Education

Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation (NEICAC) has announced the availability of NEICAC Scholarships supported solely by employees and friends of Community Action. The application and criteria for eligibility are available through the County Family Service Offices or the Administrative Office in Decorah (563-382-8436), online at https://www.neicac.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2021-Scholarship-Filla..., or at high school guidance counselors’ offices. Applications must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. Friday, April 23 to be considered.

The Kee High School Speech and Drama Department had one Large Group Speech performance achieve All-State honors following its State Contest held in Postville February 6. The Reader’s Theatre performance entitled “Power Play” was chosen for the honor. Students performing that All-State selection are pictured above and include, left to right, Owen Henkes, Michael Mattson, Daniel Wagner, Jada Mitchell, Alexis Johnson and Macy Manning. The piece they performed was a dramatic selection about stereotyping students in school and how judging others can destroy relationships and each other. The story has a lesson about self worth and who has the power to make a difference.

Even though there were several types of State Contest events held this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, those contests each still had to have three qualified judges who rated the performances that day. Those judges then went online to make their All-State nominations.

submitted by the Allamakee Community Education Association

Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) experienced its highly anticipated first snow day January 15 of this year, followed by three more during February. With all of the technology now available, the school district decided to approach snow days a bit differently this year, utilizing Zoom video conferencing with older students and an online program called Seesaw for younger students.

Teachers began preparing and planning weeks in advance when the district first informed them of online learning plans for weather disrupted days. Elementary schools prepared educational packets to send home and posted digital activities for their students on Seesaw and Google classroom. Students could complete their packets and activities throughout the day and interact with their teacher through email or Seesaw messages. Students then turned their packets in when they returned to in-person learning.

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Business and Community Solutions is offering “Find Your Inner Artist: A Guided Painting Experience” Tuesday, March 16 from 6-8 p.m. at the NICC Waukon Center, located at 1220 Third Avenue NW in Waukon.

Even if students have never painted before, they will find their inner artist through step-by-step instruction. By the end of the evening, class attendees will have created a canvas masterpiece and perhaps even made some new friends.

To register online for “Find Your Inner Artist: A Guided Painting Experience” (#80348) or for more information, visit www.nicc.edu/solutions/80348, or call 844-642-2338, ext. 6700. Registration deadline is March 9.
 

The Waukon High School and Middle School Music Departments will be hosting their 11th annual Pops Concert this Friday night, February 26 at the Waukon Middle School gymnasium. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with concert time 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.

The deadline to submit 2021 scholarship applications to the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa (CFNEIA) is 11:59 p.m. March 10. The online application can be found on the Community Foundation’s website at www.cfneia.org/scholarships.

Scholarship opportunities are available to students across CFNEIA’s 20-county region, which consists of 23 affiliate community foundations, including the Waterville Community Foundation. Students interested in applying for 2021 scholarships should visit the website to view the scholarship eligibility checklist.

by Brianne Eilers

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors met Monday evening, February 15 for its regular monthly meeting. Among the first items of business was a public hearing held regarding the 2021-2022 school calendar, and no written or verbal comments were received.

Later in the meeting, board members discussed that school calendar. ACSD Superintendent Jay Mathis presented two versions of the school calendar to board members. One version included if virtual learning days would be allowed by the State Legislature and the other was for a situation where virtual learning would not be allowed. The board did not decide on which calendar to approve at Monday night’s meeting, as the district is waiting to see if virtual learning will be allowable for days with inclement weather or not.

The Lansing VFW Auxiliary Post #5981 recently sponsored its annual Patriotic Essay Contest. Third through sixth grade students in New Albin Elementary School were able to share their patriotic ideas in the contest. The students pictured above were awarded the first-place prize in the contest for their respective grade level. Left to right: Maddie Culberson, fifth grade; Noah Mauss, third grade; and Ronny Escobar Lopez, fourth grade. Submitted photo.

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 in the Postville, Allamakee Community, and Eastern Allamakee Community School Districts.

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 1.

Waukon Head Start classrooms will be holding Registration Tuesday, February 23 from 4-6 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall in Waukon. Head Start, operated by Northeast Iowa Community Action, is a full day program that offers a safe and nurturing environment while providing fun and active learning.

Qualified teachers partner with families to provide a preschool experience for children who are three and four years old. Head Start services are funded by federal and state grants and are free for families who qualify. Transportation is available in some areas.

Nutritious meals and snacks are provided by the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Parents are encouraged to bring proof of income and proof of their child’s birthdate.