Education

Valedictorians or top graduating seniors were honored by KWWL Television and the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) in a ceremony held Saturday, April 30. The students took part in KWWL’s 32nd annual “Best of the Class” celebration on the University of Northern Iowa campus in Cedar Falls. Madison Snitker from Waukon High School, daughter of Ted and Lisa Snitker of Waukon, was honored as a member of the 2016 Best of the Class. Best of the Class students were videotaped on the UNI campus for a series of public service announcements, which are scheduled to air on KWWL's Channel 7. KWWL Vice President and General Manager Jim McKernan noted, "KWWL is proud to be associated with an event that shines a light on these outstanding students, their families and schools." Pictured above, left to right, are KWWL Chief Meteorologist Mark Schnackenberg, KWWL news anchor Ron Steele, Madison Snitker of Waukon High School and KWWL Sports Director Rick Coleman. Submitted photo.

Kaley Benzing (center), Waukon High School (WHS) graduating senior, was recognized by Iowa Governor Terry Branstad (left) and Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds (right) for outstanding academic achievement at the 14th Annual Governor’s Scholar Recognition Ceremony held May 1 at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines. The statewide program, sponsored by the Iowa Governor’s Office, Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) and its title sponsor, the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), honored 432 high school seniors from throughout Iowa this year. “Iowa Farm Bureau members believe that by investing in our youth and communities, we’re investing in the future of Iowa,” said IFBF President Craig Hill. “We are so proud to honor such exceptional students and proud to be a leading contributor to educational programs and annual scholarships for our youth.”

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) is participating in the Free Summer Food Service Program again this year. Menus for the initial session of the program accompany this article. Breakfast and lunch will be provided to all children ages one through graduating seniors for free and are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service.

To ensure that Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) programs align with local workforce needs, the Board of Trustees approved a series of recommendations by the College’s administration at its May 16 meeting.

New programs approved by the trustees and the Iowa Department of Education (DOE) include: Computer Analyst – Data Center Technician certificate at the Peosta and Calmar campuses; Entrepreneurial Cosmetology diploma at both campuses; and the renaming of the Mechanical Engineering Technology program to Engineering Technology at the Peosta campus. Also approved by the trustees, and pending Iowa Department of Education (DOE) approval, is a new Legal Assistant Associate of Applied Science degree at the Peosta campus.

by Brianne Eilers

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors met for its regular monthly board meeting Monday night, May 16. During the Secretary’s Report, retiring Board Secretary Janice Rea welcomed Jaime Curtin as the new Board Secretary/Business Manager. Rea also noted that the district is in “a good financial position because the Board looks out for students and staff.” The Board also thanked Rea for her years of service to the ACSD.

During the Superintendent’s Report, ACSD Superintendent Dave Herold noted that the State legislative session is over and that the use of Smarter Balance and the Early Literacy Initiative are still unclear. Herold further noted that Smarter Balance may be a line item vetoed by Iowa Governor Terry Branstad. Herold also provided Board members with a photocopy from an upcoming Iowa History Journal that will feature a section on Waukon.

The Waterville All-School Reunion is scheduled to take place the weekend of June 25-26, and organizers say that reservations are coming in from the east and west coasts from graduates, others who attended Waterville, and from families of the first class to graduate from Waterville in 1923. Saturday, June 25 is Waterville Day from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. for anyone who has a connection with the town. The school will be open for touring, the fire station will showcase fire and emergency service equipment, wine tasting will be hosted by Eagles Landing Winery and lunch provided by Parents for Progress. In addition, the Waterville Library and City Hall will be open for a display of Waterville’s history as well as being the “museum” of composite Waterville graduation pictures. Open Door to the Soul (formerly Waterville Lutheran Church) has been maintained by the White family and will be open as well. A game of Granny Basketball is planned for 2 p.m. in the Waterville school gymnasium.

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

The regular monthly Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) Board of Directors meeting was held Monday, May 16 at Kee High School in Lansing. Board members Bruce Palmborg, Bobbie Goetzinger, Kelli Mudderman, Melanie Mauss and Board President Heather Schulte were present, along with Board Secretary/Business Manager Marian Verdon, Kee High School and Middle School Principal Mary Hogan, New Albin Elementary School Principal Chad Steckel and Superintendent Dr. Dale Crozier.
The initial item on the agenda included approval of the 2015-2016 budget amendment which allows the budget to cover additional revenues and expenditures not covered in the original budget. Public comments were called for but none were given. The normal and customary authorizations were approved.

Thursday, April 14 Allamakee County Conservation Naturalist Ross Geerdes (pictured in the center of the above photo) visited with about 120 Waukon Middle School seventh grade geography students about Orienteering. Students received some background information on the use of a compass and Global Positioning System (GPS) before working in small groups to use the information on GPS to locate three pre-determined coordinates. Submitted photo.
 

Those interested in become an Iowa Master Gardener may do so by completing the core training course this fall through Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Allamakee County office in Waukon. Gardeners will learn best practices for choosing plants, designing gardens and managing pests. Classes start at all locations in September of this year.

Those interested in the course can apply at http://mastergardenerhours.hort.iastate.edu/application-form.php. Apply now, as space is limited for each location. Accepted participants will be notified by September 11.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Allamakee County Office  is hosting the seventh annual “Growing Season” webinar series at Waukon during June, July and August. Gardeners will learn about benefits of shade in landscape, tree problems, and native garden insects.

The three-part series is offered by the Iowa Master Gardener program and is open to all interested gardeners. Participants are not required to have completed Master Gardener training to attend.