Education

Water Rocks!, the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach youth water education program, has opened its Water Rocks! classroom visit request platform for fall semester 2022 for in-person learning sessions. The Water Rocks! program brings science- and research-based lessons about conservation, natural resources and water quality to Iowa schools free of charge. All sessions are correlated with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), adopted to guide curriculum in most Iowa schools.

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

The regular monthly meeting of the Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) Board of Directors was held at Kee High School in Lansing Monday, August 15. Board President Bobbie Goetzinger called the meeting to order, with board members Tony Becker, Bobbie Goetzinger, Melanie Mauss, Kelli Mudderman and Arla Wagner all in attendance. Also present at the meeting were EACSD Superintendent Dr. Dale Crozier, Kee High School and Middle School Principal Dr. Sarah Updegraff-Murray, New Albin Elementary School Principal Donna Thomas and Board Secretary Michele Martin. Visitors included Dr. Bill Withers and Stan Rheingans, representatives of Keystone Area Education Agency (AEA).

The board approved the agenda for the meeting, which was followed by the approval of the August consent items, minutes of the July meeting, bills for August, and Activity and Food Service Reports for the month of July.

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Business and Community Solutions is offering Practical Self Defense for Youth & Adults Wednesday, September 7 from 3:45-4:45 p.m. for the youth class and from 5:30-7 p.m. for the adult class at the NICC Waukon Center, located at 1220 3rd Avenue NW.

The old saying that one can never be too careful is as true as ever. No one wants to be a victim. Yet, unfortunately, there are too many ways to become one unless people thoughtfully prepare themselves to be on the defense. Whether a man, woman, college student or teenager, this class has something to offer everyone.

Along with some effective hands-on physical techniques, the presenter will talk about awareness of threats as varied as unfamiliar environments, Internet scams, parking lot crime and violent assault. Being prepared is the best defense.

by Aaron Detter, AICP Senior Transportation Planner, Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission

As kids head back to school and parents, teachers and school staff adjust to the new schedules and routines, it is a great time to remind ourselves about school transportation safety, and safety for people of all ages and abilities walking and bicycling in our communities.

School-zone transportation safety improvements are needed at many of our region’s schools, and each of our communities would benefit from safer infrastructure for walking and bicycling. Nevertheless, it is the responsibility of each one of us to be cautious and look out for children and other pedestrians when we’re driving.

by Brianne Grimstad

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors met Monday night, August 15 for its regular monthly meeting.

Under the consent agenda items, the following personnel items were approved for the upcoming school year: After School Program staff; Penny Barr as a part-time food service worker; Brooke Welsh as seventh grade girls track coach; increased paraprofessional hours for Mandee Dundee, Katie Martin, Jenna Shogren and Ashley Mitchell; 2022-2023 Mentors; Dillon Daniel as seventh/eighth grade football coach; and Erin Thornton as a paraprofessional.

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Business and Community Solutions is offering Healthcare Faces of the Future Wednesday September 14 from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Students who want to be a nurse, paramedic, doctor or other health professional can spend an action-packed day experiencing what these careers are like.

Guest speakers from a variety of healthcare occupations will tell youth in attendance what it’s really like to work in their healthcare jobs. This camp is intended for students in grades 6-8. Lunch is provided.

Support from Iowa Intermediary Network and Veterans Memorial Hospital makes this class available at no cost. The deadline for registration is September 7. To register online visit www.nicc.edu/waukon or call NICC Waukon center at 844-642-2338, ext. 6700.
 

The Iowa Department of Education, Bureau of Nutrition and Health Services, has finalized its policy for free and reduced price meals for children unable to pay the full price of meals served under the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Special Milk Program and the Afterschool Care Snack Program.

For determining eligibility for the programs, State and Local school officials have adopted the family size and income criteria listed in the chart accompanying this article at right. Households may be eligible for free or reduced-price meal benefits one of four ways:

submitted by Alaina Gebel

June 21-26, Waukon High School Little Switzerland FFA member Alaina Gebel and advisor Ms. Jessica O’Connor attended the annual FFA Washington Leadership Conference. FFA members from across the nation traveled to Washington D.C. to learn about serving their communities, meeting new people, and touring the D.C. area.

FFA members participating in the annual event attended sessions throughout the conference regarding advocating, setting goals, connecting with FFA members and leadership. The facilitators at the conference emphasized leadership and serving one’s community.

Participants created an action plan to implement once they returned home. Members also met FFA members from Oklahoma to Idaho and learned about their experiences in FFA.

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Business and Community Solutions is offering two High School Drivers Education options for Allamakee and Eastern Allamakee Community School District students starting Monday, August 29-October 3, and Monday, October 17-November 17. The course will be held from 5-7 p.m. each Monday, Tuesday and Thursday during those timeframes.

To satisfy the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements, students must attend 30 hours of classroom instruction and six hours of Behind the Wheel (BTW) driving experience. Attendance is required at all sessions. Students must have an Iowa driver’s permit before the first class.

Deadline for paid registration is August 15 and October 3 (for free and reduced lunch, students should contact the school office). To register for the course, call NICC Waukon center at 844-642-2338, ext. 6700.
 

The Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS) Summer Career Fest for high school students was held June 21-22 at the Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Calmar Campus in collaboration with Iowa Workforce Development. Students from Waukon, Postville, Decorah, Cresco and Calmar attended and got to meet the dairy herd at the NICC Dairy Center while touring multiple barns, and they also observed the milking process and made butter. Local partners including Decorah Police Department, Gemini Inc., Toppling Goliath Brewing Co., Silver Laine Co., Dragonfly Books, Silver Birch, Winneshiek Medical Center, Beyond the Bar Bakery and ArtHaus provided presentations on job interviews, job applications and self-employment. Submitted photos.