Education

by Brianne Eilers

At its December 2017 regular meeting, the Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors voted unanimously to close Waterville Elementary at the end of the 2017-2018 school year. With that decision made, the process has begun to transition Waterville Elementary students and staff into the elementary schools in Waukon, a process involving administration and staff of the Allamakee Community School District, parents of Waterville Elementary students, the students themselves and community members, some of whom are part of a transition team in place working on strategies to make the changes easier on all students involved.

Three high school student participants in the Career Learning Link Partnership through Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) attended a Girls in STEM event in Johnston Monday, January 29 to learn more about high-demand, high-paying careers for women. The students visited interactive Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) booths taking guided notes about the training and education needed for specific careers. The event was sponsored by Iowa Public Television and Million Women Mentors Iowa.

NICC Career Coach Amanda Reddick-Gilson accompanied the three high school juniors pictured at right to the Girls in STEM event. Those students included (left to right in accompanying photo) Amanda Fahey of Kee High School in Lansing, the daughter of Joe Fahey and Amy Wiemerslage; Adriana Reese of Oelwein High School​, the daughter of Melissa Reese and Chris King; and Morgan Vorwald of Edgewood-Colesburg High School, the daughter of Lynne and Ken Vorwald.

Playing the piano with bananas, or the bongos with carrots, or Pac Man with play dough are just some of the things Waukon Clover Kids learned about the magic of the Makey Makey and turning everyday items into a keyboard. The Makey Makey is a circuit board that uses alligator clips to send electrical signals to the computer. Anything that can conduct electricity can be connected to the clips, such as bananas, carrots, play dough, and even people. The Clover Kids substituted these items for the four arrow keys, space bar and click on the computer. Once they were grounded to the Makey Makey, they used different apps, such as the piano, to learn how electricity flows. The most important lesson was being “grounded” and holding the specific alligator clip or touching that person (as pictured both above and below). The Clover Kids also made their own marshmallow shooters out of craft sticks (pictured on the table in the photo above).

Allamakee County will offer the Certified Handlers Continuing Instruction Course (CIC) Wednesday, March 21. The program will be shown across Iowa through the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP).

The local attendance site is the Allamakee County Extension Office. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., and the course will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. The registration fee is discounted before March 14. To register or obtain additional information about the CIC, contact the ISU Extension and Outreach office in Allamakee County by phoning 563-568-6345.

Upper Iowa University (UIU) and Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) signed a Letter of Understanding Tuesday, January 23 that will create a new Bridge to Success Program for first-year college students. The four-year private university and community college agreement, which begins this fall, is unique in the state of Iowa.

Through the Bridge to Success Program, first-year students who have not met entrance requirements for Upper Iowa University will enroll as Northeast Iowa Community College students. While attending classes at Upper Iowa University, the students will complete general education requirements, enhance their college-ready skills and complete college credits that fully transfer to Upper Iowa University. 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.

This is the 13th year for the Alumni Scholarship instituted by the Allamakee Scholarship Fund (ASF), Inc. Board of Directors. The award is made to a Waukon High School graduate who participated in Allamakee Scholarship Fund, Inc. (or Allamakee Dollars for Scholars) while in high school and received an award as a graduating senior. The scholarship is available for college sophomores or higher level students who have been out of high school two years.

The ASF, Inc. Board feels it is important to continue the encouragement to Allamakee Community School District graduates as they continue their education, not just as they start their post-high school program. The group wishes to encourage participation in community service and college activities that are part of their educational growth and preparation for career and community life.

Waukon Head Start classrooms, located at West Elementary School at 953 Third Avenue NW, will be holding Registration and an Open House Thursday, February 8 from 3:30-6 p.m. Head Start, operated by Northeast Iowa Community Action, is a full day program that offers a safe and nurturing environment while providing fun and active learning.

Teachers partner with families to provide the preschool experience for children who are three and four years old.  Head Start services are funded by federal and state grants and are free for families who qualify. Head Start is an inclusive environment for children with disabilities.  Transportation is available in some areas.

Nutritious meals and snacks are provided by the CACFP program. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Parents are encouraged to bring proof of income and proof of their child’s birthdate.

St. Patrick School in Waukon will be holding its annual Mardi Gras fundraising event Saturday, January 27 at the Waukon Banquet Center. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. Among the events taking place will be live and silent auctions for items such as those pictured at right. There will also be a raffle for a 10-foot Tahoma kayak. Local businesses and individuals have donated items and funds to help make the event a success for St. Patrick School. For tickets and additional information, contact Jennifer Kovarik at 563-568-5318, Amy McCormick at 563-419-9336, Tami Stilwell at 319-361-6077 or St. Patrick School at 563-568-2170. Submitted photo.
 

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Business and Community Solutions is offering the Certified Nurse Aide Course beginning Tuesday, January 30 from 4-7 p.m. at the NICC Waukon Center, located at 1220 Third Avenue NW in Waukon.

This State of Iowa-approved class is the first step toward a career helping others in healthcare settings. It prepares students for employment as a nurse aide (CNA) and may be a prerequisite for admission into the College’s nursing programs. The fast-paced combination of classroom, hands-on laboratory and off-site clinical experience addresses basic nursing and personal care skills, patient rights and communication. Special attention to mental, physical and social health of geriatric and special populations is included.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Office Allamakee County will host a Seed Treatment Continuing Instruction Course (CIC) for commercial pesticide applicators, Wednesday, February 28. The program will be shown at locations across Iowa through the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP).

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., and the course runs from 9 to 11:30 a.m. The registration fee is discounted before February 21. To register or to obtain additional information about the CIC, contact the ISU Extension and Outreach office in Allamakee County by phoning 563-568-6345.

The course will provide continuing instruction credit for commercial pesticide applicators certified in categories 4 and 10. Topics to be covered include equipment calibration and safe application techniques; pests, pest management and pesticides; and issues concerning treated seed, including disposal of unused treated seed.