Points of Pride: Eagle Grove

Scott Jeske, grades 5-8 principal

Welcome to Eagle Grove Middle School where CIA (Character In Action) is evident in grades 5-8.  Both 7th and 8th grade students can apply to be a member of the CIA, and attend a training at Hidden Acres.  Students decide the topics they want to teach other students about, and the training provides them with resources to make their lessons come alive.  At the retreat they create their lessons and practice teaching, so they are ready to present to their lessons later in the year.  The Robert Blue Middle School earned the 2015 Iowa School of Character Award.  One belief emphasized in Robert Blue Middle School is that good decision making leads to opportunity, freedom, and respect.  Both Character Counts and PBIS (Positive Behaviors and Intervention System) are programs implemented in this school.  Robert Blue MS is a Banner Plus School with the PBIS network.

DISTRICT DEMOGRAPHICS:
Enrollment is over 800 and Free & Reduced lunch rate is 54%.

DISTRICT MISSION:
The Eagle Grove Community School District, in partnership with the community, will promote in all students the knowledge and skills necessary to become independent thinkers, lifelong learners, and responsible productive citizens.


Robert Blue Middle School is a 1-to-1 school with Chromebooks, two additional Mac labs, and using technology to make lessons better and more authentic.  The school offers computerized modules in a synergistic lab.  Other pods include laser, robotics, computer graphics, and animation, all courses available over their three years at middle school to expand their 21st Century learning.

Principal Jeske participated in a Project Power UP grant through William Penn which provided training on working with English Language learners and their families.  In the past several years they have had a large influx of Hispanics but have worked hard to provide a welcoming atmosphere to this culture.  They have partnered with a local church to offer English classes for EL adults.  In May they hold Festival Hispano - a community celebration with traditional Hispanic food and dancing.  Over 500 attended the festival last year. 

In meeting the learning needs of students, the middle school offers Eagle Time which provides both skill building and enrichment activities.  This has resulted in increasing achievement scores.  When working with students on IEPS, all receive core instruction in reading and math.  Second Chance reading strategies and the social studies curriculum is used to develop reading skills.  Pre-teaching of math skills also takes place for students in need.

Principal Jeske and the guidance counselor offer a WHY TRY program (written by Christian Moore).  This program is proactive rather than reactive.  The boys are organized into two different groups especially designed for those with home difficulties and little paternal support.  They meet one time per week and work on decision-making.  Students participating in this program went up 27 NSS points on Iowa Assessments in reading and 19 in math.

Other opportunities at Robert Blue MS include Brain Day where students learn about how the brain works, and this unit is shared with the elementary students.   The Middle School and elementary are connected and share a multi-purpose room which offers opportunities for cross grade mentoring.  Each MS grade has at least one interdisciplinary unit per year where parents are invited in for the culminating activities.  Four nights per week a homework hall is provided for those not doing their work.  Local agency comes into the school to offer counseling one day per week.  Another agency offers free counseling to families.

A special story from Eagle Grove is related to  former student named Aaron Eilerts (1994-2008) who moved to Eagle Grove from Nebraska.  Aaron was always known for doing special acts of kindness for others.  His belief was Others Before Self.  Aaron was killed in the deadly tornado that hit Little Sioux Scout Ranch in 2008.  In his short time of life, he started a culture of service at Eagle Grove including sewing colorful pillow cases and donating them to the hospital for children. Aaron donated close to 400 pillowcases in his lifetime.  He started making kennel sized blankets for animals in the local kennel so animals did not have to lay on cement.  He baked pies and delivered them to families in the neighborhood.  Aaron's' birthday is February 24, and the Eagle Grove recognizes his heart for service by holding every year a day of service and giving on his birthday.  His memory lives on, and the middle school has made over 1000 pillowcases and blankets donated to others.  They live by the concept of "Doing things and expecting nothing in return."