Good News Bulletin

In Meaghan Gieck's Web Design class, Elizabeth High School students of all grade levels are learning how to code and build websites, a valuable tool in today's world.

Gieck says the students are currently learning the visibility property in HTML and have just completed going through the foundations of HTML and CSS styling. Now, they're going in and making demo websites more interactive and polishing them up.

The students are learning all that goes into designing a website. For their final, they will make their own functional website. Right now, it's all about learning the tools.

"It's the foundation of coding," says Gieck. "We know that coding is in high demand, right? Pretty much anything involving security, computer security and anything coding. HTML sets the foundation and what's cool about this class is they have to actually learn the code. They have to write the code. They can't use JAVA script or take blocks and just fill it in. They are actually writing this themselves."

A great experience at the state competition for the Cardinal Robotics Team #7479. Here's an update about the event submitted by Summer Holmquist:

"Sam and I had the pleasure of taking our robotics team to the state competition over the break. I wanted to take some time to acknowledge the students on the robotics team." Holmquist stated.

"I cannot express in words how proud I am of this team. I am inspired and in awe of the team's resilience and adaptability. They started the competition without the programming necessary to move the robot, they had several motors spinning in the opposite directions of how they were supposed to move, and they were missing a vital piece for total drive/movement of the robot." She said.

"The team worked incredible hard over the three competition days and by the end of the competition had worked on and built a robot that moved in all directions and even picked up the algae (a giant four-square ball)! What I witnessed at the robotics competition last week is an excellent reminder for everyone that if you work hard enough and push through the challenges, you can accomplish anything!"

On the Monday returning from Spring Break, ESD staff listened to a special presentation from Zach Groshell, PhD, a highly distinguished teacher, instructional coach and education consultant. Zach is based in Seattle, Washington and works with schools nationwide and internationally to develop high quality instruction based on the science of how kids learn. Zach also hosts a podcast called 'Progressively Incorrect'.

ESD Superintendent Dan Snowberger spoke with staff during the session and pointed out that only 31 percent of 4th graders in the U.S. read on grade level and in Elizabeth, only 42.8 percent of our 8th graders met or exceeded expectations on CMAS.

"Elizabeth can be an example of a district that rises above the current outcomes and achievements of public schools and ensures every student moves through our system meeting their potential," Snowberger added. "Our educational training institutions have failed our students as they have moved teachers out of the role of "teaching" and into the role of facilitating learning."

Thank you to Zach for the helpful presentation on how scores can be improved!

THERE IS A NEW CLASSICAL CHARTER SCHOOL COMING TO ELIZABETH THIS

FALL!

Independence Classical Academy (ICA), a new elementary classical charter school, is coming to Elizabeth in August 2025.

What sets Independence Classical Academy (ICA) apart from the other schools in the area is that it offers a classical education, which is grounded in the belief that education should cultivate wisdom as well as virtue.

Grammar, logic, and rhetoric provide the foundational framework through which students acquire knowledge, develop critical thinking, and master oral and written communication skills. In addition to providing intellectual rigor, foundation stones (virtues) are taught that instill a sense of moral responsibility. Through the Core Knowledge Curriculum which includes history, literature, science and art, students are reconnected with the wisdom of the past, preparing them to engage meaningfully with the challenges of the present, envision a better future, and develop a capacity to know the good, the true, and the beautiful.

With regards to location, for the first year (2025-2026), the plan is to hold classes in the Frontier School building on Banner Street in the town of Elizabeth while the new building is being built. Then, for the second year (2026-2027), the plan is to move into the new school building which will be located near the corner of CR 158 and Delbert Road in the new Independence Neighborhood. For students living in-district, busing will be provided by the Elizabeth School District starting in the fall of 2025 and will continue after the move into the new building.

To find out more and enroll your child, please visit www.independenceclassical.org.

April 2nd - School Paraprofessional Appreciation Day

April 3rd - Late Start-Teacher Collaboration

April 4th - School Librarian Appreciation Day

EHS Multicultural Night 5:00-6:00 p.m.

April 7th - Art Show (all day)

EHS Red Ribbon Week

National Assistant Principal Week

Stampede to Read (all day)

ESD Board Meeting - Business Session - 6:00-8:00 p.m.

EHS Cardinal Club Meeting 6:30-8:00 p.m.

April 8th - EHS Red Ribbon Week

National Assistant Principal Week

RCE Book Fair (all day)

Stampede to Read (all day)

EMS Orchestra Concert 6:00-7:30 p.m.

EMS sports calendar

EHS sports calendar

**Reminder to all parents: Be sure to check the websites of your individual schools for more information about upcoming events.

Elizabeth High School: https://www.elizabethschooldistrict.org/EHS

Elizabeth Middle School: https://www.elizabethschooldistrict.org/EMS

Singing Hills Elementary School: https://www.elizabethschooldistrict.org/SHE

Running Creek Elementary School: https://www.elizabethschooldistrict.org/RCE

The Elizabeth Education Foundation partners with Elizabeth School District in numerous ways throughout the year to support students and teachers. This volunteer-led, independent fundraising foundation provides scholarships for graduating seniors, classroom grants for teachers, and the STARS Awards for outstanding citizenship among students.

Learn more about the EEF at its website.