Artists called to create likeness of Iowa’s Norman Borlaug

In the December 3^rd Gazette, there was an article entitled, “Artists called to create likeness of Iowa’s Norman Borlaug”.  In March, Iowa lawmakers passed a resolution to honor Dr. Borlaug in the U.S. Capital, where each state is allowed two statues of notable citizens. The article explains that the state’s Dr. Norman E. Borlaug Statue Committee is calling for artists interested in designing, creating and delivering a statue of the “Father for the Green Revolution” to the U.S. Capitol Building’s National Statuary. We are so fortunate to have our elementary named for such an outstanding Iowan!

http://thegazette.com/2011/12/03/artists-called-to-create-likeness-of-iowas-norman-borlaug/

1st Borlaug PTO Meeting

Our 1^st Borlaug PTO Meeting held on Tuesday, November 15, 2011, was filled with great conversation and first steps accomplished in organizing our efforts.  I want to thank our PTO Executive Board and committee chairs for volunteering their time and talents.

·         PTO President – Laura Prince

·         PTO Vice- President – Brigette Ingersoll

·         Treasurer – Jerry Waddilove

·         Secretary – Amy Bayon

·         Playground Chair – Troy Culver

·         Fundraising Co-Chairs– Sheila Baldwin & Erin Jordan

·         Drafting of Borlaug PTO By-laws – Julie Houston

We will have a PTO Executive Board Meeting on December 13^th at 6:00 pm at the Coralville Library in Meeting Room A, and our 2^nd Borlaug PTO Meeting will be on December 13^th at 6:30 pm at the Coralville in Meeting Room A. We plan to discuss further the PTO Mission Statement, PTO by-laws, 501c3, playground, fundraising, PTO wishes for Borlaug, mascot and school colors. 

I look forward to seeing you on December the 13^th!

Mrs. Shoppa

Borlaug Construction Update 11.15.11

Work at Borlaug Elementary School is progressing and currently is on schedule. It is hoped the first layer of roofing will be on within four weeks giving us a huge advantage if it can happen prior to winter weather. Once the first layer of roofing is on, plastic can be put over the window openings and the building will be dry for winter work. They will run temporary heaters to keep the inside work progressing. The exterior brick face will continue under plastic tarps that also is heated to above freezing.

Thinking of Our 1st Borlaug PTO Meeting on 11.15.11

Unity

I dreamed I stood in a studio and watched two sculptors there, the clay they used was a young child’s mind and they fashioned it with care. And when at last their work was done, they were proud of what they had wrought, for the things they had worked into the child could never be sold or bought. 

And each agreed she would have failed if she had worked alone,

 for behind the parent stood the school and behind the teacher stood the home.

-          By Ray A. Lingenfelter

The 1st Borlaug Community Meeting

The 1^st Borlaug Community Meeting held on October 25th, was well attended with approximately 100 people participating.  The meeting included an explanation of the Borlaug architectural plan, a description of the before and after school program and  playground information from Sherri Proud, Coralville’s Director of Parks & Recreation, and information about the Borlaug Preschool from Phyllis Tucker, Iowa City Community School District’s Preschool Coordinator. 

Families completed a survey to gather ideas for our Borlaug mascot and school colors.  If you haven’t already done so, please share your information and ideas with us either by emailing a completed survey to Mrs. Shoppa at shoppa.celeste@iccsd.k12.ia.us or by calling us at 319-688-1155.  The survey can be found on the Borlaug website. The most popular mascot and school color ideas will be selected and will be voted on in the near future by our Borlaug Community.

We are looking forward to gathering again at the Coralville Library on November 15th, at 6:30 pm for our 1^st Borlaug PTO Meeting.  We will begin the evening with the selection of the PTO officers, a discussion about the PTO bylaws, and the organization of the Playground Committee.