Iron County School District

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.

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.