Serving the Iowa Communities of:

Atkins ~ Blairstown ~ Elberon ~ Keystone

Newhall ~ Norway ~ Van Horne ~ Watkins www.benton.k12.ia.us

“A Place to Belong"

“Quality Education for a Lifetime of Learning"

2

Mission

Benton Community Schools

“Quality Education for a Lifetime of Learning"

3

Welcome Welcome from Gary Zittergruen, Superintendent:

The Benton Community School District provides outstanding

opportunities for its 1450 students. From a caring, committed

professional staff of teachers and administrators to excellent and

safe learning facilities, from the fine arts to athletics, Benton

Community provides an environment where children feel they

belong.

The great success of our students is directly related to the quality

of the teachers and support staff at Benton. Our employees take

pride in their commitment to quality education. They just don’t

teach, but they are actively involved in the development of each

student. They are also involved in developing their own

professional skills.

Also important to student success is the dedication and

commitment of the Board of Education, parents, patrons, and

every individual who plays an integral role in the growth and

development of the school community’s young people. Their

contributions ensure that Benton Community is a place to grow

and learn. The goal of the school district is to make sure students

are college and career ready as they graduate and shape them in

their important role as outstanding citizens.

The most important factor that helps make Benton Community

successful is the expectation that students do their best and that

the school community does its best to help them. That cooperation

creates an environment where everyone can succeed because of

common aspirations and goals. Benton Community believes and

practices its mission – to provide a “quality education for a lifetime

of learning”. The core values of educational excellence, a caring

environment, continuous growth, and team work provide the

framework and support for our important work.

Benton Community is a place to enjoy! It’s a place that lets you

get involved in things that really matter – the education of our children, the development of the community, and the quality of

life. Perhaps the best way to find out about Benton Community is

to talk to the people who live here. The reasons that brought them

here and the reasons they stay show why Benton Community is a

“place to belong”.

4

District Info District Communities:

Atkins, Blairstown, Elberon, Keystone, Newhall, Norway,

Van Horne and Watkins

District Education Facilities (2015-2016 School Year):

Atkins Elementary PK-3

Keystone Elementary PK-3

Norway Elementary 4-6

Middle/High School 7-12

Elementary Class Size Average:

19.5 students per teacher

Enrollment/Staffing:

1,420 Students

114 Teachers/9 Administrators

District Size:

330 square miles encompassing most of of southern Benton

County and portions of Iowa and Tama County

5

District Info Financial Information:

District Property Valuation for FY2018 $602,917,124

District Total Property Tax Rate 12.18

State Average Property Tax Rate 13.83

Income Surtax Rate 4%

District Professional Development:

The Benton CSD was one of 39 school districts in the State of Iowa

implementing the Teacher Leadership System in 2014-2015.

Collaborative Learning Teams are part of the culture of

professional development creating a professional learning

community.

The District is participating in the Literacy Project sponsored

through the Iowa Department of Education.

The District is implementing PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention

Support) training throughout the school system.

The District is working on the integration of the Common Core

related to curriculum, instruction and assessment.

Teachers are being trained at all levels on technology integration

including 1:1 implementation at the 7-12 level.

Benton Community is participating in the Eastern Iowa Compact

initiative focused on innovation in a student and learner centered

school environment.

Summary of Full-Time Certified Staff: Percentage:

BA Level 35.4 31.4

BA +12 Level 8.5 7.5

BA +24 Level 7 6.2

MA Level 35.8 31.8

MA +15 Level 13 11.5

MA +30 Level 5 4.4 MA +45 Level 8 7.1

55% of the professional teaching staff have a Master’s Degree

or above

Home of the Bobcats

6

District Technology Benton Community uses technology in a variety of ways to support an

innovative and engaging educational program. Teachers, at all grade

levels, consistently use technology as a tool to enhance classroom

instruction and engage students in the learning process. Our District is

committed to providing the resources necessary for staff and students

to be competitive in the 21st Century. Whether it’s a firstt grader

learning basic math or a senior creating a project for our 3d printer,

Benton Community will strive to find and utilize the appropriate tools

to enrich these and other activities.

We envision a district with administrators, staff, and students using

technology daily in a one to one environment. Currently all middle

school and high school students have an iPAD and use it to complete

assignments, collaborate on projects, and gather and process

information in a variety of ways. Also, plans are in the works to

provide an appropriate 1:1 device to elementary students in the near

future. Increased student engagement, added relevancy of the

subject matter, and the development of skills that will be needed once

these students are in the real world remain the focus of this 1:1

program.

7

Facility Improvement Summer of 2007 - The major infrastructure projects included the construction of the fitness center & access road at the MS/HS, the installation of an elevator and other work at the Norway Center, a new parking lot addition at the MS/HS and major kitchen

improvements at the Atkins and Norway Centers.

Summer of 2008 - The major infrastructure projects included the construction of a district storage building, expansion of the VH Center, remodeling of Central Office, and air-conditioning the Atkins and Keystone Centers.

Atkins Center Project Competed in Fall of 2009 - A $6.675 million dollar sales tax and revenue bond

resolution paved the way for an early childhood, six classroom addition and remodeling of the existing classrooms throughout the entire building. A new entrance wing was added to the front of the building including a new, expanded

media center, computer lab, and office complex.

Keystone Center Project Completed in 2009-2010 – This renovation project included a classroom, computer lab, and staff work room addition to the building.

Summer of 2010 - At the Norway Center, the District installed air conditioning units and replaced windows in areas of the building completing a commitment to have all of our buildings air conditioned.

Stadium, Fine Arts Wing, and Gym Renovation Project Completed in Fall of 2012 – This renovation project includes a new eight lane track, synthetic turf field, new lighting and new bleachers. The auditorium had new seating, lighting, and sound system installed. It also includes a renovation of the fine arts wing and new

bleachers in the gymnasium. This project

does not increase property taxes for patrons of the Benton Community School District.

The district has spent approximately $5.5 million dollars in PPEL projects during the past ten years. In all, the District has committed over $20 million dollars in infrastructure

improvements in the past 14 years. Benton Community will continue to rely on the sales tax revenues from the State Penny program to continue planning and improving school facilities and learning environments.

8

BC Teacher Leadership During the 2014-15 Benton Community School District was one

of 39 districts approved in the state to participate in the state’s

first teacher-leadership (TLC) program through a $50 million

legislative appropriation. The vision for teacher leadership at

Benton Community is to:

Foster a culture of collaboration, shared accountability

and continuous improvement among adults.

Developing a greater capacity and commitment to

differentiate instruction to meet students’ needs.

The program gives teachers a new career path opportunity in

which they coach their peers to improve instruction. TLC allows

teachers to work in greater collaboration with colleagues and

learn from each other instead of operating largely in isolation in

their classrooms. The underpinning concept of the legislation is

that when students engage with great teachers, their education

improves.

#BCTLT works with administration to help teachers learn more

by better meeting their individual and system collective needs.

With higher expectations for students, it’s no longer realistic for

one principal to provide all the instructional leadership in a

school. Teacher and principal leadership teams can support the

more complex work required to prepare students for a

knowledge-based economy.

Six Benton Community teachers moved into full-time positions

during the 2014-15 school year. Two of these positions are a

hybrid of curriculum and professional development leadership

as well as instructional coaching. The other four positions are

full-time instructional coaches within the district. Twenty-one

classroom

teachers were chosen as model teachers. These positions remain in the classroom full-time, as well work with beginning and career teachers to model effective teaching

strategies or lend advice in extending learning of a

concept in conjunction with Instructional Coaches.

9

BC Teacher Leadership Below are a few comments teachers who has been

involved in a coaching cycle are reporting,

“It has allowed me to look at my teaching and go a

little deeper in my instruction. This has been impacted my work with students. When working with an IC, they collaborate with us and listen to

our ideas and make suggestions from those

conversations.”

“I have timely feedback about my teaching as well as time to reflect on how I feel things are going. I

have found the types of questions asked to be really beneficial in getting me to reflect deeply on not only things I feel need improved, but also the

things which are going well.”

“Having another set of eyes to see my classes when I’m struggling or maybe not seeing the same perspective as someone else has been instrumental

in creating a student-centered classroom.”

10

Atkins Elementary Welcome to Atkins Elementary. We are located on the eastern side of the Benton Community School District in

Atkins, Iowa. Our school serves the communities of

Atkins, Newhall, and Norway and surrounding areas.

My name is Jason West and I am proud to be serving as principal of Atkins Elementary as well as a resident and

member of the Bobcat Community. We continue to have had great support for our District, Board and our

PTA. Our building has had many new updates over the last few years including an Early Childhood addition which includes Preschool and Kindergarten classrooms, a new

media area, and updates throughout all of our classrooms. We have continued to update our curriculum

and use of technology in all of our classrooms. Computer labs, mobile labs, IPADs, and Interactive Boards will continue to enhance our student’s academic experience.

Our district also focuses on PBIS which includes being

RESPECTFUL, RESPONSIBLE, CARING, and SAFE Bobcats.

Our staff is very dedicated to ensuring success for your children both academically and socially. We serve nearly

300 students in Preschool through 3rd grade. Please feel free to contact us with any questions regarding our Atkins

facility.

Sincerely,

Jason West, Atkins Elementary Principal

11

Atkins Elementary

12

Keystone Elementary Welcome to Keystone Elementary

The staff and I want to welcome you to Keystone Elementary

located on the western side of the Benton Community School

District. We are committed to providing a high quality education

for our students in grades Preschool – 3rd grade. Your child will

receive an academically rigorous curriculum in all core areas along

with an emphasis on technology and 21st century skills. We also

believe in developing the whole child to be productive citizens

and we strive to model the beliefs of our Mission

Statement: Quality Education for a Lifetime of Learning.

Keystone Elementary is A Place to Belong.

Our teachers and staff are dedicated to the partnership we share

with our families and community. Parents and community are

encouraged to get involved in our school activities and our

wonderful Parent Teacher Organization, PTO. It is my belief that

strong parental and community involvement, in conjunction with

dedicated teachers and staff, will result in successful students.

Our teaching staff holds high expectations for the academic

success of each child. We provide lessons aligned to the Common

Core in Math, Literacy, and Science. We also provide extensive

work in the areas of Social Studies, Language Arts, Writing, and

Technology. We have an exemplary program in the areas of

Guidance, Art, Music, and Physical Education. I invite you to

explore our website to learn more about our instructional programs

at Keystone Elementary.

The faculty and staff at Keystone Elementary are proud of our

school and our accomplishments. We are committed to creating an

environment where students feel welcome, appreciated, and

challenged to do their best each day. We are excited about the

unlimited possibilities that we have here for our students at

Keystone Elementary. Thank you for your support of our efforts. I

look forward to working together with you in the education of your

children.

Sincerely,

Ryan Junge, Keystone Principal

13

Keystone Elementary

14

Norway Elementary Welcome to Norway Elementary

The Norway Elementary Center is the largest of the Benton Community School’s elementary buildings and is located on the southeast side of the district. We currently educate and challenge the district’s 4th-6th grade students. We offer our students a vast variety of curricular components that concentrate highly on balanced literacy, math,

science and writing. Norway Elementary has a strong vocal music and band program to help create well-rounded citizens. Technology is also an important component, and we are well on our way to preparing students for the 21st Century.

At Norway we have a student-friendly mission statement: “Norway Students care about being safe, responsible, respectful, and have fun

while learning.” This is the heart of our Positive Behavior Support program implemented building-wide in our district. Character is a dominant theme that permeates the Norway building. At Norway Elementary, children come first, and our dedicated staff works diligently to make sure all students are successful. We accomplish this through staff Data Teams, Differentiation, Child Study Teams, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support and Collaborative Learning Teams.

Norway Center Information

Norway strives to meet the needs of all learners. The following is a list of a variety of opportunities we offer to support learner differences. We are always seeking new and innovative programs that are research-based programs.

STEM Classroom ELL (English Language Learners) TAG (Talented and Gifted) Technology Integration Differentiation MTSS

Benchmark Literacy

Envisions Math Special Education Title I Reading and Math PBIS (Building Wide Positive Behavior Supports) PTO (Parent-Teacher Organization)

Most sincerely, Rob Arnold, Norway Center Principal

15

Norway Elementary

16

Middle School Welcome to Benton Community Middle School.

A 1 to 1 school with iPads.

The focus of the 1:1 iPad program at Benton Community Middle

School (BCMS) is to provide necessary tools and resources for a

progressive learning environment, characterized by flexibility,

collaboration, personalization, creativity, and a technology-rich

learning. At BCMS, technology will be integrated throughout the

educational program in a seamless and timely fashion. The 1:1

iPad setting empowers students and teachers to use technology

much like the work world, accessing and using purposeful

technology-based tools anytime a task calls for them.

Learning at BCMS is a continuous dynamic interaction among

students, educators, parents, and the extended community.

Implementation of a 1:1 iPad initiative enables anywhere, anytime

learning that is no longer limited by the four walls of a classroom

or building. Purposeful technology integration liberates teachers

from being deliverers of content and, instead, allows them to be

facilitators of deep, individualized learning for all students.

Our Middle School Staff is dedicated to providing a trusting

environment in which students will feel physically and emotionally

safe, as well as be afforded the opportunity to learn in many

different situations. If you have any questions regarding the Middle

School, please contact the school. We look forward to helping your

child learn and grow.

Sincerely,

Kal Goodchild, Middle School Principal

17

Middle School

18

High School Welcome to Benton Community High School!

Benton Community High School is a comprehensive high school of

approximately 500 students with a building staff of almost 70

individuals dedicated to creating the best learning environment

possible for our students.

Our faculty and staff are committed to providing students with a

rigorous and relevant curriculum in student centered, 1 to 1 (iPad)

classrooms. Our teachers are highly qualified professionals who

guide student understanding and assess the learning that

progresses while accommodating for student differences.

Academic areas include a broad range of courses that prepare

students for post-secondary goals while creating interest in career

fields. Students at Benton Community experience these courses in

a block schedule where instruction facilitates deep conceptual and

procedural knowledge. Benton students attain more college credits

in high school than most of the schools in our region. Most of

these college credit courses are taught on site by our teachers.

Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities are plentiful at Benton

Community High School. We believe these activities are an

extension of the classroom and provide valuable life lessons and

learning for students. These activities build positive leaders and

allow students to get involved and meet new people.

We are very proud of our students and school yet continue to

strive for academic excellence. It is our belief that working with

parents and community members in partnership will create a

learning environment that is stimulating, rigorous, and supportive.

Please see for yourself why Benton Community High School is

considered a great place to learn and grow. If you have any

questions please feel free to contact me at: (319) 228-8701, ext.

350.

Sincerely,

James Bieschke, Principal

19

High School

20

High School Academic Opportunities

In addition to core courses in Language Arts, Math, Science, Social

Studies, Benton Community offers many educational opportunities:

Upper Level Core Courses

Physics; Calculus; Chemistry

Art

Drawing; Painting; Photography

Career & Tech Education

Agriculture; Business & Technology;

Family & Consumer Science; Industrial Technology;

Foreign Language

Spanish

Vocal & Instrumental Music

Concert Choir; Concert Band

Concurrent College Credit Courses taught at Benton

Course Name Department

Digital Imaging Art

Intro to Computers Business and Technology

Fundamentals of Web Programming Business and Technology

Introduction to Engineering Design Engineering

Principles of Engineering Engineering

Digital Electronics Engineering

Biotechnical Engineering Engineering

Civil Engineering Engineering

Composition I English

Composition II English

Fundamentals of Oral Communication English

Intermediate Spanish I World Language (Spanish)

Intermediate Spanish II World Language (Spanish)

Metal Fabrication Academy Kirkwood

Auto Technology Kirkwood

Health Science Academy Kirkwood

Intro to Psychology Kirkwood

Developmental Psychology Kirkwood

Intro to Sociology Kirkwood

Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) college courses are

also available for qualified high school students.

Internship & Job Shadow Opportunities

TAG & Special Education Programs also available to students

21

High School Extra-Curricular Activities

Athletics

Baseball Basketball Cheerleading Cross Country

Dance Team Football Golf Soccer

Softball Track & Field

Volleyball

Wrestling

Activities

Art Club FCCLA FFA Foreign Language Club

Journalism/Yearbook National Honor Society Robotics

Student Council

Fine Arts

Jazz Band

Marching Band/Flags Pep Band Chamber Choir Concert Choir Show Choirs Plays/Musicals Speech

Home of the Bobcats

22

Benton Community

23

A Place to Belong

24

Benton Community School District 304 First Street

Van Horne, Iowa 52346 Phone: (319) 228-8701

Fax: (319) 228-8254

Website: www.benton.k12.ia.us