Grace King

Johnson STEAM Academy arts integration coordinator Christina Farrell is guiding educators at the Cedar Rapids elementary school in infusing art into their lessons daily.

In its first year, Cedar Rapids Prep has enrolled 255 students in sixth through eighth grade, with 25 students on a waiting list. The new charter school's students are "owning and driving their learning" in "orderly classrooms where there's not chaos and disruptions," says Cedar Rapids Prep Principal Justin Blietz.

A new program in Hiawatha — a partnership between UnityPoint Health, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the state — is a one-stop shop for health care services for eligible participants age 55 and older to help them remain in their homes and live an active and healthy lifestyle for as long as possible.

Funding transportation for field trips, providing meals for teachers during parent-teacher conferences and hosting school carnivals are just a few of the ways "small but mighty" parent teacher groups support their schools.

Cedar Rapids school board members are evaluating the way they communicate and developing a plan for "concrete, immediate improvements" including asking questions and having more in-depth discussions in public at the board table.

Aspen Lohman, an "empathetic and incredibly skilled" first grade teacher at Coralville Central Elementary School, has been on leave since February after the trauma from repeated assaults by a student left her with post-traumatic stress disorder, acute panic attacks and depression.

A $7 million school bond referendum that would fund a new secure entrance to the elementary school and classroom renovations and repairs is headed to voters in the Central City Community School District Nov. 4.

Thursday was the deadline to be on the Nov. 4 ballot

Also in this week's Government Notes from The Gazette, Linn County seeks feedback, photos for website redesign

Linn-Mar's plan to invest almost $55 million into an indoor activities center is just the latest in a trend of Iowa schools creating modern facilities to expand opportunities for students.

A multiyear strategic communication plan aims to build trust in the Cedar Rapids Community School District between the district and schools, and the district and the community.

Iowa schools — particularly those in districts with fewer than 1,000 students — are the "lifeblood" of their communities. But student numbers are declining, and data shows that trend will only intensify in the coming years. Many school leaders are turning to modern facilities, career education and innovation to attract and retain students.

Barry Wilson has been teaching at Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids since 1972. The industrial technology and electric car teacher is the longest tenured teacher in the Cedar Rapids district. Here's why he has no plans to retire.

With two data center projects under construction in Cedar Rapids, educators in the College Community School District this week learned how artificial intelligence could shape the future workforce — their students.

Sourcing fresh and local food and composting food waste remain priorities of the Iowa City Community School District as student demand for school breakfast and lunch increases.

Students and staff in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City schools who are exposed to measles and do not have proof of vaccination will be required to stay home 21 days after exposure.

Hoover Elementary School teachers and families Monday spoke about the dire need for a new facility after plans for construction were temporarily delayed last month when neighbors voiced concerns about the project.

Executive leadership staff span a 6 to 22 percent increase in proposed salaries as they take on new and expanded roles

There were more than 300 physical restraints of students in the Cedar Rapids Community School District during the 2024-25 school year — an increase from around 200 the year prior. But the U.S. Department of Justice reports there's been a "noticeable improvement" in employees' understanding of problem solving and de-escalation.

Several executive leadership positions were removed from a revised personnel report approved by the Cedar Rapids school board Monday. It was the second time in a week the board has considered approval of a personnel report after last week's vote failed.