Education

Guest reader Ross Geerdes, Conservation Naturalist of the Allamakee County Conservation Board, will share a story and hands-on look at "Bald Eagles" during the Tuesday Story Time scheduled for Tuesday, January 10 from 10:30-11 a.m. at Robey Memorial Library in Waukon.

Tuesday Story Time is a regular feature at Robey Memorial Library in Waukon each Tuesday from 10:30-11 a.m. All children and families are encouraged to attend. For more information contact the library by telephone at 563-568-4424 or by email at robeymemorial@waukon.lib.ia.us.
 

4-H Food and Fitness members gathered from nine school districts throughout northeast Iowa for the Regional Youth Leadership Team winter gathering on the Luther College campus in Decorah recently. These youth and adults from area schools meet quarterly to learn about wellness issues in their communities, identify projects to help their school or community, and network by sharing experiences of their club projects and build ideas for future ones.

Robey Memorial Library in Waukon is offering a Knit-A-Project class during the month of January. The general public is invited to create a simple project from start to finish. The class will meet during five sessions from 5:30-7 p.m. January 10, 12, 17, 19 and 24.

Students must have basic knitting skills. Those who are interested in the class and have never knitted before are invited to the library's Hook & Needle Club meeting Thursday, January 5 at 5:30 p.m.

Students must bring their own materials for the class. A supply list and project pattern will be provided at registration.

This class will be limited to eight students on a first-come, first-serve basis. Contact the library's Front Desk at 563-568-4424 or reserve a spot in the class online at www.waukon.lib.ia.us.
 

Library patrons have anytime, anywhere access to a dynamic collection of digital audiobooks and eBooks through the library service of BRIDGES, Iowa’s eLibrary.

Robey Memorial Library in Waukon is offering a class on Using BRIDGES Thursday, December 29 at 5:30 p.m. in the lower level Community Room of the library. Learn to download free audiobooks and eBooks, navigate and use the new BRIDGES website, www.bridges.overdrive.com. The website and a new Overdrive app are available for patrons to use on their computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, MP3 players, iPods, iPhones, iPads, eReaders, Kindles and Nooks, or some of those devices may also be borrowed from Robey Memorial Library.

by Brianne Eilers

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) board members have met for two meetings so far in December. A brief special meeting was held Friday, December 9 to discuss a few items. The Board approved the resignation of Jessica Phillips from her Middle School paraprofessional position and the resignation of Carolyn Campbell from her High School paraprofessional position. The Board also accepted a proposal from Shive-Hattery for the Middle School gym HVAC improvements for the anticipated cost of $335,000, barring any asbestos-related issues. The Board tabled the recommendation to accept a bid for the Waterville Elementary gym roof project until the regular meeting December 19.

Saturday, December 3, three Waukon High School band students under the direction of Jo Ann Knipfer Sherman attended the Northeast Iowa Bandmasters Association (NEIBA) District Honor Band at Oelwein High School. The students rehearsed all day and presented a concert that evening. Those attending are pictured above and include, left to right, Aaron Sherman, Sophie Halverson and Nathan Smith. Submitted photo.
 

by Kelli Boylen
freelance writer

Traditional public schools benefit students, family and communities in many ways, but they are not necessarily a good fit for everyone.

Abby Paul of Waterville was able to address her unique learning needs with Iowa Connections Academy, a tuition-free online school for youth anywhere in Iowa. She graduated last spring from this full-time online school which students attend from home.

Abby has health issues that made it very difficult to thrive in a traditional setting due to the amount of time she had to spend out of the classroom to address her health needs. Her family, Sean and Gretchen Bresnahan, sought a more flexible schedule and learning environment that would allow them to tailor their days around Abby’s doctor’s appointments.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach (ISUEO) partnered with the 21st Century Community Connections Learning Center (CCLC) Kids Club at East Elementary School in Waukon to offer a LEGO® themed after school program. Eleven third through fifth graders experienced the LEGO® Education kits and helped build a car sweeper to clean up trash. They learned about pulleys and gears and how the size and placement of them mattered. After all cars were built, they were tested out to see whose car cleaned up the most trash. The youth also decided to have their own LEGO® battle and worked together or on their own to make an indestructible vehicle. Using their imaginations and a motor, they were able to create one of a kind projects to battle each other. For more information about joining 4-H, contact Becky Rea, Allamakee County K-12 Program Coordinator, at the Iowa State Extension and Outreach Allamakee County Office at 563-568-6345. Submitted photos.
 

Cindy Thompson
Human Sciences Specialist
cpthom08@iastate.edu
(641) 229-6655

CONSIDER GIVING KIDS LESS STUFF, MORE TIME DURING HOLIDAYS
Although the holidays can be a season of giving, sometimes the focus shifts to a season of getting, or so it may seem from a child’s perspective.

It’s OK to give gifts to our children. We all want to see our children happy, and as parents we give from the goodness of our hearts. However, it’s easy to overdo it, especially around the holidays. This can become a pattern, and before we know it, we’re overindulging our children - giving them too much, too soon and for too long.