Education

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

The Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) Board of Directors held two special meetings recently, one May 29 and the other June 3. The May 29 meeting with all board members present went into closed session as allowed by Code of Iowa Chapter 21.5.

A follow-up meeting June 3 was held with all board members present once again. Board members included President Bobbie Goetzinger, Melanie Mauss, Tony Becker, Joe Manning and Arla Wagner. Also present were EACSD Interim Superintendent Dr. Dale Crozier and Donna Thomas, New Albin Elementary School Principal.

Robey Memorial Library in Waukon invites teens in seventh through 12th grades to join the Teen Summer Book Club and Classic Book Club for Teens this summer. The library also invites students who have completed fourth, fifth or sixth grades to take part in Passport to Reading in June, July and August.

Teen Summer Book Club meets Wednesdays from 10:30-11:30 a.m. June 12, July 10 and August 7. Join the club monthly for a book discussion. June’s book selection is Above all else by Dana Allison Levy; July’s book selection is Undefeated by Steve Sheinkin; and August’s book discussion is The Rosewood hunt by Makenzie Reed.

Classic Book Club for Teens meets Mondays from 5:30-6:30 p.m. July 8 and August 12. Classic Book Club for teens will be reading and discussing the classic titles The outsiders by S.E. Hinton in June, The grapes of wrath by John Steinbeck in July, and Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson in August.

Robey Memorial Library in Waukon and The Oneota Valley Literary Foundation (OVLF) have partnered to host Main Street Story Walk in Waukon featuring the children’s story “I don’t want to be a frog” by Dev Petty. During the month of June, 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 them completing the Story Walk.

Children and families are encouraged to participate in Robey Memorial Library’s upcoming programs during the month of June. Summer Explorers is a hands-on program held selected Wednesdays from 10:30-11:30 a.m. in the library’s Community Room.

The next Summer Explorers program is scheduled for Wednesday, June 19. The program will involve a theme of “Ocean Rescue” with Kristen Halverson, children’s author, featuring a story and ocean conservation activities.

“Ocean Rescue” is a rhyming adventurous picture book that teaches young readers about the need to protect oceans, seas, and marine life. It also includes a post-story activity and educational section to spark creative ideas for preventing plastic pollution in oceans. Visit www.kristenhalversonbooks.com for more information about the author and her literary missions.

Twenty-five Iowa and Wisconsin high school seniors received $1,000 Innovation Scholarships from Alliant Energy. The annual scholarships, to be used for higher education expenses, reflect students’ academic achievements and outstanding leadership in their communities.

Students demonstrated leadership through community service and volunteer work, as well as academic achievement through exceptional grade point averages and test scores. Each student submitted a written essay identifying a problem in their community and proposed a creative solution using science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) concepts.

“Supporting workforce readiness and fostering young minds interested in STEM-based careers is critical to developing the future of a skilled and innovative workforce,” said Julie Bauer, Executive Director, Alliant Energy Foundation. “We are thrilled to contribute to each of these recipients’ futures.”

For two weeks in July, South Bear School in rural Decorah will be re-opening its doors for students to join an intensive pottery workshop. South Bear School adheres to a ceramics tradition passed down from the European Guild System to the Bauhaus, to Pond Farm Pottery in California, to South Bear School.

Work and learning are based primarily on demonstrations, observation, and practice on the kickwheel. Quality one-on-one and group instruction will be provided by various alumni from the first iteration of South Bear School (1970-1987). Camp on the property at no extra cost for the full retreat experience, or commute from the nearby area.

Bill Withers, M.D. from Waukon, Keystone Area Education Agency (AEA) Board Member in Director District 3, was recently named the recipient of the 2024 Distinguished Service Award by the Iowa Council of Administrators of Special Education (iCASE). The Distinguished Service Award is presented by iCASE to individuals making significant contributions to programs and service for students with disabilities. Annette Hyde, Director of Special Education at Keystone AEA nominated Dr. Withers for the honor.

Dr. Withers was one of the original board members for Keystone AEA when Iowa’s AEAs were established in 1974. Sue Updegraff, President of the Keystone AEA Board of Directors, noted that Dr. Withers has been on the board for 45 years; in the mid 1990s his medical practice took him out of state for five years. When he returned to northeast Iowa he was fortunate to be able to serve education again by returning to the Keystone AEA Board.

Cameron Johnson from Waukon High School in the Allamakee Community School District was honored as a member of the 2024 Best of the Class. Television station KWWL in Waterloo and the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) recognized valedictorians or top graduating seniors from across eastern Iowa at a celebration Saturday, April 27 at the McLeod Center on the UNI campus in Cedar Falls.

Allamakee County Economic Development and Tourism Executive Director Valerie Reinke graduated from the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute (OU EDI) May 2 at the OU Spring session. OU EDI is an intensive 117-hour certificate program which provides a broad spectrum of advanced education for the economic development professional. Pictured, left to right, in the photo above are Oklahoma University Development Institute Dean Barry Matherly, Allamakee County Economic Development and Tourism Executive Director Val Reinke, and International Economic Development Council President and CEO Nathan Ohle.

Barry Matherly, CEcD and Dean for OU EDI, said, “OU Economic Development Institute is the premier organization dedicated to training economic development professionals. These graduates have invested in improving their professional capabilities to support their local communities. Congratulations to all.”

The VFW Auxiliary #4117 recently presented awards for the “I Love America Because” VFW Auxiliary Elementary School Essay Contest for students at St. Patrick School and East Elementary School in Waukon. Principal at East Elementary is Mrs. Samantha Thornton and principal at St. Patrick School is Mrs. Katie Fahey.

Awards for the winners were presented after the St. Patrick School Mass April 26 and at an East Elementary assembly May 3. The local winners were selected from 174 entries and went on to the district level of competition. Receiving awards at that district level were Ryder Benzing, Second Place for third grade; Stella Iverson, Second Place for fourth grade; and Miranda Wuebker, First Place for fifth grade. The local winners at East Elementary and St. Patrick Schools included the following: