Education

Tractor Supply Company is recognizing Waukon High School student Diana Davison for her exceptional community contributions through its second annual “Great Neighbor” Essay Contest at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines this Saturday, August 11. Davison will be a sophomore at Waukon High School this fall and the “Great Neighbor” essay she entered into the contest appears at right, along with her photo.

The “Great Neighbor” Essay Contest encouraged youth across the country to submit a short essay detailing how a memorable 4-H or FFA experience has influenced their development as a great neighbor in their community. Tractor Supply received hundreds of entries, and Davison was selected as one of the winners from the state of Iowa. She will be recognized during a special ceremony this Saturday, August 11 at 2 p.m. at the Tractor Supply booth inside the Iowa State Fair.

The Iowa Master Gardener program with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach are hosting a series of Growing Season webcasts this summer. Master Gardeners will gain educational hours while learning about insects, tree care, organic vegetables, composting and growing roses.

The two-hour webcasts will be shown at the ISU Extension and Outreach Allamakee County office in Waukon. The webcasts are open to the public for a fee and open to anyone who may be interested. The remaining Growing Season webcast topics include:

• Tuesday, August 14 at 9:30 a.m. or 3:30 p.m.: Local Bees and Organic Vegetables - Find out how to attract native bees and other pollinators to the garden from Randall Cass, entomologist with ISU Extension and Outreach. Then learn how to organically maintain a vegetable garden from Kathleen Delate, professor and Extension organic specialist in horticulture and agronomy at Iowa State.

Zalmona Presbyterian Church in rural Waukon will be hosting a Vacation Bible School Tuesday, August 7 through Saturday, August 11 from 9-11:45 a.m. each day. The theme is “Daniel’s Adventures in Babylon,” introducing students to the faith and strength that brought Daniel and his fellow captives through their exile in Babylon.

Stories are presented through drama and scripture. Children will also participate in crafts, games, music and small and large group times of sharing. A snack will be provided each morning. The time in Babylon will culminate with a picnic at noon Saturday and a program will be presented by the children during worship at Zalmona Sunday, August 12 at 10:30 a.m.

All children ages four and older are welcome and encouraged to attend. To register, call the church at 563-568-3875.
 

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach offers ServSafe® food safety certification classes. ServSafe® meets the criteria for an individual to become a “Certified Food Protection Manager” (CFPM).

Iowa’s Food Code (as of January 1, 2014) requires that: “at least one food establishment employee with management and supervisory responsibility be a CFPM.” The ServSafe® program blends the latest FDA Food Code, food safety research and years of food sanitation training experience. Managers learn to implement essential food safety practices and create a culture of food safety. All content and materials are based on actual job tasks identified by foodservice industry experts.

The North Iowa Area Community College John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (NIACC JPEC) conducted the Youth Entrepreneurial Academy July 9-13 sponsored by the John K. and Luise V. Hanson Foundation. The academy is offered annually and free to all high school students interested in entrepreneurship.

Participants receive a $500 NIACC scholarship sponsored by John Pappajohn. This year’s academy included 13 high school students. The aspiring entrepreneurs completed the academy, which is held as a day camp each day. Students were given the opportunity to stay in NIACC’s student housing, and several students elected to do so. Students not staying in the student housing received gas cards to help cover the week’s travel from their homes to NIACC.

The Waukon Middle School 10th Hour June summer program was involved in many activities this past session. The students began the summer with learning the fine points of operating a Canon Power Shot camera so they could document each activity. Brittany Todd, owner of “Photography by Brittany” in Decorah, furthered that education in operating the cameras as the students toured her shop and listened to her explain in-depth instructions on a guided use of their cameras. Nathan Todd, proprietor of the Sugar Bowl in Decorah, also led the group in a tour of his ice cream parlor, which is known for its 24 flavors of ice cream. Students enjoyed the flavors of cookie dough, Zanzibar chocolate, cotton candy, and strawberry cheese cake. During an adventure day the students had at Luther College, they took on the Challenge Course that required nerves of steel, teamwork and large motor skills. Students flew through the air attached to harnesses that were hooked to their teammates.

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) has been participating in the Free Summer Food Service Program again this year, and its final offering for this year of those free breakfast and lunch meals will begin Wednesday, August 1. Menus for those final August dates accompany this article (both printed at right). Breakfast and lunch will be provided to all children ages one through this past spring’s graduating seniors at no charge and are the same for all children, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service.

Meals will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis at the sites and times as follows:

• Waukon Middle School Cafeteria: Mondays-Fridays, August 1-14. Breakfast will be served from 8-9 a.m. and lunch will be served from 11:15 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

by Brianne Eilers

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors met for a special meeting Friday, June 22 to discuss and approve additional scope on the electrical service project done by Alliant. The board approved changes that would not exceed $43,125. Board President Al Rissman also administered the oath of office to new board member Erik Helgerson.

The board then met Wednesday, July 11 to hold a work session and have discussion with and provide training materials to new board member Erik Helgerson. New ACSD Superintendent Jay Mathis shared a video with the board members regarding school finance and handed out materials from the Iowa School Board Association.

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

The Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) was held at Kee High School in Lansing Monday, June 16. The meeting was called to order by Heather Schulte, Board President. The following Board members were present: Bobbie Goetzinger, Bruce Palmborg, Melanie Mauss and Heather Schulte. Kelli Mudderman was absent. Also present at the meeting were Dr. Dale Crozier, Superintendent; Mary Hogan, Kee Middle and High School Principal and Marian Verdon, Board Secretary. Chad Steckel, New Albin Elementary Principal, was absent.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach offers ServSafe® food safety certification classes. ServSafe® meets the criteria for an individual to become a “Certified Food Protection Manager” (CFPM).

Iowa’s Food Code (as of January 1, 2014) requires that: “at least one food establishment employee with management and supervisory responsibility be a CFPM.” The ServSafe® program blends the latest FDA Food Code, food safety research and years of food sanitation training experience. Managers learn to implement essential food safety practices and create a culture of food safety. All content and materials are based on actual job tasks identified by foodservice industry experts.