Education

Three Waukon-based Clover Kids meetings were hosted in September by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, such as the group pictured below. Clover Kids is a fun 4-H program specifically designed for children in kindergarten through third grade. The overall purpose of the Iowa 4-H Clover Kids program is to foster the development of life skills that are essential for the cognitive, social, emotional and physical maturation of kindergarten through third graders by providing a unique, age-appropriate educational opportunity.

Every two years Farm Credit Services of America donates to Waukon High School agriculture classes and its Little Switzerland FFA Chapter new FFA manuals and student handbooks. This year they donated 45 student handbooks and 10 FFA manuals used by students and members to explore opportunities in FFA, learn about the history of FFA, and much more. Waukon High School’s Ag One classes use these books almost daily, which causes some quick wear and tear, and these books are needed to not only help freshmen and younger students learn more about FFA and all it has to offer, but also so FFA members can keep up on new events in the program’s history and learn more about contests, SAEs and more.

The resignation of New Albin Elementary School Principal Chad Steckel was approved by the Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) Board of Directors in a late afternoon special session Friday, September 20. Steckel has served as principal of New Albin Elementary School for the past several years, and EACSD Board members voted unanimously in that special session to accept his resignation from that position, as well as all of his other coaching and teaching positions he held within the EACSD.

EACSD Superintendent Dr. Dale Crozier stated that Steckel’s letter of resignation that was presented to the board stated he was resigning “for personal reasons.” Steckel reaffirmed that reasoning in follow-up correspondence with The Standard, stating, “I will simply say the same.”

Forests and woodlands may not be among the first things that come to mind when people think about what grows in Iowa. But according to Billy Beck, newly-named assistant professor and extension forestry specialist at Iowa State University, forests hold more value and potential than Iowans often realize.

“Forests are important for many reasons, including water quality improvement, wildlife, timber and aesthetics, and we need to be promoting them more,” Beck said.

Beck began his new role in August, after completing his Ph.D. at Iowa State in 2018. He previously held forestry-related jobs in Michigan, Illinois and Kansas, and is excited about the opportunity to grow and promote the value of Iowa’s forestry.

“I really want Iowans to realize that these woodlands are valuable to their property, and they’re a value to their farming enterprise,” he said.

The Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Waukon Center is offering a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Workshop Tuesday, October 15 from 3:30-6:30 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. NICC Waukon Center staff members will be available to 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’ Blake 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 form. Bring a copy of the parents’ and student’s 2018 taxes, W-2s and FSA ID login information to the appointment.
 

The week of September 30-October 4 is Homecoming Week at Waukon High School, culminating in the Waukon Indians facing off against the Oelwein Huskies in the annual Homecoming football game Friday, October 4. The theme of “Harness the Huskies” has been chosen for this year’s Homecoming, and students and staff throughout the Allamakee Community School District will spend the week partaking in various activities and events, including dress-up days, pep rallies and the traditional “Burning of the ‘W’.”

The activity schedule for Homecoming Week is as follows:

Iowans interested in the care of trees, forests and natural resources should consider attending a forestry field day this fall, held by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and various public and private partners.

Topics will include how to manage a forest for profit, water quality, wildlife and the aesthetic value of trees. Additional topics will include forest establishment, tree protection and invasive species control, herbicide use, forest products, portable sawmills, timber marketing and the legal aspects of forestry.

“Trees, woodlands and forests are often vastly under-utilized by Iowa landowners,” said Billy Beck, assistant professor and extension forestry specialist at Iowa State University. “These forestry field days provide Iowans the knowledge and resources to harness the true power of their forests.”

In a late afternoon special session Friday, September 20, the Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) Board of Directors approved the resignation of New Albin Elementary School Principal Chad Steckel from all of his duties of principal, driver’s education and coaching within the school district.

The vote was unanimous from all board members.

Steckel had just been approved as a driver’s education instructor for the fall at the board’s Monday, September 16 regular meeting. EACSD Superintendent Dr. Dale Crozier was not available for follow-up Tuesday morning, September 24. No additional information was available at press time Tuesday morning for this week’s edition.

The Confirmation Class of 1969 at Glenwood Lutheran Church in rural Decorah will be holding a 50-year reunion Sunday, October 6. The reunion will include the 10:30 a.m. church service, which will then be followed by a potluck dinner. Members of that Confirmation Class of 1969 pictured above include: Left to right - Front row: Diane (Westby) Larson, Beverly (Brandt) Bachelder, Pastor Olaf Brandt, Nancy (Everud) Winholtz; Middle row: Lorna (Wilkins) Duvel, Helen (Dahlen) Wise, Donna (Smorstad) Bentley, Robin (Sacquitne) Althoff, Vicki (Olson) Westendorf; Back row: Merlin Tangen, Michael Onsager, Gary Flatland, Gene Teslow, Howard Dahlen, Loren Wilkins. Submitted photo.
 

by Brianne Eilers

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors met for its regular monthly meeting Monday, September 16. Under the consent agenda, the board approved the following personnel: staff for after school programming, West Elementary secretary maternity leave coverage and 2019-2020 volunteer coaches: Jack Regan (wrestling), Amy Wasson, Mike Shupe, Greg Criswell and Bridget Dolan (girls track) and Morgan McMillan (golf). The board also accepted the resignation of Daneshia Snitker from her position as varsity softball assistant coach.

The board approved several Sunday requests and out-of-state field trips including a Sunday cheer competition, Google Summit, Iowa Business Education Association Conference, the annual Chanhassen trip, and for first graders to attend the Nutcracker. One open enrollment was approved.