Early this morning, January 25, there was a fire at The Broken Spoke and Alley Bowl. Alley Bowl is the business of our bowling coach, Coach Jeff Giza. Because the fire occurred in the early morning hours, we are thankful to report that no one was injured. Unfortunately, much of the bowling team athlete’s equipment was lost in the fire.
Our thoughts are with Coach Giza and his family during this time, as well as our bowling teams. Both our girls and boys bowling teams have had an incredible season, and we are extremely proud of their hard work, resilience, and dedication. As our girls’ bowling team prepares to head to Districts next week, we wish both teams the very best and know they will continue to represent Clarke with pride. We are currently working with Coach Giza and Coach Wisniewski on a plan to support the teams.
At this time, the state is working to secure a new location for the district bowling competition. More information will be shared as it becomes available.
Upcoming Activities:
-Senior Night will still take place within the team tomorrow evening. More details will be shared through BAND.
-Bowling seniors will also be honored at the home basketball game on February 3rd.
-Tomorrow’s bowling meet with Creston has been canceled.
-Thursday’s meet is still scheduled to take place at this time in Mt. Ayr.
We appreciate the continued support of our community and will share updates if plans change. Please keep Coach Giza, his family, and our bowling teams in your thoughts and well-wishes.
Our thoughts are with Coach Giza and his family during this time, as well as our bowling teams. Both our girls and boys bowling teams have had an incredible season, and we are extremely proud of their hard work, resilience, and dedication. As our girls’ bowling team prepares to head to Districts next week, we wish both teams the very best and know they will continue to represent Clarke with pride. We are currently working with Coach Giza and Coach Wisniewski on a plan to support the teams.
At this time, the state is working to secure a new location for the district bowling competition. More information will be shared as it becomes available.
Upcoming Activities:
-Senior Night will still take place within the team tomorrow evening. More details will be shared through BAND.
-Bowling seniors will also be honored at the home basketball game on February 3rd.
-Tomorrow’s bowling meet with Creston has been canceled.
-Thursday’s meet is still scheduled to take place at this time in Mt. Ayr.
We appreciate the continued support of our community and will share updates if plans change. Please keep Coach Giza, his family, and our bowling teams in your thoughts and well-wishes.
Clarke Community School District is canceling classes for Friday, January 23rd.
Activities Update:
-To align with the South Central Conference, varsity girls basketball will begin at 6:00pm, with boys varsity to follow.
-The CCOPS event will run as scheduled on Saturday.
-Boys & Girls Wrestling will compete as scheduled.
-Speech competition will have a 2-hour delay.
Activities Update:
-To align with the South Central Conference, varsity girls basketball will begin at 6:00pm, with boys varsity to follow.
-The CCOPS event will run as scheduled on Saturday.
-Boys & Girls Wrestling will compete as scheduled.
-Speech competition will have a 2-hour delay.
Reminder: Tonight at 5:30 PM is the Community Forum regarding a 4-day school week. Doors will open at 5:00 PM. We will begin in the auditorium, then break into small groups for discussion.
A follow-up summary and survey will be emailed on Friday, January 23. All students, guardians, and staff are encouraged to complete the survey. If your email address has changed, please contact the school office to ensure it is updated in Infinite Campus.
A follow-up summary and survey will be emailed on Friday, January 23. All students, guardians, and staff are encouraged to complete the survey. If your email address has changed, please contact the school office to ensure it is updated in Infinite Campus.
We are happy to report that the sewer issue has been resolved and all systems are functioning properly. After a full day of troubleshooting and deep cleaning, the building is ready to welcome students and staff back. Thank you to our hardworking custodians! We will see you at school tomorrow!
Due to a sewer line break that occurred today at the Middle School/High School, Clarke Community School District will be closed on Tuesday, January 20 to allow additional time for repairs and thorough cleaning to ensure the building is fully ready for students and staff to return. The safety and well-being of our school community remains our top priority.
The Clarke Schools Food Pantry will remain open from 4:00–5:00 PM.
We appreciate your patience and understanding and will continue to share updates as more information becomes available.
The Clarke Schools Food Pantry will remain open from 4:00–5:00 PM.
We appreciate your patience and understanding and will continue to share updates as more information becomes available.
❄️ Warm Up Your Winter at Clarke Elementary! ❄️
Beat the wintertime blues and join us for a fun, family-friendly evening on Thursday, January 22nd at 5:30 PM in the Clarke Elementary Cafeteria!
✨ What’s happening?
FREE Chili Dinner 🥣
Tips to Beat the Wintertime Blues 💙
Helpful Resources for Families
Special fun with the Blank Park Zoo! 🦁🐍
Come enjoy great food, great information, and a great time together. We’d love to see you there!
Beat the wintertime blues and join us for a fun, family-friendly evening on Thursday, January 22nd at 5:30 PM in the Clarke Elementary Cafeteria!
✨ What’s happening?
FREE Chili Dinner 🥣
Tips to Beat the Wintertime Blues 💙
Helpful Resources for Families
Special fun with the Blank Park Zoo! 🦁🐍
Come enjoy great food, great information, and a great time together. We’d love to see you there!
Please join us for an open community discussion on Wednesday, January 21, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM in the HS Auditorium, focusing on the possibility of a 4-day school week. This will be an opportunity to learn more, ask questions, and be part of an important conversation about our schools.
All community members, parents, guardians, staff, and students are welcome to attend. Your voice matters, and we look forward to a thoughtful discussion.
Clarke CSD is incredibly grateful to the Clarke Area Arts Council for sponsoring another year of Artist in the School. This year, we were thrilled to welcome musician Joey Gulizia, who spent today working with the MS/HS choirs and bands!
Today, students enjoyed fun, new instruments, participating in engaging exercises, and learning from Joey’s creativity and energy. And the excitement continues—tomorrow Joey will be working with our 3rd–5th grade students at the elementary! What a fantastic opportunity to inspire a love of music across all grade levels!
Today, students enjoyed fun, new instruments, participating in engaging exercises, and learning from Joey’s creativity and energy. And the excitement continues—tomorrow Joey will be working with our 3rd–5th grade students at the elementary! What a fantastic opportunity to inspire a love of music across all grade levels!
Reminder: PTCO (Parent Teacher Community Organization) meeting tonight (Monday 1/12) from 4:00-5:00pm in the Central Administration Office. Everyone is welcome!
Due to a scheduling conflict, the SIAC (School Improvement Advisory Committee) meeting has been postponed until Wednesday, January 21st, at 5:30 PM in the High School Commons.
We’re BACK, and it feels so good!
Classrooms are once again buzzing with learning, hallways are filled with smiles, and friendships are shining bright. It’s an exciting start to 2026, and we can’t wait to see all the growth, memories, and special moments ahead—here’s to a great 2026!
January 2026 Menu
A friendly reminder that Clarke CSD partners with Hazel Health to provide FREE mental health services for our students. 💙
Winter break is here, and we know this time of year can bring a mix of excitement, stress, and big emotions. This year, Hazel Health will be available for at-home virtual visits throughout winter break, Monday–Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (local time).
Whether your child is feeling overwhelmed, experiencing anxiety, struggling with heavy emotions, or simply having a hard time navigating the holiday season and time away from school, support is just a click away. Hazel Health’s licensed professionals are here to help support your child through the new year and beyond.
✨ These services are completely FREE for Clarke students.
📅 Easy scheduling for families
💻 Care from the comfort of home
You can schedule your first visit anytime by visiting getstarted.hazel.co.
At Clarke, we care about the whole child—academically, emotionally, and mentally. Please don’t hesitate to take advantage of this valuable resource.
Winter break is here, and we know this time of year can bring a mix of excitement, stress, and big emotions. This year, Hazel Health will be available for at-home virtual visits throughout winter break, Monday–Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (local time).
Whether your child is feeling overwhelmed, experiencing anxiety, struggling with heavy emotions, or simply having a hard time navigating the holiday season and time away from school, support is just a click away. Hazel Health’s licensed professionals are here to help support your child through the new year and beyond.
✨ These services are completely FREE for Clarke students.
📅 Easy scheduling for families
💻 Care from the comfort of home
You can schedule your first visit anytime by visiting getstarted.hazel.co.
At Clarke, we care about the whole child—academically, emotionally, and mentally. Please don’t hesitate to take advantage of this valuable resource.
Sweet learning is happening in first grade! 🍪🧱
Students in Ms. Weber and Mrs. Perez’s first grade dual language classes were busy at learning stations before break! From gingerbread men to creating animal habitats students were engaged and having a great time!
Hands-on, creative, and fun—what a great way to learn and grow together!
Students in Ms. Weber and Mrs. Perez’s first grade dual language classes were busy at learning stations before break! From gingerbread men to creating animal habitats students were engaged and having a great time!
Hands-on, creative, and fun—what a great way to learn and grow together!
Clarke IJAG officers have been busy building big ideas! 💡👏
Jocelyn Carrera-Regalado, Cesar Cisneros-Ambriz, Jaycee Shannon, Gisell Salinas, Gio Torres, Allyzon Galindo, and Charli Bassett attended the DesignDash Entrepreneurship Workshop at DMACC, hosted by the University of Iowa’s Jacobsen Institute.
They collaborated with students from other schools to identify real-world problems, develop creative solutions, and design prototypes to present to their peers. What an awesome experience in teamwork, innovation, and leadership!
Jocelyn Carrera-Regalado, Cesar Cisneros-Ambriz, Jaycee Shannon, Gisell Salinas, Gio Torres, Allyzon Galindo, and Charli Bassett attended the DesignDash Entrepreneurship Workshop at DMACC, hosted by the University of Iowa’s Jacobsen Institute.
They collaborated with students from other schools to identify real-world problems, develop creative solutions, and design prototypes to present to their peers. What an awesome experience in teamwork, innovation, and leadership!
Happy Winter Break! Wishing you and yours a safe and relaxing break! Classes will resume on Monday, January 5.
Reminder: Tomorrow, Thursday, December 18 is a 2-hour early out for Winter Break! Classes will resume on Monday, January 5.
In Mrs. Wright’s 8th grade Science class, students have been learning how forces can act at a distance. Yesterday, they explored how electric currents can flow in one direction—and then switch directions—to make LED lights change colors. A bright example of science in action!
Clarke CSD buses will run on hard surfaces only tomorrow, Monday, December 15, 2025, in both the morning and afternoon.
Los autobuses del Distrito Escolar de Clarke (Clarke CSD) recorrerán únicamente superficies duras mañana, lunes 15 de diciembre de 2025, tanto por la mañana como por la tarde.
Los autobuses del Distrito Escolar de Clarke (Clarke CSD) recorrerán únicamente superficies duras mañana, lunes 15 de diciembre de 2025, tanto por la mañana como por la tarde.
Please see the following link for a letter from Dr. DeVore: https://bit.ly/48EC7rm