Our school district went through some changes, but for many, there was some confusion surrounding the decisions and why they were made. Some of the changes that students and families saw were the changing of all school mascots, reintegration of 6th grade into the elementary buildings, and the closing of some schools in the process.
After an interview with Joelle McConnaha, the district’s Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, I gained some insight from her perspective.
At the time of these plans being put into action, Joelle was the principal at Mckinley Elementary. As someone in an administrative role she saw how the changes being made impacted staff, students, and their families.
One of the biggest changes that the district saw was the closing of some buildings as what they were before. Some may not understand that it was actually a domino effect that led to some buildings having a shift in what they offered.
Beginning with the closing of Central Middle School, this meant that all students in 7th and 8th grade would be under one roof in what was formerly known as West Middle School. Now known as Susan Clark Junior High. Having this many students in one building meant that Muskies in 6th grade needed to shift back into the elementary schools.
After all of these changes were made preschoolers needed a space as well. Now known as the Muskie Early Learning Center, this led to the closing of Colorado Elementary as it was to create room for a new and beneficial part of Muscatine.
Residents of Muscatine with preschool aged children will see a difference when teachers can come together and offer the best possible learning for young Muskies.
Another change included a shift in mascots within the K-8 buildings. The thought behind everyone becoming a Muskie made the schools more unified. By the time students are in highschool, embracing the Muskie identity is a critical part of student culture, so cultivating this from an early age is important.
The changes put in place were made to unify the students of the Muscatine Community School District. What do you think about them?
