Education

The Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center in Lansing will host the Driftless Birding Fest Saturday, November 18. The Driftless Birding Fest will include a guest speaker, exhibits and self-guided field trips to area birding hotspots. The self-guided field trips will include the Brownsville, MN overlook, Stoddard, WI overlook, New Albin’s Army Road, Red Oak Road near Harpers Ferry and the Ferryville, WI overlook.

November 18 At 10:30 a.m. “Tundra Swans, an Icon of the Upper Mississippi River” will be presented at the Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center by Stephen Winter, Wildlife Biologist for the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge. Immediately following the presentation, Winter will be heading out to the Brownsville Overlook with spotting scopes where he will be available to answer questions.

Robey Memorial Library and The Oneota Valley Literary Foundation have partnered to host Main Street Story Walk in November and December in Waukon featuring the children’s story “Winter is here” by Kevin Henkes. Families are encouraged to read this story as they stroll the downtown area of Waukon. Six selected businesses have a portion of the story posted in the front window of their establishment for viewing from the sidewalk. Each stop along the story walk will direct readers to the next location. Selected businesses for this latest Main Street Story Walk are all located on West Main Street at the following locations also labeled above: 1. KNEI Radio Station; 2. Teslow’s Formal Wear; 3. Waukon State Bank; 4. Main Feature Theater, labeled above as Wolfpack Theater Company; 5. Howards Home Furnishings; and 6. Wax by Amber. Submitted image.
 

The Waukon High School Marching Band had a successful end to its marching season with performances at Wartburg College in Waverly September 30 and at the Iowa High School Music Association (IHSMA) State Marching Band Festival in Waterloo October 6. With the end to that season, the marching band saw the final performances of its four seniors. Pictured in the photo below, left to right, are marching band senior members Lauren McCabe and Gabe Goettel, Marching Band Director Jo Ann Sherman, and senior members Ryan Kolsrud and Alice Day. “The band will greatly miss the leadership of its four senior band members,” Director Sherman shared in reflection.

Students in the fourth grade class taught by Mrs. Jennifer Benda at St. Patrick Elementary School in Waukon recently put their learning into action to try and help out a fellow student and her family. Thursday, October 26, the class sold hot chocolate during recess time and raised a total of $34, which they, in turn, donated to the family of Eliana Erb, a St. Patrick student who is currently undergoing medical treatment. The five girls pictured above took care of the sales during that October 26 recess, and the entire fourth grade class (pictured below) supported the project by donating supplies and making other contributions to the project.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach joined the St. Patrick School Kindergarten class in Waukon to offer hands-on learning with “Fizz, Bubble, Goo!” The kindergartners learned what makes Alka Seltzer fizz and what gas blew up their balloon when they mixed baking soda and vinegar. Another experiment was making elephant toothpaste and watching the reaction between hydrogen peroxide, yeast and soap.

Annelise Ellingson, a junior at Waukon High School, has attained the highest individual honor available to Iowa high school musicians by being selected as a member of the 2023 All-State Choir for participation in the 77th Annual All-State Festival Concert. Ellingson is the daughter of John and Bethany Ellingson of Waukon and is a choir student under the direction of Sarah J. Bieber.

Practicalnursing.org, a national research and healthcare professionals advocacy organization, has ranked the Practical Nursing (LPN) program at Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) number one in Iowa after completing a five-year analysis of nursing board examination passing rates statewide.

Twelve community college LPN programs and their students’ NCLEX-PN (National Council Licensure Examination) pass rates from 2018-2022 were analyzed to determine how well the programs support students towards licensure and beyond. The NCLEX-PN is a nationwide examination for the licensing of nurses in the U.S. that is used by state boards of nursing around the country for testing proficiency and granting licensure.

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, October 16.  Board members Bobbie Goetzinger, Melanie Mauss, Kelli Mudderman and Arla Wagner were present, and board member Tony Becker was absent.

Also present were EACSD Superintendent and Grades 7-12 Principal Dr. Sarah Murray, New Albin Elementary Principal Donna Thomas, Board Secretary Michele Martin and visitors  Ray Rankin, Jackson Schulte, Kaleb Drape, Dustin Stendel, Kyle Mauss, Mason Mohn, Zachary Meyer and Landyn Rankin.

Waukon High School freshman Eireann Goettel, daughter of Jeff and Elaine Goettel, and Waukon Middle School sixth graders Lena Rausch, daughter of Ben and Kris Rausch, and Connor Buhl, son of Jon and Cathy Buhl, were recently selected for participation in the 37th annual Opus Honor Choir Festival. The Opus Honor Choir is the most prestigious honor choir for underclassmen in the state of Iowa.

Over 2,400 students were nominated by their directors for 720 positions in the four Opus Honor Choirs. Selections were made by means of a recorded audition. The three selected students from the Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) are under the direction of Sarah J. Bieber at Waukon High School and Waukon Middle School.

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Business and Community Solutions is offering a Christmas Tree Painting Party class Tuesday, November 14. The youth class will run from 3:45-4:45 p.m., and the adult class will run from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the NICC Waukon Center, 1220 3rd Ave NW.

Adults and young students will learn how to apply beautiful colors, styles and their own unique imprint on a ceramic Christmas tree. Have fun being creative and enjoying uncomplicated artmaking with a ceramic tree and numerous colors provided. No experience is necessary and all skill levels are welcome. Ceramic tree, bulbs and light kit supplies are included in the cost of the class.

The deadline for paid registration for either class is November 7. To register online visit www.nicc.edu/waukon or call NICC Waukon center at 844-642-2338, ext. 6700.