Hawks Place has so much to be thankful for this year! We have enjoyed countless adventures, explored new skills, and created meaningful learning experiences for our students. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to all who have supported our program.
Thank you to our incredible guest chefs Kim Ensminger, Teri Bunnell, Kelley Davis, and Dr. Crozier for sharing their time and talent in the kitchen. Thank you to @LeeCountyExtension for providing engaging STEM lessons and hands-on snack activities for our younger students. We are grateful to the @YMCATestKitchen for teaching important kitchen safety skills, and to the @donnellsonstaff for preparing creative and exciting activities for our students each month.
We also extend our appreciation to our guest speakers @connectionbank and @KeokukPublicLibrary, who took the time to talk with our students about their careers and life skills. This includes our partnership with Lee County Economic Development and their “Made in Lee County” initiative!
A special thank-you to @appleberryorchard, @hinterlanddairy, and @BurlingtonBlackWater for welcoming us on our field trips and giving our students such memorable experiences.
We truly could not do what we do without the generous support of our wonderful community. Thank you for helping make Hawks Place a fun, safe, and enriching place for all students! 💛
Thank you to our incredible guest chefs Kim Ensminger, Teri Bunnell, Kelley Davis, and Dr. Crozier for sharing their time and talent in the kitchen. Thank you to @LeeCountyExtension for providing engaging STEM lessons and hands-on snack activities for our younger students. We are grateful to the @YMCATestKitchen for teaching important kitchen safety skills, and to the @donnellsonstaff for preparing creative and exciting activities for our students each month.
We also extend our appreciation to our guest speakers @connectionbank and @KeokukPublicLibrary, who took the time to talk with our students about their careers and life skills. This includes our partnership with Lee County Economic Development and their “Made in Lee County” initiative!
A special thank-you to @appleberryorchard, @hinterlanddairy, and @BurlingtonBlackWater for welcoming us on our field trips and giving our students such memorable experiences.
We truly could not do what we do without the generous support of our wonderful community. Thank you for helping make Hawks Place a fun, safe, and enriching place for all students! 💛
📚🔦 Flashlight Reading Fun in 3rd Grade!
Mrs. Hassman’s class is lighting up their love for reading—literally!
To add some excitement to their Read-to-Self time, students grabbed flashlights and cozied up with their books to earn minutes on Beanstack, our new reading app that helps students in grades 2-4 track their reading time.
Research tells us that the more kids read, the stronger readers they become, and we love how Mrs. Hassman is making reading magical, engaging, and FUN for her students.
Way to Shine Bright & Lead the Way, 3rd Grade!
📖✨🔦
#Proud2bCL #ReadersGrowLeaders #ShineBrightLeadTheWay
Mrs. Hassman’s class is lighting up their love for reading—literally!
To add some excitement to their Read-to-Self time, students grabbed flashlights and cozied up with their books to earn minutes on Beanstack, our new reading app that helps students in grades 2-4 track their reading time.
Research tells us that the more kids read, the stronger readers they become, and we love how Mrs. Hassman is making reading magical, engaging, and FUN for her students.
Way to Shine Bright & Lead the Way, 3rd Grade!
📖✨🔦
#Proud2bCL #ReadersGrowLeaders #ShineBrightLeadTheWay
Please join us in celebrating the induction of the 2000 Girls Basketball Team into the 2025 Athletic Hall of Fame! 🏀
This remarkable team made history with a 25-3 season that led to a trip to the Class 3A state championship game. Along the way, the Lady Hawks captured the Super Conference tournament, sectional, and regional titles—earning widespread respect for their sportsmanship and team spirit.
Their semifinal victory over top-ranked Union of La Porte City remains one of the most unforgettable moments in program history. Congratulations to this legendary group of athletes and coaches on a well-deserved honor!
The Hall of Fame Ceremony will take place on May 9, 2026, at 10:00am at Central Lee High School.
This remarkable team made history with a 25-3 season that led to a trip to the Class 3A state championship game. Along the way, the Lady Hawks captured the Super Conference tournament, sectional, and regional titles—earning widespread respect for their sportsmanship and team spirit.
Their semifinal victory over top-ranked Union of La Porte City remains one of the most unforgettable moments in program history. Congratulations to this legendary group of athletes and coaches on a well-deserved honor!
The Hall of Fame Ceremony will take place on May 9, 2026, at 10:00am at Central Lee High School.
Vocational Rehabilitation Services continues to support students as they explore careers and prepare for life after high school.
Last week, students had the opportunity to learn about the auto technician pathway during a visit from Jonis Dembinski, a Ford technical placement specialist, and Toby Holmes from Jim Baier. We’re grateful for partnerships that bring real-world insight into the classroom! 🚗🔧
Last week, students had the opportunity to learn about the auto technician pathway during a visit from Jonis Dembinski, a Ford technical placement specialist, and Toby Holmes from Jim Baier. We’re grateful for partnerships that bring real-world insight into the classroom! 🚗🔧
All Central Lee students will have a 12:00pm early dismissal on Tuesday, November 25. There will then be no school November 26-28 for Thanksgiving Break. 🍂
Lunch menu for 11/24/25 - 11/26/25:
A small group of students were able to participate in a hands-on beauty & wellness career experience at Capri College of Cosmetology in Cedar Rapids on October 29th. They were able to learn more about cosmetology, esthetics, nail technology, and massage therapy. Pictured L to R are Sera Poole, Delanee Liebelt, Makenah Cox, Baylee Stewart, and Sienna Riley. Also pictured is Central Lee 2025 graduate Lexi Stidham, who is a currently a Capri student.
December is just around the corner, and that means Winter Concert season!
Our students have been working hard to prepare their music and are excited to share some wonderful performances with you. We hope you can join us and celebrate their efforts!
Our students have been working hard to prepare their music and are excited to share some wonderful performances with you. We hope you can join us and celebrate their efforts!
🏡✨ Kindergarten Brings History to Life!
Mrs. Van Ausdall’s kindergarten class has been learning about how life long ago compares to life today as part of their Iowa Core Social Studies standard and they took their learning to the next level!
Our young historians created their very own log cabins to show what homes might have looked like in the past. Some students even added a fire for cooking, just like families would have used many years ago.
Hands-on experiences like this help students understand how people lived, worked, and met their needs in different time periods. We are so proud of their creativity and curiosity!
Great job, Kindergartners! 👏🔥🌲
#Proud2bCL #ShineBrightLeadTheWay
Mrs. Van Ausdall’s kindergarten class has been learning about how life long ago compares to life today as part of their Iowa Core Social Studies standard and they took their learning to the next level!
Our young historians created their very own log cabins to show what homes might have looked like in the past. Some students even added a fire for cooking, just like families would have used many years ago.
Hands-on experiences like this help students understand how people lived, worked, and met their needs in different time periods. We are so proud of their creativity and curiosity!
Great job, Kindergartners! 👏🔥🌲
#Proud2bCL #ShineBrightLeadTheWay
Our substitute teachers provide essential continuity for our students when regular teachers need to be away. Their flexibility and care make a real difference in our schools.
Thank you for all you do to support our students and staff. Happy Substitute Educators Day! 🙌
Thank you for all you do to support our students and staff. Happy Substitute Educators Day! 🙌
Last week, Central Lee FFA had 10 members volunteer their time to assist a veteran moving from Hamilton. Our students spent the day cleaning out rooms, organizing belongings, and packing boxes to help make the transition as smooth as possible. Their teamwork, positive attitudes, and commitment to serving others truly demonstrated the heart of our chapter and part of the FFA motto: Living to Serve.
Students included:
Luke Kruse, Logan Campbell, Micah Ashmore, Tristan Robins, Tate Gallerick, Muhammad Pack, Eliza Wagner, Makenah Cox, Avery Hopp, and Ashton Putnam.
Students included:
Luke Kruse, Logan Campbell, Micah Ashmore, Tristan Robins, Tate Gallerick, Muhammad Pack, Eliza Wagner, Makenah Cox, Avery Hopp, and Ashton Putnam.
On National Parent Involvement Day, we celebrate families who make education a priority! When parents are engaged—through communication with teachers, participation in school events, and support at home—students benefit tremendously.
Thank you for being an active partner in your child's learning journey. Your involvement matters! 🤝
Thank you for being an active partner in your child's learning journey. Your involvement matters! 🤝
Central Lee CyberHawks #4237 Robotic Team would like to extend a HUGE Thank You to everyone who supported the CyberHawk Robotics Team #4237 during our Paul Revere Pizza fundraiser. Because of your amazing support, our sale was a success and will help us cover essential costs like supplies, robot parts, and travel for competitions.
We would also like to give an extra big shoutout to Nathan Quint and his staff at Paul Revere Pizza in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa who hand made over 250 pizzas, breadsticks, and lasagnas to fulfill our order. Nathan, you are incredible, and we appreciate the opportunity you gave us to raise funds!
Ian Martin has taken a diverse array of Career and Technical Classes in high school. This year he is getting a jumpstart on his career. He is working on an internship through Diewold Plumbing. Through this internship he is working hands on to learn the trade. He has had the opportunity to work on new construction and remodel, and get a real world look at what the trade entails. #CTEworksforCL
On November 18 the Central Lee High School SOAR Team hosted their Community Retreat. Parents, siblings, grandparents and community members watched a presentation on what SOAR looks like at the high school and how they are implementing their mission statement this school year and the impact SOAR has had on culture with their peers and staff.
Please see the attached link for information regarding the Southeast Iowa Super Conference decision to increase admissions to high school conference events.
These changes will begin immediately this month (November).
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pYHgXKuWWW2koMOINZz-jp0y7dbjxlWC/view?usp=sharing
These changes will begin immediately this month (November).
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pYHgXKuWWW2koMOINZz-jp0y7dbjxlWC/view?usp=sharing
AD Update!
Keep up to date with important information, dates, performances, and announcements with the latest update from the Activities Department.
Topics included: Multi-sport athletes, Schedules, Spotlights, RefReps, Heartland Coke Agreement, SEISC Admissions Increase, Renovations, SAAC, and Vacancies.
https://secure.smore.com/n/q7thk
Keep up to date with important information, dates, performances, and announcements with the latest update from the Activities Department.
Topics included: Multi-sport athletes, Schedules, Spotlights, RefReps, Heartland Coke Agreement, SEISC Admissions Increase, Renovations, SAAC, and Vacancies.
https://secure.smore.com/n/q7thk
Central Lee Middle School hosted 73 veterans plus guests on Friday, November 14. We are proud to honor our local veterans!
At the end of October, a group of 29 Central Lee FFA members had the opportunity to attend the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. During the trip, members explored several agricultural operations, including a cattle operation, a fishery, a hands-on honey bee farm, rodeo, and trampoline park. Students also spent time at the Convention Center attending the general sessions and exploring the trade show filled with colleges, businesses, and agricultural booths.
We want to send a huge THANK YOU to our chaperones:
Paula Ellis, Laura McDowell, and Terry Moeller.
Students who attended:
Baylor Ferreira, Ivy Smith, Arabella McDowell, Parker Ellis, Layla Gonterman, Allison Gruntmeir, Caden Weber, Lily Smith, Lily Thomas, Mylan Lowenberg, Riley Gregory, Audrey Sturdivant, Destanie Rhoer, Owen Swan, Kayla Wenke, Julia Fraise, Ward Fraise, Avery Peterson, Macie Doty, Frankie Jenkins, Taylor Jones, Charlee Clay, Jayden Mueller, Aubrey Weber, Brody Moeller, Avery Hopp, Nathan Newberry, Aaden Anderson, and Peter Seyb.
💛💙
We want to send a huge THANK YOU to our chaperones:
Paula Ellis, Laura McDowell, and Terry Moeller.
Students who attended:
Baylor Ferreira, Ivy Smith, Arabella McDowell, Parker Ellis, Layla Gonterman, Allison Gruntmeir, Caden Weber, Lily Smith, Lily Thomas, Mylan Lowenberg, Riley Gregory, Audrey Sturdivant, Destanie Rhoer, Owen Swan, Kayla Wenke, Julia Fraise, Ward Fraise, Avery Peterson, Macie Doty, Frankie Jenkins, Taylor Jones, Charlee Clay, Jayden Mueller, Aubrey Weber, Brody Moeller, Avery Hopp, Nathan Newberry, Aaden Anderson, and Peter Seyb.
💛💙
The Central Lee Community School District is proud to announce the induction of Ben Vogel (‘03) into the 2025 Athletic Hall of Fame! 🏆
A true four-sport standout, Ben excelled in football, basketball, track, and baseball—earning varsity letters in each. He scored 1,177 career points in basketball, helped lead the Hawks to three conference titles, and was part of the 2003 state champion 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams.
Ben went on to play basketball at Wartburg College, serving as a team captain and four-year letterwinner.
Join us to celebrate his legacy on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 10:00am at Central Lee High School.
A true four-sport standout, Ben excelled in football, basketball, track, and baseball—earning varsity letters in each. He scored 1,177 career points in basketball, helped lead the Hawks to three conference titles, and was part of the 2003 state champion 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams.
Ben went on to play basketball at Wartburg College, serving as a team captain and four-year letterwinner.
Join us to celebrate his legacy on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 10:00am at Central Lee High School.
