Get started with kindergarten registration at https://ironutc.scriborder.com/family. Parents should make note of the in-person registration dates at each of the elementary schools where students will take their K Readiness Assessment and complete other screenings. A complete schedule is available at https://5il.co/2e131 or click on the enrollment link on the district or elementary school websites. Online kindergarten registration is also available.

Congratulations to the Iron County School District Sterling Scholars from Canyon View High, Cedar High and Parowan High. Students will compete for the Southwest Region recognitions on March 28 at Utah Tech University along with finalists from 16 other high schools. The statewide competition judges finalists on personal achievements and awards compiled in their portfolios along with live interviews with judges. Each is judged on scholarship, leadership and citizenship. Read more at https://bit.ly/3SMK5FB

Celebration well deserved! Parowan Elementary honored lifelong educator Rex Burton prior to his annual third-grade program. Burton annually honors community members during the third grade performance for visiting family members. The event includes songs, skits and recitations. This year, former colleagues surprised him as they recited his life sketch and gave him a standing ovation. Burton has been an education icon at the school for 44 years. It's also the school he attended as a young boy. Congratulations Mr. Burton! You have taught generations.

Iron County School District congratulates seven new elementary assistant principals for the 2024-25 school year. The new assistant principals and their schools are: Shannon Hinman, East; Melinda Huntsman, Enoch; Triessa Hepworth, Fiddlers; Wes Grimm, Iron Springs; Nina Strother, North; Jeanette Putnam, South and Linda Sahagun, Three Peaks.

Spring is just around the corner and Cedar High's Courtyard Club is planning ahead to continue its efforts to beautify the school courtyard. The Courtyard Club has a mission that goes beyond textbooks and exams. Their goal is to transform the small courtyard in the middle of the school into a haven of natural beauty, transcending the traditional classroom environment. Last fall, the green-thumbed members of the Courtyard Club gathered for a monumental workday. Armed with shovels, hoses, and a plethora of pizza, they sowed the seeds of change by planting an array of vibrant flowers and plants. Lady Bug Nursery and benefactor Mike Green played a crucial role in kicking off the transformation of the space. However, as the frost of winter gives way to the warmth of spring, the Courtyard Club faces a new challenge: the impending planting season. With the vision of turning the courtyard into a kaleidoscope of colors, they are reaching out to the families and friends of the community for support. The club is set up to receive financial contributions, offers of gardening expertise, gifts of time, or even donations of forgotten garden supplies. Donate at https://bit.ly/3Svvqib

ICSD is seeking parents and community members interested in serving on a curriculum adoption committee for Elementary ELA curriculums. If interested, please email Ashley Peterson at ashley.peterson@ironmail.org by Feb. 16

Admission to Launch High School, a project-based high school, is limited. Chances to learn more about the school and how to enter the admission lottery for the 2024-25 school year are coming up soon. The lottery system ensures everyone has an equal chance of attending across the district with a few exceptions. Students are given preference in the lottery based on the following: They have a sibling in attendance, the student attends an introductory workshop, attendance at a parent meeting, and student's expression of interest. Parent meetings are scheduled for Jan. 16 and 17 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Introductory workshops for students are Jan. 30 and 31 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Due to snow accumulation, all Iron County School District schools will follow a two-hour delayed start on Thursday, Jan. 11.. School start times and transportation schedules will run two hours later than normal. Morning preschool is canceled. Please check secondary bell schedules for specific class period start times. The school day will end at the regular time. Early morning practices and other before school activities will not be held. Any field trips scheduled for departure at the beginning of the school day are also canceled. If the weather continues to create unsafe conditions, more information will be communicated by 8 a.m. As during all adverse conditions, we encourage parents to make attendance decisions for their children based on their specific ability to get to school safely. We trust parents to make the ultimate call when it comes to their child's safety. Teachers will work with students to make up any missed assignments. -- Debido a la acumulación de nieve, todas las escuelas del Distrito Escolar del Condado de Iron comenzarán dos horas más tarde el 11 de enero. Los horarios de inicio de las escuelas y los horarios de transporte se retrasarán dos horas más tarde de lo normal. Las clases matutinas de preescolar de infancia quedan canceladas. Por favor, compruebe los horarios de las campanas secundarias para conocer los horarios específicos de inicio de las clases. El día escolar finalizará a la hora habitual. Las prácticas tempranas de la mañana y otras actividades antes de la escuela no se llevarán a cabo. Cualquier viaje de estudios programado para partir al comienzo del día escolar también quedará cancelado. Si el clima continúa creando condiciones inseguras, se comunicará más información a las 8 a.m. del martes por la mañana. Como durante todas las condiciones adversas, animamos a los padres a tomar decisiones de asistencia para sus hijos en función de su capacidad específica para llegar a la escuela de manera segura. Confiamos en que los padres tomen la decisión final cuando se trata de la seguridad de sus hijos. Los maestros trabajarán con los estudiantes para recuperar cualquier tarea perdida.

Iron County School District wishes you a Happy New Year. We welcome students back to our classrooms on Jan. 3. District offices are open Jan. 2. Teachers will also be back, participating in professional development. See you on Wednesday!