"Providing learning opportunities for students to change the future through creativity, independent thinking, and unlimited possibilities"

Morningside STEM Elementary School
October 2025 Newsletter

🍂 Celebrating Growth and Connection

Dear Eagle Families,

We’ve had a strong, connected start to the 2025–26 school year. From the moment students step through our doors, they are met with intentional care, connection, and high expectations to SOAR with one another. We are grateful for your partnership in making this a welcoming environment where all students are safe, seen, and supported.

We’re also excited to share some powerful early celebrations. Thanks to the collective efforts of our students, staff, and families, Morningside has increased its Iowa School Performance Profile rating to Commendable — reflecting growth in English Language Arts (ELA) proficiency and growth, math proficiency and growth, and reduced chronic absenteeism. We also saw a strong increase in ELPA21 progress, which measures growth for our English Learners.

These results reflect your children’s hard work, the dedication of our staff, and the power of community in helping every Eagle soar.

📊 Fall Assessment Data & Goals for 2025–26

We’ve begun our fall iReady assessments for reading and math, which help us monitor progress throughout the year alongside classroom data, ISASP, and ELPA21.

🎯 Staying the Course: Our 2025–26 School Goals

🟦 Goal #1: Strengthening Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
We continue to center our work around Character Strong and restorative practices. Our daily routines—including morning meetings and doorway greetings—help establish meaningful caring connections between students and adults.

This fall, we launched our Buddy Room classroom connections, where upper-grade Eagles (3rd–5th) take on leadership roles by mentoring and modeling SOAR expectations for our younger K–2 students. These relationships support a culture of kindness, accountability, and mutual respect across grade levels.

🟥 Goal #2: Advancing Reading Proficiency
With a strong foundation in the Science of Reading, we are committed to continue implementing Benchmark Advance with fidelity. This includes whole and small-group instruction and data-based decision-making using tiered classroom-based materials and tools throughout our 120 minutes of literacy.

🧮 iReady Benchmark Data – Fall 2025

• Reading: 20% of students at grade level

• Math: 11% of students at grade level
• 2025–26 Goal: Surpass Spring 2025 Results

• Reading (Spring 2025): 55% at grade level

• Math (Spring 2025): 50% at grade level
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We are striving to exceed these targets by May 2026 through intentional instruction, teacher team collaboration using student data, student ownership of learning, and continued support from our families.

🧡 Orange & Black Homecoming Spirit

To close out September, our school celebrated Homecoming Week with East High 100th year School pride! Our halls were filled with orange and black, and students enjoyed sharing the excitement of this long-standing tradition. Thank you for helping your child participate in the fun!

🎃 PTA Fall Events & Family Involvement

Thank you to all families who joined us for our September PTA meeting! Stay tuned for more ways to support and volunteer with PTA this fall. You can like and follow the Morningside Elementary

PTA Facebook page for the latest updates and sign-up links.

Here are the key PTA dates for 2025–26:

• Fall Harvest Fest: October 23

• Glow Dance: February 6

• 5th Grade Party: May 28

• Spring Carnival: May 22 (5:00–7:00 PM)
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🌟 Nominate a Staff Member of the Month!

Have a teacher or staff member who’s made a difference for your child or family? Let us know!

Submit a nomination through our Staff Member of the Month form here:
📋 Staff Nomination Form – Click to Submit

Your kind words matter and help us recognize the daily impact of our incredible Eagle staff.

📞 Stay Connected

If you have questions or need support at any point during the year, please don’t hesitate to reach out:

📬 Call the main office at 712-274-4048
📲 Stay updated via Talking Points, newsletters, and our school website
📧 Connect directly with your child’s teacher to partner in their progress

Thank you for helping us create a school where students feel safe, supported, and ready to soar each day.

With gratitude,

Kim Krotz
Principal, Morningside STEM Elementary
Sioux City Community School District

Save the Date: Calendar Reminder

Thursday, October 9th - Redwheel Fundraiser Delivery (Pick-up 3:30pm-6:00pm @ Morningside Elementary)

Thursday, October 23rd - Harvest Festival (5:00pm-6:30pm @ Morningside Elementary)

Friday, October 24th - End of First Quarter

Tuesday, October 28th - Parent/Teacher Conferences (3:40pm-8:00pm @ Morningside Elementary); Food Pantry (3:00pm-5:00pm @ 2032 S. Cypress St.)

Thursday, October 28th - Scholastic Book Fair in the Library from 3:45 - 7:30 pm

Thursday, October 30th - No School (Parent/Teacher Conferences 8:00am-6:00pm @ Morningside Elementary)

Thursday, October 30th - Scholastic Book Fair in the Library from 8:00 am - 3:30 pm.

Friday, October 31st - No School (Exchange Day)

Tuesday, November 4th - No School (Staff Professional Development

Don't forget to sign up for conferences at https://www.myconferencetime.com/morningside/

Fall Conferences – No School Days

Parent/teacher conferences will be held on Tuesday, October 28, and Thursday, October 30. There will be no school for students on Thursday, October 30 and Friday, October 31. Thank you for partnering with us in your child's education.

The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to Morningside STEM Elementary during Fall Conferences. Visit the fair October 28th (3:45-7:30pm) and/or October 30th (8:00am-3:30pm) Students will receive preview information the week prior. Please check out our school’s book fair website https://www.scholastic.com/bf/morningsidestemelemsch

At the time of the fair, you can also use the book fair website to purchase books online if you cannot attend the book fair in person. Profits earned from the book fair go towards funding more books for our library as well as library activities for students! We hope to see you during conference time!

Studies show a strong connection between eating breakfast and improved academic performance. To support a healthy learning environment, our school provides breakfast daily in addition to lunch. Breakfast is served at our building from 8 am- 8:30 am.

The Girls of 68 have conducted a Story Writing Contest for 13 years. Last year’s winner was one of our Morningside Eagles, Brea Doyle. She was honored at their June meeting and she received her award with her teacher, Ms. Gilreath at her side. WAY TO GO BREA!!

1. Payton-I like going to the Library.

2. Jonah-I like doing I-Ready math.

3. Ternalyn-I like doing I-Ready Reading.

4. Angelina-I like PE with Mr.Dunham

5. Colt-I like going to music and PE.

6. Kimperly-I like playing outside.

7. Florence-I like to go to music.

8. Gemma-I like playing outside and going to art.

9. Elijah-I like going outside for recess.

10. Rebecca-I like to go to art.

11. Jaxtyn-I like to see my friends.

12. Amelia-I like playing with my friends.

13. William-I like to play with my girlfriend at school.

14. Angel-I like playing outside for recess.

15. Ezeikiel (Zeke)-I like to go to art and PE.

16. Gerardo-I like to go to PE and art.

17. Forest-I like going to recess and PE.

18. Paisley-I like playing with Jaxtyn outside at recess.

The District is committed to providing all students with a safe learning environment in which everyone is treated with dignity and respect. The District’s Anti-Bullying, Harassment, and Hazing policy defines bullying and harassment as well as the procedures for reporting and investigating bullying or harassment complaints.

If your student feels they are being bullied or harassed, encourage your student to visit with the student involved and tell them to stop. They should also tell a teacher, principal, or trusted adult at their school. An online discrimination, bullying, harassment, and hazing complaint form is also available on the District’s website and may be completed by the student, parent, or school employee.

Jack- playing

Huxley- recess

Savannah- eating lunch and going to recess

Aroaz- going to library and going to the gym

Cora- recess

Nebi- working on i-Ready math

Amira- math games

Analayah- playing outside and eating lunch

Dylan- eating pizza

Ivy- listening to the ABC song

Anthony- playing outside

Dax- learning

Elena- math and eating lunch

Seth- working on the i-pad

Dalilah- lunch and recess

Jason- writing and drawing letters and numbers

Klay- playing

Lamek- recess

Elementary Mental Health

Everyone feels sad, mad or worried sometimes. While it may be hard to let others know how you are feeling, you may show it in how you think, feel, or act. You may

· Eat less or more

· Argue more

· Cry easily

· Feel bored with things you like

· Have a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep

· Want to be alone a lot

· Act before thinking

· Have less energy

· Feel nervous/stressed

When you feel this way, you may want to do something to help you feel better, such as

· Write a story

· Play outside

· Do a puzzle

· Smile or laugh

· Ride a bike

· Draw or paint

If this does not help, talk with a parent or grown up! They should be able to help. https://www.gizmo4mentalhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/GizmoPawesome.pdf

Eagle Families,

Several times a month our staff wear our SOAR shirts to encourage...

S-Safe

O-On task

A-Act Responsibly

R-Respectful

We welcome you to purchase SOAR with merchandise for yourself, or your child. We have many different options to show your support for our Morningside STEM SOAR efforts. Here is the link to check it out. https://morningsidestem-store.1rti.com/, or click on the picture.

• Purchase ships directly to you
• Open all year long
• CHECK OUT THE NEW COLORS

Parent volunteers are needed to join the District’s Grassroots Advocacy Committee. As a volunteer, you will receive email updates about important legislative events that could impact public education and be asked to contact our legislators to advocate for our schools. Tips are provided to help volunteers connect with legislators. Volunteer today and let your voice be heard! Contact Communications@live.siouxcityschools.com to volunteer.