Education

The Allamakee County Conservation Foundation (ACCF) is offering scholarship opportunities for graduating seniors who will be attending a college or university pursuing a degree in natural resources or a related field. One $500 scholarship will be offered to a senior from each of the area high schools in Allamakee County; Postville, Waukon and Kee.
Students who would like to apply for the scholarship are encouraged to visit www.allamakeecountyconservation.org, the Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center, or their school’s guidance counselor for an application. Applications will be accepted until April 1 and recipients will be notified by May 2.

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

The Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) Board of Directors held a pair of recent sessions within a month’s time of one another. A special meeting of the EACSD Board was held Monday, January 23. The one item of business proposed was to approve a Spanish Waiver for the 2022-2023 school year. This would allow Kee High School to not have to offer Spanish 3 and 4 due to no enrollment for the remainder of the current school year. The board approved this action unanimously.

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Business and Community Solutions is offering a Mini-STEAM Camp K-5th Grade class Wednesday, March 15 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at the NICC Waukon Center, 1220 3rd Ave NW. Keep kids engaged on the day off from school by signing them up for a mini-STEAM camp. Kindergartners through fifth graders will be doing Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math activities. Snacks and supplies are provided. Participants should bring a sack lunch.

The deadline for paid registration is March 8. To register online visit www.nicc.edu/waukon or call NICC Waukon center at 844-642-2338, ext. 6700.
 

The upcoming implementation of the FAFSA Simplification Act will streamline the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process and increase the number of Iowans eligible to receive Pell grants. However, according to a recently published report by Iowa College Aid, the act may also negatively impact some Iowans’ financial aid eligibility. Those most likely to be negatively affected by this change include farm owners, small business owners, and families with multiple students in college. The report, titled “The FAFSA Simplification Act: Policy Simulations and Implications for State Aid Programs,” models the effects of changes coming to the FAFSA starting October 1 of this year. “The FAFSA Simplification Act is certainly a step in the right direction to make postsecondary education more affordable and accessible,” said Iowa College Aid executive director Dr. Mark Wiederspan.

by Brianne Grimstad

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors met Tuesday, February 21 due to the fact that there was no school Monday, February 20 because of the President’s Day holiday. The meeting began with a Public Hearing on the 2023-2024 School Calendar. No written or oral comments were heard.

Under the consent agenda, the following personnel matters were approved: Kids Club staff and hiring Allison Hagensick as West Elementary Special Education Teacher. The following transfers were approved: Mason Berns to At Risk Interventionist/Student Success Coordinator; Quinn Brennan to Sixth Grade Teacher; and Stacy Miner to Middle School Special Education Teacher. Two open enrollments out of the district were approved, as well as one open enrollment into the district. The board also approved a contract for Special Education service with the MFL/MarMac Community School District.

Members of the Waukon High School Band program participated in the UNI Honor Band Festival at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls February 9-11. The students attended rehearsals and master classes for their specific instrument during the two-day festival. The UNI Honor Band Festival consisted of three separate honor bands - Wind Symphony, Concert Band and Symphonic Band. Waukon High School had two band members, Gabe Goettel and Logan Lubahn (left to right in right half of above photo), participate in the Concert Band, and two members participate in the Symphonic Band, Moriah Downing and Annie Ellingson (left to right in left half of above photo). All Waukon High School Band members who participated are under the instruction of Jo Ann Sherman, Waukon High School Band Director. Submitted photo.
 

Members of the Waukon High School Band and Choir programs attended the Northeast Iowa Conference (NEIC) Music Festival held Monday, January 16 at Waverly-Shell Rock High School in Waverly. The NEIC Festival has changed its format recently, alternating between having an Honor Band and an Honor Orchestra. This year, the festival hosted an Honor Orchestra. The Honor Choir is held annually at the event. The students rehearsed throughout the day and presented a concert for the public that evening.

Eight Waukon High School Choir members participated in the Honor Choir, directed by Wartburg College Choir Director Dr. Lee Nelson. Those participating in the Honor Choir included: Left to right - Front row: Kylie Strittmater and Annie Ellingson (far left and far right in front row trio); Back row: Sarah Stock, Molly Peake, Caleb Perkins, Dekota Bechtel, Gabe Goettel and Olivia Dougherty. The choir members are directed by Waukon High School Choir Director Sarah Bieber.

Kee High School hosted the Individual Conference Speech Contest Monday, February 20, hosting Speech students from their fellow Upper Iowa Conference schools. The six students pictured above from Kee took nine events and all received 1 ratings. The students also competed in the District Contest Saturday, February 25 at Decorah High School. These six Kee students (pictured left to right, including front to back) performed in the following 10 events (and received the following ratings, listed in parentheses): Rhianna Jones - After Dinner (2) and Solo Music Theatre (2), Cadan Evanson - Radio News (1) and Prose (1), Neva Peterson - Literary Program (1), Isabelle Hammell - Poetry (1), Riley Troendle - Prose (1) and Poetry (1), and Brendan Jones - Literary Program (1) and Original Oratory (1). All eight performances receiving 1 ratings advanced to the State Contest, which is scheduled for Saturday, March 11 at Starmont High School. Submitted photo.
 

The Waukon Music Department will be hosting its 13th Annual Pops Concert Friday, February 24 at the Waukon Middle School gymnasium. Doors will open at 6 p.m. with the concert performances to begin at 7 p.m.

The Pops Concert is an annual fundraising event sponsored by the Allamakee Music Boosters. The Pops Concert features high energy musical numbers from the 1950s through today.  Groups performing will include the high school and middle school choirs, high school and middle school jazz bands, drumline, featured soloists, song and dance skits, and emcees.   The Pops Concert continues to feature new musical talents each year and has become a must-see event for the Waukon community.

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Business and Community Solutions is offering a Moped Rider course Saturday, March 11, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., at the NICC Waukon Center, 1220 3rd Avenue NW.

This class is required by the state of Iowa for students who are 14 years of age or older who do not possess a driver’s license. Students learn the rules of the road, safe driving skills and laws governing moped use. The course is classroom only, so a moped is not needed. Upon successful completion of the class, students receive a DOT (Department of Transportation) certificate which must be presented at the driver’s license office to apply for the moped license. Students must be at least 13 years old to take the class.

To register for Moped Rider (#90421) or for more information, visit www.nicc.edu/waukon, or call 844-642-2338, ext. 6700.