News
Keep Up With the Latest From ISD
Read recent news posts and publications from ISD! From statewide events to happenings around campus, we love to keep families and educators informed on the latest from our school.
ISD Student's Artwork on Community-wide Safety Logo
An Iowa School for the Deaf (ISD) student modified a local logo to be more relatable to audiences who are deaf- which just might increase safety, too. Amiya Wood, an ISD sophomore from Kearney, Neb. was asked to modify the Pottawattamie County Threat Assessment Team’s new logo, “Speak Up,” which features a speech bubble. Speak… Continue Readingabout ISD Student's Artwork on Community-wide Safety Logo
The drive for independence
Driver’s education teacher Beth Chadwick shrugs and laughs when asked about her courage level. “I’ve got a brake on my side of the car, and I make use of it!” At Iowa School for the Deaf, she has taught subjects from English to graphic arts but says driver’s education may be her favorite because of… Continue Readingabout The drive for independence
Deaf interpreters fill comprehension gaps
Sometimes, it takes more than a lesson taught in sign language for a student who is deaf or hard of hearing to master an academic concept. Caitlyn Lynch, a Deaf interpreter at Iowa School for the Deaf, works with a student on addition. As a native sign language user, Lynch can get concepts across to… Continue Readingabout Deaf interpreters fill comprehension gaps
Inside the huddle: How Iowa School for the Deaf communicates during volleyball matches
Peter Burtnett The Daily Nonpareil Sep 25, 2024 Updated Sep 29, 2024 It’s not much different than a hearing match. A little quieter, perhaps. A stomp of the foot, a clap of the hands, a motion up or down. Words may not be spoken by the Bobcats bench or players on the court, but just… Continue Readingabout Inside the huddle: How Iowa School for the Deaf communicates during volleyball matches
Apple Festival
Download Apple Festival Flyer Free! Area families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing are invited to join Iowa School for the Deaf (ISD) students and families for Apple Festival at Ditmars Orchard (19475 225th St. in Council Bluffs). Families from Nebraska and Iowa are welcome- even if your child is not enrolled… Continue Readingabout Apple Festival
2024 Homecoming Schedule
Homecoming weekend is fast approaching. We hope you can join us for the festivities on Friday, Saturday, AND Sunday this year, Sept. 27 – 29! You can find the schedule here.… Continue Readingabout 2024 Homecoming Schedule
Prioritizing community, Iowa School for the Deaf welcomes new superintendent
By Hailey Peck, The Daily Nonpareil Photo caption: Iowa School for the Deaf recently welcomed Superintendent Chris Kaftan to Council Bluffs. IOWA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF Trading good seafood and congested traffic commutes for farmland and corn stalks, Chris Kaftan has recently moved from the east coast to the middle of the country. Kaftan recently… Continue Readingabout Prioritizing community, Iowa School for the Deaf welcomes new superintendent
Community 5K
Join ISD's students, staff and community for the inaugural ISD Community 5K on Sunday, Sept. 29! This 3.1-mile trek (5 kilometers) will wind through ISD's campus and onto the Wabash Trace trail. Get off your seat and come join us! There will be food, music, t-shirts, medals, local fire and police departments and more! Bring… Continue Readingabout Community 5K
Sweet success at annual fundraiser
Not only did attendees receive baskets of candy to take home on May Day, they brought home clearer understandings about the services and programs at Iowa School for the Deaf. The Iowa School for the Deaf Foundation held its annual scholarship and general fund fundraising event May 1. About 120 donors and friends of ISD… Continue Readingabout Sweet success at annual fundraiser
Superintendent named
The next superintendent for Iowa Educational Services for the Blind & Visually Impaired and Iowa School for the Deaf has been named. Link to details.… Continue Readingabout Superintendent named
GPSD Track Results
The Iowa Bobcats traveled to Kansas School for the Deaf in April to compete in the GPSD track meet. Here are the results. Shot PutSixth place: Amiya Wood Long JumpFourth place: Rifenta KisichyFifth place: Jenessa Hull 100-meter dashSixth place: Ashley Vera Nieto 400-meter dashSecond place: Jenessa HullFourth place: Kaitlyn Johns 800-meter runSecond place: Ashley Vera… Continue Readingabout GPSD Track Results
You can provide feedback about the candidates after the forum on April 29 forum using these links: Rayburn Boland: https://www.videoask.com/fz79rjst9 Chris Kaftan: https://www.videoask.com/fsgd6zje9 Iowa School for the Deaf and Iowa Educational Services for the Blind & Visually Impaired narrow superintendent search to two finalists Rayburn Boland and Christopher Kaftan will move on for final consideration. … Continue Readingabout
Bobcats back-to-back: ISD wins GPSD cheer tournament again, finishes 3rd at Nationals
Peter BurtnettCopyright: The Daily Nonpareil (used with permission) Iowa School for the Deaf cheerleaders, from left to right: Amiya Wood, Kailani Mefy, Rifenta Kisichy, Jadaella Jeffery, Ashley Vera Nieto, Kaitlyn JohnsCourtesy Iowa School for the Deaf The first time was so nice, they had to do it twice. Winning the GPSD cheer tournament and finishing… Continue Readingabout Bobcats back-to-back: ISD wins GPSD cheer tournament again, finishes 3rd at Nationals
March and April Upcoming Events
Click this link to view Iowa School for the Deaf's family and educator activities for this spring.… Continue Readingabout March and April Upcoming Events
Win a scholarship with an essay
Deaf and hard-of-hearing students across Iowa have the opportunity to earn scholarships through this Optimist-sponsored contest. April 18, 202410 a.m. – 3 p.m.Iowa School for the Deaf Campus To compete you must: live in Iowa be in 10th, 11th or 12th grade be deaf or hard of hearing write and present and 4-5 minute speech… Continue Readingabout Win a scholarship with an essay
Saying and Signing Symposium is April 24
This free learning and fun event will be held at the Science Center of Iowa. Click for details… Continue Readingabout Saying and Signing Symposium is April 24
Deaf Cultural Celebration is April 6
The popular Deaf Cultural Celebration is back, this year with three national presenters who will entertain us with music and magic! Click here for more information.… Continue Readingabout Deaf Cultural Celebration is April 6
Iowa Department of Education and Innivee Strategies Launches Search for ISD and IESBVI Superintendent
This information in American Sign Language (ASL) The Iowa Department of Education is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Innivee Strategies, a Deaf-led leadership and organizational development firm, to lead the search for the next Iowa School for the Deaf (ISD) and Iowa Education Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired (IESBVI) Superintendent. The… Continue Readingabout Iowa Department of Education and Innivee Strategies Launches Search for ISD and IESBVI Superintendent
Get some net for the Class of 2025
Grab your buddies, tape up that old high school injury, and register for 6-on-6 volleyball and 3-on-3 basketball tournaments! These fast-paced fun events benefit the ISD Class of 2025. Email event coordinator with questions Basketball: Saturday, March 2, 2024 10 a.m. Lied Multipurpose Complex/Iowa School for the Deaf campus $80 per team/$3 per fan Deadline… Continue Readingabout Get some net for the Class of 2025
Foundation fundraiser is May 1
ASL information Celebrate May Day by supporting Iowa School for the Deaf students! This annual luncheon fundraiser provides scholarships to college-bound students and supports the general foundation. The event will be held Wednesday, May 1, 2024 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the Lied Multipurpose Complex on the campus of Iowa School for the… Continue Readingabout Foundation fundraiser is May 1
First semester honor roll announced
Congratulations to students who have been named to Iowa School for the Deaf's first semester honor roll! Some students who have earned this honor might not be listed here due to privacy preferences. Gold Honor Roll (GPA 3.50 – 4.0)ElementaryAaron Esquivel AguirreKenzy HamptonHalima RahmanzaiAva SmithTristan StoneMaya TubbyAddy Warrior Middle SchoolJadaella JefferySofia PeralesJoel PetersenLogan Wiesner High… Continue Readingabout First semester honor roll announced
#DEAFCAN – Highlighting Modern Deaf Professionals
Meeting successful Deaf adults can be a great source of reassurance among hearing parents. Attend the next two family workshops in which panelists will share their experiences growing up deaf. Three panelists will present at each session. Please register for these events here. Jan. 25 presenters: Heather Suhr is originally from Racine, Wis. She currently… Continue Readingabout #DEAFCAN – Highlighting Modern Deaf Professionals
January and February Upcoming Events
Click this link to view Iowa School for the Deaf's family and educator activities for this winter.… Continue Readingabout January and February Upcoming Events
YMCA Basketball
Below is the YMCA basketball schedule. Older Team (5th-8th grade)Tuesday, Nov. 7, 7 – 8 p.m.Thursday, Nov. 9, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.Thursday, Nov. 16, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.Thursday, Nov. 30, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.Thursday, Dec. 7, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Younger Team (3rd-5th grade)Tuesday, Dec. 5, 6 – 7 p.m.Tuesday, Dec. 12, 6 – 7… Continue Readingabout YMCA Basketball