Education

Livestock ration nutrition and agricultural careers focusing on customer service and the needs of local farmers are a tradition in the Schmitt family.

Dan Schmitt’s interest in livestock ration nutrition was fueled at an early age by observing his father, Fidelis Schmitt, and his pioneering work in mixed feed science for Union Produce. Schmitt’s career goals led him to the Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Calmar campus, where he graduated from the Agri-Business program in 1979. The alumnus is now a professional beef consultant for Innovative AG Services and has devoted his knowledge, customer service and consultation to beef industry clients for more than 35 years.

To celebrate and recognize his many honors, volunteer service and community achievements, NICC inducted Schmitt, who grew up in Ossian and moved to Waukon in 1985,  into the College’s Alumni Hall of Fame October 3.

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Waukon Center is offering assistance in filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Thursday, October 6 from 3:30-8 p.m. at the NICC Waukon Center, located at 1220 Third Avenue NW.

The NICC Waukon Center will be offering 30-minute appointment sessions to assist students with their FAFSA application during that timeframe. To register for an appointment, call the NICC Waukon Center at 563-568-3060.

The first step in receiving student aid for college is filling out the FAFSA. Anyone needing help to pay for college will want to do this as soon as possible. For the 2017-18 school year, the FAFSA can now be completed as early as October 1, 2016 using 2015 tax information. It is advised to not wait to complete the application, as some of the most beneficial financial aid funds are first come, first served.
 

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Business and Community Solutions is offering the two-session class “Beginning Sign Language Plus” Thursdays, October 6 and October 13, from 6-8 p.m. at the NICC Waukon Center, located at 1220 Third Avenue NW.

Designed for parents and caregivers of toddlers or communication-challenged individuals, this two-week class builds a basic 150-word vocabulary in American Sign Language (ASL). Using sign language lessens frustration by giving a baby the tool to clearly communicate specific thoughts, wants and needs before speech has developed.  For those who have taken this class before, this will be a refresher and an opportunity to build on known vocabulary.

Iowa Department of Education leaders will hit the road this fall as part of a statewide tour to gather public input as they develop a plan to meet the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

ESSA, which replaces the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and will be fully implemented starting in the 2017-18 school year, provides a more reasonable balance between the role of states and the federal government in accountability for the success of all children. Under the reauthorized law, the federal government sets expectations, and states determine how schools will reach them.

Nine public input meetings will be held across Iowa from September through November. Each meeting will open with an overview of ESSA and the Department's goals for developing the state plan.

St. Patrick School in Waukon has a pair of new labs for its music department, including a keyboarding lab and a guitar lab. The keyboarding lab consists of 16 MIDI keyboards which are hooked up to computers using MIDI-USB cables. The computers have headphones as well as two keyboarding programs for those who are beginners or those who are more advanced players. Each program has interactive, guided lessons that introduce students to the keyboard and playing their first songs. Each new concept is introduced gradually and there are also video tutorials and audio tracks to help the students master each song.

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.