Education

The Allamakee Community School District added 13 new teachers to its staff at the start of the 2022-2023 school year. Over the next few weeks, the Allamakee Community Education Association, in cooperation with The Standard, is going to introduce these new additions through an article series. This week’s installment in the series will feature Jaydon Snitker and Shaylie Hammel.

Six members of the Little Switzerland FFA chapter at Waukon High School competed in the Northeast District Ag Mechanics contest April 29 against 26 teams from 17 schools. During the contest students completed a written exam, evaluated and answered questions on two tractors, completed a Mig Weld, wired an electrical outlet, wired a trailer and identified various parts. Team members Ryley Burington, Ethan Gibbs and Caleb Helgerson placed seventh overall and the team of Dalton Ellickson, Wyatt Gulla and Ethan Palmer finished 19th. Northeast Iowa Community College hosted the event, with the various components of the contest prepared by NICC students enrolled in the various programs.

The Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Waukon Center is now taking appointments to help students and parents with their 2023-2024 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application.

To make an appointment, call the NICC Waukon Center at 563-568-3060, or email Ellen Brown at brownel@nicc.edu. One-hour appointment slots in person or via Zoom will start at 9 a.m. and be offered through 4 p.m. Contact Center staff if needing FAFSA assistance outside of the scheduled hours.
 

A total of 25 teams from 13 schools participated in the 2022 FFA Northeast District Agronomy Career Development Event May 18 of this year. Eight students from the Waukon FFA chapter traveled to Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo to compete in the event. During this contest, members exhibited their skills and knowledge of agronomy, including crop, weed, insect and seed identification, crop and seed judging and evaluation, and grain grading.

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Business and Community Solutions is offering Mini-STEAM Camp for Kindergarten through fifth grade students Wednesday, November 16 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at the NICC Waukon Center, 1220 3rd Avenue NW.

Keep kids engaged on the off school day coming up November 16 by signing them up for a mini-STEAM camp. Kindergarten through fifth grade students will be doing Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math activities. Snacks and supplies are provided. Participants should bring a sack lunch.

The deadline for paid registration for the class is November 9. To register online, visit www.nicc.edu/waukon or call NICC Waukon center at 844-642-2338, ext. 6700.
 

HAWC (Howard, Allamakee, Winneshiek, Clayton) Partnerships for Children collaborated with the Department of Human Services and the Juvenile Court Services to provide mental health books to libraries and schools in the HAWC service counties. HAWC Partnerships for Children’s goal is to promote positive health and wellness skills. These books can be found in the library’s catalog (Featured Displays - HAWC Partnerships) to view titles added to the collection. Pictured above, left to right, Robey Memorial Library staff member Ellen Thiele receives the book donation from Alisha Dietzenbach of HAWC Partnerships for Children. Submitted photo.
 

St. Patrick School in Waukon has partnered with Iowa Food Hub this year. Iowa Food Hub is a nonprofit organization that connects farmers, families and schools to food grown close to home. So far this year, St. Patrick students have had the opportunity to taste two fun new fruits: canary melon from Harmony Valley Farm of Viroqua, WI and kiwi berries from Deb’s Berry Farm of Newhall. The students have been loving the opportunity to try new foods, and cannot wait to try more throughout the year. The kiwi berries pictured at right are the same green color and have the same taste as a regular kiwi, but come in a berry size and don’t have any of the fuzzy exterior a regular kiwi does. Submitted photo.
 

More than 450 FFA members from 35 Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin high schools participated in the annual Tri-State Ag & Dairy Expo held Thursday, September 15 at Iowa’s Dairy Center in Calmar. The expo featured dairy judging and dairy products contests where students enhanced their evaluation skills on dairy cattle and products.

The Lansing FFA Chapter from Kee High School and the Little Switzerland FFA Chapter from Waukon High School each participated in the annual event. Teams and individual members of each chapter placed well in this year’s evaluation skills events.

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

The Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) Board of Directors met Monday, September 19 for its regular monthly meeting. Board members present included Tony Becker, Bobbie Goetzinger, Melanie Mauss, and Arla Wagner, via Zoom due to illness. Kelli Mudderman was absent. EACSD Superintendent Dr. Dale Crozier, New Albin Elementary School Principal Donna Thomas and Board Secretary Michele Martin were also in attendance, as well as new EACSD staff members Susan Pitzenberger, Nell Hogan, Theresa Havlik, Kathy Ehlers, Hud Johnston and Ashton Kolsrud.

After the adoption of the agenda, the September consent items, minutes of the August meeting, bills for September, and Activity and Food Service August Reports were approved.

The 2022 Regional County 4-H Council Retreat was strategic on bringing high school youth leaders together with a focus on deepening their leadership skills, beginning to build new councils, learning roles/expectations as 4-H ambassadors, providing peer networking and cross-county program sharing to kick-off the 2022-2023 4-H year. The retreat goal was to develop County 4-H Council members’ personal leadership while reflecting on impacts they can make on their county programs. 4-H County Council members are empowered youth leaders who provide youth “voice” and insight for their respective county program.