Our very own, Alice Kurtz, will receive an award on Sunday for her efforts to bring history to life for our students. Please see below for a press release and come if you are able! Congratulations to Alice!
HISTORIC PRESERVATION AWARDS EVENT SCHEDULED THIS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14
The public is invited to attend the 2010 Historic Preservation Awards ceremony, an annual event that recognizes homeowners and property owners who have undertaken preservation projects to retain or enhance the historical or architectural integrity of their property. A special award will also be presented to local elementary school teacher Alice Kurtz for her efforts to engage students and inspire life-long learning by integrating Iowa City history and historic preservation into her elementary classroom curriculum.
The event is scheduled Sunday, November 14 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in Meeting Room A of the Iowa City Public Library at 123 S. Linn Street. It will be co-hosted by the Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission, Friends of Historic Preservation, and the Johnson County Historic Preservation Commission. There is no charge to attend.
Christina Kuecker, Historic Preservation Planner for the City of Iowa City, said that 26 award-winners, whose projects were nominated by local historic preservationists as well as the general public, will receive certificates from the Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission for projects that include rehabilitation, stewardship, paint and exterior finishes, new additions, new construction, and other projects.
Weber Elementary School fifth-grade teacher Alice Kurtz, who developed an educational segment on local history titled, "Symbols of Change," will be recognized with the Margaret Nowysz Award, named for the first chair of the City's Historic Preservation Commission. Kurtz combines materials from the Historic Preservation Commission and Friends of Historic Preservation with classroom study on the City's buildings and artifacts to create a multi-disciplinary course that not only puts students in touch with local history, but also strengthens their skills in science, math, reading, communication, and research. The final project encourages students to build scale models of local historic buildings or homes, using recycled materials. The projects are then put on display throughout the area.
