Education

Iowa's director of the Department of Education Ryan Wise (center in photo at right) toured three area school districts Tuesday, September 19. Wise began the day at the MFL/MarMac School District and proceeded on to Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD), visiting New Albin Elementary and Kee High School in Lansing. Shared Superintendent Dr. Dale Crozier acted as tour guide through the two districts. Wise also spent the afternoon at Decorah schools. In his visit to New Albin Elementary, Wise met with Principal Chad Steckel and lead teacher Donna Thomas (far left and far right in photo at right). As they toured classrooms, Wise engaged with students (pictured below), asking them questions about what they were studying. He also questioned Steckel and Thomas about the District's experiences with ST math and the teacher leadership program. Both had high praise for the two programs. Steckel said student math scores within the district have risen dramatically.

In recognition of National Advanced Manufacturing Month in October, Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) sponsored advanced manufacturing tours in Allamakee County Thursday, September 14. The goal of the tours is to expose high school students, teachers and community members to high-demand, high-skill jobs that are found locally.

The 35-member group toured Norplex-Micarta in Postville, and Benjegerdes Machine, Inc. and G&S Machine, both of Waukon. Students from Waukon High School, Kee High School and MFL/MarMac High School attended, as well as members of Allamakee County's Business and Community Board.

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Business and Community Solutions is offering the class “Kids and Canvas - It’s Elementary!” Thursday, October 12 from 3:30-6:30 p.m. at the NICC Waukon Center, located at 1220 Third Avenue NW.

Let children explore the world of painting in this fun class designed for elementary school-aged kids. In class, the kids are provided the paint and artist’s canvas, an age-appropriate subject and step-by-step guidance to release each child’s inherent creativity.

To register online for “Kids and Canvas - It’s Elementary!” (#57895) or for more information, visit www.nicc.edu/solutions or call NICC Business and Community Solutions at 800-728-2256, ext. 399 (Calmar campus) or 563-568-3060 (NICC Waukon Center).
 

Waukon State Bank has made its annual donations in support of Waukon school organizations through the bank’s Scoreboard Program. Waukon State Bank donates $10 for each football touchdown, $3 for each volleyball ace, $5 for each basketball three-point shot, $5 for each wrestling pin and $5 for each baseball and softball home run. From the 2016-2017 Waukon High School athletic seasons, donation checks totaling $1,525 were recently presented to the Allamakee Athletic Boosters, Allamakee Music Boosters, Waukon High School Drama Department, Waukon Wrestling Club and St. Patrick’s Catholic School in Waukon, all of which are represented in the surrounding photos at their respective donation presentations. Submitted photos.
 

Board briefly outlines path of consideration for future plans for Waterville Elementary

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors met Monday, September 18 for its re-organizational and regular monthly meeting at Waterville Elementary School, as the Board does traditionally in September. Board member Patty Nordheim was absent from the meeting.

In addition to the items of more regular business at the meeting, board president Al Rissman also outlined the board’s consideration of future plans for the Waterville Elementary School based on enrollment projections and recent issues with the school’s well. The board had previously discussed the matter in a September 7 work session. Rissman explained that, in the short term, the board will continue to monitor the well water situation at Waterville. Earlier in the meeting, ACSD Superintendent Dave Herold noted that the well at Waterville had passed its most recent test conducted a week ago.

Allamakee County voters ventured to the polls at just under a two percent voter turn-out (187 ballots cast out of 9,632 registered voters) for the Tuesday, September 12 School Election held across the state of Iowa. No surprises emerged from the election, as there were no contested races on any of the ballots in Allamakee County and all incumbent candidates were each returned to their existing seats for another four-year term.

In the Allamakee Community School District, Scott Melcher was returned to his District 1 Director seat with 79 votes vs. just one write-in vote. Likewise, At-Large Director Allan Rissman was also returned to his position with 77 votes vs. just two write-in votes.

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

The annual re-organizational meeting of the Eastern Allamakee Community School District Board of Directors was held Monday, September 18 along with the board’s regular monthly meeting. The regular meeting was called to order by Heather Schulte, Board President. Board members present included Bobbie Goetzinger, Melanie Mauss, Kelli Mudderman and Bruce Palmborg. Dr. Dale Crozier, Superintendent;  Mary Hogan, Kee High and Middle School Principal; and Marian Verdon, Board Secretary were also present at the meeting. Chad Steckel, New Albin Elementary Principal was absent.

The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Master Gardener program will hold its core training sessions this fall for individuals interested in becoming Master Gardeners.

The Master Gardener program is looking for people who are passionate about volunteering and gardening. No previous garden knowledge is required. The program equips volunteers to grow in knowledge about gardening best practices, contribute produce to food banks to enhance food security and make Iowa’s fairgrounds and main streets beautiful.

“Master Gardeners provide information and education to Iowans,” said Susan DeBlieck, ISU Extension and Outreach Master Gardener assistant coordinator. “They are excellent community resources who help make the state a better place to live.”

Information released about the Iowa Legislative Page program is encouraging area students to apply for the 2018 session. Each year the Iowa General Assembly employs Iowa high school juniors and seniors from across the state to serve as Pages during the legislative session.

The duties of Legislative Pages vary slightly, but they generally provide valuable assistance to legislators and legislative staff. Tasks include running the chamber switchboard, delivering messages, distributing legislation, assisting committee chairpersons and sorting amendments. Pages are paid and many schools offer class credit for a student’s work in the Legislature.

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) has received a grant sub-award in partnership with Kirkwood Community College that will provide more financial assistance for low-income eligible students through the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) Food Assistance Employment and Training (FA E&T) program.

NICC was selected as a community college partner for the grant sub-award in part because of the College’s expansive 5,000-square mile, eight-county service area with a substantial percentage of residents who have not earned a high school diploma or a high school equivalency diploma (HSED) and qualify for food assistance through the FA E&T program.

Just under half of northeast Iowa residents, 49.2 percent, reported a high school diploma, HSED or less as the highest educational level attained – higher than the 42 percent reported statewide, according to EMSI, Inc. Of this population, 8.08 percent of residents 25 and older live in poverty.