Education

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

The Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) Board of Directors met Monday, November 15 for its annual meeting. Board President Heather Schulte called the meeting to order. Board members Tony Becker, Bobbie Goetzinger, Melanie Mauss, Kelli Mudderman and Heather Schulte were present. Also present were Superintendent Dr. Dale Crozier, Board Secretary Michele Martin, Technology Coordinator Dave Ellefson and newly-elected board member Arla Wagner. Middle and High School Principal Dr. Sarah Updegraff joined the meeting at 7:45 p.m. Visitors included Liz Hill and Brea Baxter.

A program offering $2,000 scholarships is now open to Iowa high school seniors. Students not only have a chance at much-needed funds for college but can also learn ways to reduce college loan debt through the program.

Iowa high school seniors may register for the Iowa Financial Know-How Challenge: Senior Scholarship at www.IowaStudentLoan.org/Know-How between now and March 11. Once registered, students will receive instructions via email on completing two online modules and a related assessment.

Scholarships will be awarded to the students who score highest on the assessment or are determined through a tie-breaker. The two modules, Student Loan Game Plan and the Return on College Investment tool, are designed to help students and families determine maximum recommended levels of student loan debt and find ways to minimize the debt they need to repay.

Waukon High School student was last year’s winner

Calling all student artists in kindergarten through twelfth grade. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is now accepting entries for the 2022 Iowa Federal Junior Duck Stamp (JDS) art contest. While entering the JDS contest, students have the opportunity to learn about waterfowl and their habitat, and then create an image of an eligible North American waterfowl species. School groups and informal groups can enter this contest, or the student may enter individually.

Iowa entries for the 2022 Contest must be postmarked by March 15, 2022 and mailed to: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge; ATTN: Junior Duck Stamp; 1434 316th Lane; Missouri Valley, IA 51555.

All information needed to participate can be found on the website: www.fws.gov/juniorduck.

by Natalie Byrnes,
Little Switzerland FFA Chapter Reporter

During the week of October 25, 14 FFA members from the Little Switzerland chapter at Waukon High School traveled to Indianapolis, IN to attend the 94th Annual FFA Convention and Expo. Throughout the week, members were able to network with like-minded high school students from across the country and discuss agriculture.

Students participated in interactive leadership workshops where they learned many new skills that they were able to bring back to the local chapter. The chapter toured Ball State University in Muncie, IN where they were able to experience their large orchid greenhouse, learn about the night sky in their planetarium and tour the college’s state of the art glass blowing studio.

Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association is offering ten $1,250 scholarships for the 2022 academic year to college students pursuing careers, as well as two $1,000 scholarships for students earning degrees from technical colleges/short courses.

“Equity Livestock is proud to help students further their educational endeavors by offering scholarships,” says Curt Larson, president/CEO. “Education can make a difference, and the expense to attend college can be a challenge. Offering scholarships can help make it affordable, and we believe in investing in our future leaders.”

To be eligible, applicants must be a member or the son or daughter of an Equity Cooperative Livestock producer pursuing higher education from an accredited college, university, or technical school. Scholarship winners are selected based on their scholastic achievements, extracurricular activities, application essay response and letter of reference.

The sixth grade students at St. Patrick School in Waukon had the privilege of learning and researching information about many saints during their Religion class. The students were able to share their information about a specific saint at the Monday, November 1 All Saints Day Mass, which honors and commemorates the saints in heaven. As pictured above during the Mass, students displayed and presented their knowledge about different saints to their fellow students and parishioners at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Submitted photo.
 

by Brianne Eilers

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors met for its regular monthly meeting Monday night, November 15, which included an organizational meeting. Board President Al Rissman opened the meeting with a moment of silence for ACSD Success Coordinator DJ Scholtes, who passed away last week.

During the Communications time of the meeting, a Fine Arts presentation was given. Teachers involved in visual arts, choral music and band explained to the board and those present what kind of curriculum they use and some of the activities that students participate in. Students were also surveyed to find out how they feel about the arts and what they think their level of being an artist or musician is.

The Aerial Applicator 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 2021 recertification requirements for commercial pesticide applicators certified in category 11. Some of the topics covered will include information on application equipment and calibration, safe application techniques, and pest management.

To obtain additional information about the CIC, contact the ISU Extension and Outreach office in Allamakee County at 563-568-6345. The local deadline to have this course complete is December 1, 2021. There is a registration fee.

Representatives from member school districts of the Rural School Advocates of Iowa (RSAI) convened their Annual Meeting Wednesday, October 26 at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny. RSAI advocates on behalf of the students, parents and communities in rural Iowa, to ensure that all students have access to a great Iowa education, regardless of where they live. RSAI members include over 140 Iowa school districts but several are among the largest geographic school districts in the state.

School Funding, known as State Supplemental Assistance, or SSA, was a clear priority for RSAI members. Superintendent Dr. Dan Peterson, Central DeWitt Community School District, said this funding is not just a priority but supports the very survival of rural schools.

“We have 47 fewer school districts than we did just 20 years ago,” he stated.

State of Iowa Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald and College Savings Iowa are spreading the joy this holiday season with contributions to education savings. Residents in Allamakee County can register at Iowa529Contest.com through Friday, December 31 to win a $529 contribution to their College Savings Iowa 529 account.

“Enter the giveaway for the chance to win a boost to your education fund,” said Fitzgerald. “And during the season of giving, consider making a contribution to an existing account or opening your first one. Invest in a child’s future by giving them a meaningful gift.”