Education

by Brianne Grimstad

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors first met Tuesday, October 29 for a special meeting to discuss a pair of agenda items. Board member Scott Melcher was absent.

The board approved specifications for an 84-passenger diesel bus and a 60-passenger propane bus. In October, ACSD was informed it had received a $25,000 grant through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean Bus Rebate, which the propane bus would qualify for. The board approved the specifications, with sealed bids being accepted until November 13, 2024.

The board also approved adding an assistant wresting coach. In an email to the district, Activities Director Brian Hilsabeck noted that 54 individuals had signed up for the 2024-2025 boys wrestling season and the wrestling program requested an assistant coach to help with that. The board approved the addition of an assistant wrestling coach position.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Allamakee County office will host a Fumigation Continuing Instruction Course (CIC) for commercial and private pesticide applicators Tuesday, November 19. The program provided by the ISU Extension and Outreach Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) can be seen at office locations across Iowa.

The local attendance site is the Allamakee County Extension and Outreach Office, Waukon. The course runs from 9-11 a.m. The registration fee increases after November 12. To register or to obtain additional information about the CIC, contact the ISU Extension and Outreach Allamakee County office at 563-568-6345.

The Greenhouse Pest Control Continuing Instruction Course (CIC) for commercial pesticide applicators is now available. The program is provided by the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP).

The course will fulfill 2024 continuing instruction requirements for commercial pesticide applicators certified in category 3G. Some of the topics covered will include information on application equipment use, maintenance, and calibration; safe application techniques, including pesticide drift reduction; and pests and pest management topics including phytotoxicity as appropriate.

To obtain additional information about the CIC, contact the ISU Extension and Outreach Allamakee County office in Waukon at 563-568-6345. Additional information for this and other courses offered by PSEP can also be accessed online at https://www.extension.iastate.edu/psep/.
 

The auditorium at Waukon High School is slowly being transformed into a magical wonderland for the Waukon High School fall musical production of “Mary Poppins.” The production stars Waukon High School seniors Molly Peake and Dekota Bechtel, along with sophomores Michael Koester and Dani Mason and middle schoolers Connor Buhl and Sophia Pommersheim, in addition to numerous other students within the Allamakee Community School District, all pictured here.

The “Mary Poppins” musical follows the adventures of a magical nanny who transforms the lives of the Banks family. With her whimsical charm and enchanting abilities, she teaches the children valuable life lessons, bringing joy and love back into their home. The story emphasizes themes of family, imagination, and the importance of embracing life’s wonders.

The Waukon High School Marching Band participated in the Iowa High School Music Association State Marching Band Festival Saturday, October 12 at Senior High School in Dubuque. This is the fourth consecutive year the band has participated in the State Festival after a 30-plus year hiatus from the event. Performing in front of a panel of six judges, the Marching Indians received a Division I rating, the first Division I rating for the marching band program in 50 years.

An election to fill a vacancy in Director District 3 on the Board of Directors of the Keystone Area Education Agency will be conducted at a convention December 2 of this year at 12 Noon at Keystone Area Education Agency, 1400 Second Street NW, Elkader.

The director district includes the Allamakee, Clayton Ridge, Eastern Allamakee, Edgewood-Colesburg, and MFL/MarMac Community School Districts. The director will be elected by the school boards of those districts.

The election is for the remaining period of a four-year term expiring in December 2025 to fill the position formerly held by Dr. Bill Withers. Dr. Withers passed away in September of this year, having served 45 years on the board.

Robey Memorial Library in Waukon and The Oneota Valley Literary Foundation (OVLF) are partnering to host Main Street Story Walk in Waukon featuring the children’s story, “How to catch a Yeti!” by Adam Wallace. During the months of November and December, families are encouraged to read this story in the windows of various business storefronts as they stroll the downtown area. For this and upcoming Story Walks in Waukon, the OVLF will be providing a free copy of the featured book to every family that stops by Robey Memorial Library with a photo of themselves completing the Story Walk, while supplies last.

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

The Board of Directors of the Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) met at the Kee High School Board Room in  Lansing Monday, October 14. The meeting was called to order by Bobbie Goetzinger, Board President. The following board members were present: Bobbie Goetzinger, Melanie Mauss, Joe Manning and Arla Wagner. Board member Heather Lutz was absent.

Also present were Superintendent Nick Trenkamp, PK-12 Principal Donna Thomas, Dean of Students Chad Winters, and Board Secretary Michele Martin. Visitors included Ray Rankin, Dustin Stendel, Parker Leppert, Addyson Rankin, Kyle Mauss, and Kaden Colsch from the Lansing FFA Chapter, and  Dave Ellefson, EACSD Technology Coordinator.

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC), a founding member of the Community College Alliance for Agriculture Advancement (C2A3), is excited to announce a ground-breaking initiative with U.S. Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS).

This $9 million, four-year program is part of a cooperative agreement between C2A3 and USDA-NRCS to create a national agriculture center for two-year colleges and connect more students to agriculture career pathways.

by Brianne Grimstad

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors held its regular monthly meeting Monday, October 21. Under the Consent Agenda, the following personnel matters were approved: Jasmin Lazzell and Justine Hesse as full-time Elementary Paraprofessionals. The board accepted the resignations of custodian Arnie Onsager and paraprofessional Joleen Reeg. The board also approved the transfer of Jacob Homp from East/West Elementary Schools Night Custodian to Middle School Night Custodian.