Nate Gruber, Cedar Falls School Board Member

08/19/2026

Meet the team behind the impact.

The employees at Cedar Falls Community School District came together to earn the #18 spot among our Future Shapers during Cedar Valley United Way's 2025 campaign.

Every gift, volunteer hour, and act of generosity helps create lasting change throughout the Cedar Valley.

Thank you for leading by example.

08/11/2026

Lots going on as we head into another school year!

August 10 Board Meeting Highlights:
☑️ Cedar Falls Tiger Booster Club presentation and check for $122,350 - thank you!
☑️July financials placed on file.
☑️First reading of policy changes due to legislative requirements
☑️ Superintendent Pattee contract renewal
☑️ Reviewed UEN legislative priorities
☑️ Board and Supt Goal conversation
☑️ Work session - book study

https://www.cfschools.org/school-board/meetings

Watch at: https://cloud.castus.tv/vod/cedar-falls/?page=HOME

Next meeting is set for Monday, September 14.

07/22/2026

Welcome to Cedar Falls!

🎉 Please join us in welcoming three outstanding leaders to the Cedar Falls Community School District! 🎉

We're excited to introduce the newest members of our leadership team for the 2026-27 school year:
🐯 Andy Miehe joins Cedar Falls High School as Principal. A UNI graduate, Andy comes to CFHS from Waterloo Schools and is looking forward to getting to know students, families, and the traditions of excellence that make Cedar Falls special.

🐯 Whitney Fischer joins Peet Junior High as Associate Principal and Activities Director. A graduate of UNI, Morningside College, and Viterbo University, Whitney most recently served as Dean of Students at the Waterloo Career Center. As a Cedar Falls resident, she's excited to serve the community she calls home and partner with students, staff, and families.

🐯 Kimberly Graven joins the district as Director of Curriculum and Instruction. With 16 years of administrative experience, most recently at North Linn and Central City School Districts, and degrees from Wartburg College, Loras College, and UNI, Kimberly is eager to support all of our schools and continue the district's commitment to putting students first.

Each brings a passion for education, a commitment to student success, and excitement for becoming part of the Cedar Falls family. Please help us give Andy, Whitney, and Kimberly a warm Tiger welcome!

05/21/2026

Congratulations to CFHS alum Klaertje Hesselink ('22) on being selected to receive a Fulbright U.S. Student Program award for the 2026-2027 academic year. She will head to Germany in the fall to conduct environmental chemistry research in the Bavarian Alps.

Love to see CFHS alumni continue to do great things after graduation!

Congratulations to Klaertje Hesselink (BS chemical engineering ’26), of Cedar Falls, Iowa, on receiving a Fulbright Study/Research grant to Germany for 2026–27 🇩🇪

"I envision this experience shaping my career toward an interdisciplinary space where chemical engineering, environmental engineering, and public policy intersect. The most pressing challenges in clean energy and water access cannot be solved within the boundaries of a single discipline, and I am eager to collaborate across fields to develop solutions that are both scientifically rigorous and practically applicable."

05/06/2026

Fantastic news! Well-deserved. Congratulations to everyone involved in putting on Les Misérables back in March

04/29/2026

What a fantastic honor! Congratulations Daniel!

We are honored to share that Daniel Umemezie has been named the 10th National Youth Poet Laureate! Congratulations!

The National Youth Poet Laureate program works with local youth literary arts organizations across the United States to identify and celebrate exceptional youth poets who use their voice to inspire change. Watch the Saturday program and awards at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4h0xylzR5WI

Read more at: https://insideuni.uni.edu/languages-communications/cedar-falls-senior-named-midwest-regional-finalist-national-youth-poet

04/23/2026

Just a kid from Cedar Falls! Congratulations AJ!

Green light.

04/13/2026

Hear from Lynn Lyons at Wellness & Wellbeing Night! Plus much more!

"Screens, Mental Health and Our Families: Hard Truths about the Impact and Where We Go From Here"
In many ways, adolescents are healthier and safer than they’ve ever been. And yet, in the last couple of decades, su***de rates have doubled among 12–14-year-olds, and rates of anxiety and depression have increased. Is it the screens? Parents are overwhelmed by what to do with their children and screens. Many report it’s the top source of conflict and concern in their families. With exposure to phones, iPads, and Apple Watches starting earlier and earlier, it’s time to talk directly about where we’ve landed and how to reset.

Based on current research and over 30 years of clinical experience, Lynn Lyons will talk about the common traps adults fall into, the role of smart phones and social media, and the key adjustments needed to manage the current surge of anxiety and depression in our kids and ourselves. Includes preventative measures!

https://www.facebook.com/events/1500019612130686

03/31/2026

Thank you for all you have done for our community Coach Schultz!

Cedar Falls High School would like to announce that Men’s Basketball Head Coach Ryan Schultz has decided to step down from coaching to focus on the next chapter of his life.

A 1994 Cedar Falls graduate, Coach Schultz has been a dedicated member of the coaching staff for 26 years. In 2013, he became the head coach of the men’s varsity program and went on to lead the Tigers to nine Class 4A State Tournament appearances, highlighted by three State Championships.

“Coach Schultz’s leadership and dedication to our student-athletes and program have made a lasting impact on Cedar Falls High School and our community,” said Justin Urbanek, Director of Activities and Athletics. “While his presence on the sidelines will be greatly missed, we are excited for him as he begins this next chapter with a focus on family.”

Coach Schultz will continue serving Cedar Falls in his role as a teacher within the district.

Congratulations, Coach Schultz, and thank you for your incredible commitment to Cedar Falls basketball and our student-athletes.

03/08/2026

I took my daughter to the final performance of Cedar Falls High School Drama’s Les Misérables last night.

I honestly have no words to fully describe how amazing this show was. The former theater kid in me was completely captivated from the moment the curtain went up. It was one of the best stage performances I’ve seen, and I’m so grateful we got to experience it.

Congratulations to every student who helped bring this incredible production to life. Whether you were on stage, in the orchestra, or working behind the scenes, you worked hard, and you should be proud of what you accomplished.

From the singers and actors, to the musicians accompanying the cast, to the crews who designed and built the sets, costumes, lighting, and sound—and to those who kept everything moving during rehearsals and performances—every one of you contributed to the success of this show.

A special shout-out to the CFHS faculty and staff who helped to produce this show. They do what they do best: support students, nurture their talents, and help them achieve things they may not have realized they were capable of.

Bravo!