Van Allen Newsletter

Greetings, Van Allen Families -

As we close the chapter on another excellent school year at Van Allen Elementary, I want to take a moment to celebrate all that we have accomplished together. The success of our school is never the result of one person or one group—it is the collective effort of our students, teachers, staff, parents, and families working together toward a common goal. Thank you for the countless ways you have contributed to making this such a positive and memorable year for our students.

Concluding my tenth year as principal of Van Allen Elementary has given me another opportunity to reflect on what makes our school such a special place. Worth noting is how I continue to be impressed by the incredible support of our parents and families. Your partnership is one of our school's greatest strengths, and it plays a vital role in helping our students thrive. Thank you for your trust, encouragement, volunteerism, and unwavering commitment to our school community.

As we look ahead to next year, please be on the lookout for registration information this summer. Completing registration is an important requirement and helps us prepare with staffing for the start to the school year. Also worth noting is how our staff has also been busy working on creating class lists for next year. While that process is well underway, class assignments will not be ready to share until closer to the start of school in mid-August. Once finalized, class placement information will be communicated to families through both Blackboard and Talking Points messages and Infinite Campus.

I hope each of you enjoys a summer that provides the perfect balance of excitement and relaxation. My wish is that you have opportunities to slow down and spend meaningful, uninterrupted time with family and friends. Thank you again for helping make this school year such a success. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in August for another great year at Van Allen Elementary!

- Eric Ewald
Principal, Van Allen Elementary

• Elementary Registration
• Tuesday, August 4th
• Meet the Teacher Night
• Thursday, August 20th
• First Day of School
• Monday, August 24th

A quick reminder: all families need to complete online registration each year through Infinite Campus. You can get started by using the link below. Just be sure to select the school year “26-27” when prompted.

Registration instructions for returning families to the District

If you need help with the registration process, don’t hesitate to reach out!

Do you have a child who will be 5 years old on or before September 15, 2026? If so, it’s time to register for Kindergarten!

Families may register:

• Online
  • New Families
  • Returning Families
• At Van Allen
• At our ICCSD Welcome Center, located at 2255 N. Dubuque Road in Iowa City

Who is eligible?

Children who turn 5 years old on or before September 15, 2026.

What you’ll need to register:

• Verification of your child’s birth date (birth certificate, passport, or other approved document)
• Immunization records
• Proof of residency (lease/rental agreement, utility bill, etc.)
• If you don’t have all the required documents at the time of registration, you can still begin the process.

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact our office at (319)688-1185 or our Educational Services Center at (319) 688-1000.

We look forward to welcoming your child to Kindergarten! Learn more and begin registration at: www.IowaCitySchools.org/Kindergarten

We’d love to welcome your little one to our preschool family! Our preschool teachers are certified in both general and special education, and we offer free half-day programming for 4-year-olds at all of our elementary schools, with full-day tuition options also available at all locations.

Visit the Preschool Page: https://www.iowacityschools.org/students-families/preschool

Below, please find some important technology information to review before students leave for summer break. If you have any questions regarding this information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Help Desk at (319) 688-1000 or by email at helpdesk@iowacityschools.org.

• Returning Students, Grades K-4: Students with parent/guardian permission on file from registration will take their Chromebook and charger home for the summer. All other K–4 student devices will remain at school over the summer, and building staff will provide students with their assigned device when they return in August. If you need to update your child’s permissions, please contact your school before May 26, 2026.
  
  
• Returning Students, Grades 5-11: Please take your Chromebook and charger home for the summer. You will bring both items back with you when you return to school in August.
  
  
• Not Returning? If you are leaving the district, please return all devices (Chromebook, charger, case, hotspot) before your last day. Accounts will be deactivated on July 1, 2026.

Additional Reminders:

• Backing Up Files: Students are encouraged to save anything important from their account, device, or district platforms. If they are returning, use Google Drive, or if they will no longer be in the District, use Google Takeout.
  
  
• Hotspots: All hotspots and chargers must be returned each summer; any device not returned will be disabled. If your student has a hotspot and no home internet service in the fall, you will be eligible to pick up a hotspot at the start of the next school year.
  
  
• Securly: This summer, we will be updating guardians' access to Securly Home. Every person marked as a student’s guardian in Infinite Campus will be enrolled automatically in Securly Home.
  
  
• Register: Registration for the 2026-27 school year is open for all grade levels. As a reminder, all families are required to register their students in Infinite Campus each year. Please use the appropriate link below to register your child(ren). If you need help with the registration process, please contact our enrollment team at (319) 688-1000 or by email at enroll@iowacityschools.org.
  
  
• Registration instructions for RETURNING families to the District
• Registration instructions for NEW families to the District
  
  

Need Help? Tech support and repairs are available by appointment over the summer. Email helpdesk@iowacityschools.org for assistance.

The Iowa City Community School District is pleased to once again participate in the Summer Food Service Program, providing free meals and snacks to children throughout our community during the summer months.

All children ages 18 and under are welcome to participate, and no registration is required. Meals and snacks are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The program will run from June 15 through August 7, 2026, with no meal service on June 19 and June 29 through July 3. Additional schedule variations are noted below.

Meal Site Locations and Schedules

Antelope Mobile Lending Library
Snacks served from June 16 to August 14. There will be no service from June 30 through July 3. Below are the locations with serving times:

• Tuesdays:
  Regency Mobile Home Park, 4455 Oak Crest Hill, Iowa City (4:30-6:00 pm)
• Wednesdays:
  Breckenridge Estates, 4494 Taft Ave, Iowa City (3:30-5:00 pm);
  HACAP Waterfront, 367 Southgate Ave, Iowa City (5:30-7:00 pm)
• Thursdays:
  Lake Ridge Mobile Home Comm, 893 Spring Ridge Dr, Iowa City (10:00-11:30 am)
  Boys & Girls Club, 1045 Hwy 6 E, Iowa City (2:30-4:00 pm)
  Hills Splash Pad, 200 Knoll Ridge Dr, Hills (4:30-6:00 pm)
• Fridays:
  Coralville Food Pantry, 804 13th Ave, Coralville (11:30 am-1:00 pm)

Iowa City Public Library (123 S Linn St, Iowa City)
Snacks served from June 15 to August 14, Monday - Friday from 3:00-5:00 pm.

Wetherby Park (2400 Taylor Drive, Iowa City)
Snacks served from June 15 to August 7, Monday - Friday from 10:30-11:00 am. There will be no service on June 19 and June 29 through July 3.

Grab-and-Go Meals
Breakfast and lunch provided for 2-3 days. There will be no service from June 29 through July 3. Below are the locations with serving times:

• Hills City Park (111 Preslee Lane, Hills)
  Beginning June 15 through August 5, distributions will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays from noon to 1:00 pm.

Breckenridge Mobile Home Park (4494 Taft Ave, Iowa City)
Beginning June 16 through August 6, distributions will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 1:00 pm.

We would like to notify you of the 2026-27 Pay-to-Ride school transportation program, which is available to families who do not qualify for mandatory transportation under the State of Iowa's requirements.

Iowa Code 285.1.a. The Board of Directors in every school district shall provide transportation, either directly or by reimbursement for transportation, for all resident pupils attending public school, kindergarten through twelfth grade, except that:

1. Elementary pupils shall be entitled to transportation only if they live more than two miles from the school designated for attendance.
2. High school pupils shall be entitled to transportation only if they live more than three miles from the school designated for attendance.

The Pay-to-Ride program details are available on our District website at www.IowaCitySchools.org/PayToRide. If you have any questions before applying, please don’t hesitate to contact our Transportation Department via email at Davis.Esme@iowacityschools.org.

Payment and Fees for Service

• Pay-to-Ride fee:
• $700 per student, per year, round trip
• $415 per student, per year, round trip, for students who qualify for reduced-price lunch.
• $0 per student, per year, round trip, for students who qualify for free lunch.
• Full payment must be made no later than June 5, 2026, to be included on a bus roster for the start of the 2026-27 school year.
• Applications submitted after June 6 through September 7, 2026, will be included on a bus no later than September 28, 2026, if space is available. Efforts will be made to make placements earlier; however, a date prior to September 28 cannot be guaranteed and remains subject to available space.
• After September 7, 2026, applicants will be notified no later than 10 school days from submission if space is available.
• Applications will be accepted after the due date as long as capacity remains on existing routes. (Note: Students will only be assigned to existing bus stops and routes; buses will not be rerouted to accommodate requests.)
• Students are not eligible to ride until payment is received and the application is approved.

Application Process

1. To apply for Pay-to-Ride busing, please complete the Pay-to-Ride application available at www.IowaCitySchools.org/PayToRide
2. Payment can be made online at https://www.myschoolbucks.com or by check made payable to Iowa City Community School District

If you are interested in participating in the Pay-to-Ride program, please complete the application and submit payment no later than June 5, 2026, to be considered for a bus roster for the start of the 2026-27 school year.

• Stay up-to-date on all things PTO, and join our 'Van Allen Rockets PTO' Facebook group! There are screening questions to ensure the group is limited to VA Parents joining.

TalkingPoints is a two-way multilingual family engagement platform that allows staff to communicate with families across language barriers. The platform translates messages back and forth into over 100 languages, allowing for staff to be able to reach families in their preferred language, which in turn increases parent engagement in the classroom and school communities.

• You are automatically subscribed to messages from your child's teachers and administrators via SMS text using the cellphone provided during registration.
• Download the TalkingPoints for Families app to receive messages through the app.
• For more information about TalkingPoints for Families, click here.

Families may be eligible to open a new type of savings account for their children under age 18, sometimes referred to as a “Trump Account.” These accounts function similarly to a traditional individual retirement account (IRA) and are intended to support long-term financial planning.

To be eligible, a child must be under 18 by the end of the applicable year, have a valid Social Security Number, and not already have an account established on their behalf. Parents or guardians can submit the required IRS form now or with their 2025 tax return; however, accounts cannot be funded until July 4, 2026.

Families are encouraged to review the information and consult a financial professional if they have questions.

For more information, please visit: https://www.trumpaccounts.gov/

• Find all the information here www.IowaCitySchools.org/Securly.

Our District cooperates with approved community partners by posting eflyers online and distributing them electronically through our service provider, Peachjar. As part of our efforts to be more environmentally friendly, embrace innovative technology, and maintain fiscal responsibility, we have transitioned from paper to electronic flyer delivery.

• Listing of Van Allen Elementary's Current Peachjar Flyers

We’re now taking nominations for the 2024-25 Shine Awards! This is your chance to recognize employees who go above and beyond for our students and schools. Shine Award honorees inspire, make a positive difference, and leave a lasting impact in our school community.

Please consider the teachers, paraeducators, secretaries, nutrition services workers, student & family advocates, counselors, librarians, nurses, custodians, tradespeople, support staff, administrators, and more throughout our District who have had an exceptionally positive impact on students. Nominations can be submitted by completing the form at the following link: Shine Award Nomination Form. If preferred, you can also copy and paste the following link into your web browser: https://bit.ly/3QeTeUP.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to recognize the outstanding contributions of our team, especially those who have made the biggest impact on your family.

Sincerely,

Kristin Pedersen
Director of Community Relations
Iowa City Community School District

We are continuing to embrace the HRS framework at Van Allen and throughout the ICCSD. Please see this linked form (also inserted, below) that helps us achieve Leading Indicator 1.6, "Students, parents, and the community have formal ways to provide input regarding the optimal functioning in the school."

This will be a standing item in our newsletter. Please note that submitting an idea to this form does not ensure that it will be implemented. Once we have a collection of responses to share, we will plan to include a recurring section within our newsletter dedicated to providing feedback and/or any response in regards to the different ideas that we have received from this form.

We use these platforms (below) to highlight our accomplishments (including pictures) and share relevant announcements and reminders.

Email: ewald.eric@iowacityschools.org
Website: https://vanallen.iowacityschools.org/
Location: 170 Abigail Avenue, North Liberty, IA, United States
Phone: (319)688-1185
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JVANorthLiberty/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanallen_iccsd

X: @VanAllen_ICCSD

It is the policy of the Iowa City Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy, please contact:

• Laura Cottrell (Executive Director of Educational Services & Student Success) for programming at cottrell.laura@iowacityschools.org
• Nick Proud (Chief Human Resources Officer) for employment at proud.nick@iowacityschools.org, 2255 N. Dubuque Road, Iowa City, Iowa 52245, (319) 688-1000; or
• If you are unsure how to proceed or would like assistance in discussing your options, you may also contact Janet Abejo-Parker at ombuds@iowacityschools.org or (319) 688-1312.