Education

Early in November, students at East and West Elementary Schools in Waukon enjoyed a visit from renowned illustrator and author Derek Anderson. Students were excited to see his hidden pictures in his drawings, learn about the process of becoming an author/illustrator, and watch Anderson create a drawing from scratch of Ally the alligator.

Anderson currently resides in Minneapolis, MN but is a native of Ames and attended Iowa State University for a degree in art and design. He has illustrated over 30 books and authored more than 20. Some of his most famous works include: Little Quack, Hot Rod Hamster, Benny McGee and the Shark, and Croc and Ally. Anderson also took time to sign some of this books for students in attendance.

In October, students from East and West Elementary Schools in Waukon participated in the annual fall book fair hosted in the East Elementary School small gym and organized by Mrs. Lisa Snitker, Allamakee Community School District Teacher Librarian. Students at East and West Elementary Schools visited the book fair during their scheduled library periods, with West Elementary students taking a field trip to East Elementary to see the array of books.

by Brianne Grimstad

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors met for a special meeting Tuesday, October 31. The single item on the agenda was the replacement of a main kitchen convection oven. The board approved the purchase of a new oven from Wilson Restaurant Supply for $15,049 to replace the oven.

Monday, November 20, the board met for its regular monthly meeting, first approving the consent agenda. During the Communications portion of the meeting, the board heard from the 1st Grade Professional Learning Team (PLT). They explained about how they assess if students are learning the materials and what they do to assist those who are in need of extra help to learn the material and those who have mastered the material.

The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Pesticide Safety Education Program will be hosting live-streamed Commercial Continuing Instruction Courses (C-CIC) online this fall as an additional opportunity for commercial pesticide applicators to attend. Attendees will need a computer or device with good internet connection to participate in any of the programs.

Applicators can register by going online to the Extension Store (https://store.extension.iastate.edu) and searching for “Live Streamed”. Note that registration ends when the maximum of 290 attendees is reached or at 9 a.m. the day before the program, whichever occurs first. Following is the schedule for the statewide CIC reshow dates and times:

The Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center in Lansing will host the Driftless Birding Fest Saturday, November 18. The Driftless Birding Fest will include a guest speaker, exhibits and self-guided field trips to area birding hotspots. The self-guided field trips will include the Brownsville, MN overlook, Stoddard, WI overlook, New Albin’s Army Road, Red Oak Road near Harpers Ferry and the Ferryville, WI overlook.

November 18 At 10:30 a.m. “Tundra Swans, an Icon of the Upper Mississippi River” will be presented at the Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center by Stephen Winter, Wildlife Biologist for the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge. Immediately following the presentation, Winter will be heading out to the Brownsville Overlook with spotting scopes where he will be available to answer questions.

Robey Memorial Library and The Oneota Valley Literary Foundation have partnered to host Main Street Story Walk in November and December in Waukon featuring the children’s story “Winter is here” by Kevin Henkes. Families are encouraged to read this story as they stroll the downtown area of Waukon. Six selected businesses have a portion of the story posted in the front window of their establishment for viewing from the sidewalk. Each stop along the story walk will direct readers to the next location. Selected businesses for this latest Main Street Story Walk are all located on West Main Street at the following locations also labeled above: 1. KNEI Radio Station; 2. Teslow’s Formal Wear; 3. Waukon State Bank; 4. Main Feature Theater, labeled above as Wolfpack Theater Company; 5. Howards Home Furnishings; and 6. Wax by Amber. Submitted image.
 

The Waukon High School Marching Band had a successful end to its marching season with performances at Wartburg College in Waverly September 30 and at the Iowa High School Music Association (IHSMA) State Marching Band Festival in Waterloo October 6. With the end to that season, the marching band saw the final performances of its four seniors. Pictured in the photo below, left to right, are marching band senior members Lauren McCabe and Gabe Goettel, Marching Band Director Jo Ann Sherman, and senior members Ryan Kolsrud and Alice Day. “The band will greatly miss the leadership of its four senior band members,” Director Sherman shared in reflection.

Students in the fourth grade class taught by Mrs. Jennifer Benda at St. Patrick Elementary School in Waukon recently put their learning into action to try and help out a fellow student and her family. Thursday, October 26, the class sold hot chocolate during recess time and raised a total of $34, which they, in turn, donated to the family of Eliana Erb, a St. Patrick student who is currently undergoing medical treatment. The five girls pictured above took care of the sales during that October 26 recess, and the entire fourth grade class (pictured below) supported the project by donating supplies and making other contributions to the project.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach joined the St. Patrick School Kindergarten class in Waukon to offer hands-on learning with “Fizz, Bubble, Goo!” The kindergartners learned what makes Alka Seltzer fizz and what gas blew up their balloon when they mixed baking soda and vinegar. Another experiment was making elephant toothpaste and watching the reaction between hydrogen peroxide, yeast and soap.

Annelise Ellingson, a junior at Waukon High School, has attained the highest individual honor available to Iowa high school musicians by being selected as a member of the 2023 All-State Choir for participation in the 77th Annual All-State Festival Concert. Ellingson is the daughter of John and Bethany Ellingson of Waukon and is a choir student under the direction of Sarah J. Bieber.