Education

Carmen Wille (second from the right in the front row of the above photo), a 2017 graduate of Waukon High School now majoring in Agricultural and Life Sciences Education at Iowa State University in Ames, recently participated in the annual Ag Media Summit and Association of Communications Excellence in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Life and Human Sciences (ACE) meeting in Scottsdale, AZ. This national event, held in August, allowed students to attend workshops tailored to communications, meet alumni and network with communication professionals from agriculture-related industries. At the summit, the Iowa State Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT) Club received six awards from 26 submissions. There were a total of nearly 800 entries from 14 ACT chapters around the country. As a chapter, the group was recognized for a substantial increase in contest submissions.

Northeast Iowa and southeast Minnesota high school students and their parents will have an opportunity to talk with representatives from nearly 60 higher education institutions Monday, September 10 at Luther College in Decorah. The event is open to the public with no charge for admission.

College Night will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. in Luther’s Sports and Recreation Center at the college’s Regents Center, located on the lower campus. The college invites all students and families interested in information about post-high school education options to attend.

Representatives of private colleges, public and private universities, community colleges, vocational schools and branches of the military will have booths at the College Night event. Students and parents will be able to talk about academic programs and educational opportunities with representatives from each institution.

Financial aid information sessions will be held at 6:15 p.m. and 7 p.m.

The Allamakee County Conservation Board will be hosting a Hunter Education course September 20, from 6-9 p.m., and September 22, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at the The Allamakee County Sportsmen’s Club in rural Waukon. Attendance on both days of the class is required for successful completion.

Hunter Education is required for anyone 12 years of age or older and born after January 1, 1972 to obtain a hunting license in the state of Iowa. Participants who are 11 years of age at the time of the class may participate in the class, however, they will not will not receive a certificate of certificate until their 12th birthday.

Upper Iowa University (UIU) President Dr. William R. Duffy and Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) President Dr. Liang Chee Wee officially opened the “Bridge to Success” and welcomed the program’s first cohort of students to UIU’s Fayette Campus Thursday, August 23.

Through the unique program, first-year students who have not met entrance requirements for UIU will enroll in the Bridge to Success program as NICC students. Participating students attend classes at UIU’s Fayette campus, completing general education requirements, enhancing their college-ready skills and completing college credits that fully transfer to UIU. Students in the cohort will live on the University’s Fayette campus, receive academic and advising services from both institutions, and attend classes taught by visiting NICC faculty.

The Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Waukon Center will be offering a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Workshop Monday, October 8 from 4-7 p.m. The NICC Waukon Center is located at 1220 Third Avenue NW.

This event is open to the public and is designed to help students complete their FAFSA and answer any questions. Students and parents are encouraged to attend.

To make a 30-minute appointment or for more information about the workshop, contact DeKote’ Curtin at 563-538-6575 (call or text) or curtind@nicc.edu.

To prepare for the FAFSA workshop, visit https://studentaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htm to create a FSA ID for both parent and student; that will be needed to complete the application. Bring a copy of both the parents’ and student’s 2017 taxes, W-2s and FSA ID login information to any FAFSA appointment.
 

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Business and Community Solutions is offering the class “Kids and Canvas - It’s Elementary!” Tuesday, September 18 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at the NICC Waukon Center, located at 1220 Third Avenue NW.

Children can explore the world of painting in this fun class designed for elementary school-aged kids. In class, the kids are provided the paint and artist’s canvas, an age-appropriate subject, and step-by-step guidance to release each child’s inherent creativity.

To register online for “Kids and Canvas - It’s Elementary!” (#65809) or for more information, visit www.nicc.edu/solutions, or call NICC Business and Community Solutions at 800-728-2256, ext. 399 (Calmar campus) or 563-568-3060 (NICC Waukon Center). Registration deadline is September 7.
 

by Brianne Eilers

The Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) Board of Directors met for its regular monthly meeting Monday, August 20. Prior to the start of the meeting, a welcome reception was held for the new teachers in the district.

The recommendation to approve staff for the After School Program was approved, as was Brian Ahlstrom as a volunteer girls basketball coach and Randy Nordheim as a volunteer volleyball coach. A voluntary transfer for Lee Stegen to eighth grade girls basketball coach was approved. Sarah Prestemon was hired as a high school para-professional and the board also approved the list of Teacher Leadership and Compensation (TLC) mentors.

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

The Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) Board of Directors held its regular meeting Monday, August 20 at Kee High School in Lansing. Board President Heather Schulte called the meeting to order. Upon roll call the following responded, Kelli Mudderman, Bruce Palmborg, Heather Schulte, Bobbie Goetzinger and Melanie Mauss. Also present at the meeting were Superintendent Dr. Dale Crozier, Board Secretary/Business Manager Janet Heiderscheit, New Albin Elementary Principal Chad Steckel and Kee High School Principal Mary Hogan.

The board approved the agenda, August consent items, minutes of July meeting, bills, Secretary’s Financial Statement, and the Activity and Food Service Report.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach offers ServSafe® food safety certification classes. ServSafe® meets the criteria for an individual to become a “Certified Food Protection Manager” (CFPM).

Iowa’s Food Code (as of January 1, 2014) requires that: “at least one food establishment employee with management and supervisory responsibility be a CFPM.”

The ServSafe® program blends the latest FDA Food Code, food safety research and years of food sanitation training experience. Managers learn to implement essential food safety practices and create a culture of food safety. All content and materials are based on actual job tasks identified by foodservice industry experts.

Allamakee County Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is celebrating its 100th year of service this year. The organization was honored for this milestone during the Allamakee County Fair 4-H/FFA Livestock Auction Sunday, July 22. Bob Dodds, Assistant Vice President, for Extension and Outreach at Iowa State University in Ames, presented the Allamakee County Extension Council Members and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Allamakee County Staff, with a plaque marking the occasion.

A hundred years ago the people of Allamakee County joined the extension movement and hired their first local extension agent. Today ISU Extension and Outreach serves as a 99 county campus, connecting the needs of Iowans with Iowa State University research and resources.