Education

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Business and Community Solutions is offering a Ceramic Fall Pumpkin class for Adults and a Ceramic Jack-O-Lantern class for Youth Tuesday, October 22. The youth class will run from 3:45-4:45 p.m. and the adult class will run from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the NICC Waukon Center, 1220 3rd Avenue NW.

During the classes painting Jack-O-Lanterns, attendees can learn how to apply beautiful colors, styles and their own unique imprint on their very own Jack-O-Lantern. They can be creative and enjoy uncomplicated artmaking with their ceramic pumpkin and numerous colors provided.

No experience is necessary and all skill levels are welcome. All supplies will be included.

The deadline for paid registration for the classes is October 15. To register online, visit www.nicc.edu/waukon or call NICC Waukon Center at 844-642-2338, ext. 6700.
 

The Iowa Department of Education has released new spring 2024 assessment results from the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP) for students in grades 3-11. State-level results from the spring 2024 ISASP show student achievement reaching or exceeding pre-pandemic levels across most grade levels in both English language arts and mathematics.

Significant proficiency gaps remain among students with disabilities and students who are English language learners in both English language arts and mathematics. In English language arts, the overall results show modest long-term progress with some grades showing significant gains. In mathematics, the overall long-term results remain steady and do not show meaningful progress in most grade levels.

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

The Board of Directors of the Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) held its regular meeting at Kee High School in Lansing Monday, September 9. According to changes made by the board earlier this year, its regular monthly meetings are now being held the second Monday of each month rather than the third Monday in order to not conflict with the school board meeting schedule of the Central Community School District in Elkader, with whom EACSD shares the leadership of Superintendent Nick Trenkamp this year.

In personnel matters, meeting the new school district staff members for this year was tabled until the board’s October meeting, and a teacher aide contract was approved for Patricia Olson. Board member Heather Lutz was appointed to be the Iowa Association of School Boards delegate for the EACSD.

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Business and Community Solutions is offering STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering And Mathematics) Makerspace Open Lab Sessions starting Wednesday, September 25. There will also be sessions October 9, October 23, November 6, November 20 and December 4. These classes will run from 3:30-5 p.m. at the NICC Waukon Center, 1220 3rd Avenue NW.

STEAM Makerspace Open Labs are for students in third through seventh grades. The lab is a learning space for creative exploration of STEAM. Use Legos, robotics, electronics, create movies and animation, design and build, and more. A teacher will be available to guide students in the basic use of the tools and technology. Registration is preferred, but walk-ins are welcome.

The deadline for paid registrations is September 25. To register online or for more details, visit www.nicc.edu/waukon or call NICC Waukon center at 844-642-2338, ext. 6700.

by Brianne Grimstad

The Allamakee Community School District School (ACSD) Board of Directors met for its regular monthly meeting Monday night, September 16.

Under the Consent Agenda, the following personnel matters were approved (pending a satisfactory background check): Kids Club Staff; Kelly Ryan-Urell, High School Paraprofessional; Kris Rausch, Middle School Play Director; and Ben Pline, Assistant 7th and 8th grade football coach. Resignations from Hallie Evans and Molly Ottaway from their elementary paraprofessional positions were also approved. Out-of-state field trips for FFA members to attend the National Convention in Indianapolis, IN in October and for Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) members to attend the FBLA National Convention in Anaheim, CA in June 2025 were approved. Three open enrollments out of the district and one open enrollment in were approved, as was renewing the annual Hudl subscription for sports teams.

by Brianne Grimstad

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors met Friday morning, September 6 for a special meeting to appoint a new school board member to fill the At-Large seat on the board being vacated by long-time ACSD board member Al Rissman, who submitted his resignation from that position at the board’s regular August meeting. Petitions from two individuals were received by the school district for potential appointment to the board, Tim Smedsrud and Jesse Delaney.

The board members voted to appoint Jesse Delaney to fill out the remainder of Rissman’s term, which expires at the end of 2025. Delaney is scheduled to take the Oath of Office at the next regular board meeting, which is scheduled for Monday, September 16.
 

The Northeast Iowa RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) is currently recruiting volunteers 25 years of age and older for its Pen Pal program in Allamakee, Howard and Winneshiek counties.

The Pen Pal program links third graders with volunteers through letter writing. The program allows students to practice their letter writing, including sentence and paragraph structure. They learn how to generate ideas, ask and answer questions, and correctly address and sign a written letter.

The RSVP volunteer letter writers gain a lot through the experience as well. Receiving an actual letter can brighten anyone’s day. Making a new friend and reading about a child’s interests and accomplishments can boost one’s mental well-being.

The only supplies needed are a pen or pencil and paper. Those who are “snowbirds” or “seasonal residents” can also be involved, as letters can be scanned in and sent to their location.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig recently announced that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will provide $2,000 grants to 137 participating school districts or schools to purchase meat, eggs, produce, dairy and other local foods from area farmers. Among those 137 schools and districts are the Allamakee Community School District and Eastern Allamakee Community School District, along with St. Patrick School in Waukon and the Postville Community School District.

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

The Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) Board of Directors met at Kee High School in Lansing Wednesday, August 21 in an effort to avoid conflicting with the Monday, August 19 school board meeting in the Central Community School District, with which EACSD now shares the services of Superintendent Nick Trenkamp. Beginning with its September meeting (September 9), the board will be meeting the second Monday of each month in order to further avoid meeting schedule conflicts with Central Community.

The board approved the appointment of Heather Lutz as board member for Director District 2, replacing board member Tony Becker who has moved out of the school district. Board Secretary Michele Martin administered the oath of office to Lutz.

A total of 295 FFA exhibitors from across the state of Iowa competed in the FFA Market Swine Show Thursday, August 8 and Friday, August 9 at the 2024 Iowa State Fair in Des Moines. Types of swine exhibited included Crossbred Market Gilt, Crossbred Market Barrow and Purebred Market Swine.

Jenna Achenback of Woodward Granger FFA, Woodward, won Champion Purebred Market Swine (Yorkshire) honors, and Riley Stuecker of Central Lee FFA, Donnellson, was awarded Reserve Champion Purebred Market Swine (Duroc) accolades. Taylor Brinning of Washington FFA, Washington, was awarded Grand Champion Market Pig honors, and Hayden Fox of Belmond-Klemme FFA, Belmond, was judged to have exhibited the Reserve Grand Champion Market Pig.