Education

Sunday, December 2 the Waukon High School Vocal Music Department participated in its annual Tour of Churches. Over $1,700 in donations were collected at St. John’s Lutheran, Old West Lutheran, First Presbyterian, St. Patrick Catholic, First Baptist and Zalmona Presbyterian churches in the Waukon area and distributed to the Allamakee County Relief Office, the Allamakee County Food Shelf, the Allamakee Community School District Backpack Program, the Allamakee Giving Tree and the Waukon Community Meal program. Several Waukon businesses donated items for the students to enjoy on their tour as well; Fareway donated granola bars, Quillin’s supplied cookies and Culligan offered bottled water for each performer.

Students at St. Patrick School in Waukon participated in Hour of Code, a one-hour introduction to computer science, during computer class to celebrate Computer Science Education Week, December 3-9. Following that initial Hour of Code introduction, students continued learning about programming and completed different programs and challenges all dealing with coding throughout the month of December. Students learned that computer science opens more doors than any other discipline, discovering that learning the basics will help them in any career - from architecture to zoology. Students had the opportunity to practice coding programs on the computer, along with hands-on coding of robots (some of which is pictured in the surrounding photos). Students in Junior Kindergarten through sixth grade programmed robots to complete different challenges, along with designing their own challenges for their peers to complete.

In December, P.S.S.T. partnered with East Elementary School in Waukon to send third, fourth and fifth grade students (some of which are pictured in the photo below) on a field trip to Jewels roller skating rink in Decorah. The field trip was an entertaining way to end the students’ annual roller skating unit in their Physical Education classes. P.S.S.T., Parents Supporting Students and Teachers, is the parent organization that helps support the elementary schools in the Allamakee Community School District. The P.S.S.T. volunteers put on several family events each year and work to support the excellence of the schools’ students and staff. Submitted photo.
 

Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging (NEI3A) is offering Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention classes starting January 8. Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese exercise program that promotes strength, flexibility and balance. This is a low-impact, relaxing form of exercise that is ideal for older individuals.

Tai Chi focuses on the mental and spiritual aspects of Chinese martial arts integrated into movement. Individuals will learn warm-up, cool down and 12 introductory forms. Modifications can be made for those who need to remain seated for all or most of the class.

Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention will be held at Meehan Memorial Lansing Library, located at 515 Main Street, Lansing, starting January 8. Classes will be held each Tuesday and Thursday from 2-3 p.m.

Five Allamakee County 4-H’ers traveled to Iowa’s Dairy Center in Calmar December 6 to visit with “Frosty,” a life-size calving simulator from the Iowa State University (ISU) Veterinary School clinical skills lab with a fully articulated 70-pound calf and working udder. This hands-on opportunity taught youth about the process of calving and how to manage cows during the calving season. ISU Veterinarians were available to teach about the process of calving, calving challenges and provided the opportunity to practice delivering calves from “Frosty” (examples of all of those learning activities pictured in the surrounding photos). For more information about the Allamakee County 4-H Program, contact the Allamakee County Extension Office at 563-568-6345. Submitted photos.
 

The Northeast Iowa Community College Board of Trustees has selected Dubuque firm Straka Johnson Architects, P.C. to lead design, construction and renovations for projects funded by the passage of a $39 million bond levy in September. The Board of Trustees selected the architectural firm at its meeting December 17 based on the recommendations of the College, a nine-member search committee and the Request for Proposals (RFPs) formally submitted to NICC for consideration.

Straka Johnson Architects serves clients in the Dubuque tri-state area, and the firm has worked on a wide range of project types including religious institutions, educational facilities, health care facilities, industrial facilities, recreational facilities, commercial institutions, transportation terminals and facilities, restaurants, multi-family residential and single family residential projects.

The Waukon High School Music Department is seeking donations for new high school marching band and concert band uniforms through an “Adopt a Uniform” campaign. The current marching band uniforms were purchased in 1997 and are in need of replacement following years of usage and alterations.

The Allamakee Community School District and the Allamakee Music Boosters will each be providing one-third of the funding for the uniform replacement project, leaving a final third of the total cost to be raised through the “Adopt-a-Uniform” donation drive. Donation levels for specific pieces of the uniforms being sought are listed below in the accompanying donation form below, but any donation amount would be welcome.

by Brianne Eilers

The Allamakee Community School District’s (ACSD) board of directors met Monday evening, December 17 for its regular monthly meeting. Under the consent agenda in personnel matters, staff for after school programming was approved, as was Gary Egan for a substitute/activity bus driver. The board also approved the Mediacom Contract Renewal and the annual eighth grade trip to Des Moines, where students will be able to visit the State Capitol, John Deere Des Moines Works and either the Iowa Hall of Pride or Terrace Hill.

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

The monthly meeting of the Board of Directors of the Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) was held at Kee High School in Lansing Monday, December 17. The meeting was called to order by Heather Schulte, Board President. The following members were present: Bobbie Goetzinger, Kelli Mudderman, Bruce Palmborg, Melanie Mauss and Heather Schulte. Also present were Dr. Dale Crozier, Superintendent; Mary Hogan, Kee High and Middle School Principal; Chad Steckel, New Albin Elementary School Principal and Janet Heiderscheit, Board Secretary.

After the agenda was adopted, the board asked for audience comments but there were none. The board next approved the authorizations for the December consent items, the minutes of the November meeting, the bills for December, the secretary’s financial statement and the activity and food service report.

The Waukon High School Music Department is seeking donations for new high school marching band and concert band uniforms through an “Adopt a Uniform” campaign. The current marching band uniforms were purchased in 1997 and are in need of replacement following years of usage and alterations.

The Allamakee Community School District and the Allamakee Music Boosters will each be providing one-third of the funding for the uniform replacement project, leaving a final third of the total cost to be raised through the “Adopt-a-Uniform” donation drive. Donation levels for specific pieces of the uniforms being sought are listed below in the accompanying donation form below, but any donation amount would be welcome.