Education

This November and December bundle up and take a stroll through downtown Waukon while enjoying a heartwarming story. Robey Memorial Library, in collaboration with The Oneota Valley Literary Foundation (OVLS), is hosting the Main Street Story Walk during the months of November and December.

This year’s featured story is the beloved classic The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats, a timeless tale of winter wonder and childhood adventures. Families are invited to follow the story as it unfolds in the windows of four local businesses. The Story Walk offers a perfect opportunity for families to enjoy some fresh air, read together, and explore downtown Waukon.

Three local students have been selected to perform in the 39th annual Opus Honor Choir Festival, one of Iowa’s most competitive and prestigious youth choir events. These vocalists were chosen from over 3,000 students statewide who auditioned for just 720 available positions in four honor choirs.

Student selections were made through recorded auditions submitted by their directors.

Left to right in the above photo, Jocelyn Berges, the daughter of Cameron and Sara Berges of Waukon, is a first-year Opus Honor Choir member and was selected to perform in the Fifth/Sixth Grade Treble Choir; Lena Rausch, daughter of Kris and Ben Rausch of Waukon, is a fourth-year Opus Honor Choir member and was selected to perform in the Seventh/Eighth Grade Treble Choir; and Connor Buhl, son of Jonathan and Cathy Buhl of Waukon, is a third-year Opus Honor Choir member and was selected to perform in the Seventh/Eighth Grade Bass Choir.

The Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Board of Trustees voted unanimously October 20 to appoint Dave Dahms as president. Dahms will continue to serve in the role until his anticipated retirement June 30, 2027.

Since assuming leadership of the College, Dahms has provided steady, forward-thinking direction focused on strengthening the College’s mission and implementing positive changes to move NICC forward. Dahms previously served as the College’s vice president of finance and administration.

“Dave has demonstrated strong leadership and an unwavering commitment to NICC’s mission,” said Jim Anderson, president of the NICC Board of Trustees. “His forward-thinking approach and dedication to student and community success are making a real difference in advancing the College.”

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Business and Community Solutions is offering a Mini NICC two-day Craft Camp class. This youth class will be held Monday and Tuesday, November 24-25, from 3:45-5:45 p.m. at the NICC Waukon Center, 1220 3rd Avenue NW.

This session will focus on two specific areas. Origami, the art of paper folding, will allow participants to create shapes and figures. The group will also explore projects using colorful tissue paper and versatile pipe cleaners, along with a selection of other craft supplies. No prior experience is necessary.

All materials will be provided.

The deadline for paid registration is November 17. To register online visit www.nicc.edu/waukon or call NICC Waukon Center at 844-642-2338, ext. 6700.
 

During Dyslexia Awareness Month in October, newly-certified dyslexia tutor Nikki Breimon was busy settling her St. Patrick preschool classroom into a new school year in Waukon. Even after she went home in the evenings, her work as an educator continued as she provided much-needed services to the community.

Breimon recently graduated from a 60-hour training course offered by Aspire Academy Northeast in partnership with Northeast Iowa Community College-Waukon Center, with funding support from the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque.

“I have always loved to read, and I want to share that love of reading,” she explains. “I already tutor during the summer, so what a wonderful opportunity to help a dyslexic reader become more confident.”

Breimon also plans to incorporate some of the strategies she’s learned into her classroom of young preschoolers beginning their literacy journey.

by Brianne Grimstad

In September, the Iowa Department of Education released the 2024-2025 Iowa School Performance Profiles. This is the second year of the Iowa Department of Education using the Iowa unified accountability system, which examines a set of core indicators that include proficiency in the areas of English language arts (ELA), math and science, academic growth in math and ELA, chronic absenteeism, graduation rates, and postsecondary readiness index in the areas of college credits and work based learning.

Overall, Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) matched or exceeded the state average in most all of the analysis categories, including attendance growth, graduation rates, proficiency in math, science and English language arts, while staying below the state average in the category of chronic absenteeism.

The Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library continues to host monthly Bridge Talk sessions the second Thursday of each month, beginning at 5 p.m. The next scheduled Bridge Talk session has been slated for November 13 at the library.

Professionals and experts working on the Black Hawk Bridge replacement project present information and take questions from the community during these public sessions. All are welcome to attend. Anyone who may have questions about the Bridge Talk sessions or any other library matter may contact the library by telephone at 563-538-4693 or by email at library@lansing.lib.ia.us.
 

by Brianne Grimstad

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) School Board met for its regular monthly meeting Monday night, October 20. Under the Consent Agenda, the following personnel were approved: Barbara Johnson, middle school paraprofessional; Jesse Peterson, head varsity co-ed bowling coach; Dani Bucknell, girls wrestling volunteer coach; Bob Wasson, 9th grade girls basketball coach; Andy Sires, 9th grade boys basketball coach; Melissa Ward, head varsity softball coach; Jacob Homp, 7th and 8th grade boys wrestling coach; Cheyenne Freilinger, elementary paraprofessional; and Jennifer Davis, elementary paraprofessional.

Iowa residents are encouraged to participate in a free program to help them pay for college expenses. The Iowa Student Loan (ISL) Education Lending Scholarship program is designed to give high school students, undergraduate college students and their parents and guardians access to important information about planning for and financing college while awarding 45 lucky winners $1,000 each in college savings.

The ISL Education Lending Scholarship is open now through December 5 at https://www.IowaStudentLoan.org/Savings. After completing a simple online registration, participants have the opportunity to experience the engaging and informative resources provided by the nonprofit organization.

Participants also receive weekly emails from the time they register until the end of the registration period.

Two of the global causes that Lions Clubs International focuses on are youth and reducing hunger. Lions Clubs strive to help youth to have healthy, productive lives and have access to nutritious foods. With this in mind, the Waukon Lions Club donated $500 to the Allamakee Community School District Milk Program Thursday, October 9. Donations such as this are made possible by the generous support the Waukon Lions Club receives from the community. Pictured at the presentation of the donation check to the Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Food Service Department are ACSD Food Service staff members Kay Gavin and Jessica Keenan, and Waukon Lions members Carrie Niehaus, Rosie and Tom Phipps, and Kim Gates. Submitted photo.