Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day! As we remember one of the 20th century’s great Americans, let’s consider the ways in which Dr. King led by example and inspired multiple generations to work for change.
While some aspects of his dream have been realized, we still have much work to do. How can you make a difference today?
REMINDER: There is NO SCHOOL on Friday, January 13, for a teacher work day.
It’s National Thank You Month! When someone does something kind for you, whether you asked them to or not, it’s important to acknowledge it. A simple “thank you” can brighten someone’s day and inspire further acts of kindness! 🙏
Gannon Wells has taken a diverse array of Career and Technical Classes in high school. He has been active in FFA and gained many experiences in the Building Trades program. This year he is getting a jumpstart on his career. He is working on an internship through Meller Plumbing Inc. Through this internship he is working hands on to learn the trade. He has had the opportunity to work on new construction and remodel, and get a real world look at what the trade entails. #CTEworkforCL
We are excited to induct Morgan Krehbiel to our Fine Arts Hall of Fame this year!
A graduate of the class of 2008, Krehbiel participated in yearbook, art club, community problem solving through the TAG program, marching band, and show band. She is a 2012 graduate of Northwestern University, where she earned a bachelor of arts in art theory and practice, with honors.
Krehbiel has since worked as a designer and art director for numerous publishers and publications. She runs her own design agency, Morgan Krehbiel Creative, from her home in Chicago. She also donates her time and creative resources to help local mutual aid groups organize and provide support for her community.
Please join us in welcoming her to the Fine Arts Hall of Fame!
Kelsey Hammer-Parks has been inducted into our Fine Arts Hall of Fame!
A 2008 graduate, Hammer-Parks was involved in activities that included community problem solving, science fair, basketball, golf, softball, jazz band, and marching band (serving as drum major for three years).
She is now an Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker and video storyteller, with her interest in video production beginning at Central Lee with the support of Deanna Lind Reynolds and Kris Brewer.
Her career highlights as a filmmaker include receiving a Midwest Regional Emmy and the Edward R. Murrow award for a docuseries on the stories of vulnerable Iowans after the devastating derecho storm of 2020.
We’re thrilled to honor this talented filmmaker as part of our Hall of Fame Class of 2021!
We are excited to induct David Roth into our Fine Arts Hall of Fame in 2022!
Roth is a 1969 graduate of Central Lee High School and was involved in the concert and marching bands, playing the tuba. In 1978, he started the Ozone Ramblers band, who entertained loyal fans for four decades.
Roth is also a member of Dusty Calhoun and Dogtown 3. He was an integral member of the DEC Hands for 25 years as a cast member and guitar player, raising thousands for local families in need and providing numerous opportunities for Central Lee students to perform.
Most recently, he created the “To Ukraine from Iowa with Love” live music event, raising over $20,000 to help Ukraine refugees. Roth continues to be an avid supporter of live music in and around Lee County.
Please join us in congratulating him for this well-deserved honor!
Happy holidays to our Central Lee students, staff, families, and community members! We hope you have a fun, restful, and joyous holiday season.
Santa Claus made two visits to students at Central Lee PK-8 this week. He was checking to see if students were being naughty or nice and was pleased with his findings. We hope all families have a wonderful holiday full of joy! Merry Christmas!
The holidays were in full swing this week at Central Lee! A special elf visited our school and checked out several of our learning spaces on Wednesday. No mischief seemed to occur by this elf's visit, but many smiles appeared and joy was heard. A tremendous thank you to Mrs. E Elf for stopping by.
A graduate of the class of 2006, Megan Warneke has been inducted into the Central Lee Athletic Hall of Fame!
Warneke held 19 school athletic records, including 11 in softball and eight in volleyball. Warneke started on varsity softball as an eighth-grade student and earned all-state honors in softball three times. She received both the Bernie Saggau Award and Army Reserve National Scholar Athlete Award in 2006.
Warneke’s career highlights included finishing as a 1,000 point-scorer in basketball, being recognized as academic all-conference between all sports from 2005-2006, and being named to the academic all-state basketball team as a senior.
We are excited to honor Megan Warneke and her many accomplishments!
The Central Lee FFA Officers and a few FFA members laid wreath's on the graves of fallen soldiers at the Keokuk National Cemetery as part of the Wreath's across America Program. The delegation included, Mya Lampe, Kodi Moeller, Jalyn Hawk, Kennedy Wellman, Landon Rudd, Andrew Underwood, Shane Barnhardt, Ostyn Moore, Keating Fuger and Mr. Noah Altenhofen.
Central Lee students unloaded boxes at the Keokuk National Cemetery recently preparing for the annual Wreath's Across America at National cemetery's. Front(L-R) Elaina Lozano, Sarah Martin, Ms. Cynthia Sparrow. back- Emily Barnhardt, Macy Hupp, Grant Anderson, Beau Boyd, and Jonas Adam. REMEMBER our fallen U.S. veterans. HONOR those who serve. TEACH
your children the value of freedom.
Congratulations to our FIRST LEGO League competitors on Saturday! The 8th grade team scored the highest on the robot run of any team in the past 3 years. The 7th graders qualified for the state competition. They did a good job on their research and innovation project about energy conservation at Central Lee.
Rick Schiller is a 2022 inductee into the Central Lee Athletic Hall of Fame!
Schiller had an unmatched athletic career during his time as a student-athlete and was the first person to receive first team honors in three sports (basketball, baseball, and football) in the history of the Blackhawk Conference. He earned first team all-conference in basketball for three years.
Schiller held the scoring record for basketball at Central Lee for 35 years, with 40 percent of his shots made outside of what is now considered the three-point line. He also received all-conference recognition in baseball and football during his time at Central Lee.
We’re honoring this legendary former student-athlete to our Athletic Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2022!
Winter break begins Thursday, December 22! ❄️
We look forward to seeing everyone when school resumes on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. In the meantime, we hope our students and staff have a wonderful break!
We’re thrilled to welcome Lon Spurgin as a 2022 Athletic Hall of Fame inductee!
Spurgin served as a coach at Central Lee for over three decades, coaching girls’ basketball, volleyball, and baseball. Spurgin’s career highlights as the girls’ basketball coach include leading the team to a second-place finish at the state tournament in 2000 and coaching the team in the 1999 All-Star Game. He was recognized for coaching girls’ basketball throughout his career, being named the 3A Coach of the Year in 2000 and Burington Hawkeye Land Coach of the Year in 1985, 1993, 1998, and 2000.
Spurgin also made an impact on the baseball team, leading them to fourth in the state in 1977 and coaching the All-Star Game in 1987. He became a member of the 300-win club and was named district coach of the year in 1987, assistant coach of the year in 1992, conference coach of the year in 2005, and Hawkeye Land Coach of the year in 1997, 1984, and 1985.
Please join us in welcoming him to the Athletic Hall of Fame!
Central Lee Elementary Teachers invite parents to attend HAWKS' Parents SOAR events this January. These events will allow teachers to explain your child’s grade-level learning goals in reading, math, leadership, and technology. Teachers will also provide guidance on how parents can better support their children’s learning efforts at home.
Karissa Moeller has worked hard all through high school. She has been active in many clubs, organizations, and athletics. While being heavily involved outside of the school day, she has maintained great grades and numerous college credits in the health care field. As a junior, Karissa earned her Certified Nurses Assistant certification. Today, she is enrolled in our Work-Based Learning program. Through the WBL program she works as a Patient Care Technician at the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in Fort Madison. #CTEworksforCL
Seventh grade Social Studies classes were studying food insecurity, and decided to help with this issue at a local level. Students presented Shirley Gabel and Kathy Nelson from the Ft. Madison Food Pantry with a check for $1,011.29 from student donated funds.
