Education

The Allamakee County 4-H County Council sponsored a School Supplies Drive at the 2021 Allamakee County Fair to benefit the Allamakee County Relief Office in assisting those in need. Supplies such as notebooks, crayons, book bags and much more were collected throughout the fair. Over 100 items were donated to the Allamakee County Relief Office this year through the drive. Pictured above at the donation presentation are, left to right,  4-H County Council member Natalie Byrnes and Allamakee County Director of Relief Services Rebecca Hawes.

The Allamakee County 4-H Council would like to extend its special appreciation to all who donated to the drive this year. For further information about the Allamakee County 4-H Program, contact Marissa Foels, Allamakee County Youth Coordinator at the Allamakee County Extension and Outreach Office in Waukon by calling 563-568-6345. Submitted photo.

The 4-H Toppers 4-H Club recently completed a community service project at the Waterville Community Center. The club painted a classroom on the lower level of the former Waterville school; some will remember that room as the red wall classroom or Kids Club room. This is a large room where monthly 4-H meetings are held, and the club felt new paint would make the room more appealing and would be an asset to the Community Center. In January of 2021, the Club applied for and received a Pioneer Seed Grant for community improvement projects to be completed in 2021. The club was one out of 20 grant applications selected for $300 toward the project.

by Brianne Eilers

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors met for its regular monthly meeting Monday evening, August 16. A welcome reception for new teachers was held prior to the meeting. Board member Beth Shafer was absent.

Under the Consent Agenda, the board approved the following personnel matters: After School Program staff; Ashley Mitchell as a West Elementary Paraprofessional; Michelle Gress as a West Elementary Paraprofessional; Amanda Willoughby as a West Elementary Paraprofessional; Marissa Nagel as a Level 3 Paraprofessional; Kay Gavin as Food Service Administrative Assistant; and 2021-2022 Mentors.

As part of its Live & Learn: enriching lives through monthly learning series, Robey Memorial Library in Waukon is offering a Home Pressure Canning and Dehydrating Class Thursday, August 26 at 5:30 p.m. in the lower level Community Room of the library.

Attend this free presentation by Allamakee County Master Gardeners to learn the helpful tips and techniques of food preservation. Instruction will include using a pressure cooker; using a dehydrator; and answering questions about food preservation.

Registration for this program is encouraged but not required. Contact the library Front Desk or reserve spot in the class online at 563-568-4424 or www.waukon.lib.ia.us.
 

Robey Memorial Library in Waukon will once again be hosting its Main Street Story Walk in August featuring the children’s story “There Are No Bears In This Bakery” by Julia Sarcone-Roach. During the month, families are encouraged to read this story as they stroll the downtown area of Waukon. When joining in the fun, participants are reminded to practice social distancing and be attentive when crossing streets for the safety and health of all.

Eight selected businesses have a portion of the story posted in the front window of their establishment for viewing from the sidewalk. Each stop along the Story Walk will direct participants to the next location. Selected businesses are located on West Main Street, First Street NW and First Avenue NW at the following locations: 1. Blake Electric; 2. Epic Wear; 3. S&D Café; 4. Rockweiler Appliance; 5. City Club; 6. Cunningham Hardware; 7. JaDecc’S; 8. Side Street Cycles.
 

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

The Iowa Governor’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Advisory Council has announced that the Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) has been awarded a STEM BEST Grant. BEST stands for Businesses Engaging Students and Teachers.

The grant supports school-business partnerships on curriculum and projects. There were 22 grants awarded statewide. The district will receive up to $25,000 to support that initiative. The program will initially partner with Main Street Lansing, the Lansing Works organization headed by MaryAnn Baldwin, the Rural Iowa Business Association, Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC), Allamakee County Economic Development(ACED) and Keystone Area Education Agency (AEA).

Two Allamakee County 4-H’ers were among the recipients of the more than 85 Iowa 4-H scholarships valued at over $127,000 awarded as part of the Iowa 4-H Foundation’s scholarship recognition ceremony held Sunday, July 11 in the Scheman Building on the campus of Iowa State University in Ames. Over 300 applications were submitted and scholarships were awarded to recipients from 49 counties across the state of Iowa with a wide variety of 4-H experiences.

“Iowa 4-H Foundation scholarships acknowledge the hard work and dedication of young people who have used their 4-H skills and experiences to ‘make the best better’ for others,” said Emily Saveraid, Executive Director of the Iowa 4-H Foundation. “We also are thankful for the many scholarship donors who fund these important opportunities for Iowa 4-H’ers.”

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Business and Community Solutions is offering High School Drivers Education August 26-September 30. The course will be held from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays during that time frame at the NICC Waukon Center, located at 1220 Third Avenue NW in Waukon.

To satisfy the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements, students must attend 30 hours of classroom instruction and six hours of Behind the Wheel (BTW) driving experience. Attendance is required at all sessions. Students must have an Iowa driver’s permit before the first class.

The deadline for paid registration is August 19 (free and reduced lunch students should contact the school office). To register, call NICC Waukon center at 844-642-2338, ext. 6700.
 

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Waukon Center held a “Build Your Own Business” Summer Camp July 28-29 for students entering fourth through sixth grades this fall. This two-day camp was a “Shark Tank”-style experience (based on the “Shark Tank” television series) where students learned basic business concepts and vocabulary, created a business plan, discussed customer service and created their own logo and business cards. Students listened to presentations from local businesses including Indi-Com Electric & Surveillance, WW Homestead Dairy and Decker Delish. The students concluded camp by presenting their business ideas to area business leaders who represented the “sharks” that provided feedback on the business ideas. Build Your Own Business Camp is sponsored by Northeast Iowa Community College, Allamakee County Economic Development & Tourism and the Allamakee County Community Foundation.

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

The regular meeting of the Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) Board of Directors held at Kee High School in Lansing Monday, July 19 dealt  mainly with the business of preparing for the new school year by reviewing and approving numerous items. Board President Heather Schulte attended by phone, and just two other board members were present, Bobbie Goetzinger and Melanie Mauss. School district staff and administration present included EACSD Superintendent Dr. Dale Crozier, Kee Middle and High School Principal Dr. Sarah Updegraff, and board secretaries Marian Verdon and

Michele Martin. Board members not attending included Tony Becker and Kelli Mudderman.