Education

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.

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Business and Community Solutions is offering “Wrap it Up: String Art” Tuesday, September 4 from 6-8 p.m. at the NICC Waukon Center, located at 1220 Third Avenue NW in Waukon.

String art looks complicated, but it’s actually quite simple - just nails and string on a wooden foundation.

Class participants bring a hammer and needle nose pliers to the class and the instructor brings the wood, nails and string to help craft a spectacular piece of art, just by wrapping string around strategically placed nails. Participants can create a finished piece of craftsmanship to take home.

To register online for “Wrap it Up:  String Art” (#65802) 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 the NICC Waukon Center at 563-568-3060.

Registration deadline is August 24.
 

The Winneshiek Energy District welcomes Carmen Finken from the University of Northern Iowa’s Center for Energy and Environmental Education to the monthly Energy Breakfast program scheduled for Tuesday, August 21. Finken oversees Sustainable Schools AmeriCorps, a new program that serves as a resource and catalyst to help Iowa school districts save energy, save money and engage students in building a more sustainable future.

She will present the program at the August breakfast, beginning at 7:30 a.m. at T-Bock’s Underground, downtown Decorah. Register to attend at energydistrict.org.

Wartburg College professor Michael Bechtel and three of his current and former students have been selected to present an interactive display on classroom aquaponics at the Iowa State Fair Sunday, August 19.

Bechtel, who is an assistant professor of science education at Wartburg College and a 1989 graduate of Waukon High School, will be joined by Wartburg senior Zach Pogorzelski, sophomore Noah Solheim and 2015 Wartburg graduate Angelina Carrasquillo in presenting the system as part of the 2018 STEM Day at the Iowa State Fair sponsored by the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council. Their presentation will be one of more than 20 from organizations across the state.

The Allamakee County 4-H Council sponsored a School Supplies Drive to benefit the Allamakee County Relief Office during the 2018 Allamakee County Fair. Supplies such as notebooks, crayons, book bags and much more were collected throughout the fair to be donated to the Allamakee County Relief Office for distribution to students who may need them. Pictured above, left to right, with some of the donated items at the donation presentation are Allamakee County Director of Relief Services Rebecca Hawes and Allamakee 4-H County Council member Diana Davison. For further information about the Allamakee County 4-H Program, contact Allamakee County Youth Coordinator Morgan Bjerke at the Allamakee County Extension and Outreach Office in Waukon at 563-568-6345. Submitted photo.
 

Tractor Supply Company is recognizing Waukon High School student Diana Davison for her exceptional community contributions through its second annual “Great Neighbor” Essay Contest at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines this Saturday, August 11. Davison will be a sophomore at Waukon High School this fall and the “Great Neighbor” essay she entered into the contest appears at right, along with her photo.

The “Great Neighbor” Essay Contest encouraged youth across the country to submit a short essay detailing how a memorable 4-H or FFA experience has influenced their development as a great neighbor in their community. Tractor Supply received hundreds of entries, and Davison was selected as one of the winners from the state of Iowa. She will be recognized during a special ceremony this Saturday, August 11 at 2 p.m. at the Tractor Supply booth inside the Iowa State Fair.

The Iowa Master Gardener program with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach are hosting a series of Growing Season webcasts this summer. Master Gardeners will gain educational hours while learning about insects, tree care, organic vegetables, composting and growing roses.

The two-hour webcasts will be shown at the ISU Extension and Outreach Allamakee County office in Waukon. The webcasts are open to the public for a fee and open to anyone who may be interested. The remaining Growing Season webcast topics include:

• Tuesday, August 14 at 9:30 a.m. or 3:30 p.m.: Local Bees and Organic Vegetables - Find out how to attract native bees and other pollinators to the garden from Randall Cass, entomologist with ISU Extension and Outreach. Then learn how to organically maintain a vegetable garden from Kathleen Delate, professor and Extension organic specialist in horticulture and agronomy at Iowa State.

Zalmona Presbyterian Church in rural Waukon will be hosting a Vacation Bible School Tuesday, August 7 through Saturday, August 11 from 9-11:45 a.m. each day. The theme is “Daniel’s Adventures in Babylon,” introducing students to the faith and strength that brought Daniel and his fellow captives through their exile in Babylon.

Stories are presented through drama and scripture. Children will also participate in crafts, games, music and small and large group times of sharing. A snack will be provided each morning. The time in Babylon will culminate with a picnic at noon Saturday and a program will be presented by the children during worship at Zalmona Sunday, August 12 at 10:30 a.m.

All children ages four and older are welcome and encouraged to attend. To register, call the church at 563-568-3875.