Education

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

The annual meeting of the Board of Directors of the Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD was held at Kee High School in Lansing Monday, September 19. Since this was the annual organizational meeting of the school board in addition to being the regular board meeting, election of officers took place. Heather Schulte was elected board president. Bobbie Goetzinger was elected vice-president.

Goetzinger will also serve as the Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB) delegate and the Legislative Action Network (LAN) representative for the 2016-17 school year. Check signing authority and deposit authority was authorized for Heather Schulte, Bruce Palmborg, Janet Heiderscheit and Marian Verdon, and the new athletic director when that person is hired.
The following business items were discussed  and acted upon:

Anyone feeling left out, in need of a break or new to the school can check out the new Buddy Bench on the East Elementary School playground in Waukon. This bench was made possible through the After School Program Kids Club. It was built and painted by Colin Ferring’s Construction Club through the 10th Hour Middle School/High School Before and After School Program, and it was decorated by East Elementary Kids Club students. Colin Ferring, former Middle School/High School Community Connections coordinator Shala Llewellyn and East Elementary site coordinator Deb Kubitz are pictured above with some of the students who helped to construct the bench as well as some East Elementary Kids Club students. The bench was presented schoolwide at an assembly with some the students from the Kids Club Drama Club. Submitted photo.
 

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Business and Community Solutions is offering the class “Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning” Tuesday, October 4 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the NICC Waukon Center, located at 1220 Third Avenue NW.

While it can be uncomfortable to discuss these issues, community members are encouraged to move past this discomfort, and do what’s best for themselves and family by exploring the fundamentals of wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, probate and trust administration.

To register online for “Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning” (#51340) 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).
 

Anyone with an iPad or Android tablet is invited to visit Robey Memorial Library in Waukon Thursday, September 29 at 5:30 p.m. for a session on operating those devices. Attendees will learn some basic tips for effective tablet use; learn about free apps to enjoy; and may participate in a question and answer session.

Registration for the session is recommended but not required. To register, or for more information, contact Robey Memorial Library at 563-568-4424 or visit online at www.waukon.lib.ia.us/use-library/classes.
 

International Steinway Artist Jim McDonough, who is a former Waukon High School band director, will be returning to perform 20 years later to the town where he started his teaching career. The solo piano concert, sponsored by the Allamakee Music Boosters, will be performed Sunday, October 9 at 2 p.m. in the Waukon High School Auditorium.
McDonough came to Waukon in the summer of 1996 as a first-year teacher at Waukon High School. Even though he only stayed in the district for one year, his band achieved a high level of performance. However, he also had aspirations beyond teaching.

McDonough's life over the next five years took a few twists and turns before he started a career as a solo pianist. For the past 15 years he has been recording CDs that are sold through trade shows and small town businesses, and performing seasonal concerts throughout the midwest and surrounding states.

Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED), through a Growing Small Business in Northeast Iowa grant, is offering the class “Start-Up: An Introduction to Starting a Small Business” in partnership with NICC-Waukon.

Thinking about starting a business but not sure how to begin? There are so many questions that need to be answered. What does it take to be an entrepreneur? Is the business idea a good one? Is there enough money to start the business or what are the financing options? All of these concepts, and perhaps more that haven’t been thought of yet, are discussed in this class.

Entrepreneurs will learn what is necessary to build a firm foundation for a new venture, determine business feasibility, choose a legal form of business, register and license a business, and learn to make cash flow projections. Get prepared to be the one out of five small business owners who actually succeed with a solid business plan to make it happen.

More kids in northeast Iowa will be seeing clearly after the Vision To Learn mobile clinic travels to 45 schools during the 2016-2017 school year, including schools in Allamakee County. Early this year, Vision To Learn and the Community Foundation partnered to pilot the vision program in eight Title I elementary schools in Dubuque and Jackson Counties. As a result, nearly 180 students received free eye exams and 90 students each received two free pairs of glasses.

The Waukon High School Guidance Office is hosting an Iowa College Access Network (ICAN) Financial Aid Presentation for high school seniors and their families. The program will be held Thursday, September 15 at 6 p.m. in the Waukon High School Library.

This session is designed for senior students planning for college and their parents; however, both juniors and seniors could benefit from the information being presented. Some of the topics discussed will include:
• Financial Aid Process
• FAFSA Application Review
• Understanding FAFSA Results
• Understanding Costs - College Comparisons
• Financial Aid Options
• Scholarships Process
• Where to Go for Help.

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Business and Community Solutions is offering the class “Microsoft Excel 2013:  A Focus on Formulas” Wednesday, September 14 from 1-3:30 p.m. at the NICC Waukon Center, located at 1220 Third Avenue NW.

This class will dive into spreadsheet formulas; how they work, how to create them, and ways to put them to good use. Individuals may recognize some of these functions - SUM, VLOOKUP, IFERROR, COUNT, AVERAGE, MIN - but aren’t sure what they mean. Class participants will learn the power of these, plus nesting formulas, text formulas, basic arithmetic expressions and more.

Previous Excel experience is required. Students from Waukon location will be participating via web-based video conference transmitted from the host location in Cresco.

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Business and Community Solutions is offering the class “Microsoft Word 2013 Fast-Paced – Level 1” Tuesday, September 6, and Thursday, September 8 from 5-8 p.m. at the NICC Waukon Center, located at 1220 Third Avenue NW.

This six-hour class is designed for those with little or no experience using Microsoft Word, or for current Word users who want an introduction to the 2013 version. Beginning-level skills will be taught and practiced. An illustrated textbook is included in the cost of the class. Students from the Waukon location will be participating via web-based video conference transmitted from the host location in Manchester.