Education

submitted by Allamakee Community Education Association

Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) is adjusting to the changes prompted by the COVID-19 outbreak. One of those options for students is to learn from a location different than the school by remote means.

To accomplish learning remotely, usually from home, teachers and students are using an application called Zoom. Also being used are the learning management systems Canvas and Seesaw, along with free programs like Quizlet, Socrative and Google Documents.

Zoom allows students who are home to connect on their computers to the school. Students at home and in the classroom, along with the teacher in the classroom, can interact with video and audio, in real time. Occasionally, there are internet connection issues, but these have been relatively rare for students and teachers.

The four Waukon High School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) students pictured above were among high school students from Colorado, Iowa and Missouri interested in business who competed in a Business Battle from October 19-30. The Business Battle featured seven business-oriented assessments conducted online: Accounting & Financial Management, Business Basics, Business Development & Entrepreneurship, Business Management, Financial Concepts, Information Technology, and Marketing, Sales and Communications.

by Brianne Eilers

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors met Monday evening, November 16 for its regular monthly meeting. As its last item of business for the meeting, the board approved mandatory mask usage by students and staff throughout the district on a split, 3-2 vote.

Thursday, October 1, the joint committees of the Iowa High School Music Association and the Iowa Music Educators Association voted unanimously to cancel the 2020 All-State Music Festival due to health safety concerns presented by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The joint committees were also committed to moving forward with the All-State Audition process.

Auditions were held virtually October 22-24, with a total of 3,483 students auditioning virtually by regions: LeMars, Hampton-Dumont-CAL, Independence, Atlantic, Indianola and Washington, representing 263 high schools. A total of 1,081 instrumental and vocal music students were selected to receive the All-State honor, including a pair of Waukon High School vocal students under the direction of Sarah J. Bieber, Vocal Music Director for sixth-12th grades in the Allamakee Community School District.

The 2020 Northeast District Livestock Evaluation Career Development Event was held Saturday, October 3 at the Clayton County Fairgrounds in National. Twenty-five teams competed in this year’s event involving 86 individual FFA members who were tasked with placing six classes of livestock. These classes consisted of four head each of breeding gilts, breeding ewe, market lambs, breeding does, purebred Angus heifers and breeding heifers. Participants did not have to complete a livestock evaluation knowledge test or oral reasons this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and both officials and FFA members participated in social distancing.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is now accepting entries for the 2021 Iowa Federal Junior Duck Stamp (JDS) art contest from students in Kindergarten through 12th grade. 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 a student may enter individually. All information needed to participate can be found on the website: www.fws.gov/juniorduck.

Iowa entries for 2021 Contest must be postmarked by March 15, 2021, and mailed to: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge; ATTN: Junior Duck Stamp; 1434 316th Lane; Missouri Valley, IA 51555.

by Julie Berg-Raymond

In a special session Monday night, November 2, the Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) Board of Directors voted 3-1 to adopt a district-wide mask mandate for students when they cannot socially distance. The mandate includes home athletic events and provides for an intent to discuss an exit plan for the mandate at a later date, with an immediate effective date.

Board members Bobbie Goetzinger, Heather Schulte and Kelli Mudderman voted in favor of the mandate; member Tony Becker was opposed. Member Melanie Mauss was not present but sent a letter to the board indicating her support of the mandate.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Allamakee County will host a Commercial Ag Weed, Insect and Plant Disease Management Continuing Instruction Course (CIC) for commercial pesticide applicators Wednesday, November 18. The program, provided by the ISU Extension and Outreach Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP), is available at office locations across Iowa.

The local attendance site is the Allamakee County Extension Office in Waukon. Due to social distancing requirements, pre-registration is required. Walk-ins on the day of the program will only be admitted if room allows. The course runs from 9-11:30 a.m. The registration fee increases after November 11. To register or to obtain additional information about the CIC, contact the ISU Extension and Outreach Allamakee County office at 563-568-6345.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Allamakee County office will host a Fumigation Continuing Instruction Course (CIC) for commercial and private fumigant pesticide applicators Tuesday, November 17. 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 Office in Waukon. Due to social distancing requirements, pre-registration is required for the course. Walk-ins the day of the program will only be admitted if room allows. The course runs from 9-11 a.m. The registration fee increases after November 10. To register or to obtain additional information about the CIC, contact the ISU Extension and Outreach Allamakee County office at 563-568-6345.

The United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued nationwide waivers which allow school districts and community organizations to extend the operation of the Summer Food Service Program throughout the current school year.

Allamakee Community School District is participating in the USDA Summer Food Service Program during this time, which will allow for a safe and streamlined service of nutritious meals. Meals will be provided to all enrolled students without charge.

Free meals are being provided to all enrolled students at Waukon High School, Waukon Middle School, East Elementary School and West Elementary School during regular meal service times. The serving of those free meals began October 14 and will continue through May 25, 2021, or until the last day of school.