Education

Saturday, April 13, five students from the Beginning Band at East Elementary School in Waukon had the opportunity to participate in the Coe College Honor Band in Cedar Rapids. The honor band is held each year, and there are two ensembles that perform at the event - one for first-year players who are mostly in fifth grade, and a second ensemble for second-year players in sixth grade. During the day, the students had the opportunity to rehearse with world renowned composer Carol Britton Chambers, who also composed two of the pieces that the students had to learn for the festival. The bands performed a final concert at 4 p.m. that afternoon in the Coe College campus auditorium. The five Beginning Band students from East Elementary School who attended the Coe College Honor Band are pictured above and include (left to right) Isabella Hogan, Ivy Streeper, Malea Downing, Leighton Staggemeyer and Emma Berges. Submitted photo.
 

State of Iowa Treasurer Roby Smith has announced that the 2024 Robert D. Blue Scholarship is open for applications. Applicants must be a current senior or former graduate of any Iowa high school who plans to attend a college or university within the state. Awards are based on financial need, an original essay, academic achievement and recommendations.

Smith is a member of the Iowa Centennial Memorial Foundation, which funds the scholarship. The Iowa Centennial Memorial Foundation was created in 1949 by Governor Robert D. Blue. Scholarship applications are only accepted online and must be submitted by May 10. Visit rdblue.org online to apply and learn more.
 

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

The  Board of Directors of the Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) met in regular monthly session Monday, April 15. Two operational matters for the 2024-2025 school year were approved, including the operational sharing agreement for a school business official with South Winneshiek School District, and the Area Education Agency (AEA) Purchasing Agreement.

For the current school year, the board approved the overnight softball trips in June for the West Delaware Tournament and the Don Bosco Tournament. Coaches will be reimbursed for one room at the Don Bosco Tournament and the players will be responsible for the cost of their hotel rooms at both locations. The school will provide transportation.

P.S.S.T. (Parents Supporting Students and Teachers), the parent organization supporting East and West Elementary Schools in Waukon, held a fundraiser in February to raise money to help bring performances, guest speakers, special field trips and much more to the elementary students of the Allamakee Community School District. Students sold items to family and friends and in return earned prizes.

The top class in fundraising sales at each school earned a pizza party, and it was Mrs. Colsch’s class at West Elementary and Ms. Ihde’s class at East Elementary earning the honors for 2024. The student who sold the most at each school also got an award... they got to put a whipped cream pie in the face of their school principal, Mrs. Samantha Thornton, or Mrs. T. as the students call her.

by Brianne Grimstad

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Negotiations Committee members met with Allamakee Community Education Association (ACEA) representatives to discuss contract negotiations Friday morning, April 12. In its initial proposal, ACEA asked for a base salary increase of $860 to $34,070. The total increase with step movement, insurance increase, lane change increase and the increase in the base came to 3.95%, with the step movement and lane changes given according to Article V, Section 3 of the Master Contract.

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

Friday, March 15, Eastern Allamakee Community School District Superintendent and Kee High School and Middle School Principal Dr. Sarah Updegraff Murray posted on Facebook a picture of her husband, Steve, and her on their date night in an area restaurant. A few hours later, she was being airlifted to Gundersen Medical Center in La Crosse, WI fighting for her life after falling at home.

Steve was inside their home and Sarah went to the edge of their side yard which overlooks the Mississippi River to see a barge. She slipped and fell about four feet off a retaining wall. Steve rushed out and immediately called 911. The Lansing EMTs were there within a few minutes, assessing the situation.

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Business and Community Solutions is offering a Mini-STEAM Camp - K-5th Grade class Wednesday, April 24. This class will run from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at the NICC Waukon Center, 1220 3rd Avenue NW.

Keep kids engaged on their day with no school April 24 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. Those attending are advised to bring a sack lunch.

The deadline for paid registration is April 17. To register online visit www.nicc.edu/waukon or call NICC Waukon center at 844-642-2338, ext. 6700.
 

For two weeks in July, South Bear School in rural Decorah will be re-opening its doors for students to join an intensive pottery workshop. South Bear School adheres to a ceramics tradition passed down from the European Guild System to the Bauhaus, to Pond Farm Pottery in California, to South Bear School.

Work and learning are based primarily on demonstrations, observation, and practice on the kickwheel. Quality one-on-one and group instruction will be provided by various alumni from the first iteration of South Bear School (1970-1987). Camp on the property at no extra cost for the full retreat experience, or commute from the nearby area.

Kee High School’s Drama Department will be presenting “Robin Hood” by Tim Kelly this Saturday, April 6 at 7 p.m. and this Sunday, April 7 at 2 p.m. at the Kee High School gymnasium. Admission will be payable at the door. Pictured at right is a scene from a recent dress rehearsal for the production.
Members of the cast and crew for this production include the following:

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

The Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) Board of Directors conducted business as usual at its business meeting in March, but after the district’s business meetings were concluded, the board informally discussed the plans moving forward as EACSD Superintendent Dr. Sarah Murray continues to recover from her recent accident. Superintendent Murray sustained severe injuries in a fall at home Friday, March 15. She remains hospitalized in La Crosse, WI but eventually will be moved to Chicago, IL for further rehabilitation, according to recent updates.