Education

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.

Practicalnursing.org, a national research and healthcare professionals advocacy organization, has ranked the Practical Nursing (LPN) program at Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) number one in Iowa after completing a five-year analysis of nursing board examination passing rates statewide.

Twelve community college LPN programs and their students’ NCLEX-PN (National Council Licensure Examination) pass rates from 2018-2022 were analyzed to determine how well the programs support students towards licensure and beyond. The NCLEX-PN is a nationwide examination for the licensing of nurses in the U.S. that is used by state boards of nursing around the country for testing proficiency and granting licensure.

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

The regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) was held at Kee High School in Lansing Monday, October 16.  Board members Bobbie Goetzinger, Melanie Mauss, Kelli Mudderman and Arla Wagner were present, and board member Tony Becker was absent.

Also present were EACSD Superintendent and Grades 7-12 Principal Dr. Sarah Murray, New Albin Elementary Principal Donna Thomas, Board Secretary Michele Martin and visitors  Ray Rankin, Jackson Schulte, Kaleb Drape, Dustin Stendel, Kyle Mauss, Mason Mohn, Zachary Meyer and Landyn Rankin.

Waukon High School freshman Eireann Goettel, daughter of Jeff and Elaine Goettel, and Waukon Middle School sixth graders Lena Rausch, daughter of Ben and Kris Rausch, and Connor Buhl, son of Jon and Cathy Buhl, were recently selected for participation in the 37th annual Opus Honor Choir Festival. The Opus Honor Choir is the most prestigious honor choir for underclassmen in the state of Iowa.

Over 2,400 students were nominated by their directors for 720 positions in the four Opus Honor Choirs. Selections were made by means of a recorded audition. The three selected students from the Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) are under the direction of Sarah J. Bieber at Waukon High School and Waukon Middle School.

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Business and Community Solutions is offering a Christmas Tree Painting Party class Tuesday, November 14. The youth class will run from 3:45-4:45 p.m., and the adult class will run from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the NICC Waukon Center, 1220 3rd Ave NW.

Adults and young students will learn how to apply beautiful colors, styles and their own unique imprint on a ceramic Christmas tree. Have fun being creative and enjoying uncomplicated artmaking with a ceramic tree and numerous colors provided. No experience is necessary and all skill levels are welcome. Ceramic tree, bulbs and light kit supplies are included in the cost of the class.

The deadline for paid registration for either class is November 7. To register online visit www.nicc.edu/waukon or call NICC Waukon center at 844-642-2338, ext. 6700.
 

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 the programs.

Applicators can register by going 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.

submitted by Sarah J. Bieber

The auditorium at Waukon High School is slowly being transformed into a florist shop that will contain one very large “strange and interesting plant” for the fall musical production of “Little Shop of Horrors.” Starring in lead roles in this year’s production scheduled for early November will be Waukon High School senior Gabe Goettel and junior Molly Peake, along with senior Ryan Kolsrud and junior Dekota Bechtel.

“Little Shop of Horrors” is the story of a down-and-out skid row floral assistant who becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a mysterious craving for fresh blood. Soon the plant, Audrey II (named after the lead female role in the production and Seymour’s love interest) grows into an ill-tempered, foul-mouthed, rhythm and blues singing carnivore who offers Seymour fame and fortune in exchange for feeding his growing appetite.

For over a decade, the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) in Cedar Falls has hosted thousands of young singers from across the state, providing an environment to meet other vocalists and experience making music together at its Vocal Arts Festival (VAF). Offering programs for students and conductors alike, the VAF seeks to provide an outstanding performance opportunity, positive atmosphere, and foster relationships between singers and ensembles. In addition, students have the opportunity to take voice lessons from the UNI Voice Faculty, and scholarships may be awarded to study voice at the UNI School of Music as a Music major.

Saturday, October 7, students in seventh through 12th grades from Waukon Middle School and High School attended the RitterSing Chorus Festival at Wartburg College in Waverly. RitterSing is designed to bring together tenor and bass singers from across the region to motivate the bass clef singers in high school choral programs early in the year. The festival offers two choirs: a 7th-9th/10th Grade Middle School Chorus and a 9th Grade-Adult Chorus. Choir directors can choose whichever choir works best for their students. Dr. Lee Nelson, director of choral activities at Wartburg College, conducted the high school chorus. Assistant Professor of Choral Music and Music Education at University of Dayton, OH, Dr. Steven Hankle, conducted the 7th-9th/10th Grade Chorus.