Education

An open house is scheduled for this Saturday, May 23 for the new home constructed by students in the Waukon High School Construction Class under the direction of instructor Jed Hemann, with students in several other Waukon High School classes also participating in design and other aspects of completing the home. The open house will take place from 9 a.m. until 12 noon this Saturday, and the address of the house is 116 12th Street NW in Waukon, just south of the Waukon Wellness Center. For additional information about the house or the overall construction project contact Jed Hemann at Waukon High School at 563-568-3466.
 

by Brianne Eilers

Emily Opfer (right), Waukon High School (WHS) graduating senior, was recognized by Iowa Governor Terry Branstad (left) for outstanding academic achievement at the 13th Annual Governor’s Scholar Recognition Ceremony April 26 at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines. The statewide program, sponsored by the Iowa Governor’s Office, Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) and its title sponsor, the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), honored 436 high school seniors from throughout Iowa. “Iowa Farm Bureau members believe that by investing in our youth and communities, we’re investing in the future of Iowa,” said IFBF President Craig Hill.

Parents have been there for all of their child’s firsts: the pivotal first day of school, the first time they rode a bike, their first heartbreak, the much anticipated first school dance, and their first graduation. The time has flown by, and now students have their sites set on getting ready to move out of the house for the first time to go to college.
Helping teenagers navigate their way through life doesn’t have to stop just because they are going away to school. Carol Hopp, prevention specialist at Helping Services for Northeast Iowa, says, “We, at Helping Services, are here to empower you to continue helping your young adolescent grow into a motivated young adult. One way to do this is by having regular conversations with your student about your respective values and expectations - especially how you each view substance use and its impact on their future.”

The Oelwein Community School District is reporting the hiring of Waukon High School Principal Dan Diercks as its new Superintendent, effective July 1 of this year. The Oelwein Community School District Board of Education announced the hiring of Diercks at its Wednesday, April 29 meeting.

Waukon High School seniors Brock Waters and Samantha Swartz were selected as the 2015 Waukon High School Prom King and Queen at the annual event held Saturday, April 25. Swartz was selected from a Queen court that also involved fellow seniors Katelyn Kolsrud, Allie Schwartz and Jacqueline Welch. Waters was chosen from a King court that included fellow seniors Adam Benzing, Jacob Ronan and Landon Sivesind.
 

Kee High School seniors Tom Brennan and Malerie Mathis were selected as the 2015 Kee High School Prom King and Queen at the annual event held Saturday, April 25. Mathis was selected from a Queen court that also consisted of fellow seniors Morgan Davis, Winter Manning and Megan Vinson. Brennan was chosen from a King court that also included fellow seniors Keegan Ahouse, Michael Harris and Sam Hisel. Photo courtesy of the Kee High School Yearbook.
 

Waukon High School will be hosting its annual Senior Awards Program for the Class of 2015 Tuesday, May 12 at 7 p.m. at the Waukon High School Auditorium. All students, parents and families, and community members are invited to attend.
Allamakee Scholarship Fund, Inc. and many community groups will present awards that evening to members of this year's Waukon High School graduating class. In addition, honors and achievements by Waukon High School Class of 2015 members will be recognized during the event.
Any organization presenting an award to the graduating students needs to contact Waukon High School Guidance Counselor Amy Wasson at 563-568-3466 by May 6 to confirm program information and inclusion in the program.
 

Under the direction of art instructor Carlyn Wacker, students at East Elementary School in Waukon and Waterville Elementary School will have their artwork on display at the Sixth Annual Art Show being held in conjunction with each school's annual spring concert, according to the following schedule:
• East Elementary Art Show: Monday, May 4 at 6:30 p.m. in the Waukon High School Cafeteria, prior to the East Elementary Spring Concert at 7 p.m. in the Waukon High School Gymnasium.
• Waterville Elementary Art Show: Tuesday, May 5 at 6:30 p.m. in the Waterville Elementary School Gymnasium, prior to the Waterville Elementary Spring Concert at 7 p.m.

by Brianne Eilers

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors met for two special meetings earlier in April, as well as this past Monday evening, April 20 for its regular meeting.
 
SPECIAL MEETING MONDAY, APRIL 6
During the April 6 special meeting, there was a public hearing on the proposed budget for the 2015-2016 school year, with no written or oral comments made. During this meeting, the Board also approved the proposed budget for the upcoming school year as presented. The Board also approved several summer projects, including Junior and Senior High School white boards, hall light fixtures at East Elementary School, a vacuum pump system at East Elementary, parking lot crack filling, asphalt repairs, press box electrical work, handicap walkway and partial fence replacement. The Athletic Booster Club will pay $9,000 towards the handicap walkway.